Today I want to share with you a challenge I am doing.

The Simple Mom, author of the book, Organized Simplicity, is challenging us to take the next five weeks to tackle five “Hot Spots” in our homes in need of serious decluttering, organizing and cleaning.  She is calling it PROJECT SIMPLIFY.  She wants us to take before and after pictures each week and share them with all the others taking part.  On Friday she’ll open her blog for these pictures to be posted by sharing a link to your blog. One person will be chosen to win that week’s giveaway.  Sounds fun doesn’t it?  Okay, maybe fun is a stretch – but I know it will be rewarding.  🙂

I realize many of you don’t have a blog – so here’s what I’m thinking.  If you want to join this challenge, simply let me know by posting a comment.  Then, e-mail me your before and after pictures.  I will post them all on a special Saturday post for the next five Saturdays and link it to her site.  You will have to get me your pictures on Friday to be included in Saturday’s post.

I’m very excited to have an opportunity to do this with all of you.

This past weekend, Tom and I spent four solid hours cleaning our back porch and pruning our overgrown rose bushes. It felt good to accomplish something with such incredible results.  I was amazed at how we were able to relax and enjoy an evening at home together with such a project completed.  And we had fun doing it.  Here are our before and after pics:

Before #1

Before #2

Before #3

After #1

After #2

After #3

Romance is often stifled by the clutter around us – both in our hearts and in our homes. Our Vineyard is primarily focused on the former (the heart of romance), but this challenge will help us focus on our homes.  You may find yourselves enjoying more romantic evenings at home when it’s clutter free.

I’m in – are you?