When we have our first few “warmish” days in spring, I start my spring cleaning rituals. I love this time of year, it is a time for cleaning, purging and renewing inside and out. I set aside time to do the regular cleaning, windows, walls and baseboards etc. I also like to go through my pantry and throw away the things that are past the expiration date, and empty and clean the canisters and replace with fresh bulk items, new flour and sugar etc. (Of course this is not necessary if the items are used regularly.)

One thing I like to include in my spring cleaning is going through my spice cabinet. I replace my old spices with new ones, to make sure the spices I add to meals, are fresh, so my meals will taste exactly as I want them to. The *‘How to Use Spices Cookbook,’ Put out by the American Spice Trade Organization in 1958, says to “discard all those whose aromas do not rise up to greet you,” when opening the lid.

We don’t often think about what some of our ancestors had to go through to obtain herbs and spices. Voyages lasting 2 years or more were not unusual. They would go to great lengths, to obtain the highly valued spices, once used as currency. For us they are necessary staples in our pantries and thankfully, we can replenish them as needed.

I am thinking of adding a new item to my spring rituals, planting a garden. Now that I have room, I’m looking forward to planting a little victory garden of my own, including an herb garden, of course. It’s something I have always wanted to do.