LOVELY HOLIDAYS AND FESTIVALS:
Imbolc – February 1
Candlemas/Brigid’s Day – February 2
Superbowl Sunday – February 7
Chinese New Year – February 14
Valentine’s Day – February 14
President’s Day – February 15
Mardi Gras – February 16
Easter – April 4
Which holidays and celebrations are you looking forward to taking part in? Are you hosting any parties or events?
QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY:
– Look over upcoming birthdays in the next month. Write cards, arrange to have gifts or flowers sent.
– Pay bills, mortgage/rent, etc.
– Make upcoming dentist, doctor, veterinarian, and salon appointments for the month for yourself and family members.
– Make menu plans for the week, and create grocery list.
– Laundry done so you’re going into the workweek with clean clothes, empty laundry baskets and a clean, tidy laundry room? Sleeping on fresh clean sheets tonight?
TODAY’S PROJECT: Fireplace
As it’s winter, I’m using my fireplace quite often. Not to heat my home, but to make it cozy and cheerful. Especially when my college student comes home on the bus from a long 7am-8pm day. I like to have a warm fire lit and candles burning when she arrives home in the dark.
So today my project is to clean out the ashes, vacuum the carpet around the fireplace, and wash the glass fireplace windows. The windows is the most time consuming part, as they get quite smoky. When I’m done washing them, I’ll load wood into the fire ready to light later tonight. Next I’ll replenish the wood, kindling and matches I keep next to the fireplace, from their storage place in the garage.
I will replace the burned out candle on the mantel with a fresh new one (a deep burgundy red, for the upcoming Valentine’s Day) waiting to light when it gets dark tonight.
LOVELY BLOGS: Chocablog
Watching a TV show about chocolate last night made me start craving it, and this blog I’m exploring only makes it worse! Currently featuring reviews of Singaporean nut and rice crisps, Romany Creams from South Africa, the Soma Chocolatemaker Exploration Box, and Ballantyne Exotics Luscious Berries. My morning oatmeal is suddenly seeming quite inadequate and boring!
LOVELY TELEVISION: Little Chocolatiers
I just checked this show out last night and enjoyed it quite a bit. I’m fascinated by chocolate making anyways, and the “little people” who run this chocolate shop are fun, nice people. Upcoming shows will feature them creating a life-size pool table made of chocolate, a chocolate flower garden, a game of Russian Roulette featuring chocolate chili peppers, a log cabin made of chocolate, and other creations.
The Little Chocolatiers, on Facebook
LOVELY LINKS FOR TODAY:
In Uncertain Times, Growing Your Own Food is Fashionable Again (Seattle Times)
Mix & Mingle: A Valentine’s Party for Singles (Epicurious)
New Orleans Sweets (Epicurious)