A new month begins. We’re easing into fall, and slowly saying goodbye to summer. But it’s still nice weather, and I’m getting ready for my child-friendly Labor Day Weekend party tomorrow.
I’m wiping down the outdoor furniture and tables; cleaning out the fire pit to ready it for marshmallow roasting, getting out my blue and white polkadot outdoor dishes for our meal, and setting out fresh candles to burn tomorrow evening.
In the house, it’s time to burn up the last of my summery lavender scented candles. It’s almost time to get out the pumpkin-scented ones I enjoy in autumn.
QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY:
- Look ahead on your calendar at the upcoming month. Do you need to schedule any salon/spa, pet grooming, dentist, doctor, optometrist, or other appointments for yourself or any family members?
- Look at any upcoming birthdays this month. Get ready to send gifts, cards, flowers, or make phone calls as needed.
- Make any phone calls or send emails you need to catch up with family and friends, especially people you suspect you didn’t speak with in August. Many people might be out and about doing things for Labor Day weekend; but on the other hand, you might have some older family members feeling lonely sitting at home. Bet they’d love a call.
Take some time to look over your budget for the month of September. Not just your financial budget (which is very important too) but also your time budget. Do you have time for gardening, pleasure cooking, reading, homemaking, work, projects, hobbies – but also time for family, friends, pets, and very importantly, yourself? What can you do differently to make sure you’re meeting your needs and your family’s? Need to cancel any commitments, or say No next time you’re asked a favor that will eat up time?
- Eat some of the last summer fruit you have access to before we move into enjoying autumn’s bounty. Slice up melons, make fresh squeezed lemonade or limeade, or eat some ice cold watermelon.
- Ready for Labor Day weekend? Packed, if you are traveling? Provisioned, if you are hosting?
- Pay beginning-of-the month bills, rent or mortgage as needed.
- Make time for yourself sometime today outdoors while it’s still nice enough to enjoy it. Take a longer walk than usual; take some of your summer magazines out on the porch with some iced tea and enjoy them.
TODAY’S PROJECT: Easing Into September
It’s time to finish reading our summery magazines and catalogs. Read and enjoy anything with summer recipes, beach house decoration or island travel themes. Coastal Living, Bon Appetit, Gourmet, and pre-October issues of Good Housekeeping, House & Garden, etcetera. These will hold us back from getting into the mood for fall, so let’s read, enjoy then recycle them!
It’s still nice enough to sit outside, supervising my dogs while I read a magazine.
Some of you are still living in very hot weather right now and might not be able to enjoy your outdoors. (I sure remember the couple weeks I spent in Arizona in the summertime – hiding indoors!)
I’m not ready to go full-on decorating for autumn yet. But inside the house, I’ll slowly begin changing out my light summery lacy curtains, putting up brown-and-blue organza curtains in the dining room instead. My orange living room cushions will be replaced with chocolate-brown-and-light-blue pillows downstairs, and my fall green decorative pillows upstairs.
I’m eating dinner outside tonight, enjoying that I still can. Tomorrow’s party will be outside too, taking advantage of sunny weather, my big yard, and the wooded walking trails near my house.
I’m looking forward to autumn, but sad to leave summer behind. And I’m dreading a long cold winter with two hyperactive dogs wanting to go out and play in the muddy rain!
LOVELY BLOGS: Pink of Perfection
“A thrifty girl’s guide to the good life.” Sarah writes about delicious meals, simple pleasures, and finding meaning in the small things. Recent posts I’ve enjoyed include Classic Daiquiri: Happy Hour at Home; The Power of Place; and a post that really hit home with me, about how Pinterest has changed the blogosphere maybe for the worst, as we all see better photos, better dinners, better lives and feel bad for not measuring up. She called it Growing Pains. I really really urge you to read that post in particular, and the many thoughtful comments posted after it. Anyway, I’ve enjoyed reading about Sarah’s life and think you will too.
http://www.pinkofperfection.com/
LOVELY SHOPS: BHLDN
Here’s a wedding store I like to browse, just for the pretty pictures, even though I’m not getting married (or even dating right now!) Besides lovely things for brides, this shop sells dresses and accessories for bridesmaids, the table, decor and gifts. Many of the things pictured here are inspirational for dinner parties. The wedding dresses are absolutely gorgeous, but I wouldn’t pay that much for one were I to get married again. I’ll just enjoy the photos.
LOVELY LINKS FOR TODAY:
Autumn Pompom Tree Craft (Spoonful)
Nun Cake Pops (Cupcakes Take the Cake)
Our Six Favorite Potato Salad Recipes (Chatelaine)
Plum Tarte (18th Century Cuisine)
Potato and Herb Focaccia (Baking Bites)
