I’ve added an outdoor living room to my outdoor office. This is where I sit to read magazines, browse catalogs, text people, and drink tea while watching my dogs play. I try not to do any work in this area, wanting it to feel leisurely. If I need to write, study, pay bills or work …
QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY: Make menu plans for the week ahead; create your grocery list. Have you made Labor Day weekend plans? Are you inviting people over, or going somewhere yourself? Is it time to change or scoop cat litter? Take inventory your of paper supplies. How well are you stocked up on toilet …
I had been content with the idea of serving just baklava for dessert at the party, plus sorbet/sherbet earlier in the day, and cotton candy and shaved ice for the kids. But then I saw this pin on Pinterest (cookies shown above), inspiring me to make bejeweled cookies. I won’t have the skill or patience …
Vintage illustration by Virginia Sterrett Now that I’m not taking care of multiple kids every day, I have time, energy and money to indulge in one of my passions again: Throwing parties! This summer my cousin is helping me throw a massive party we’ve called “Scheherazade’s 1001st Night.” It’s an Arabian/Persian/Moroccan themed party. Dog and …
Sicilian Tangerine 3 Wick Candle, from Nest Are you fully taking advantage of and making it possible to indulge in the smells you associate with summer? Do you regularly open your windows to let in fresh air and breezes? Even if you have to dust extra long from leaving windows open, and even if you …
Cyalume Snaplight Stick, on Amazon A sudden summer lightning and thunderstorm came through my town one evening this week. Lightning struck a power transformer down the road, so my neighborhood lost power around 9pm. I wish I’d had enough notice to unplug my two computers (one of them is on a surge protector, the other, …
August 2014: A peek at my 1001 Nights party preparations Labor Day Weekend travel and entertaining reminders; links to recipes and party tips; staycation ideas More back-to-school reminders and projects “Back to School For You” – Encouragement to take college courses, cooking classes, online classes, writing classes, and to join online book clubs End of …
The view from one of my California vacations this summer For the last four years, I have been helping raise two sets of motherless cousins: a teenage girl and three boys. This spring I had to send the troubled teenager back to live with her father, and right after school was done this June, the …
Old Navy Plaid Flannel Dress It’s time to get the kids ready to start school again! Perhaps you’re both sad at the prospect of less time with them, and delighted to once again have some free time to yourself while they’re at school (am I right, stay at home moms?) QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY: …
A little lunch I set out to share with a friend one sunny morning this week I love every season – there’s something wonderful about every one of them. Right now, I’m thoroughly enjoying summer’s long warm sun-filled days, clear nights for stargazing, and frankly, the lack of rain. I love hearing fans blowing in …