The heart-shaped wreath on my front door welcomes us home February teases a hint of spring. Here in Seattle we enjoyed a beautifully sunny, relatively warm day yesterday. I took advantage of it and brought my dogs to the dog park for an hour of play in the fields and river. I paid the price …
Four plastic devices for microwaving eggs Last year I created “Use it or Lose It” week in my house in order to de-clutter and really prioritize space in the house for items we actually use. I’m instituting this again for 2013. I’ll go through my house a room or two at a time, looking for …
Le Creuset Soleil Whistling Teakettle, from Sur la Table To make this rainy Sunday cozier, we’ve lit a fire in the fireplace, made a big pot of Earl Grey tea, and gathered in the living room to read our library books together in companionable silence. We’re still continuing to shut the Internet off at 3pm …
Last week, for the first time ever, I had to ground my foster teenager. Her grades are slipping rapidly, and on Sunday night at 9:30 pm her three simple weekend chores and her homework had not yet been completed. Yet she had plenty of time to goof around on the Internet all weekend. Her punishment …
I actually regret making “Out with the old, In with the new” the title of this post. It smacks of America’s habit of devaluing old people and prioritizing youthfulness; I’d rather we act more like Asian cultures and respect our elders immensely. “Out with the old” summarizes what I’ll be working towards in the next …
Caroline Stocking, from Crate and Barrel Here come the holidays! Today I’m decorating my home for the Christmas season, making it clean and cozy for my house guests, and preparing it for the holiday entertaining I hope to do. QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY: Large Reindeer Topiary, from Sur la Table Need to pick out …
Whimsy Collection Holiday Decor, at Z Gallerie Today November ends. December begins, with its month full of wintry cold, dark nights, seasonal holidays, festive parties, fancy dinners, and family gatherings. Let’s make sure to have some fun tonight or this weekend before the crowds completely make restaurants and malls unbearable. We can enjoy ourselves just …
Putting away the last holiday – My dining table full of the purple vases, candleholders and other decorative items I used for fall. Just about to go put them in their storage bins in the garage! I normally never like to decorate for Christmas before December 1st. I like to enjoy each holiday in its …
Hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving! Are you back home from your Thanksgiving trip, or from your Black Friday shopping? Are your guests gone, or staying for the whole weekend? I have to work today, but tonight I will have a little bit of time for myself. Time to relax by the fire, catch up …
Gratitude Journal, from Paper Source Here’s your Thanksgiving pep talk for 2012, if you’re nervous, stressing, or feeling overwhelmed. Think positive. We can do this. We’re lucky to have family and friends to spend time with (even if they drive us crazy) and food to eat at our feasts. We have good friends who may …