I’m home again for a second snow day in a row. It’s beautiful outside – crisp and sunny, but a bit cold (20 degrees) for a long walk. I’m indoors working, doing chores, getting ready for the next storm, and dreaming of spring. Today during my breaks between work, vacuuming and laundry, I’m indulging in…
The transitional tea I’m enjoying drinking – I’m not ready for autumn tea flavors yet! I want to get a few things done this afternoon before I go out to dinner and a movie. I want to feel like I have accomplished something going into the weekend, so if I spend the rest of it…
My front flowerbed, full of fairly healthy dahlias, is one of the few gardening successes I have! I really don’t enjoy gardening, but want my home to look nice and have “curb appeal.” This weekend I’m planning to force myself to do a whole bunch of weeding, fertilizing, watering, deadheading, and other plant care tasks…
Fledgling tomato plants I purchased recently at Home Depot I think this is the longest title I’ve ever written for a Lovely Living post! I’m trying to control myself this weekend and not go crazy turning my backyard into a suburban homestead. No shopping online (slapping my hands) and I should be taking care of…
I really don’t like gardening, so I’m bribing myself to finish today’s weeding project with the promise of lounging on my chaise with magazines and wine later tonight! Today I have to break down and do some weeding, especially in my front yard (I prioritize that because it’s visible to my neighbors). All that horrible…
Some of the plants I’m putting into the ground today Today I’m forcing myself to get my gardening chores done. I’m dreading the planting and weeding, but I do enjoy watering, so at least I can look forward to that ritual at the end of the evening! QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY: Have you shopped…
QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY: Take stock of your citronella candles, mosquito repellent (if applicable), incense sticks and any colorful outdoor candles you use. Need to add anything to your shopping list? Using and enjoying the candles you already have? Go for a walk tonight. Hose down patio furniture if needed (Mine has bird poop…
White Rhododendron On Friday I played hookey and visited the Rhododendron Species Foundation garden with friends. An enjoyable tour, it reminded me that I am an absolutely atrocious gardener. Rather than being inspired to do better, I was shamed into at the very least weeding my poor beds and attempting to learn how to fertilize…
White peonies with just a tinge of pink in the center, adorn my dining room It’s a beautiful warm, sunny day in Seattle. I refuse to spend the evening indoors in front of a TV or a computer screen. I won’t even eat dinner inside a restaurant tonight. Tonight, I’ll eat dinner in my backyard…
One of my dogs, happy and tired after swimming in the river and running around at the dog park QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY: Too lazy to squeeze lemons and strain raspberries today, so this is what I’m serving my household today as we relax outdoors. Make a pitcher of sun tea, squeeze your own…