It’s finally autumn here in Seattle. It makes me so happy to drive home past this row of gorgeous colorful trees. I tried to take as many photos as possible this week before an inevitable windstorm comes to blow the leaves away. Today I’m preparing my home for the autumn weekend ahead. It’s going to …
Our charming rental beach house in Plymouth, Massachusetts QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY: Look over the week and weekend ahead on your calendar, noting appointments and events. Make socialization plans for the week. Create dinner and lunch sack menu plans for the week if you haven’t already. Does your pet bedding need laundering? My dogs …
I am really going to miss my warm leisurely summer nights, reading magazines outdoors in the fresh evening air! I really like to enjoy each season in its own time. I don’t rush to the store to buy Halloween things before or even soon after Labor Day Weekend. I’m allergic to cinnamon and ginger so …
I’m being mindful to enjoy the scents of summer. Some of my favorites that can be experienced right now are the smell of the ocean and salt air (now that it’s warm enough to venture to the beach!); the smell of freshly cut grass after my neighbor kid mows my lawns; the way a warm …
Water Hyacinth Laundry Hamper, from The Container Store Tonight I’m going out to dinner. When I get home, I hope to relax with a little binge-watching marathon of Game of Thrones Season 1, thanks to HBO’s free Preview Weekend. I don’t want to come home to a chore, but don’t want to skip out on …
My dogs, bored of winter, are delighted to spend time enjoying their bones in our grassy, sunny back yard today QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY: Just a few days left in the month. Do you have any upcoming birthdays to send gifts or cards for? Parties to attend? Bills to pay ahead of time? Have …
Christmas Apron, from Amazon This week I want to get my kitchen, baking tools, supplies, and decorations ready for the holiday baking I’m eagerly anticipating. I usually do a “Fall kitchen reset” in early October, but this year was a little different. I threw a huge catered sit-down dinner party for around 20 people, and …
The glass pumpkin I am tempted to buy and put away for next year’s autumn decoration Generally throughout the years I have abstained from putting up any Christmas decorations until December 1st. I’ve never been one of those people who rush to decorate the tree the morning after Thanksgiving. It’s important to me to enjoy …
What I’m burning in my kitchen this week: Apple Slice soy candle, from Method Home Tonight I need a bit of downtime, and I’m too restless to read (though I do love reading books). So I’m catching up on a couple shows on my DVR, in between working on a quick kitchen organization project. I …
I couldn’t resist getting another hanging plant of colorful flowers for fall. I need to put up a nail to hang it from! Last night I had my first fire of the season, even though it wasn’t quite chilly enough to justify it. I sat in front of it with a mug of tea and …