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…
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…
Kosta Boda “Vision” Vases, at Bloomingdale’s How much time do we spend taking care of, dusting, cleaning, touching, or moving our things? You’re here today reading this housekeeping/homemaking blog, so I’m fairly positive you, like me, sometimes think about the cost of owning as many possessions as we do. I muse about how many items…
Three inexpensive potted plants I picked up from Trader Joe’s to decorate my front porch. I smile every time I come home and see them. September 2012: Tips and resources for starting a book club, dinner party club or tasting club for your friends, neighbors, family, etc. “Back to School For You” – Encouragement to…
This month I’m daring myself to do something every single day to de-clutter my house and my life. I’ll dare you too! Let’s see if we can push ourselves to do some difficult but necessary small de-cluttering tasks. DARE OF THE DAY: Rags I dare you to go to your rag pile (where you keep…
QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY: Get ready for the weekend! Fill up your car with gas, visit an ATM for cash, stop by a Redbox for a movie, drop Netflix returns into your outgoing mail, stop by the library to pick up or drop off books. What are you wearing tonight? Put some extra time…
Do three nice things for yourself today. You’ll know what they should be. For me, I’m taking an extra long shower; stealing 30 minutes to leisurely read a magazine; and taking extra time at lunch to make my favorite sandwich – and savor it – instead of just gulping down a bagel at the computer….
Easter Bunny Truffles, from Moonstruck Chocolate Let’s face it – Most of the time, mothering and homemaking is pretty much a thankless job. Even if you have the world’s most unselfish children, and a tender, communicative, appreciative husband or partner, you just aren’t going to hear “thank you” as often as you deserve it. After…
I own many beautiful things, but also some items that are more functional than beautiful. Lately I’ve been reminding myself to use and enjoy my beautiful things. Today I’m not just slopping my morning tea into a mug I just microwaved. Instead, I’ll pour it into a delicate Art Deco teacup I bought on eBay…
Autumn Hurricane Candle, at Pier 1 Imports August 2011: Labor Day Weekend entertaining: reminders; links to recipes and party tips; staycation ideas More back-to-school reminders and projects End of summer reminders and summertime wrapup September 2011: Tips and resources for starting a book club or tasting club for your friends, neighbors, family, etc. “Back to…