These $1.50 primroses are an inexpensive, long-lasting way to add color to my front porch during dreary, rainy wintertime QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY: I was really lazy this weekend and let my kitchen slip into messiness. Then I cooked up a big batch of spaetzle last night and didn’t do a good job of…
Periwinkle Blue Christmas Tree Cards, from Papyrus Online Holiday Letter Writing Tonight I’m writing holiday cards and a brief newsletter I’ll tuck into them. Some of what I’m writing seems redundant to re-share with friends who have been following my life this year on Facebook. But I’m sending newsletters to lots of older relatives who…
Holiday Simplicity Because this blog often (ok, every single time!) features shopping related info, images of things I’ve bought to enjoy in my own home, and excitement about new products, I hesitate to spend too much time talking about frugality. There are enough blogs on the net talking about money saving tips and budgeting. Lovely…
My new bar! Now that I don’t have kids living at home, I splurged on this. It’s set up now for holiday festivities, cocktail parties, dinner parties, and snowy evenings requiring whiskey. QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY: Check over your budget (financial and time wise) for the rest of the month. Look at your calendar,…
Today isn’t supposed to be just a day off from work. We should call (not just text) our friends and family members who have been members of the military (even if they haven’t been on active duty in war time) and thank them for their service. They’ll appreciate it so much. I’m reading up on…
Jo Malone Cologne Collection, at Nordstrom Today I’m sorting through my perfumes, making sure I am not hoarding things and cluttering up my house with perfumes I don’t actually wear or enjoy. I did this extensively last year, and didn’t acquire more than one or two perfumes as gifts since then, so I shouldn’t have…
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…
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…
Faux Harvest Fruits Wreath, at Pottery Barn QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY: If you didn’t do this yesterday – Fridge and freezer maintenance – Clean, sort and sanitize one drawer, one shelf, or two door shelves in your fridge and in your freezer. Doing this faithfully every week means your fridge and freezer get cleaned…