Stocking Up for Fall

Caramel Apple Pancake Mix, new at Williams-Sonoma Today I’m hitting a couple of my favorite grocery stores ( Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods) to stock up for fall. I’m bringing my shopping list, list of pantry foods I inventoried this week, and my fall food budget notepad. QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY: Fridge and freezer …

Fall Kitchen Organization Part 4

Some autumn flowers I picked up for my front steps. So colorful! Today is our last day of kitchen organization. After tonight, we’ll be ready to throw holiday parties, bake yummy fall treats, cook comfort foods, and entertain guests. From here on out, we just have to maintain our kitchens in good condition, keep ahead …

Fall Kitchen Preparation, Part 3

Williams-Sonoma Baker’s Spice Kit Today is our last really big push to organize our kitchens for the upcoming fall months. (I still have a couple minor kitchen projects coming up this week though). I saved the biggest project for tonight – the pantry. I plan to have a pen and paper ready to inventory my …

Fall Kitchen Organization, Part 2

I’m sooo tempted by this Meri Meri Cupcake Set for decorating fairy cupcakes! QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY: Need to process some mail today? Declutter your mail table or inbox where you keep incoming paperwork? Let’s recycle our junk mail and finish paying any first-of-the-month bills that are due. Create menu for the week and …

Fall Kitchen Preparations, Part 1

Marseille Towels, in a perfect shade for autumn As the days grow colder, our appetites and our cooking styles change with the new season. New types of produce become available at the farmer’s markets and grocery stores. We crave different foods – hot soups, chilis, crusty breads, pies, apples, pears, and hearty vegetables. Those of …

Welcoming October and Autumn

I can’t quite afford to spend $120 to send a gift cake, but isn’t this Pumpkin Cake beautiful? Happy first day of October! I’m so looking forward to autumn. QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY: Tidy up for the weekend before you leave to do fun things tonight (Dinner? Movie?) – Freshen bathrooms, empty trash cans, …

Last Day of September

I’m enjoying my new Pumpkin Patch candle. It makes it smell like autumn in my home! Do you have all the things you’ll need for fall ready? Nearby where you can easily find them when needed? Fire logs, matches, rain boots, raincoats, leaf bags, a rake, caramel or pumpkin scented candles? Kleenex packets for coat …

Not Quite Fall After All

Love the scent of my new Method Home “Clementine” dish soap Seattle is having an extended summer, though we have gray rainy mornings. My heater hasn’t been on for the last week or so, unusual for September evenings. It was 80 degrees yesterday, and last night I dragged a fan back out from the garage …

An Annoying Sunday Workday

This is a bad photo, but I wanted to show you the pretty orange dahlias I treated myself to for my front porch. QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY: 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 …

Mid-Autumn Festival

QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY: Need to do any mid-week laundry? Let’s spend some time today on our area rugs and throw rugs. I’m going to vacuum all of mine, sweep under them, and sponge-clean the one by my front door. The one by my back door has been hosed off and is hanging to …