I treated myself to two inexpensive, colorful bouquets of zinnias from Trader Joe’s today. Now one is on my coffee table, and the other is in a vase in the kitchen.

QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY:

• Make menu plans for the week; create grocery list
• Need to wash your car this week? Mine is looking quite dusty and dirty.
• Pets have fresh water, clean drinking and food bowls?
• Have you enjoyed fresh summer berries in the last week or so?

TODAY’S PROJECT: Home Maintenance: The Little Things

Today I am working on several annoying little things that are easy to get done in a few minutes, but that I seem to put off for far too long. Want to peek at my list?

• Fix broken screen on kitchen door. I have the crimping tool, rubber and new screen, so this should only take 5 minutes.
• Replace dead outdoor lightbulb by front door, for nighttime safety.
• Change batteries in two musical toys I keep for visitors’ children.
• Tighten screw and hinge on loose kitchen cupboard door.
• Wash dirty feather duster and let it dry in the sun.
• Tighten loose screw on glass fireplace door.
• Cut hairs out of vacuum brush. (Yuck!)
• Fix sagging curtain rod in living room.
• Call recycling people to come pick up two old TVs and two old computer monitors.

As you can see, the above tasks aren’t of lifechanging importance (except for maybe the outdoor lightbulb!) Since they aren’t huge projects (like sorting a closet) or very important things like vacuuming and kitchen cleaning, I’ve let them get neglected.

Fixing “the little things” keeps your home running smoothly. I want to challenge myself to take care of more of them as they happen, not let things wait until I have a long list of things to take care of. I could have been reading a book in my spare time today, rather than fiddling with a bunch of screwdrivers!

What are some “little things” that need attention in your home?

LOVELY BATH & BODY: Fresh’s “Eat, Love, Pray” Collection

I’m a big fan of Fresh, so I am eager to try out their new “Eat, Pray, Love” movie tie-in products. I don’t really need any more perfume, so I might try the candles.

http://www.fresh.com/fragrance/eatpraylove

LOVELY BLOGS: Party Wishes

This cheerful party blog showcases lovely parties she’s found on the Web. Currently featuring a Pioneer-themed party, a fabulous Alice in Wonderland bridal party, a fancy yellow lemonade stand, and a safari party. She has great taste in party ideas!

http://partywishesscv.blogspot.com/

LOVELY LINKS FOR TODAY:

Backyard Party Plan (Epicurious)

A Vegetable Torte Starts at the Grill (NY Times)

60 Fun Beach Ideas (Martha Stewart)