It’s still “Time for Us” week. I’m spending time on me – just doing the bare minimum housecleaning but no decluttering or sorting projects. Tonight I’m going to dinner with my sister, and doing some fun Christmas shopping – well, I guess that’s a bit of a project!
QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY:
- Tidy up real quickly for the weekend. Wipe down counters and mirrors, empty trashcans, remove magazines and clutter from the living room. Empty off the dining table and breakfast nook table if they need it. Remove items piled on stairs to be taken upstairs; hang up coats, put away umbrellas and shoes.
- Fill up with gas for the weekend if needed; visit an ATM to get cash if you need some.
- Throw out dead flowers; replace with fresh new ones to enjoy
- Take quick inventory for your shopping list if you intend to go shopping this weekend. Shampoos/bath stuff? Cleaning supplies? Groceries? Light bulbs? Batteries? Fresh flowers? Laundry detergent? Toilet paper/paper towels? Cold medicine? Christmas shopping?
- Make weekend socialization plans if you haven’t already
TODAY’S PROJECT: “Me”
It sounds selfish, but I’m only going to do what I want to do today after work is over. Other than brief tidying for the weekend, not a speck of cleaning. Laundry can wait for Sunday night.
Tonight, I’m going out to dinner with my sister at my favorite restaurant, Icon Grill. I wish their website showed the fabulous decor – lots of pink and glass and quirky antiques. (Take a sneak peek at this blog post).
Before dinner, I’m trying to fit in a little enjoyable Christmas shopping. I hope to have all my holiday shopping done by December first.
What are you going to do to treat yourself to some fun and relaxation tonight?
LOVELY BLOGS: A Charmed Wife
Perhaps I enjoy this homemaking blog so much because of something I have in common with the blogger. She’s a housewife with a husband and pet, but no children. Before I got my foster kids (and got divorced) I too was a stay-at-home housewife caring for my husband, pets, and home. I wonder if she gets as many comments as I did then about the need to be at home if you don’t have kids to take care of. (Believe me, I found lots to do to keep busy with just a husband and pets!)
Anyway, I like her spirit. I thought you might like peeking into her life and reading her tips on traveling with pets, rental cars, cooking, and hiding power cords in your bedroom.
LOVELY BOOKS: Holiday With Matthew Mead
This holiday tips and inspirations book is due to be available in late October. It costs $15.95, and I’m so dazzled by the photography samples seen here, I’m going to order one.
With 144 pages of holiday inspiration – featuring well-known and admired designers, bloggers and top-notch stories – and printed on beautiful paper (while not drowning in ads!), we consider Holiday with Matthew Mead part book/part magazine – a publication that you will keep from year to year and add to your collection of Holiday decorating, crafting and cooking magazines and books.
Matthew Mead is a style editor and contributes to Better Homes & Gardens, and Victoria Magazine.
http://www.holidaywithmatthewmead.com/
LOVELY MUSIC: Loreena McKennitt’s New Album
I’m so eager for my new Loreena McKennitt CD to arrive after it’s November 16 release date. I often play her music in the background at dinner parties, and I enjoy listening to it on long rainy drives to visit family across the Cascade mountains. “The Wind that Shakes the Barley” is a new album of traditional Celtic songs. I can’t even ask for this for Christmas because I’m so excited, I already bought it for myself!
The Wind that Shakes the Barley, at Quinlan Road
LOVELY TV: Sound of Music Cast on Oprah
Next week, on Friday October 29, the Sound of Music cast will be reunited on the Oprah show. This is the first time in 45 years they’ve shared the same stage. I’m so excited. This movie is a family favorite, and I can’t wait to hear the singing that will no doubt occur towards the end of the Oprah episode.
Sound of Music Cast, on Oprah.com
LOVELY LINKS FOR TODAY:
Designing a Home: Mary Engelbreit Style (Houzz)
Fall Appetizers from Sweden (Martha Stewart Radio Blog)
Food Celebrity Halloween Costumes (CHOW)
Glow-in-the-Dark Spooky Drinks (Gourmet Mom on the Go)
Halloween Cupcakes (52 Cupcakes)
Halloween Recipes: Treats, Not Tricks (Epicurious)
Is Being Too Clean Making Us Sick? (Chatelaine)
Rhubarb Cobbler Cocktail (Belvedere Vodka)