Peppermint Chocolate Red Tea, new from Republic of Tea

Time for some relaxation and socialization! Tonight I’m doing only the bare minimum household chores before I go out. I’ll just tidy up a bit!

QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY:

• Fill car with gas, and visit an ATM for cash for the weekend
• After all the holiday cooking last month, do your knives need sharpening? Do your scissors need to be sharpened after all the gift wrapping you did? This is an excellent chore to pass off to a man – they actually like sharpening knives!
• If you are a blood donor, have you made an appointment for this next quarter’s draw?
• Empty wastebaskets in bathrooms, bedrooms, living rooms and kitchen if needed.
• De-clutter living room and family room, empty off dining table or breakfast nook table if needed
• Spray some home fragrance if you like that sort of thing.
• Put out fresh flowers or plan to pick some up at the store tomorrow.
• Rent movies for the weekend, or update Netflix order for the next couple weeks.

TODAY’S PROJECT: Relaxing

I just got back from two mini-vacations in a row, so I should be more relaxed than I am. But catching back up with work and housekeeping after being gone over a week sort of stressed me out. So tonight I’m either going to go out to dinner and a movie with friends, or just stay home, rent a movie and lounge by the fireplace.

LOVELY BLOGS: The Barefoot Kitchen Witch

Read along with this blogger as she cooks, makes quilts, and creates a lovely home for her family. She’s participating in the cooking challenge Fridays with Dorie and working on her own Cookie Cutter Project of 2011.

http://www.barefootkitchenwitch.com/

LOVELY BOOKS:

I gave this book to a couple male family members for Christmas this year. I thought they’d get a kick out of the interesting old-fashioned know-how presented here. Wood splitting, fishing, canoeing, fixing things, and leadership tips.

How to Build a Fire, and Other Things Your Grandfather Knew

I didn’t buy the Grandmother version of the book for anyone else. I just gave it to myself as a present. I’m really enjoying reading about cooking and gardening, plus the chapters on Thriving and Nesting.

How to Sew a Button: And Other Nifty Things Your Grandmother Knew

LOVELY LINKS FOR TODAY:

The Basics: How to Make Rice Pudding (CHOW)

Brussels Sprouts: America’s Most Hated Vegetable (Slate)

The Exercise System That Swept Europe in the Early 1900s (Slate)

Make Your Own Potato Tots (CHOW)