We’ve been getting my yard ready for summer – here’s my outdoor office and my dogs’ swimming pool. I need to mow my lawn! This week we’ve been experiencing unusually warm weather – in the 80s – for Seattle in April. My eight year old eagerly helped me get out and set up my outdoor…
This year my Spring Cleaning has been haphazard. I like to start in March and be done in April, but this year there’s been too much going on. And I’m not unhappy that I got to enjoy a week in San Diego for Spring Break, instead of staying home cleaning for a week! This year…
No, I don’t actually own this adorable Kate Spade Steamline Stowaway suitcase. I wish! This week I’m packing for the sunny Spring Break vacation I’m taking with my three nephews. I’ve been squirrelling away new T-shirts and shorts for them, and confiscating their unused (We live in Seattle, and it’s April..) swimsuits to pack for…
Mrs. Meyers’ Bluebell Counter Spray With my last foster child moved out, I live alone again and find myself finally with a bit of spare quiet time again. I’m hoping to bring back Lovely Living – I want to document my efforts to redecorate and maintain my home in a lovely manner, plus share with…
My outdoor living room, made from indoor-outdoor furniture I borrowed from my breakfast nook. Doesn’t it look inviting? I’ve added an outdoor living room to my outdoor office. This is where I sit to read magazines, browse catalogs, text people, and drink tea while watching my dogs play. I try not to do any work…
Egg-Shaped Easter Candles, from Williams-Sonoma Today we’re moving furniture to do a thorough cleaning on the family room. Since this is the room that features our biggest TV and our surround sound system, a gas fireplace and our comfiest couches, you can imagine how often this room gets used. Therefore it’s more worn out, dirty,…
Velvet Linen Windowpane Quilts, at Pottery Barn It’s chilly in the mornings and evenings now. I’ve taken down the fans in our bedroom windows, and added extra throws to the ends of our beds. Soon it will be time to put “emergency coats” in the trunk of our car, and greet my sleepy teenager with…
The Annotated Secret Garden, on eBay Every spring for several years now, I take time to re-read the Frances Hodgson Burnett classic, “The Secret Garden”. Although her other well-known book, “A Little Princess,” is actually my favorite, there’s definitely a wonderful rainy-day air about “The Secret Garden” that makes it perfect for reading in April….
I was delighted to find golden raspberries at the grocery store yesterday! They taste a bit sweeter and less tart than regular raspberries, I find. What shall we do with our last week of February? Spring is coming slowly, and it’s not yet time to put away winter. QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY: Make menu…
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…