Scents of Summer

Persian Lime candle at Williams-Sonoma

Are you fully enjoying the smells you associate with summer? Are your windows open to let in fresh air and breezes - even if you have central air conditioning you'd have to turn off for the day? Even if you have to dust extra long from leaving windows open?

Do you have a large bowl of oranges, limes or lemons on your kitchen counter or dining room table? They won't smell strongly, but they visually remind you of summertime's pleasures.

Wearing your favorite summer perfume, whether it is grapefruit, lavender, marine, cucumber, mango, lime, or coconut-based?

Spray your sheets with a summery sheet spray, if you have one, and spritz your kitchen counters with counter spray. Burn incense, or light your favorite summery home fragrance oil in a diffuser. (Chemically sensitive people are going to want to skip out on my advice!)

And for free, you can enjoy other smells of summer - crank up the lawnmower and mow your grass, light the barbecue, bring fresh cut flowers from your garden into the house, and dry your wet beach towels on a railing in the sun.

QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY:

Get ready for the weekend. Empty trash cans, fill or empty dishwasher, wipe down kitchen and bathroom sinks, declutter mail table.

Sweep any wood floors in your house. I can do my kitchen/breakfast nook, dining room, and front entryway in less than 2 minutes.

- If you have time tonight, grab a magazine or catalog and read it in a sunny spot, while enjoying iced tea or cold fruit juice.

- Make popsicles using fruit juice

- Wash ice cube trays in dishwasher or hot water and refill with clean cold water, then replace in freezer.

- Are your fans getting dusty? Mine are. I currently have one in each bedroom, one in the living room and one in the kitchen. I'm going to grab some wet paper towels and dust them off really quickly. But I won't spend TOO much time, as your life isn't over if your fans have dust on them!

TODAY'S PROJECT: Box Sorting

This is something you can do before or after you go out to dinner or your social plans tonight.

Grab a box from your closet, attic, basement, garage, or storage unit if you have one. Remove everything and give all the items a careful, but quick, evaluation. What can you throw away, recycle, give away, sell, or put out to use? What must you keep, or put out where you can see it to remind you to use it more often? Try to get rid of as much clutter as possible. When you're done, recycle or re-use the box, but try not to put it back in the attic, basement or other place it came from.

I'm personally going to sort a box of books and be really tough on myself. If I haven't read the book, I should immediately add it to my bedside table "waiting" pile. If I don't want to read it this week, I should put it in my car and immediately (this weekend) sell it at Half Price Books, donate it to the library, or find a friend who wants it. With books I've already read, do I really need to keep them? Will I really re-read them again? Are they truly treasured books, or am I clinging on to them for some emotional reason and I should let them go? I have WAY too many books, so I am going to have to be firm with myself.

LOVELY BLOGS: Mila's Daydreams

This is one of the most amazing mommy blogs I've seen. Every day during Mila's nap, her mommy arranges her artfully amongst blankets, pillows and props to create an artistic scene. In one, she's riding a horse; in another, she's playing a recorder, accompanied by forest creatures. This blog has thousands of appreciative fans, judging by the 1400 "likes" each post gets on Facebook! I think you'll really enjoy the picture posts here.

http://milasdaydreams.blogspot.com/

LOVELY TV: Leaving Home at 8 Years Old

I am so excited to watch this one-hour documentary tonight. It chronicles the lives of four eight-year-old girls as they enter their first year in a prestigious British boarding academy.

Leaving Home at 8 Years Old, on BBC America

LOVELY LINKS FOR TODAY:

The DIY Home Bar (CHOW)

Eat Up the Last Days of Summer (Epicurious)

Mushroom, Swiss Chard, and Goat Cheese Omelette (CHOW)

The New Coffee Bars: Unplug, Drink, Go (NY Times)

Signature Blends at Tokyo Bars (NY Times)

Watermelon-Chocolate Ice Cream Cupcakes (Cupcake Bakeshop)

Time for Back-To-School Shopping

I couldn't resist this teal binder from OfficeMax. I think I'll store recipe clippings in it.

It's time to get the kids ready to start school again!

QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY:

• Make time this week for a quiet evening at home; or if you ALWAYS have quiet evenings at home, try to plan one fun evening out this week.
  

• Do you have any fruit or veggies in the house that will be going bad soon? Slice up the fruit and eat it today, plan to use the veggies at dinner, and check your bread to see if it's moldy. While you're at it, do you need to check the expiration dates on the milk and eggs in your fridge?
  

• Have some cranberry juice - it's good for prevention, if you know what I mean.
  

• Need to bathe or groom any pets this week?

TODAY'S PROJECT: Back To School

This time of year makes me nostalgic for my school and college years. It also makes me wish I had a little boy or girl to go back-to-school shopping with. So many cute clothes, adorable lunchboxes, and inviting notebooks waiting to be filled up!

The only thing I don't like about back-to-school shopping is that I'm not ready to think about fall yet. All the back-to-school ads I see in magazines and on TV make me start thinking about autumn and all the lovely things that come with it.
I love fall, but I am so enjoying the warmth and sunlight of summer. I love running out of the house in sandals, not worrying about grabbing a coat on the way out. I'm entertaining outdoors, and walking my dogs without freezing or getting rained on..

If you haven't done your school shopping yet, it's time to get started. Target, K-Mart, Fred Meyer, Wal-Mart, Office Depot, Staples and other office supply stores are having amazing sales right now. Just about every department store has huge clothing sales, too. It's also very crowded in the school supply aisles of all the stores right now. You might want to try going in the morning, rather than the afternoon if possible; or later at night after dinner.

Don't have children of your own, but have a tiny bit of room in your budget? Buy fun little gifts for your nieces and nephews, who are probably eagerly anticipating their return to school. Pick up little glittery pencils, tiny sets of markers at the Dollar Spot at Target, or an inexpensive set of stickers.

If you have a close friend or relative who has more than one school-age child, you can offer to babysit one of the children while the parent takes the other out shopping. I know I would have loved not having to have my little brother tag along while my mom took me back-to-school bra and panty shopping!

I usually also go "school supply" shopping for myself - I stock up my home office with fun colored pens, glittery notebooks, and pretty pink portfolios to keep my torn-out recipes in. Hopefully I can encourage myself to use my supplies to write letters and to organize my office better.

You might not particularly have time to shop today, but make a plan, get organized, take inventory of your children's clothing and existing school supplies, and check everything against the teacher's supply list.

Remember that you aren't just shopping for clothing, crayons and pencils. Your child will need a backpack if last year's is worn out or filthy; lunch box or lunch sacks; snacks for their lunches and afternoons, and breakfast cereal for the mornings. Your child may have some sports-related clothing and equipment they will need for their extracurricular activities.

Your older children may need to purchase software for their computer. Your teenagers may need a gas card, a lube job for their car, and other travel-related expenses. Your college student will need their dorm room furnished or updated. (You might want to budget in upcoming expenses so you can send them occasional surprise $10 gift cards to Starbucks, $20 gift cards to Barnes & Noble, movie theater certificates, etc.)

Does your child need a haircut before school starts? With enough time for the "new haircut" look to go away? What other appointments do you need to make while it's still summer and your child's time is more flexible. Doctor appointments? Vaccinations? Dentist visits?

If you don't have children, use today's project time to organize your home office or computer area.

LOVELY WEBSITES: The Art of Manliness

"Reviving the lost art of manliness." A couple men of my acquaintance are really enjoying this website, where they can learn manly skills like Tarzan's climbing, how to cook around a campfire, and how to negotiate for a used car. There are tips on health and sports, dress and grooming, relationships and family. Even though I'm a girl, I'm enjoying looking through some of the articles here.

http://artofmanliness.com/

LOVELY MOVIES: The Kings of Pastry

A documentary about professional pastry chefs preparing for a contest. While most people might think this sounds gruelingly boring, I'm fascinated and eager to see it!

The Kings of Pastry Trailer, at Apple

LOVELY LINKS FOR TODAY:

The Allure and Adventure of Solo Travel (CNN)

Eat, Pray, Spritz: Food Stylist Susan Spungen (NY Times)

Follow the Bees to the Sweetest Fruit (NY Times)

Save Money on Back-to-School Shopping (Stay at Home Moms)

School Success (About.com)

Summer Preserves: Pickled Vegetables (Food & Wine Magazine)

Summer Reading for the Food Obsessed (CHOW)

ReFeathering the Empty Nest

A pillow I'm really tempted by at Crate & Barrel. Perfect for fall!

Both of my "kids" just moved away to go to college in the fall. Their moving preparations and packing procedures brought chaos on our home, with boxes and sorting, extra meals needing to be cooked, and extra trash and recycling needing to go out.

Also, I neglected many of my housekeeping maintenance duties this week while entertaining a young visiting cousin. She was eager to see new things, go new places, try new restaurants and go to her first outdoor concert ( Natalie Merchant) so I indulged her. When we got home every night we were too tired to do more than the very most basic things around the house. She's back at her home now, and I have a house free of children for the first time in four years.

Suddenly I find myself with a clean house that stays clean; a freshly mopped kitchen floor that has time to dry properly because nobody tromps on it right away; a TIVO uncluttered by other people's unwatched recorded shows; and lots of extra time on my hands. And if I imbibe more than one delicious cocktail at dinner, I don't have to worry about being an unduly bad influence!

In two or three weeks I will probably be crying and missing them; meanwhile I'm enjoying my freedom and alone time. Time for me to rebuild my life without them, redecorate my home a bit, rearrange things, and look forward to their holiday visits. Meanwhile, I have a horribly trashed home to clean up!

QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY:

• Challenge: Can you remove two items from your nightstand (if applicable)?
  

• Make menu plans and create grocery list for the week
  

• Plan your week ahead. What will you wear, what appointments do you have to go to, can you make time for yourself every day, do you have an evening to spend with family for quality time?
  

• Try to fit in time for two summery things this week or next weekend. What haven't you done yet this summer that you want to? Long walks, berry picking, sunbathing (skin cancer, I know, I know, sigh!) a visit to the park, an outdoor concert, a picnic, a barbecue?
  

• Need to return any library books or movie rentals from the past weekend?
  

TODAY'S PROJECT: Feathering my Empty Nest

My house got so out of control during the kids' moving process, I barely know where to start. I think I will tackle the worst (and most important) rooms first, then work my way to the less-trashed, less-used rooms of the house. I expect this project to take 2-3 evenings after work this week.

• Bathrooms: Empty trash cans, scrub toilets, mop floors, sanitize counters, wipe mirrors and fixtures, launder and replace towels.
  

• Kitchen: Empty/fill dishwasher, scrub sink and spray with stainless steel cleaner; wipe down oven and stove; wash counters; take out recycling; mop floors.
  

• Downstairs family room: Vacuum, declutter, launder slipcovers for furniture, dust bookcases and end tables, replace DVDs in their homes, dust media center and TV, declutter mantel.
  

• Upstairs living room: Dust and vacuum.
  

• Dining room: declutter table, sweep and mop.
  

• Bedrooms: Tidy, pick-up, and vacuum.
  

• Home office: Light a match (just kidding!) Tidy and declutter.
  

LOVELY BABIES: The Secret Garden Collection

Am I just biased because they named this collection, perhaps, after one of my favorite children's books? This collection is so adorable, I am probably going to go crazy and buy several pieces of it for my newest niece.

The Secret Garden, at The Gap

LOVELY BLOGS: Badder Homes and Gardens

Alright, you need a sense of humor for this home decor blog! It's irreverent, naughty, and a bit cheeky. Enjoy!

http://www.badderhomesandgardens.com/

LOVELY LIVING: Secret Agent L

Check out this CNN video about a woman in Pennsylvania who secretly performed acts of kindness for strangers. Things as simple as tucking a hydrangea bloom into someone's windshield wipers, or gifting someone a $5 Starbucks gift card. I love this!

Secret Agent L

http://www.secretagentl.com/

LOVELY MOVIES: Eat, Pray, Love

I haven't read the book, but based on the trailer, I am excited to see this. Preferably with girlfriends and a Cosmo or two first!

Eat, Pray, Love, at IMDB

Eat, Pray, Love Movie (Official)

LOVELY LINKS FOR TODAY:

Canning for Beginners (How About Orange)

Classic Cookout Desserts (Epicurious)

How to Set Up a Housekeeping Plan (Home Ever After)

How to Taste Dark Chocolate (CHOW)

Inspirational Kitchens (Architectural Digest)

Make Your Own Ice Cream Treats (CHOW)

Outdoor Spaces Slideshow (Architectural Digest)

Another Beautiful Summer Weekend

QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY:

• Pick out something fun to wear tonight when you get back from work or if you plan to go out. Something colorful and summery! Lay out shoes, jewelry and the perfume you'll wear, if you have time before you leave the house today. Then you can enjoy anticipating how lovely you'll look and fresh you feel later this evening when you're doing something fun in hopefully beautiful weather.
  

• Have you taken any good photos of your children this summer? If so, make time this weekend to print some out to send via snail mail to older relatives who might not be Flickr or Facebook savvy. If not, be sure your camera is charged and ready to go this weekend, to capture those precious faces.
  

• Speaking of charging things up, do you have a good charge on your cell phone for this weekend's activities?
  

• Glide through your house tidying it up for the weekend. Empty trash cans, throw out any dead flowers, water houseplants, put away shoes, replace magazines in their proper homes or recycle them, wipe down bathroom mirrors and sinks, empty or fill dishwasher, and wipe down kitchen counters as needed.
  

• Need to fill up with gas for the weekend, or visit an ATM for cash?

TODAY'S PROJECT: Vacation From Cleaning

Today I'm doing a bare minimum to tidy the house for the weekend, then leaving to go on a boat ride with family. I'm looking forward to sunshine, water, lounging, relaxing, and catching up on family gossip. I can always clean tomorrow, when a long sunny Saturday beckons.

LOVELY BATH & BODY: Morning Glory Liquid Hand Soap

I love Claus Porto not only for their beautiful packaging, but their exquisite scents. Here's my new bathroom hand soap for summer: Morning Glory.

LOVELY BLOGS: Diary of a White Indian Housewife

This is an absolutely fascinating blog by a woman who moved from Australia to Mumbai after meeting her husband in Calcutta. If you're at all interested in traveling to India or in relocation-adjustment type blogs, this one will probably suck you in. Sharell lets you peek deeply into her daily life, and it's so interesting to compare the differences.

Recent posts cover a dog ripping up her house; getting organic fruits and vegetables delivered; what it's like to navigate having a maid or housekeeper in India; and what happens when a Customers officer decides to open food in your parcel.

It's worth skimming backwards in her blog to learn about A Typical Indian Bathroom and to see what it took to get married to an Indian.

http://www.whiteindianhousewife.com/

LOVELY FOOD: Starbucks Ice Cream

New flavors of Starbucks ice cream, just in time for summer: Vanilla Bean Frappuccino, Signature Hot Chocolate, and Strawberries & Creme Frappuccino. I'm excited that they aren't flavored with coffee (I don't care for the flavor of coffee, unfortunately). I think I'll pick up the Signature Chocolate one to try this weekend. It's not summer without an occasional ice cream treat!

http://www.starbucksicecream.com/

LOVELY LINKS FOR TODAY:

Avoiding a Big Phone Bill When Traveling (NY Times)

Easy Beach-Inspired Decorating Ideas (Real Simple)

Fashion: Plus-Size Wars (NY Times)

How to Spice Up Your Charitable Efforts and Enjoy Volunteering (Slate)

Make The Porch Be the Focal Point for Your Summer Party (Providence Journal)

Make Your Own Tofu (CHOW)

The Only Child: Debunking the Myths (TIME)

60 Outdoor Party Ideas (Martha Stewart)

60 Summer Side Dishes (Martha Stewart)

Superfast Stir Fries (Cooking Light)

Three Organized Things To Do Right Now That Have Lasting Benefits (Real Simple)

To Enhance Flavor, Just Add Water (NY Times)

Top 10 Fast Summer Salads (Food & Wine)

Turn Your Garden Into a Hummingbird Buffet (Pacific NW Magazine)

Why Summer Vacation Won't Make You Happier (Newsweek)

Why You are Time Poor (Dumb Little Man: Tips for Life)

What to Clean When It's Horribly Hot Inside Your Home

What I'm enjoying burning in my kitchen this week: Verbena Summer Secret candle, from L'Occitane

My house, like so many in Seattle, doesn't have air conditioning. We only need it a couple weeks a year, usually in late August when we finally hit the high 90s or even 100s for a few days. The rest of the summer, we make do with fans and open windows. Luckily we don't have humid, sticky summers like the South or East.

Even in the 80s the last week or so, it's been too miserable to think about doing heavy housekeeping that might make one break a sweat: Vacuuming, for example, is banned until evening. Today I'm finding things to do around the house that won't make me miserable in the heat.

QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY:

• Need to water any indoor or outdoor plants? My basil and a potted hydrangea are looking a bit wilty today.
  

• Need to return any library books, DVD rentals, or items borrowed from friends today?
  

• How is your stock of sunscreen doing now that we're over halfway through the summer? Need to wipe off your sunscreens if they're getting gunky?
  

• If you have school-aged children, have you done something special and summery with them this week? If not, see if you can plan something extra fun for next week.
  

• Need to launder any picnic blankets or beach towels that have been used this week?

TODAY'S PROJECT: Cleaning Despite the Heat

I don't live to clean, and I don't like to make myself "makework" or "busywork." I'd much rather lounge around on my patio with a magazine and iced tea when it's this hot, than be indoors cleaning. But if I don't keep on top of my housework, my home will quickly become a disaster zone.

So today I'm doing chores that won't break a sweat. I'll put off vacuuming til later tonight (with four pets in the house, vacuuming is a daily necessity in the living room and family room; and an every-other-day task in the bedrooms and hallways). Here are my suggestions for things you can do when it's miserably hot:

• Dust! Flounce around in a cute sundress, glass of lemonade in one hand, dusting your dining table, coffee tables, end tables, nightstands, and bookshelves. As long as you don't scrub too hard, you won't work up a sweat. Save the baseboards for another time, as all that crawling around on the floor would get you too sweaty.
  

• Wash windows. Spraying a little Windex and wiping down windows won't be too unpleasant as long as you don't work too vigorously.
  

• Loading and unloading the dishwasher isn't too sweat-producing. Just be sure not to run the dishwasher until later tonight - mine heats up the kitchen counter and adjacent area.
  

• Wiping down the kitchen sink (without too much scrubbing) and counters isn't too taxing.
  

• Use the excuse of cleaning the fridge or freezer out, to stand in front of heavenly cold air for fifteen minutes or so.
  

• Fold laundry while watching TV in front of a powerful fan.
  

• Declutter a drawer, cupboard, or closet.
  

• Start a load of laundry, but wait to run the dryer til evening when it's cooler.
  

• Sort out cosmetics, shampoos, and lotions, getting rid of items likely to be unused in the next month.
  

• Arrange a sock or underwear drawer, sorting and decluttering as you go.

What other hot-weather cleaning ideas do you have?

LOVELY BLOGS: Simply Hue

A blog by an artist and photographer, featuring art, design, and photography. Currently featuring Sweet William, Cathy Nichols, and some wonderful photography from the Creative Challenge Group. Lots of lovely things to see here.

http://matissecolor.blogspot.com/

LOVELY DISHES: Le Creuset Dinnerware

I am not a Le Creuset collector, as I haven't yet found room in my budget for their expensive, high-quality cookware. But I'm still excited to see their new dinnerware collections, currently available in cobalt and Kiwi. Gorgeous!

LOVELY DRINKS: Eat, Pray, Love Tea

I'm allergic to cinnamon, so I won't be able to try the new Republic of Tea's "Eat, Pray, Love" tea. But what a fabulous gift it will make for a couple of my girlfriends who loved the book and are looking forward to the movie! The new tea is a black tea, flavored with blood orange and cinnamon.

LOVELY LINKS FOR TODAY:

Back to Basics With Old-Fashioned Cakes (Today Show)

Blackberry Kir Royale Recipe (CHOW)

Gluten-Free Cupcakes and Frosting (Today Show)

Paris in August (National Geographic Traveler)

Summer Table Accessories (New York Times)

Top 10 North American Train Trips (National Geographic Traveler)

What You Should Know About German Beer (CHOW)

Failing to Live a Lovely Life in Moderation

What I'm serving at my next outdoor party: Belvedere Pink Grapefruit, ice cold, probably in a Cosmo.

Today I'm utterly exhausted, a bit dizzy, and I'm sure I'll be sore tomorrow. I simply did far, far too much work today. On a Saturday!

I try to balance my life so that I have enough work time, enough leisure time, enough family time, time with friends, plenty of sleep, and some alone time. Besides daily homemaking tasks (vacuuming, kitchen cleaning, etc) I do several little housework and decluttering projects during the week so the house doesn't become a disaster zone. On weekends, with their bigger chunks of time, I do bigger projects. But I generally try to leave lots of time for leisure, friends, and throwing parties.

Today, however, was all about work and catching up on neglected chores.

A couple weeks ago, I took three days off work to go to San Diego. Now I'm "paying" for it by working all day long on a Saturday. I feel a bit sorry for myself today, but I'll see friends tomorrow and go to "Family Night" afterwards. So I do have fun things to look forward to as I slave away today.

My foster dog, "Lucky," snoozes happily in the yard while I work.

Here's what I got done so far:

• I washed both of my cars - the one that's operable and the one that's dead, sitting in my driveway waiting for me to find the title so I can donate it.
  

• I swept my back patio and threw out two dead houseplants, then watered my basil and potted hydrangea.
  

• I set and rearranged sprinklers eight times so my front and back lawns got thoroughly watered.
  

• I scrubbed a kitchen counter that needed extra attention, and cleaned the stove.
  

• I spent twenty minutes cutting down an overgrown hedge that was preventing one of my garden gates from opening.
  

• I washed a load of brand new sheets - they're headed to my "new" guest room that my departing college student is cleaning out tomorrow.
  

• My Lab puppies have a new outdoor swimming pool, which I unpacked, inflated, filled, and then taught them how to climb in and out of it. Then broke down and recycled the cardboard box the pool came in.
  

• I spent three hours cleaning and organizing the merchandise area of my garage.
  

• Dusted my dining room table, curio cabinet and chairs. The slats were getting dusty because I have the front door and windows open so much of the time right now.
  

• Changed another front porch lightbulb, tightened hinges on a kitchen cabinet, and dusted a bookcase.
  

• Hosed down all three dog crates and let them dry in the sun.
  

Whew, I definitely feel a sense of accomplishment! I did however manage to do three fun things for myself today: I took a half hour nap while snuggling the cat; read the last three chapters of a book I've been enjoying; and now I'm settled happily and comfortably on a chaise lounge, watching a silly episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation and enjoying tonic water with a bit of Torched Cherry Bacardi in it. (Ok, more than a "bit.")

LOVELY BLOGS: Lace & Tea

This style blog covers architecture, fashion and decor. Currently blogging about narrow houses, resortwear, a set designer, and handbags. Pretty pics to look through!

http://laceandtea.com/

LOVELY LINKS FOR TODAY:

Best Tips for Outdoor Entertaining (Real Simple)

Edible of the Month: Sweet Corn (National Gardening Association)

40 Cool Drinks for a Hot Day (Real Simple)

Have Your Best Summer Ever (All About You)

Sleek, Crisp White Look is Hot Bedding Trend (Arizona Republic)

10 Things to Know About Yogurt (Cooking Light)

20 Creative Summer Activities for Kids (Babble)

Getting Ready for a Summer Weekend

A lovely bouquet of freesia from Trader Joe's. It's now adorning my kitchen.

It's summertime! Give yourself time (and permission) to lounge about a bit, enjoying sunshine and warm weather.

QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY:

• Are you going out tonight? Lay out the outfit you plan to wear. Don't forget colorful, fun summery earrings and bracelets. Sandals, or espadrilles?
  

• Set out a pitcher of sun tea so your family can enjoy it tonight and tomorrow.
  

• Tidy the kitchen for the weekend: empty or fill dishwasher, scrub sink, wipe down counters, sweep floor if needed.
  

• Whisk through the house, emptying wastebaskets, decluttering, putting away shoes (or having their proper owners do so themselves), watering houseplants, fluffing pillows, putting away magazines.
  

• Vacuum the room that needs it the most.
  

• Visit an ATM or gas station if you need to before the weekend starts.
  

TODAY'S PROJECT: Making My Home Prettier

Here in the Northwest, you can find yourself wanting to burn a cozy fire at night during a good 9 months of the year. Of course, nobody can afford to do that every night. But I like to have firewood and fire starters stocked up and ready to go just in case the mood strikes. So unfortunately, that's meant I've had this unattractive Duraflame box (or one like it) in my upstairs living room constantly for the past seven years. Ugh. Even in summertime, when I won't be burning any fires, because I've preferred not to drag my firewood supplies into the garage for 3 months.

I don't know what took me so long to get around to it, but today I bought an inexpensive $4.99 basket at Fred Meyer. My firestarters are now stacked in an attractive basket, and the ugly Duraflame box is now in the recycling bin. I try not to "buy things" to solve my household problems: decluttering should be my priority, not buying more items. In this case, however, I think an attractive little basket was the perfect solution, since I'm hardly going to declutter by burning up all my firestarters and then not buying any more.

Today I'm also replacing the curtains in my office. I've lived here for seven years, and I don't know how long the previous owner had the curtains before she generously left them for me. Despite my taking good care of them (laundering twice a year, Febrezing when needed), they're faded and covered in cat hair where Tyler paws at them to go sit in the window.

Yesterday while shopping at Ross, I finally found a set of new faux silk lined panels that I liked. They're chocolate with blue stripes, similar to these. $12 per panel, and I needed three. So for just $36 I have a whole new, clean, fresh look in my office. Instead of going out to dinner last night (I would have spent way more than $36) I stayed home, ate leftovers, put up my curtains, and played with my dogs.

LOVELY BLOGS: Betty in the Sky With a Suitcase

I travel often, so I find this flight attendant's blog fascinating. She posts podcasts you can listen to. Currently there are stories about misbehaving animals on flights, racial profiling, people peeing in the aisles, and tales of unruly passengers.

She's also published a book of humorous travel stories recently.

http://betty.libsyn.com/

LOVELY LINKS FOR TODAY:

Stop Margarita Madness: Drink a Surly Temple (Chicago Tribune)

Summer's Fresh Bounty (LA Daily News)

Tofu Burgers (101 Cookbooks)

What Should I Do With This Summer Fruit? Freeze It (CHOW)