The Gentle Home

 I have been purposefully making a run to Trader Joe's every week to purchase a pretty bunch of fresh flowers.  It is a bit out of the way and yes, I do grow flowers in my garden but the act of selecting just the right color to suit my mood or match my tablecloth brings me such joy. Every time I pass by the dinner table on my way in or out of the kitchen, I can't help but smile.  I find that giving myself just a small gift helps to remind me that what I do is not just a task on a to do list but a vital part of running our household.  Making things pretty with decor or a lit candle shows that you take pride in your home and the contribution you make to it. I am not talking about getting in debt or buying in excess but a relatively inexpensive thing like a bouquet of flowers, a sweet smelling candle, a set of new tea towels or a pretty notebook to plan menus in can be a real attitude changer and turn an ordinary thing like cooking, washing dishes or dusting feel a litt...

 When we moved last winter I quickly discovered how much I would miss my community of girlfriends and our planned times of togetherness. Making new friends as we age is certainly more difficult than when we have young children and there are natural meeting points like school pick ups and little league fields.  I soon realized that without these built in gatherings of women I was going to have to get creative in finding my new community of local friends. What I did have nearby was family. So in my typical type A (read pushy) way I set about creating intentional get togethers to do the things that I missed doing plus a few I always wanted to do.  And so what I affectionately call the "Granny Skills Club" was born. Once a month I get together with my mom, sister in law and niece and we practice or learn a new skill together. We have learned water bath canning, basic quilt making, sewing an apron, preserving lemon curd and this week we are taking on the perfect pie crust, jus...

  Something about the times we are living in has me longing for days gone by.  Not centuries ago, although that sounds lovely as well, but the days of my early adulthood and marriage.  You know the good old days of the 80's and 90's. (Technically I guess that was a different century but in my mind it can't have been more than 20 years ago.) Do you remember the days of Romantic Homes, Country Living and Victoria magazines?  The days when we looked to still pictures in books and monthly publications for our tips and style inspiration.  The days before fast moving reels and flashing images?  The days when you went to a thrift store and old dishes cost a dollar or two? Our move last winter was a considerable downsize for us and I was brutal in the editing of my possessions.  Countless sets of glassware, dinner plates and serving bowls found their way to the donation center. There is nothing like a move to motivate you to reassess everything you've accumula...