baby, it's cold outside

windy too.

and beautifully sunny.  

happy monday!

on safari and spring cleaning

images via anthropologie

i'm in the midst of a big spring cleaning campaign right now.  i make it a habit to keep a bag by the front door as a reminder to donate any housewares or clothing i'm no longer using or loving.  this system works for me because, though i can be quite sentimental, i find it much easier to part with things when i believe they are going to be used and enjoyed by someone else.  among other things, i recently decided i need to do something about my excess of books, too.  and oh, is this one is tough for me.  happily, i discovered this charity, which has really motivated me to let go.  

at the rate i'm going, i expect that the uncluttered space i envision can be achieved by, oh, the year 2014.  meanwhile, i am going to toss or donate one old item for every new item i bring home.  it is not lost on me that one way to accelerate my mission is to limit the influx of stuff into my life.  translation: shop less.  so it is with some restraint and only a tinge of regret that i will not be buying any of these safari-themed goodies from anthropologie.  (let's face it, i don't need a cheetah hand puppet.) they are too sweet not to share, though.  after all, tidiness needn't be torture.

the ordinary everyday

last week was a long one.  and, it rained.  but this weekend there was a sunny view from my kitchen window, plants thriving on the sill, and something sweet cooking in the oven while i washed the dishes.

 

and while i readily admit that i am one of those "monica" types who actually enjoys most mundane housekeeping tasks...

(because, c'mon, isn't clean and organized pretty?)

...that doesn't mean i don't appreciate a little reward when i'm done.

happy valentine's day

here's to lots of flowers and candy, lovey dovies!

tgif: red

while i won't be visiting the eiffel tower this weekend, or eating lobstahs in boston, i will be giving some thought to a trip i am  planning for later this spring.  closer to home, there will be a visit to the farmers market, which is sure to inspire some serious cookbook perusal.

happy weekend!

sometimes, it's as easy as opening the paper

this recipe + just the right amount chocolate in the cupboard = a delicious excuse to break my 'no sugar' resolution.