National Letter Writing Week

Dear Reader, 

Do you know what week it is?  If you read the title of this post, then you know that it is National Letter Writing Week.  Up until a few weeks ago (when I read the January issue of Real Simple), I did not know that there was such a week.  Winter just got better in my book!  This week, my blog posts will be dedicated to writing letters.  

Letters are just about the best things in the world.  I think that we should all write more letters to our friends, family, and acquaintances.  A simple letter in the mail does nothing less than make someone's day great.  That might sound over-dramatic but it's not.  Think about it: have you ever received a personal letter in the mail that DIDN'T make you smile? 

 (I know these are gift tags, but the to/from theme fits and they are just so cute!)

Just last week I received a thank you letter from a girl who just had twins.  She was thanking me for a meal that I brought her back in September.  It's been quite a long time, but I didn't mind getting it late.  Actually, I was even more flattered because she remembered and she made it a point to still thank me even though I didn't even expect a thank you letter at all.  In it she apologized for the delay and said that she was busy with everything and "if she gets a shower once a week, she considers it a luxury."   Understood, sister, un.der.stood.

So, I want to ask you, what letter have you been meaning to write that you haven't?  Wouldn't National Letter Writing Week be a perfect time to finally send that thank you, that encouragement, that condolence, that just'cause letter?  

Grab your stationary, pen, and head to a cool nook (like this slammin' bathroom).
Think about it. Write it. Address it. Send it.

Love, Meg

ps...the Post Office wouldn't mind the extra circulation.  If you haven't heard, they ain't doing to well.

(The average number of mail pieces processed each second by the USPS.)

1-2 pictures from here

This Week's Menu

Every Sunday I post my menu for the week.  Not because it's fabulous or super creative, but because I need some kind of record.  What is my family eating on a regular basis?  What could we use more of?  Where is that link to that fab new recipe I found?  What should I make that I haven't made in a while? All these questions are answered by this weekly routine.  

Vegetable Stir Fry with Teriyaki Chicken

Fettuccine Alfredo with Broccoli and Mushrooms

Baked Potatoes with BBQ Pork

Bean and Sausage Soup (Recipe loosely based on this)

Pleasure

Everyone has read, seen, or at least heard of Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.  Even though the book as a whole was just ok for me, there are a few quotes that really stick with me and I think about them from time to time.  

This week, as John and I have ended a couple of days falling asleep in front of the TV, I'm thinking about one in particular.  

"Americans are really good
at entertaining themselves, 

but not good at finding pleasure."

 (paraphrased)

TV is fun and I enjoy watching it but so many times we just turn it on and check out and I don't like it and I want it to change.  (how's that for a run-on sentence?)  I don't think I'm alone in this.  I've seen the glow of TVs fill so many homes at night, but not every home.  Now, I wonder, what are those other people, who don't watch TV doing?  Are they happier than I am?

The nights that we don't turn on the TV and read, talk, paint, do house projects are SO MUCH fun and they are SO MUCH better than the nights that we simply entertain ourselves.  Out of interest and out of inspiration, I would LOVE to hear what your family does at the end of everyday.

What is the routine in your home?  I would love some kind advice and suggestions.  (Tanya, I know you've got something for me...)

The Starting Process

Have you ever had one of those days that you want to do nothing and you want to do everything?  I had one of those days recently.  Reading books, lounging around, drinking coffee all sounded great.  But I couldn't relax.

{credits}

I had so many house projects yelling at me, teasing me about how I never did anything, and most of those voices came from our kitchen.

I have a great kitchen, but it needs a little T.L.C.  Some of the stuff I could do myself, some of it can be done by John, and some I need several thousand dollars to do.

I know what I want, and it would be fabulous.  I know what I want because I have seen some great kitchens:  

{Credits} 

{Credits}

Aren't those great kitchens?  Hats off to those creators!  Muy bien.  

Those kitchen redos have something in common, one or more of these words: decorator, contractor, architect.  My husband and I come from a long line of do-it-yourselfers, so I can guarantee that those are things that I will never pay for unless I build a house from scratch.  Our pride and our budget just can't take 'em.

So, I'm left to the time, money and efforts of John and myself.  Time and money aren't easy to come by over here, but sometimes that's not what I need most. The main thing is effort.  It's all about that moment when I finally do something.  

This particular day when I was feeling weird about the lurking projects and their creepy voices, I just needed to do something, anything.  That's when Effort showed up - just starting on one small task of laying baseboards - and the world seemed whole again!  Even Burlito wanted in on some of the action!

From now on: my goal is to remember that when I'm feeling lazy, a little effort can go along way.  Effort not only gets one job done, but it fuels my desire to do more, to keep going, and enjoy the process.

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Stay tuned for "afters."  I've got a lot of stuff in the works!