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Inspired by one of my favorite blogs Brocante Home (who was in turn inspired by a feature in Harper’s Bazaar written by Diana Vreeland), Why Don’t You is a week’s worth of ideas for adding a little something special to your life.
Pick and choose what sparks your interest and fits into your schedule. Or use these as inspiration for coming up with your own ideas.
I dropped the ball for a while on a few things around here. I’ll be honest – it’s not always easy to stay cheerful when the world is what it is right now.
If you’ve been a longtime reader, you probably not that I am generally a very optimistic, always hopeful person. I’m still that person, but the tough moments of life seem to be a little more plentiful these days.
I know that trying to add some bits of joy and loveliness to your life may be far from your mind at the moment. They’re still so important – maybe even more than ever!
Why Don’t You Week of May 31
Hang laundry outside.
Oh how I wish I could do this. Because of my allergies, I can’t but the smell of freshly aired out laundry is just so delightful.
Don’t have a clothesline? Be sure to buy a cotton one as it will be softer on your clothing than a synthetic one. Boil it before using to tighten up the cotton fibers and help it last longer.
The only disadvantage of line-dried clothing? That stiff fabric you end up with. To alleviate that, remove items while still slightly damp, and toss them in the dryer for a few minutes to finish drying them. If you’re concerned about fading colors, turn items inside out before hanging on the line.
Put away your winter clothing.
Have you packed away your winter clothing yet? Most of mine just lives in my closet all year long because I have enough space, but I do pack up my really heavy winter sweaters.
I’m only now just getting around to this because we were having such cold weather – snow in May!!! Now that it’s hot and humid out, it’s time to put them away.
Check out these tips for safe mothball alternatives when you’re putting your clothes away for the season.
Choose a childhood classic book to read again.
Trust me. This can be so soothing on a tough day. My current choice is Pippi Longstocking. What’s yours?
Here are more suggestions:
Charlottes WebLittle Women (Puffin in Bloom)
Anne of Green Gables
Little House in the Big Woods
Emily of New Moon (The Emily Books, Book 1)
The Trolley Car Family
The Borrower: A Novel
THE SECRET GARDEN
Elizabeth Winthrop: The Castle in the Attic (Paperback); 1996 Edition
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
Pooh’s Library: Winnie-The-Pooh, The House At Pooh Corner, When We Were Very Young, Now We Are Six (Pooh Original Edition)
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (Illustrated by Arthur Rackham)
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
“Ninja” someone.
You’ve probably heard of the new “porch ninja” or “porch pirate” trend. You put together a box or basket of goodies and leave them on the porch for a friend, family member, or neighbor.
Many have taken the form of a “wine ninja” but there are so many other possibilities. What about a family movie or game night basket? Or a romantic dinner for two box?
A backyard fun pack, pamper yourself kit, or pampered pet basket are other great ideas. Get creative and share a little love with others even while social distancing.
Plant some lemongrass to help repel mosquitoes.
Get out there digging in the dirt can be great therapy for some people. Planting some lemongrass can help repel mosquitoes and if you’re like us and spending more time in your own backyard, we’re looking for anything we can do to increase our comfort level.
Paint some rocks.
Another trend that has come out of quarantine has been painting rocks with bright colors and sharing them. We’ve seen them crop up around various points in our neighborhood (makes for a fun scavenger hunt with the kids while staying safe).
Others have painted messages of support and left them outside hospitals and other locations for front line workers. Head out for a walk with the family and bring home a few rocks to paint together!
Adopt a senior.
I’ve seen multiple “Adopt a Senior” groups crop up on Facebook. Many local places around me have also set up programs. Try calling long term care centers in your area and see if they have any options available.
Some are setting up video chats while others are accepting cards, letters, and emails to help their residents cope with being in quarantine. This is a great way to give back and brighten someone else’s day.
Our local Meals on Wheels is delivering email messages to their clients. You can send your emails to seniors here. Or if you’d prefer, a center for adults with developmental disabilities that is very near and dear to my heart is looking for letters or emails for their clients, also under mandatory quarantine. You can find more information here.
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