Rose Cottage

  A helpful tip for any home care journey is to 'carry a clipboard' and tour your space regularly!  Clipboard & note pad In 'One Thing At a Time,' Cindy Glovinsky writes, 'face your possessions with a clipboard in your hands, and there's no way they're going to run over you. A clipboard puts you squarely in charge of the Things in your life.' (P 15)  Cindy suggests using a legal pad - but I have a sweet vintage half-size board, that my mom made many notes on (often on pads she made her self from 'scratch paper,' stapled together!) It's perfect for the 4x6" sticky note pads which were in my Christmas stocking! Our family loves this size note pad - and i love  the practice of checking off what's done! You can also use digital systems - and remember to check them periodically!  From the bookshelf In 'Finding Yourself at Home,' Emily also suggests using a clipboard or notebook, as you tour your home with fresh eyes!  Choose ...

 Rose cottage is finished (mostly!) And Percy and I are moved in! It's a process! The storage unit is still full, and I'm working on bringing over the bits and bobs I had at my daughter's the last 6 months! Kitchen corner We plan on replacing the stove (too large for the space!) with a cooktop and air fryer.  We already ordered an electric teakettle - loving this cheery teal!  Electric teakettle and Red Hat 🍵  The Concrete countertops are so attractive and easy to clean! Jorge wanted to add these to his crew skill set, and we were happy to give them a try!  My Feng Shui consultant Gwynne recommended bringing in warmer colors - orange and yellow towels and fruit to help offset the grey. I found some peach and yellow pots for plants on the windowsill,  and took Amanda Gibby Peters' suggestion of frequent bringing in of fresh flowers - i added daffodils to this bouquet from Incahoots .  The Oxford all wood bed is all set up - with linen sheets and comfor...

 One of the simplest things you can do to welcome good fortune is spending a few minutes on your entrance and front door periodically!  My Purple Door Stand on your front walk, and look at your wall, porch and entrance Is the path clear and safe? (Opportunities flow) Is your address visible? (Can fortune find you?)  Greenery - are trees, shrubs and potted plants overgrown or in poor shape?  (Overgrown: too 'full' to receive more - dead branches or plants feel un-cared for) Is there clutter or trash? Is the porchlight in good working order? Doorbell? Does your door need a wash, or fresh coat of paint? If there's a mat, is it in good shape? Note anything that needs repaired, trimmed cleared or replaced.  When you're out and about, notice entrances and doors that appeal! Check out doors on Pinterest ( this board of Gwynne's has some lovely ones) When weather permits, go out for a 15-20 minute tidy! As I was preparing to sell my Galloway House, I did this frequentl...

 The front door welcomes guests and opportunities, while our other entrances favor less direct opportunities - all need to be in good working order, clean and able to open fully.  Is there clutter on the other side? Are the path and steps clear and safe? Is the address clearly visible? If you use another door most of the time (garage), do you use the front door daily?  Buddha's Play House - cobb construction  Photo - John Holley In Feng Shui, the front door and the kitchen are two of the most important centers - the Mouth of Chi, and the heart of the home. In the mid 90s, I lived in a shared home at a mountain retreat center, and love the way our home welcomed all who came! Our front entrance faced the path through the staff cabins, but we generally entered through a little mud room on the side. This was especially important during the wet and snowy months! There's a row of coat hooks, and a built in bench with cubbies under for shoes, and a quick tidy was on our wee...