Life in the time of COVID

Maxine Eleanor, August 1, 2020 I didn’t intend to take a year away from writing. Once upon a time, more than a decade ago, I had to keep myself from posting updates more than once a day. For a year to pass without giving this space any attention feels strange. I...

Master Bedroom Update

This took several months, but boy are we glad it is done. When Jason moved into this home, we knew the master bedroom would need some help. The woman who lived here before was obsessed with greek themes. (You may remember the column in the bathroom.) Hence the drapey...

The Little Things

This weekend I planted a vegetable garden. One of the perks of returning to my little home in Tempe: space to garden. I’d done a good bit of work over the years to clear areas for gardening and no surprise — they were empty and ready for some attention....

Thanksgiving Day Planning

This year, I’m adding the following to our table of friends and family for Thanksgiving day celebrations (friends are bringing the bird, gravy and mashed potatoes): Breakfast: Pioneer Woman’s cinnamon rolls I like to surprise friends with the delivery...

Make It Work

I am slowly turning our third floor into a sewing room and office. The room started as our catch-all for boxes we didn’t know where to unpack, rolled rugs — purchased for our New Jersey home — with its gorgeous hardwood floors, and stacks of books...