Celebrating Friends

 This week was one of "radio silence" (as my friend Laura would say) from Yours Truly.  I can't exactly explain why, except to say that "chatty" was not how I was feeling in the least.  Some friends and family members had some bad health news which had me feeling quiet, and contemplative.
 
Speaking of my friend Laura, tonight I'm hosting a dinner party to celebrate her birthday, well her belated birthday (which I missed when we had the Plague).  I've been working towards this all week, because I was determined to do a full spring clean of my entire house, and have the main floor prepped for the party, by Friday evening.

This feels like a really special celebration for Laura because she herself has struggled with her health since becoming ill last July.  She spent the summer in hospital and to say that we were all frightened is a real understatement.  What did we hold on to during those dark months?  The times we'd had together, the dinner parties and the vacations.  I'd visit her or phone her and we'd talk about being able to have dinner again, or plan a holiday.  Or even to get together for a glass of wine on a Wednesday, anything, normal things.  When we don't have our health the real stuff of life becomes apparent, and intensely appreciated.

So I began the spring clean on the third floor and worked my way down: windows washed, surfaces dusted, ceilings poked at with my lambswool duster.  I hauled the vacuum into every corner, mopped the floors with my favourite wooden floor cleaner (that smells of marzipan).  I went through MrBP's storage closet and dressing room as well, picking out clothes to be mended or dry-cleaned, washing and pressing the rest.  I scoured the bathrooms and emptied the pantries in the kitchen, tossing out the stale and scrubbing the interior of the cupboards with a natural orange cleaner.
It might sounds strange to say it, but this is my therapy.

By yesterday afternoon I was ready for the good bits: polishing the copper champagne bucket and setting up the bar, the dinner table and the dessert cart.

 I found this old Ikea tray (below, on the bottom shelf of the tea cart) at our office some time ago and brought it home.  I remember buying it thinking it would be handy to ferry coffee cups between the little kitchen and the boardroom but it was really never used.  It's very plain but the perfect size to hold ten coffee cups and a pitcher of cream.

Dessert cart in the dining room.
Ready to go.

 I have my dessert plates ready to go on the dessert cart, and left some room for the birthday cake Berna is bringing.

I set the table with my white dishes which is my go-to look for a dinner party.  I used these linens from Provence from one of my favourite shops: Pariscope.

 The tablecloth is really stunning, it is a cotton fabric very lightly coated with an acrylic finish (it does not feel plasticky) which is perfect for wiping up spills of coffee and wine.

 The napkins are cotton as well, without the finish on the fabric.  They wash up beautifully and only need a quick press with the steam iron.

 Laura's birthday present is also from Pariscope, a French market basket that I know she'll love to keep in her car for quick trips to the market.  I drove out to Pariscope in Elora yesterday (completely unsure of what I would buy as a birthday present) knowing that "just the thing" would present itself.

Laura's birthday present waits for her in the foyer.

So now for the menu!  I'll have to figure that out this morning, though as is the custom with our group of friends everyone is helping by bringing something for the dinner.  That makes it so much easier... and helps prevent Crying In The Kitchen.

I hope you have a really wonderful Saturday, whether you have something to celebrate or you're just doing the normal things... which can also be cause for celebration.
xoxDani

Spring Cleaning

Cleaning Bucket

Trusty Supplies

De-cluttering is on the agenda.

I've managed not to kill this plant!
Now that spring is here I'll bring another plant home and cross my fingers.

Time to take stock of bathroom towels.
I also need to sew up new towels for the kitchen.

I have to get the laundry room organized and in good shape.
Why does so much clutter end up in here?

My clothesline fell down during a winter storm.
A top priority is to get that fixed and soon.

Then I can dry the linens outside once more, can't wait, there's nothing like sun and wind for freshening.

Meal planning is key!
It's been a busy winter and I'm feeling off my game with dinners.
I have to scrub the whole kitchen and get a good meal plan on the go.

Happy Spring!
I'm trying to motivate myself with visuals and a list this morning, I've set aside the whole next week for spring cleaning.
I have so much to do so I think I'd better start at the top of the house and work my way down.  I'm going to thoroughly clean and de-clutter every room in the house with particular attention paid to the bathrooms, the kitchen and the laundry room.
How does my laundry room end up in such a mess?  It's the dumping ground for all of the unwanted things apparently.
I've been in a real rut with family dinners these last weeks, I need to get my cookbooks out and make some lists of meals and re-stock the pantry.
Hostess asked me for some of my favourite recipes and I'm happy to oblige, it's one of the posts I'll work on this week...
Have you helped your parents down-size to a smaller house or an apartment?  We did that this past winter for my in-laws and the whole process really knocked home the fact that it's much easier to keep things clean and tidy with less stuff around.  It's that old rule that I must remember: keep nothing that is not useful or beautiful.  We just finished the clear-out of their house yesterday so this first day of spring is perfect timing to start a big clean of my own.
Wishing you a happy, beautiful Spring!  (Or a wonderful Autumn if you are in Australia.)
Any big cleaning plans up your sleeve?
xoxDani