The Conversation, with Ross Reynolds, and Summer Trips

I was listening to my favorite radio show the other day, the Conversation (I love Ross Reynolds), and the program was about the staycation. Listeners phoned in with some great ideas for local stuff around Puget Sound. One place that several people mentioned is Holden Village up near Lake Chelan.

It's philosophy reminds me of a place that I stayed this summer for a yoga retreat, the Whidbey Institute. Unfortunately the Whidbey Institute does not appear to allow for individual stays, however Rebekkah LaDyne of Refreshing Retreats hosts her annual yoga retreat there. This was such a great weekend: delicious food, cute little houses and cabins (and camping!) in the forest, nice people, and of course the best yoga instructor ever.

Pacific Northwest Ballet

The new season of the Pacific Northwest Ballet is starting soon! I just got season tickets for the Gallery Upper section. I contemplated getting Backstage Pass tickets, which are an amazing deal for folks 21-39. The performances are on Friday nights, however, which doesn't really work so well with my 7:30 am Saturday morning runs- Saturday night is my night of choice to party at McCaw Hall.

Moleskine

Do you love to make lists? I sure do, and I compile them all in this little notebook by Moleskine. According to Amazon.com, "This silent and discreet keeper of an extraordinary tradition, which has been missing for years, has set out again on its journey."

Actually, I have two of these. One of them I keep in the bag I carry with me, and it has lists including: things to do, things to buy (separated by store, including groceries, drugstore, hardware store, etc.), music to get, etc. I like to be able to jot down notes when inspired, like when I'm travelling. The second of my Moleskine notebooks is a large ruled notebook, which I have turned into my house journal where I detail the things that I do (to? for?) my house. I try to include what I did, products used, companies who did the work, etc.

White

There are certain household things that I like best in clean, uninterrupted white: dishes and tableware (above is Revol, white French porcelain which can be purchased from Sur la Table), tablecloths, bedding, towels for both the kitchen and bath (for the former, floursack towels), bathrobes, paint, tiles, sinks, curtains (esp. lace curtains, sheers, and cafe curtains), etc.

Personalized Pencils

I love pretty much anything that is monogrammed, but I especially love these old-school monogrammed pencils from Lillian Vernon (they also have them in pastel). Kids love them and they make great stocking stuffers.