When I launder my bed linens, I often think of my salt-of-the-earth Scottish grandmother whose bed linens always smelled like laundry soap, brisk breezes and warm sunshine. Hanging the bed linens out to dry was a predictable part of her household routine, as was ironing the sheets and pillowcases before they were put back on [...]

I recently came across a Zen quote that said, “Sit quietly, doing nothing, spring comes, and the grass grows by itself.” True, indeed. The grass is in, the flowers are blooming, and I think to myself: how great would it be if my exterior home-cleaning checklist followed the example of the grass and took care [...]