Based on what is going on in the world—not only Ukraine, but Afghanistan too, and here in the US—it feels awkward to write a post about making life more beautiful when people are showing how truly evil they are. I do urge you to read my post from yesterday if you are looking for a place to donate. In the meantime, I do want to do what I can to make the world a better place; for me, that is writing. I am grateful for the safety I and my family are fortunate to have. I don’t take that for granted. I wish for you and your family safety and health, too.

I posted my January goals for living a more “beautiful” life, and while the junk drawer did get cleaned out, I only bought flowers once in January and the bulletin board has yet to be ordered. However, I did make additional progress on the organizing front–especially with my needlepoint canvases!–and so I’m counting January as an overall positive attempt at this goal.

For February, here’s what I’m working on:

Finally choose a fabric for my slipper chairs: I’ve talked about these chairs so much I’m sure you all are sick of hearing about them! But I’m finally nearing a decision, so this month I will choose the fabric and (hopefully) order it.

Plan some updates for the hall bathroom: I am not fond of the window treatment in our hall bathroom, which was left by the previous owners. I’d love to order a new window treatment and finally choose a new paint color for this bathroom!

Order seeds for the garden: My toddler is very into growing things, and I was too late to order seeds last year! This year I’m going to order seeds to grow a few vegetables, and then seeds for the flowerbeds, too. One day I’d love to recreate the herbaceous border at Dumbarton Oaks, but that is definitely the work of a lifetime, so we’ll start small. What is your favorite flower to plant?

Please let me know how you are making your February a beautiful one!