Get Peonies! And More Things to Do This Weekend
Dust off your ceiling fans, make room on bookshelves for new beach reads and host an NBA Finals party
It’s a good weekend to gather armfuls of peonies from the garden, load up on fresh produce at a local farm stand and relax with an engrossing summer read. And with Frank Lloyd Wright’s birthday and Game 4 of the NBA Finals on June 8, there’s plenty for architecture aficionados and sports fans alike to do. Here are seven could-dos for your weekend ahead.
2. Enjoy the breeze of a cooling fan. Dust the blades of ceiling fans using an electrostatic duster, and make sure the rotation is set to counterclockwise to direct air downward. If you’re shopping for a new ceiling fan, look for a model with a good motor, and pick a fan the right size for the room.
Size guidelines from the American Lighting Association:
Size guidelines from the American Lighting Association:
- Rooms up to 75 square feet: 36 inches wide or smaller
- Rooms up to 144 square feet: 36 to 42 inches wide
- Rooms about 225 square feet: 50 to 54 inches wide
- Rooms larger than 225 square feet: an oversize fan or multiple ceiling fans
3. Make room for summer reading. Have a summer reading list a mile long? Make some space on your shelves for those new beach reads by weeding out books you didn’t love. Fill a box with books and donate them to your local library or senior center, or distribute them among Little Free Libraries in your area. If you want to get the most out of your reading this summer, consider keeping a running list of books you’d like to read, or perhaps start a book club with a group of friends or neighbors.
Looking for something to dig into right now? Check out Plant Society — a spring release from Australian architect, interior designer and plant cultivator Jason Chongue that shows how anyone, regardless of home size or plant knowledge, can create a lush, thriving indoor plant oasis.
Afternoon Project: Declutter Your Bookshelves
Looking for something to dig into right now? Check out Plant Society — a spring release from Australian architect, interior designer and plant cultivator Jason Chongue that shows how anyone, regardless of home size or plant knowledge, can create a lush, thriving indoor plant oasis.
Afternoon Project: Declutter Your Bookshelves
4. Learn more about an architectural visionary. Commemorate renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s June 8 birthday by attending an event or lecture, picking up a coffee table book at the bookstore or perhaps even making the trip to tour one of the homes he designed.
While Wright was most prolific in the Midwest, structures by him can be found throughout the country. There’s Fallingwater in Pennsylvania, Rosenbaum House in Alabama, Taliesin West in Arizona, Gordon House in Oregon and Hollyhock House in Los Angeles, to name a few.
Take an armchair tour of some of Frank Lloyd Wright’s noted designs
While Wright was most prolific in the Midwest, structures by him can be found throughout the country. There’s Fallingwater in Pennsylvania, Rosenbaum House in Alabama, Taliesin West in Arizona, Gordon House in Oregon and Hollyhock House in Los Angeles, to name a few.
Take an armchair tour of some of Frank Lloyd Wright’s noted designs
5. Load up on seasonal produce at the farmers market. It’s getting to be prime time for fresh produce. Make a trip to your favorite local farmers market or farm stand and load up on fresh fruits and veggies to liven up your meals all week long. Remember to bring your own shopping bags, and if you’re not sure how to cook an unusual veggie, ask the farmer. Most are more than happy to share tips and recipes.
Once home, display fruit on a big platter or in a shallow bowl where you’ll be tempted to grab them for snacks. Wash, dry and trim sturdy veggies as soon as you get home, and store them in the produce drawers of your fridge or in clear food storage containers so they’re easy and appealing to choose for snacks and meals.
Smart Storage for Fresh, Tempting Produce
Once home, display fruit on a big platter or in a shallow bowl where you’ll be tempted to grab them for snacks. Wash, dry and trim sturdy veggies as soon as you get home, and store them in the produce drawers of your fridge or in clear food storage containers so they’re easy and appealing to choose for snacks and meals.
Smart Storage for Fresh, Tempting Produce
6. Get organized for a move. With kids in between school years, summer is a popular time to move. If that’s your situation this summer, don’t wait until it’s time to pack to decide what you’re taking with you. Start by assessing the big stuff (i.e., furniture) and figure out what will fit in the new place and what you want to let go of. Then move on to the kitchen, bedroom and, finally, the basement or storage area.
Time-saving tip: Grab a package of sticky notes and stick one on each thing you don’t want to move. When you have a bigger chunk of time, simply collect the items with sticky notes and take them to the charity of your choice — or even better, arrange to have them picked up.
The All-in-One-Place Guide to Selling Your Home and Moving
Time-saving tip: Grab a package of sticky notes and stick one on each thing you don’t want to move. When you have a bigger chunk of time, simply collect the items with sticky notes and take them to the charity of your choice — or even better, arrange to have them picked up.
The All-in-One-Place Guide to Selling Your Home and Moving
7. Host a watch party. The Golden State Warriors are battling the Cleveland Cavaliers for the fourth consecutive year. If you’re a fan, gather some friends (and snacks) to watch Game 4 of the NBA Finals on June 8.
Your turn: What are you looking forward to this weekend? Let us know in the Comments.
More: Delight in Summer’s Garden Glories — Here’s What to Do in June
Your turn: What are you looking forward to this weekend? Let us know in the Comments.
More: Delight in Summer’s Garden Glories — Here’s What to Do in June
No peonies in the garden? You can find cut peonies for sale in markets and flower shops through early summer. Look for big, round buds just beginning to open. They’ll continue to open up in the vase — and they drink a lot of water, so check the container each day and refresh it as needed.
Great Design Plant: Peonies | Find decorative vases