I saw a sign in a window recently that said SHOP SMALL. I am a vocal advocate for the premise of supporting local businesses. As a small business co-founder myself, I enjoy neighborhood shops and the industrious, creative and brave individuals who take risks and invest in sharing their personal passions. Usually, you will find the enthusiastic owner in attendance, willing to help with selections and chat about local news and future store events.

I know about small kitchens.  While mine is not “apartment size” tiny, it is definitely on the small side especially compared to many of those pictured in the current shelter magazines. I have learned that just because a kitchen is small, it does not mean it is dysfunctional.  In fact, an organized and well-planned small kitchen can be very easy and efficient to work in.

Frederic Edwin Church, the famed Hudson River School artist, designed, lived and worked at Olana, a house he created for his family around 1870. His house is considered a three-dimensional work of art–a complete integration of architecture and landscape design that he considered fine art. The 126-acre property in Columbia County, New York, has incredible views of the Taconic Hills and Hudson Valley including the venerable Hudson River.