Happy Monday, it’s a new week and a fresh start! How was your weekend?
We briefly got to see our kids (yay!) and, as always, my Saturday morning was spent with these lovely ladies – my Copenhagen Bluetits Chill Swimmers friends!
Not so many of us on the bathing bridge right now because things are full steam ahead here in Denmark! We are in graduation season, with class parties, celebrations and summer get-togethers popping up left, right and centre. It’s busy, but it’s the good kind of busy: my very favourite time of year!
When summer rolls around, I tend to ease up on the detailed Zone Cleaning from the FlyLady system. I’d much rather be out enjoying the sunshine, meeting friends, going for a sea dip or making the most of these lovely long summer evenings. Oh, and there is lots of gardening to be done too! Our rhododendrons are in full bloom right now…
What I do keep up with is my Weekly Upkeep Clean. It only takes about an hour and it keeps the house looking presentable and ticking along nicely. Whether we’re expecting visitors, heading off somewhere, or just enjoying a quiet week at home, it helps me stay on top of things without spending all my time cleaning. I’ve popped my simple Weekly Upkeep routine in the graphic below. Do not overthink this… Set a timer for 10 minutes and do one task. Then stop when the timer goes off and move on to the next one. We are not cleaning the whole house, just the high traffic areas, the most used rooms. (You can spread the tasks over the course of the week or do a few each day. Do whatever works for you and your family.)
Want me to walk you through the full process? My chatty video is below!
My plan today was to get the sheets out on the line for a good blow in the fresh air, but Denmark is being Denmark! One minute we’re having a downpour and the next the sun is out. The weather seems to change every 30 minutes at the moment. How’s your summer been so far? I think I’ve only managed to wear my sandals a couple of times! And if you’re planning a trip to Denmark, you know what I always say…pack layers and bring a raincoat or umbrella, whatever the season. You’ll probably need all three in the same day! At least everything is looking green and lush…
One thing I really need to do today is sharpen up my menu planning. I’ve been feeling a bit frazzled the last few days and that’s usually a sign that I need to get a few meal ideas written down. It helps my brain feel less cluttered and makes the week run much more smoothly. I’m linking a video below with some of the little habits and routines that help keep me going when life gets busy – whether it’s summer or the run up to Christmas!
Have a great week whatever you’ve got planned. Remember, we’re not aiming for perfect. We’re just keeping things ticking along while making time for the people and activities we enjoy! Rah, rah, rah!
Hugs
Diane in Denmark
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16 Comments
Add Yours →Thank you for sharing these reminders! I tend to get overwhelmed with all the tasks that need done, and your reminder that the weekly home blessing makes all the difference is what I needed to hear! Thank you!!! Enjoy these long summer days!
When you talk about summer, Diane, it sounds very exciting! I always feel it is the season you never see your friends or family because everyone has conflicting holidays terms. Everyone is in Italy, Croatia or hiking with kids etc. So for me, June and July always meant waiting two months before I see many friends and family again (but I can always count on the friends and colleagues at the office who we meet everyday in summer 😀 so not so bad, though summer topics of discussion are always work 😅😭)
Your reminder arrived at exactly the right moment Diane, not 5 minutes ago I said to hubby, he’s off work this week doing some DIY (and watching football) that I was feeling discombobulated and not quite sure where to start today.
What absolutely stunning rhododendrons! Exactly the same weather in the U.K. at the moment. Talking of flowers did you hear the Scottish fans singing Flower of Scotland at their World Cup match the other day? Just magical, and they won the match, woohoo 🏴🎉 I’m English but that was just joyful. Have a lovely week ahead. ❤️
Thank you!
Beautiful flowers and you look so cheerful in your red and white outfit! 🇩🇰
Had to chuckle at your advice to bring an umbrella. Friends in Aarhus said not to bother with one there because the wind will render it useless. They were right!
It keeps raining and raining in Lithuania 🙂 Its good not to be a farmer in this weather! Here we also need to pack for a changing condition :-))
Thank you for posting, Diane! Happy Summer!
Love the beautiful flowers in the garden. Summer is fun for me too. I’m doing my weekly routine right now.
Menu planning is always a bonus for me as well.
Take care. Have a happy June!
Just home from two weeks away with the grandchildren, so the immediate priorities are laundry, grocery/meal prep, and sorting the mound of mail. (I am a genius at dropping vacuuming to the bottom of the list!)
Always wonderful to get away with loved ones, but now I’m eager to return to my tidy and frugal groove. Thanks for your reminder not to obsess over catching up and exhaust ourselves. Cheers!
Thanks for the video reminders they are always so helpful. Your garden looks lovely ❤️
The flowers are just beautiful, and so are you, Dianne. Thanks for the encouragement.
Thanks Diane, I was actually going to go back to your videos where you set a timer and did something e.g.) clean off the table, etc…This reminder will be perfect. Enjoy the outdoors:)
Summer is the time of home redecoration for me. Styling my kitchen to look mid-century modern now and daily/weekly routines are really helpful to keep me on top of the housework. Thanks for inspiration, dear Diane!
Great reminders! We have all the seasons in a day in New England , it seems, but make the most of what we have. I am always grateful for the limits of the weekly HB hour!
What beautiful rhododendrons, absolutely lovely. Your reminder had come at the right time for me. I’ve just lost my Mum and am absolutely frazzled making all the arrangements, so thank you for the reminder that we mustn’t forget to look after ourselves. Thank you so much, good luck with the move 💟
I liked the “calm and organized” idea for busy summer weeks. My extra thing would be checking the pantry while you reset the kitchen, especially flour, cereal, rice, and pet food. If something is open, I put it in a sealed bin because pantry moths can turn one forgotten bag into a whole annoying project.
Routines and systems are easy to follow when life is “going well” and not so my when there are challenges- such as a move, family crisis, life off its routine.
I’m sure you are finding this as well.
Finding your equilibrium becomes the challenge- I think when life becomes the “new” normal we can start a reset to get the systems back on track.
Being an ADULT is just hard some time.