The Empty Nest Chronicles

two friends. two coasts. two cozy homes.

A Little Break in the Action

 150 150 Frances
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Dear Kristin, I took this photo fifteen years ago. I recognize those tee shirts as though I’d hung them out on the line yesterday. Much to my shame, I haven’t hung out any laundry this year. Why not? Because it hasn’t even occurred to me! Fifteen years ago, I was in love with homemade living–hanging…

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Summer Pasta

 150 150 Frances
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Dear Kristin, How’s life in the Covid House? I have my fingers and toes crossed that the terrible bug will pass you by! Still, I know that it’s no fun trying to take care of  a sick husband and son while at the same time doing your best to avoid the virus.  Since you don’t…

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Mid-Year Goal Check

 150 150 Kristin
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Dear Kristin, Can you believe that we’re halfway through 2023? The way time is flying, I expect to wake up next week to find that I’m 74. The question is, will I wake up with a perfectly organized attic? That’s my goal for 2023, or at least the main one: to open the attic door…

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Summer Food

 150 150 Kristin
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Dear Frances, According to the calendar, it’s officially summer! And since the sun is finally peeking through the clouds here in Southern California, I’m ready to really start thinking about our summer menus. (Up until a couple of weeks ago I was still making soup! It’s been chilly!) The most important thing I think about…

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Getting Ready to Go

 150 150 Frances
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Dear Kristin, So the tables have turned and you’re the one who’s hopped on a plane to travel far from home. As I write this, you’re on your way to Sweden to enjoy those long, long days and a little bit of business. (Do you think if I ever got a real job, they’d send…

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Let’s do a 100 Day Project

 150 150 Kristin
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Dear Frances, You were asking me the other day about what I wanted from this summer. I was intrigued by your idea of creating a theme for the season or creating a 100 Day Project to give this summer a bit of structure. As much as I love the idea, I can’t think of a…

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Book List: Five Favorites/Five years

 150 150 Frances
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Dear Kristin, Last week we asked readers for topics, and Patty suggested “Best Book Ever Read.” A great idea, but way too hard! I mean, if I had to say the best book I ever read, I’d have to say A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, right? Or I could make an argument for Charlotte’s Web.…

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Around the Garden

 150 150 Kristin
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Dear Frances, It’s nearly June and I don’t think we have discussed gardening plans this year. I know that for a lot of the country, gardening season really kicks in around Memorial Day, but if I were more disciplined, I could really get started in March. In fact, back when Chloe was little, we often…

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The Difference Between Me & You

 150 150 Frances
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Dear Kristin, As I write this, you’re attending a trade show in Massachusetts. It’s always a little strange when you’re on my side of the country. First of all our daily Vox routine gets disrupted. Early bird that you are, you’re up at least an hour before I am, jet lag be damned, and that…

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Deconstructing/Reassembling

 150 150 Frances
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Dear Kristin, As you know, I love order and routine, but lately I’ve felt a need to disrupt my life a little, and to that end I’ve just blown up half of my house. Last week, I pulled everything out of what I often refer to as the Living Room/Dining Room L (from hereon referred…

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