We all live in a speeded up world--we buy instant meals, work overtime, are wired in to our homes and offices, and precariously balance family and jobs. But it seems the more we get done the more there is to do, and while our modern lifestyles have given us faster ways of doing things, they have also quickly taken away the rhythm and serenity of daily life. San Francisco Chronicle columnist Adair Lara wrote a column describing her mother's way of slowing down--hanging up clothes on a clothesline. More than 1,000 readers responded to her column with their own suggestions--writing letters in longhand though they have computers, washing dishes by hand though they have dishwashers, reading their favorite novels again and again. The best of these stories, as well as others, have been combined to create this inspirational collection.

The Clothesline is a nostalgic yet practical guide to a less complicated time, when women shared household secrets, recipes and remedies over the back fence. Filled with historic and contemporary photographs and illustrations, the book includes tips on creating a fun yet functional laundry room, information on laundry collectibles, hints for easy care of heirloom linens, and traditional wash-day recipes like lavender ironing water and verbena soap. Visit the Clothesline website for helpful tips, excerpts from the book, and author tour information.

Each Monday at dawn, Mrs. Nelly McNosh brings out a barrel and does a big wash. Mrs. McNosh's wash is certainly big-and definitely wacky. You'll be surprised to see what is hanging on her clothesline by the end of the day! Sarah Weeks's hilarious tale, complemented by Nadine Bernard Westcott's lighthearted illustrations, is perfect for reading aloud.

Originally published: Los Angeles: J.P. Tarcher, 1992, under the title: Stories from the motherline.

"Two bored badgers have run out of things to do until their mom suggests they help with the laundry"--

New York Times best seller Ever since Gabrielle Stanley Blair became a parent, she’s believed that a thoughtfully designed home is one of the greatest gifts we can give our families, and that the objects and decor we choose to surround ourselves with tell our family’s story. In this, her first book, Blair offers a room-by-room guide to keeping things sane, organized, creative, and stylish. She provides advice on getting the most out of even the smallest spaces; simple fixes that make it easy for little ones to help out around the house; ingenious storage solutions for the never-ending stream of kid stuff; rainy-day DIY projects; and much, much more.

This New York Times bestselling book is filled with hundreds of fun, deceptively simple, budget-friendly ideas for sprucing up your home. With two home renovations under their (tool) belts and millions of hits per month on their blog YoungHouseLove.com, Sherry and John Petersik are home-improvement enthusiasts primed to pass on a slew of projects, tricks, and techniques to do-it-yourselfers of all levels. Packed with 243 tips and ideas—both classic and unexpected—and more than 400 photographs and illustrations, this is a book that readers will return to again and again for the creative projects and easy-to-follow instructions in the relatable voice the Petersiks are known for. Learn to trick out a thrift-store mirror, spice up plain old roller shades, "hack" your Ikea table to create three distinct looks, and so much more.

Dawn Dixon can hardly believe she's on a groomless honeymoon on beautiful Cape Cod . . . with her mother. Sure, Marnie Dixon is good company, but Dawn was supposed to be here with Kevin, the love of her life (or so she thought). Marnie Dixon needs some time away from the absolute realness of life as much as her jilted daughter does, and she's not about to let her only child suffer alone--even if Marnie herself had been doing precisely that for the past month. Given the circumstances, maybe it was inevitable that Marnie would do something as rash as buy a run-down ice-cream shop in the town's tightly regulated historic district. After all, everything's better with ice cream. Her exasperated daughter knows that she's the one who will have to clean up this mess. Even when her mother's impulsive real estate purchase brings Kevin back into her life, Dawn doesn't get her hopes up. Everyone knows that broken romances stay broken . . . don't they? Welcome to a summer of sweet surprises on Cape Cod--a place where dreams just might come true.

'A joy to read.' You Magazine 'Move over, Marie Kondo, it's all about washing not tidying in 2021 and it's down to one man - Patric Richardson.' The Times 'This slim volume, its breezy pages of tips and anecdotes, stories and, in the back, recipes, is a lovely salve. One would be very fortunate, I think, to be Richardson's friend or neighbour, to share his optimism and joy in life's seemingly small things.' Washington Post 'Look after your laundry, and your soul will look after itself.' W. Somerset Maugham Doing laundry is rarely anyone's favourite task. But to Patric Richardson, laundry isn't just fun - it's a way of life. Sorting your laundry? It's not all about whites and darks. Pondering the wash cycles? Every load, even delicates, should be washed using express or quick-wash on warm. Facing expensive dry cleaning bills? You'll learn how to wash everything - yes everything - at home. And those basically clean but pongy clothes? Richardson has a secret for freshening those too (hint: it involves your drinks cabinet). Changing your relationship with laundry can also change your life. Richardson's handy advice shows us how to save time and money (and the planet!) with our laundry - and he intersperses it all with a healthy dose of humour, real-life laundry stories, and lessons from his career in fashion. How to Love Your Laundry will make you wonder why you ever stressed about ironing, dry cleaning, or (god forbid) a red wine spill on your new shirt. No matter the issue, Richardson is here to help you make laundry miracles happen - wrinkles and stains be damned.

Gillian Clarke's poems are letters from the far countries of personal and ancestral memories, of places and moments of insight. Her acclaimed title poem explores the buried histories of women's lives, the enduring responsibilities that link generations and ensure the continuance of language and traditions. Rooted in rural Wales, Letter from a Far Country celebrates the sources of strength and continuity that bind people to landscape and community.