The Spring Cure: Throwing a Party! Week 8 - Intro

Here's our final Cure dinner back in the fall of '07! It was a whole day of shopping, prep, repair, cooking and then partying with a couple of old friends. I documented the whole day, why don't you?

• Cure Clock: 1 week remaining
• Assignment: Read Chapter 11, pps. 222-236
• Give your home a good cleaning
• Prepare for our party
• Curees: 900!

>> New Flickr Group: AT Home Cure
>> Submit your photos directly to AT

This is it. One more week. Now is the time to work very, very hard, because you will soon be back on your own again. And what a good week to work! Spring is in full bloom all over the country and it's a great time to have some people over to celebrate your home and the new season.

Here's our post and dinner from Thanksgiving in the fall. Setting this table is an annual tradition for me.

In writing the book, I really wanted there to be at least one calmer week before the end. Week's seven and eight are therefore both a little lighter and meant to allow you to slow down as you approach the end and catch up if you need to. I also think that it's important to build enjoyment into the process, because otherwise you might not take the time to enjoy what you have done. Part of this feeling of enjoyment is sharing your work with others.

I love this dining room and would love to set this table. (via Emmasblogg)

When I taught school, we were trained, as teachers, to constantly share the childrens' work back with the whole class to complete the learning experience. It is so helpful to see your own work amongst that of others, and so helpful to have the opportunity to stand back and say to oneself, "Look what I have done." Though we are no long little children, we all still benefit from this and don't get it often enough.

Here's a final, final week dinner table from December - a dinner for four. It was a delicious meal, but due to the season, two active toddlers who didn't go to bed early enough and the wine, we all crumpled early.

Your ending party is meant to do just this, so don't skip it. Even if you do a little, impromptu thing and invite one person over to see what you've done, that's great. Even if you are really behind and you can't invite someone over for another two weeks, that's great. Just clean up, cook or drink a little something and show what you've done to someone else and you'll have completed the circle.

Here's another view of the rustic dining room that I like so much. I would also like to decorate this one for a big meal with lots of flowers and branches down the middle.... (via emmasblogg)

Doing this Cure is a big deal. You have made a commitment to yourself and then worked towards your own goal, when you could have done nothing. This is an achievement on so many levels, and it will stay with you, making it easier to do again and again.

Best of luck. You have only six days left.

- POST INDEX SPRING 2009

• Week 7 - Show & Tell
• Week 7 - Tips & Tricks
• Week 7 - Intro
• Week 6 - Show & Tell
• Week 6 - Tips & Tricks
• Week 6 - Intro
• Week 5 - Show & Tell
• Week 5 - Tips & Tricks
• Week 5 - Intro
• Week 4 - Tips & Tricks
• Week 4 - Intro
• Week 3 - Show and Tell
• Week 3 - Tips & Tricks
• Week 3 - Intro
• Week 2 - Show and Tell
• Week 2 - Tips & Tricks
• Week 2 - Intro
• Week 1 - Show and Tell
• Week 1 - Tips & Tricks
• Week 1 - Intro

- CURE INFO

>> Main Cure Page - Spring 2009
>> About The Book
>> Excerpt from Chapter I

Comments (9)

Since my place is itty bitty and the eat-in portion of the kitchen isn't ready yet, I'm just going to do a dinner at home with the boy. I've discovered a couple new meals that I'm sure he'd like to try. :)

As soon as the eat-in-kitchen is complete and I get an air purifier (most of a my friends are allergic to cats so they won't come over unless I have one), I'm going to have small get together, probably just one or two friends, with drinks and some tasty treats.

My "other" is that I'm doing something a little unconventional...

I'm moving!

I found out in week five that I would be moving to a bigger, brighter studio apartment in a nicer neighborhood full of old brick buildings, and so I was unfortunately required to tilt my plans more toward moving day than a party date.

Upside? The Cure works for moving day, too, LOL.

We have houseguests this weekend to mark the end of our cure. I'll get some extra festive brunchy items and flowers to make it an occasion.

I won't quite finish the cure the week - somethings are backordered, some things I just haven't done yet - I'm hoping for a big finish for Memorial Day weekend!

living in a camper means dinner parties are outside!! we are having a family and friends over this weekend for burgers and greens (firsts from the garden!), plus bonfire and s'mores. ofcourse, weather permitting.

Other- I have guests staying with me in June so I'm also shooting for the end of May. Even though I'm still working on projects, I am incredibly proud of what I accomplished during the cure. My place is taking shape and I love it!

I admit I haven't been following "the cure". But, I like this last step. I always schedule a party or gathering as a due date to get things done! And it always works because I cannot let me place look undone when people come over.

As for me, we are hosting a grad party soon for my boy...we are having and outdoor BBQ with 30 guests in 2 weeks! I still have some more work like finishing the patio table and building planter boxes! It's crunch time!

I'm having a casual tea party for my mom since it's Mother's Day on Sunday. I'll make some scones and muffins, and serve them with big glasses of chilled milk tea. :D

We are having our party on the 30th as a house warming. I made the mistake of trying to do 3 one room makeovers and moving at the same time. Lesson learned: one at a time!
Actually I had a lot of important takeaways from doing the Cure so even though I didn't finish on time, it was a great experience.

So what wine does with Muhammara, Thai cucumber salad, and Moroccan grilled lemon garlic chicken?