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Greetings QVC friends!

I hope you're enjoying these midsummer days (and midsummer nights, although that sounds a bit like a dreamy trip to the local Shakespeare Festival). Then, of course, if you're a fan of BBC programming, there's a favorite British detective show of ours called Midsomer Murders, which the hubby enjoys watching no matter what season.

About this time of the year, I've taken inventory of my summertime to-do list and have hopefully checked off a few accomplishments around the home and garden. Let's see, this summer so far I've checked off planting additional flowers and shrubs, trimming the trees that got a bit overgrown over the springtime, power-washed the deck and patio furniture (twice!)—check, check, check. The humidity we've been treated to this summer in Pennsylvania has caused an abundance of green moldy stuff to form on my outdoor furniture about halfway through the summer, even though everything was cleaned up nicely back in early June.)

I've replaced color annuals that shriveled over the July 4th holiday week when we were on vacation down South—check. (For those of you who asked, I usually just buy whatever is left at the garden shop at this point in the summer. Petunias, marigolds, geraniums—the basics—as long as they're colorful!) All the dogs got their summer haircuts—check. All the dogs and cats got their annual checkups and all are fine, thank goodness—check! (Except one concern: my 12-year-old cocker spaniel, Jimmie, needs to have a fairly minor but necessary surgery later this week. Say a little prayer for him that he comes through okay. He's in great shape otherwise, but 12 is getting up there in age for surgery for dogs and cats.)

Moving down my list: I cleaned out the goose house and pond and planted sod, which the geese promptly ate—check. I installed a black light contraption in my pond water re-circulator, which destroys excess algae. Viola! Instant clear water again, which was welcomed since the water had started to look like lime Kool-Aid due to the excessive heat—check.

Had fun with my entire family at the beach house in early July and made plans for another get together in late September—check, check. (I always love having the next little getaway to look forward too, don't you?)

Yes, I still have some things that have NOT been checked off, like cleaning out the garage, getting new garage doors (gotta check the budget on THAT one), getting the house painted (MAJOR budget check), and cleaning my room! (That one has constantly been on my list since I was 8 years old!) In looking over my list, I'd say that for the most part, it's been a fairly productive and fun summer so far! I have no vacation plans 'till fall and plan on enjoying some STAY-cation time with the hubby, pets, and friends who stop by for the remainder of July and the month of August.

What're your plans for the remainder of the summer season? Please share here, by clicking on the "reply" button at the top of the page. It's fun to share our plans with each other and see what we've all been up to when we're away from the Q!

Speaking of QVC, here are some of the shows I'll have the pleasure to present over the next week or so. On Saturday July 28, I'll have a 2-hour Clarks Footwear show.

Then on Sunday, July 29, it's the last day of What a Girl Wants Weekend, and Sharon Faetsch will be my co-host for Sundays with Carolyn & Dan from 10am–Noon ET. (We thought we'd let Danny boy have the day off!)

Coming up on Tuesday, July 31, I'll have Easy Solutions at 9am ET featuring HP, followed by more Clarks Footwear at 10am ET and of course, Denim & Co. at 11am ET! 

As the month of August begins on Wednesday, I'll have a Kitchen Unlimited with Carolyn show at 3pm ET, followed by Liz Claiborne New York Fashions at 4pm ET and an hour of Kansas City Steak Company at 5pm ET on August 1.

Looking ahead on the near horizon, mark your calendars for Fall Fashion Days on Saturday, August 4! I'll be hosting an hour of Denim & Co. at 4pm ET, followed by an hour with the fabulous Bob Mackie during his Wearable Art show at 5pm ET.

I hope you'll be able to join me for all or part of these fun shows on the Q!

Meanwhile, I'll be wishing for you to enjoy the midsummer season and get a few things checked off of your own to-do list! It feels good to make those check marks, doesn't it!?!

Then, don't forget to sit back, relax, and enjoy some nice quiet time with those you love!

See you soon,
—Carolyn Gracie