Hello friends and hello Fall here in the Shenandoah Valley! I’m not much of a Fall decorator or a pumpkin spice girl, but I do love a good pair of jeans and a snuggly sweater. Here are a few good things to share from this month, in pictures: SEPTEMBER IN PICTURES *The lovely photography from the Maker’s Market is by Katelyn Gypsy Photography. Lastly, this song (and a playlist from this group) has been on repeat at our house...
Hello! I’m back, and I’m so glad you’re still here after my long summer break. LITTLE PROJECTS I got to focus on lots of important things this summer. Those included trips to the pool with my kids, tending the wildflower garden in the backyard, and a long list of painting jobs around the house. Here’s a before and after of our downstairs family room shelving: A BIG PROJECT I may have mentioned that I was going to work on...
Hello friends! Yesterday was the last day of school for my kids are we are . . . ahem . . . adjusting. I typically take the summer off regular blogging and creating to focus on time with the kids. Our summer plans this year include summer school, pool trips, working on a mural for the kids’ elementary school, and preparing for a September artisan festival in town hosted by another local church. The shop will remain open and...
Hello friends! This past month has been a whirlwind of adjustments for our family. All my children are now back in in-person school four days a week! My introverted and creative soul has been revived by the wonderfully quiet hours between 9:30 and 1:30. Two weeks ago, I was at a vaccine clinic at our local university’s basketball stadium getting my second dose of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine (for which I’m so grateful!) . After waiting the requested 15...
Hello and happy April . . . and Holy Week! I have a bunch of happy plant babies growing in my dining room and all kinds of plants waking up in the yard. It’s always a joy to see them faithfully returning each year. My two back-to-in-person-school kids are doing well and adjusting to the new routine. I have even had some mental space to start sketching on the iPad for new coloring pages and cards sets. I’ve been...
a few personal notes We got snow this weekend here in Virginia, so we have had even less school than the normal at-home days. BUT . . . we found out yesterday that the school board is starting the process to bring two of my three kids back to school at the end of March! Winter is hard for me emotionally. My mood takes unexpected dips and sometimes my whole body feels heavy. Other times I want to cry,...
Well friends, the new year feels . . . like more of the movie Groundhog Day (and there were way too many wonderful Groundhog Day GIFs to choose from). I know this past week has been heavy and anxiety-inducing for many of us in this country, so here are a few things from the last week (and month or so) that I have enjoyed and learned from: I thought this article by Esau McCaulley, “Truth over power: It is...
First of all, HAPPY ADVENT SEASON! I hope that you have found doable ways to enter in and celebrate Jesus and all that He brings. I have done a wrap-up of Advent resources in previous years if you’re still looking for help: Advent Resources 2019Advent Resources 2018Advent Activities 2016Joy to the World Coloring PageGiving Art for Christmas (free and for purchase) As this wildest (and most difficult) ride of a year comes to a close, I am closing out...
