• 11.10.2007 Baby Baby
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    There’s something in the water at our church. A sweet baby girl was born to our friends, the Cawoods, this afternoon at the very time of a baby shower given in honor of another couple from church, Megan and Brian. At the shower alone were two more pregnant ladies. Aaahhh….we are blessed. While I adore infants (not so a decade ago, but only after having three of my own), I generally find baby showers cumbersome from all the silly games involving baby food, diaper changing, and word scrambles. Today’s shower was more my speed: lovely food, lovely people, lots of gifts, period. My friend, Leslie (who is NOT yet with child), did a wonderful job hosting her first baby shower. I was blessed to see our church gals come alongside Megan (who is from further East) as her family and community. That’s how it should be. Megan is a bibliophile […]

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  • 09.20.2007 Tea Cozies
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    A hot pot of tea, a couple of girlfriends, a few platefuls of decadent morsels, a bunch of lilacs, 2-3 uninterrupted hours, and a cheery disposition–a perfect recipe for an afternoon tea. Teatimes are about details…the food, the decor, the conversation. One simple way to make your tea extra special is to unveil your fragrant pot of tea with a pretty tea cozy. What I love about tea is not really the lacey gloves, frilly hats, or the sense of being a socialite, but rather the more accessible version of honoring and indulging my guests (who may be everyday moms) with a beautiful portrait of graciousness through feeling celebrated. Cute and pretty over fussy and elitist. Despite the current popularity of taking tea, it’s surprisingly difficult to find simply elegant but contemporary tea cozies that are functional insulators as well. I’ve recently tried my hand at designing and sewing my […]

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  • 08.25.2007 Naptime Sewing
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    Ever since I discovered Bend-the-Rules Sewing: The Essential Guide to a Whole New Way to Sew, I have been all keyed up to craft and sew. I’ve always enjoyed sewing, but have never learned to follow patterns (as with cooking.) This book is perfect…it gives simple directions for super stylish projects that don’t rely completely on impeccable sewing skills. It teaches you all the things you’ve wanted to know about sewing, but didn’t know who to ask. My favorite projects from the book are those that elevate domesticity to an all new level of detail and cuteness. Napkins, coasters, tea cozies, aprons, pillows, just to name a few. I sewed an apron and a clutch today, mostly during naptime. The much coveted afternoon naptime was cut short significantly by the three-year old’s resistance to going down, and then by the one year old’s early wake on the wrong side of […]

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  • 08.16.2007 Pretty Things to Come…
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    Spring is in the air…in my mind. I know the leaves are turning and storefronts are announcing back-to-school sales, but new ideas are in bloom in my head. Everyone, including myself, goes through seasons of feeling creatively anemic. Until recently I was unable to paint, draw, organize fabric, pull out my sewing machine, craft a little this, or embellish a little that. I was just not motivated. Then, I met the blogging world. Blogging is akin to having a bunch of same-feathered friends who always want to talk about what you want to talk about, when you want to talk about it. Don’t get me wrong, my real friends are by far superior, but I currently have no girlfriends who are crazier about crafting, sewing, decorating, cooking, eating, and dressing (clothes, not turkey) than I am. If I sound insanely chipper about being slavishly domestic, don’t be fooled. It is […]

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