Journaling: Getting Back

I have always been a lover of journaling. I can remember going to my friend Molly Grace's house my freshman year in high school and discovering she too journaled like me. Pages filled with images that expressed feelings more than long strings of words. During that time I literally would spend hours on the weekend cutting out magazine images, coloring pages, writing quotes, filling the blank pages of my journal as my inner thoughts spilled out.

 

During college I fell harder in love with writing poetry and would pair images and colors with my own swirl of words that somehow blended together all my emotions on a page in my journal.

 

I would always feel so content while journaling. It was deeply satisfying and calming. In my basement I have a bookshelf filled with countless journals packed with my poems, magazine images, photographs and my thoughts. I miss having documentation of life recently and have been feeling rather dry in the creative areas of my life.

 

As I was digging through my desk I stumbled across a journal I started back in 2012 and have since neglected. It stirred my desire to start gathering life bits again. So here I go.

 

 Any one care to join me? For me seeing other people's journals rates right up there with best things in life. No joke. So, if any of you take the plunge and care to share include me!

 

 To inspire us all I have included a few images from my last journal.

 

Halloween Eve

 

The Plan for Halloween Eve

Caramel Corn

The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown

Pumpkin Carving

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

 

 

 

It was an absolutely wonderful night. 

Featured

My sweet friend Kate featured me on her blog series entitled  "Daily Rhythms" feel free to check it out here.

 

 

1 month

I've had you in my arms for a month...and I couldn't love you more

 

 

 

 

swaddle

Almost every parent I know has an assortment of swaddling blankets. Eliza is the first of my children that actually enjoys being swaddled, but that did not stop me from purchasing blankets for my other babes. I used them (and still do) for burp clothes, normal blankets and to cover the car seat when the wind was just a bit too much. Swaddling blankets can be found at any baby store...but I can assure you that you will not find one as beautiful as the one my friend Kate makes.

 

Kate lives in a stunning farmhouse with her hubby and two sweet little girls. You can read about her life here. The win for all of us is she just started up an Etsy shop, Sweet Mama Makes. Her store offers a few different things but when I heard she was going to be making swaddling blankets I could not wait to see what she would come up with.

 

Kate is one of those beautiful women who are blessed with creative talent, but not simply in a standard way. Her relationship with colors is inspiring. Her blend of femininity and edginess captivating. She has the biggest heart and crafts things with all of it.  

 

Her blankets did not disappoint.

 

When I opened her hand sewn swaddling blanket I was in love. The color, the pom-pom edge, the feel of the fabric, the size of it. I immediately wrapped Eliza up in it and found myself just staring, admiring how a simple blanket added instant elegance and beauty...Kate has the ability to do that.

 

When Eliza is grown and no longer needs a blanket I seriously am plotting to use this as a scarf/shawl of some sort because why not?!

 

Christmas is coming, babes are being born, beds need accessorizing...all good reasons to go look at what lovely Kate has to offer.

 

And now I leave you with my darling babe and her new blanket.

Bonfire

S'mores were made.

 Apple cider was poured.

 And every one smelled of fall by the time the night was over.

Fall is the best.

 

 I love fall.

quick and delicious biscuits

 

These are my recent go-to for a quick brunch/lunch. They can be whipped up in about 15 minutes and work wonderfully as the base for a breakfast sandwich, are heavenly smothered with butter and honey (but really what isn't??) and great as a side to almost any main course. I found this recipe in Cook's Illustrated All-Time Best Bread Recipes....enough said.

 

 

 

Quick and Easy Cream Biscuits-Adapted by me

Makes 8 (clearly I got mine to make more than 8)

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

 

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees and line baking sheet with parchment paper or Silpat.

 

2. Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder and salt together. Stir in cream (I use my hand) until all combined. Transfer dough to a lightly floured counter and knead dough briefly until smooth.

 

3. Roll dough out until it reaches the desired thickness you want for your biscuits. The original recipe suggests a 3/4 inch-thick-circle (do some people really measure this??!) Cut into rounds (use the top of a drinking glass if you have no biscuit cutter) and place on baking sheet.

 

4. Bake until biscuits are golden brown, about 15 minutes.

Serve warm or microwave for 30 seconds before eating.

 

12

Ever wondering what other people are doing at a certain time in the day? I often do. I decided to text a few girlfriends right at noon, asking them to share a photo of their life at that moment. Here is what I got.



"Waiting to put Gwen down to sleep at my sister's so I can go to an ultrasound."

"In the chip aisle...and tired."

"Rocking my baby to sleep."

"Sucking bright green snot out of my 10 month olds' nose...for the 20th time today...please try to contain your jealousy."

"This is my reality right there." (andrea is due with babe #2 in a week!!)

I loved seeing these shots. It is just neat knowing what others are doing while we plug away in our own little houses. Beware, I just might send you a text asking the same thing.

 

What can I say? I'm curious like a cat...that's why my friends call me whiskers (if you have never seen Will Ferrell playing Harry Carry then disregard the last sentence)