Tag Archives: Find me here too

Roen’s vintage nook!

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Happy Thursday, dear readers. I wanted to share an inspiring nursery space with you. I think you’ll enjoy the tour of Roen’s nook! Colorful, funky, delightful.

I know more than a few people who would’ve turned on their heels and bolted for the door when they saw the shag carpeting and dark, hole-filled paneling of the future nursery space for their first daughter. Forest and Aaron saw the potential in the surprisingly light-filled nook. A lot of sweat equity, a few coats of eco-friendly paint and a desire to balance new and old have paid off for Roen’s lovely space. Forest is a consummate thrifter and finds beauty in gently used, hand-picked delights.

In an age when most nurseries too often end up looking like photos straight out of a catalog or just like the girl next door, Roen’s a lucky little lady to have a one-of-a-kind colorful nook with thoughtfully chosen pieces. Certainly like none other on her block.

Thanks for the blast from the past, Forest and Aaron!

Michigan coffee?

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First things first. I’ve been chuckling ever since buying this ‘Lake Michigan Morning Blend’ Michigan coffee the other day. The clerk at the grocery store said, “Wow! I like, didn’t know that coffee was even like grown in Michigan! That is like sooo cool!” Of course, the know-it-all that I am responded with, “well, it’s not actually grown in Michigan…” His eyes started to glaze over when I rambled on about the coffee being imported and then roasted in Michigan, blah blah blah.

I don’t even know how it tastes yet, but I was won over by the packaging. I’m a sucker for all things that boost Michigan’s image. Doesn’t this make Michigan look pretty dang cool? Michigan represent, woot woot!

Here are some of their other Michigan coffees. Cool, right?!

I’m partial to Lake Michigan so that’s the one I grabbed, but I’ve always wanted to go to Isle Royale so maybe I’ll try that coffee next. What about you? See any other cool Michigan stuff lately? I know Michigan needs a bigger boost (jobs, anyone?) than a few well-designed products, but it still makes me feel proud of this beautiful place we call home. All year!

Wren’s Birthday bash!

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A few thoughts… and a few photos for you, dear readers.

90 degrees, buttercream frosting.

Hhhhmm, not exactly what I had planned, but most of the yummy cupcakes I made were thankfully consumed before they completely succumbed to the late May heat wave (and *they* say that climate change is a hoax, hhmph).

Taking care of a tired, hot, over-stimulated 1-year-old while frosting her cupcakes and placing cookies on a tray.

Again, never once when I thought about Wren’s party did I even–for one second–think that I would also be taking care of her at the same time. Duh. Hello?! Let this be a lesson, lovelies. Bring in the troops! Although I am 125% sure that I became a major pain in the a** to the people I love most, my family pitched in and made the party happen. “Mom, feel like doing a little ironing?”  To which she responded, “No… But I will.” Remember, it was 90 degrees.. Only a Mom will iron your party clothes when the needle hits 90. Thanks, Mom.

Go ahead and invite a bunch of your friends with small children, but don’t expect to be able to talk with them.

After a couple hours, the yard cleared out and just my family was left. But I hadn’t really talked with anyone other than to ask if they wanted something else to drink or to order them to “please come sing ‘Happy Birthday! Now. Before the frosting puddles on the table. Please?” Turns out when all the adults are busy running around after the little people, we all just orbit around each other and rarely connect except with a few knowing glances, shrugs and a quick hug. The upside of this is that you don’t need many chairs for a kids birthday party because only a few people have the luxury of sitting down for a few minutes.

Now for some eye candy. So glad I asked my (favorite) brother to be my official party photographer. Don’t you think he did a great job?


Only once in your life do you get a plate of “1” cookies. This photo makes me smile.

“Wren’s nests,” courtesy of Grandma Judy.

Wren knew the party was all for her, especially the round of “Happy Birthday!” Here she is, so excited about being the center of attention. Trying her best to be as cute as possible. Funny how the wee ones pick up the signals, eh?

Happy Birthday, dearest Wren Sabina!

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Thank you, weather committee.

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Although Sunday is two days away and a lot can happen (this IS northern Michigan after all), I’m thrilled with the weather committee’s work. Sunny and 80 “they” are predicting. Yahoo for an outdoor garden party with lots of very small people because an indoor garden party is kind of ridiculous, right? So happy about this that I already made a little sign to hang across the front steps.

Still lots to do, but I’m just tickled to be celebrating the little birdie’s first birthday party that my excitement is sort of trumping my fatigue/stress/anxiety. In the midst of it all, we’re refinancing 605 and the appraiser guy is coming this afternoon. All that finance stuff makes my head spin, but luckily Chris is in my life and he makes me feel at ease about all of that yucky number stuff. Ugghhh. I know it’s worth it, but when it rains it pours, eh?

Have any fun summery weekend plans? I’m so very looking forward to seeing lots of family and friends. I’m pretty sure I’ll need a vacation come Tuesday, but in a good way.

Best!

Dig for Victory

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While on the one hand I’m immeasurably happier when there’s a full bag of pretzels in the cupboard, our nest is consciously trying to eat whole foods, more locally grown produce and cook most days of the week instead of going out to eat. We’re also working on getting the garden going too so I’m inspired by the timeless nature of this quote from 70+ years ago: “We want not only the big man with the plough but the little man with the spade to get busy this autumn. Let ‘Dig for Victory’ be the motto of everyone with a garden,” – Rob Hudson, Minister for Agriculture, in October 1939.

So this Etsy find appeals to my sensibilities. It’s a new design based on a US Food Administration poster from the World Wars. Have room in your kitchen for it?

I’m equally as smitten by this t-shirt, which is based on a Depression-era design as well. What do you think, dear readers? Although it comes in other colors, isn’t this green the best choice?

How’s your Victory Garden coming along? Mine is WAY behind or maybe these 90+ days are making me feel like it and I’m OK. I noticed LOTS of starts at the farmer’s market this past weekend, which made me smile. Don’t you love the hope that’s embodied in the first leaves of a musk melon? Cheers, lovelies!

cute-as-a-heart button

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Dear readers, I just had to share another cute-as-a-(green heart)button outfit that Wren received for her birthday. This time, a handmade dress from SweetPea and Co. So a-door-bell, right? The colors, the fabric, the thoughtful details. Love!

I especially love the detail on the chest. Isn’t that beautifully done and yet whimsical and fun?

In other (somewhat related) news, I am in desperate need of a new digital camera as you may have noticed… I’m looking for a new or used DSLR, which would be compatible with my Minolta lenses from my old manual camera. Sounds like a Sony Alpha series from my research. Any advice you’d like to share, lovelies? Do you have a DSLR that you love?

Invites. Check!

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So I’m a bit behind in Wren’s birthday party planning. I JUST got the invites out and the party’s on the 30th… Did I mention that I was a bit behind? But I’m really happy with the design. Just wish I had gotten it done last week. Alas…

  • Invites. Check!
  • Birthday banner. Check! Although I had a ridiculous (?) thought yesterday that I would make a new one in fuchsia and tangerine to match the other party elements…
  • Cups and napkins. Check!
  • Cupcake ingredients. Check!
  • Candle in the shape of a number one. Check!
  • Menu of sugary goodness. Check!
  • Thumbelina zinnia plants growing well for the favors. Check!
  • Party dress. Check!
  • Beautiful weather…. ?
  • Thinking of making some of these wheatgrass centerpieces for the dessert table. Have you ever done this? I like these. How springy!

Now I’m pondering a fun activity for the older kids – other than eating sugar. Any ideas, dear readers?

revisiting the pear

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Thank you, dear readers, for all your great ideas and encouragement regarding my pear pillow conundrum last week. I finished it today while the little birdie took a long snooze after baby swim class this morning. I decided to skip teaching myself the slip stitch for now and do something a bit more creative. I’ve had an itch to embroider something almost as much as my desire to felt or pickle something this year. So I decided to take the stuffing out and cut a new hole in the piece and then machine sew the top. Then I stuffed the pear again and embroidered a little orange (duh!) detail on the bottom. It needed something… What do you think? I think it adds a little funk. You?

pear help needed!

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I’ve been working on a gift for a special someone and I’m stuck. So close to being done and yet, so far… Can I get your help, sewing wizards?

It’s a simple stuffed pear pillow thingy and I’m happy with how it’s come out so far, but I can’t figure out how to close it up without seeing the end stitches and a “slip stitch” is frustrating me. Any suggestions? Remember, I’m new at this sewing thing so sometimes what might be obvious to you, is simply NOT to me.