2024: My Year in Review

 

2024 was one of the sweetest years that I can remember. It was filled with precious moments and memories created with family and friends, unforgettable places visited, and days I would love to relive over and over again. 

2019: A Year in Review

2019 was all about navigating parenthood. Life with a newborn is quite the adjustment but it was so wonderful to finally experience motherhood. There were so many surreal moments and I still can't believe every morning when I wake up that I have the amazing privilege to be a mama to my precious Colette.

Christmas Gift Guide 2019

I thought it would be super fun to comprise a few gift ideas for those looking for some unique and thoughtful gifts this Christmas! These are just some lovely options I have come across while browsing this season. I hope you enjoy and become inspired!

for babies/small children

Faith like a grain of mustard seed

"For truly I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you."

I have been reading though Corrie Ten Boom's book, I Stand at the Door and Knock, and it has been so refreshing and uplifting for my soul. I struggle with doubting God more often than I would like to admit. This book contains forty devotions by the author that were only recently discovered in the last few years. It has been so encouraging to my faith to read account after account of God answering prayer and coming through in miraculous ways for His children. 

2018: A Year of Valleys and Mountaintops

2018 was definitely one for the books. There were so many highs and lows and my faith has never been shaken or strengthened more. It's funny how when I look back on different years, a particular word or words come to mind. This year will always be the year of the baby. Our precious girl.

In January I was featured in the Wall Street Journal because of my very controversial bookshelf. It's humorous to me how something so simple but precious to me in our home has become my most liked photo on social media but has also made some book-lovers show disdain for my decor choices. Apparently displaying your books non other than the very traditional way is the only right way. I still get a kick out of people's very strong but petty opinions.

My Top Ten Alfred Hitchcock Films

I grew up on Alfred Hitchcock. I remember there were many Sunday nights as a teenager when my parents, sister, and myself would stop at the local Hollywood Video and find another Hitchcock film to take home and enjoy with our pizza.

Every October, Josh and I will usually watch several classic thriller films in anticipation of Halloween so I thought it would be fitting to share my top ten Hitchcock favorites with you all.

Since the old days, I've collected several from Hitchcock's collection. There are some films of his that I really enjoy but didn't include on this list...and then there are others I didn't enjoy so much (looking at you Rope).

A Few September Favorites

First of all, I have to apologize for not being the most faithful blogger lately. With the whole adoption thing going on and just life, things have been pretty hectic around here but I want to get back on it and I thought what better way than to write a favorites post!

There have been a few things that I've enjoyed lately, have caught my eye, and just brought a little more magic to ordinary life! I thought I would share those with you. I sometimes discover the best things through others sharing their joy for them so here it goes...

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society 

Things I've Learned Pt. 1

• Just because it looks good on the model doesn't mean it's going to look good on you. 
• Experiences make better gifts than things. 
• If you want to paint then paint. If you want to write then write. 
• Never say anything in front of a three-year-old that you don't want repeated. 
• You can try the same hair or makeup tutorial as your favorite YouTube personality but the finished product will 99% of the time look nothing like it. 
• Just because it's on sale doesn't mean you have to buy it. 

TEN

1 Book hunting has truly become one of my greatest passions. Purchasing new books can be nice every now and then but searching through used books and stumbling on a vintage edition or a gently worn read gives me all the feels. 

2 I've been going through Grand Hotel on Netflix and am completely obsessed! I'm trying to find the balance of wanting all the details of this beloved story but not binge-watching too quickly and savoring this treat of a series. 

Dreaming of Spring

January through March are hard months for me. They are cold and dreary and for someone who struggles with anxiety and depression, they certainly don't help the situation. I have to try and find little snippets of beauty and delight where I can. 

Lately I have been dreaming of spring and how wonderful it will be ~ particularly this year. Today I donned one of my favorite white dresses, dabbed my wrists with perfume, and scribbled down a poem on the subject. 

Things To Be Thankful For 2017

       

Words Fitly Spoken

This past week I received the most encouraging direct message on Instagram from a girl whom I had "met" on social media awhile back. To be completely honest, we had followed each other and admired one another's work but that was about it. Her message came completely out of the blue and totally took me by surprise.

Some thoughts as summer comes to a close...

Summer is almost over and as it comes to an end there are moments that come to mind that I want to remember from favorite summers past...

Josh and I dining at Ellsworth in Paris and feasting on fried chicken (picture above) 

the summer my friend Lauren and I dressed up and walked along the boardwalk in Atlantic City 

flea marketing with my sister and parents in Charleston 

making raspberry cordial from my Anne of Green Gables cookbook 

picnics and swims at Lake Lanier 

my mom making homemade popsicles out of red plastic molds 

long afternoons getting lost in Paris art museums 

heavenly hash ice cream and charades in a Maine cabin on the lake 

Sunday afternoon coffee chats at Borders with my four best friends 

picnicking on pastries and wine at the foot of the Eiffel Tower 

back road drives to my brother's house for dinner and movies 

camping with the family on Prince Edward Island 

Saturdays in bed reading for hours 

Audrey Hepburn film hunting with my mom and sister 

There's something about one sentence igniting a world of emotion isn't there? How wonderful it is that at the mention of one memory it evokes the happiest of times. These are just a few of mine.

Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days of Summer

If you are a Gilmore Girls fan then congratulations...I've just got that annoying song stuck in your head, haven't I? :) As much as I hate that song, it comes to mind when I think of summer days.

TEN

Ten things I am obsessing over at the moment....

1. Being an avid reader, I love to collect books and am always desiring to add to my library. Thrift Books is a very affordable way to do that. Most books you can pick up on there for under $4 and you only have to spend $10 or more to get free shipping!! It's been a life saver for my book obsession. If you use this link you can get 15% off your first order!

When Life Isn't What You Expected it to Be

This post has been a long time coming, but I thought it was time to share my heart with you...

At times I wonder, "Who cares about what's going on in my day-to-day life and the life of my husband, Josh?", but part of the reason I began this blog was as a means to record our journey and the places God takes us. Our life is pretty simple and mundane, but I know one day I will want to look back at old posts and see how far we have come and also I know that I have some family and friends who like to be kept in the loop so here I go...

Readings from The Blue Castle

For those of you who don't know, I gathered inspiration for my blog (along with it's name) from L.M. Montgomery's The Blue Castle. The book holds a special place in my heart. I remember reading it as a young girl and becoming enchanted with the story of Valancy, a young woman who lives a very drab existence but after a doctor's diagnosis she finally begins to truly and passionately live. 

When Life Gives You Lemons...

Last night we attended our weekly community home group with our church and the topic we discussed was that on suffering. Our pastor preached about this weighty subject on Sunday and it was both convicting and encouraging.

I find it no coincidence that yesterday I also came across two different articles on suffering. As you may remember if you follow my blog, I posted a couple weeks ago that God has given Josh and I some trials lately and I feel like although it has been very difficult, God is doing something good through it all and He has given us a renewed hope in His promises and in His faithfulness.

An Open Window

I'm honestly at a loss for words this afternoon. Since the beginning of the year I've made a goal for myself to write at least one blog post a week and usually post on Friday or Saturday. I sat down to think this afternoon and just feel blank. I'm hoping the longer I type the more words will come to me.

Josh and I received some news yesterday that left us pretty stunned, shocked, and deeply saddened. I can't go into a lot of detail yet but I am hoping to share more with you all in the days ahead. I cried a lot. I felt broken. I saw Josh shed some tears and it just broke my heart even more. It takes a lot for that man to cry.

Some of My Favorite Ladies

In honor of the world recognizing "International Women's Day" yesterday, I would like to pay tribute to some of my favorite ladies. I am so thankful to have been born a woman. I embrace my femininity wholeheartedly and realize that it is a gift from God that can be used in unique ways different from that of a man yet compliment him beautifully. I also salute my father and husband along with other very special men in my life who have always shown me value and worth. So here's to some of my favorite ladies and their unique gifts they bring to this world...