may photo journal ♥ day two ♥ blooms

blooms ...

All around, no matter where I turn my eyes, flowers and trees are blooming. Azaleas in a variety of shades creates a confetti of color nearly everywhere. Trees are full of leaves once again...lush and vibrant green. Roses are just beginning to bloom and the sweet scent of honeysuckle filles the air with that delicious, intoxicating scent that lingers in the air all day long. And our dogwood trees are bursting forth with these gorgeous white flowers...and I happily captured them in the photo above. I absolutely adore dogwood trees. Beautiful in the autumn with rich red leaves and beautiful in the springtime with white flowers. Ah...the beauty of nature as she wakes up from her winter slumber. Little surprises to be discovered each and every time I step out my door.

What's blooming in your corner of the world?

tip-toe through the tulips (& some lovely quotes)

 

What are my hobbies? Home -- everything that makes it cozy and comforting. Homemaking, decorating, cooking, hospitality, thrifting, taking care of my people, and creating a peaceful place to rest.

~ The Gingham Cottage ~

Dreams are like seeds. You don't wake up one morning to a forest. You water. You wait. You believe. And then one day -- you see green where there was only soil.

~ Nabalo ~

...That it's possible to be satisfied with what you have; that if you have a house and a flower garden and the assurance of daily bread, it is enough. Life is wonderful to-day, Margaret, very wonderful.

~ Gene Stratton-Porter ~

Come forth into the light of things, let nature be your teacher.

~ William Wordsworth ~

Living in that childish wonder is a most beautiful feeling. There was always something more- behind and beyond everything- to me, the golden spectacles were very, very big.

~ Kate Greenaway ~

The world needs the home. If there are only workers and no homes, then man will become nothing more than a piece of machinery; children will certainly be trampled. Beauty will be drained out of life.

~ Leila Marie Lawler ~

You'll learn, as you get older, that rules are made to be broken. Be bold enough to live life on your terms, and never, ever apologize for it. Go against the grain, refuse to conform, take the road less traveled instead of the well-beaten path. March to the beat of your own drummer. And stubbornly refuse to fit in.

~ Mandy Hale ~

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Thank you for visiting my little corner...I hope these tulips brought you as much cheer and whimsy as they brought me when I came across them one day whilst out running errands and I just had to turn the car around and pull over to capture the springtime beauty. And I hope these quotes inspire and encourage you as much as they did me...they're some of the newest additions to my collection.

And mostly, I hope that your day is peaceful, lovely, and full of small moments filled with delight.

our sweet noelle ivy ♥ & a book club update

 

Hello, reader friends!

You find me here today with a broken heart, as we had to say goodbye to our sweet Noelle Ivy on Wednesday morning. The previous week we noticed she wasn't acting like her usual self, so we took her into the vet's office. Over several days and tests and treatments, we learned that her initial diagnosis was much more serious than originally thought. And on top of that, she was actually getting worse. Her little kitty body had so much going on inside, and she just couldn't recover. It was some very serious stuff, and her vet did her absolute best at trying to get her better. But, sadly, on Wednesday morning, we had to say goodbye to our sweet fur baby girl.

Honestly, this is very, very hard for me. For my mom and sister, too. And for our other cats, as they are all so close...they're a little posse. {{smiles}} I've really been struggling with her being sick and passing away. For us, our pets have never been "just animals" or "just pets", they are seriously important parts of our family, and her being gone really hits hard. I am struggling to just type this post out.

She had the spunkiest personality and was such a talker...she was the sweetest girl. Her vet said she would have made the perfect emotional support animal, and that was such a way to describe Noelle. She basically was that for my dad when he was sick and even in his final couple of days...she sat or laid with him nearly the entire final 6 weeks of his life. She was our only outgoing, extroverted cat, which was quite entertaining to watch as she loved poking her head in everyone's business. And, most of all, she was the most loving cat...in the photo above she is resting her head on my shoulder as I worked on my computer one evening a few years back. She loved being held and cuddled and being with her people as much as possible.

Our sweet Noelle Ivy was ten and a half years old and what happiness and laughter and joy and love she brought to our home and lives. These days are so difficult getting used to her not being here. To say we are missing her is an understatement. She was our baby girl...and such a cute one, too. ♥

Cats come into our lives to leave paw prints on our hearts and we are forever changed.

Such words could definitely be said about our Noellie...she was such a very special kitty. 

{{ We love you, sweet girl. ♥ }}

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With that being said, I have decided to postpone the April book club to May. So May's book choice is Because of Winn-Dixie, and I will post the discussion on Sunday, May 25th. I will announce June's book choice then, as well.

Thank you for reading today's post, and for being here. I hope you have a lovely Easter weekend!

some springtime sewing sweetness ♥ boho crossbody & foldaway tote projects

Mornin' readers!

What a lovely April Thursday it is! My, oh my! The last ten days or so have been nothing less than incredibly stressful in my corner of the world. We have had some tremendous spring weather over this past week and a half. It all began on the weekend before last with some storms and whatnot that, thankfully, amounted to nothing much at all. We were in a 3 out of 5 risk category, but fortunately, it all went around us and we barely got any rain at all from that. Then, last Wednesday evening into Thursday morning, we were in a 5 out of 5 risk category for storms, tornadoes, hail, strong wind, you name it. My anxiety was through the roof...spring weather and risk of tornadoes does not set well with me. I've lived in the same place my whole life, and thankfully, we've never had any really horrific weather. But we do have several episodes of warnings and watches throughout the spring, and it makes me incredibly nervous every time. I spent about 8 hours straight watching the local weather Wednesday evening and another hour or so in the wee hours of the morning, when I was kept awake by tornado sirens going off in the distance, loud thunder, and heavy rain hitting the roof and windows. While we were very fortunate and are very thankful for how it all turned out for us, some towns not too far away did have destructive tornadoes destroy much of the towns and many home and buildings and schools.

But it wasn't over yet...then began the flooding. And ever since our area has been experiencing historical floods. Our sunroom flooded partially on Thursday evening, and we became best friends with a wet/dry shop vac. (Thankfully Lowe's was having a good sale on them! And they were selling out of them, too!) Our garage was flooded inches deep, and we couldn't get out unless we had our tall rainboots on. Friday was a break day as no rain fell...and we spent the afternoon at our local library book sale, which was loads of fun and a much-needed reprieve from the previous two days. But the rain returned on Saturday, and we tended to our sunroom every 15-30 minutes for most of the day, using the shop vac to get any water up that came in. Sunday brought some rain, and as much as I do love rain, this rain was incredibly stressful. We couldn't wait for it to stop! And on Monday, lo and behold, the sun came out and I don't think I've ever been so glad to see sunshine in all my life. 

So...that's how our April started...how's your April going so far?

 

In late March, I decided to get back to some crafting and projects. And sewing was first on that list. I've been wanting to make a purse for some time now. I've been using the same two purses for probably ten years, and they're both starting to come apart...and they're my favorite style, too. I haven't had any luck finding a purse that I like in the stores. So my sister suggested I make my own...I'm so glad she gave me that idea.

I knew exactly what I wanted...so I began searching online. I looked and looked until I found "the one". This is a boho style crossbody. And I decided to make it patchwork, because anything patchwork has my heart. You can see the patchwork curtains I made for my room a few summers back right here. 

Most of the fabric I used was already in my stash, so I only needed to pick out a few fabric designs to compliment the others. I wanted floral patterns along with complimentary patterns, lots of colors, and a warmer palette. I added a ribbon and button closure as well. This project took me just under 8 hours, as much of that time was spent cutting out many, many squares of fabric. And it was the very first project I did by myself without having to ask for help in understanding the pattern. My sister did help me in arranging the different squares of fabric according to pattern and color...she is much better at that than I am.

(Oh, and I only had to use the seam ripper once in this entire project...and my lovely sister kindly did that for me.)

I am so pleased with the result, and I definitely want to make this purse again in a couple other color palettes for different seasons. There are a few things that I want to adjust on future bags, but overall, I really, really love how it turned out.

To be creative is to let little pieces of your heart go and place them into each project you make.

~ Pat Bravo ~

I am obsessed with the fabrics I chose...florals and patchwork just go so well together.

I am planning on making a few drawstring pouches to keep things in to put in my purse. I'll share those once I get around to making them.

My sister has also been working on quite a few crafting projects, and the very first one she completed was a foldaway tote for me to keep in my purse. I've been wanting one of these for awhile now...and I just love what she made me.

I specifically wanted a tote that wasn't too big nor too small. It needed to be easily rolled up to keep in my purse. And I wanted it to be colorful!

I am obsessed with this tote...I think my sister did a fabulous job. I chose fabrics that we already had in our stash...pretty pinks that are so happy and cheerful to look at. This tote is the perfect size for holding books I pick up at the library or used bookshop or a few snacks for the go and even my journals and pens and camera. It's practically perfect in every way. {{smiles}}

Sewing my purse brought me so much joy and fun. It made me realize that I really need to sew more often! And I can't wait to begin using my purse once I get my two pouches made. There's something so satisfying about completing a project for something that you've wanted to make and having it turn out successfully.

Have you been working on any crafting projects recently? 

M A R C H ♥ book club chat & A P R I L ♥ book choice

Welcome to our March book club gathering, reader friends!

Oh, I so enjoyed this book and I'm delighted to be here today and share some of the reasons why...

This was one of those books that greatly appealed to me for several reasons. From the bookshop setting to the World War II time period to the many recommendations I'd seen online from some trusted sources, I felt fairly certain that this was a story that I'd like. (I was right!) Everything about this book was right up my alley, and I'm happy to say that it won't be my last Madeline Martin book I pick up to read. 

I adored our main character, Grace. She was a kind-hearted, genuine, sincere person whose story you were immediately drawn into. I loved how much she cared for Mrs. Weatherford, her mother's friend who had warmly invited her and her friend, Viv, to come live with her and work in London. Whilst in London, Grace gets a job at a small bookshop, with much thanks to Mrs. Weatherford. There she meets Mr. Evans, as he is the owner of Primrose Hill Books. While their relationship started out a bit rocky, as Mr. Evans was not the slightest bit keen on having an assistant working for him, I loved the way their relationship turned into a very sweet one...he became a sort of father figure that Grace had never had and the way they both protected and looked out for one another was a favorite part of the story for me.

The story was obviously set at the start of World War II, and there was much change going on during that time...rations beginning to take place, nightly blackouts, young men being sent off to train and fight, air raid sirens going off every night as people sleepily, but anxiously, made their way to the shelters, and even for Grace, taking a volunteer position many evenings with her ARP duties. I felt in many ways like I was a fly on the wall as Madeline Martin wrote so descriptively and in a way that made things real. You know, it wasn't all that long ago, in the grand scheme of things, when these events in history took place, and sometimes it can seem unreal that people actually lived through such realities. This story shared those realities, and even heartbreaking events that the characters had to go through, in a way that felt approachable. I'm certain Ms. Martin did a ton of research on this time period, and yet, she didn't make it feel weighed down with historical facts...she truly told a beautifully touching story and made that time period come to life on the pages of her book. I loved her storytelling style!

And while this book did deal with heavier situations and events that come with wartime, I felt this story was well balanced with coziness, a bit of humor here and there, heartwarming moments, and plenty of English charm. I very much loved this story and couldn't put it down. I found myself each day sharing bits from what I had read and what "my characters" were up to with my mom and sister, though not giving spoilers because my sister wants to read this one very soon, too. That, for me, is a true sign that the story is one that I'm loving.

 

If you read along with me, I'd love to hear what you loved about The Last Bookshop in London. Please feel free to share a comment with your thoughts. ♥

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And now for April's book choice...

Last August, I chose The Tale of Despereaux for my book club monthly selection. This was before I made the decision to choose books that I had previously read and loved or read the month prior to the book club. That August book choice made me realize that I needed to make that change to my book club in order to ensure I chose well. You can go back to August's book club discussion post for all my thoughts, but in short, I was incredibly disturbed and disappointed by the story. I've been thinking, though, that I really want to share a true favorite middle-grade story with you all in my book club. So for April, I've chosen one my most beloved books and stories...

Because of Winn-Dixie

by Kate DiCamillo

(Yes, she also wrote Despereaux, but I can confidently assure you that this story is nothing like that disturbing, horrendous tale...this is one that will warm your heart to no end.)

This book found me when I was eleven years old, sitting in an old school room, dressed in a very uncomfortable plaid uniform skirt and button-down Oxford shirt with a sweater vest over it. I was very lonely that school year and experiencing bullies left and right, from adults and fellow students alike, and this story was my comfort and companion during those lonely school days. Shortly after, that summer, I watched the movie, and the story was brought to life. It, too, immediately became a favorite that I still adore to this day, nearly two decades later. And I am so delighted to read this story along with you in April.

About the book:

The summer Opal and her father, the preacher, move to Naomi, Florida, Opal goes into the Winn-Dixie supermarket—and comes out with a dog. A big, ugly, suffering dog with a sterling sense of humor. A dog she dubs Winn-Dixie. Because of Winn-Dixie, the preacher tells Opal ten things about her absent mother, one for each year Opal has been alive. Winn-Dixie is better at making friends than anyone Opal has ever known, and together they meet the local librarian, Miss Franny Block, who once fought off a bear with a copy of WAR AND PEACE. They meet Gloria Dump, who is nearly blind but sees with her heart, and Otis, an ex-con who sets the animals in his pet shop loose after hours, then lulls them with his guitar.

Opal spends all that sweet summer collecting stories about her new friends and thinking about her mother. But because of Winn-Dixie or perhaps because she has grown, Opal learns to let go, just a little, and that friendship—and forgiveness—can sneak up on you like a sudden summer storm.

I believe this book should be quite easy to locate at your local libraries, but, as always, if you want to purchase a copy to add to your personal collection, AbeBooks is my go-to. You can check out some really great deals here.

The discussion for April's book club will be on Thursday, April 24th. And I'll also be sharing May's book choice that day as well.

I do so hope that you'll join me in reading this most charming, heartwarming story...

happy reading!

when springtime arrives . . .

Spring has arrived in her fullest glory! The air smells so fresh and new and bright. Days seem to make little patterns with rainfall and sunshine, and the nights are sweet and gentle. Bumblebees are buzzing about, and the delightful sound of birdsong can be heard even through the windows early in the morning. Daffodils and tulips courageously push through the soil and bring with them the cheer of color and life as they seek to deliver hope to the earth. Our wisteria is growing wild and free and is entangled along the fence. Redbud trees are bursting forth with soft purplish blossoms and the dogwoods are soon to bloom. Azaleas are shining with a myriad of colors making a rainbow of flowers in gardens all around town. Springtime has truly returned. And the earth has awakened from her long winter slumber.

A daffodil pushing up through the dark earth to the spring, knowing somehow deep in its roots that spring and light and sunshine will come, has more courage and more knowledge of the value of life than any human being I've ever met.
~Madeleine L'Engle

As I ponder the craziness and oftentimes, heaviness of the world, I am reminded once again of the gift of our earth's seasons. After a long, grey winter, the sight of bright yellow daffodils was the first thing to signify that spring was on her merry way. She would soon be back for yet another year of splendour and beauty. 

It is my belief that the earth holds many secrets and lessons for us, if only we slow down, still ourselves and listen to her ancient wisdom. I believe that each season holds gifts, too many to count, and we need to notice them. Our senses allow us to experience these gifts in abundant ways. From seeing the gentle snowfall in wintertime to spring's plethora of colorful blossoms to summer's lush green meadows and finally the way autumn's leaves rustle in the wind and dance in the streets. We smell the air right before a spring rain and honeysuckle on a warm summer morning, cinnamon wafting from the kitchen in autumn and the scent of firewood lingering in the air on a frigid winter's eve. We can touch icicles hanging off our homes in January and feel the softness of a lamb's ear in the spring, the smooth tree trunk of a crepe myrtle in August, and the crinkle of an autumn leaf in October. Our tastebuds get quite the treat when watermelon and tomatoes and peaches are in season come midsummer and spring's Easter feast brings forth a delicious ham and sweet potatoes and perhaps a lovely dessert to go with. Autumn boasts in delicious spices that make bread baking extra special, especially when paired with a cup of steaming herbal tea, and winter allows us to savour comfort foods a bit more as stews and soups are on the menu each week. Finally, the sounds of the season...rain trickling gently down the window in springtime and the loud crash of thunder in summer, autumn's crunchy leaves underfoot as we walk paths or trails and winter's crackling firewood bringing warmth and coziness to the home.

Seasons are one of those magical gifts if you ask me. I believe that the seasons are teachers there to inspire imagination and instill wonder within us. To create a lasting hunger for beauty that can never be fully quenched, no matter how beautiful something is. A desire to walk in tune with earth's seasonal rhythms is a good, good thing. Dare I even say a wise thing. Living seasonally is one of the secrets to the abundant life. When we seek to live in harmony with the earth, journeying with her and being for her instead of against her, a peaceful life comes as a result.  

When we purpose to live slower and cherish simple ways, we are given a much grander gift than we ever deemed possible. Peace. Calm. Purpose. Value. Love. Kindness. Gentleness. Grace. Beauty. Joy. Happiness.

The seasons also invite us into a world of wonder and magical bliss. The whole world is creeping with enchantedness, but we are so blind to even notice it. How often do we even stop to smell the roses anyway? How many times do we just rush about our days, hurrying off here and there, caught up completely in the hustle and bustle the world calls success and the good life and the "American dream"? I submit to you that there is a better way of life. A much richer life, a more meaningful life, a life full of value and purpose and goodness and beauty that overflows beyond your wildest imagination. Sometimes you just need to wipe your eyes a bit, attune your senses more carefully and just be still for crying out loud. Then you can notice. Really, truly notice.

Mary Oliver offers wise advice on such a life...

Instructions for living a life: Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.

May we be people who notice and truly see the goodness of the earth's splendour and beauty. May we walk in harmony with her seasonal rhythms, learning from her wisdom and stories along the journey. May we make small, simple steps each day toward a more meaningful life...embracing slowness, quietness, hiddenness, for the earth does not do things quickly, nor does she do them loudly or with great fanfare. Everything in nature gets accomplished in just the perfect time, and everything is made beautiful in its time. May we take heed to that and live by that example.

Bless you, dear friends! I hope your week is lovely!

♥

some delightful things & hints of springtime

♥ reading some really great books...especially out in the fresh air and sunshine

One of the ways I've been nurturing myself is by reading really good books. I've been fortunate that all the books I've been picking up lately have all been so enjoyable. My March has been spent mostly reading middle grade stories as well as beginning a brick of a book, coming in at 977 pages. I've decided that instead of being overwhelmed by the length of the book and having it sit on my shelf forever, I would just read a few pages here and there and make bits of progress on it each day. I've especially been enjoying sitting outside in the shady goodness of our trees and reading some of my book. And another *huge* way I've been nurturing myself this month is by reading some lovely picture books. I'll be sharing more about my newfound favorites soon!

♥ the tiny buds poking through on our red bud tree and seeing daffodils beginning to bloom in our yard

I peeked out my window one afternoon, and there they were. Tiny violet-colored buds just beginning to poke through the tree branches. It's a yearly tradition for me to take my camera outside and have some picture-taking-fun once its fully in bloom, which shouldn't be too long now. We've also spotted tiny buttery daffodils in our yard as well as some random grape hyacinths. I'm also eagerly anticipating the periwinkle that grows in our ivy patches. 

♥ the gentle return of sandal-wearing season

We're having more days that call for sandal wearing, and that makes me so happy. There's nothing quite like a pair of six-year-old sandals that are so worn-in in all the right places that makes them feel like slippers. I am one person who wears my shoes out until they literally fall off my feet...I love that comfortable, worn in, familiar feel.

♥ making book lists

Over the last couple of weeks, I have been finding tremendous delight in making book lists. For so long, I had a tendency to see a book that sounded interesting to me and I'd either write down the title in a random notebook or on a scrap of paper or even take a screenshot of the cover with my phone. Then the titles would get lost in my phone photo album or in random notebooks and whatnot. Last spring, I made a little journal from a spiral notebook I got from Dollar Tree. In it I wrote out lists of all the books written by authors that I've either enjoyed or want to try out sometime. I then went through and added a little dot next to each title I owned, in order to make sure I didn't purchase it twice. And I went through a second time highlighting all the titles I've already read. This has been hugely helpful in organizing my many book lists.

A couple weeks ago, as I was watching a bookish video on YouTube, and was writing down a few titles that were recommended, it occurred to me that it would be awfully handy to have book lists of recommendations from bookish YouTubers that I enjoy watching. I only watch a couple channels regularly, with a few more as random watches here and there. I have been so enjoying spending some time in my evenings going through a few YouTube channels' backlog of videos and making some lovely book lists. I've already reserved a handful (or two!) of titles from my library from these recommendations. My lists include some wonderful recommendations from Amy of Hearth Ridge, Miranda Mills' List of Ultimate Comfort Reads (even though I really don't watch her channel anymore), and Kate Howe's 100 Life-Softening Books. So, needless to say, I've got a long list of recommendations to refer to, and best of all, they're all in one place and in some order, too.

♥ natural sunlight coming through the windows

I don't care what the weather is, I just love having natural light come through my windows. Open the curtains and let nature show her beauty, I say! But, I'll admit that the evening golden sunlight streaming in through the kitchen windows whilst I'm cooking dinner or washing dishes has been awfully wonderful. It just feeds my soul! It's not too bright and certainly not hot yet, but the golden hues are so lifegiving. It also doesn't hurt that I've been playing my favorite film scores nonstop in the kitchen, so it creates a mood and vibe that is perfection.