when i have time

I want to make little ties for my little man.

Cut some glass for a bit of magical glow {ahem...someone out there knows my thoughts on this}.

Create delicate ribbons of frosting on a 3 layer cake.

{all images from pinterest that I found during my lunch break}

What little projects do you have in the back of your mind?

Cheers~

e

2nd sunday in july

For me the definition of summer is a good church picnic. Here in Southern Indiana, we have so many, and the season officially starts with my home tri-parish picnic that supports the grade school I went to and the grade school my sister teaches at: the St. Joe Picnic in Corydon, Indiana.

You have not lived till you have been to a church picnic....and mine is extra special. Trust me...after 20+ years of working it and going to other picnics, the St. Joe Picnic is sacred to me. Every sense in your soul comes alive..here is my attempt to capture them for you.

 

The smells & crackling sounds of the Miller family frying the chicken in one of the 4H barns {no doubt the hottest job EVER}. For generations they have been the "top chefs" of the chicken.

 The nostalgic sound of the 80's speakers calling out bingo numbers. The families of the Bierlys and the Babcocks have Bingo down to a science.

The St. Joe Picnic tea is better than any golden arches could ever make. Brewed and then poured into old saurkraut crocks with huge ice chunks floating on top...this tea is pure heaven. To get some, one of the church ladies dips her steel pot into the crocks and pours each pot of liquid goodness into steel pitchers for young children to carry table to table {as I did when I was 9}.

The picnic would not be the picnic without Daddy Don and Rowena (they are my 2nd set of parents and took care of my sister & I growing up.) They made the picnic what it is today. And even though their kids have not been students of St. Joe in over 30+ years..they work every year.

There is something divine about homemade cakes and chicken wire. The two are just meant for each other. Here is my favorite row...the chocolate cakes with white frosting. Yes...they put them in rows by flavors. Each family in the tri-parish makes 2 cakes & 4 pies. I use to make the ones for our family: 2 German Chocolate Cakes & 4 Derby pies.

A craft on the verge of extinction..quilting. My parents have worked in the quilt booth for over 30+ years. My mom is always out and about looking stylish with a hat fit for a Southern belle as she sells quilt chances.  Why did I not get a picture? Argh.

This is the reason people come from Missouri, Ohio,  and the southern parts of Kentucky: the food. Nothing is better. This is just a sampling of the 7..yes, 7 sides that our offered to our guests. I could eat my weight in the dressing {a recipe from my late Aunt Hannah}. And those noodles...they come from Rowena's family. The Bierly women do the noodles and the Bierly men do the Bingo. :) Haha...don't even get me started on the pies. We have everything you could ever imagine.

Hope you enjoyed a glimpse of what makes summer special to me and my family. I cherish this event and will forever anticipate the 2nd Sunday in July.

What makes your summer sacred?

Cheers~

e

self-portrait

Thurgood often asks me if he can play with my phone. He loves the camera function. I have often found multiple self portraits of my child. But today when playing with my phone...he took a picture of me.

When I saw it...it was so pure and raw and so VERY real. I was actually surprised by the shot {afterall..he is 4}.

This is definitely me...hair up and focused.

And what has my attention you ask?

I am studying for my boards.

This is one DIY that I want to perfect....and trust me, I will let you know the pending days of the BIG exams {oh yeah...I have to take 3!}. I need all the positive vibes out there for me. I usually don't have test anxiety, but this is testing that theory.

Cheers~
e

dried hydrangea

I believe I have found her...my kindred style spirit.

for the love of a house

"I was asked to describe my color palette, and I have long described the colors I use in the house as the colors you would see in a dried hydrangea- aged, muted, worn color." - joan

She had me at neutrals...and I love the way she puts it: dried hydranga. Does that not sound heavenly and chic all at once? I think I need to use that phrasing from here out if someone asks me about my color palette....dried hydrangea.

It all started when I came upon this picture....

Everything about this room speaks to me. From the skirt on the farmhouse sink to the high gloss paint on the beadboard ceiling to the touches of green with the wire baskets to the mix of soapstone with marble....this kitchen is me..heck my floors now look like her floors here.

And did I mention she collects: ironstone, mercury glass, vintage hotel silver, AND floraline pottery? Hmm....how have I just now come across her? Yes, I am smitten...and in love. She has such an eye for texture and composition but marries the two so perfectly to create a comfortable "liveable home."

I believe the inspiration from her is only beginning.

Cheers~
e

happy 4th

from this happy little etsy shoppe

I hope you have a delightful day with family and friends. We indulged in hot dogs & hamburgers yesterday {oh and some of my yummy loaded potato salad & bleu cheese slaw} with our neighbors. I have made those 2 sides dishes for every neighborhood event. I would be glad to share if you like.

And if you are in need of a yummy yet festive dessert, I make a version of the strawberry pretzel dessert..but with blueberries in the cream cheese/Cool Whip/marshmallow creme goodness...oh and substituting raspberries for strawberries can be a nice change up too.

Have a wonderful 4th! And oh yes...1776 will be playing at our house. I can find a musical for every holiday.

Cheers~

e

PS Happy Anniversary Miss Christine....you were one of the most lovely brides. And my first ever dabble in wedding flowers.