On Thursday, May 8th, we welcomed Nathaniel Joseph Fox Ryberg. Everything went well and he was beautiful and we settled in for the weekend to get to know this new little person. It was particularly special because Sunday was Mother’s Day and my birthday and it felt like the biggest gift to be snuggling a […]
Hospitals, Teatime, and the Impertinence of Beauty Read More »
It was Saturday night. I was in the kitchen, making some pancakes that could provide a quick breakfast the next morning before church. My two year old daughter, Maisie, sat on the counter, trying to dump out every container and lick every spoon. My seven year old daughter, Evie, stood nearby, watching. Her eyes
My maternal grandma passed away in September of last year. It feels more appropriate, in typed word, to use the word “grandmother”, but she wasn’t a grandmother. She was Grandma, 100%. In many ways, she wasn’t at all traditional. She liked to drink beer, which I remember shocked me
My Grandma’s Space Read More »
The world is a crazy place. It only takes a couple of minutes on any social media platform to see evidence of this…people are incredibly divided. They are distraught. Everyone is convinced of their viewpoints; they are adamant in their positions. Each side seems to think society is degrading at a rapid rate, and
In Times of Sorrow Read More »
Making my new vision board for the year is one of the absolute highlights of my January. I love thinking through the things I want to spend my time on, the goals I want to set, and the ideas I want to nurture. I’ve had years where I see a lot of what I envision
My word for last year, a word that encapsulates something I want to focus on and grow in, was beauty. And certainly, it was a good word to choose….I had one of my most beautiful years in decades. I spent more time enjoying coffee with my eyes closed, listening to birdsong, reading books, and laying
Looking Back; 2024 Summary Read More »
It’s been a good long time since I posted anything, and that’s because a good many unexpected and surprising things happened at the end of 2024. This post is just a brief update on the changes in our lives, and what it means, especially for me and my blogging and painting, going forward. As many
When Plans Fall Apart Read More »
This fun, simple watercolor project is a great way to play with paint and colors. It’s also ideal for kids to help with and can make the perfect gift for Mother’s or Father’s Day, birthdays, or Christmas! Before we begin, you will need watercolor paper, brushes, paints, and masking fluid. Like almost anything you can
Watercolor Line Art Read More »
Flowers. Chocolate. A gift card for a massage. A card with children’s handprints on the front to create a bouquet. A noodle necklace. Typical Mother’s Days gifts are beautiful and timeless, and I know that I would be delighted to receive any of them. But if you are looking for ideas that might be
Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for the (Un)common Mom Read More »
Recently, our family has been listening to The Lord of the Rings trilogy (and the Hobbit) on audiobook. I’m much more entertained by the stories than I was when I read them as a teen, and I’ve found myself fascinated by the life of the hobbits, particularly their eating habits. If you know me, you
Eating Like Hobbits Read More »