Bat Light Garland DIY


My decorating for Halloween is standardly pretty tame. I'm very sensitive to "scary" (never have, never will watch a horror film) and tend to stick with pumpkins and gourds this time of year. A few months back I found the above lithograph print and my heart skipped a little. 

Witches, ghosts, blood? 
Uh-uh. 

But bats? 
Cute.  

Inspired by Cakies' black cats, I cut out paper bats, punched stars for eyes, and pulled twinkle lights through.  Here is a Bat Template pdf I created if you'd like to have your own house full of bats!

Preparation of the Bride

A weekend ago I dressed in a breezy petal gown and stood, roses in hand, alongside this golden couple proclaiming their "I do's." 

The worshipful ceremony brought to mind how I, and we who are followers of Christ, are being prepared as the Bride of Christ. 

We will be spotless - pure - cleansed of all our darkness. 

How I look with joy to that day's coming. 

Fore & Aft



The turn in weather has me recollecting on sweet summer gone.

I pulled up a few reminders of our time aboard Carnival a few months back. The Bahamian cruise was a surprise gift from a family in our church...I know: amazing. Their incredible generosity and thoughtfulness blew us out of the water. Or, quite literally, into the water. 

Though I am eager for the festivities of autumn there is a part of me that wants to linger in the vibrant warmth of the days in these pictures. 

But it is:
brisk autumn fore 
&
bright summer aft

Northern Michigan: Water + Earth

water...


earth...



Isn't my grandma lovely in that first picture? We brought our swimsuits with us on the trip to swim those gray lake waters, but the weekend took a chilly turn. The day we walked the port there were little kids splashing nearby. That is what you call dedication to having fun. 

Knaebe's Apple Farm was the darlingest spot to feed animals and have imaginary adventures with my little cousins! A bit of earth perfection boasting the best of coming autumn. 

Northern Michigan: Cabin + Farm



Labor Day spent snuggly in my uncle's cabin in Northern Michigan. 

Crisp mornings: fresh eggs, sausage, and pancakes drizzled with sweet tapped syrup straight from my uncle's maples. 

Crisp nights: venison charred over the fire, peach cobbler, and marshmallows as big as your fist.

hammock
wildflowers
bonfire
birch trees

and those stars...


When in Chicago: Eat!



So much deliciousness crammed into one weekend! 

and about these mussels looking so gorgeously innocent....

celebrating our five year anniversary at Bistro Voltaire I encouraged Zade more than once to scoop up the buttery wine sauce into the shells of these delicacies. Another course down the road I looked down at my beautiful, silk dress to realize I'd enjoyed the sauce a little too much!  I am following in the footsteps of my grandma who always manages to walk away from a meal with a little to-go.

What are your favorite eats in Chicago?

Our Tattoo


"You have made known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence
with eternal pleasures at your right hand" 
Psalm 16:11 

When I was young my family did a fair amount of hiking particularly on the Appalachian Trail. Arrows and paint blazes marked the trail. 

On our five year anniversary this past weekend Zade and I chose to be tattooed with an arrow on our feet, signifying how Christ has made known to us the true path of life and how we are walking this together. 

Tattoo by the charming Sean Adams at Speakeasy Custom Tattoo in Chicago. 

A Golden Afternoon Tea


Remember this golden couple? 

On the Autumnal Equinox they'll say "I do." 

This past weekend I hosted a A Golden Afternoon Bridal Shower Tea for the stunning bride. She and flowers are forever linked in my memory and I wanted the shower to reflect this sentiment.

Alice in Wonderland's flowers served as primary inspiration for the decor. However, unlike Wonderland's snobbish variety,  mine are kind and give such compliments as "you look beautiful today" and "where did you ever find such a lovely dress?" These flowers also focused the vision. 



The invites quoted the Alice in Wonderland 1951 flower's ditty All in A Golden Afternoon: 

"You can learn a lot of things from the flowers
for especially in the month of June
There's a wealth of happiness and romance
All in a golden afternoon" 


Guests were welcome to accent their attire by crafting a tissue paper flower headband. 


In the Victorian Era flowers were ascribed a coded language so that even the boldest sentiments might be proclaimed through the simple gift of bouquet or bloom. Included in their invites guests found a card with a flower's name and meaning. They were asked to compose a note on the card expressing how they've seen the essence of the flower's meaning in the life of the bride. Or, a prayer to see that quality in the marriage of the couple. We read them aloud to the bride at the shower and I will put together a little book as a gift for the couple on their wedding day. 


A truly -golden- afternoon. 

Black & Blue


 Back to Spencer Farm for another round of berry picking. 

Our blueberries quickly found themselves in fluffy pancakes and decadent blueberry cheesecake ice cream. I'd venture to say that they were some of the best blueberries I've ever tasted. The perfect sweet-tart combination. 

If you live near Lafayette, Prelock Farm opened today! 

Fill up your summer pail. 

Symphony on the Prairie

Since I've been young one of our favorite family traditions has been celebrating the Fourth of July at Symphony on the Prairie.

I am convinced that there is no sweeter place for Independence Day. 

 A field bright with merrymakers ornamented in red, white, and blue... 
brawny patriotic compositions...
blankets set beneath the trees...
grass underfoot...
the setting sun...
lightning bugs...
A firework finale timed to Stars and Stripes Forever...


Buddy lunches add an extra dash of excitement to the festivities. 

Everyone puts their name into a hat and chooses another. A lunch and note is then fixed discreetly as to not give away the name of one's "buddy." We take the secret part very seriously! Last year my little cousin was growling at those who came too close to seeing the card she was drawing. 

I thank God for freedom in this Country. 

Even more, I thank God for freedom in Christ. 

A freedom more glorious than fireworks.