Auntie Anne's Winter Tea.

 This year's tea party was held at 

White Chimney's. 

 Each year continues to become more and more special. 

A gift for the community and a time for 

women to come together and be filled.....

with joy, warmth, and delicious elegance. 

This venue was absolutely magical!  

It's somewhat embarrassing that between my Mother and I and one other lady we were able to furnish over 70 tea cups!  

Hey, there's got to be some reason to keep all these beauties!  

One of my favorites from my Mom's collection. 

The centerpieces began with a burlap runner, followed by a shiny/glitter tree.  Fresh greens, walnuts, pine cones, curly willow branches, grapevine balls, tea lights, teabags and crystal snowflakes finished it off.  Jessica, (the owner of White Chimneys) had many of this on hand which made decorating that much easier.  She is an amazing woman with energy beyond words, she works SO HARD to make this place beautiful, inviting, elegant and well-maintained!  

Jessica with her daughter and Anne. 

picture courtesy of white chimneys 

A violinist welcomed the ladies as they arrived. 

Seriously, she started playing while we finished the last minute details and it was MAGICAL! I was tying a burlap bow on a fresh evergreen wreath hanging on an old-fashioned carriage and I was completely transported to ChristmasWonderland!! 

Anne and her sister Fi are an absolute riot,

(like all of their family)!

They are totally themselves 

and make everyone feel so welcomed and at home.  

Such a warm and cozy time together.

 My Mom was there to help out with Capri, (who slept in my knowing Mother's arms....she can put any baby to sleep, I swear)!Anne Blank, Orpha Hostetter and a new friend Jamie Giuliani, (fellow teacup collector)! 

Capri in a tutu. xoxo. 

 The incredible food prepared with love by Anne's sister, her nephew , her assistant, (Sharon Martin) and others. 

So much detail.

Anne made her famous potato soup for everyone, 

(which sells at Angela's Cafe' if you want a taste). 

Chicken salad wraps topped with grape halves.

Cucumber and fresh parsley sandwiches. 

Hot ham and cheese sandwiches with poppy seed drizzle.

And to finish it off, individually prepared desserts, (also made by Anne).  Strawberry shortcake or Chocolate Moose awaited you at your table seating, (in adorable mini mason jars that you got take home as your favor)! 

picture courtesy of white chimneys. 

After eating Anne shared about TRUE JOY during this Christmas season. She had some amazing giveaways as well.

picture courtesy of white chimneys.

We anticipate doing an outdoor Summer Tea in 2013, most likely also at White Chimneys, so stay tuned for more details, or go to her facebook page to be informed 

about the invitation.  

Merry Christmas Friends!!

And joy to YOUR world!

"Strange how a teapot 
can represent at the same time 
the comforts of solitude 
and the pleasures of company."

  ~Author Unknown~

capri days

Hello all. 

we're doing well here in our home, 

2 weeks since adding a new soul.

adjusting to our new normal, our new sweet sunshine.

she has made it easy to say the least, (it's still hard at times because I'm tired, but for the most part this adjustment has been my easiest...I attribute it to the ages of the older 3 children.  Makes SUCH a difference having older kids around)! 

for real though, she is such.a.good.baby.

our first outing was last week, swimming at my sister's house. she slept the entire time in the gazebo. summer breezes all around her. 

i'm getting my creative energy out by creating facebook 

"cover photos" over at picmonkey.com.  so fun!  

here is one of my favs from july 4th.

also i've been doing a little redecorating too.  added some "nautical" touches to the living room last week.

i miss the beach so badly.

so i brought it home.

kinda.

Seriously loved little girl!

The older children are CONSTANTLY asking to hold her.

They love her so much. 

Paisley and Luke don't say their letter r's quite clearly yet so the way they say her name is just ridiculously cute!

"Ca-pree."

one week old.

she looks so much older.

she stares a hole right into your soul.

not many smiles, very inquisitive.

peaceful.

quiet.

very much like the moment she was born, 
(i WILL share her birth story, it's just taking time to write). 

xoxo.

Coffee with Capri.

Ruche has a new line of clothing.

it's not even right.

This is where I find my girls 

most of the day!

I'm so thankful for our little "nook", it's just right for Capri

and Paisley loves to pull her chair up and be with her sister.

loves it. 

My Paisley-girl is growing up so fast!!

and boy, can she TALK!! she's so expressive and tells stories with such gusto!  I love interacting with her.

she's feisty too, don't get me wrong! 

SUGAR AND SPICE and everything nice! :)

Almost time for the midnight feeding so I better get going.  I'm not a scheduled feeder by nature, wasn't with my other children either, more of an on-demand nurser, but Capri has fallen nicely into the 12am, 3am, 6am, 9am, 12pm, 3pm, 6pm, 9pm feedings all by herself so I'm going with it.....although some nights I just don't go to bed until after this feeding, (normally we're in bed by 10)....I know I'm going to have to wake up anyway, so what's 2 extra hours?  :)

"People who say they sleep like a baby 

usually don't have one."

  ~Leo J. Burke~

Lovie's Nursery Reveal. xoxo.

SO EXCITED TO SHARE OUR NURSERY WITH YOU!! 

I put the finishing touches on it this afternoon. 

BEFORE:

 my little helpers. there wasn't much they could do "wrong" as I was priming the entire room white, so I just let them help. 

Here is my pinterest board that held my inspirations. 

Love pinterest.  This was the first picture that started it all!

the fabrics and paint.

The reveal. xoxo.

It is quite a small room, approx. 8 x 10, but that doesn't have to keep you from loving the space you're in! This is my favorite room in the house right now!  Such a peaceful, happy place. 

Some of the pillows were made by Jake's Mom, Grammie.
the blanket by our sweet babysitter, Kaelin. 

Crazy doll that had to come home with me from "home goods".

ended up being part of the inspiration for the room. 

beautiful handmade curtains by grammie. xoxo. 

figured this verse was quite applicable as before i know it i'll be awake day and night. 

my friend jeane' so kindly gave me this vintage rubbing alcohol bottle. it will be used and loved. 

 that picture was made by my sweet friend and neighbor jessica, a very meaningful birthday gift.  the old creamer was jake's grandmother's. 

WHO WILL YOU BE? 

we love you so much and don't even know you! 

xoxo.

found that vintage clock last weekend. 

it glows.

it was ugly brown. 

now it is bright blue. 

essential "i'm settled in" supplies. 

 the pillow fabric, another handmade creation by grammie. 

Paisley and the baby will share a closet. 

wrapping paper i liked from target. 

lined the back of the shelves with it. 

one of the final touches found this afternoon.

i'd been searching for the right one and found it here. 

for free. 

wuvs it. 

  

sharpie meets glass. 

who knew permanent marker could do such great things?

vintage chevron blanket found at a garage sale. 

first baths. 

each of our babies had their first baths in this tub. 

and lastly, the delicious pictures my friend michelle took of this nursery....she's getting together a new line of stationery and photos to sell on her etsy shop.  you simply must check out the way she captured Lovie's room, here you go!  EYE CANDY!!   

and so we wait. 

we wonder. 

we pray. 

we hope. 

and we love. 

37 weeks. 

"Where thou art-

 that-

 is Home."  

~Emily Dickinson~