Art & Apps

Springtime.

Greenery. Candles. Chalkboards. Paintbrushes. Canvases. Appetizers. Wine. Togetherness.

the makings of a great party

our first of many events hosted in our new home I believe - umm, kinda hard to remember when posting on this a year later, haha!

but oh so fun to look back and relive memories through photos.

<< And this one: just because it shows the microwave on the floor, which was its home for many months after we moved in.  Haha.  Made heating up leftovers interesting. Kinda missed that endeavor once it was normal and mounted up ;)  Don't really miss the hole in the wall in the previous pic - which is actually still there, just covered up by the chalkboard now.  Ahh, the changes that happen in a home in a year. Those are just the little things, they can sometime be a big deal!

Dip Bar: corn/bean/tomato, salsa, guacamole, ranch, cookie dough, spinach-artichoke, toasted smores, and enchilada...

yum. 

And all the ways to get those dips into your mouth ;) veggies, baguette, chips, pretzels, graham crackers...

yep.

Then there's the wine tasting: a variety of bubbly juices and sweet to dry wines to cleanse the palate between bites...

ahhh.

Needless to say we weren't lacking in the appetizer realm.

And once our taste buds were awakened to all that deliciousness,

our creative juices began flowing through our brushes onto canvases - each one's individual masterpiece.  Oh so much fun to see what everyone came up with.  And the joy found in time together, chatting and creating.

Might have to do another again next year... wait a minute - it is next year ;)

- Eliza

Keeping it Simple

A cozy afternoon at home.

So thankful for a chance to head out from work early, to restore the house to a deeper level of cleanliness and order :) and to refresh with a good walk out in this lovely warm autumn weather we've been blessed to continue to enjoy well into November.  Almost unheard of up in the north country!  Bread is in the oven for potluck tomorrow.  Some favorite songs playing on the station in my living room.  The guitar sits in the corner happily played and not neglected as it often can be lately.  Fireplace fan is (rather loudly) cooling down after working long and hard today to keep me happy with warmth and flickering flames, haha. Not near as wonderful as a true crackling wood-burning hearth, but it does the job well :)  And some chicken is just getting to the point of fall-apart tenderness in the crockpot for future meals.  Having found a moment to write a bit on this little blog of ours.  Feeling pretty relaxed and accomplished.

Far above all that, though, is the feeling of peace found in fulfillment in being reconciled to Christ.
No other thing, as good as it may be and happy as it may make us, will bring that deep satisfaction of full surrender and trust in our Father.  Hard as it may be to remind ourselves over and over, again and again to find this place of peace by letting go of our own agendas, our own pride, and our own control.  So important.  Yet so often blurred by the business of life.

In our Bible study group one night, we were considering how we would live if our daily checklist consisted of one thing: glorify God.  So simple.  Yet so complex when we try to do it as another check along with all the other things we may try to accomplish on our own strength.  Father, forgive us.  Help us seek You first in everything we say and do.  Help us consider relationship with You to transcend all else.  To be our foundation.  Our strength and peace.  Our hope.

(A snippet of the incredible beauty in the landscapes of Kodiak Island.  Ahh, Alaska.  We miss you.  Our visit to your breathtaking views, roaming wildlife, laid-back & rugged culture, time with loved ones... much too short.  We'll be back to explore again someday soon :)

~Eliza

Relax & Refresh - Spa Night

The feeling of a mud mask hardening on your face as you try not to crack a smile.  The sound of laughter as we see each other struggle or succumb to this.  The scents of calming essential oils being diffused through the air.  The taste of sweet peach crisp and savory peach crostinis.  The sights of friends and loved ones sharing time and making memories together.

...

This is what our Spa Night last week was filled with.  

So refreshing.  So special. So grateful.

I'm so happy my dear friend Christy (over at thelupineline.com) came up with the idea for such an event, bringing together friends, mothers, and daughters and giving us a chance to let our creativity loose together for an amazing evening.

We had such a wonderful time, getting giddy over little details and big plans.  

Can't wait to do another together soon, the ideas and creative planning is a little hard to keep in check for us sometimes, way too fun :)

For more details, beautiful descriptions, and how-tos, stop by her blog post here!

The Mud Mask Facials were a hit!  

So much joy and laughter.

 

Then, we had DIY Essential Oil Roll-Ons.  

So aromatic and a fun little take-home project.

And as for the Appetizers to tease those taste buds... 

a refreshing water station 

with your choice of citrus oil to add a splash of flavor.

 Savory Peach Crostinis with Balsamic Glaze

- recipe here by FoodDoneLight -

warm and bubbly Peach Crisp with homemade Whipped Cream

- crisp recipe here by HalfBakedHarvest -

Ahhh, such a lovely relaxing evening.

Our hearts were full.

- Eliza

Celebrating the Resurrection of Christ!

Thankful hearts.

We've been so blessed to celebrate Easter with family together at our new home this year!

Preparations were fun :)  Dad came over to help wash windows as the sun was shining, snow was melting, and spring air was warming.  Making lemon meringue pie to continue our poorly kept tradition, haha.  Every year from now on, right? :)

Cousins at the "kids" table...

there may or may not have been a close call with the candles and tissue paper flowers.  Oh, and the tablecloth too! haha

Will we ever grow up?

Eliza

Enjoying Autumn.

  

Tonight makes 24 cups of apples that have been cored, peeled, and sliced for four apple crisps in the last five days.  And I still have a bag and a half left for more fall baking :)

 

While I was visiting my Aunt and Uncle last weekend, we picked the apples together from their backyard.  It was such a fun weekend exploring the farmers market: gorgeous fresh flowers, an abundance of produce, cold press coffee - with lots of honey and cream ;), live music, and delicious bakery treats.  Then, a walk across the river and historic site-seeing.  Followed by some shopping and complete with an evening on the back porch with grilled steaks and veggies and a sewing project inside once it got too chilly out. 

So relaxing and wonderful to spend some time with Aunt Pam and Uncle John!

 

 

Oh, and of course I have to share a picture of the little sweetie that I go visit as much as I can :)  Welcoming the newest little addition to the family I've nanny-ed for with plenty of snuggles is high on my priority list recently.  Her siblings think she's pretty great too and have a hard time not smothering her with attention and affection!

 

. . .

 

The leaves are changing, air is crisp, pumpkin-flavored everything is coming out, scarves sweaters and boots are being pulled out, and it's time to savor the season before it's gone. 

Remembering to thank the Lord for the many blessings He has given and to be a blessing to others, living life in the perfect presence and peace found only in Him.

 

 

- Eliza

Recent Happenings :)

 

Loved spending time yesterday taking photos of these beautiful friends of ours! 

I thought it might not be able to happen at first when a decent storm rolled in, complete with lightening and winds sending sheets of rain here and there... but then it cleared up and we braved the wetness and it was so worth it :)

I'm brushing up on my photography creativity release - the top picture is edited and bottom is straight from the camera.  Still need some work on learning to match my camera settings to what my mind is picturing :)  Altogether it was a great time together, capturing some of the little guy's adorableness and his parents who are lovingly raising him, and catching up over some ice cream at the end!

 

I've also pulled out the sewing machine again, now that I'm no longer constrained by homework!

 

Meet Ellie and Fluffy.

At least that's what I'm calling them until I give them to my friends' new little babes soon to be born, which I made them for :)

 

I found the free pattern on Pinterest. 

Here is the link: http://www.birchfabrics.blogspot.com/2013/07/free-pattern-tutorial-henry-helga.html

 

 

Now, I'm off to end this nice long Labor Day weekend with a movie... and sleep :)

 

 

Eliza



Black&White

 

Double Black&White Themed Bridal Shower

for two upcoming weddings from our Bible Study group

Hannah & Autumn

 

A joyous time together with conversation, prayer, games, gifts, treats, and pretty little details :)

Such beautiful friends inside and out to share life with!

 

 

 

 

Having some fun with pics of the brides-to-be: one wedding in May and one in August.

~Eliza