summer bliss.

back from over three weeks of vacation, and feeling so very rested and blessed.
when i wasn't lounging around the lake or enjoying precious moments with relatives, here are some of the things that occupied my time. 

needing a new journal, but only having an unsightly one on hand, the old one was decoupaged using a half-glue, half-water mixture.  the sketches are from an old james audubon book.  i love the little birds and have already begun to fill the book with writings...

i spent some time baking, my favorite item being these delicious cinnamon buns.  the recipe is pulled from my favorite recipe book,  "family meals" by maria helm sinskey...

using my aunt's incredible punch-out, these gift tags were easy as pie.  i used old book pages and wallpaper samples from anthropologie to make them.  i now have dozens, so many of you can expect to be receiving them as little gifts ;o) ....

 i'm neck-deep in this book and simply love it...

crocheting this little baby cocoon and hat for our little one was such a sweet treat...

these homemade cards were fun and quick.  once again, a little glue-water mixture and card stock did the trick to whip them up in no time...

thanks to my mother-in-law's love for jewelry making, i used her supplies to make many earrings and necklaces.  it provided hours of relaxing diversion with precious family.... 

i hope that you all are enjoying your summer as much as i have.  blessings to you all on this beautiful day.


- jessie

reunited

since last summer my dear sister, emily, has been overseas with her husband doing missions work in asia. my heart has been very full this year; full of joy at their love for the Lord; full of heartache as she has been too far away to hug; full of anticipation to see her again. 

and now for the month of july she and her hubby are back in the states to visit. 

and these days have been more than precious to us. 

to celebrate their homecoming, i asked my better half to whip up some paper airplanes for a garland. he happily agreed, and within minutes i had a pile of book pages folded into aviation origami. 

fresh flowers in old jars.

vintage postcards.

welcome back.

<3

jam

i wanted to get to the strawberry fields with my little sister, but far too often life happens and spending time bent over in beautiful rows of berries doesn't. but the grocery store is second best.

and so, being a national holiday with no work, i spent the morning making jam that will hopefully last into the winter.

a celebration.

this past weekend we had a highschool graduation party for my dear sister.
here are some pictures of the festivities....

all of the graphics you see are from the graphics fairy, my favorite one stop shop for beautiful vintage images.

the party was truly a wonderful celebration of the life of my sister, and i am sad it ended so quickly.  i hope that you all enjoy your next several weeks, as i will be taking a break and enjoying a sweet, life-filled virginia vacation.  ;)

blessings.


- jessie

beneath us

a determined weed fighting to press life through a sidewalk crack. 

the shadow of street sign casting zig-zags across a curb. 

a drop cloth telling the countless chronicles of paint splats.

there is beauty everywhere.

even under our feet.

look.