The End of Winter

In the Ross household, I think we have finally seen the end of the longest winter yet... metaphorically speaking, of course, since it's the third day of July. JULY.

Amelia has been sick for a very long time, nearly half a year when I count the days. The long and short of it? Chronic respiratory and digestive issues as well as poor weight gain, causes not entirely known. In the past few months, she has been medicated, x-rayed, tested for parasites and foreign diseases... pretty much everything short of more invasive measures. We have been told her issues were potentially caused by everything from teething to cystic fibrosis (that was a scary 48 hours, but her test processed quickly and came back very negative.)

There was a while, it seemed, that we lived at the doctor's office, making several trips a week. When her pediatrician couldn't help us, we were sent to a pediatric gastroenterologist in Kalamazoo. The specialist has had us avoid soy and dairy (common sensitivities for babies) for the past couple of months to see if it would help. It has been really difficult, especially since Amelia loved cheese, and soy is in every product imaginable these days. We've made it work for us with almond milk, coconut yogurt, whole foods, and all sorts of vegan recipes and treats.

Little by little, things have gotten better. Her digestive system slowed down enough for her blistering diaper rash to heal, and her respiratory problems aren't as severe either. I wouldn't say she is 100% back to normal, but then what is normal when it comes to babies, anyway? Babies shoot poop up their backs and think rocks are edible.

Last week, after yet another doctor's visit, we finally got the okay from the specialist to begin incorporating small amounts of dairy and soy back into her diet. We started this past weekend, mixing about an ounce of cow's milk into her usual almond-coconut blend. We've noticed a slight shift, but overall she's doing really well! Hopefully we are on the right track. Since I'm still nursing her and dairy can stay in a mama's system for a full two weeks, I will be avoiding it for a bit longer to make sure Amelia's system can fully handle dairy (but oh do I dream of the day when I can have cheese pizza for dinner and ice cream for dessert!)

Originally, I wasn't going to share this part of our life on GH. I'm still not sure this story is mine to tell - something I struggle with as a mom on social media. But the more I've been thinking about it, the more I realize that I turn to the internet a lot when Amelia is sick. Although one quick Google search of an illness can send you down a dark spiraling path of rare diseases, complicated medical sites and scary images, it can also uncover stories of families who are going through the same issues, and hearing about those experiences can be invaluable. So perhaps our story will help you or someone you know. Sometimes I really do hate the internet, but mostly I am reminded of the good that it can bring, too.

Whatever is True

Lately I’ve been thinking about why I have a blog. It happens every now and then.

I’ve been thinking about all the bits and pieces that fill my heart, the things I want to gather up and share with you here. I’ve been thinking about first birthdays and sunshine, fragrant herb gardens and fresh strawberries. Dimpled little hands, floral print dresses, swing sets, long walks through the neighborhood with a squish who tries to catch the wind. How wonderful it is to share my life with those I love. I’ve been dreaming of afternoons spent on the shores of Lake Michigan, the satisfying feeling of making something with my own hands, the way warm asphalt smells after the rain.

As I have written before, I want to focus on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable – things that are excellent and praiseworthy.

Easier said than done, my friends. As blessed as I am, I find myself dwelling on the negative lately. The way motherhood has changed my body, the bags under my eyes after yet another sleepless night. The worrisome thought that my sweet little girl is sick more often than she is healthy. House expenses, college debit, a winter that will not end. The judgement that I pass on myself and on others when I am feeling inadequate as a wife, mother, designer, human being. It all hangs heavy on my heart and sometimes I just can’t shake it.

So, I’m going to revamp my small slice of the internet and really focus on the things that are true, pure, and lovely. I want to share more of my experiences about the things that make life worth living, to catalogue the pieces of my heart instead of letting my thoughts dwell on the negative. I want to keep things real and honest, and stay grounded. But most of all, I want to live in the present and keep my focus on what is true.

Those Winter Blues

Lately, I feel like I've been lacking balance in life: as a mother, as a twenty-something, as a so-called "creative." Even as a blogger - I have half a dozen posts that have been abandoned because I end up staring at blinking cursor more often than not. I'm chalking it up to the winter blues, and they're freezing out all aspects of life as I know it.

Creativity. Maybe it's the lack of sleep that comes with a baby, but I have never felt so uninspired. My design work feels stale, we have the same 5 meals for dinner every week. The only thing that feels remotely creative to me is The 52 Project, and I'm even falling behind in that. Deep down, I have this innate desire to make things - for my baby, for my home, for others - but for some reason I just can't find a way to move them beyond the idea phase.

Home ownership. After looking at dozens of houses over the course of what felt like an eternity, we finally bought a house! It was crazy town for a while - we put our offer on it the week of my due date and closed on it three weeks after Amelia was born - but it has been great having a place to call home. That said, the first-time homebuyer glow has worn off and I'm overwhelmed with all the to-do items on our list: hang artwork and curtains, organize the piles of stuff sitting in the office, finish the basement, build a privacy fence, landscape, buy patio furniture, get rid of all the hideous 90s brass fixtures, update kitchen and bathrooms. That said, I'd much rather ignore that list and curl up under a blanket and watch a few episodes of Parks and Rec, thank you very much.

Motherhood. Can I blame winter on everything? Because I'm going to. I have to admit, even after eight months, I'm still struggling to find a way to fit into my new role as a mom. It's not that I struggle with motherhood itself (man do I love it, ups and downs alike!) but sometimes I do feel like I've lost a part of the "old Katherine." Maybe I just need to change my mindset; I haven't really lost myself but instead added a new part of myself to the mix. I realize that a shift in priorities is normal when it comes to parenthood, but I wish poop-related thoughts occupied less of my brain space. I really do. And I have yet to find a fool-proof way to take a shower every morning...

After a full day's work, coming home to a cluttered space and a baby who missed her afternoon nap is exhausting. I'm left tired and off-kilter, with a mountain of to-dos that are overwhelming. Any tips on finding balance and maintaining it? I need some sort of magical reset button, or, you know... spring.

Year's End

I began writing this post on New Year's Eve, fully intending to have it finished before 2014. But then my baby woke up early from her nap with a 102 degree fever. The post has sat open on my computer, half-finished until now, so I've adjusted the time stamp and I'd still like to share it as a farewell to 2013. 

Even though I haven't blogged in over a quarter of a year (something that started out accidentally and eventually became intentional) I thought I would write one last post to commemorate 2013. What a year.

Honestly, I have typed, deleted, and re-typed this post countless times. My words continue to fall flat. How to I begin to express all that this year has held? I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. We bought our first home. Our hearts have filled with the joy of new life, the stress and excitement of new beginnings, the pain and grief of loss. I'm honestly a little overwhelmed thinking about it all. Even still, I feel like these words do 2013 no justice. I may not be able to express all that 2013 held, but the memories I made this year will live forever in my heart. It was not an easy year, but it sure was a good one.

And now, I turn my thoughts towards the new year and all the promise that it holds. Unlike last year, I've come up with a few resolutions (starting to blog again happens to be one of them!) for 2014, which I'll share a little later. I'm welcoming the proverbial new beginnings that January 1 brings. A chance for self-improvement, for reinvention, for growth. 

36 Weeks

Only four more weeks until my due date. One month. Technically, I've been drafting this post for a while and today is the very last day of my 36 week stretch, so we really only have three more weeks before baby girl comes (give or take a few days, of course.) EEEP!

Looking back over the past nine months, I realize that I haven't written all that much about my pregnancy here on Gathered Heart... in fact, the last bump photo I shared was three months ago! That's completely unintentional. Between trips to the hospital for appointments and birthing classes, weeknights and Saturdays spent house hunting, and the general fatigue that comes with creating a little life, it seems that all my creative energy has been zapped. My free time is spent on the couch, watching New Girl and eating Half Baked with Christopher, and that's the way I like it.

Sometimes, especially after a quick visit to Pinterest or Facebook, I feel guilty for not doing more (you know, between the morning sickness, backaches, acne, swollen feet and all the other joys of pregnancy.) Then I realize, baby girl isn't going to care whether or not I have taken weekly bump photos, or that her nursery is still in the planning phase. Really, when she gets here, all she's going to care about is sleeping, eating, and having a dry bum.

And then, after a little while, she's going to care about the bedtime story we read together at night. The way her daddy tosses her high in the air and catches her without fail. She's going to care about big pushes on the swing set, bug hunts, tea parties, trips to the zoo. That's the stuff I can't wait to document, the things I look forward to most. Being a family.

Three more weeks, baby girl! Get here safely!

House Hunting

Oh friends. I have to admit... I've been neglecting this little old blog of mine for a while now. It probably has to do with the fact that every post I begin writing makes me sound like such a Debbie Downer. It seems that lately I have every kind of blues imaginable: winter blues, baby registry blues, house hunting blues.

It goes without saying, house hunting has been an emotional roller coaster (although that may have to do with pregnancy hormones.) In the past three weeks, we've spent all our free time looking at houses, over 20 of them so far. One of the first ones we looked at and liked sold as we were looking at it. Another one with lots of potential sold the day before our second showing. We've seen foreclosed houses with mounds of trash, houses that have been sitting empty for months and everything in between.

Then, last weekend, we looked at a cute little 1928 bungalow and I fell in love.

Adorable, right? I mean look at those scalloped shingles! Three bedrooms, a galley kitchen that was almost too large, a beautiful walk-out patio and a cute fenced-in backyard. Plus, I found bunny tracks in the snow, and I consider that a good sign. Sadly, we gave it a second look on Tuesday and ultimately decided that it's not our house. With old houses come tiny bathrooms, narrow staircases, and awkward layouts. The main level "master" bedroom was so tiny that our current bedroom furniture wouldn't fit the space, and the two rooms on the upper level (aka converted attic space) didn't really have access to a bathroom. I don't even want to think about potty training in that house, or carrying a baby up and down the stairs all the time. 

And so, the search continues. I've had to mourn the fact that we probably won't have a house before baby girl arrives (which still makes me really anxious) but I know that taking our time with this is worth it. Our perfect house is out there somewhere.

Winter Blues

February has always been the worst time of the year. Everything is a pile of dirty mush and the gray days seem to drag on forever. Spring seems so close, yet so very far away. That's what depresses you most of all. 

And then, between the stress and uncertainty of life, a never ending to-do list and a bad case of the winter blues... it snows. Fat, fluffy flakes that transform the landscape into a sparkly snow globe. Everything is a wash of white and you pause as you're reminded of how beautiful this world can be, and how wonderful your life really is.

Give Up

A Tattered Line of String - the newest single from the Postal Service 

Today, I think I got a small taste of what it's like to be a parent.

Let me explain. Chris and I are HUGE fans of the Postal Service, who recently announced a ten year anniversary release of Give Up, plus new tracks and a reunion tour. I don't know about you, but Give Up probably accounts for 30% of the soundtrack to my high school existence, and I still love it just as much today as I did then.

So when I saw this afternoon that they were touring in Detroit, I flipped out. I called Chris to share the news, all while logging in to the presale ticket website, hoping the tickets didn't sell out in the two short hours they had been available. We were doing it - we were actually going to see the Postal Service, one of the bands topping our dream-concert list.

Then it dawned on me: the show was June 10, not even a month after our little girl is supposed to arrive. In three short months, our life will change in a big way. Concerts, road trips, even Friday nights at the movies... there's a lot of stuff we won't be able to do on a whim anymore. And I'm okay with it. Even though we have to give up all those things, we gain so much more. A tiny human being, our little girl, the start of our family.

I can't wait to sing her Postal Service lullabies.

Resolve.

 Woodburning by Becky Murphy of Chipper Things 

So this is the new year. And for the past week, I have sat thinking about what my resolutions would be, what words I would write for my first post of 2013. But, for whatever reason, I lacked inspiration; the thoughts and words and resolutions never came.

Of course, there's a whole slew of things I'd like to do in 2013: work on being a better wife, bake more, sew my own clothing, learn to knit, master the manual settings on my camera, eat something green every day, branch out as a designer and artist, become more gracious, write more letters to loved ones. My life is filled with perpetual lists, things I would like to be better at, goals that have yet to be completed.

Honestly? The thought of 2013 scares me quite a bit more than I care to admit. It's shaping up to be a pretty big year for Christopher and myself, with lots of changes on the horizon. We're hoping to buy a house. We're going to be parents. PARENTS!

So this year, I've decided not to resolve to do anything. I'm just going to keep going. My heart is full of so much love, gratitude, growth: 2012 was a wonderful year. I know this year will be even better, as different as things may turn out to be. Here's to 2013!

P.S. Thank you all for your sweet comments, texts and emails about Baby Ross. We really are absolutely thrilled, and I'm excited to share my journey to motherhood. I promise GH won't become a baby blog by any means, but I'll probably be sharing a lot more kid-related things, because a very large chunk of my heart now belongs to a very little person.

Goodbye, Lake House

You guys. Things have been a little crazy lately. The house we've been renting for two years sold while we were on vacation... not exactly not the best news to come home to.

So we've moved. Our renter's contract has a 30 day notice clause, so we technically could have stayed at the house until October, but because our rent and utilities are due on the tenth of every month, we made the most of the timing and decided to be out by the tenth.

I swung by yesterday to pick up the mail and just had to snap a quick photo with my phone. Despite all of its flaws (notice the upside down sconce? haha...) I think I'm really going to miss this house and all the memories it holds. The beautiful lakeside view. The hours of snuggling on the couch and watching Netflix. The swans. The friends that visited. The birthdays and holidays we celebrated together. It was the first house that Chris and I made our home, so it will always hold a special place in my heart.

Instead of signing a six/twelve month lease when we're so close to buying a home, we're living with Chris' parents for a few months to save money and search for a house of our own. Honestly, I was a little embarrassed to be moving back in with his parents at first, but I now realize that it's totally a blessing. It will take some getting used to, but in the long run it will help us out -- not to mention the fact that my in-laws are some of the best people I know. Once the chaos of moving has settled down and we've unpacked a little more, I'll have to do a little home tour in remembrance (you know, after I've shared the vacation photos that have been sitting on my desktop for weeks now...)

Happy Summer!

Summer is officially here! It seems like summertime is all I ever write about lately, but I just can't help it. Everything is warm and moving and so full of life. The sunshine, the green grass, the breeze off the lake... summer is my favorite season by far.

I have a little tradition once summer hits that's honestly a bit of a guilty pleasure: anytime I get in my car, I roll the windows down and listen to Alabama at full blast. Their greatest hits CD is in heavy rotation from June to September and Christopher hates it. I have a few favorite songs that I turn to time and again, but my all-time favorite is Dixieland Delight. The tempo change at the end gets me every time.



Did you enjoy that twangy guitar? How about the cheesy, poor quality 1980s footage? The southern sweethearts? And that awkward makeout scene at the end? Fantastic.

Let me tell you a little something about my roots... I was born in Oregon, grew up in Alabama, finished growing in Indiana, went to college in Illinois, and now reside in Michigan. Even though I've spent majority of my life in the northern Midwest, my southern roots run pretty deep, y'all. Boiled peanuts and sweet potato pie. Bright pink azalea bushes and hunting for crawfish in the creek. All you can eat catfish and fried okra.

When I listen to Alabama, I'm reminded of all my favorite southern things and family road trips in our blue Aerostar minivan, where the Alabama tape was played on repeat along with Billy Joel and Raffi. To be honest, aside from a few hits from the 90s that remind me of my grandpa (and Taylor Swift, who am I kidding), I'm not much of a country music fan, but I think I will always love Alabama. So what if I'm the only 20-something that feels this way (aside from my brothers, that is.)

Today also happens to be the longest day of the year. Are you doing anything special to celebrate? Or am I the only one who celebrates the most random things like they're holidays? Chris and I will be spending our evening in his sister's pool -- and with this week's 90 degree highs, there's not a better day for it!

Why I Blog

 "Magic Farmhouse" by Katie Daisy

Friends, I've been reflecting a lot lately about this little old blog of mine. I'm in the process of redesigning and sprucing it up a bit, which has led me to thinking about the content I share, the words I write, and why I even blog at all.

I originally started gathered heart "as my own online collection of art, design, vintage findings, crafting and DIY, personal musings, beautiful things and inspiring bits." For the most part, I think I've accomplished just that and I love it. GH has become a place where all the little pieces of my heart are gathered into one giant collection. Not only does it serve as a personal account of my life, but it also serves as a log of inspiration that I can access anytime. I hope others are inspired when they visit, too. I think writing GH has also pushed me to live a more creative life at home, in the kitchen, with friends, at work. I've made new friends, strengthen the friendships I already have and have connected with people hundreds of miles away. The blogging community is pretty amazing.

The one thing I get caught up on is the fact that, sometimes, I feel like the things I post on gathered heart are a little superficial. A beautiful illustration, a tasty looking treat, a pretty dress. It can be so easy to get caught up in an "I want this, I want that" mentality when I share things here. My posting lately has been somewhat sparse because I feel guilty writing about a lovely sweater I want or a yummy dessert that I baked... when there are people in the world who can't afford medicine, food, or even a place to live.

But then I step back and remember that beauty is an essential part of life. I don't write about my personal faith here very often, but it is one of the greatest influences in everything I do. There is one particular verse from the Bible that I have always held close to my heart. "...Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things" (Philippians 4:8.)

We are called to focus on the pure and lovely things of life, to live joyfully and share that with others. I realize there are seasons in life and there is so much darkness and pain in this world of ours, but why focus on it? What good comes out of doom and gloom? Nothing but more doom and gloom.

I want to live a beautiful life. I want my home to burst with flowers (hypothetically speaking, of course) and I hope to never take any of it for granted. Will you join me?

Tiny Thoughts about Tiny Things

Today, I feel like I reached a major milestone as a woman. I bought a colorful toddler's activity center, as well as a sweet little blue chenille puppy. The first ever baby items to grace my own home permanently.

Now before any of you freak out -- no, I'm not pregnant! The toys are for my niece Adalynn, who just turned one last Monday. We babysat for her tonight, and now that she is transitioning from baby to toddler, Chris and I thought it would be fun to have a few toys at our house for her to play with when she's visiting. We're actually kind of obsessed with the entire B. Toys line at Target (especially the Meowsic keyboard) and when we saw the solid wood activity center a few weeks ago, we knew we had to have it.

I've heard stories of women who secretly hoard baby booties and onesies... stuffed in boxes and tucked away in the back of closets for their someday-children. I am definitely not that kind of woman. Babies kind of gross me out, to be honest. Sure, they're sweet and innocent and the future of our nation... I totally get that. But the diaper blow-outs and pureed pea projectile vomiting? No thank you. Not too long ago, I was helping change Addie's diaper and I had to drop her and run away because I was gagging so much that I had tears in my eyes. How something so tiny could smell so awful will always be a mystery to me.

The thing is... it was today, browsing the security blankets, lullaby music boxes and sweet little stuffed animals, that I felt a peculiar twinge. I could do this. I could be a mom.

Okay, so I'm not really ready for a baby... but is anyone ever really ready to have a baby? To bring a little life into this world and care for it, nurture it, teach it everything they know? Probably not. Christopher has been wanting to start our family for a while now, but I've always resisted the idea until lately. I think I've just hit that point in life where, if I were to get pregnant, I would be happy. Blissfully so, even. 

I'd be lying to you if I didn't say this feeling is scary and a little weird. There are still about a million and three things I'd like to accomplish before having a kid... things like knocking out our debt (like that's going to happen anytime soon, though, thank you private schooling), owning a house, furthering my career, traveling the world a little more and enjoying my youth just a little bit longer, you know?

And there's the whole poop/snot/barf aversion I have... got to get over that for sure.

Resolutions Revisited

March has come and gone, and I can hardly believe it. 2012 is already a quarter over!

How is everyone's year going? Have you kept up with your new year's resolutions? I'm not one for resolutions since they are pretty much destined to fail (who honestly can stop eating comfort food in the dead of winter? Not me.) but if you've been reading here for very long, you probably know that I do love a good list of goals. Granted, I'm not always the best at finishing my lists in a timely manner, if at all, but I sure like to make them. There's something about gathering my thoughts, writing down my goals, and crossing off the to-dos that makes me feel so accomplished -- even if my task is as simple as dusting the bookshelf. Lists just work. I'm totally a list person. 

A while back, I was featured over at Diapers and Skinny Jeans as part of a great series called Goal Setting, where I shared this list of goals for 2012:

 THIS YEAR'S GOALS: 

• Finish up some of my goals from 2011
• Try to have as many Meatless Mondays as possible
• Gather with friends more often
• Make the most out of summertime weather
• Post original content on my blog more often
• Try new hairstyles
• Make something I'm proud of once a week 

Blog friends, can I be honest with you? I've hardly done anything about these goals, even though they've been floating around in the back of my mind all year. Meatless Mondays ended pretty quickly when I tried to get Chris to eat chickpea curry. Summer hasn't happened yet, so I guess I'm off the hook with that one for now. I have been spending time with friends and working on original content for GH, but I could definitely improve in both areas. I've worn my hair the same way for pretty much the entire year, and I'm not churning out creative projects as often as I'd like. 3 out of 7? Not so great. 

That said, I knew when I set up these goals that it would probably take me a few months to come out of winter hibernation and actually do anything about them, so I'm not disappointed with myself just yet. Like clockwork, I've been feeling the tug of springtime inspiration. Everything around me is waking up, full of life and color; I can't help but feel the same way. April has arrived, and that means it's time to tackle these to-dos head on. Anyone else working on a list of goals/resolutions for 2012?

Sharon.

Today, one of my dearest friends stepped on a plane with a one-way ticket to New York City to chase her dreams. My goodness. Instead of 50 miles, she is almost 700 miles away, and I will miss her very much. Let me tell you a story of friendship and adventure.

I first met Sharon when I was in seventh grade. We were both in an after school art program, and I remember thinking how wonderful, crazy, and inspiring she was. Our friendship didn't actually develop until high school, though. I don't even remember how it happened, it just flowed so naturally. We were in yearbook together, as well as many theatre productions. We became two of four in a tight-knit group of girlfriends, and we bonded over art, music, films, and the meaning of life. Two old souls with a love of antiques, flowers, and a childhood appreciation of The Secret Garden and The Little Princess.

Sharon is one of the sweetest, most thoughtful people I know. She is so talented and makes wonderful things, like the beautiful quilt that now sits at the foot of my bed. She has been a constant source of encouragement, advice, and inspiration in my life for ten years and I am so honored to have her as a friend and as a kindred spirit.

Together, we've visited New York, San Francisco, Chicago, and have had our share of many small-town adventures. Movie nights. Bonfires. Photo sessions. Evening walks. Pounds of Hacienda chips and liters of coffee. Spiked apple cider in the fall, peppermint sweet tea in the spring. Pirate parties, music-sharing parties, Fourth of July parties, just because parties. Once, slipping down an icy winter road, I even thought I was going to die with Sharon... thankfully that was not the case. She helped plan my wedding and stood with me on my wedding day. Many, many adventures. Many, many memories.

Sharon Rose, I will miss you greatly, even though I know I'll get to see you during your trips home. You are so incredibly brave and I know in my heart that you will thrive in the City. See you in a few months. Love always, Kitty.

We Are Young

Have you heard the single "We Are Young" by Fun. yet? It's been playing on repeat in my head all week. A friend of Christopher's shared it with us last week when it was a free single on iTunes, and I can't get enough of it. The music video isn't quite what I imagined (no sunshine and open fields) but it's definitely worth a watch. Or three.



Sometimes, between marriage, work and making ends meet, I need to be reminded that I'm still young. At 24, I may be done with my childhood but I have my whole life ahead of me. Anyone else feel that way? Listen to this song and be reminded... it's hard not to feel invincible when the chorus breaks out.

This is going to be my summer ballad... windows down, hair whipping in the wind.

Life Lately...

Friday, sweet Friday, I am so glad you're finally here.

I don't really have any special plans for the weekend, but I have definitely been looking forward to it since, oh, Monday. I never thought I'd be the type of person who works for the weekend, but life lately has just been so crazy that all I want to do is sprawl out on the couch and watch Downton Abby on Netflix. This is why:

This is real life, guys. Pie charts don't lie. It's math. Ninety percent of my weekday is spent "working." Between a full-time job (dreadful two hour commute time included), playing house and trying to stay healthy... I somehow also have to juggle five freelance design projects. More work, more deadlines, more stress. The highlight of my day is the hour and a half spent with Christopher, eating dinner and watching a few episodes of Big Bang Theory (thank you, Keitha, for our newest TV on DVD obsession.)

I'm not complaining about being busy... I enjoy my job and all the little gigs I pick up along the way. I'd take busy over bored any day. The thing is, even with such a full day, I don't feel like I'm accomplishing much with my life. I make lists but never finish them, there are always dirty dishes in the sink, and never enough money in the bank.

Anyone else feel this way? I don't know about you, but I'm holding tight to the delusion that spring will come quickly and the world will be full of sunshine, purpose and free time. And until then, at least we have the weekend.

Spring is Coming...

On my way to work this morning, I drove by a vast open field. It was a golden-pink from the early morning sun and dotted with little dark clumps. After a quick double take I realized the clumps were Canadian geese, probably close to a hundred or so, roosting in the field as they waited for the sun to warm their wings. It was absolutely beautiful.

For some reason this week has been particularly long and stressful, and I seem to have developed a case of the winter blues. However, after seeing the geese this morning, I was reminded that spring is on her way. The northern birds are migrating back home.

Spring is coming.

Photo by Michael Sullivan.

2011: A Year in Review

Oh 2011, you have been good to me. We may be a full week into the new year, but I'm still struggling to catch up after such a great Christmas vacation. It's just so hard to believe it's already 2012 when I'm still reminiscing about 2011...

2011 was probably my favorite year in my adult life to date. Seriously.

There was black light putt-putt for Christopher's January birthday and an incredible Iron & Wine concert to celebrate our half-year wedding anniversary in February. In March, I finally worked up enough courage to cut my hair. I chopped off 9 inches.

April brought along my first niece. May brought baby swans to the lake in our backyard. June brought the start of many summertime adventures.

Then July came along and I found a full-time design job that I absolutely love -- such an answer to prayer. The adventures continued in August and included a trip to Wrigley Field to see the Cubbies. We sat five rows from the dugout and I had my first Chicago style hot dog. It was the epitome of a perfect summer day. Summer faded to fall in September and Mr. Ross and I went apple picking for my birthday. We ate apples for weeks afterward.

In October Chris and I went to see The Blanks and met Sam Lloyd. You know, Ted the lawyer from Scrubs? So awesome (which is why I have crazy eyes in the photo.) The book I designed while I worked part time at Ave Maria was officially published and distributed in November. You can find it on Amazon. And at Barnes and Noble. It's probably the highlight of my design career thus far. Which brings me to December: Christmas. It was wonderful, filled with family and friends and the celebration of Jesus' birth. Chris and I attempted to take a "family portrait" with Ulia on Christmas morning. If you think it looks like I'm strangling her in the photo... you're probably right.

Remembering each month, I honestly don't think I could pick a top highlight. In 2011, I started this blog, survived Snomageddon, and planted a garden from seed. I fell in love with my husband even more. I somehow became a decent cook and I came to grips with the fact that I'm a grown up. Such a great year.

Here's to 2012 and all the new adventures it will bring. Happy new year!

The Good, the Bad, the Linen-Fresh

I've made it a new weekend tradition to do a little baking on Sundays... this past weekend, I made the braided apple bread from my twelve by 2012 list. Isn't it pretty? I wish it would have tasted as good as it looked... Long story short, I baked the loaf on a pan that I had previously soaked with a dryer sheet to remove burnt-on grime.

Who knew that even after a wash or two, the pan was still saturated with the scent (and taste) of fresh linen. The bread was warm, cinnamon-y and so, so clean. Gross.

Thankfully, I've totally redeemed myself tonight with the easiest, healthiest, tastiest muffins ever. In the fifteen minutes that they've been cooling, I've already had three. Probably to cope with the fact that my identity has been stolen and some lovely Ohioan has gone on an $800 Best Buy shopping spree in my name. But that's another story for another time.

What a Monday.