Maple Sugar

My hydrangeas

No, not really. (But aren't they coming along?)

The truth is, I need a little break. I have a lot going on right now, and all of a sudden! So, sorry Dorie, and sorry whoever else. I'll be back in about a week, and with news (I promise!)

xoxo

Rebekka

Structure and Solitude

 Some very exciting things may be happening around here that I can't wait to tell you about. This may just be the quiet before the storm!

sweet

This weekend...cofee in bed, with books. This morning...found out one of my best friends is moving back to Nashville. Thank goodness. This afternoon...working on the carrot cake for tomorrow.

Life is pretty sweet right now.

New House!.....finally.

So after about a week and a half of moving and several days of waiting for cable Internet to be installed, here I finally am! I have missed blogging so much and hope to fall seamlessly back into the routine. I have missed all of my blog friends, although I have been sneaking glimpses of yours here and there, and at the Library. We love our new little house. We are happier to be here than we can explain.

Our kitchen is very black and white, which is excellent. Our oven is at least fifty years old, and works like a charm. It's quite a piece of work, actually...I have never seen one like it and neither has my mother-in-law. I love it.

I think it's kind of embarrassing to post pictures of your bathroom online, right? This will most likely be the last you'll see of it, unless I paint it, because check out how PURPLE it is! I was scared at first, but it's starting to grow on me. All of the fixtures are from Restoration Hardware and are so nice, and the black and white tile is adorable.

Oh, and our yard! The first one we've really had. Our landlord has planted an absolute bounty of flowering plants that I can't wait for, and we are already dreaming about backyard picnic parties and slip-and-slides. We are actually in East Nashville now, which I love because it's very close to downtown but can feel like you're in the country. Actually, you can expect to hear a lot about how much and why I love East Nashville, but I will save all that for another post. Because, right now, I have to go start on Easter Dinner. Happy Easter friends!

I'm so glad to be back.

Vendela

May I present the loveliest rose of them all: The Vendela. These are what my bridesmaids carried. I am always so shocked and grateful to come across them, it happens so rarely. I found them a couple of days ago at Fresh Market of all places.

But I could gush about these for hours. The photo, of course, does not do them justice. These roses are creamy ivory, but with a sherbert-y pink glow that comes from within and is so subtle you wonder if you're imagining it.

Totally in love,
Rebekka

Hibernate in '08

Home from work, taken a very indulgent bath, in pajamas at 3:30, ready to veg out. I am still recovering from everything that went on at our house this holiday season. It was beautiful and wonderful and fun, but I've never been so ready for a long winter's nap. Stockpot on the stove...it smells delicious. Do ya'll make stock? I make it all the time, especially chicken stock. Plus, folks, it is good for you, containing minerals and gelatin from the bones that your body can easily absorb. "Good broth can resurrect the dead", the South American proverb says. This month's Martha Stewart Living has a great article about poaching and how zen it is...I was looking into the stockpot a while ago thinking that stock making has to be the zennest of all. I simmer it for 12 hours.

So, best thrift find of the month: mirror-top bar cart, $24.

!!!

I have been wanting one of these for so long, and I'm very, very glad I held out until now. This thing is classy. Makes me wanna have a party. Too bad I can't, because I'm burnt out of entertaining for now. That's okay. Once I've slept, embroidered, zen-stocked, place-mat sewed, scarf-crocheted, TV movied, and napped the winter away I'll throw a cocktail party that will knock your socks off!

Tree time

So here she is, our sweet little tree. On top of the rooster, our loving nickname for my dream car, the '91 Volvo 240 wagon. Literally, my dream car. We bought this car a few months ago to deliver wedding cakes. Oh, well. I love this car.

This is Steve, our roomate. Yes, ladies, he is single. I know, he is a cutie.

I'm so bummed out that I missed Kathleen's ornament swap this year. I got the most beautiful ornaments last year...this was my favorite. I don't even know who made it now. Are you out there...could you perhaps be reading this? If you are, I love it love it.

And I love these Christopher Radko ornaments...I really want to start collecting them. They are so beautiful, and so expensive. I'm fine with the knockoffs too...I'm actually not sure if this is one or not...it was given to me by the sweet family I babysat for last year. I love them...so classic. We're getting in the spirit now buddy!

Spice jars, finally

I have been wanting to do this for so very, very long. The hardest part, I would imagine, would be tracking down the jars. I had a set of glass spice jars already, and I just emptied all the old spices and washed them.

I love glass. I hate plastic. It's not even an environmental thing...glass is beautiful, and real. I wish I could buy everything in bulk...everything...shampoo, soap, paint...and store it all in glass containers. Maybe I can! Although that sounds really extreme :)

(You can get the template here.)