happy weekend

We have, since we moved into our home, had a few one word household commitments posted on the chalk board we made in our kitchen. Recently, we decided to be more specific. We sat down together and talked about what we want to embrace in our home and in our lives...this is the list we came up with. It should be noted that "eat donuts" is a reference to playing and having fun. This is a great activity for rainy Sunday afternoon. Have a lovely weekend, my dears and think about what your commitments are, share them if you like...xo

fall

There are some places in the country where it's cool, clear and dry right now. You can hear the leaves crunch under your feet when you walk and thick tights under skirts with wool sweaters are in order. In Juneau, it's pouring down rain and blowing 50 and even though we love it here, on days like this, I dream of crunchy leaves and pumpkin patches. Here is a pictures of a pile of wood I took when we were back east last fall, walking through a colorful field with our friend Kenn, in Rhode Island. The colors remind me of that lovely fall weather I am talking about and a great walk with two of my favorite people and two of my favorite dogs. Here's hoping for early snow...

photo via tidbits

textures

I love the textures in this space. Wood elements, leather, cozy blankets. The giant cow photo is fantastic, as are the chairs around that rustic dining room table. The space is modern with a age. Love it.

a colorful home in sweden

I love this place! It's cheery and open and filled with light. I especially love the dining room chairs and floor, the bedroom, and the yellow bench in the entry way. So fun! Happy Monday, my dears. Cheers to a very good week.

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happy weekend

I get home tonight after traveling for a week for work. I am looking forward to spending some time with my little family, including this precious little pup and our new chicken additions, as of last week! I will post some pictures of their beautiful little selves next week. Have a wonderful weekend and don't forget to say I love you. xo

photo via tidbits

aaaahhhh

How beautiful and relaxing does this look? Check out those stone floors. I'd like to be soaking in that tub right about now. Totally divine.

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ooo la la

Love this space! Check out those floors and great textures everywhere...

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for asher mack and daschel noa

In the past couple of weeks, many of us have been overwhelmed by sad news and more just seems to be coming in our little southeast towns. In the midst of all of this, two of my dearest friends became parents - one a mom for the second time and one a dad for the first time - in light of this very happy news, I wanted to share this quote from the late, creative and brilliant, Steve Jobs. My hope for both of these two, now tiny baby boys, is that they experience life to the fullest and know true joy and true love in all its forms.

the loss of a matriarch

My tiny home town lost a matriarch this week. Although Gustavus has grown to a year-round population of nearly 500 people, when I was very young, there were less than 100 people in its entirety. Sally Lesh was one of those people, and she was one of those people until Monday night when she died quietly in her sleep at her home. She was nearly 91 years old.

Sally taught me to milk a cow and she helped teach me to read. She taught me that no matter your age, you can always have fun. And she helped teach me what it means to be part of a community. As an adult when I would see Sally, she would beam at me with her beautiful smile and say "Oh, Jorden! Wonderful! How are you?" We'd share a hug and catch up. I don't get to make it to Gustavus as much as I'd like anymore, so I didn't see Sally often in these past years, but every time I did, I felt such a deep connection to her.

For those of us who grew up in Gustavus back then, Sally and a few other women - including Ritabelle, who we lost less than a year ago - have become a part of our fiber. A part of our heritage, even though we were not related by blood. These were tough women. Smart women. Capable and caring women. They were women who believed in community, helping your neighbor and not mincing words. I cannot imagine that I will ever be as strong of a woman as these women were, but I can say that they have profoundly influenced my life.

Several years ago, after Sally completed her last book, she had a signing here in Juneau. I went out to see her, congratulate her, and get her new book. She signed it for me and as I was walking out of the store, I opened the book and Sally had written "I remember the day and minute you learned to read. What a discovery!" I cried.

There are many gifts that I know came into my life simply because I had the good fortune to be raised in Gustavus. Sitting on Sally Lesh's lap, learning to read in her little house by the river, was one of those gifts. Thank you, Sally. We will miss you.

photo via tidbits

a cool bathroom

I think this bathroom sink area is super cool. Love the wood, the stone, the ceramic, and the mirrors all together. I also think the warm lighting makes the space feel that way, which given the combination of elements, is not necessarily an easy thing to do. Love it!

via au coin du monde

a cute kitchen

Happy Monday. My apologies for only posting twice last week, we were having internet issues at our house, but thanks to my brilliant husband, the problem has been solved. So, we're back! I think this is such a cute kitchen. This is the kitchen of Deborah, the author of the fisherman's cottage, a blog that she writes from her home on the east coast of England. I think she does a beautiful job re-purposing dressers, cabinets and tables (among other things) to make a cheery romantic space, with a lot of history. Check it out.

via the fisherman's cottage

for my friend Helen

I recently learned that my friend Helen died of complications from breast cancer, a battle she had been fighting for a long time.

I met Helen in my late teens, when she moved to my home town. She was in her 20's and treated me like an adult, she was kind and fun. We became friends. We exchanged letters my freshmen year of college and I remember feeling so thrilled when I would open my mail box and see a perfectly addressed letter from Helen (she had the most amazing handwriting), with news from home and words of encouragement for my path in life, at a time when I was a bit confused.

Over the years we lost touch, as happens when life speeds up and people go their separate ways. Helen got married and had a son. I finished school and moved back to Alaska. The last few years though, we saw each other often, one of the blessings of living in a small town. Every time we saw each other we would exchange a long hug and check in with each other on life. It always made me feel so good to see Helen. We would talk about how we needed to get together, take a walk etc. But, as life happens, and we are all so busy, we never did. And now, Helen is gone.

I am thankful she was a part of my life, even if it wasn't on a more regular basis. Helen was a smart, strong woman who was not afraid of a fight or a hug, traits I admired. Helen's death reminds me not to wait to spend time with someone you love. This life is fleeting. Appreciate those you love, tell them that, and make the time. In the end, none of the rest of it matters. Thank you, Helen - for always closing your eyes when we hugged and for making our short moments together so genuine.

photo via tidbits

no more dungeon

Woohoo! I finished updating our previously referred to "dungeon bathroom," over the weekend. The bathroom that had a pull cord light, now even has a light switch, thanks to my hubby. I still have a few touch up things to do (staining the curtain rod) and we want to put a new floor in eventually (I am thinking dark stained bamboo), but overall I am feeling very happy with the outcome.

We had fun picking out a light for the room from Schoolhouse Electric. The chalk board I painted on the wall using chalk board paint (a personal fave) and used a frame I bought at a second hand store and have been saving for the right project. It was decorated immediately by my 4 year old friend, Mary. I am looking forward to that being a revolving piece of art work! The jars for storage worked out great. I'll post more on those later as I think everyone should do it! Here are some before and after shots of my project...

happy monday

Here is a lovely work space to admire in honor of the new week. Can't get enough of that table and those lamps! Have a wonderful day. xo

via the style files