One of the most beautiful parts of living in Japan has been learning Ikebana, the traditional Japanese art of flower arranging. I’ve been taking classes since arriving here, and it’s become one of the most peaceful and rewarding parts of my week. It’s not just about arranging flowers—it’s a practice in intention, balance, and creativity …
You know those experiences that just feel magical from the start? Making bamboo lanterns in a bamboo grove about an hour outside of Tokyo was exactly that. It’s one of those hands-on, totally memorable workshops that’s worth carving out a half-day for—especially if you love crafts, nature, and a little bit of a challenge. What …
Now that we are homeowners in the panhandle of Florida we have been in non-stop project mode. So much so that writing and nearly everything else fell by the wayside. Things have calmed down just a bit and I’m excited to share with you the projects that we’ve been doing around the house. I of …
I’ve done a lot of different craft projects, but never dared to take on something like repainting furniture. My friend Amber, who writes at Poole It Together, is a pro and guided me through the whole process. In fact, Amber and I got so into refinishing stuff that we joked about one day opening a …
We set aside our normal schedule over the holidays to embrace all sorts of Christmas fun! Here is a peek into our our holiday season fun.
I’ve been really into lighting this move. (It always seems like I get obsessed with something when I’m settling into a house.) I think because everything in the house felt dated I felt like changing out some lighting could make a huge difference in the feel of the house. I had it in my head …
Rock painting seamlessly blended together my love of all things crafting with my love of exploring wherever we find ourselves. It is a treasure hunt that also teaches the value of being kind to others. It also seemed manageable. It was something we could all do. That was all I needed to collect all the …
We love a good road trip! When it makes sense to drive we like to take advantage of the freedom that comes with driving and we explore off the beaten path. The hard part is keeping everyone entertained on longer drive days. The kids keep themselves busy with toys and books. We throw on audio …
One fall weekend each year, Royal Delft opens its doors to the community for Delft Blue Days. During Delft Blue Days admission to the Royal Delft factory is free (typically €13.50) and they host a variety of activities for adults and children. My dear friend Julia made sure we had it on our calendars this …
By all accounts the Netherlands summer has been short-lived. (See this DutchNews.nl article.) We had several nice warm days early on and then the rain came and stayed. This week the sun came out and temperatures were in the 70’s and everything is green. Not quite summer. Not quite fall. Combine that with our new 34 …