The shop is open and I am slowly stocking shelves. 

 I have grand plans for holiday themed Story Girl Earrings and will be venturing into soy candles and perfume oils with lovely natural scents like campfire, early grey tea, pipe smoke, grass, hay, Christmas tree, apple cider and so many more!

Check back often and be sure to like "twenty six mermaids" on facebook for updates and promotions!

go gently + be wonderful

e.

Still Trying...

Where do I start?

Still trying to figure it out.
Still trying to make some extra money.
Still trying to find a rhythm.
Still building the chicken coop.
Still eating bad food.
Still striving to be better.

go gently + be wonderful

e.

Silas' Birthday Picnic

Lots of rain and even more last minute cancellations, but Silas' first birthday was a success!  I had envisioned us on quilts beneath the trees and lots of outdoor games, but we had finally resigned to having it all indoors.  Just as the guests began to arrive the sun peeked out and we only had to dart inside for one little rain cloud, but it was ok, for there were candles to be lit and a cake to be eaten.

All in all, it was a great celebration of our dapper man's first year!

thoughts of autumn

::my gloriously sexy husband preparing the apples for apple butter::

I love autumn.  It's true.

The wind changed; it is scented with wood smoke and leaves.

A comfortable chill climbs over the windowsill in the night and rests on bare skin.

This morning is grey and windy.

The kids and I dug potatoes, picked a few red tomatoes and a few more apples.

I think today is a good day for making potato soup, more apple butter and maybe, just maybe, some apple pie pockets.

This fall seems to hold more comfort than any other for some reason.  We had grand plans for the new house what with gardens and chickens and decorating and painting.  And though we got a small messy garden in, it didn't produce a great deal due to a lot of the nitrogen being used up to break down the sod {so says my farming father}.  I managed to get our whole upstairs painted, but the floor is still covered in a gag me orange carpet.  Oh yes, we got many things done in the midst of a move and settling, but there is so much more we want to do.

We still have not built our chicken coop nor have we acquired our laying ladies, but if you knew how much Miss Poppy loves chickens you'd see it as the tragedy it would be if we were to wait until next spring!  Besides, we'll need something to pull us out of doors when the snow blows and temperatures dip.

Yes, yes, this autumn and winter will be spent dreaming and planning!  How my heart aches to know what these hills will look painted with fall's colours and to feel the hot heat of the wood stove.  We will hunker down with our new books and bellies full of stew to plan our yard and garden.

Our dream is to have a yard full of veggies, fruits, herbs, and wildflowers.  We will plan what we need to make it through a winter eating our own food, make mistakes, and try again the next year.  

It is such a joy to make your own butter.
There seems to be nothing gradual about it; it just turns from frothy cream to a lovely lump of yellow butter.
It's beautiful thing.

::making granola::

::Our chicken girl at Nana + Grampa's:

Plan, plant, dry, preserve + eat.

Indeed.  

Autumn is in the wind.

go gently + be wonderful

e.

story girl earrings

*tiny romantic tales hanging delicately from your lobes*

::blue lace::

She wore slender blue lace in the dim light of her apartment.  The record player sang a song of romance as her long fingers carefully placed the unruly ringlets falling from their bun.

Just moments before they had been tangled limbs and linen as the voices drifted up from the sidewalk below.  Together they told stories of bravery + beauty.

::water droplets::

You crack a glass.

“Sorry” you say...

Liquid runs through pages of books.

Amused,

I want nothing to be dry.

{m.m.} 

::lichen::

With a good book and apple in hand she made her way to her favourite rock.  She loved to run her hands over the intricate lace pattern of lichen covering its surface.

It sat beneath a tall pine and there, all around her, was the land and house she loved so much.

She was home.

 ::lilac morning::

Eager barefeet stretch to reach warm slice of sunlight on the floor as the sweet scent of lilacs waltzes over her window sill.

Lilacs remind us that, as sure as the seasons come and go, this too shall pass and the next moment has endless potential for hope, rebirth and beauty.

::moon hearts::

Sliced with care, she finally knew what the moon’s heart looked like...

Now, with them hanging delicately from her lobes she knew her feminine power...for a woman’s power lies in her gentleness.

go gently + be wonderful

e.

this moment...

{this moment}

A Friday ritual {always} inspired by Soule Mama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

go gently + be wonderful

e.

The Simple Life Series

 

Sometimes we need beautiful reminders to gently set us back on our path.

I have been working on this new series of photographs.  I've paired my photos with good words to encourage the simple, boundless life.

A unique piece of art for your wall or inspiration wall.
A meaningful gift.

They will be signed and packed with love into a clear plastic sleeve with a 9" x 12" white backing for added protection.

You can view the full series here.
These will be available at the 2011 Peterborough Folk Festival.



go gently + be wonderful

e.