We're Moving!

The M family is packing up and moving from Colorado to the Chicagoland area! My husband accepted a new job there and we are looking forward to all this new adventure will bring. Justin started work in December so I've been holding down the fort here at home with the two little ones.

We've sold our house here in just 10 days, over Christmas none the less. What an amazing blessing! The kids and I just returned from IL after a house hunting trip. The week turned out a lot different than we were planning. Monday morning I came down with a ferocious stomach flu which quickly spread to my 9 mo old son E. Let me tell you, stomach bugs (and its byproducts) and hotel rooms don't mix! What a mess (literally). With no access to laundry facilities and with Mom (me) being so under the weather, my husband drove us to Michigan to my in-laws so they could help and we could wash the mountain of clothesmy son was going through every day! They were amazing. I am so blessed to have such wonderful in-laws! Even when we passed our bug along to them, they were so positive, so helpful and just so happy for the unexpected visit with the grandkids. Even with me in Michigan and Justin in IL, we found a beautiful home in Crystal Lake and things are moving along well with that process!

Here are some pics of the new house! We are so excited for all the memories and love that will be shared in this new home.

I've ALWAYS wanted a front porch!

Our back yard. With over half and acre there will be plenty of room for the kids to play!

And probably one of my favorite rooms in the house...my new office / craft room!! I can't wait for all the creations that will come out of this space.

I'll keep you all updated as things move along. In the meantime, head over to the shop to snag 20% off all ready to ship items for my moving sale! Use the coupon code "MOVEOUT20" at checkout to receive your discount. I'll be back to taking custom orders and restocking the shop once we get settled in Crystal Lake.

Fabulous Fall

(Marquette, MI)

The coming of fall stirs in me the desire for sensory fulfillment. There is so much anticipation in my soul for what delights lay just around the corner. While days here have still been hot, the midwest girl in me longs for the smell of cold earth, fallen leaves and the spiciness of baked goods; the sound of crunching leaves under my feet as summer's flourish lies scattered across every sidewalk, street, and wood; children laughing and leaping into piles of leaves; the sight of every tree lit aflame by brilliant reds, oranges and yellows, and pumpkins adorning every doorstep; the brisk chill of eminent change in the air cajoling me into sweaters, scarves and hats, and the warmth from a first lit fire of the season warming my home and my heart; and lastly the tastes of harvest's bounty fused with the sweet spices of the season, savory squashes, sweet-tart apples and warming soups and stews that lure me into the kitchen begging me to create.

I love our home here in Colorado. We will soon begin to spend more evenings with friends as holiday parties commence and I've noticed the subtle way the light playing off the mountains changes with the passing seasons.

Yet, autumn makes me long for home in ways that I do not the rest of the year. My heart pines for family, outings to cider mills, sugar from donuts lingering on your lips long after being finished, picking apples right off the tree and savoring that first bite of the season as the sweet juice runs down your fingers, and the lush canopy of trees over the streets that cocoon you into a tunnel of flames.

Most of all, fall provokes in me the sense of family, community, sharing and love like no other time of the season. There is a sense of coming together to relish in the sensory sensation autumn offers. May you delight in your own traditions and natural beauty of your surroundings, whatever they be. Happy Fall!