It's Christmas Tide

I hope you all are enjoying your winter so far.  The tree is up and of course, the cats are curious.  I was so happy to try out my fireplace!  It adds to the vintage nineteenth-century feel of my home, which is what I was going for.  

Christmas is a season of praise and thanksgiving.  The time prior to Christmas is referred to as Advent.  The liturgical season of Advent marks the time of spiritual preparation by the faithful before Christmas.  The historical origins of Advent are hard to determine with great precision. In its earliest form, beginning in France, Advent was a period of preparation for the Feast of the Epiphany, a day when converts were baptized.  As you travel through this season, do random acts of kindness. Sit. Reflect. 

A New Place

I can't believe it's been almost a year since I moved to the Dallas area.  It's been an adventure exploring new areas and new ideas.  Temperatures are more extreme than Houston {hots are hotter, colds are colder}.

I was so happy to discover this hidden gem of an apartment in my same neighborhood.  They were built in the 1970s...{older places just have more character, don't you agree?}
I waited for the right unit to open up...top floor, wooded view, fireplace. And sure enough, it did!

Many times {I included} find it difficult to be patient.  Many of us have the mentality that everything should be "microwaved" in to existence on our terms....we want it now.  But when we wait, and when we reflect on what we really truly desire, then, more often than not, we receive even more good things than we wished for!  King David waited almost thirty years before he was crowned...that's a lifetime of shepherding.
These are some quick iPhone snapshots...

I can't wait to use the fireplace! {About five more months until it gets cool...again...waiting}

The cats came right out and embraced their new surrounding with open paws

Annabel kept smelling this area of the fireplace...what could be in there!?

I found this kerosene lamp for only $5!  Doesn't it give the place a French atelier feel?  Or perhaps a New England seaside cottage?

Spring Colors

Okay, maybe spring has not completely sprung just yet {low 30s for Dallas today} but we can still enjoy the colors that spring has to offer.  You can find spring colors anywhere...even in your own home; just take the time to look.  Where are your spring colors?

Here is a spring poem written by a child...it's simple, and honest.

Spring is here,

Spring is here,

Goodbye snow,

Flowers grow.

Birds and bees,

Leaves on trees,

Spring is here,

Spring is here.

Spring colors on my music

Spring colors in my book

Spring colors on my coffee

Spring colors on my food...

I made fish tacos the past two days.  I tried it with tilapia and then catfish...definitely liked tilapia better.  Here's the recipe...let me know I you decide to try it!

-blacked tilapia

-diced organic tomato

-julienne red cabbage

-organic avocado 

-chopped cilantro 

-creme fraiche

-white corn tortillas

-blue corn chips

-lime and orange to garnish

These coffee stickers were from a place I used to frequent back in 2004 called Diedrich Coffee 

{it was a small chain} and they truly believed in the art of coffee.  Not only was their selection of coffee from all over the world, it was a wonderful place to sit and read for hours on end. Sadly, they were bought by Green Mountain in 2006 and all stores were either re-branded or closed down.  I was so happy to have saved this bit of ephemera.

Cat Postcard

Happy Easter!!
Browsing the antique stores here in town last weekend, I came across a vintage postcard from the 1950s.  I was able to scan it and create my own fun postcard to give to friends and family.

Look at the artistic detail and thought that was put into creating this masterpiece.  And I LOVE the name of the airline!  Air travel like this is a thing of the past.  But this piece of unique nostalgia is a reminder of how it used to be.   

I created a vintage look to the back of the card with a Western font.

Then I decorated a glassine bag with stamps and washi tape.  I think it makes a great gift in of itself!  Perhaps for a going away party or a honeymoon?  What do you think?

Have a blessed week,

Chris

Calling Cards

Calling cards were first introduced in France in the early 1800’s and caught on throughout Europe and America as an important social craze. The height of the popularity of the calling card era coincides with the reign of the Victorian Era.


I created this replica of Baby's First Steps once used as the perfect gift for any parent or guardian who wished to preserve the memory of their baby's growth and progress. 



I made the sleeve from a glassine bag and added the stamps and ornaments myself.



I also created one for baby's first tooth.  



And on the back, there's a spot for baby's name and date of the event.  Enjoy!

Magnolia Market/Cotton Palace B&B

It was such a joy to spend some time in Waco, TX this past week, {less than a two hour drive for me} before the Spring Breakers arrived.  

I spent all of Thursday {March 8th} at the Magnolia Market, which has been put on the international map.  Despite its commercial success, I was perfectly content just people watching while sitting on a beanbag chair at the main lawn.  I also made it through the Silos Bakery {there was a line out the door} and enjoyed a Food Truck hamburger.  If you ever decide to visit, I would suggest going on a weekday off-season {It's still crowded then}. 

I had spent some time in Waco in the past and the city has really turned around for the better...it's not perfect but it has a lot of potential. Enjoy!

These old silos are the landmark here at the market.

The temperature was a perfect 73 degrees F.

The popular Silos bakery with all of JoAnn's original recipes.

At the bakery, I got the last Lemon Lavender and a Carrot Cake!

*  *  *

I arrived at the Cotton Palace Bed and Breakfast located on Austin Street about a mile from the Magnolia Market and walking distance to the antique stores. 

Cotton was king in this part of Texas back in the 1800s. When Stephen F. Austin led the first Anglo-American settlers into Texas including areas along the Brazos River, they brought with them their strong agricultural tradition based on cotton-growing.

This charming house is over 100 years old and still retains that vintage but modern Victorian charm.

The Cotton Palace B&B, 1910 Austin Street, Waco, TX.

I stayed in Mae's Attic and got the entire third floor to myself!

 Reading nook #1

 Reading nook #2

 Reading nook #3

Enjoying my cupcake all by myself on the living room sofa before writing a journal entry {Don't forget to write in your journals!}

This rabbit was my favorite piece in the house...I was fascinated by it for some reason.

The house did not have resident cat but one of the antique shops did!  He sat at the door greeting the customers as they walked in.

                      Have a blessed weekend!

Spring has Sprung

The 'ol cliche?  Well, perhaps, but I believe it's still a good line especially when the weather is severe clear and 70 degrees!  It's no doubt, much of the lower forty-eight experienced a brutal winter, even in the south.  Record lows were broken as was snow and ice.
{But do not fret!}
Warmer temps are on the horizon and many {perhaps you} will be taking some much needed vacay or at least some time to enjoy the outdoors.

Here are a few of my favorite items that I dusted off and prepared for travel...perhaps they will give you some ideas on what to take for your journey...

-Gingham shirt, baby blue
-Lace-up sandals, tan
-Skinny jeans, white
-Adjustable belt, navy
-Ivy-league cap, tan
-Favorite magazine
-Favorite book
-Bookmark
-Reading glasses

Vacation {or just time to yourself} is a great way to reflect on the past season. Ask yourself these questions for journaling ideas...

-What did you like{or dislike}about winter?
-Did you try anything new?
-What did you struggle with the most?
-Did you commit a random act of kindness?
-How can you better yourself?

Don't forget, no one is perfect {and we don't have to be}.
Just remember to always do your best...to me, that's success.

Packed and ready to go!  Where will your journey take you?

Happy New Year and New Piece

Happy New Year everyone!

It's been six months since I moved to Dallas and I'm just now starting to feel "settled in"...at least enough to begin working on paper crafting, photography, and even pleasure reading (which I haven't had time to do in years!)
I hope you all are having a great 2018 and with you many blessings.

I put together this vintage-inspired postcard scanned from the actual postcard I have here at home. There is no date but I gather it was from the 1940s or perhaps 1950s. (Rue, maybe you can confirm this?)

It was a challenge to get the back of the postcard lined correctly in the printer.

Then I included a glassine bag, added washi tape and twine, then stamped and added lace and a quote.

The cats were worn out after chasing every piece of string

Meow!