Belated Four Year Wedding Anniversary Photos


Pictures from our four year wedding anniversary shoot. 

I know, they're being posted quite behind schedule. But, we haven't taken our fifth year photos yet. So, I think they can slide. 

Speaking of slides....

These pictures were taken at the park a few blocks away from our home.



 All pictures captured by the lovely Beth Wilson. 

Paper Doll Bridal Shower Invites


I designed these paper doll invites for a friend's bachelorette party a while ago (modified from this 1957 Barbie paper doll set), but through a series of unfortunate events they weren't able to be used. 

I thought I'd make the pdf available here so that another hostess might be able to modify them for her shower. 


To ward-off confusion, the bride and groom's name are to be added before and after the "&." 

Also, when you click the below link, to view the pdf, the bride looks washed-out. Once downloaded, the quality is as pictured above. 


Bat Light Garland DIY


My decorating for Halloween is standardly pretty tame. I'm very sensitive to "scary" (never have, never will watch a horror film) and tend to stick with pumpkins and gourds this time of year. A few months back I found the above lithograph print and my heart skipped a little. 

Witches, ghosts, blood? 
Uh-uh. 

But bats? 
Cute.  

Inspired by Cakies' black cats, I cut out paper bats, punched stars for eyes, and pulled twinkle lights through.  Here is a Bat Template pdf I created if you'd like to have your own house full of bats!

Preparation of the Bride

A weekend ago I dressed in a breezy petal gown and stood, roses in hand, alongside this golden couple proclaiming their "I do's." 

The worshipful ceremony brought to mind how I, and we who are followers of Christ, are being prepared as the Bride of Christ. 

We will be spotless - pure - cleansed of all our darkness. 

How I look with joy to that day's coming. 

Fore & Aft



The turn in weather has me recollecting on sweet summer gone.

I pulled up a few reminders of our time aboard Carnival a few months back. The Bahamian cruise was a surprise gift from a family in our church...I know: amazing. Their incredible generosity and thoughtfulness blew us out of the water. Or, quite literally, into the water. 

Though I am eager for the festivities of autumn there is a part of me that wants to linger in the vibrant warmth of the days in these pictures. 

But it is:
brisk autumn fore 
&
bright summer aft

Northern Michigan: Water + Earth

water...


earth...



Isn't my grandma lovely in that first picture? We brought our swimsuits with us on the trip to swim those gray lake waters, but the weekend took a chilly turn. The day we walked the port there were little kids splashing nearby. That is what you call dedication to having fun. 

Knaebe's Apple Farm was the darlingest spot to feed animals and have imaginary adventures with my little cousins! A bit of earth perfection boasting the best of coming autumn. 

Northern Michigan: Cabin + Farm



Labor Day spent snuggly in my uncle's cabin in Northern Michigan. 

Crisp mornings: fresh eggs, sausage, and pancakes drizzled with sweet tapped syrup straight from my uncle's maples. 

Crisp nights: venison charred over the fire, peach cobbler, and marshmallows as big as your fist.

hammock
wildflowers
bonfire
birch trees

and those stars...


When in Chicago: Eat!



So much deliciousness crammed into one weekend! 

and about these mussels looking so gorgeously innocent....

celebrating our five year anniversary at Bistro Voltaire I encouraged Zade more than once to scoop up the buttery wine sauce into the shells of these delicacies. Another course down the road I looked down at my beautiful, silk dress to realize I'd enjoyed the sauce a little too much!  I am following in the footsteps of my grandma who always manages to walk away from a meal with a little to-go.

What are your favorite eats in Chicago?

Our Tattoo


"You have made known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence
with eternal pleasures at your right hand" 
Psalm 16:11 

When I was young my family did a fair amount of hiking particularly on the Appalachian Trail. Arrows and paint blazes marked the trail. 

On our five year anniversary this past weekend Zade and I chose to be tattooed with an arrow on our feet, signifying how Christ has made known to us the true path of life and how we are walking this together. 

Tattoo by the charming Sean Adams at Speakeasy Custom Tattoo in Chicago.