I can’t remember if I showed this to you yet. The first few times I looked through the rubble, I missed this little jewel. Pretty neat, huh?
Are you ever burdened by big issues and find comfort in the minutiae? Me too. Join me in my numbered list of minutiae.
1. I’m reading Abigail Adams and will soon start Edna Ferber’s novel So Big (for bookclub). I’ve been obsessed with Abigail before. She’s easy to admire. Reading about her life takes the complaining right out of me.
2. The girls and I are about 2/3’s through memorizing The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere. I found this interactive map and kinda like it.
3. I made this for dinner on Friday and it was dee-lish-us. Best guacamole I’ve ever made and ever eaten, save the one from San Antone.
4. I made this for dinner last night, in case you wondered. Really good too.
5. I’m a little obsessed with house plans. It needs to be 60 ish x 40. I like this one and this one and this one. None of which are exactly 60 x 40.
6. We’re using hardy siding and will likely use white or off white with gray or green accents. Do you have a favorite house with hardy siding you could share with me?
7. My files of house inspiration are growing quite rapidly. I wish I could define my style. I need Emily Henderson’s help with that. Or yours.
8. What’s your style in 3 phrases? Texas chic, eclectic British, southern vintage, quirky colonial, whimsical cottage? I just made all those up but my Domino decorating book tells me to define my style. It’s not as easy as it sounds. I love the book though. Now, tell me your style in three phrases and maybe I can just copy you.
9. I want my new house to have a exterior that has *depth* and demands respect with interesting layered rooms that are fun and quirky and don’t take themselves too seriously. Is this too much to ask?
10. I like this color palette for my bedroom. I just ordered some fabric swatches from Lewis and Sharon. I’m thinking dark charcoal walls that create a cozy little nest, since everything else in the house will probably be light. With the exception of a few dark doors and window frames and floors.
And this equestrian influenced room. Persimmon is my new favorite accent color because every room needs a pop of red.
11. Since the fire, I find myself in ‘hunker down’ mode. Survival mode. I even considered sending my girls to school because I was sure that I wouldn’t be able to pull myself together enough to function properly. That could still be debated 🙂 Turns out, schooling them and being with them everyday has been my salvation. After a tragedy like that, it’s hard to know what to do with yourself and your emotions. Doing school everyday has given us a structure and foundation for life. I know what I’m supposed to do everyday. One foot in front of the other. Memory work then spelling then writing then math……
It also gives us plenty of opportunities to talk through the issues that arise in the grieving process. I’m so glad I’ve kept my nose to grind. We’ve been working hard the last few weeks and we’re on track to be finished in time to take a little summer break despite the fact that we were *off* for about a month. You should hear these girls do their reciting of “The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere”. It’s really long and they gave their dad a preview last night. So cool, even with all the giggling! We’re spending the next few weeks on the American Revolution so if you have any favorite resources for this period, we’d love to hear. I’m listening to a series of Stanford lectures on this period (from iTunes university) and listening to an Issues, etc podcast featuring Dr. John Warwick Montgomery on, “Is America a Christian Nation?” Very good listening and I think you’d enjoy it. “How Christian is America?” is good too.
12. Well, I think I better get busy this morning. Before I go, check out this section of comfort food on the Food Network. {Note to self: Never blog when you’re hungry.} Hope you have a great day:)
xo,
edie
p.s. I recently discovered this gem of a song by the Avett Brothers. All My Mistakes.