Chicago in the fall - a weekend getaway

Big city, tall skyscrapers, the sound of trains across the tracks, pigeons fluttering along the sidewalks, and tree branches losing their remaining red and golden leaves. The air brisk and a bit more cold with the strong winds blowing. 

Farm days from a summer long ago and slow cooked meals

My favorite summer was spent on the grounds of my Oma and Opa's farmhouse in Rosenhof, Germany. I can still remember riding my bike down the long lane leading up to their home, while trying to avoid swallowing the little

Why traditions matter...my reflection during this holiday season

I've been thinking about traditions lately as Christmas approaches. Although traditions are carried out throughout the year, they seem to be much more prevalent during the holiday season. For me, Christmas was the bringing together

Slow weekend morning...a photo journal

I love rainy weekends, because it takes a little bit longer for the light to seep through the bedroom blinds. On cloudy days, it feels a bit colder indoors and the 7:30 alarm undergoes the snooze button at least five times. Once out of bed,

Rainy days and vulnerability

Grey, rainy days are best spent indoors, bundled up, with the blinds open, and a good book in hand. This weekend's forecast is all gloom and thunderstorms...aka what I consider to be happy weather! Currently I'm all about

Feeling Parisian...my 5 favorite Paris books

I haven't experienced the dreaminess of Paris yet, but I have experienced a glimpse of it vicariously through books, blogs, and pinterest. And the more I read about it, the more I am fascinated by its history, architecture, art, and

Declutter and simplify

During each season, I find it important to spend some time decluttering. We shouldn't have to wait for spring cleaning to come around. I naturally tend to get rid of things monthly, sometimes every other week, because I begin