tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-361247662024-03-17T23:03:35.322-04:00The Cottage NestJen Kershnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128661586028201160noreply@blogger.comBlogger972125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-56642960431327820802024-01-01T09:08:00.004-05:002024-01-01T09:50:31.264-05:00These Sacred Days<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikT-9m74aiTbZakzAsnmGFnJsFFAt9QRUN40fPUa8EE9dFxxBmMacetWFpF-0ZYhnixC6TfXQfktSZULefHJa5eYGlr0ndVYs0KDCWszhrSFV_3w0mUDabUlUeL8aPcT7Z2QiLdJowhGa0leRh55sFF2dGqSZh4mfJrg200yD1Bc8gju1SbcZnpg/s640/IMG_2587.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikT-9m74aiTbZakzAsnmGFnJsFFAt9QRUN40fPUa8EE9dFxxBmMacetWFpF-0ZYhnixC6TfXQfktSZULefHJa5eYGlr0ndVYs0KDCWszhrSFV_3w0mUDabUlUeL8aPcT7Z2QiLdJowhGa0leRh55sFF2dGqSZh4mfJrg200yD1Bc8gju1SbcZnpg/w480-h640/IMG_2587.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div>Hello you with the gentle spirit in a hard world. How about if this year you hold some sacred space for yourself? How about if this year you vow to carve out time to rest, to feed your spirit, to replenish your soul?<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifprEg_YzF7iVIPFk57uUEn6guSJ4Y_dywsJQ0QfhC_q7T324-1B-meMju-_wwnb0ZOpH9UOQPKSFC-sfjWFLmzEqwNF0kXBf0YHWRGgll22znhMnxXv1WKiBvD2ZqT3HuYsDEzsJatvp8Z9P2ADND6zleJ_yoDeIK00XiV8_LzgBlf_OAjUu4Vw/s640/IMG_2776.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifprEg_YzF7iVIPFk57uUEn6guSJ4Y_dywsJQ0QfhC_q7T324-1B-meMju-_wwnb0ZOpH9UOQPKSFC-sfjWFLmzEqwNF0kXBf0YHWRGgll22znhMnxXv1WKiBvD2ZqT3HuYsDEzsJatvp8Z9P2ADND6zleJ_yoDeIK00XiV8_LzgBlf_OAjUu4Vw/w480-h640/IMG_2776.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Hello you who is a caregiver, a friend, a manager, a business owner, a planner, a volunteer, a parent, an employee, a person who gives so much to those around you. How about if this year you start giving a little bit of that energy back to yourself so that you can serve those around you with a glad spirit rather than maybe feeling resentful and stressed?</div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7n33Ro2sKf4TTwSSlgg7F426MpLVLLzRccR3xE1OcfUVprTSxc0_HVEoQKMdR36faOs_PUKMGdhOzUAGq-FWKqv8KFx9CYofBtnWen02vzTEpN885Wo2jB-XMSyo8PE_tAQfTQBJkR3P2lQxwGJT_S5OZF130TokUm5bGbemezLGMnjau92kfsg/s640/IMG_2780.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7n33Ro2sKf4TTwSSlgg7F426MpLVLLzRccR3xE1OcfUVprTSxc0_HVEoQKMdR36faOs_PUKMGdhOzUAGq-FWKqv8KFx9CYofBtnWen02vzTEpN885Wo2jB-XMSyo8PE_tAQfTQBJkR3P2lQxwGJT_S5OZF130TokUm5bGbemezLGMnjau92kfsg/w480-h640/IMG_2780.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>How about if this year you make space in your life for a sacred day or afternoon or hour? </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLeMaGegyEQcfkd0sqhwNGYvpl_QuzFEGIxtP-aaap84U0yXbqaJbFMpwPOGqaMFHfxQv0YAoEhOg6inUuoP8anaZTVl7gjgYA_Bt5xcFs73OLrKJqxfSGCsgSq70AU0gY-QNGtSlPnwtKaelPOIlBShvYxOJI2x5ECjIiuBYZUl94yYa0mHHUDg/s640/IMG_2788.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLeMaGegyEQcfkd0sqhwNGYvpl_QuzFEGIxtP-aaap84U0yXbqaJbFMpwPOGqaMFHfxQv0YAoEhOg6inUuoP8anaZTVl7gjgYA_Bt5xcFs73OLrKJqxfSGCsgSq70AU0gY-QNGtSlPnwtKaelPOIlBShvYxOJI2x5ECjIiuBYZUl94yYa0mHHUDg/w480-h640/IMG_2788.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>What if you got up a little early or stayed up a little late? What if you told the people in your house and life, that on Sunday afternoon you will be doing something just for you? Or if your life allows it, what if you join me on Wednesdays, or chose Fridays or every 3rd Tuesday, to do whatever it is that makes your soul take flight? <i>When</i> you do it doesn't matter. <i>That</i> you do it, makes all the difference.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDm_-84FIgj7nLtSnZbax_bX_vF1vU8u_plWmMywgiT0J9WvYlpJcQlCOy1wV9mfJbFMhkoM4L7DqbjMz9O-In3D7a7xqqk6tZGh0SOhZ7QqtJUoi1etHd1mDRjGWv4tB3Dj6gwVdycoizv7UW21y4EcHRO5cIIB-4r5dJHfBFx4-EvGyu9BznXQ/s640/IMG_2829.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDm_-84FIgj7nLtSnZbax_bX_vF1vU8u_plWmMywgiT0J9WvYlpJcQlCOy1wV9mfJbFMhkoM4L7DqbjMz9O-In3D7a7xqqk6tZGh0SOhZ7QqtJUoi1etHd1mDRjGWv4tB3Dj6gwVdycoizv7UW21y4EcHRO5cIIB-4r5dJHfBFx4-EvGyu9BznXQ/w480-h640/IMG_2829.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>What if today you promised to take better care of yourself by doing what makes you happy? That is your job and nobody else’s. What if you stopped waiting for someone else to do it?</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoAKCUhHqXGT4C-7l1J-XFPcG9X_44avz1pnqpn0nRv-R_ktMIC7c7OUU4F8hvMcAsa9jmGyMp0FV8VW4nflQbV1pl-s3rGNM5DygOaGy_B2LQM8PpB1r6ekiISe_H0yoh53YZHaW4czaBIvzPLIoaRMnMJOic9hV8w7mvDtapEzckxHpTaxclXA/s640/IMG_2835.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoAKCUhHqXGT4C-7l1J-XFPcG9X_44avz1pnqpn0nRv-R_ktMIC7c7OUU4F8hvMcAsa9jmGyMp0FV8VW4nflQbV1pl-s3rGNM5DygOaGy_B2LQM8PpB1r6ekiISe_H0yoh53YZHaW4czaBIvzPLIoaRMnMJOic9hV8w7mvDtapEzckxHpTaxclXA/w480-h640/IMG_2835.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>What if you did this very small, but not small at all thing for yourself?</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHNsZoZwPmR3xImmhHoeQQcBkOdDG9k4bTjXFUV5eSDe-c3wPV8m0wdnjR7K2ykNNSs89vqv_c61YfYBJP1avrQHj8xsn4d9rdKes6JJjsg_TlY3N1tYkUxvcPc7Z7bUenMVATvhLC7LJcgZeISZi1sJ1LmcFxPwOCI0Gw0qR_fTJ7JpNlinxEg/s640/IMG_3116.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHNsZoZwPmR3xImmhHoeQQcBkOdDG9k4bTjXFUV5eSDe-c3wPV8m0wdnjR7K2ykNNSs89vqv_c61YfYBJP1avrQHj8xsn4d9rdKes6JJjsg_TlY3N1tYkUxvcPc7Z7bUenMVATvhLC7LJcgZeISZi1sJ1LmcFxPwOCI0Gw0qR_fTJ7JpNlinxEg/w480-h640/IMG_3116.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Start where you are and do what you can according to the stage of life you are in right now. Spend your time guilt free doing something creative or practicing yoga, napping, writing, reading or staring out a window, daydreaming, baking bread, meditating or tending your garden...anything you want to do for the sheer sake of enjoyment and not because it needs to be done.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkhb50ocn65q652sQkUNOmnKUd9iJskbZNFwgx79uhLXiL6fMJEzsX9Ln9j6EseEDN0VCKaylpwJVSESpVdmV_-QmtgtwOPlsGiCw1YIeJeFlIeOhx6yUunZ97X4toBlCqwuiES-z4RBhKanN-3GkEcVbvzYSQHuRicVTDfEHEEEUDCAS_H45buQ/s640/IMG_3121.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="504" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkhb50ocn65q652sQkUNOmnKUd9iJskbZNFwgx79uhLXiL6fMJEzsX9Ln9j6EseEDN0VCKaylpwJVSESpVdmV_-QmtgtwOPlsGiCw1YIeJeFlIeOhx6yUunZ97X4toBlCqwuiES-z4RBhKanN-3GkEcVbvzYSQHuRicVTDfEHEEEUDCAS_H45buQ/w504-h640/IMG_3121.jpg" width="504" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>What if you create a space for yourself that feels special whether it's a room, a desk, a cozy chair or a basket full of things that delight you?</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRiAFobV83pyHRbT8OsBzZghdP_spaFriOzf7vdl-mTvFlPwR_SdZBuhwI3yolDBeokqXeJO5lMTREwoyfVSrRbKjv6oftlO6Qp1QOSAQHdobsA_JO0vfN6CiZ7aqdZfCIb4Xp9anHhInGompcdsv6EOsdhquOvrZINDPxhi36ufRPIZWJ9oyiaw/s640/IMG_3122.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRiAFobV83pyHRbT8OsBzZghdP_spaFriOzf7vdl-mTvFlPwR_SdZBuhwI3yolDBeokqXeJO5lMTREwoyfVSrRbKjv6oftlO6Qp1QOSAQHdobsA_JO0vfN6CiZ7aqdZfCIb4Xp9anHhInGompcdsv6EOsdhquOvrZINDPxhi36ufRPIZWJ9oyiaw/w480-h640/IMG_3122.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Instead of listing all the reasons you can’t, why not list all the reasons you should fortify your spirit in difficult times? <span style="text-align: center;">This is not a selfish endeavor. This is doing the important work of nurturing your soul. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibac8S9UsXT7qb6ki_ceZBXpqL-z0-bQSy4_c1O1zyxXt42JiY-R0l5a0T6180QJFL10cyIuXwrSlgiJRXzeQFv4RD8X8d9WOG9WkPCtJT5jYNjPnMrompp43nBPHfGdwT0e7iIXIuYeTGq4uZ6DUewTBAWbwHoxgzM8NW8vRVQoE8fW7EdImOCQ/s640/IMG_3135.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibac8S9UsXT7qb6ki_ceZBXpqL-z0-bQSy4_c1O1zyxXt42JiY-R0l5a0T6180QJFL10cyIuXwrSlgiJRXzeQFv4RD8X8d9WOG9WkPCtJT5jYNjPnMrompp43nBPHfGdwT0e7iIXIuYeTGq4uZ6DUewTBAWbwHoxgzM8NW8vRVQoE8fW7EdImOCQ/w480-h640/IMG_3135.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Dear you with the weary spirit and the endless to do lists that will never go away and never be finished, what if this year you created a practice that could change the way you view your life? </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIpIZGO5g7U1o-RVILAwGFsgjIUivvLuaUgbEMur1DWEvzaA4r0EjR3oEObL8-m6YT9UN9NGbgfUdaGNfSQiLbtn8V0vz009Qi4LaomByKli2LotN7ARoLXoTQhn_Vqaq65V4ETMmz9o1Njwlt7E5wr9R_cMlyNt8f4s3mYhWCw2LpTIrkgwqjg/s640/IMG_3143.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIpIZGO5g7U1o-RVILAwGFsgjIUivvLuaUgbEMur1DWEvzaA4r0EjR3oEObL8-m6YT9UN9NGbgfUdaGNfSQiLbtn8V0vz009Qi4LaomByKli2LotN7ARoLXoTQhn_Vqaq65V4ETMmz9o1Njwlt7E5wr9R_cMlyNt8f4s3mYhWCw2LpTIrkgwqjg/w480-h640/IMG_3143.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>I hope you will. I started this practice more than 7 years ago and it has been life changing for me. It has given me comfort and peace during cancer, covid, renovations, loss and any number of very hard moments in my life. It has been the thing I look forward to every week for so long that I cannot imagine my time without it. It has deepened my creativity, gratitude and joy. I guard it fiercely and everyone around me knows that I am unavailable on my Sacred Day. I found that when I started taking myself seriously and respecting my time and energy, those around me followed suit. It has quite literally changed my life. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYoS9rA7yfiiNkjjc61iL4XATdZyTtPi5Y5lTQcnWpXTfZCZwvM3GsIzKPrmKWTUltQ8WEkmTNpNFcJvA13G6o0VWxJJ-saPOqfyxmJ8VFHCn5b5IBTM5l32S3BzaBIfRD1b5MxyT5kCNGvX8HQCJCrHuqNEKm_19IclvAmCjWzxEj5TlbKRArCA/s640/IMG_2200.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYoS9rA7yfiiNkjjc61iL4XATdZyTtPi5Y5lTQcnWpXTfZCZwvM3GsIzKPrmKWTUltQ8WEkmTNpNFcJvA13G6o0VWxJJ-saPOqfyxmJ8VFHCn5b5IBTM5l32S3BzaBIfRD1b5MxyT5kCNGvX8HQCJCrHuqNEKm_19IclvAmCjWzxEj5TlbKRArCA/w480-h640/IMG_2200.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>I plan to come back later in the week with a bit of a recap of the last 8 months but I need to muster the energy (it has been an exhausting year both mentally and physically) and I am still firmly planted in the hush of the post Christmas season where my days consist of the bare minimum of homekeeping, lots of making, reading, movie watching and pretending I'm going to make dinner only to choose leftovers or takeout instead 50% of the time. Happiest New Year! May this year be kind and gentle to all of us.</p></div>Jen Kershnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128661586028201160noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-50290006863981209902023-04-26T12:28:00.001-04:002023-04-26T13:42:11.539-04:00Village Diaries<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5zCyYmgbe4kW4w9ROhHj2Z5Ww8bAkVAF6ziQz6_7jAD71dY6m5FEZvRpw4fUoYuITfRwB-zyHgtGloBIKCjIEiU5kPrxawuy0w4IGBcKRwvKZ7pCA6k3QeYoyV6ID3cPeL7yL3fhkVGVISOXXBbBj9yTyNe6tk8uxxY_Ln-HWl1479ncMg8/s640/IMG_7394.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5zCyYmgbe4kW4w9ROhHj2Z5Ww8bAkVAF6ziQz6_7jAD71dY6m5FEZvRpw4fUoYuITfRwB-zyHgtGloBIKCjIEiU5kPrxawuy0w4IGBcKRwvKZ7pCA6k3QeYoyV6ID3cPeL7yL3fhkVGVISOXXBbBj9yTyNe6tk8uxxY_Ln-HWl1479ncMg8/w480-h640/IMG_7394.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>Hello friends. I must be honest with you. Over these last months I have felt myself feeling overwhelmed and helpless at times. This is not a new feeling and If you have read a headline this past decade or so you might understand. I realized that it's very important to limit my intake -especially of angry, screaming headlines, talking heads who benefit financially from scaring people and politicians who are money hungry and trying to gain power by wielding fear. So I've stopped and asked myself what I can do, how can I contribute in any way to make my little world better. I've decided that is just by being kind: to strangers in a store, to servers at a restaurant, to the person I'm passing on the street, to my friends, neighbors and to myself. </p><p>I wanted to pull myself out of the anxiety that I feel when I feel helpless. I got quiet. I again started noticing the beauty all around me. I started reading things that make me happy. I take walks or sit on the porch with my pup. I'm focusing on my health. I work in the garden taking time to talk to neighbors who are walking by. I notice how amazing something as simple as a bleeding heart flower is. I mean look at that. It's an actual miracle.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIg_eRa5DpVbAJyX2Rwwt1FRVdqATqpEeZR2xASWHsJ2AF0BUf2lSnltXm5unNFf7_yDJDfxBg0UAPxpVLIoNFsLhkhiMy3ZlNQpxffOUjONFZA6DKEmNUerXBMsVm5rBO72LdAfTb1ProB2hA4-nVi_ljcFIneX8bqNmIKTPdsQbinK0WeZk/s640/IMG_7460.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIg_eRa5DpVbAJyX2Rwwt1FRVdqATqpEeZR2xASWHsJ2AF0BUf2lSnltXm5unNFf7_yDJDfxBg0UAPxpVLIoNFsLhkhiMy3ZlNQpxffOUjONFZA6DKEmNUerXBMsVm5rBO72LdAfTb1ProB2hA4-nVi_ljcFIneX8bqNmIKTPdsQbinK0WeZk/w480-h640/IMG_7460.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>And then I've begun writing it down- collecting my memories of this amazing Village that has given me joy every day for the last 13 years because, I <i>want</i> to remember these simple, seemingly unimportant details about by life here. After picking up one of Gladys Taber's books about Stillmeadow, my first but definitely not my last, I was inspired to share some of it here. Maybe it will lift your spirits when you need something more gentle, to share in my Village days. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZahL1-elmLe_1I0EAQTGkRdBdOx8fS0RcG-KaBdi_qOldw1WniSTNp7ZsPuQFOlNb_TqGDV6p68ls_KDhBv1rrL2j6ZDaLmhmEq811pE5Krr3garjl1W_fMn_29V1OIgN5Os9cDG382_OeAGsYK5GUuWgx1gOvoLGPV0bRddt045wAX7pLhQ/s640/IMG_7450.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZahL1-elmLe_1I0EAQTGkRdBdOx8fS0RcG-KaBdi_qOldw1WniSTNp7ZsPuQFOlNb_TqGDV6p68ls_KDhBv1rrL2j6ZDaLmhmEq811pE5Krr3garjl1W_fMn_29V1OIgN5Os9cDG382_OeAGsYK5GUuWgx1gOvoLGPV0bRddt045wAX7pLhQ/w480-h640/IMG_7450.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p><b>Wednesday</b></p><p>Today is a beautiful day in the Village. It has warmed back up a bit, we are headed to a high of 59, but most importantly, the sun is shining brightly. One of my favorite things about living in the Village is the vast number of trees. After years of living in new neighborhoods with minimal mature trees, I recognize it for the blessing it is. As I look out the window onto Maple Street from my perch in the studio, I am drawn to the sight of the dappled light dancing on the road as a gentle wind ruffles the leaves of the trees above. </p><p>This morning I watched two squirrels play tag, round and round Don's big maple tree. This is not an unusual sight and never fails to make me smile. I am beginning to think that tag must be high on the list of a squirrel's favorite activities. Some time later I looked out to find one of those frisky squirrels having a nosey in the studio garden bed. He was unfazed by my tapping on the window to get him to look elsewhere for tasty bulbs to thieve. It took me going onto the front porch and loudly clapping my hands for him to decide to move on. I sometimes wonder what the neighbors think. I can often be found in the garden, deep in conversation with a squirrel and now it would appear that I am standing on the front porch giving them a standing ovation. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIr78wTh4EFBC14rUHR91c2fHNrSqVsnB-Al_JyxihEcgp9eN6tyvV1_ThvER5-i72AY0L5JcZXT3imlQcjsqPoOHHKUbje1QOJ6EZjGatHbCdXXJ_Ol71dFi4aJiSE1_SWxLhdNH0WUvfyT9k1IU2kYODDVp3v7YKI4ALcGHwdWkYFet9qzI/s640/IMG_7446.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIr78wTh4EFBC14rUHR91c2fHNrSqVsnB-Al_JyxihEcgp9eN6tyvV1_ThvER5-i72AY0L5JcZXT3imlQcjsqPoOHHKUbje1QOJ6EZjGatHbCdXXJ_Ol71dFi4aJiSE1_SWxLhdNH0WUvfyT9k1IU2kYODDVp3v7YKI4ALcGHwdWkYFet9qzI/w480-h640/IMG_7446.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p></p>Jen Kershnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128661586028201160noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-9429755761025189512023-02-15T15:59:00.001-05:002023-02-16T14:55:06.887-05:00Sooo Long, but Not So Long<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGv8eVn1wAyRjwNh7qNRpJ3GDXNFZ2-hReh2Sv6Vz_2srcQ3Q6MU-H-kIRDPRcusPN-wLMGn9uC_u6ze2J0rym2puGnioibjAUhYAH3StTLun_794IUE-GaXaBjS_uDBVtmLWtcFVOdS-UvPIAfpa4s8Upj82uGFmP59NCo_HHp2CR3YZExJs/s640/6FA78968-67E7-4FFA-BC34-1C3C8FB90664.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGv8eVn1wAyRjwNh7qNRpJ3GDXNFZ2-hReh2Sv6Vz_2srcQ3Q6MU-H-kIRDPRcusPN-wLMGn9uC_u6ze2J0rym2puGnioibjAUhYAH3StTLun_794IUE-GaXaBjS_uDBVtmLWtcFVOdS-UvPIAfpa4s8Upj82uGFmP59NCo_HHp2CR3YZExJs/w512-h640/6FA78968-67E7-4FFA-BC34-1C3C8FB90664.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><p>These last months have passed in a haze of unpacking, nest fluffing, entertaining, celebrating, kitchening (a word used here to describe spending as much time as possible doing whatever I can think to do to spend more time in the kitchen) and a really good amount of time in the studio. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTxraAWt5WZ_gUGIKaOTh1joHJXVpjIYdfd7ojc9nPxRQ7GMbu93XOjK8ikgdQx_V4iXF4M24c6PM2clLhlOpcOxxZJ9yD62vTZgtSK3wJgrfEAfzEqpnpRfUUXC1qeTYGVVD83JE2FORiySERM_DA5-eJaNFUtSROrk92b8KvcDT77HO3X-I/s640/IMG_6333.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTxraAWt5WZ_gUGIKaOTh1joHJXVpjIYdfd7ojc9nPxRQ7GMbu93XOjK8ikgdQx_V4iXF4M24c6PM2clLhlOpcOxxZJ9yD62vTZgtSK3wJgrfEAfzEqpnpRfUUXC1qeTYGVVD83JE2FORiySERM_DA5-eJaNFUtSROrk92b8KvcDT77HO3X-I/w480-h640/IMG_6333.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Life has been treating us really well. I believe we have seen the last of subcontractors for awhile, we are loving only paying living expenses for a single residence, we've had entire weekends given over to doing absolutely as little as possible, our new grandbaby is an absolute delight of round, cherubic perfection and we are generally just settling back into our lives.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMSzcmiFRDLUkLDnbZKLg638rFNub3V8OmZv3TgGKI8joPo3rU2qH2tJCQ629Q63LZCaOwA6f13hfUplodLF6L_2Kh52cT2zOieqb461OHXnmziaavz9NksXpDvC7HZFJf4kvXITwQPsmtc7TdN4778KL44CXXMltuOXrZdaoKy7fC54d8VBk/s640/IMG_6080.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMSzcmiFRDLUkLDnbZKLg638rFNub3V8OmZv3TgGKI8joPo3rU2qH2tJCQ629Q63LZCaOwA6f13hfUplodLF6L_2Kh52cT2zOieqb461OHXnmziaavz9NksXpDvC7HZFJf4kvXITwQPsmtc7TdN4778KL44CXXMltuOXrZdaoKy7fC54d8VBk/w480-h640/IMG_6080.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>Spring has been showing up a bit earlier in fits and starts to give us a little taste of what is ahead. I sit here in my studio, the sun streaming in and warming my hands and heart. We have had so many grey days that the sunshine and the shadows that play on the walls have become a novelty I cannot stop feeling wonder about. I get in the car to go somewhere and think what is that bright light shining in my eyes? I need sunglasses! Where are they even at? I can't recall the last time I wore them!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_qTFtN-YoED8suL2g84C34o7Rae3em6AtTVRP_EwJJ0oDr53imweuUoT0qxd5jTlLAspdv8lmbbh4H50UKGOEVx-2Q9yj5WVzDPQPhlDVZFUKj8QMHwZ8EfXf9sQGVPeoI03SSLCs8CYZtk-V491BzHwnZUWkugbe8bH7lU3pLBfIEJr7yE/s640/IMG_6163.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="445" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_qTFtN-YoED8suL2g84C34o7Rae3em6AtTVRP_EwJJ0oDr53imweuUoT0qxd5jTlLAspdv8lmbbh4H50UKGOEVx-2Q9yj5WVzDPQPhlDVZFUKj8QMHwZ8EfXf9sQGVPeoI03SSLCs8CYZtk-V491BzHwnZUWkugbe8bH7lU3pLBfIEJr7yE/w446-h640/IMG_6163.jpg" width="446" /></a></div><p>Generally, I'm spending as much of my extra time as possible making whatever I am led to make on any given day- a new journal, wax seals, practicing caligraphy, art journaling, bad paintings, slow stitching pages for my 100 day stitch project, visible mending, a colorwork sweater vest reminiscent of All Creatures Great and Small- a show which is inspiring every wardrobe choice I make these days. Also, every wardrobe choice I make for my Sweet Man. I ask myself, would Helen wear that? Would Mrs. hall? Would Jim wear that sweater? What about Tris or Siegfried? It's such a lovely and cozy world to escape into and sometimes that is what I need. And for the life of me, I cannot find much else of value to watch on television. With all of the choices out there, I find there isn't too much that appeals to me.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUKo5YFZpNt0j5_yyJ8JEtGDQIaATk1yroEYii1lBZGEYmHn81sBGvYcKeU0Y4g4_u_SpfKheyx86joHOohiOmpPAr6VXpZvLdpDWZvqh5kFPIyxvqThl4uiNxLe47PbIss-1murS361UxQjGEdU-gq_AHGj0hkpiZ5hSNxzIz9UTBydSeW1I/s640/IMG_6242.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUKo5YFZpNt0j5_yyJ8JEtGDQIaATk1yroEYii1lBZGEYmHn81sBGvYcKeU0Y4g4_u_SpfKheyx86joHOohiOmpPAr6VXpZvLdpDWZvqh5kFPIyxvqThl4uiNxLe47PbIss-1murS361UxQjGEdU-gq_AHGj0hkpiZ5hSNxzIz9UTBydSeW1I/w480-h640/IMG_6242.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>I'm just now starting to come out of the renovation fog and starting to think about next steps and doing some projects to finish up some areas that got cut because, I don't know if you know this but, everything is SO expensive right now. I'm so grateful we were able to move ahead with our project but that budget did not stretch as far as we hoped so we cut things we could do ourselves. The tricky part is finding motivation but I find that I'm starting to dream about the next layer of prettiness and while our wallets are still in a bit of a fog, we will be tackling some small things here and there this year.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhruW1ZlnoCMEl78t8RBBzIjNWUAmhqdrZPrI89wVrG8Hp8sSiJjG8OcjT69vBuYkgcePyXaW6kNevGRETbDbX09cpHtdCZ4N4BmwiyFylVDlNXiGHxu46va1Amq8R_nCiE1f9fF20z_IARa7EYPFmBz64Ji2M1twF4Tg4iYQgxJWuZrtfuZS8/s640/746CE06D-668A-41B9-B951-CAF0EED36FB1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhruW1ZlnoCMEl78t8RBBzIjNWUAmhqdrZPrI89wVrG8Hp8sSiJjG8OcjT69vBuYkgcePyXaW6kNevGRETbDbX09cpHtdCZ4N4BmwiyFylVDlNXiGHxu46va1Amq8R_nCiE1f9fF20z_IARa7EYPFmBz64Ji2M1twF4Tg4iYQgxJWuZrtfuZS8/w640-h480/746CE06D-668A-41B9-B951-CAF0EED36FB1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>Late spring and summer promise to be full of life with Emmy graduating from College and moving to Ohio for a job, a couple of fun trips on the calendar and all the fullness of Village life when the temperatures are steadily above 60. I look forward to being in the house for spring and summer and savoring all of the things we missed last year. I'm excited to get my hands in the dirt and to get to look outside to my gardens whenever I like. I'm going to porch sit like it's my job. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJW5TNRNcrh9Vk0SrGZU2Mdl2-I1ksn_bs8ICzCDe1q6MCwU8WMe-UK2cJhZDfeafsUEpXP1L9L5kW6dKyu4StYwOlxrNF-uQ7t1m8LOrQTUZwN71oxT78HV4Tdjb7PVp6CnEv_bFLFFj3FV7IqsfTnG4gXX694riKr2oWSx3D_Aq3ELE-FUA/s640/B035761B-4950-43A3-BFBC-49427CC020BE.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJW5TNRNcrh9Vk0SrGZU2Mdl2-I1ksn_bs8ICzCDe1q6MCwU8WMe-UK2cJhZDfeafsUEpXP1L9L5kW6dKyu4StYwOlxrNF-uQ7t1m8LOrQTUZwN71oxT78HV4Tdjb7PVp6CnEv_bFLFFj3FV7IqsfTnG4gXX694riKr2oWSx3D_Aq3ELE-FUA/w512-h640/B035761B-4950-43A3-BFBC-49427CC020BE.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><br />I don't know if anyone reads blogs anymore. I know I forget to. I forgot my own blog for awhile until Maddie sent me a link to one of my recipes on it today. That made me nostalgic reading about what 2014 Jen was up to. I do love recording what's going on in my life here in my little diary. Thank you for coming back and checking on me for all of these years. I've gotten so out of touch with getting my camera out but have plans to do that as well. I didn't take a single photo with it last year and am embarrassed to tell you that I forgot how to turn it on! Seriously. So as soon as I figure that out ;) I want to start seeing the world through my lens again. Until then, I hope you will kindly put up with these photos from my phone that likely have nothing to do with anything but are here purely to give you something pretty to look at while reading my drivel. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5OP0rYMWMeJCzavIw8kS44TC7B2aizFznsslhMG8Kq8MBaL7jLVI46c5fosyDFqav74Z9lHvCCejpNrbxJDD4dzwA5183AAWaam6Fgeu7aVIh292QhkJ_9-4E8iioAeaKKOpBwv7hvIaq9EYgmkPwzn0ellcNbug661XnogS_KVowugztuU/s640/IMG_6284.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5OP0rYMWMeJCzavIw8kS44TC7B2aizFznsslhMG8Kq8MBaL7jLVI46c5fosyDFqav74Z9lHvCCejpNrbxJDD4dzwA5183AAWaam6Fgeu7aVIh292QhkJ_9-4E8iioAeaKKOpBwv7hvIaq9EYgmkPwzn0ellcNbug661XnogS_KVowugztuU/w480-h640/IMG_6284.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>I hope to do a more in depth post of our house soon as well as before and after photos for all of our amusement. I even want to do a video tour and put it on youtube for anyone interested in seeing more. We had our contractor over for cocktails a couple of weeks ago and she asked if there was anything we'd do different and you know what? There is not!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwUpZqcQ0fQPMrpEvfqBcamGdgmQkw9r82zMGEHG7OizJbTd2FHh97HCSOdf_xGXMaZWI615S-mhUb56cBaVmijs1IiSSjiTdyJALOtZEN4E1vv_OSYyXUgtsyN6Ar3fr0Y56Md_N5juIB03927PaPhXaeIBQA7ELX9MmsULrO5ZEbqV9GDQg/s640/9D95D40C-41A1-4DCA-80C8-EE4EFF982CAC.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwUpZqcQ0fQPMrpEvfqBcamGdgmQkw9r82zMGEHG7OizJbTd2FHh97HCSOdf_xGXMaZWI615S-mhUb56cBaVmijs1IiSSjiTdyJALOtZEN4E1vv_OSYyXUgtsyN6Ar3fr0Y56Md_N5juIB03927PaPhXaeIBQA7ELX9MmsULrO5ZEbqV9GDQg/w512-h640/9D95D40C-41A1-4DCA-80C8-EE4EFF982CAC.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I'd love for you to say hello and tell me what you've been up to if you are so inclined. This space will always be a special place for me. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsvu0nl4uCEROKh0R-HsWQrbi9g_pkwuWnFevVhPNdhkryWwk04LJ0iCQSK5VyBfs_cC7aH1sQ9ARv49Idag4dUc4DEXmaW6YDr2gSAAvUNyqRi1ONpBwuVCJPxDSiQBUiM6-9fPe341r2LTbacMx2zgYoIst1vJmmX0AxXNhF5YYx5-D43k/s640/IMG_6038.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsvu0nl4uCEROKh0R-HsWQrbi9g_pkwuWnFevVhPNdhkryWwk04LJ0iCQSK5VyBfs_cC7aH1sQ9ARv49Idag4dUc4DEXmaW6YDr2gSAAvUNyqRi1ONpBwuVCJPxDSiQBUiM6-9fPe341r2LTbacMx2zgYoIst1vJmmX0AxXNhF5YYx5-D43k/w480-h640/IMG_6038.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><br />Jen Kershnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128661586028201160noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-70498122270397660442022-11-14T15:56:00.001-05:002022-11-15T07:05:15.137-05:00Honey, I'm Home<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCIjT5N9p_Kq9_URHnUiba237Xl-hDvwgewTYeWZGDaeuNWBPmKJFpl_9u6PJ4nQmOMIOb3bBCQrZNxsCslZtk6KZ53bXtSQWqtbJBl7pOqYGe0qhp4nkK6pg-uAuxeZsPg-EQb17KbhCv55QE1p1oGgkvPjQGZporUQnodvlnr8ZWNZoPPAI/s3780/48BE4F12-EF7F-4416-B4FA-0EB49FD28B9F.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3780" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCIjT5N9p_Kq9_URHnUiba237Xl-hDvwgewTYeWZGDaeuNWBPmKJFpl_9u6PJ4nQmOMIOb3bBCQrZNxsCslZtk6KZ53bXtSQWqtbJBl7pOqYGe0qhp4nkK6pg-uAuxeZsPg-EQb17KbhCv55QE1p1oGgkvPjQGZporUQnodvlnr8ZWNZoPPAI/w512-h640/48BE4F12-EF7F-4416-B4FA-0EB49FD28B9F.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><p>I'm coming out of my hidey hole to say hello. We moved home 4 weeks ago today and are finally feeling settled. There are 2 boxes that I know of that are still to be unpacked, but for today I am pretending they do not exist. Although, even though they are labeled in a way that would indicate otherwise, they are probably holding the handful of things I still can't find and which continue to vex me.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5eUEk4iHLTpG_m4uXx-ngAF5YqnnryEQLjXS_r7xGFCpUg8-Pd6o5WAG1Tf09xFKjkGhurypwyKwaXNM8r65RibllQUkcZ6AltN-oaOfedDXaT9tzdWZdvp9e-ksHI8TAtOdxssnAUaI7c8250K-dycBxPDXWbBTUqitMlxN1nv_HOVhUN4w/s3780/88BD445D-53D8-4488-9A6B-3A1CBC798941.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3780" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5eUEk4iHLTpG_m4uXx-ngAF5YqnnryEQLjXS_r7xGFCpUg8-Pd6o5WAG1Tf09xFKjkGhurypwyKwaXNM8r65RibllQUkcZ6AltN-oaOfedDXaT9tzdWZdvp9e-ksHI8TAtOdxssnAUaI7c8250K-dycBxPDXWbBTUqitMlxN1nv_HOVhUN4w/w512-h640/88BD445D-53D8-4488-9A6B-3A1CBC798941.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><p>To say we are happy to be home would be the most glorious understatement in my personal history. I often don't want to go to sleep because I honestly don't want to let go but waking up at home after almost 6 months of being away, is a delight that arrives anew every morning.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEp1C4eqKcLlVdnBEO9b_Bt16um9VAyynC0AxLr29vT-mwFTaH4TPjxISkZAzHyDtt0TH9fqBNM28qhl49kdPWhXqDgRLNvakG_Th5u4WkpbAhPEGmE8My1UwtOk2-Wy45N4U8gdrBtBpewOCjX4hljekGtv0XQIV1yINYWEl1HxcXJpvKUKM/s3780/CA481B60-36E0-41BD-9BE8-89EDB47C513D.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3780" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEp1C4eqKcLlVdnBEO9b_Bt16um9VAyynC0AxLr29vT-mwFTaH4TPjxISkZAzHyDtt0TH9fqBNM28qhl49kdPWhXqDgRLNvakG_Th5u4WkpbAhPEGmE8My1UwtOk2-Wy45N4U8gdrBtBpewOCjX4hljekGtv0XQIV1yINYWEl1HxcXJpvKUKM/w512-h640/CA481B60-36E0-41BD-9BE8-89EDB47C513D.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><p>For the better part of this year, I have longed for slow days. Since May, the idea of slow days spent in our home post renovation, is what kept me going. Since we got home I have pushed myself to get settled in and not let the chaos linger. It would seem no sooner had I gotten one space set up and organized, that the contents from another would get redistributed, disturbing my peace.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ZidQz70wl5SiMAAB4F0uI5cBJosi8QiFsthSpg2zm1BhEYvdKkl3gEns62GaiKDc2Q4uwM_W8p3ohoG4MbedgvVQ3pxRoKqEoETapjhqiy0M-rak4U8h_FBd99xTA016w3hwNeJF4WbRcMr73U3f3EUqoOhjb76rG6Y8TMEcs4Y_hx3ilyY/s4032/IMG_4343.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ZidQz70wl5SiMAAB4F0uI5cBJosi8QiFsthSpg2zm1BhEYvdKkl3gEns62GaiKDc2Q4uwM_W8p3ohoG4MbedgvVQ3pxRoKqEoETapjhqiy0M-rak4U8h_FBd99xTA016w3hwNeJF4WbRcMr73U3f3EUqoOhjb76rG6Y8TMEcs4Y_hx3ilyY/w480-h640/IMG_4343.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><p>Yesterday was the beginning of my reward as I spent the entire day in my pajamas in my studio. And today…a Monday spent in my favorite way- making the house tidy, meal planning for the week, moving around at my own pace, doing any number of small jobs that I forget as soon as I’m done and nobody else even thinks about, until at the end of the day I ask myself, “what DID I do today?!” But I know what I did…I lived out my perfect simple day and enjoyed every moment of it. I’m vowing to myself to stop keeping track of what I checked off the list, purely so that I can justify whatever joy I might squeeze from what’s left of the day. I realize my life would be better served by starting with the joy and letting the rest fill in the space left over.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Fvix9GfRaSE0pLvAjcJDQt1UIRH1xl6orpZ_Npa5h0im9IhFNcSp6hCnAp5b2MjvrRoHVJunZMTi4s-exG_wcGxaWn2CUdYCkDnE95Aw3mQy-3Uu8hfyN9RIkfvtZcRVGPDBrIt8ploLpJXuvDYgJdczx5nT6-QQTs3CNuf8STIe4QmbSzU/s1291/IMG_4545.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1291" data-original-width="1121" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Fvix9GfRaSE0pLvAjcJDQt1UIRH1xl6orpZ_Npa5h0im9IhFNcSp6hCnAp5b2MjvrRoHVJunZMTi4s-exG_wcGxaWn2CUdYCkDnE95Aw3mQy-3Uu8hfyN9RIkfvtZcRVGPDBrIt8ploLpJXuvDYgJdczx5nT6-QQTs3CNuf8STIe4QmbSzU/w556-h640/IMG_4545.jpg" width="556" /></a></div><br />Speaking of joy- this little love, Genevieve Mae, who calls me Honey (or will one day) joined our family in October. So much goodness for us this year.<div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoI_CQrv9I_1ApdDnfkdb1GV4ufaDyeJ2r_KryIJw828t8LolbvKQoEeow0ttTVf_dPDQHPCI_lM2sIRzKSE6nG3CI0qPPh0K8kjin5G3h1ApE4WZ4R9gq94IY5fmH3uFG96VDb8vCvGUZgGYAV480E-iiJ30Ai55VqZQ7JFy74tpLkaavRpM/s4032/IMG_4415.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoI_CQrv9I_1ApdDnfkdb1GV4ufaDyeJ2r_KryIJw828t8LolbvKQoEeow0ttTVf_dPDQHPCI_lM2sIRzKSE6nG3CI0qPPh0K8kjin5G3h1ApE4WZ4R9gq94IY5fmH3uFG96VDb8vCvGUZgGYAV480E-iiJ30Ai55VqZQ7JFy74tpLkaavRpM/w480-h640/IMG_4415.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>Now I'm off to walk the dog and bake some bread and start my Thanksgiving list. It's so good to be home.</p></div></div>Jen Kershnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128661586028201160noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-31869315266990353732022-09-22T16:38:00.004-04:002022-09-22T19:03:54.370-04:00Where the Heart Is<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguL_a0wrmoTzDpZiTzf43tIdUogNyVn4YVG4lQcMJHuQlVWIeZJ88AcbztvTu5VW0A4aw1aQfd99Q_5ymbJ7Fbkirhlj6TeMIetON30ontPOVOXHXUyAp_65VXc6JwCynlIIbuB46D9hubmuHo01OnoCXoG0B7UaacjETGtuWUCsqoS0LEIWw/s630/49024288-6903-4AE8-B789-32105839B0BB_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="472" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguL_a0wrmoTzDpZiTzf43tIdUogNyVn4YVG4lQcMJHuQlVWIeZJ88AcbztvTu5VW0A4aw1aQfd99Q_5ymbJ7Fbkirhlj6TeMIetON30ontPOVOXHXUyAp_65VXc6JwCynlIIbuB46D9hubmuHo01OnoCXoG0B7UaacjETGtuWUCsqoS0LEIWw/w480-h640/49024288-6903-4AE8-B789-32105839B0BB_1_201_a.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><p><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Home. There are few things more important to many of us and I certainly claim that to be true for me. I grew up poor and without much stability. We moved a lot and I rarely felt a sense of belonging or of being rooted to a place. At different times while growing up, I have lived in a trailer, a motel, an uncle's basement, several times with my grandparents, rental homes and once an apartment in an area so bad that I feared for my safety just helping my mom bring the groceries in from the car.</span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuA7w7UPBBH_NM2IixTPlXghPkSVzPD_-A5FAMUP5aixKapd3byTlyNaCxqLqsfiVLjTpu7p67WVZrklAYN3vTIfBp2GUaBf38KXxevu83fWccgdrwVCJAiaIk6FRiaFjLVRKs6VFwFT5nRXVnaS77xrmKcFAH06tTRNMFQ0gqSsvKGZknnkU/s640/95DB0078-F970-4624-B689-0F54F8F1E011_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuA7w7UPBBH_NM2IixTPlXghPkSVzPD_-A5FAMUP5aixKapd3byTlyNaCxqLqsfiVLjTpu7p67WVZrklAYN3vTIfBp2GUaBf38KXxevu83fWccgdrwVCJAiaIk6FRiaFjLVRKs6VFwFT5nRXVnaS77xrmKcFAH06tTRNMFQ0gqSsvKGZknnkU/w480-h640/95DB0078-F970-4624-B689-0F54F8F1E011_1_201_a.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><p><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">All of this to say that maybe my longing for security, home, community and roots has had more of an impact on my life and choices than any other single thing. Also, I tell you this to illustrate that I never in my life imagined having a home quite like the one I'm moving back into in less than 4 weeks. I mean, it's not grand, it's still just my sweet little cottage, but every corner of the house and every inch of the garden has been considered, given attention and love and made into what is our particular idea of a dream home. And to us, it is indeed the most grand thing in the world and the place where we feel we belong and are rooted in. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #222222;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Mawaig3iUnZHE8oL-f-GGr8G5Cxzwl6uh8rDwyTTd0sKOA7F9R0BFSQZF_lalmtoM6hFH5Gmlb5_bmYt5bYkT510vsUspHcSaIKlgJfZKw6so52Ic4K-VZmwYG6L3Uczl5XRsH8giCY6UHdP3JkFmzfxMJHKjMJyRxjZnmpxiUCsGYYNADw/s4032/82A436BC-7A0A-4CF5-AA2E-AF16D73A6322.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Mawaig3iUnZHE8oL-f-GGr8G5Cxzwl6uh8rDwyTTd0sKOA7F9R0BFSQZF_lalmtoM6hFH5Gmlb5_bmYt5bYkT510vsUspHcSaIKlgJfZKw6so52Ic4K-VZmwYG6L3Uczl5XRsH8giCY6UHdP3JkFmzfxMJHKjMJyRxjZnmpxiUCsGYYNADw/w480-h640/82A436BC-7A0A-4CF5-AA2E-AF16D73A6322.jpeg" width="480" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #222222;"><div><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;">We have spent a lot of years doing without, working to pay off any debt and sacrificing to get to this moment. I spent 11 years with a kitchen that had handmade, 40 year old plywood cabinets, drawers that would barely open, little storage and tile counters that qualified as a science experiment. Throughout the house we had linoleum floors that had no seal and could not be kept clean, cracking drywall and ceilings, hideous tile, surfaces that were decades past their prime, space that was not well planned and general jack-assery every where we looked. The 2nd floor was added in the early 90's we believe and the integrity of that project is...questionable. We could have done a different kind of renovation many years ago but I am a pretty patient gal and I'm always willing to wait for what I really want and I absolutely HATE spending money twice. So we waited and made the most of what we had with our resources and created a home we loved while we planned and dreamed about renovating "next year" while one thing after another intervened with the dreams until finally we found ourselves ready. Then we had to wait yet another year for the contractor I was set on using, to be available. But finally here we are...nearly to the finish line.</span></div></span><p><span style="color: #222222;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4KAeCbMGeqss3gILrUTLfvlRGt_STz-x5eJGq95dtsRa5r7PCOVuiM4U-gK5neMI5L4K1YJHuFztP5CxEBvD-OZ7gVzV9bdiv-k9SZDXKDrKZ0VTy_1HEKxa5_sTbTr8ginMhbAy-g8_ldQIu5jodAaiQbVNslrh5b5h2JDdMjMsPHZ1BbWE/s4032/1AC773CC-26B4-47D2-ADFF-AC6844EEE65E_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4KAeCbMGeqss3gILrUTLfvlRGt_STz-x5eJGq95dtsRa5r7PCOVuiM4U-gK5neMI5L4K1YJHuFztP5CxEBvD-OZ7gVzV9bdiv-k9SZDXKDrKZ0VTy_1HEKxa5_sTbTr8ginMhbAy-g8_ldQIu5jodAaiQbVNslrh5b5h2JDdMjMsPHZ1BbWE/w480-h640/1AC773CC-26B4-47D2-ADFF-AC6844EEE65E_1_201_a.jpeg" width="480" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;">We have invested no small amount of money over the years improving the house in the ways we could- a lot of time having to spend money that wasn't "pretty": new roof, gutters, hvac, sewer lines etc, some pretty money too of course: landscaping, opening up the front porch, a make do kitchen makeover etc. </span><div><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmNIdWlKhw-0DBs_LkDX93GPugEh1Q39jJso6LUVQEm2pL7OCLku8Je-4ZjIQfS_EH1VGp9_5UqfB3Eea-GIa49fwcZm1Bn2ZzUPYP84vHXtQWp09PoVYR8T2O4Qvn4Mg7CNqkZVPcU27FQ4opUu1jYXYuF-uHUzyKdDJqbP1EeIqQNaxHQ0/s588/33FDE555-F4FD-4BD8-BBBA-6E0915ABF3AB_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="441" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmNIdWlKhw-0DBs_LkDX93GPugEh1Q39jJso6LUVQEm2pL7OCLku8Je-4ZjIQfS_EH1VGp9_5UqfB3Eea-GIa49fwcZm1Bn2ZzUPYP84vHXtQWp09PoVYR8T2O4Qvn4Mg7CNqkZVPcU27FQ4opUu1jYXYuF-uHUzyKdDJqbP1EeIqQNaxHQ0/w480-h640/33FDE555-F4FD-4BD8-BBBA-6E0915ABF3AB_1_201_a.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">But one day we just got tired of picking away at it and we just wanted to be done and to spend the next chapter of our life enjoying our home and doing the fun decorating projects. And we've had a couple of reminders over the last several years that the future isn't guaranteed and sometimes you need to stop postponing for later and live for now. We decided to just rip the bandaid off and be done. This renovation snowballed a bit, of course things came up that we hadn't planned on- the house was built in 1900 so it was to be expected!</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNttP8Y2L9TzJLEJ-GpiyJxvNZ509nSxUQHLU0kkxc5leBP3IKzqfPyAokRYD_QQH6MSMsANL576Fy_0Y3O-iCogUlkO14OcpQssGA0tkAf6txB_SXUsg0hKC1u1OnWkC8_FA_q9P7heuFfFADlHt-v9fAlXfocifqEMeEn8CjKvPNR86G5js/s3623/04055077-BDEA-428B-8D0B-0BA42B435A2E_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3623" data-original-width="2494" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNttP8Y2L9TzJLEJ-GpiyJxvNZ509nSxUQHLU0kkxc5leBP3IKzqfPyAokRYD_QQH6MSMsANL576Fy_0Y3O-iCogUlkO14OcpQssGA0tkAf6txB_SXUsg0hKC1u1OnWkC8_FA_q9P7heuFfFADlHt-v9fAlXfocifqEMeEn8CjKvPNR86G5js/w440-h640/04055077-BDEA-428B-8D0B-0BA42B435A2E_1_201_a.jpeg" width="440" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222;">We are moving back into a home that at once is very different than the one we left, but is also much the same. Her spirit remains unchanged. We have worked hard to add back in the charm where it had been removed and to make choices that are appropriate for the age and style of the cottage. We have gutted the kitchen and dining room, the mudroom has been transformed into a Butler's Pantry/Bootroom, the fireplace has been refaced, every last piece of trim in the house has been replaced (and mostly by my guy!), The main floor bathroom has been completely redone down to the subfloor, the master bedroom and bath have been reconfigured to close the bath completely off from the bedroom, give us a giant shower, two (!) sinks, and each of us a small closet, the laundry area has been ripped out and a fresh clean slate provided. The entire downstairs received new hardwood flooring and the entire upstairs floors are getting refinished. We have added new windows in the kitchen and main floor bath as well as new french doors in the dining room and a new exterior door in the Butler's Pantry. Almost every wall, ceiling, door and piece of trim got new paint and on top of that we have added lots of insulation, shored up the structure with new beams etc., replaced plumbing, wiring, dryer vent, added attic access, insulation, drywall, beams to shore up the foundation and another new HVAC system for the downstairs. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzamdOseOR1rDaYBNeM5efucXDKJ1jQLfz-wV0hb2vlHuvvq--Z_dDsMDMLct0szDK8KSfdGEDqMM1fMD-2d9o31qBVBifoSct-xufXnJWRt4SS_9E7sHmQGHJ-2FNSC0h5XQrFXJazDix726UWL-Y8fxotvNCq7L5ygpq7FwO0QfTiY9NJKM/s635/0ED926A2-E6D3-4526-9BD8-E1FAE49A1D9B_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="476" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzamdOseOR1rDaYBNeM5efucXDKJ1jQLfz-wV0hb2vlHuvvq--Z_dDsMDMLct0szDK8KSfdGEDqMM1fMD-2d9o31qBVBifoSct-xufXnJWRt4SS_9E7sHmQGHJ-2FNSC0h5XQrFXJazDix726UWL-Y8fxotvNCq7L5ygpq7FwO0QfTiY9NJKM/w480-h640/0ED926A2-E6D3-4526-9BD8-E1FAE49A1D9B_1_201_a.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><p><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">We have worked at the house almost every weekend for the last nearly 5 months. There have been times that the process felt unbearable. Being away from the house and the Village and our lives was hard. Watching the house get torn apart and stay that way for months on end with no pretty progress and bad news after bad news was hard. But then one day the tide turned. Pretty things started to happen, the momentum kept us going and made it easier to pay a mortgage and rent every month. The sleepless nights, never ending to do lists and constant level of stress were starting to pay off. We have poured our energy, money, heart and soul into this house and while we are exhausted from this year, more than anything we are so happy and proud of what we have accomplished and so beyond excited to get back into our home and get back to living our small, cozy, lovely life. We have absolutely no regrets and I know I will sleep better knowing that we have made our house as safe and stable as possible.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubgdWalTbh0oDzQ4P8MIMSNqKVTliS-3yZmhddYT1uMdjIpVoJwRb5507FuG-tcei2bmAUps3yssfGDIEX2PCLv21I7l3sRO_SEgpQJncKEYTOItmrEhtuLbvsp3IMmARjjeUg3IdB59xUGy2lVENzfWoGMKIs5iXGvgoWwCDOxekKQoaZoo/s4032/4E5F3972-53A0-4B55-9D3C-9F113B5ADC17.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubgdWalTbh0oDzQ4P8MIMSNqKVTliS-3yZmhddYT1uMdjIpVoJwRb5507FuG-tcei2bmAUps3yssfGDIEX2PCLv21I7l3sRO_SEgpQJncKEYTOItmrEhtuLbvsp3IMmARjjeUg3IdB59xUGy2lVENzfWoGMKIs5iXGvgoWwCDOxekKQoaZoo/w480-h640/4E5F3972-53A0-4B55-9D3C-9F113B5ADC17.jpeg" width="480" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">I wish I had been around here more but I have been doggy paddling to keep my head above water. I look forward to sharing more of the design after we get moved in. I am gratified to see it coming together the way I envisioned. Every single decision was tirelessly researched and chosen for a reason and while I made myself crazy (and probably those around me as well), I am so happy with how it is turning out-a dream that exceeds those of my childhood and a home where I can spend the rest of my life making the people I care about feel loved.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #222222;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmj8w2yU1LqU1ZNayZXbl0ixmgzTxIK17dozA6ZVMRaF0p4C__e9viP4ozuJZGWLUUEhCik5hZb4JxJec4zBz5KfuOLSlZh7i00O4RGIoN8dlak5iku32o4kpA_3edxcyP2ngF2NNpSEGVN4FJBYYMnoYZrunCAhJ_dn0PrpNL9CjrwglAZjw/s3658/C79E98A9-C842-4327-AD3E-7EE5D6170B33.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3658" data-original-width="2874" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmj8w2yU1LqU1ZNayZXbl0ixmgzTxIK17dozA6ZVMRaF0p4C__e9viP4ozuJZGWLUUEhCik5hZb4JxJec4zBz5KfuOLSlZh7i00O4RGIoN8dlak5iku32o4kpA_3edxcyP2ngF2NNpSEGVN4FJBYYMnoYZrunCAhJ_dn0PrpNL9CjrwglAZjw/w502-h640/C79E98A9-C842-4327-AD3E-7EE5D6170B33.jpeg" width="502" /></a></span></div><p></p></div>Jen Kershnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128661586028201160noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-10806177680864170122022-05-03T12:05:00.003-04:002022-05-03T12:43:32.081-04:00The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54wbHXiqvUI--7Ie8SRtxYf_ul1l9UoP0ecJKxPnMPpMhVmT2SgNrEnQdw4yDblAZ8ibW8baRppVSf2A67LWwHBKVtd4HjaHe6zbH3iUVHXcejetoljg0SBwb2MdIuaA0cLw9GOUu6Es9oM9stbu2jvcVMbUCc6rBnboY9h3SZVlsHwHv3Oc/s616/3927AC3C-E0F8-43DC-BCCE-46FC7BF12F49_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="462" data-original-width="616" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54wbHXiqvUI--7Ie8SRtxYf_ul1l9UoP0ecJKxPnMPpMhVmT2SgNrEnQdw4yDblAZ8ibW8baRppVSf2A67LWwHBKVtd4HjaHe6zbH3iUVHXcejetoljg0SBwb2MdIuaA0cLw9GOUu6Es9oM9stbu2jvcVMbUCc6rBnboY9h3SZVlsHwHv3Oc/w640-h480/3927AC3C-E0F8-43DC-BCCE-46FC7BF12F49_1_201_a.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Blue grey sample minus black glazing for mudroom tall cabinet, warm white cabinetry for the rest of mudroom and all of kitchen. Handmade ceramic sconces with antique brass fixtures for flanking stove and small metal circle Ilve stove sample)</span></div><p><br /></p><p>I was going to say that I don't know where that 2 months went but I know <i>exactly</i> where it went. It went to planning, designing, sourcing, researching, choosing and ordering for the renovations. It went to sorting, packing, storing and moving our possessions- although the movers come Saturday for the big furniture. It went to the roller coaster and ups and downs that comprise life- the beautiful and the devastating hitting our circle of people and showing up where we can to do what we're able.</p><p>I am so close to being able to catch my breath again, to have time for yoga, tending to myself, making pretty things, reading, <i>leisure time- </i>all things in short supply since the beginning of the year. Things currently NOT in short supply: stress eating, eye twitches, general brain fog and forgetfulness, ocular migraines, irritation at people not doing their jobs, stiff hips, shoulder and neck tension.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJsa2G1Zpt0BlQyRhHDn4PuTscK9P8Owlz3NEl9CGgp97DAKBOG_CB_ctK2zXxbLUjszOJ8MpO2F7DfC7n3QQvoJcr7abm_LMwT7DBev8yCmfc_J8Ja_Q4QS-KcOLMi0LfpgA_iEhgluidJB_n8u9UjxtfoSoGscR_LJ37hu1vOxUJwSXZyw/s610/9C6145A4-8200-459B-93AD-5986F0B154BA_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="465" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJsa2G1Zpt0BlQyRhHDn4PuTscK9P8Owlz3NEl9CGgp97DAKBOG_CB_ctK2zXxbLUjszOJ8MpO2F7DfC7n3QQvoJcr7abm_LMwT7DBev8yCmfc_J8Ja_Q4QS-KcOLMi0LfpgA_iEhgluidJB_n8u9UjxtfoSoGscR_LJ37hu1vOxUJwSXZyw/w488-h640/9C6145A4-8200-459B-93AD-5986F0B154BA_1_201_a.jpeg" width="488" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Kitchen cabinetry, stove sample, stove lighting, high gloss, irregular crackle Cafe subway by Walker Zanger, black sample representing Island lighting)</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p>I’ve been getting a lot of questions about our renovations and why we’re moving. We will be moving out for about 6 months. We are renovating the kitchen, dining room, mudroom, main floor bathroom, master bedroom and bathroom. We will be refinishing the hardwoods upstairs and replacing the hardwood downstairs. We will be replacing trim throughout almost the entire house plus adding wainscoting and tongue and groove in areas and almost the entire house will be repainted. We are replacing the French doors in the dining room, the mudroom door and the kitchen windows. <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2S8u0Zh1OBERWPTQSnlgUfdsNfIKg2-yGAeEtDv7ooAhEGbwrMM4GCQ5fduNpKi4RO6oXI0EFAxFhJ4jkLsKHFHkju8ccc_iv9DDaHqsczVYvuxL6B4n4QJ8M4A3R4rQmWnwZHDyolWbz4rqKOAhbBAQiujzg1khmdce6CY8vpL-p0BHB_OA/s616/C37BA33C-FC1E-4EB8-AD86-3C2E644D63FC_4_5005_c.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="332" data-original-width="616" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2S8u0Zh1OBERWPTQSnlgUfdsNfIKg2-yGAeEtDv7ooAhEGbwrMM4GCQ5fduNpKi4RO6oXI0EFAxFhJ4jkLsKHFHkju8ccc_iv9DDaHqsczVYvuxL6B4n4QJ8M4A3R4rQmWnwZHDyolWbz4rqKOAhbBAQiujzg1khmdce6CY8vpL-p0BHB_OA/w640-h344/C37BA33C-FC1E-4EB8-AD86-3C2E644D63FC_4_5005_c.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Close up Walker Zanger Cafe tile in Milk)</span></div><br /><div><div><br /></div><div>Additionally we are doing built ins at the top of the stairs, replacing Emma’s shower and redoing our laundry area ourselves but those things may wait until after we move back in because my fella is doing almost all of the trim work, and all of the wall millwork. He’s gotten a good start for the last month or so but there is so much left to do. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8X1X-MfYBSfHw0oexFz4iPwNcGriLQA9LXCcOgls-rqY0ZFrjyzAI_Yowf8WzpCZHFCcllQ0oOsk9-pPaAdOj3j-L0ZVfNEvX18UaMLirreMaUmidXvDWocAqzrAxHWXjbmbCKsKNFCvBR1UBWwxpIGhaKP1xYYAr44ksgwO3HKfX5eytDDA/s640/51FDF382-AFC7-4672-840D-145E0B6918AA.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8X1X-MfYBSfHw0oexFz4iPwNcGriLQA9LXCcOgls-rqY0ZFrjyzAI_Yowf8WzpCZHFCcllQ0oOsk9-pPaAdOj3j-L0ZVfNEvX18UaMLirreMaUmidXvDWocAqzrAxHWXjbmbCKsKNFCvBR1UBWwxpIGhaKP1xYYAr44ksgwO3HKfX5eytDDA/w480-h640/51FDF382-AFC7-4672-840D-145E0B6918AA.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2fp8uPCARPTmh2riN-j2GS2jZxTT2dfCBcXE0hc2ncZx5wmPgsePXxgYehLpa0DzYOFdAEanaDzDqDp4Uaq4EUTV_JDQ_K9VAvEHMVwpK5Yo9bbdoZSHf1YOFnGslcx7-KPvbcc-iqnhDZSkIvl4ZGoICeA4BxZmEWlZ5DoR8r8_lXxj3dQ/s640/F8F75C47-4A20-4365-8D27-8B679A928F89.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2fp8uPCARPTmh2riN-j2GS2jZxTT2dfCBcXE0hc2ncZx5wmPgsePXxgYehLpa0DzYOFdAEanaDzDqDp4Uaq4EUTV_JDQ_K9VAvEHMVwpK5Yo9bbdoZSHf1YOFnGslcx7-KPvbcc-iqnhDZSkIvl4ZGoICeA4BxZmEWlZ5DoR8r8_lXxj3dQ/w480-h640/F8F75C47-4A20-4365-8D27-8B679A928F89.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Danby marble Imperial Select for kitchen and if there is enough leftover master and or main floor bathroom)</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So you can see this is a pretty extensive project. We are working hard to stay true to the house and bring back the charm that has been stripped from it. We are moving some walls but not changing the footprint and we are not opening the space up. Some people might think it’s nuts to spend this kind of money and not increase square footage but for us this is about quality, function and beauty not square footage. Less but better is my motto.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYotu2GOZK5MPnUL6Djv087HfmD4tOLvHLtQQrFTO4swBncIMgxWwL2URgSQbYw3-3nAtssVG9J0VsMvHjc_q_FRVdXL9j8ZwMfS4inb9bjLRPQzIQKgEldfjXDni09jSFq2f32duGxaod0k_z1hvj2Q22huoR66zrOeUPZgtQ7UGoyZUTG-8/s561/FA74F64F-C385-4A13-893B-F0CEF163B5CD_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="561" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYotu2GOZK5MPnUL6Djv087HfmD4tOLvHLtQQrFTO4swBncIMgxWwL2URgSQbYw3-3nAtssVG9J0VsMvHjc_q_FRVdXL9j8ZwMfS4inb9bjLRPQzIQKgEldfjXDni09jSFq2f32duGxaod0k_z1hvj2Q22huoR66zrOeUPZgtQ7UGoyZUTG-8/w547-h640/FA74F64F-C385-4A13-893B-F0CEF163B5CD_1_201_a.jpeg" width="547" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Master bathroom large charcoal tile for floor, warm white cabinetry, polished nickel fixtures, wood frame mirrors, antique brass sample for vanity lights and hardware, patchwork tile for shower floor and matte white large subway tile for shower walls)</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>And while a lot of you don't understand why we're doing this, let me explain what we've lived with since we moved in...the kitchen cabinets are few in number and homemade plywood cabinets that saw their best day 40 years ago (if ever) and aren't fit for holding more than the trash and recycling, the linoleum floors are patched, lost their protective coat well before our time and are IMPOSSIBLE to clean and they are linoleum, the kitchen counters are tile some of which is cracked, missing grout and is basically a science experiment that I wouldn't dream of setting utensil or food on. When preparing a meal, my work triangle is basically the kitchen, corner cabinets in the dining room and cabinets in the mudroom. Not even the slightest bit functional. The only decent things about the kitchen are the updates we did 10 years ago which you can see <a href="https://thecottagenest.blogspot.com/2012/11/a-brave-new-kitchen.html">here.</a> This was always meant to be a temporary solution. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Dpos_IgNZohw9XbzMHM7AEbFkZuMw23KEIrqlmqBBpIqAiId-vmvZQkTfkexp5umL5r3uGTrwdNF7vLRhN5BIJdEyh0aZoFImAo8_ygXOWNz4OHzlVdWOWzEWQ7QJIzuG8OR8hYfQTnpNoW0FwoMgaDe4J5R0nGT3i_EQHSPhq47azyJR4Y/s541/E18B2FC5-8DC1-438F-A7EB-F32119A3FD30_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="541" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Dpos_IgNZohw9XbzMHM7AEbFkZuMw23KEIrqlmqBBpIqAiId-vmvZQkTfkexp5umL5r3uGTrwdNF7vLRhN5BIJdEyh0aZoFImAo8_ygXOWNz4OHzlVdWOWzEWQ7QJIzuG8OR8hYfQTnpNoW0FwoMgaDe4J5R0nGT3i_EQHSPhq47azyJR4Y/w640-h568/E18B2FC5-8DC1-438F-A7EB-F32119A3FD30_1_201_a.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Main floor bathroom: new shower curtain, bamboo hooks, oatmeal gloss subway tile for tub alcove and entry dresser that will be repurposed as a vanity but topped with marble)</span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>And the bathrooms, well lets just say they aren't any better than the kitchen and haven't been touched at all. So obviously we are so excited to have clean, functioning, beautiful spaces that are a pleasure to spend time in. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzsux7Chc_-iprGHEfZhgL27b_sTTBlArJWsVnguMK1V2wdEFFNSIIjIGZymGlqCLk-iXhzqkXSEkpMT-W179fhi0hlmITlosv9Lt6DGHQ3JYaLdmgByreWzPdLXtSIqYC6NW9UHwfIcfRYIJNVS8e_jaIyyed-AMNEYNHfA5VTAze0CbyvC4/s606/0EFB991E-379C-4B36-B99C-19731F7A1D6C_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="606" data-original-width="431" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzsux7Chc_-iprGHEfZhgL27b_sTTBlArJWsVnguMK1V2wdEFFNSIIjIGZymGlqCLk-iXhzqkXSEkpMT-W179fhi0hlmITlosv9Lt6DGHQ3JYaLdmgByreWzPdLXtSIqYC6NW9UHwfIcfRYIJNVS8e_jaIyyed-AMNEYNHfA5VTAze0CbyvC4/w458-h640/0EFB991E-379C-4B36-B99C-19731F7A1D6C_1_201_a.jpeg" width="458" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Main floor bath with light fixtures that will flank existing mirror)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We've patiently (mostly) waited 11 years and sacrificed to get here so that we could do it exactly the way we want. Unfortunately with the constant rising of costs, we have had to shift some work to do later and are doing some things ourselves to balance the budget but also to make sure I can get the finishes I have been dreaming about for years in the areas that matter the most. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>So you see why it’s important to move out during this process ...with a hubby that works from home, two cats, an anxious dog and me who hates chaos and noise, there really wasn’t another choice although it's another cost that had to be figured in. </div><div><br /></div><div> I'm really looking forward to documenting the process here so that we can look back on it in the years to come and because people say we won't even remember what the old kitchen looked or felt like. After 11 years I find that hard to believe but I look forward to that day!</div></div>Jen Kershnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128661586028201160noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-4613858281610004122022-03-02T09:05:00.009-05:002022-03-02T09:50:34.891-05:00In Like a Lion<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXAs7GwFdGNnBgRK1UXT-W5AMamAMiFFTVj5yvQzp20YgxtD7Ba3tAT-D7I8f0twYWunKg6Zai-zzzyjaxix6X-H8K9-bPReUtEL8otUynSahYCm2NIVqzpqeG1tIwkHufA7-YzzDYD3tdSxBw9lKOuR4bQzL4Q6S_1jwZIDdsT5KHwMV32nI=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXAs7GwFdGNnBgRK1UXT-W5AMamAMiFFTVj5yvQzp20YgxtD7Ba3tAT-D7I8f0twYWunKg6Zai-zzzyjaxix6X-H8K9-bPReUtEL8otUynSahYCm2NIVqzpqeG1tIwkHufA7-YzzDYD3tdSxBw9lKOuR4bQzL4Q6S_1jwZIDdsT5KHwMV32nI=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div> <p></p><p>If you had asked, I would have said that I hoped 2022 would feel like riding the train around the grounds of the zoo- calm, pretty things to look at- lovely and predictable. Well, in fact the reality of 2022 so far has been a madcap, hang on by the seat of my pants, at turns terrifying, exciting and stomach churning roller coaster. I'm not sure I'd recommend it. The world is in chaos, my home is in chaos, my mind steadily veers in that direction too.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglSVYVDw36FTMgTB0eHR3KQErwZeOWQ_bUr-9FtVnRg4Br7TvfspCAG_JDWvNJ1kzhS80yUkblh6Rrgthab1rWkBmy2Gn1VMd43iDxUNcxorW2x2ZsVXMpSt4CsfssWHq5P-FjrnHMRjgP5UfDlf6Jpp5CnesO_aCytLfoVfcH8NCC0QxMBew=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglSVYVDw36FTMgTB0eHR3KQErwZeOWQ_bUr-9FtVnRg4Br7TvfspCAG_JDWvNJ1kzhS80yUkblh6Rrgthab1rWkBmy2Gn1VMd43iDxUNcxorW2x2ZsVXMpSt4CsfssWHq5P-FjrnHMRjgP5UfDlf6Jpp5CnesO_aCytLfoVfcH8NCC0QxMBew=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p>The last week has brought great swells of anxiety, where world, home and life challenges collide. The renovation is all encompassing at this point. As soon as I get one thing marked off the list, something else gets added. I know this is the hard stage and when the actual work begins this part will be behind me. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjp46n3h-QhkH2iO7WTuxtkoTI6x-Tcd8UiJmQ834AIA63CiDdztb49bpdqwihzRl5Yhd1Eor4ObIMM441N16P5Zfp-3IVUdIV-uoyBxUpNKzH_Ysmc_hTOMGm3lC9AeVhsCdBmuIB2tG4FI06N-0B2sM6t6ZgSlSO-EUL2EfxCDHz82yRLUZY=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjp46n3h-QhkH2iO7WTuxtkoTI6x-Tcd8UiJmQ834AIA63CiDdztb49bpdqwihzRl5Yhd1Eor4ObIMM441N16P5Zfp-3IVUdIV-uoyBxUpNKzH_Ysmc_hTOMGm3lC9AeVhsCdBmuIB2tG4FI06N-0B2sM6t6ZgSlSO-EUL2EfxCDHz82yRLUZY=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p>For now I balance gratitude for finally being in this place, with hand wringing, deep sighs and an overloaded circuit system. And I survive it all by taking walks around the Village, sitting in quiet, cat in lap, knitting at the ready (only the simplest of patterns), tea at hand, husband nearby ready to cuddle. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXlNsD-E2Vj7Tt1G-V9GV2L2F2rgvKjR5G-TlAd6_kn0c3conOagds7EwAUwrhUFFdKnTKclEssBP3jW_Pu7GOK1V473rmQgbhify8mx1CnzInVDnzMcK6qiDGA4JyAz_Hoq0DX3GnoCbiIwR6gx0bz7c1UOzuHo2ckRXZ8DUOp7SJfvGNxXM=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXlNsD-E2Vj7Tt1G-V9GV2L2F2rgvKjR5G-TlAd6_kn0c3conOagds7EwAUwrhUFFdKnTKclEssBP3jW_Pu7GOK1V473rmQgbhify8mx1CnzInVDnzMcK6qiDGA4JyAz_Hoq0DX3GnoCbiIwR6gx0bz7c1UOzuHo2ckRXZ8DUOp7SJfvGNxXM=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><p>In the last week we were able to mark off the list: hardwood, plumbing fixtures, finding a rental (huge!!), initial meeting with the marble fabricator, new french doors for the dining room, exterior door for the mudroom, casement window for the kitchen, some tile decisions and I got lighting ordered for over the island which was a weeks long ordeal because of our extremely low (not even 8 feet) ceilings. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9ChXnezy4NpG3PPEWab35gEaCfL2eAQgoApezNFXLeNjoDEf8NsJ7DRLl7MaoJaIHGebhWjKlfv4Gb_fhlH7IA3hDhAFCeuazT_rjfCgX0bDckGmSCM6XSq3csZh8nXxla4jaQufQZrzWGXwb8T5H_RXRjQftQDeAxyxf3z7YlnrZgukaGoA=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg9ChXnezy4NpG3PPEWab35gEaCfL2eAQgoApezNFXLeNjoDEf8NsJ7DRLl7MaoJaIHGebhWjKlfv4Gb_fhlH7IA3hDhAFCeuazT_rjfCgX0bDckGmSCM6XSq3csZh8nXxla4jaQufQZrzWGXwb8T5H_RXRjQftQDeAxyxf3z7YlnrZgukaGoA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2K9OoTyiIf9QayVr9tiYoWyamnU_OBAbBNp8gg91Ik2gJdhe20Sd76QCOyJAqXsg_agQdVhtDB10p_18vbr-8AhamgUo0S2T5ChchAP7yQLP7poXkPBmClb7VqJNOd9Ppy2-UtteY6uYm4CAvuHyFdz4BBHI-jWKpfPmMuLJvB_ulG_Auhp8=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2K9OoTyiIf9QayVr9tiYoWyamnU_OBAbBNp8gg91Ik2gJdhe20Sd76QCOyJAqXsg_agQdVhtDB10p_18vbr-8AhamgUo0S2T5ChchAP7yQLP7poXkPBmClb7VqJNOd9Ppy2-UtteY6uYm4CAvuHyFdz4BBHI-jWKpfPmMuLJvB_ulG_Auhp8=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p>And if that wasn't enough to fill my plate, I added in a day trip on Friday that was house related and one on Saturday that was Emma related. She made a quilt last semester (all from fabrics she hand dyed herself with natural materials) in her Fibers II class and it was on display in an Historic house near her school. Why do they always say "an historic" I wonder?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1BxAMtvNYRivLo4FAmWSRGy2UTRyrr3eOJcopF_7KrE2ZnXbEQMOYQuu08BypX09OzNPrR_fpxw69_3aeX6cGew3Bg2hKsGnvgbbzgGUHmweYk311Qg-b-naoQ33QRemkkaLYuILuKubkA0RmInIjba-gzB9OsGQ3ULj0O6s3CVkW1CGJI00=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1BxAMtvNYRivLo4FAmWSRGy2UTRyrr3eOJcopF_7KrE2ZnXbEQMOYQuu08BypX09OzNPrR_fpxw69_3aeX6cGew3Bg2hKsGnvgbbzgGUHmweYk311Qg-b-naoQ33QRemkkaLYuILuKubkA0RmInIjba-gzB9OsGQ3ULj0O6s3CVkW1CGJI00=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p>Now we have some budget challenges to figure out because lucky us for finally being able to do renovations during a time when the cost of absolutely everything is skyrocketing. Hard decisions are being made about dining room built-ins, hardwood flooring for the lower level (the current floor is too thin to be refinished again) and millwork. Creativity is being triggered. Ingenuity is being called into action. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinRShLLjGz7JrULLjYSaHj0IBNarDWHJIo_QEdsmfXpfDq_PGw0vglsUYdOjo9LJS-u0w1Hku3ndUcZZqNWLhbq9OVF553vk75UK-sU1tdjAvsEyhRhNm0AknQ7bUdzweb1CNWDNNVG-V2s1sIXBcA5hwyUqQ0FL6guMImx7c4V1jJ3VI5Sjo=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinRShLLjGz7JrULLjYSaHj0IBNarDWHJIo_QEdsmfXpfDq_PGw0vglsUYdOjo9LJS-u0w1Hku3ndUcZZqNWLhbq9OVF553vk75UK-sU1tdjAvsEyhRhNm0AknQ7bUdzweb1CNWDNNVG-V2s1sIXBcA5hwyUqQ0FL6guMImx7c4V1jJ3VI5Sjo=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p>We are trying to make budget friendly choices in some areas and take on some of the work ourselves. We will see where we end up. I'm trying not to make every aspect of the project SO important while also getting what I truly want. The contractor was surprised how well I took the news of the climbing budget. But I'm used to limits and budgets. I've lived my whole life with them. It doesn't phase me much.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5mS5SkmWYztZ-QWC6CPwSRzOSSHnD0e-vmt4RF5l3fKDY0NLcjliMEYN2HA_-fWgXQjKu7asdczwP2pZZaG1jSxocl1E4oysOiHTq1wRXihA0aAuBAzyTs9Pdumgp1VR_y1p9b7LT6fMBpOpT_kDjSRM5snNRRAr3x9v9csTAAsJD6mIhwPQ=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="640" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5mS5SkmWYztZ-QWC6CPwSRzOSSHnD0e-vmt4RF5l3fKDY0NLcjliMEYN2HA_-fWgXQjKu7asdczwP2pZZaG1jSxocl1E4oysOiHTq1wRXihA0aAuBAzyTs9Pdumgp1VR_y1p9b7LT6fMBpOpT_kDjSRM5snNRRAr3x9v9csTAAsJD6mIhwPQ=w640-h526" width="640" /></a></div><p>Next up I need to make more lighting and tile decisions and go visit some marble slabs. That is a moment I have been dreaming about since I bought my first house at 21. Aside from the tile counters with science experiment worthy grout that I have now, I have only ever had formica counters. What a dream come true marble will be. I even look forward to the unavoidable character that they will acquire.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhH75wLHsTGdsdG4RZwtpqi7qzTtMtgfIbAW1kF_B0WcN_5cfBTBDG_0Ay9ZKrzR2Iq2XqCAJB372suHfmsNDgGGBlzsennOSjWJvtobksH49Qjpd_0LwCa10wzod9EbNlL8Ky3nVPlue_3QSSgsyfkiNEv081OEzeaKCYJUX-IiW6UeYK9-gU=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhH75wLHsTGdsdG4RZwtpqi7qzTtMtgfIbAW1kF_B0WcN_5cfBTBDG_0Ay9ZKrzR2Iq2XqCAJB372suHfmsNDgGGBlzsennOSjWJvtobksH49Qjpd_0LwCa10wzod9EbNlL8Ky3nVPlue_3QSSgsyfkiNEv081OEzeaKCYJUX-IiW6UeYK9-gU=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p>I'm closing in on finishing the hard parts. Then I just have to pack up the house and darn it I just realized I need to add find mover to the list. Sigh. And so it continues. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhH0DkWgtGz-q6KYH0YIKNuQ1zAaB3lDQIhYYXfbVDtxiQs6bIY5-6mTev2hdKMVWDPK4z1nmmHXBvAKM_9MKZp6evXdYcTOqdGGqueYqnjcXygDv-M_LjcjUHwBWUhTt00fBMKk9d8iuhHKUkwt8WjQswmZW52bMV-DwOcZKTsmqatijFrjxc=s640" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhH0DkWgtGz-q6KYH0YIKNuQ1zAaB3lDQIhYYXfbVDtxiQs6bIY5-6mTev2hdKMVWDPK4z1nmmHXBvAKM_9MKZp6evXdYcTOqdGGqueYqnjcXygDv-M_LjcjUHwBWUhTt00fBMKk9d8iuhHKUkwt8WjQswmZW52bMV-DwOcZKTsmqatijFrjxc=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div>And while March came in like a lion, as she is want to do, I do so hope she will kindly and gently go out like a lamb. Maybe if we all join hands and wish it into existence, it will be so. The past few years have brought entirely too much lion for my liking. </div>Jen Kershnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128661586028201160noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-32906805442648959472022-02-21T17:26:00.002-05:002022-02-21T17:36:34.620-05:00My Story<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtY0cWSyQGPdKebCBw1UmE_6oMzIFBmygI2_8gTqH4wdrMhYC8kNj-mEG5DRC2nAz88BQHjqgw2eke2l8sZxp7P1uISfypgPcKuB_Ti2ZE7WlpxjWImt0XPthbSrO11bDimJCMQUdRuljkw4WiqJzsYzuOFZwCfthWPFJIH5GL8OZyIlIkHRs=s6000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtY0cWSyQGPdKebCBw1UmE_6oMzIFBmygI2_8gTqH4wdrMhYC8kNj-mEG5DRC2nAz88BQHjqgw2eke2l8sZxp7P1uISfypgPcKuB_Ti2ZE7WlpxjWImt0XPthbSrO11bDimJCMQUdRuljkw4WiqJzsYzuOFZwCfthWPFJIH5GL8OZyIlIkHRs=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div> <div>In December I received <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/little-stories-of-your-life-laura-pashby/1138791801">this inspiring book</a> from a very sweet friend (thank you, Christy!💕) and it reminded me to get my camera out and capture the small everyday moments that have long been the ones that I love the most. This is something I used to do regularly, but these last couple of years I stopped picking up my camera, I stopped noticing. I struggled to see what was right in front of me. I feel sure I am not the only one amongst us who lost her joie de vivre.</div><div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgR5DgXHK4YdUHtCCrqbpeSvlYRbUlB_k8QwEBBDJfmR4kJWnDSGmPLqLITepyIbFOhgvDJqhFCcKIrMcGv30L_xbiUew5sMky5AM7b7t3a5yw8xYyIM5BYVoW33fTYX3wKYBDFItSG2zJ2nM9xx5wKMWcnzz3wfbbNT0RaCFruZ0Bbudt98B0=s5899" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3932" data-original-width="5899" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgR5DgXHK4YdUHtCCrqbpeSvlYRbUlB_k8QwEBBDJfmR4kJWnDSGmPLqLITepyIbFOhgvDJqhFCcKIrMcGv30L_xbiUew5sMky5AM7b7t3a5yw8xYyIM5BYVoW33fTYX3wKYBDFItSG2zJ2nM9xx5wKMWcnzz3wfbbNT0RaCFruZ0Bbudt98B0=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>There is something about honing in on the little magical moments of a day that settle the mind and calm the soul. When I spend any amount of time reflecting on the last 2 years, I feel amazed that I'm still standing. These have been hard times. There has been so much good mixed in there but I have felt so challenged to find stillness, to rest.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSzdmvTDSUBLIHXUjwk5Tau4ic9oqfvzNJgURJv_fFzz7Ton6VlVqLk8dLMPKU-EkchrMJSdhGgekvUrE5_XlihxYR2LigDTdsKKZ-uS6vJHWYYGH_YPL613zXza9cPSKUnof3mkg_PnVsiJOim1MkT_lovlnTeJD6cKUg2uddhTgW1CWUHXg=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSzdmvTDSUBLIHXUjwk5Tau4ic9oqfvzNJgURJv_fFzz7Ton6VlVqLk8dLMPKU-EkchrMJSdhGgekvUrE5_XlihxYR2LigDTdsKKZ-uS6vJHWYYGH_YPL613zXza9cPSKUnof3mkg_PnVsiJOim1MkT_lovlnTeJD6cKUg2uddhTgW1CWUHXg=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>My mind is so often chaotic now and I have learned first hand what anxiety can do to your spirt. It took me some time to figure out how I could best work through it and thanks to yoga, breathing techniques, quieting the outside world, journaling and my studio- I have come out the other side armed with the tools that work best for me. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpMnZ7BzG-KXP9-6x_aFgPwNMtIZLyxJwzOiC3n_KOnJrBnGM4PvLD5lmuvRu0l6H5bYfJN-k3jbejqPE45oZ8LEpTTv1X3364_-MMX6C026_VoCLUTZkSfzyNkl5Fv2GfqFtWeUpOrfcESIonpVegbjD-jVMlbaeufo-WkkgZHg1D4TYSukw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpMnZ7BzG-KXP9-6x_aFgPwNMtIZLyxJwzOiC3n_KOnJrBnGM4PvLD5lmuvRu0l6H5bYfJN-k3jbejqPE45oZ8LEpTTv1X3364_-MMX6C026_VoCLUTZkSfzyNkl5Fv2GfqFtWeUpOrfcESIonpVegbjD-jVMlbaeufo-WkkgZHg1D4TYSukw=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>But sometimes I still feel that old, now familiar feeling-the heart racing, the feeling like I am vibrating on the inside, the inability to settle my mind and I have to close my eyes, I count my breaths in...1...out...2 in and out until I get to 10 and then I start over again. I keep my eyes closed and focus on only what I can hear- the dog's gentle puff exhalations as she sleeps, my guy playing the ukulele upstairs, the creak and pop of this old house. I open my eyes and sit quietly and take in my view, noticing the small things. the shadows on the wall, the stack of books waiting to be flipped through, the way the throw blanket is draped on the ottoman. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjx6omy7eSv8RiZn55NS0FAo6X_sqnUGW_nzh1hf0XIq6t3oGVjTnIoutr0g_tB2s4L1TXfeX9TX0g2fMQOpEoqSViH56rjgV-tllkn-UvQ5dLkLUV4sIMOhUVSD8mFfFuykMM2x0dRn6ULezvqwn3jm-BT0aFD2QBk8GDO3qbvnNzFobp3Lxg=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3380" data-original-width="4000" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjx6omy7eSv8RiZn55NS0FAo6X_sqnUGW_nzh1hf0XIq6t3oGVjTnIoutr0g_tB2s4L1TXfeX9TX0g2fMQOpEoqSViH56rjgV-tllkn-UvQ5dLkLUV4sIMOhUVSD8mFfFuykMM2x0dRn6ULezvqwn3jm-BT0aFD2QBk8GDO3qbvnNzFobp3Lxg=w640-h540" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The every day little things that I was missing before as my mind bounced between all the things that need doing and all the worries we gather in a life. I feel settled. I feel calm. I pick up the camera and capture a moment that won't mean anything to anyone in 100 years but tells a story of my life right now, in this moment. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNqa9Y4XDjCblxexeeYRcbzJFFVzE0265tPa6o5i7dJR0ovjfQ41BrkI_6yapRbCAt9hV4cTb4SMoeGUwtWqswDsYka3RMvu-k2VBroJj0TicOZKP0oNLPG-ZHWw-FoyKAbBUT_7fR6l7YWuvNYLyTZIOFGlfLTPzREXg3cm1TB81aylWU7Eg=s6000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNqa9Y4XDjCblxexeeYRcbzJFFVzE0265tPa6o5i7dJR0ovjfQ41BrkI_6yapRbCAt9hV4cTb4SMoeGUwtWqswDsYka3RMvu-k2VBroJj0TicOZKP0oNLPG-ZHWw-FoyKAbBUT_7fR6l7YWuvNYLyTZIOFGlfLTPzREXg3cm1TB81aylWU7Eg=w426-h640" width="426" /></a></div><div><br /></div>It turns out these meaningless little moments mean everything. I'm planning to keep gathering them and sharing them here on Mondays. <p></p></div>Jen Kershnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128661586028201160noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-51513721170752685802022-02-17T07:53:00.002-05:002022-02-17T07:53:30.319-05:00Stay the Course<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjivHJdJ1mOgpt1JHkfvuOnTkTyZpmm1fm8WnBYEYJszWrM8NAKIcVNFl986xbytP5YKLZ2KgrG07ofCoEjGjucqRRZgOqrRBGHx1I1AEn4-R1RsSQ_J1nPYtwE12ux2o2Ym7VoUSaPJeiB0QCJBEpZkFR8EMCuZjGBw_AK7NIIZIdBrvnLkvg=s2520" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1226" data-original-width="2520" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjivHJdJ1mOgpt1JHkfvuOnTkTyZpmm1fm8WnBYEYJszWrM8NAKIcVNFl986xbytP5YKLZ2KgrG07ofCoEjGjucqRRZgOqrRBGHx1I1AEn4-R1RsSQ_J1nPYtwE12ux2o2Ym7VoUSaPJeiB0QCJBEpZkFR8EMCuZjGBw_AK7NIIZIdBrvnLkvg=w640-h312" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>This morning as I sat with my morning chai, tucked into my favorite corner of the world, I opened up pinterest to obsess over today's renovation to do list- namely, subway tile backsplash for the kitchen and bathroom tile designs. I have a lot of things on my checklist right now and have been feeling a little overwhelmed. Ok, a lot overwhelmed but also just so thankful to get to do this. There has also been some second guessing my choices as I work to stay true to my style, what I've always loved and not fall into the trend trap. Yesterday required me telling myself several times to "stay the course" and when I found out that our cabinetmaker sent our order to production there was great relief (and a tiny bit of anxiety) about that now being out of my hands.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="hCL kVc L4E MIw" height="640" importance="auto" loading="auto" src="https://i.pinimg.com/564x/0e/6b/e1/0e6be17e94630b0eb7a0942a186e6fbf.jpg" width="640" /></p><p style="text-align: left;">So there I sat, ready to noodle through some choices when on the home page of my Pinterest feed is a white kitchen (of course) with a description that says "It's All White Now Momma" so obviously I clicked on it and it took me a minute to realize it was a link to a <a href="https://thecottagenest.blogspot.com/2010/07/its-all-white-now-momma.html">blog post that I wrote in 2010</a> with an ode to my love of the white kitchen and a description of what my dream kitchen would look like and I have to tell you...relief FLOODED through me because... that is the very kitchen I am designing! </p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Pre-Spring House Tour | Kitchen & Hearth | Jenny Steffens Hobick" class="hCL kVc L4E MIw" height="427" importance="auto" loading="auto" src="https://i.pinimg.com/236x/da/e8/7e/dae87e35e19eae1964998d7696b8fd14.jpg" srcset="https://i.pinimg.com/236x/da/e8/7e/dae87e35e19eae1964998d7696b8fd14.jpg 1x, https://i.pinimg.com/474x/da/e8/7e/dae87e35e19eae1964998d7696b8fd14.jpg 2x, https://i.pinimg.com/736x/da/e8/7e/dae87e35e19eae1964998d7696b8fd14.jpg 3x, https://i.pinimg.com/originals/da/e8/7e/dae87e35e19eae1964998d7696b8fd14.jpg 4x" width="640" /></p><p>SERENDIPITY. </p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Harnham House on Instagram: “Seen as Maggie had a picture yesterday I felt bad for Winnie. Here she is in all her beauty on the kitchen units, her favourite…”" class="hCL kVc L4E MIw" height="640" importance="auto" loading="auto" src="https://i.pinimg.com/236x/61/b4/18/61b418c8a4f96b6b746554c473e3de62.jpg" srcset="https://i.pinimg.com/236x/61/b4/18/61b418c8a4f96b6b746554c473e3de62.jpg 1x, https://i.pinimg.com/474x/61/b4/18/61b418c8a4f96b6b746554c473e3de62.jpg 2x, https://i.pinimg.com/736x/61/b4/18/61b418c8a4f96b6b746554c473e3de62.jpg 3x, https://i.pinimg.com/originals/61/b4/18/61b418c8a4f96b6b746554c473e3de62.jpg 4x" width="512" /></p><p>I was struck by two things while reading that post- first, I am on the right path and these are things I have always loved and will always love- second, I have been waiting a very long time for this kitchen and while it hasn't always been easy to be patient as "we will do it next year" rolled over year, after year, it will be so worth it because I am getting exactly what I want and if we had done it before now I would have had to sacrifice parts of the dream list that are very important to me. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="hCL kVc L4E MIw" height="640" importance="auto" loading="auto" src="https://i.pinimg.com/564x/cb/29/3b/cb293b8e83a9a1cfe865b7b02131e393.jpg" width="479" /></p><p>The lessons here for me are: Patience pays off and block out the noise, rely on the design elements that have always made my heart sing and stay true to the house and to myself. There are always going to be people who don't approve because I didn't do...file in the blank- but this project is going to be uniquely me and that's just the way I like it. Nay sayers gonna nay. ;) </p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="hCL kVc L4E MIw" height="640" importance="auto" loading="auto" src="https://i.pinimg.com/564x/62/11/31/621131b03286f2f9298f28514744c007.jpg" width="482" /></p><p>So I thought I'd take a moment here to share some of my inspiration for the project before I share the layout and finishes we've chosen. This is just a small sample and just for the kitchen/dining/boot room part of the project which all tie in together and which make up the bulk of our project and budget. All of these photos are from Pinterest and you can follow my <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/thecottagenest/village-renovations-2022/">Village Renovation 2022</a> board over there for more if you're interested. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="hCL kVc L4E MIw" height="640" importance="auto" loading="auto" src="https://i.pinimg.com/564x/99/4a/1f/994a1fd0e85453a051cecda40637f770.jpg" width="448" /></p><p>I'm waiting to hear back from the contractor now that our cabinet order is in. There is a 20 week lead time so that information will allow her to work backwards to form a schedule. As soon as I get that I should probably find us a place to live as well as choose and order tile, light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, flooring, doors, windows...</p><p><br /></p><p>STAY THE COURSE</p><p><br /></p>Jen Kershnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128661586028201160noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-67553784405125201072021-12-24T16:24:00.007-05:002021-12-25T07:07:02.236-05:00Christmas in the Cottage I'm just popping in really quickly to say Merry Christmas! For the last few days, every day feels like it must be Christmas Eve and I find myself surprised that it isn't. I've been existing in a cozy, holiday bubble but today it actually arrived and I didn't want it to get away from me without a little tour of the house. I wanted to capture it knowing that next year will look very different.<div><br /></div><div>The entry:</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEic0RFUf75oxWKxvIexNtGDG1mxNDk3wdkjNklbOBdR39hSuOPjfCFRTi3u-frTnSSaO210jE4O7UPgbNmwkivXaL_cyB1qCMeWY4sVsgjjqbO1sttKHxCt-M_uZg6q7XoZbtSEKKtEhbM9kp8DwwkPGa7HYuPPlVNpLWOLsl0YklK0rU32Oig=s6000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEic0RFUf75oxWKxvIexNtGDG1mxNDk3wdkjNklbOBdR39hSuOPjfCFRTi3u-frTnSSaO210jE4O7UPgbNmwkivXaL_cyB1qCMeWY4sVsgjjqbO1sttKHxCt-M_uZg6q7XoZbtSEKKtEhbM9kp8DwwkPGa7HYuPPlVNpLWOLsl0YklK0rU32Oig=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi34IA6a4q3lH04KOUO76l9hBB_CldzftKUZjNQXSIaPGs-qSaDZ70_3giWY4FgYx5xhFDl3G2QySRqjnGJVEntt9m9BtS5zCru1l64wsNPTomBO48_J9yNlxfGgWHL3DWEJsPJa6ohOHgkL15fr79w9nutgM1e50iAjiZIh1Vudn7L_MAcf6c=s6000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi34IA6a4q3lH04KOUO76l9hBB_CldzftKUZjNQXSIaPGs-qSaDZ70_3giWY4FgYx5xhFDl3G2QySRqjnGJVEntt9m9BtS5zCru1l64wsNPTomBO48_J9yNlxfGgWHL3DWEJsPJa6ohOHgkL15fr79w9nutgM1e50iAjiZIh1Vudn7L_MAcf6c=w426-h640" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioHXKMwzXxHQF5HZkxt8mNWv0SrqbmXu0KIP9ahXNGMUmyab9doJW2IDcQSddggmV4fREYvmPKIjV4Qumm8vMuxJOjym_eBheB-4Ct-cQPLSn5NpUSOUDHF_SGb3CaPL48lFXES-3mz6yvEoCJgk4leYCPFrqHFAydnObgtiKjSYZqUfE6zIY=s5733" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5733" data-original-width="3822" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioHXKMwzXxHQF5HZkxt8mNWv0SrqbmXu0KIP9ahXNGMUmyab9doJW2IDcQSddggmV4fREYvmPKIjV4Qumm8vMuxJOjym_eBheB-4Ct-cQPLSn5NpUSOUDHF_SGb3CaPL48lFXES-3mz6yvEoCJgk4leYCPFrqHFAydnObgtiKjSYZqUfE6zIY=w426-h640" width="426" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpl5xBSCrXA1ei5xxrR0C-pIxB3x3_sa2LixlaIMj_F1m8Ql1eHlU01YItnRfkgMFgn8RoVlTHwEdZ1BKiBZRdM0HMr3bKw1UXg6OpaobDEy04mTtkH-V2hkNbxkQnpwvRzQ_nuaYPFbXdmKefMC_IdqkG3itaexEJdJxfq0ojIlxuHrHR6Ns=s6000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpl5xBSCrXA1ei5xxrR0C-pIxB3x3_sa2LixlaIMj_F1m8Ql1eHlU01YItnRfkgMFgn8RoVlTHwEdZ1BKiBZRdM0HMr3bKw1UXg6OpaobDEy04mTtkH-V2hkNbxkQnpwvRzQ_nuaYPFbXdmKefMC_IdqkG3itaexEJdJxfq0ojIlxuHrHR6Ns=w426-h640" width="426" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVd_uO_vCf1p0-6rHsdxfGIBuw8OYw3Xvg8xey8Pv4n5OpGcz5jOlkb9uPtBUbFv1ApMEwR9LGvJfFwEwomfNu3rwC710q4fwLRdxugS3QqotqOIbo4mJWFUJcGZhOMUG--cIcOSibCTT1VLsvXUMDhlYm7u8Xa7ML57dcNNRLNRleEcUU_o0=s6000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVd_uO_vCf1p0-6rHsdxfGIBuw8OYw3Xvg8xey8Pv4n5OpGcz5jOlkb9uPtBUbFv1ApMEwR9LGvJfFwEwomfNu3rwC710q4fwLRdxugS3QqotqOIbo4mJWFUJcGZhOMUG--cIcOSibCTT1VLsvXUMDhlYm7u8Xa7ML57dcNNRLNRleEcUU_o0=w426-h640" width="426" /></a></div><br /> <div>Trouble:</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGzQ7Gf9ZPy-HdqKfBD3VL2AJZ07jt9flyzMFkhDoK9_Fxm8NL8C9WkTUYdl42fqPoPH7QIUp3g9MrFYar79I3PjsETQpa0hRdPRwVnhqPS3Pq32d4EJnk6fGcDd0LShtbpJ-5Vs7CKorWMjWM6ijqsz3hLbrXJUdVFfewSIancMim1KEgysM=s6000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGzQ7Gf9ZPy-HdqKfBD3VL2AJZ07jt9flyzMFkhDoK9_Fxm8NL8C9WkTUYdl42fqPoPH7QIUp3g9MrFYar79I3PjsETQpa0hRdPRwVnhqPS3Pq32d4EJnk6fGcDd0LShtbpJ-5Vs7CKorWMjWM6ijqsz3hLbrXJUdVFfewSIancMim1KEgysM=w426-h640" width="426" /></a></div><br /></div><div>The family room:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjdT-Trm8kX1Ctylr0Jv8a5DK5I4tcAHAmPNodzDwyYDKtTupp99poPBqBKO_ZDFGlDli8B391aNCoSm7qCvTLhiyMbxIWaUZO6jrq-IKFCvrgxUGYCEEGWGtXgZmFpAQuoc4nfDQcBcmBJB7WlQkj6ei0idmKryOv9t2kY2qu0hRyLnPVAG0=s6000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjdT-Trm8kX1Ctylr0Jv8a5DK5I4tcAHAmPNodzDwyYDKtTupp99poPBqBKO_ZDFGlDli8B391aNCoSm7qCvTLhiyMbxIWaUZO6jrq-IKFCvrgxUGYCEEGWGtXgZmFpAQuoc4nfDQcBcmBJB7WlQkj6ei0idmKryOv9t2kY2qu0hRyLnPVAG0=w426-h640" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidolzXDlppY0uyTSDnlpz9g6xuDMc5vjBij7YBvf0s5tJudzOrJ1ahAANj3X4wvYqs_qe6YUTF9hYOlNhONUMtiMp2WznsyeVkIVjM5HRyKHoPhkXzIAZlTaRt8OagHDiBG6eDPj3fmGztkQQiYvTK1dWE4igmAqrCS2qRCB6sUFGS_jQFFuY=s6000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidolzXDlppY0uyTSDnlpz9g6xuDMc5vjBij7YBvf0s5tJudzOrJ1ahAANj3X4wvYqs_qe6YUTF9hYOlNhONUMtiMp2WznsyeVkIVjM5HRyKHoPhkXzIAZlTaRt8OagHDiBG6eDPj3fmGztkQQiYvTK1dWE4igmAqrCS2qRCB6sUFGS_jQFFuY=w426-h640" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinu_FCT8GfP0svEiGLW7akqjBMar9n-GSRRT8vBK2Z_3b245bPU5dmtSsaRdxJlaVLetME1oCbcSh5MTI06R5JI9nrXrk74jbXoczgWsEbUngKLJdbJ6S7d1t__EPhS1GHqO6sGbNxJxd1lOXvhcqzSHZ2UOiWEJNT7gzlxqKnbiroVC3Zccg=s5884" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3922" data-original-width="5884" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEinu_FCT8GfP0svEiGLW7akqjBMar9n-GSRRT8vBK2Z_3b245bPU5dmtSsaRdxJlaVLetME1oCbcSh5MTI06R5JI9nrXrk74jbXoczgWsEbUngKLJdbJ6S7d1t__EPhS1GHqO6sGbNxJxd1lOXvhcqzSHZ2UOiWEJNT7gzlxqKnbiroVC3Zccg=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>My favorite ornament:</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIt5pCCWjw0DCIPtkvEjLhbEPec2XfJ-q3WKiR-tjhg9om18-ym2-L5wnEX-bvjFpk7eWpJ4PmmBzFSxKwv84wP5JhhvfW98DqpUT3--XvGD50pLRsJ1hpZ9nM2t-wFjZMvf3XM0a9fdfhC1xVdURxt-z5DNwsYYZdmAU07M6vIkflKChipSo=s6000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIt5pCCWjw0DCIPtkvEjLhbEPec2XfJ-q3WKiR-tjhg9om18-ym2-L5wnEX-bvjFpk7eWpJ4PmmBzFSxKwv84wP5JhhvfW98DqpUT3--XvGD50pLRsJ1hpZ9nM2t-wFjZMvf3XM0a9fdfhC1xVdURxt-z5DNwsYYZdmAU07M6vIkflKChipSo=w426-h640" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhJWURjTcb50zrhv_r1-gPR-1lw5Qk-1DJg-2zLeedjFARoZr62rR2fyeIImHnFSbJUKnrBygedpQxCpICPczY7Qt61La1wNrrKdxIlOkSreocyqqqEEpG5ukMjgS4-xl4bO3YKL6-5nj-9_w_lC2Gq4qBy6UIcrMiWiV9dF26NrCqct5lkLY=s6000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjhJWURjTcb50zrhv_r1-gPR-1lw5Qk-1DJg-2zLeedjFARoZr62rR2fyeIImHnFSbJUKnrBygedpQxCpICPczY7Qt61La1wNrrKdxIlOkSreocyqqqEEpG5ukMjgS4-xl4bO3YKL6-5nj-9_w_lC2Gq4qBy6UIcrMiWiV9dF26NrCqct5lkLY=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjy4_bpzJvP1gs73nK6l7BKIC-paWHq9jPbbe_GLgUiJhy7qPuaUpYX-MdYDbhHNUmuqbNGeFRVXbk3imzi9ZeoSzTRlvl3e5f81Y4c2YDGc1LiIih0VOLm_t5WWXZqBE-LFukGfGxUErMSBf3vZFj2z6LFiLRLNaqTlmCFHPYYFCX9D-F77co=s6000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjy4_bpzJvP1gs73nK6l7BKIC-paWHq9jPbbe_GLgUiJhy7qPuaUpYX-MdYDbhHNUmuqbNGeFRVXbk3imzi9ZeoSzTRlvl3e5f81Y4c2YDGc1LiIih0VOLm_t5WWXZqBE-LFukGfGxUErMSBf3vZFj2z6LFiLRLNaqTlmCFHPYYFCX9D-F77co=w426-h640" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHw6TUXDENoSyt4otvCledZ0h4h4gGQTmVboWatUK3dc6LizsC74HvBf7tdYLF2VC62oeDQWf_l3uUE3UniQfZPjU0_D0Po-w0cXb12x15exvd6QdT-82AbRjNHm8jCpOnJpgp-AZRCacqtpms8Gg0AE0tQLyRpZ80k2vAjP98pQV0C8YJak0=s6000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHw6TUXDENoSyt4otvCledZ0h4h4gGQTmVboWatUK3dc6LizsC74HvBf7tdYLF2VC62oeDQWf_l3uUE3UniQfZPjU0_D0Po-w0cXb12x15exvd6QdT-82AbRjNHm8jCpOnJpgp-AZRCacqtpms8Gg0AE0tQLyRpZ80k2vAjP98pQV0C8YJak0=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTi1d-faYJ9SpX5qukmlxcGLK3QZvDoRyyEg0-52GZe2PcEUZZHEZamJQSPPSID9u-UwyBGcM8xLTc4ZA4MKbGrqxKI15WOqwQPjCLk-MHSJe-Xu8h6XV_Bv8v4iWh3NX8LPxm68Q8NS2HV9GmCfgq9dT_DgkA6VHLgIbV1M3hraVQ_yxNcA4=s6000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjTi1d-faYJ9SpX5qukmlxcGLK3QZvDoRyyEg0-52GZe2PcEUZZHEZamJQSPPSID9u-UwyBGcM8xLTc4ZA4MKbGrqxKI15WOqwQPjCLk-MHSJe-Xu8h6XV_Bv8v4iWh3NX8LPxm68Q8NS2HV9GmCfgq9dT_DgkA6VHLgIbV1M3hraVQ_yxNcA4=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Kitchen and dining room:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOQwG2oZdDXshKh30i-6Y-uzoD179SiVUCNMP1hzyvSnMO6SX6xQ4xPUokTmqPDZKRDN5D0q91k_7MZhheuqoUcHkylx7Mlj_LoYUw5oJE77NhbUgpllZViJsK7ytlvqqNleOnkE8qVdhaEJzYaDb24MbIXA5wt3KrEg6X-2Hvcz8f4vntb-Q=s6000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOQwG2oZdDXshKh30i-6Y-uzoD179SiVUCNMP1hzyvSnMO6SX6xQ4xPUokTmqPDZKRDN5D0q91k_7MZhheuqoUcHkylx7Mlj_LoYUw5oJE77NhbUgpllZViJsK7ytlvqqNleOnkE8qVdhaEJzYaDb24MbIXA5wt3KrEg6X-2Hvcz8f4vntb-Q=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihUb9oQpkY7X1-ySxV1biOfvmkBstqMmcHPRbp4gt7JVboE7cOzKcv-xM0TmXB7NipByL4lQ_eFNGMpydyCcyjeY0bb2bkDEoiQU3ELljZCiTWdKxRTFeOXGNBGWRBogvk9nqzwJPq1dc8459qguOaLkYyyQkARVcRsCqnu9M_2IyAggpg3qM=s6000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihUb9oQpkY7X1-ySxV1biOfvmkBstqMmcHPRbp4gt7JVboE7cOzKcv-xM0TmXB7NipByL4lQ_eFNGMpydyCcyjeY0bb2bkDEoiQU3ELljZCiTWdKxRTFeOXGNBGWRBogvk9nqzwJPq1dc8459qguOaLkYyyQkARVcRsCqnu9M_2IyAggpg3qM=w426-h640" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzu2XxRIn-MvyjJspIJ7-MBLl3J5XTnEarxxvM_kGYmjWBSXWP0HrxjHfr07vbOEhKMH0pMBSDljMjqgYcPaoQfEXoPdS7yAcU6CFOJHbt_mTpexzZiepX5lqGa9T-WhCcokc44xE1HTZozrvRzSe7MzVIC8RWqg2_KV0rUMm0oRciPwNjJaw=s6000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzu2XxRIn-MvyjJspIJ7-MBLl3J5XTnEarxxvM_kGYmjWBSXWP0HrxjHfr07vbOEhKMH0pMBSDljMjqgYcPaoQfEXoPdS7yAcU6CFOJHbt_mTpexzZiepX5lqGa9T-WhCcokc44xE1HTZozrvRzSe7MzVIC8RWqg2_KV0rUMm0oRciPwNjJaw=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibM1Ymc8UuDWUMQpKbVbDLFUwyYrLcVcNLlT9M4OK9lnxpQr7SZBh7i2rzT4ZL8zfHd5sOyu3aVYfN_fg5vzWehIoaZSF88Thv7tpPUWwwGWkxIswp4-oHnAw61pK86EZAJyPcjftJbZEZrpDc9P6dw7DcT4wNfLpTCeHXoPRJ7mpZ17LcnSc=s5826" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3884" data-original-width="5826" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibM1Ymc8UuDWUMQpKbVbDLFUwyYrLcVcNLlT9M4OK9lnxpQr7SZBh7i2rzT4ZL8zfHd5sOyu3aVYfN_fg5vzWehIoaZSF88Thv7tpPUWwwGWkxIswp4-oHnAw61pK86EZAJyPcjftJbZEZrpDc9P6dw7DcT4wNfLpTCeHXoPRJ7mpZ17LcnSc=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmjm76HG3LKR6U-K9fUXfMoCAgKh-M0VN9_jhU3Nt1qKVaPvBgqMuPnFQRpV3CTiWq_-7kKs7ETrpLCinsGpC9jrEoG4nI8Dl1RAMN3xnC3o9SXDnnC274keCslVLwFCG6FGkLPUZvZu1SnCXn_UrDZByEjPPoXq9jjYD0vCa3sAK_BX4-Of0=s6000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmjm76HG3LKR6U-K9fUXfMoCAgKh-M0VN9_jhU3Nt1qKVaPvBgqMuPnFQRpV3CTiWq_-7kKs7ETrpLCinsGpC9jrEoG4nI8Dl1RAMN3xnC3o9SXDnnC274keCslVLwFCG6FGkLPUZvZu1SnCXn_UrDZByEjPPoXq9jjYD0vCa3sAK_BX4-Of0=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAcjl_vO9y0jqTd_38yEIqCFwfWpMGjNU1Mnk_EVJSRjRfxgwTZ2txWkNmXeXdaRSA79ateVaRureJ_pNZTRPY3_tqZBiR8ZNj4qZFcm5Al1J6r27_MDoFfhzbom2HYSa89DzKytAxAjGP0NwEP8l7Bceoe8kIAHkKi6ZpFCn0B7AWLsZVF6o=s6000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAcjl_vO9y0jqTd_38yEIqCFwfWpMGjNU1Mnk_EVJSRjRfxgwTZ2txWkNmXeXdaRSA79ateVaRureJ_pNZTRPY3_tqZBiR8ZNj4qZFcm5Al1J6r27_MDoFfhzbom2HYSa89DzKytAxAjGP0NwEP8l7Bceoe8kIAHkKi6ZpFCn0B7AWLsZVF6o=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQSxTVr5gbYSIoVqTNraAV3H9Qa4gUGVmFy74syfAnFMRHafqtz0UOrQvLDT_9WC2ywwh9URAG5p5DEdLzybHgy7VkaQlZvOYhonV96XvYdI5vhLMpabAONsPcWDcTzUhte_N5wzAsLqtCe9OcpqVskwgc_F51NOyB1-F2AN6RMJNZdZ79Yy8=s6000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQSxTVr5gbYSIoVqTNraAV3H9Qa4gUGVmFy74syfAnFMRHafqtz0UOrQvLDT_9WC2ywwh9URAG5p5DEdLzybHgy7VkaQlZvOYhonV96XvYdI5vhLMpabAONsPcWDcTzUhte_N5wzAsLqtCe9OcpqVskwgc_F51NOyB1-F2AN6RMJNZdZ79Yy8=w426-h640" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjMQmD25EHuRlbKbs8Y80-sR2DHMGCBCWFio5gJOaJQj_XrOEbq8_wAGSYs9FzEs4Z_7-Mkgba0iU4bXreQ3DstT7TtedbgbTdMEISAHqhnjEfz26sn1QkR7BLtTzEBX0DKwZiAm_COSAzd_l8KTWekCkjHN8vGM64Mtrhb5gPoXiYlMfik6M=s6000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjMQmD25EHuRlbKbs8Y80-sR2DHMGCBCWFio5gJOaJQj_XrOEbq8_wAGSYs9FzEs4Z_7-Mkgba0iU4bXreQ3DstT7TtedbgbTdMEISAHqhnjEfz26sn1QkR7BLtTzEBX0DKwZiAm_COSAzd_l8KTWekCkjHN8vGM64Mtrhb5gPoXiYlMfik6M=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1byAE_SDLTB8XnOU73mtmBLY6ta9ImkULV4oqp9w8weuvdSicE-BNleqsTLfTXIL1cTww5a8PMLWcAK8IY3oiHGrdtTszeJwahooC2bC9a5_pZoxOv4Ym3yK4qBVznudL-RI8-0neTW4Y1YIQV-X4CQSO9n4qKX1JTTOj2WjysYInM6Ultrc=s5811" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3874" data-original-width="5811" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1byAE_SDLTB8XnOU73mtmBLY6ta9ImkULV4oqp9w8weuvdSicE-BNleqsTLfTXIL1cTww5a8PMLWcAK8IY3oiHGrdtTszeJwahooC2bC9a5_pZoxOv4Ym3yK4qBVznudL-RI8-0neTW4Y1YIQV-X4CQSO9n4qKX1JTTOj2WjysYInM6Ultrc=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqY6cRqDIZigdgTJQVfYEhx84F9tgFw57k_KmAi7LURMEU5BnUoZUfEzzszF5QFe3ZDW4K-1j_6j9UWUOFQdCUP1_rMgfj4lVz4RY-RHKES0ojaQZZIwf_yxyU8_GPL7RTcVzIvuS48lgNsOwG1ZU2mGuGPc5m47Uq5jimyIFXh7kKoPoRPs8=s5884" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3922" data-original-width="5884" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqY6cRqDIZigdgTJQVfYEhx84F9tgFw57k_KmAi7LURMEU5BnUoZUfEzzszF5QFe3ZDW4K-1j_6j9UWUOFQdCUP1_rMgfj4lVz4RY-RHKES0ojaQZZIwf_yxyU8_GPL7RTcVzIvuS48lgNsOwG1ZU2mGuGPc5m47Uq5jimyIFXh7kKoPoRPs8=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlTnd86TKOEpLXVhb4CKQF4oCcYVCgHjy0xT47iSsVVooisWczVs2PUzfTOMRqAanT92HsFXTYmXvY8rZqTYePHwgetSCPyDJ7etoBLCsicVlVX4M3461XNajl-IXrt32FK6BwXras5gqS6qNGkfobcrBNPXEeCqDmJQR8-u4km2KKYINtw3w=s6000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjlTnd86TKOEpLXVhb4CKQF4oCcYVCgHjy0xT47iSsVVooisWczVs2PUzfTOMRqAanT92HsFXTYmXvY8rZqTYePHwgetSCPyDJ7etoBLCsicVlVX4M3461XNajl-IXrt32FK6BwXras5gqS6qNGkfobcrBNPXEeCqDmJQR8-u4km2KKYINtw3w=w426-h640" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div>Bedrooms and upstairs:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEho17SjeMR8zfMCmXkh3UWhU4VSN1LqhqnczaZQPgaw8eCWlmlMlvkuHIYSk0wr6ypqnK9YawO6yJZWzRqhV5LxaizJTQVDdXgXlmj1C6he43prmmzV96vCMvKFt5ksbhw_Vqz7PQVTADX5hJAcEezT-l3aOv066fnf5cQS75W2lE0SXfdeDp8=s6000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEho17SjeMR8zfMCmXkh3UWhU4VSN1LqhqnczaZQPgaw8eCWlmlMlvkuHIYSk0wr6ypqnK9YawO6yJZWzRqhV5LxaizJTQVDdXgXlmj1C6he43prmmzV96vCMvKFt5ksbhw_Vqz7PQVTADX5hJAcEezT-l3aOv066fnf5cQS75W2lE0SXfdeDp8=w426-h640" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqdE-olXVR_fa9_pDMu-hjxe3LKB4Wtf6uqBN0c6FxF1C48VEHRLLEV85zKZ7rghHk5Mo1NqQ98vzSFP_nnKyb8FWIAZmIEfICevTDMrnR_eGaLB5y9UsUjdzb91yQxAGbK-t0I_Vvd1n33Ev7J0Wk1YspwO7sPaX1Ef1wp4quM9gyIWSXll0=s6000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhqdE-olXVR_fa9_pDMu-hjxe3LKB4Wtf6uqBN0c6FxF1C48VEHRLLEV85zKZ7rghHk5Mo1NqQ98vzSFP_nnKyb8FWIAZmIEfICevTDMrnR_eGaLB5y9UsUjdzb91yQxAGbK-t0I_Vvd1n33Ev7J0Wk1YspwO7sPaX1Ef1wp4quM9gyIWSXll0=w426-h640" width="426" /></a></div></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNvFAocZ2pmrR3uP6VVaIkGeT-2YJVkAtZIcCJ8ToIwyO0ztt6YnlyecGhMyaOXyXDshV7SRGMrqeFVzr7H5ER7naM6AuQN_-C_nUfKqlVdxzLm9F5nau2OL-C1JvoSGybp-9Q_TVZbvMGNTvNZ3AWnyf5Ey9TYCJot0E0dSaaUwTMMgfQiBk=s6000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjNvFAocZ2pmrR3uP6VVaIkGeT-2YJVkAtZIcCJ8ToIwyO0ztt6YnlyecGhMyaOXyXDshV7SRGMrqeFVzr7H5ER7naM6AuQN_-C_nUfKqlVdxzLm9F5nau2OL-C1JvoSGybp-9Q_TVZbvMGNTvNZ3AWnyf5Ey9TYCJot0E0dSaaUwTMMgfQiBk=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div></div><br />Merriest Christmas, lovely people! I'm off to make fudge, have a festive cocktail, eat appetizers, wait for the jammie fairy, open a present and watch Elf! </div>Jen Kershnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128661586028201160noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-18528190831969427672021-12-18T07:16:00.005-05:002021-12-18T10:01:38.640-05:00Christmas Time is Here<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhicwuIX02z4RzQoWMT9YANAIHq3lg7sPOA8f255OVK5OScSaqsS90ZFj3dvx3t6QmjQWrMgbzeVmh_NR_kVjdBvsZF1QVMULd0kDkhynK101gMbhyzmRoAMobrlwSSzbWprG9Rhj5cBLRtsUkHZAfpL3cPEsfgOTRlSnDNLpSk_WjpW-B6rdE=s6000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhicwuIX02z4RzQoWMT9YANAIHq3lg7sPOA8f255OVK5OScSaqsS90ZFj3dvx3t6QmjQWrMgbzeVmh_NR_kVjdBvsZF1QVMULd0kDkhynK101gMbhyzmRoAMobrlwSSzbWprG9Rhj5cBLRtsUkHZAfpL3cPEsfgOTRlSnDNLpSk_WjpW-B6rdE=w426-h640" width="426" /></a></div> <div>These last years, time passes differently. Entire days, weeks and months slip by in a steady, familiar rhythm around here. The routines have shifted and given way to new patterns and flow. My guy now works from home full time and permanently and while I really like that, it does have a ripple effect on my days. More of my time and energy is absorbed by it than I would have guessed leaving me less time to accomplish the mundane which means less time to spend on the fun things.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFPFh-m9vOMePw7zYKR24q5Qi6l21EDnMBMRemx19qdShTEz_H-242eeuUaclkY5r8mHncIsW0DIxfynwJt2VgG_QPr88Zo9CwrVGvD6EiBqndYV4d5EXAEAvgdfdK1EdqpMGt6GM8cw0YeUxVo0ejUHeJerMGeczWqBWkHnwE2lOMHp2ggTo=s6000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFPFh-m9vOMePw7zYKR24q5Qi6l21EDnMBMRemx19qdShTEz_H-242eeuUaclkY5r8mHncIsW0DIxfynwJt2VgG_QPr88Zo9CwrVGvD6EiBqndYV4d5EXAEAvgdfdK1EdqpMGt6GM8cw0YeUxVo0ejUHeJerMGeczWqBWkHnwE2lOMHp2ggTo=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>I also find that I move at a slower pace these days. It's not something I choose, but seems to be my new default. I don't really mind. I have become more of a meanderer than a go getter. The only time I seem to be able to switch it into high gear is when I have a deadline- like company coming. Otherwise, I'm here starting one thing, walking off to follow a distraction, going back to what I started before, faff and potter, rinse and repeat until at the end of a day I'm asking myself what did I even do today? I have no idea. I'm baffled. I know I scarcely sat, I didn't take any time in the studio but I still have no idea. Invisible jobs and immeasurable accomplishments. I'm currently watching a time management for creatives class with Lisa Congdon. My goal is to get a better handle on the musts so I can have more time and energy for the wants. It is the wants that fuel me. I don't wake up in the morning excited to mop or take care of admin. I just want to be in the studio 24/7. For the last several months I often find myself waking up in the 4 o'clock hour drawn to my space. Whereas before I would have tried to go back to sleep and even stayed in bed if I couldn't, now I get up and tuck myself into my favorite corner and I never regret the choice. </p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnce2daPq-qK0mSiEWnInVEilcShswNtE_S-l0WHVmacL5sq_70LJDIzo_OTF32N4bwGO_wBV7VrUZnfepd9TxOF8y1h44jUtNR1EGrEbwp9fIEC4wM0_pB-e357QsNBF1r-PVW4eByW1-42l14OVn1HhAN6kKnRQgEnDOXpAChig0_W99nws=s6000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnce2daPq-qK0mSiEWnInVEilcShswNtE_S-l0WHVmacL5sq_70LJDIzo_OTF32N4bwGO_wBV7VrUZnfepd9TxOF8y1h44jUtNR1EGrEbwp9fIEC4wM0_pB-e357QsNBF1r-PVW4eByW1-42l14OVn1HhAN6kKnRQgEnDOXpAChig0_W99nws=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I enjoy my own company. I love time spent quietly and alone. Spending every available extra moment I have in the studio fills that need for me and I'm so fortunate to have the space and also a husband that supports that. I feel like I start a lot more than I finish in the studio these days and that's okay. All creative play is important and one idea leads to another. I'm working on removing guilt and "shoulds" from my studio time. I'm also working on letting go of perfection and just starting and seeing where it takes me. Sometimes I love the results and sometimes I don't. These days I have more ideas than I have time but after the vast desert of creativity that was my life for a good portion of 2020 and 2021, I am more than grateful for it. Long live the creative swirl that is my imagination.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjy6hQA1RK2c_qyJ1zQkaHXjU6upn7Z3KnVRWMyauUHDAvMy54Vl_U4OBX3FHLAF_U7kKn2tNw8mI8VHZ9M50BAhF6LKfSxB5v0msR3MkGg-GRtdxAiEPhFwLuspfH-MEi-3IpAyV-SBXYB6QxPXTyzmN8FM_0UuMCFxUnf1O-LPaLeHhj3doE=s6000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjy6hQA1RK2c_qyJ1zQkaHXjU6upn7Z3KnVRWMyauUHDAvMy54Vl_U4OBX3FHLAF_U7kKn2tNw8mI8VHZ9M50BAhF6LKfSxB5v0msR3MkGg-GRtdxAiEPhFwLuspfH-MEi-3IpAyV-SBXYB6QxPXTyzmN8FM_0UuMCFxUnf1O-LPaLeHhj3doE=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div></div><p>And now the winter months are upon us and I'm looking forward to the natural slowing that follows. Calendars with few commitments, more time for creating. I'm excited to burrow into our cozy cottage and enjoy a season of fires in the keeping room, reading, cooking and making. Keeping my mind and hands busy while my body rests. There truly is no place like home for comfort. It is my fervent hope that soon the weather will change and the cold, snowy brisk days I crave will be a reality.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjq2Zx2BaQL_xNghxD16CHuweX3JCLswDKtuA7DNaF2FD73o6DSxMMqX7fCqEDL-4YG8wlFFbCBZfJpthu7XqghvPg0etdNofP5V_JcHEsFceZzrB3Jcwk0n-or689rPEJs2zICMwRSpF4edbI3YLvbqlu30mEF6RG0KwFPDE-lZLR3o5Aw5qM=s6000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjq2Zx2BaQL_xNghxD16CHuweX3JCLswDKtuA7DNaF2FD73o6DSxMMqX7fCqEDL-4YG8wlFFbCBZfJpthu7XqghvPg0etdNofP5V_JcHEsFceZzrB3Jcwk0n-or689rPEJs2zICMwRSpF4edbI3YLvbqlu30mEF6RG0KwFPDE-lZLR3o5Aw5qM=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Much of this winter will be spent planning our renovations which are slated to begin in April- the same month we celebrate eleven years in this house. Eleven years spent dreaming and working to make this home ours and I am so happy that we get to make these dreams come true and maximize our cottage's potential. My patience is finally paying off and I can hardly believe it. The wait has been painful at times as being able to picture it done can be a bit of a curse when you can't do anything about it. We will have waited a year for our contractor to be able to get us on her schedule but I know she is so worth the wait and I can't wait to share our experience with you.</div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXBxWNulsZ_nxeH56IxBxaFO4wiBSGJPVWIeUetDF3wODrots55lL8Q5nohzwYICnfFoB0Cv8Dqca_a5rZETWXc8jBM6Z6K-xk-57Mu3t0pt95YvTaq7bja2S80PQcRShrKxIe0yyi3zyKxf6fq4YmUEZiXJEvdk4V4wnl904lrKhBdl7g3Es=s6000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjXBxWNulsZ_nxeH56IxBxaFO4wiBSGJPVWIeUetDF3wODrots55lL8Q5nohzwYICnfFoB0Cv8Dqca_a5rZETWXc8jBM6Z6K-xk-57Mu3t0pt95YvTaq7bja2S80PQcRShrKxIe0yyi3zyKxf6fq4YmUEZiXJEvdk4V4wnl904lrKhBdl7g3Es=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><p>The project is a large one-these things do have a tendency to snowball. She thinks it will take about 5 months. We will be moving out, which makes me a little sad but will be so worth it and I am looking at it as a bit of a vacation as living in a place that isn't your own and doesn't come with an extensive to do list for you to manage every day will feel like a bit of a vacation! We will probably be over here daily though tending the gardens, getting the mail, checking on progress, doing some work ourselves, letting the dog run in the backyard and enjoying time on our porches. I think that will help ease the pain as well. And more than anything just knowing that we are going to love this home even more and that all of the hard work will be worth it in the end.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtLgDuogTdT1zZYBwBtJuQhKwYGJ58uhTStq-Qpuwot-8PFKgpUxVZwTUmHPx05M-tXDiv22X9I5GrxN57097sbAGmP8n8BFOemMxDSFJaOXzNWWeAn-LMZ3JgkRJUnIXjnXtPKKWD8ApcXxS7fq7tQ5UKoFfGzVU6swOTseRPx7MsWYpuD0U=s6000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtLgDuogTdT1zZYBwBtJuQhKwYGJ58uhTStq-Qpuwot-8PFKgpUxVZwTUmHPx05M-tXDiv22X9I5GrxN57097sbAGmP8n8BFOemMxDSFJaOXzNWWeAn-LMZ3JgkRJUnIXjnXtPKKWD8ApcXxS7fq7tQ5UKoFfGzVU6swOTseRPx7MsWYpuD0U=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>I am just grateful for this little life of mine. Sometimes I think- should I be doing more? I feel like Kathleen Kelly..."Sometimes I wonder about my life. I lead a small life - well, valuable, but small - and sometimes I wonder, do I do it because I like it or because I haven't been brave?" But I know I have been brave where it counts and I do have some dreams yet to be realized...but at the end of the day I'm just so content where I am. And I'm thoroughly grateful that I've ended up where I am. There can be no true happiness in life without gratitude and when you view your life through that lens it truly changes everything. </p><p>Be well friends.</p></div></div>Jen Kershnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128661586028201160noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-57317163490459873972021-09-22T15:48:00.003-04:002021-09-22T15:48:41.595-04:00Autumn's Arrival<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8r9q4A_FLPw/YUuFB_J33EI/AAAAAAAARrE/lkIe8uSL60g2ZP4h0JeTrcNAByWNbvCVQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_6554.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8r9q4A_FLPw/YUuFB_J33EI/AAAAAAAARrE/lkIe8uSL60g2ZP4h0JeTrcNAByWNbvCVQCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_6554.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div> <p></p><p>Right on cue, autumn arrived today. It is one of those impossibly beautiful, perfectly seasonally appropriate days. The temperature is 54 degrees, the rain has steadily fallen all day and time is passing so slowly that I find myself constantly amazed that it's not later in the day. I could happily relive this day over and over.</p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_JKomxZVdrs/YUuGj3nk8WI/AAAAAAAARrU/u2IeMbnPh44zgr3P1vXeOSQndnc-UsU0gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_6588.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_JKomxZVdrs/YUuGj3nk8WI/AAAAAAAARrU/u2IeMbnPh44zgr3P1vXeOSQndnc-UsU0gCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_6588.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /></div>The wind whistles and gusts, rattling the studio window screens, autumn music plays in the other room, cozy lamps light dark corners of the house, a candle flickers in an amber jar. I wear the softest clothes in my wardrobe, all in shades of grey except for my hand knit socks taking their maiden voyage on the freshly washed hardwood floors. The house is tidy and my to do list is forgotten. My focus is on the things that give me pleasure: knitting, reading, stitching and staring out the window feeling like the luckiest girl that ever lived. <div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K0s7BPF9TVY/YUuFB_C2IUI/AAAAAAAARq8/1R99Di_xI2MHd2fced1qr--GDLy0irYswCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/416E0645-DA55-48AC-B909-7042A4260384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1638" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K0s7BPF9TVY/YUuFB_C2IUI/AAAAAAAARq8/1R99Di_xI2MHd2fced1qr--GDLy0irYswCLcBGAsYHQ/w512-h640/416E0645-DA55-48AC-B909-7042A4260384.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><p></p>He comes downstairs and asks me to join him for lunch. Afterwards we curl up on the sofa together, intertwined in that way our bodies do without thought. We fit perfectly. We snuggle in and set the alarm for 20 minutes. He drifts, I rest and smile. He wakes up and kisses me and drifts again. We reset the alarm- 5 more minutes. I try to remember what my days were like before he started working from home. I lay there completely content, sure I have never been this happy in my entire life. <div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xu1hC4OFXBw/YUuEZ_RHADI/AAAAAAAARqs/mwHOmPnH9hYbsvm2TeKS0zqhcMkwec7FQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/0F0CDC5A-1DC2-41BC-ABAF-D47DCFA689C9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xu1hC4OFXBw/YUuEZ_RHADI/AAAAAAAARqs/mwHOmPnH9hYbsvm2TeKS0zqhcMkwec7FQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/0F0CDC5A-1DC2-41BC-ABAF-D47DCFA689C9.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>He heads back upstairs, I head back to the studio, after all it is Sacred Day. I'm surrounded by beautiful messes. I stitch and think. I daydream about the cozy months to come. There is tea and sourdough toast smeared with dark chocolate. I knit. I try on my sweater. I look at the clock again, I smile. I whisper thank you to the universe.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-75Ly8tbF-1Y/YUuEZzdHmhI/AAAAAAAARqo/yb1PcZxIt244wK_8tDDu23Sqj0ZMX9XxQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/54965DA3-8D77-4333-A04D-D36DDA6DF0D7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-75Ly8tbF-1Y/YUuEZzdHmhI/AAAAAAAARqo/yb1PcZxIt244wK_8tDDu23Sqj0ZMX9XxQCLcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/54965DA3-8D77-4333-A04D-D36DDA6DF0D7.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div><p></p><p>This is the kind of day I want to memorize-close my eyes and commit the feeling of it to memory- imprint it on my brain so I can recall it at will when I am in need of the comfort of it. I hope that day never comes. I hope I will be this happy til the end of my days.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KjysIVcs4S0/YUuFCblJmMI/AAAAAAAARrI/v0eUa-ANSGEQma0TY6rIOxBYf5tN72wxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/IMG_6586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KjysIVcs4S0/YUuFCblJmMI/AAAAAAAARrI/v0eUa-ANSGEQma0TY6rIOxBYf5tN72wxgCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_6586.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><br /></div></div>Jen Kershnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128661586028201160noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-24171783375170849322021-08-24T18:25:00.002-04:002021-08-25T08:42:12.538-04:00I Can<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ASD3W0l04oE/YSVp46IxuuI/AAAAAAAARoQ/A0BoaxyKFDE3hFA97fGBvxnJ64MWkfv7ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/Screenshot%2B2021-08-24%2Bat%2B5.49.29%2BPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1034" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ASD3W0l04oE/YSVp46IxuuI/AAAAAAAARoQ/A0BoaxyKFDE3hFA97fGBvxnJ64MWkfv7ACLcBGAsYHQ/w518-h640/Screenshot%2B2021-08-24%2Bat%2B5.49.29%2BPM.png" width="518" /></a></div><p>With the change of seasons, both figurative and literal, I feel my focus shifting. The nest is empty once again and summer is waning. Autumn can't get here fast enough for me. The potager garden is the thing keeping me out there watering when I'm tempted to let the garden die a slow, parched death while I sit inside under a fan. The idea of falling leaves and brisk days feels a little bit like a lie right now, so I remind myself that there is something to love about every season. Even if that something is just tomatoes and margaritas. This heat could make me cranky if I let it. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A4JqHuKxq8k/YSVrpBjNIaI/AAAAAAAARo8/I6uWRDMQSps-6sw1m-sykLGUS77r5bL-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1280/249753FE-851B-4D49-AE9B-F9C3DE241C9D.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1145" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A4JqHuKxq8k/YSVrpBjNIaI/AAAAAAAARo8/I6uWRDMQSps-6sw1m-sykLGUS77r5bL-wCLcBGAsYHQ/w572-h640/249753FE-851B-4D49-AE9B-F9C3DE241C9D.jpeg" width="572" /></a></div><p></p><p>But then I remember...there is still a lot to love about <i>this</i> season of life right now. In between the frustration, heartache, sorrow and blazing summer heat.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QBUxw_51t_8/YSVyndmGujI/AAAAAAAARqQ/lxlnkt_eZl0xQNSjYVcRrrLkKJU4m4miQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1879/991079CB-6FD2-496A-AB8C-866D5E1BDCA5_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1373" data-original-width="1879" height="468" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QBUxw_51t_8/YSVyndmGujI/AAAAAAAARqQ/lxlnkt_eZl0xQNSjYVcRrrLkKJU4m4miQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h468/991079CB-6FD2-496A-AB8C-866D5E1BDCA5_1_201_a.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I can still wake up in the morning grateful to be alive, grateful for another day. Instead of going through my days and life on autopilot I can cherish the chance to make homemade <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#">beer bread</a> one day and <a href="https://www.blogger.com/#">ricotta</a> cheese the next. I can roast some garlic and spread it on a thick BLT sandwich with garden fresh tomatoes, remoulade and ripe avocado and serve it to my girls for an unexpected family lunch.<br /><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e1RvVHNLcPs/YSVrpPCuykI/AAAAAAAARpA/3wXyNPf3PBgQcTt8-MAg2HkcPWPNV2Z9gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/1C3B19B9-D9C7-4355-A4BD-DA08CE08A548_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e1RvVHNLcPs/YSVrpPCuykI/AAAAAAAARpA/3wXyNPf3PBgQcTt8-MAg2HkcPWPNV2Z9gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/1C3B19B9-D9C7-4355-A4BD-DA08CE08A548_1_201_a.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I can spend some time in my studio, losing myself in creative pursuits either alone or with a friend, the hours passing without any awareness, while I work in an inspired stupor.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s9Pou_4nYjI/YSVrpAv8r5I/AAAAAAAARo4/bgkb5vPFoZ8fbKrny1LFdXUMzK4r2CvhACLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/211ACF3D-BEF2-4B8C-8B75-52FC6C749B5A_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s9Pou_4nYjI/YSVrpAv8r5I/AAAAAAAARo4/bgkb5vPFoZ8fbKrny1LFdXUMzK4r2CvhACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/211ACF3D-BEF2-4B8C-8B75-52FC6C749B5A_1_201_a.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div></div><p> I can pour myself a cup of tea, shut the door and have some quiet time planning and journaling.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dP3UQXPpK2g/YSVrpvjyJoI/AAAAAAAARpE/ZWV48ul92moqmcKGArcfhuVrVC565GUMQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/274D70D3-FAAF-42D3-8EF1-8F26AF18338F_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dP3UQXPpK2g/YSVrpvjyJoI/AAAAAAAARpE/ZWV48ul92moqmcKGArcfhuVrVC565GUMQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/274D70D3-FAAF-42D3-8EF1-8F26AF18338F_1_201_a.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>I can go on a spontaneous brunch date with my best guy, have dinner with friends and make homemade <a href="https://www.foodiecrush.com/lobster-rolls/">lobster rolls </a>that remind me of being on vacation. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ATHVW-5QjRs/YSVsWtxmR2I/AAAAAAAARp8/HnYNZ-yRfzUkV9Kh603c8ydTZHA-nHaKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/IMG_6063-2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ATHVW-5QjRs/YSVsWtxmR2I/AAAAAAAARp8/HnYNZ-yRfzUkV9Kh603c8ydTZHA-nHaKgCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_6063-2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p>I can cuddle up and read a book, watch a movie or find a new tv show. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XbgoR1P6wwg/YSVs9lVGiuI/AAAAAAAARqE/UPKu4f5cnuI1Wc-tbilvrK-mxeNoltATwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1892/IMG_6020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1892" data-original-width="1358" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XbgoR1P6wwg/YSVs9lVGiuI/AAAAAAAARqE/UPKu4f5cnuI1Wc-tbilvrK-mxeNoltATwCLcBGAsYHQ/w460-h640/IMG_6020.jpg" width="460" /></a></div><p>Life is easier if we focus on the <i>cans</i> instead of the <i>can'ts</i>. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ovp-aU8ZjWU/YSVrqq-4cwI/AAAAAAAARpM/oWMXYtX05W8WZo03DmUytl4oKWP0KzvxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7CEB99E7-B2C9-435A-A9C7-EBD077A07020_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ovp-aU8ZjWU/YSVrqq-4cwI/AAAAAAAARpM/oWMXYtX05W8WZo03DmUytl4oKWP0KzvxgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/7CEB99E7-B2C9-435A-A9C7-EBD077A07020_1_201_a.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>I can choose to have a life full of days well lived, moments cherished and small joys observed while appreciating the things that are right in front of me. </p></div>Jen Kershnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128661586028201160noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-64389114198135203632021-08-05T07:31:00.004-04:002021-08-05T07:35:50.351-04:00New Beginnings<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wseILWzSqto/YQvF07Si_II/AAAAAAAARns/sPXRf1bO6usnhNAoXfdeB73E1IZYXQC-gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/CA39F575-420F-476D-BA1B-F9BFB22ECD5D_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wseILWzSqto/YQvF07Si_II/AAAAAAAARns/sPXRf1bO6usnhNAoXfdeB73E1IZYXQC-gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/CA39F575-420F-476D-BA1B-F9BFB22ECD5D_1_201_a.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div> <p></p><p>Hello friends. It's been awhile hasn't it? I have come back to this space many times over the months. I have even written a few blog posts but never published them. I don't know why. Something just felt like it was missing, my authentic voice most likely. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rHRY5ZiDnKc/YQvF0thnmqI/AAAAAAAARno/EjgONPNZUuMQABG9X-zexiyGkCxjCQX9QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/B3A7E8AD-A2BC-43A7-A92D-C96DA16506A9_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1464" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rHRY5ZiDnKc/YQvF0thnmqI/AAAAAAAARno/EjgONPNZUuMQABG9X-zexiyGkCxjCQX9QCLcBGAsYHQ/w458-h640/B3A7E8AD-A2BC-43A7-A92D-C96DA16506A9_1_201_a.jpeg" width="458" /></a></div><p>When I pulled my camera out yesterday, I realized I had not taken a photo with it since April and even then, very few. That is one of the clearest signs of how life is affecting me. In a typical year I would take thousands of photos. In 2020 and 2021 so far it's been very minimal. So here I share with you random photos of various times with no specific relevance and a promise to myself to get back to seeing the beauty of the world through my lens.</p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LOW3txLpR0I/YQvF1WvqbWI/AAAAAAAARnw/e-cyepSvDTo2IsBWW3Ky9CdcShUnAuBegCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/D03D9413-D203-4F7D-9364-CD001666AAE6_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LOW3txLpR0I/YQvF1WvqbWI/AAAAAAAARnw/e-cyepSvDTo2IsBWW3Ky9CdcShUnAuBegCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/D03D9413-D203-4F7D-9364-CD001666AAE6_1_201_a.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>By now I imagine we've all heard the term languishing in reference to the current state of the world and it's effect on our psyches. If not <a href="https://www.avera.org/balance/behavioral-health/feeling-off-from-the-pandemic-youre-not-alone/" target="_blank">here</a> is an article you might like to read on the subject. I'd say it's a pretty accurate description of what I've been going through. I've touched on the subject of being a <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/highly-sensitive-persons-traits-that-create-more-stress-4126393" target="_blank">HSP (Highly Sensitive Person)</a> before I think, but when you combine that with being an empath, it really is an overwhelming state of affairs that requires me to turn inwards. I mean I have no choice. It's survival. I shrink my world and go into recovery mode. I've been like this always but it wasn't until the past several years that I started to understand why. When this overwhelm happens, I avoid the news, social media and all the opinions of all of the people. I pick up my knitting needles, put on something cozy and lose myself in the quiet, stitch by stitch, needles lulling me into peace with their repetitive, rhythmic music. That is where I do the recovering. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sv50exgZELg/YQvF0WyvNGI/AAAAAAAARnk/Rb7sxFnivrMXJrwc1UIFMCcYjZQgGh9AACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/AFC6B49A-8B06-4CD8-BEBB-86B58AE817B6.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sv50exgZELg/YQvF0WyvNGI/AAAAAAAARnk/Rb7sxFnivrMXJrwc1UIFMCcYjZQgGh9AACLcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/AFC6B49A-8B06-4CD8-BEBB-86B58AE817B6.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div><p></p><p>There is no need to worry though. Life is good here. There have been some challenges but I am healthy and happy and regaining some things I've lost along the way. The last several months have been filled with friends, family, travel and new experiences. Also, old experiences that felt like new experiences after a long hiatus. I have cherished each of them even as I felt a bit overwhelmed by some of them. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone by saying yes to many things. There was a cross country road trip with my best friend for an art retreat, a week at the beach, a long weekend with our couples friends in TN, many gatherings, dinners out, celebrations, a new job for my sweetie and so many other things.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NmGMl4aBSQM/YQvFz3Z2ySI/AAAAAAAARnU/2pQccdPX8coWQsWrDMqJNsbxNXKU5TJAQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/64BF6220-6FAD-49D4-ADA4-CA705E77BE29_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NmGMl4aBSQM/YQvFz3Z2ySI/AAAAAAAARnU/2pQccdPX8coWQsWrDMqJNsbxNXKU5TJAQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/64BF6220-6FAD-49D4-ADA4-CA705E77BE29_1_201_a.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Through this time there was always an underlying feeling of storing up memories for whatever might come next. And sadly it would appear my intuition paid off there...I have learned more than ever to trust my instincts this past year. I'm growing into my super powers.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_b9fT_tSKZk/YQvFz2T9HDI/AAAAAAAARnY/-nr9CNOrWA0u7eRLzRaHq3bCZPUyxClAACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/161F366F-8BF4-4748-9D4D-290B46D601D0.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_b9fT_tSKZk/YQvFz2T9HDI/AAAAAAAARnY/-nr9CNOrWA0u7eRLzRaHq3bCZPUyxClAACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/161F366F-8BF4-4748-9D4D-290B46D601D0.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div></div><p></p><p>Now after months of saying yes, I am ready to shift my priorities again and be more selective with my days. A new season is coming and I plan to embrace it by slowing down and being more still, with a heart full of happy memories stored up from the last several months. In a time that can be difficult to do so, I'm looking forward to what happens next.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wpklk9J-hZY/YQvF0dhniAI/AAAAAAAARng/ScGqmjl4qwwMyAVvdGSinsNtvTY2p02GgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8BC6B95A-43C6-41BA-99A1-C2E71714737A.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wpklk9J-hZY/YQvF0dhniAI/AAAAAAAARng/ScGqmjl4qwwMyAVvdGSinsNtvTY2p02GgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/8BC6B95A-43C6-41BA-99A1-C2E71714737A.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p>Jen Kershnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128661586028201160noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-6325843203122716792021-02-23T12:12:00.002-05:002021-02-23T12:12:19.672-05:00Winter Idyll<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wSW5MR71vLA/YDUleX61ePI/AAAAAAAARds/AajB6Vie5WInb_lKsgqLKSNVwQuJCPjSQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/C0887D28-5CBC-4F28-A773-763DF0C861E6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wSW5MR71vLA/YDUleX61ePI/AAAAAAAARds/AajB6Vie5WInb_lKsgqLKSNVwQuJCPjSQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/C0887D28-5CBC-4F28-A773-763DF0C861E6.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div> <div>It would seem that turning our dining room into a cozy sitting room was one of the best decisions we could have made this winter. We are just coming off of a brutally cold, extremely snowy few weeks which saw us spending great stretches of time around the fire. It has been just what I needed physically and mentally. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcGduyLIJqo/YDUpw1Gr03I/AAAAAAAARec/XKDyt7SkJoAvsuPCHoHvrI1_JLdjyHcTwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20109CC1-1145-4313-9D5D-7AF168F72108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZcGduyLIJqo/YDUpw1Gr03I/AAAAAAAARec/XKDyt7SkJoAvsuPCHoHvrI1_JLdjyHcTwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h640/20109CC1-1145-4313-9D5D-7AF168F72108.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kov6A_Eqa7U/YDUpxDXS8lI/AAAAAAAAReo/t8MrFFnpw9QfgrFoJSBmb_lZwfVwZSAWQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_2939.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kov6A_Eqa7U/YDUpxDXS8lI/AAAAAAAAReo/t8MrFFnpw9QfgrFoJSBmb_lZwfVwZSAWQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_2939.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Yesterday the temperature began to climb- we finally reached above freezing. The great drifts of snow are beginning to melt and compact, looking less like a winter wonderland and more dirty and sludgy and like the end of the season. As much as I was excited about each snowflake, I now am equally excited to see the sunshine. I look forward to spring rains that will come and wash away the last traces of winter leaving fresh green and buds of life in their wake.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V1PipCvSt_Y/YDUpw7z3jSI/AAAAAAAAReg/4v3eS7uvYwAbXZCfvZHPsR3fSLrO0emyACLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/63460351332__6C103A60-E0EC-4618-B4BC-93BF03149C9F.fullsizerender.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V1PipCvSt_Y/YDUpw7z3jSI/AAAAAAAAReg/4v3eS7uvYwAbXZCfvZHPsR3fSLrO0emyACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/63460351332__6C103A60-E0EC-4618-B4BC-93BF03149C9F.fullsizerender.JPG" width="480" /></a></div></div></div><div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFz32v207G4/YDUpw845ATI/AAAAAAAARek/sLR5TRLma-QIaAoLrkWr9ZJtTf2PRnCAgCLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/IMG_2869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFz32v207G4/YDUpw845ATI/AAAAAAAARek/sLR5TRLma-QIaAoLrkWr9ZJtTf2PRnCAgCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_2869.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I have needed this long idyll winter to fortify myself. I find I need more quiet in a world that is increasingly loud and chaotic. I read this quote somewhere recently "If it costs you your peace, it's too expensive." And there have been an endless number of things in the last year that have cost me my peace. In fact there have been days when I have felt like regaining my peace was the hardest battle I've ever fought. And I have fought some battles.<br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F4io34JrWA8/YDUpTFnnMUI/AAAAAAAAReM/tHAxs-TYpJ8Feu9XultQzqXXoU78r-Z4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8E94E9D1-F852-40E8-B294-3CA832FA0F93.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F4io34JrWA8/YDUpTFnnMUI/AAAAAAAAReM/tHAxs-TYpJ8Feu9XultQzqXXoU78r-Z4gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/8E94E9D1-F852-40E8-B294-3CA832FA0F93.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>(Cats lounging in the sunshine on the dining room table like it's their birthright.)</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lyd77GyOopM/YDUpS_NW13I/AAAAAAAAReE/PHYCmJrUjZIxxAK3iKVcE4JjlnTLMRIVgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8C4C6885-EB7A-47B3-93FA-F36CAA2AF1AD.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lyd77GyOopM/YDUpS_NW13I/AAAAAAAAReE/PHYCmJrUjZIxxAK3iKVcE4JjlnTLMRIVgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/8C4C6885-EB7A-47B3-93FA-F36CAA2AF1AD.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div></div><div>There are a lot of things we can't control in life, things we waste our energy trying to control and then there are the things that <i>are</i> in our control and that can make our lives infinitely better by choosing one thing over another. Those are things I have been thinking about. If it's not serving us, and we can let it go, why wouldn't we?</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aydOGfreRoE/YDUpTPj75bI/AAAAAAAAReI/HGyPsnuN7f8JmYy2n753JhZWk-8i7015wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/FB2FF5B7-51E0-476D-879D-E9B0C71C99F7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aydOGfreRoE/YDUpTPj75bI/AAAAAAAAReI/HGyPsnuN7f8JmYy2n753JhZWk-8i7015wCLcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/FB2FF5B7-51E0-476D-879D-E9B0C71C99F7.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p>So this week, I am soaking up the sunshine, harnessing a bit of that energy and putting it to use. I've finally taken the rest of the Christmas decorations down, I'm dusting forgotten corners, finishing up things I've begun and taking care of some tasks that I have been putting off for ages, all with as many breaks in between as desired and no strict timelines for accomplishing these goals.</p></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iIR0sWsEDc0/YDUzFHdIT8I/AAAAAAAARfM/qgDa0NQgv7w4L-ZEuB10TFf57hU-JIYngCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/F5DF8D5A-F848-429F-AA78-10AAA66DC547.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iIR0sWsEDc0/YDUzFHdIT8I/AAAAAAAARfM/qgDa0NQgv7w4L-ZEuB10TFf57hU-JIYngCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/F5DF8D5A-F848-429F-AA78-10AAA66DC547.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p>Right now I am choosing to limit the amount of noise I take in, which in turn limits the amount of anxiety I feel. If I'm taking care of myself, I have more energy to put into the people and things that I love.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f-ziyFcqmYw/YDUlewR4MrI/AAAAAAAARdw/eA75e4b9-Yw_zhPo1JwFEboj10sNXecDgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/D88CF82C-6FEC-4D91-90B7-09C3ED51E673.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f-ziyFcqmYw/YDUlewR4MrI/AAAAAAAARdw/eA75e4b9-Yw_zhPo1JwFEboj10sNXecDgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/D88CF82C-6FEC-4D91-90B7-09C3ED51E673.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div></div><p>Maybe the change of seasons makes me more introspective than usual. I am so hopeful for this next season. Tempered hope. Though I know that no matter what happens next, I'm going to keep looking for the small joys in my days and feeling grateful for what I have. I'm not spending much time on Instagram these days so I'm looking forward to recording those little moments here.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ym92Fx5G04U/YDUlew8ePLI/AAAAAAAARd0/zatRfALu_l4qjG-GPSLeWK1XrU78Nvi0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/FF8940E7-222C-4AB2-BC0E-3026E42DAA64.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ym92Fx5G04U/YDUlew8ePLI/AAAAAAAARd0/zatRfALu_l4qjG-GPSLeWK1XrU78Nvi0wCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/FF8940E7-222C-4AB2-BC0E-3026E42DAA64.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p></div><br /></div></div>Jen Kershnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128661586028201160noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-75128518024743054252021-01-30T20:31:00.003-05:002021-01-31T07:54:36.142-05:00Dreaming of Home<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mGHgSyQOO00/YBYFBFgZTNI/AAAAAAAARcE/CoZUaY0tEZ8Xx3ntYeThjNLx5xqu9SELACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/9230EA1D-8C96-4BA4-865D-6A9E72DE3C16.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mGHgSyQOO00/YBYFBFgZTNI/AAAAAAAARcE/CoZUaY0tEZ8Xx3ntYeThjNLx5xqu9SELACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/9230EA1D-8C96-4BA4-865D-6A9E72DE3C16.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div> <br />For the last couple of years I have had a recurring dream. I live in a house that I love- it's always different and never actually my real house- but I'm having some sort of decorating/space dilemma when I suddenly remember I have this <i>entire wing </i>of the house that I had forgotten I even had. It's usually down some stairs and is multi-level and open space and full of furniture and household goods that I have also somehow managed to forget I have and I get <i>so excited</i> because I have all of these options and all of my space issues will be solved and now I don't have to give up the house I love because I can make it everything I need. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7bunSkIfat4/YBYFA3lb2HI/AAAAAAAARcA/9zWKEibGgv8WyfVLnXRDQ4bPPVqDqHtAQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/CCF703BE-A9C1-46D7-A14E-E6BBEDBED748_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7bunSkIfat4/YBYFA3lb2HI/AAAAAAAARcA/9zWKEibGgv8WyfVLnXRDQ4bPPVqDqHtAQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/CCF703BE-A9C1-46D7-A14E-E6BBEDBED748_1_201_a.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Well, I had no idea where this dream was coming from until last August when Emma went back to school and took all of her worldly possessions with her, leaving me with a new space to decorate. I quickly realized it made me feel the same way the dream did, especially when I furnished the room with items I had tucked here and there only buying a can of paint for my project.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vzzvpUV4pNU/YBYFBDf84dI/AAAAAAAARcI/k018PY5J15Y07pzkVMDJDL99DOO8EOWhwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/81F48B7B-E664-44C1-B543-A1FAE0A68796.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vzzvpUV4pNU/YBYFBDf84dI/AAAAAAAARcI/k018PY5J15Y07pzkVMDJDL99DOO8EOWhwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/81F48B7B-E664-44C1-B543-A1FAE0A68796.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>I had the same experience yet again, when we moved our dining table to the front part of our family room and dragged a couple of cozy chairs to the dining room which happens to house our only fireplace and which we've never gotten to use to it's full potential.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--P7ot-tLqyo/YBYB3aV0heI/AAAAAAAARb4/xeZ7Nz1apW09-BZN9Bnd1xGiKpALz2U8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/C4B46F4E-2FDB-485B-AA10-D01C1A61630E.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--P7ot-tLqyo/YBYB3aV0heI/AAAAAAAARb4/xeZ7Nz1apW09-BZN9Bnd1xGiKpALz2U8gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/C4B46F4E-2FDB-485B-AA10-D01C1A61630E.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div>We've been talking about doing this for several months, knowing that the winter months were likely to be difficult, and really wanting to root ourselves in home and to make the very best of the situation. We never got past the idea of dragging cozy chairs in here but as soon as we did that I got that dreamy excited feeling and I started walking around the house pinching a nightstand from here, a lamp from there, a couple of throws, baskets, accessories...better grab that ottoman and that stack of new books! Before I knew it I had an entirely new room and the only thing I bought was an extension cord. The feeling was so much more satisfying than going out and buying all new things. <br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--etcQn5icYE/YBYFqv-UtZI/AAAAAAAARck/01k8TDr6FNc90AaOL-ejR_mhOHUAmg-ZACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/E615A9C2-7D3E-47CC-A398-4ABD74C6FAD9_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--etcQn5icYE/YBYFqv-UtZI/AAAAAAAARck/01k8TDr6FNc90AaOL-ejR_mhOHUAmg-ZACLcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/E615A9C2-7D3E-47CC-A398-4ABD74C6FAD9_1_201_a.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0HA3UArfatg/YBaoXIe1QqI/AAAAAAAARdA/PkDDt4rM2ekrfz80n9CpEiHqfdzYWlRmwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/D03394AA-4127-4C8A-B890-D0BCA56046B7_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0HA3UArfatg/YBaoXIe1QqI/AAAAAAAARdA/PkDDt4rM2ekrfz80n9CpEiHqfdzYWlRmwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/D03394AA-4127-4C8A-B890-D0BCA56046B7_1_201_a.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>This wasn't just a shift of furniture but a shift in perspective. This room calls to us. I have read more in the last month then I have in a long time. I plop into one of these chairs and instantly feel relaxed. I already know that I'm going to miss it this spring when the floor plan gets flip flopped again but what a wonderful thing it will be to look forward to next winter. It has me rethinking how we use our spaces and what that might mean for future renovations some of which I am sitting in this chair and planning for later in 2021- I hope.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0UjtvITQXr0/YBaoXLoFhoI/AAAAAAAARc8/c8w6HVme1ckgOKg6ibV4tIqsW1OzfeI9gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/69796BF5-46EC-4570-9FB2-14D7A7C7128B_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0UjtvITQXr0/YBaoXLoFhoI/AAAAAAAARc8/c8w6HVme1ckgOKg6ibV4tIqsW1OzfeI9gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/69796BF5-46EC-4570-9FB2-14D7A7C7128B_1_201_a.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wHEiT4KCG3E/YBYFqh4oN-I/AAAAAAAARco/l736QwXUHMgt9xJ5S94FulvitLkpHkzDgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/CF953139-1F4C-4C8C-9872-ED538F067FE2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wHEiT4KCG3E/YBYFqh4oN-I/AAAAAAAARco/l736QwXUHMgt9xJ5S94FulvitLkpHkzDgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/CF953139-1F4C-4C8C-9872-ED538F067FE2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LDSvsa65zd8/YBYFp4fF17I/AAAAAAAARcY/IkUV4rMxD64WzZKjeRCh1q8VQfsjy-zxACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/021B8675-E196-48A1-8007-F731D22590E0_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LDSvsa65zd8/YBYFp4fF17I/AAAAAAAARcY/IkUV4rMxD64WzZKjeRCh1q8VQfsjy-zxACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/021B8675-E196-48A1-8007-F731D22590E0_1_201_a.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I have been meaning to write this post for a month but you know what a month it has been. Right now I am sitting in the keeping room, fire roaring, chai latte beside me, Louis Armstrong serenading me while snow falls outside. I have a lovely view of it through the french doors and into the garden. It is everything I imagined it would be back in the spring when I pictured it covered in snow. It is the best spot in the house right now. I'm not the only one who thinks so. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4qyURAmCSqM/YBYAJcEsFcI/AAAAAAAARao/LoNqdShgyJQheSyrPQn6GHVEAwK9hSzwgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/950C3CBB-CDA6-4651-8015-5EB8E1F25193.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4qyURAmCSqM/YBYAJcEsFcI/AAAAAAAARao/LoNqdShgyJQheSyrPQn6GHVEAwK9hSzwgCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/950C3CBB-CDA6-4651-8015-5EB8E1F25193.heic" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5lbf8h1Rp7Y/YBYFp5aBTUI/AAAAAAAARcc/eyJDEdf4WAMXJJV0ZMpV3_AW-9o-zRMdwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/BC3FEBE1-99C6-4E52-9CB4-45B525E6A26B.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5lbf8h1Rp7Y/YBYFp5aBTUI/AAAAAAAARcc/eyJDEdf4WAMXJJV0ZMpV3_AW-9o-zRMdwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/BC3FEBE1-99C6-4E52-9CB4-45B525E6A26B.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Sometimes dreams do come true. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2bBg6pd41gc/YBYFp80c6LI/AAAAAAAARcg/g3j-gnKVwKIGFM8ElxJiw5IhZ8qqALGzwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/06BA23FD-F770-4D9A-8CA6-E9D56B24B84A.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2bBg6pd41gc/YBYFp80c6LI/AAAAAAAARcg/g3j-gnKVwKIGFM8ElxJiw5IhZ8qqALGzwCLcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/06BA23FD-F770-4D9A-8CA6-E9D56B24B84A.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div></div>Jen Kershnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128661586028201160noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-14438844220761078772020-12-28T19:03:00.002-05:002020-12-28T19:03:13.873-05:00Christmas in the Studio<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5d66D3Aoro/X-ppfHCHG7I/AAAAAAAARXw/tPfNR7jStccjMCjIhzKtB6IYQzHFbE4NwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/9A47BE3F-3E4B-4874-BAA9-9DF3D0967636_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rIjpWPF9_NA/X-pud-HG7jI/AAAAAAAARZc/oAJnThf8-gAZfFUAvgnpLxQicHWw1ekrACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/553CBE2D-D17C-4B23-AFEC-9A5E99C48DC6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rIjpWPF9_NA/X-pud-HG7jI/AAAAAAAARZc/oAJnThf8-gAZfFUAvgnpLxQicHWw1ekrACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/553CBE2D-D17C-4B23-AFEC-9A5E99C48DC6.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8MB-nA7jmQQ/X-pueREfZeI/AAAAAAAARZk/n3NTfia8YoAdvgeqiJqbRXyfSm0NRXa7gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/D80AB4D0-382F-4F92-BB1B-20D7AE3589CE.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8MB-nA7jmQQ/X-pueREfZeI/AAAAAAAARZk/n3NTfia8YoAdvgeqiJqbRXyfSm0NRXa7gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/D80AB4D0-382F-4F92-BB1B-20D7AE3589CE.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>I hope you are all enjoying this cozy week of in-betweenness that I am now calling Boxing Week. It has been slow and beautiful here with lots of the things I like to do best. We did have a little furniture rearrange that I'll be sharing soon, and it did require our very sad, crispy Christmas tree to come out but all of the rest of our Christmas decorations remain. I've given myself permission to celebrate Christmas right on through the end of January if that is what makes me happy. I know people have very specific opinions about when you can decorate and when you must take it down. Here's a little secret for you...you should do what makes you happy and who cares about anyone else's opinion! This year the idea of not being done with Christmas yet gave me an extra little surge of happiness on the big day instead of feeling sad that it was over.</p><p>Before I could share the studio in general and the changes that I've made, I wanted to share all the Christmas decorations because once again...SO MANY PHOTOS! I'll be back soon to share more of the studio and our cozy, winter home rearrangement. I feel like after a year with very little activity on this blog, I'm making up for lost time and enjoying being in this space so much.</p><p>Thank you all for the lovely notes you leave me- I've started replying to them in the comments. I hope you are staying healthy and happy in these strange and trying times.</p>Jen Kershnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128661586028201160noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-50369906133667189492020-12-23T21:55:00.004-05:002020-12-23T21:55:36.426-05:00Christmas Cheer around the Cottage<p>I thought I'd pop in with a little Christmas tour of our cottage in an effort to help me next year when I pull all of the Christmas decorations out but can't remember what goes where! I can't believe it's Christmas Eve, eve. I hope to come back and post photos just of the studio one day this week. There have been some fun changes in there and I have taken too many photos to add to this already photo heavy post.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tbtqth94veo/X-P0nuWL3DI/AAAAAAAARTY/AVRTQiUXSCcOYxvcI4zpVgcam0zESIlFACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/256ABDC6-B13A-45AE-AEF8-86CE5AF8D699_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1595" data-original-width="2048" height="498" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tbtqth94veo/X-P0nuWL3DI/AAAAAAAARTY/AVRTQiUXSCcOYxvcI4zpVgcam0zESIlFACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h498/256ABDC6-B13A-45AE-AEF8-86CE5AF8D699_1_201_a.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div></div> <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yw72NrYofrU/X-Pz4gkMLEI/AAAAAAAARTE/8kWL56_WK4IUy-4zcmBK3OSQNnKAodcPwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/64327BB6-0DF6-4BFF-A68E-3CDC6985645A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-74SiPgxYMkE/X-P-9KZ7-xI/AAAAAAAARWU/Xu_7om2P0CAlvYXrqNAMla_mGK1dsABVgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/7344DC74-FB2E-4488-9CB7-BE958CCB10AD_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-74SiPgxYMkE/X-P-9KZ7-xI/AAAAAAAARWU/Xu_7om2P0CAlvYXrqNAMla_mGK1dsABVgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/7344DC74-FB2E-4488-9CB7-BE958CCB10AD_1_201_a.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I end with these beautiful birthday flowers from my best friend! I wish I'd had time to properly edit these photos-well as proper as I ever edit photos. Learning lightroom is on my to do list for 2021. My sweetie got me a wonderful new wide angle lens for my birthday and I am loving being able to get shots in my little, cozy cottage, that I have never been able to get before and my passion for photography has recently been reignited.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Wishing you all the happiest of holidays. These are hard, weird times and we are just trying our best around here. Stay healthy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Jen Kershnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128661586028201160noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-50239270333078626462020-12-19T15:01:00.003-05:002020-12-19T15:01:32.668-05:00On the Eve of my 50th Birthday<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pB4ItWLrq_k/X95Ylc8z_dI/AAAAAAAARS4/uGqIfOwfnhQ0tQ2BWT-w7Sk72bRlNRlDACLcBGAsYHQ/s1117/IMG_1651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1110" data-original-width="1117" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pB4ItWLrq_k/X95Ylc8z_dI/AAAAAAAARS4/uGqIfOwfnhQ0tQ2BWT-w7Sk72bRlNRlDACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1651.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Tomorrow dawns a new decade for me. In the blink of an eye, I find myself standing at the door of 50, equal parts disbelief and gratitude. There were a couple times I thought I might not make it. And while I arrive at this milestone a little worse for wear, I'm also a little better and wiser for having lived a half century. A half century full of joy, heartache, babies, true love, loss, emotional scars, physical scars, resilience, gifts, cancer, adventure and everything in between. I'm grateful for every bit of it.</p><p>And while I enter my 50's with a few more wrinkles, there is also a twinkle in my eye and an excitement in my spirit for what lies ahead. I have a confidence at 50 that I didn't have at 40 and certainly not at 30. My Sweet Man has told me recently that there is a change happening in me- that there is just something different there. I know what he means and while it is hard to put it into words, I feel it with every fiber of my being. I have come into my own. </p><p>So, yes 50, I welcome you with open arms and excitement and a thankfulness that at the end of a year that was especially challenging, I find myself happy, healthy and dreaming about what's next. </p>Jen Kershnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128661586028201160noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-45835183742975303632020-12-15T13:03:00.010-05:002020-12-15T14:24:43.723-05:00Christmas Spirit<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bPsjegLHE1w/X9jvOPzIk1I/AAAAAAAARR4/IVkKsCsat4Axt8cL46IMR6tEFjTX0NMRACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2A1EEDCB-FAE9-4001-94A7-349DB3BFEA75.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bPsjegLHE1w/X9jvOPzIk1I/AAAAAAAARR4/IVkKsCsat4Axt8cL46IMR6tEFjTX0NMRACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/2A1EEDCB-FAE9-4001-94A7-349DB3BFEA75.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div>If I let myself, I would happily shirk all of my responsibilities and spend every last minute of my day in the studio. Time passes with a different cadence between these walls. I get lost in a project and before I know it hours have passed and I never accomplish as much as I think I will. That's okay. Maybe even preferred as it lends itself to having an excuse to visit again soon. I am also drawn more and more to the peace I find here. I find myself wanting to go to bed early so that I can awake early and hurry back to my space. </div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HxV_B2vIuw4/X9jvO4wFzpI/AAAAAAAARSE/jaRXfgZR_c4lSt46sctYJoDXMJ56yV-ZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/A2E76C23-D2A6-427A-A184-49B97FF0D799.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HxV_B2vIuw4/X9jvO4wFzpI/AAAAAAAARSE/jaRXfgZR_c4lSt46sctYJoDXMJ56yV-ZQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/A2E76C23-D2A6-427A-A184-49B97FF0D799.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Fortunately, lately I have had plenty of reasons to squirrel away stolen moments here. My favorite of which, was putting together an advent for my best friend Melissa. You may recall seeing her pop up in my blog before since almost the beginning of times. We met at an art retreat and became immediate friends sharing a love of creativity among many others. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QYUtzjqN8Pw/X9jvOAxFeZI/AAAAAAAARR8/LfJLSRZI1lArzc5DlyyUFiR7_l49FqcIQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/0F8FD7DA-6D20-4E9B-8CB1-5186AB9C1572.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QYUtzjqN8Pw/X9jvOAxFeZI/AAAAAAAARR8/LfJLSRZI1lArzc5DlyyUFiR7_l49FqcIQCLcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/0F8FD7DA-6D20-4E9B-8CB1-5186AB9C1572.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This year, anticipating that Christmas could be a rather bleak affair, and that not only would my much anticipated return to hosting a Christmas crafting party have to be postponed, and that we wouldn't even be able to see each other, we were inspired to exchange a 12 day advent leading up to Christmas with a handmade gift to open on Christmas day. I've loved having something fun to work on and anticipate.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ubOOZ5DRwpA/X9ju7fh49RI/AAAAAAAARRA/oDzPjY8O5swhrDCaOwEMFmNmx42nnu3EwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6A647132-97CF-43CF-B5F7-1E452CA6009C.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ubOOZ5DRwpA/X9ju7fh49RI/AAAAAAAARRA/oDzPjY8O5swhrDCaOwEMFmNmx42nnu3EwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/6A647132-97CF-43CF-B5F7-1E452CA6009C.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div>It was one of the better decisions I've made this year. It has been such a bright spot for me and a joy to focus on. It jump started my creativity in a way that I desperately needed. I'd say that and not spending much time reading the news are responsible for a more well balanced mental state than in quarantine past. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fELVbQy0W9Y/X9jvO9aLYtI/AAAAAAAARSI/JlrRnru4GqwDB12KgsXvFNWiP0iSM5kNQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/90B1E9E9-C0CE-401A-A002-3B67ED829F96.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fELVbQy0W9Y/X9jvO9aLYtI/AAAAAAAARSI/JlrRnru4GqwDB12KgsXvFNWiP0iSM5kNQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/90B1E9E9-C0CE-401A-A002-3B67ED829F96.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div>One of my favorite parts was gathering up bits around the studio that fit my vision for packaging the advent. I wish I had finished it earlier so I could've had it sitting around looking beautiful and making me happy for awhile.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U_wpHi6Dq3o/X9ju84ZfxTI/AAAAAAAARRY/yiKeZLLr63ENHaSPpJhBKOpFJUJVZ5RgACLcBGAsYHQ/s1386/IMG_1292%2B2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1386" data-original-width="1125" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U_wpHi6Dq3o/X9ju84ZfxTI/AAAAAAAARRY/yiKeZLLr63ENHaSPpJhBKOpFJUJVZ5RgACLcBGAsYHQ/w522-h640/IMG_1292%2B2.jpg" width="522" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was a little bittersweet shipping it off but I knew if anybody would enjoy it as much as I did, it would be Melissa. We're like peas and carrots. In fact, last time I was visiting her, while out shopping, a lady asked if we were sisters. That is so funny to me because we look zero alike. I think it had a lot more to do with how we behave when we're together which is very much like people who have the total comfort level of sisterhood. ;)</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cg6lNmJkoaM/X9jvO9WuufI/AAAAAAAARSM/6yIos7jSwB8OsRMumWbvR1O3XqvOYjIAACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/D8A62269-9141-46C2-AE28-B07F39D07586.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cg6lNmJkoaM/X9jvO9WuufI/AAAAAAAARSM/6yIos7jSwB8OsRMumWbvR1O3XqvOYjIAACLcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/D8A62269-9141-46C2-AE28-B07F39D07586.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div></div><div><span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> <span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HF6o8DRXFm4/X9ju7g1G0mI/AAAAAAAARRM/SLa8njEGtcQE5zeIqkpJRd7IDY9pd66SQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/B9162F5D-6498-4EFD-B799-67997D1E0B9F.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HF6o8DRXFm4/X9ju7g1G0mI/AAAAAAAARRM/SLa8njEGtcQE5zeIqkpJRd7IDY9pd66SQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/B9162F5D-6498-4EFD-B799-67997D1E0B9F.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />I gently packaged everything up, wishing I could deliver it in person but hoping that she could at least feel the love that went into that box and looking forward to the day when we will again be together creating, talking, laughing (always laughing), shopping, getting lost on an adventure or just sitting quietly next to each other watching cheesy movies in our pajamas and not needing to say a word.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VSjgTKpD3UE/X9j2NAUXHII/AAAAAAAARSg/wHrz9F79GB0dNLK7Zf1yQp2zmZ8YejHrQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_1295%2B2.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VSjgTKpD3UE/X9j2NAUXHII/AAAAAAAARSg/wHrz9F79GB0dNLK7Zf1yQp2zmZ8YejHrQCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/IMG_1295%2B2.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And lucky for me, shortly after sending it off, her amazing advent arrived and has been thrilling me to pieces for the last three mornings!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K21E_C2iI3Q/X9j56YuuEdI/AAAAAAAARSw/qoMW57FfjxQRi_EQtHWdM7qfjyF4rs83gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1800/BB0867B3-73C1-4D69-B54C-8AD992E86AFA.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K21E_C2iI3Q/X9j56YuuEdI/AAAAAAAARSw/qoMW57FfjxQRi_EQtHWdM7qfjyF4rs83gCLcBGAsYHQ/w512-h640/BB0867B3-73C1-4D69-B54C-8AD992E86AFA.JPG" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qu9Se1SVOCI/X9j5eOYjOCI/AAAAAAAARSo/BYs_iHQkLqMqU6l25LX5HLZI_bpfNmb7QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1800/01F16FA5-E9C7-4A16-836F-C1FED425723D.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qu9Se1SVOCI/X9j5eOYjOCI/AAAAAAAARSo/BYs_iHQkLqMqU6l25LX5HLZI_bpfNmb7QCLcBGAsYHQ/w512-h640/01F16FA5-E9C7-4A16-836F-C1FED425723D.JPG" width="512" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Can you even imagine receiving anything so beautiful in the mail? I was gobsmacked!</div></div>Jen Kershnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128661586028201160noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-42069775372405418852020-11-30T20:49:00.000-05:002020-11-30T20:49:06.420-05:00Wedding Day- The Rest of the Story<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--S6dx8f4_VI/X8WdCHallEI/AAAAAAAARMw/x5KlBupea7M6lp7J-dLwEjI8sU6uUH7jwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1367" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--S6dx8f4_VI/X8WdCHallEI/AAAAAAAARMw/x5KlBupea7M6lp7J-dLwEjI8sU6uUH7jwCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-20.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I thought before it's officially December, I would take a moment to post some more photos from the wedding. I really loved the way the photographer captured the details, the real moments and our home. I mean obviously she did an amazing job capturing Maddie and Daniel and the big moments of the day too! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ewscbcy50E0/X8WeFQWkwlI/AAAAAAAARNg/6q96TxHSP1MC2Kt2mHOL3OicpuZf8oqoACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1367" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ewscbcy50E0/X8WeFQWkwlI/AAAAAAAARNg/6q96TxHSP1MC2Kt2mHOL3OicpuZf8oqoACLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-4.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4gp74y2x4WQ/X8WeBfZxBaI/AAAAAAAARM8/UCxcQdmNteIaFg0fWCKgdrjaPt4qJZnaACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1367" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4gp74y2x4WQ/X8WeBfZxBaI/AAAAAAAARM8/UCxcQdmNteIaFg0fWCKgdrjaPt4qJZnaACLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-18.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3lZ_6gb6K44/X8WeDcWVFQI/AAAAAAAARNQ/8kUbp-eGxB8pZA-cbEzM3xRN7Ux7vUpiwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3lZ_6gb6K44/X8WeDcWVFQI/AAAAAAAARNQ/8kUbp-eGxB8pZA-cbEzM3xRN7Ux7vUpiwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-33.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RvJHWfwxqbQ/X8WeD-CdMmI/AAAAAAAARNU/yaVQecQcWtc8BXgamV0Kgm6AzFXhqZmmwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RvJHWfwxqbQ/X8WeD-CdMmI/AAAAAAAARNU/yaVQecQcWtc8BXgamV0Kgm6AzFXhqZmmwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-34.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dIEF2dD5EXk/X8WeEXJXSEI/AAAAAAAARNY/_X_TF8jAFDIB2tOsHTm8a-dCEO9D-chJACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dIEF2dD5EXk/X8WeEXJXSEI/AAAAAAAARNY/_X_TF8jAFDIB2tOsHTm8a-dCEO9D-chJACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-36.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HpUGZpLpiVU/X8WeE5G_wUI/AAAAAAAARNc/6QkJc8vxNMg00FRqoRzJqglprNQqO0o7wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HpUGZpLpiVU/X8WeE5G_wUI/AAAAAAAARNc/6QkJc8vxNMg00FRqoRzJqglprNQqO0o7wCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-38.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ucfI3NkwPgI/X8WeGaeQ3JI/AAAAAAAARNo/zNRKEFOkPP8nzxjvJ_6lrH9I-txYWPFnwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ucfI3NkwPgI/X8WeGaeQ3JI/AAAAAAAARNo/zNRKEFOkPP8nzxjvJ_6lrH9I-txYWPFnwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-440.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oAuv2ffRHBc/X8WeIXKJy_I/AAAAAAAARN4/Sgvaj0BC3DYtEL0UfQbcCSCsAX_3CDoHQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1367" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oAuv2ffRHBc/X8WeIXKJy_I/AAAAAAAARN4/Sgvaj0BC3DYtEL0UfQbcCSCsAX_3CDoHQCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-478.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rqe91rpPXK0/X8WeI3U2xHI/AAAAAAAARN8/YSgFoDhb1rsHZKAValeFWwLmg03grf5RwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rqe91rpPXK0/X8WeI3U2xHI/AAAAAAAARN8/YSgFoDhb1rsHZKAValeFWwLmg03grf5RwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-502.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fW2MiXA5oJA/X8WeJwYdI7I/AAAAAAAAROE/jYA3mZmHs5QyMsM7406X4wjuCVEbj0YqgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fW2MiXA5oJA/X8WeJwYdI7I/AAAAAAAAROE/jYA3mZmHs5QyMsM7406X4wjuCVEbj0YqgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-506.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>It was really a beautiful, perfect day that I will never forget. It was small and personal and reflected them so well. <br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DisKHL_LQO4/X8WeHb3Q2LI/AAAAAAAARNw/LiRrtbNLB100kWPc9X1hfTYaICI4OwdLwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1367" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DisKHL_LQO4/X8WeHb3Q2LI/AAAAAAAARNw/LiRrtbNLB100kWPc9X1hfTYaICI4OwdLwCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-457.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><p>I will record the toast I gave them here so that she will always have it.</p><br /><i>Maddie and Daniel, I remember vividly the day of your first date more than 10 years ago. Who could have guessed when Maddie vomited twice that day from nerves, that it was just the beginning of a lifetime of you making her sick!<br /><br />May your life be filled with laughter<br /><br />May you have enough hardship to make you appreciate the good times<br /><br />May you have enough of what you want and all that you need<br /><br />May life’s challenges bring you closer together<br /><br />May you always make your marriage your top priority<br /><br />May you go through life married to your best friend<br /></i><br /><i>But most of all, may your love grow stronger and deeper every year</i><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fNdzWS0h2Gw/X8WeHx7YyEI/AAAAAAAARN0/Cnx1-Ria8eICBK6J6NL8AtALFPnxxTqjQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fNdzWS0h2Gw/X8WeHx7YyEI/AAAAAAAARN0/Cnx1-Ria8eICBK6J6NL8AtALFPnxxTqjQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-460.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>And I will leave you with my favorite non wedding couple photograph of the evening, my Sweet Man holding my hand while I gave the toast. Neither of us has any memory of this- it's as natural to us as breathing. I wish the same for them. </p>Jen Kershnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128661586028201160noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-70156414951217906942020-11-23T16:24:00.001-05:002020-11-23T16:24:40.852-05:00Wedding Day- The Happy Couple<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6lq1tivYQrU/X7wmuAchx2I/AAAAAAAARL8/uPfN7tsay04JWdj2DsuQPlwk7EtDaOSxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1367" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6lq1tivYQrU/X7wmuAchx2I/AAAAAAAARL8/uPfN7tsay04JWdj2DsuQPlwk7EtDaOSxgCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-419.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><p>I've struggled to post these wedding pictures because the photographer (Katie McBroom from Louisville) did an amazing job and honestly there are so many gorgeous photos that I get overwhelmed every time I look at them. I've decided to split it into two posts- this one will focus on getting ready, first look and the ceremony. The next one will focus on the details, reception and the setting because you will see that Katie also did an amazing job of capturing our home...but nothing shines as bright as the happy couple!</p><p>Maddie and Daniel have been together for 10 years and have grown up together. They've already had a lot of challenges that I hope will help prepare them for a lifetime together. I look at these photos and all of that happiness and I just wish them such a beautiful life. One of my favorite things about Daniel is his sense of humor (except on long road trips where it gets very old ;) ) and especially the always present mischievous glint in his eyes. They laugh a lot. I can attest to how important that is in a marriage.</p><p>They both got ready here, did their first look in the green space behind our house, took photos on Main Street and had the ceremony in our favorite little park in the Village where we also have had family photos done, been to many a summer concert and had Emma's graduation party- a special place for us. The reception was held back at our house in the garden. The wedding was very small and personal. Everything a wedding should be. </p><p><br /></p><p>Getting ready:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tqJBkyTK6Ow/X7wifj5FbaI/AAAAAAAARJ4/Ny-wrDa7i9IUbqfuvx3A9eEd3mYkkBU4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1367" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tqJBkyTK6Ow/X7wifj5FbaI/AAAAAAAARJ4/Ny-wrDa7i9IUbqfuvx3A9eEd3mYkkBU4gCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-27.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FqlA8um22n8/X7wifkppG8I/AAAAAAAARJw/xVlRmtU3s2I6F_5pI79sIBZvvF7AwQMhgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FqlA8um22n8/X7wifkppG8I/AAAAAAAARJw/xVlRmtU3s2I6F_5pI79sIBZvvF7AwQMhgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-58.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U_PkP09Yydg/X7wigTEE2ZI/AAAAAAAARJ8/KiBSE5IAXl0MS7LpEDNPoMGjqOXxxjxBgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U_PkP09Yydg/X7wigTEE2ZI/AAAAAAAARJ8/KiBSE5IAXl0MS7LpEDNPoMGjqOXxxjxBgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-63.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gR9sXVgC6bQ/X7wigiOpYDI/AAAAAAAARKA/Px8kUYkMn9w0iEWL6X0fiJBCY2XFlJ4XgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-88.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1367" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gR9sXVgC6bQ/X7wigiOpYDI/AAAAAAAARKA/Px8kUYkMn9w0iEWL6X0fiJBCY2XFlJ4XgCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-88.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yLQ56Cyt36M/X7wifo0gqHI/AAAAAAAARJ0/2uNW8wpcygQghmcR1pqTt8rQGMuAr5vgACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1367" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yLQ56Cyt36M/X7wifo0gqHI/AAAAAAAARJ0/2uNW8wpcygQghmcR1pqTt8rQGMuAr5vgACLcBGAsYHQ/w427-h640/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-111.jpg" width="427" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EPvd5_Af-60/X7wgtSqgBII/AAAAAAAARJc/MmKHzlYbYWoUdR-YuvTssHFbIMToAMAIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EPvd5_Af-60/X7wgtSqgBII/AAAAAAAARJc/MmKHzlYbYWoUdR-YuvTssHFbIMToAMAIwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-39.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zkxKsCqEvtM/X7wgtS6yOVI/AAAAAAAARJY/P7brQxEaUmMqyCei9tVrE7-RoEZlgxifACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-91.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zkxKsCqEvtM/X7wgtS6yOVI/AAAAAAAARJY/P7brQxEaUmMqyCei9tVrE7-RoEZlgxifACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-91.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CuRRAOFxKfA/X7wgt4CfhCI/AAAAAAAARJk/NoTgZbI6EwMoyzN0MjdwJPhtjzy0pJ5CACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1367" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CuRRAOFxKfA/X7wgt4CfhCI/AAAAAAAARJk/NoTgZbI6EwMoyzN0MjdwJPhtjzy0pJ5CACLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-96.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TyTgGMqpw8c/X7wgtc5rE0I/AAAAAAAARJg/eShjHRaz1hIOQ2MLldCpHQXX3FMuXozHQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TyTgGMqpw8c/X7wgtc5rE0I/AAAAAAAARJg/eShjHRaz1hIOQ2MLldCpHQXX3FMuXozHQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-107.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>First look and around town</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jovt7Ye8afo/X7wjES1fDZI/AAAAAAAARKQ/kXgVF3AF1dElbx4ljLQiKrUNmaPwZ5GGACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jovt7Ye8afo/X7wjES1fDZI/AAAAAAAARKQ/kXgVF3AF1dElbx4ljLQiKrUNmaPwZ5GGACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-128.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nU_J1GxAF8g/X7wjFKxfmHI/AAAAAAAARKc/aqBAFcOkNJschb618uCHBf0_KdxgqySTwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1367" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nU_J1GxAF8g/X7wjFKxfmHI/AAAAAAAARKc/aqBAFcOkNJschb618uCHBf0_KdxgqySTwCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-173.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DAyQJwdILU4/X7wjFkKJ6RI/AAAAAAAARKg/yHD5XmGcDM0Qsx8TseK93UkEO0bS-NfYACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1367" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DAyQJwdILU4/X7wjFkKJ6RI/AAAAAAAARKg/yHD5XmGcDM0Qsx8TseK93UkEO0bS-NfYACLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-181.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YHJZmHxHT94/X7wjGBHrFJI/AAAAAAAARKk/7362N2x6C9MpWLpimBMnR7-eMbq8gAYhQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1367" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YHJZmHxHT94/X7wjGBHrFJI/AAAAAAAARKk/7362N2x6C9MpWLpimBMnR7-eMbq8gAYhQCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-194.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g9m9lR5SZuw/X7wje5Vxr5I/AAAAAAAARK4/nzUXf5ouBqI3TUEH1pWekVvVt0HR73WbQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g9m9lR5SZuw/X7wje5Vxr5I/AAAAAAAARK4/nzUXf5ouBqI3TUEH1pWekVvVt0HR73WbQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-211.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div>The park and ceremony<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-76a5nOUyW78/X7wj-PSYkLI/AAAAAAAARLc/1LsUuHxvYlIetF3_sJGzdvcTBS4tUlpPQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1367" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-76a5nOUyW78/X7wj-PSYkLI/AAAAAAAARLc/1LsUuHxvYlIetF3_sJGzdvcTBS4tUlpPQCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-283.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f85EvVLrPoQ/X7wmbi5f4jI/AAAAAAAARLw/K7CNKEHzQVsQdoVwanNZiV9Y8M7iROxPACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f85EvVLrPoQ/X7wmbi5f4jI/AAAAAAAARLw/K7CNKEHzQVsQdoVwanNZiV9Y8M7iROxPACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-305.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UOjV_r0XxBg/X7wj-F0WwII/AAAAAAAARLY/aAsGE9fQ5Hwni2XMSAW2VJBV0mR4nKctACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UOjV_r0XxBg/X7wj-F0WwII/AAAAAAAARLY/aAsGE9fQ5Hwni2XMSAW2VJBV0mR4nKctACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-350.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4LtN95kjTW8/X7wnkatZrnI/AAAAAAAARMI/YLkpaUl1Y-AsIcThrwQgfDgLReQRZw-vwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1367" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4LtN95kjTW8/X7wnkatZrnI/AAAAAAAARMI/YLkpaUl1Y-AsIcThrwQgfDgLReQRZw-vwCLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-405.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I5ElvFscQZM/X7wnlPDg6DI/AAAAAAAARMU/W6oD-UQkunohcb8LmF0P-IukWHDwJnzxACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1367" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I5ElvFscQZM/X7wnlPDg6DI/AAAAAAAARMU/W6oD-UQkunohcb8LmF0P-IukWHDwJnzxACLcBGAsYHQ/w428-h640/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-409.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lja5S5HFOBk/X7wnsqmGzxI/AAAAAAAARMY/R9FiU3lmYrAMvmiKFGCHth4fUMjatZE6wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lja5S5HFOBk/X7wnsqmGzxI/AAAAAAAARMY/R9FiU3lmYrAMvmiKFGCHth4fUMjatZE6wCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h428/WebsterWedding_Oct2020_KatieMcBroomPhoto-377.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Jen Kershnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128661586028201160noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-12212835536731732872020-11-03T16:49:00.003-05:002020-11-03T16:49:29.651-05:00Calm Amongst the Chaos<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w9lb3IirijI/X6GmDM0xpCI/AAAAAAAARIM/aH-rEJzKDww9slb_naZl9xM0SHI3EnumACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/BB72D80F-1C7D-475F-9B77-4025992EF822.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w9lb3IirijI/X6GmDM0xpCI/AAAAAAAARIM/aH-rEJzKDww9slb_naZl9xM0SHI3EnumACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/BB72D80F-1C7D-475F-9B77-4025992EF822.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Well, I don't know about you, but I think today seems like a lovely day for searching out calm, quiet, peace and stillness. There have been a lot of days like that over the last several months and I feel certain there will be a lot more over the next several months.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a-NINFy6ge4/X6GqXU9-oTI/AAAAAAAARIY/JpIjvb3fQiMZkWv3Gg6Z4Eedfy9at19rACLcBGAsYHQ/s4032/IMG_0564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a-NINFy6ge4/X6GqXU9-oTI/AAAAAAAARIY/JpIjvb3fQiMZkWv3Gg6Z4Eedfy9at19rACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_0564.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Reading has been a lifelong escape into other worlds for me, whether it's a magazine or a book. I love to travel to other places on the wings of words. Lately I have been drawn to stories from childhood and I think the nostalgia has been most welcome.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HW79pnyHzCE/X6GqbD78vyI/AAAAAAAARIc/Kd5erwDUzKEU4VpuS8-gQS5eKSgRNsOkgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1601" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HW79pnyHzCE/X6GqbD78vyI/AAAAAAAARIc/Kd5erwDUzKEU4VpuS8-gQS5eKSgRNsOkgCLcBGAsYHQ/w500-h640/IMG_0472.jpg" width="500" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Journaling is a great way to process my feelings or just get them out of my head and onto the page. Pasting pretty pictures into my journal takes me to a whole new level of comfort.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-clBzyh8XomI/X6GsTntVhQI/AAAAAAAARIw/vdWjjOEl0I8H144Ffcfa5tqiGy46ezzbACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/0530F957-F667-4D73-A9D4-F9496CECE704_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-clBzyh8XomI/X6GsTntVhQI/AAAAAAAARIw/vdWjjOEl0I8H144Ffcfa5tqiGy46ezzbACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/0530F957-F667-4D73-A9D4-F9496CECE704_1_201_a.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Time in the kitchen is always well spent for me. Tonight I'm making a big pot of Jambalaya because there is something soul filling about the act of chopping things up, throwing them into a pot and simmering them slowly on the stove top. Maybe I'll get around to baking cookies and share them with neighbors because they probably need some cheer right now also.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z85xoQXIrjU/X6Gqi7BrGRI/AAAAAAAARIg/YNybZyEF6G0XM99KE3uKwF4AeKIPsZ75QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/0E1DFD91-881A-47B5-BE1D-D2507428B82A_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z85xoQXIrjU/X6Gqi7BrGRI/AAAAAAAARIg/YNybZyEF6G0XM99KE3uKwF4AeKIPsZ75QCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/0E1DFD91-881A-47B5-BE1D-D2507428B82A_1_201_a.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Getting lost in my hobbies probably brings me more comfort than anything. Knitting is meditation, photography helps me really see my surroundings and brings the beauty into focus. It helps me center my thoughts in gratitude for all that I have.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qP9gKhCP7yk/X6GlyP_SA7I/AAAAAAAARHw/jnS4IIxlhEkh5OHdUDa1yIToNtZQzk6SgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/25FA92F5-2D1E-4412-805B-938C315F3439.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qP9gKhCP7yk/X6GlyP_SA7I/AAAAAAAARHw/jnS4IIxlhEkh5OHdUDa1yIToNtZQzk6SgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/25FA92F5-2D1E-4412-805B-938C315F3439.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div></div><br />There are any number of ways to bring calm to the day. Turning off the news and signing out of social media are probably the single most effective things but some other things that bring me peace are:</div><div>-Getting out in nature</div><div>-Watching some comfort TV or movies. For me that's You've Got Mail or Gilmore Girls or maybe something on the Hallmark channel</div><div>-Doing some yoga, breathing or meditation</div><div>-Organizing something or cleaning the house. Sometimes it helps to feel like we have control of something</div><div>-Putting on some cozy music and lighting some candles or turning on some twinkle lights. </div><div>-Counting my blessings. Forever and Always. No matter what.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-faZlZAwQVW4/X6GlyXcqn_I/AAAAAAAARH4/ujwsVq9sEtMEiX2KG2ZI4ZFsFk2gIqiVACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/C158CE70-814B-4A03-9B72-E53ED975F4A2_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1901" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-faZlZAwQVW4/X6GlyXcqn_I/AAAAAAAARH4/ujwsVq9sEtMEiX2KG2ZI4ZFsFk2gIqiVACLcBGAsYHQ/w594-h640/C158CE70-814B-4A03-9B72-E53ED975F4A2_1_201_a.jpeg" width="594" /></a></div><p>Today, I wish a lot of things. More than anything- peace and health for all of us. I wish I could do a random act of kindness for each of you. I would bring a plate of cookies and leave them on your doorstep, ring the bell, stand back and tell you Hi! I just wanted you to know I was thinking about you today! Since I can't do that I'm leaving you with<a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2HzEc7tc1saeQV7CEsDsi5?si=Hob_M37TRka93PfoNwNi-w"> this cozy Christmas playlist</a> I've been listening to on repeat. If it's too soon for you, save it for later! Be kind to yourself today. And tomorrow. Rinse and repeat.</p></div>Jen Kershnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128661586028201160noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-19970529467422884422020-10-30T16:22:00.002-04:002020-10-30T16:22:15.556-04:00New Seasons<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6KqUGZn0ZWI/X5xm4YTSZjI/AAAAAAAARGU/INHEJQGbMm45oAMTE4rrfD2H6vHao85UgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0682.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="214" data-original-width="320" height="429" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6KqUGZn0ZWI/X5xm4YTSZjI/AAAAAAAARGU/INHEJQGbMm45oAMTE4rrfD2H6vHao85UgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h429/IMG_0682.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> (photo by Katie McBroom Photo)</span></p>This is what our family looks like now. Our big girl got married last weekend! They've been together 10 years and have already weathered many storms. We are wishing them a lifetime of calmer seas. I will be posting more photos later. The photographer was just amazing! Well, everything about the day was amazing!<div><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3I1EeT0G3wU/X5xlzf4oZtI/AAAAAAAARGI/U7m8mgbnUJAuNKbtfSr-3l0vnH_eLHFKwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/IMG_0403.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3I1EeT0G3wU/X5xlzf4oZtI/AAAAAAAARGI/U7m8mgbnUJAuNKbtfSr-3l0vnH_eLHFKwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_0403.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now that my to do lists and energy aren't focused on wedding prep, I'm settling into our quiet, cozy empty nest -for however long that lasts. Projects either got done or didn't and either way my mind has moved on to other priorities. To be honest, a priority I'm not historically good at focusing on...<i>me</i>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xLKoSTlz3RE/X5xj1J6gynI/AAAAAAAARFo/MM5SzyUK_p4DgjIof-7CEjc0N4FjdZpNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/B12F5DD7-4753-4CEA-8594-941518D4FA12_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xLKoSTlz3RE/X5xj1J6gynI/AAAAAAAARFo/MM5SzyUK_p4DgjIof-7CEjc0N4FjdZpNwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/B12F5DD7-4753-4CEA-8594-941518D4FA12_1_201_a.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br />The cadence of my days has shifted, like the seasons themselves. The things giving me pleasure are simple: baking bread, <a href="https://www.chiselandfork.com/chocolate-chip-scones/">these scones</a>, getting to know my camera again, taking a couple of online classes, occasional naps, reading- an extensive list of other pleasures. I continue to do what needs to be done to keep our home and lives on track, but I've realized that To Do list isn't going anywhere and I'm tired of trying to cross all the boxes off and feeling guilty when I fail. And I almost always fail. I'm often guilty of feeling like I can't take any pleasure from life until <i>all</i> of the work is done. The curse of the good work ethic. I'm guessing I'm not the only one among us who feels this way.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4K3ASIxm3n8/X5xj0py_tAI/AAAAAAAARFg/RTXbQVcoOCcE22p1_iVY1UwQb05IX5eaACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/01F2D03A-7CF6-41ED-8184-1941518FD996_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4K3ASIxm3n8/X5xj0py_tAI/AAAAAAAARFg/RTXbQVcoOCcE22p1_iVY1UwQb05IX5eaACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/01F2D03A-7CF6-41ED-8184-1941518FD996_1_201_a.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>As I settle into a new flow that allows for taking time in the afternoons for creative pursuits, I find myself feeling excited to get up every day. It has been awhile since I have felt that way and didn't even realize it had slipped away until that old friend showed back up. I'm replenishing my spirit which in turn pays off in a myriad of ways.<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jG_-WiXCRxg/X5xxYgf1yFI/AAAAAAAARHI/jKkCtYmyiQII7hNioS5ZFquLuATrPNDzgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/97012931-D904-4B95-838D-806D4B97B443.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jG_-WiXCRxg/X5xxYgf1yFI/AAAAAAAARHI/jKkCtYmyiQII7hNioS5ZFquLuATrPNDzgCLcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/97012931-D904-4B95-838D-806D4B97B443.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div><p>We are battening down the hatches over here and tucking in for a long winter's nap. There is no telling what the next months will look like but I think it is going to be more important than ever that we find ways to be happy. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5OlTh0Uvucs/X5xxYt1GtZI/AAAAAAAARHE/8f8t_koVxOIQny70F-VrqM5fQ6sp_0B-gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/088F6C88-875E-49C7-9DEB-B5097004A7FE.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5OlTh0Uvucs/X5xxYt1GtZI/AAAAAAAARHE/8f8t_koVxOIQny70F-VrqM5fQ6sp_0B-gCLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/088F6C88-875E-49C7-9DEB-B5097004A7FE.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br />While I will surely be missing people I love dearly, I know that there will be an end to this and I imagine the depth of gratitude we will feel for something as simple as a warm hug, seeing a movie or going away for the weekend, will be unlike anything we could have imagined. For the present moment, I'm going to make a point of focusing on the positives and finding happiness in the small, quiet moments. That's where the peace lives.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FEydwytvX6M/X5xxd5so6cI/AAAAAAAARHM/GE6-QFym0jMlSaZypLxkSj3mOY9phM-IgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1879/F2F7C76C-8FC5-4FD4-B222-57D9B7D95715_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1879" data-original-width="1512" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FEydwytvX6M/X5xxd5so6cI/AAAAAAAARHM/GE6-QFym0jMlSaZypLxkSj3mOY9phM-IgCLcBGAsYHQ/w514-h640/F2F7C76C-8FC5-4FD4-B222-57D9B7D95715_1_201_a.jpeg" width="514" /></a></div><p></p></div>Jen Kershnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128661586028201160noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36124766.post-74479920450675960222020-10-02T16:58:00.002-04:002020-10-02T17:13:15.596-04:00One Cozy Day<p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oD_bGPcIeIE/X3eFiYXnNuI/AAAAAAAARCY/JXkObQ4kTN4D-vuDXfWvunMM_2qooXcZwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="213" data-original-width="320" height="426" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oD_bGPcIeIE/X3eFiYXnNuI/AAAAAAAARCY/JXkObQ4kTN4D-vuDXfWvunMM_2qooXcZwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/image.jpeg" width="640" /></a></p>Firstly, thank you so much for the warm welcome home. As a thank you, I made us an Autumn playlist which I have been listening to on repeat. You can find it on Spotify <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3jxhBbpbGrca62KwmMcFdn">here</a>. I'm actually listening to it as I write this. It is best enjoyed with flickering candlelight, a cozy blanket and tea. I find music so evocative and am known to make a new playlist each season as if I am creating a soundtrack for my own life. In fact, soundtracks have been my favorite music influences from my first-Grease and American Graffiti (on 8 track!) to long term and current favorites like One Fine Day, You've Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle and When Harry Met Sally.<div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lv9eLeqzoE4/X3eG0Za8cbI/AAAAAAAARDs/s3Ro0lIt9sQgr6oP8XnUF13Ku0iLNyTeQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/66961F74-B39A-4997-A6C8-5D75721868E7.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lv9eLeqzoE4/X3eG0Za8cbI/AAAAAAAARDs/s3Ro0lIt9sQgr6oP8XnUF13Ku0iLNyTeQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/66961F74-B39A-4997-A6C8-5D75721868E7.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>This past Monday, we had our first cozy, rainy autumn day. We have had very little rain so I watched the extended forecast with much anticipation. A rainy autumn Monday when you don't have anyplace to be is only rivaled by a stormy Sunday when you have no place to be. Don't you agree? So I planned for days, choosing my coziest loungewear and making plans to savor every moment. In this house we all like to burrow in our hidey holes when the weather is inclement and kitties are no exception. There is one snuggled under that blanket, in one of her favorite spots.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qJ4GRbCupcE/X3eFv8x0ZDI/AAAAAAAARCo/QPRwgwOl49gt04j2tAFAvbiRBYdeHaSWgCLcBGAsYHQ/image.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qJ4GRbCupcE/X3eFv8x0ZDI/AAAAAAAARCo/QPRwgwOl49gt04j2tAFAvbiRBYdeHaSWgCLcBGAsYHQ/image.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dN1-z52V1PU/X3eF1fO0nCI/AAAAAAAARCw/8RHu1Kc7PCwhCYanmlvwr0Xuw-UZvPqAQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="213" data-original-width="320" height="426" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dN1-z52V1PU/X3eF1fO0nCI/AAAAAAAARCw/8RHu1Kc7PCwhCYanmlvwr0Xuw-UZvPqAQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/image.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><br /></div><div>I do best with some structure so I usually have a loose plan for my days and week. On Monday I do a tidy, undoing the damage to the house created from the weekend. I tackle the giant never ending basket of towels to fold, straighten up, put away all the things that get left out, sweep the floor and any number of invisible tasks that I do without thinking on any given day. I also tend to do some cooking for the week. I took some recently harvested garden tomatoes and added them to a jar with shallot, garlic, basil, olive oil and balsamic vinegar, baked some sourdough bread to enjoy with it and to have around for the week and made an autumn vegetable soup for dinner starring butternut squash from my garden.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BwHh8ZWqpIg/X3eIqyszcvI/AAAAAAAAREc/LpjP2uxXdeUAHNqmrDd-0QBGTyfB84nvwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/CDBE2DB6-1F5D-4CCD-85EB-CD27312203AF.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BwHh8ZWqpIg/X3eIqyszcvI/AAAAAAAAREc/LpjP2uxXdeUAHNqmrDd-0QBGTyfB84nvwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/CDBE2DB6-1F5D-4CCD-85EB-CD27312203AF.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1nZODl83COA/X3eE9HjZ04I/AAAAAAAARBk/RJrmV0FBTa0hUO8F-lb37jPApLovIK3wgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6CA4156A-E54F-4132-AF55-CFF752146EE3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1nZODl83COA/X3eE9HjZ04I/AAAAAAAARBk/RJrmV0FBTa0hUO8F-lb37jPApLovIK3wgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/6CA4156A-E54F-4132-AF55-CFF752146EE3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EDR6ezv_MAY/X3eJQRilICI/AAAAAAAAREo/_Ni1NVmQG5g4d7YRch4V5CDfHom_9NZtACLcBGAsYHQ/image.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EDR6ezv_MAY/X3eJQRilICI/AAAAAAAAREo/_Ni1NVmQG5g4d7YRch4V5CDfHom_9NZtACLcBGAsYHQ/image.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fizYkibxSV0/X3eJSPkwodI/AAAAAAAAREs/R8Cb9CX4fqgqYw68vnx-IK3Pq9Lzca4HwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="213" data-original-width="320" height="426" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fizYkibxSV0/X3eJSPkwodI/AAAAAAAAREs/R8Cb9CX4fqgqYw68vnx-IK3Pq9Lzca4HwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/image.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On Mondays, I also try to do a task I have procrastinated doing. This week it was ripping out this sweater I twice tried and failed to knit successfully-so that I might reuse the yarn for another project. This task was best accomplished curled up in a cozy chair while watching Sweet Magnolias on Netflix. I have a condition that prevents me from just sitting with still hands. I'm practicing to correct this with a goal of being able to sit and read or watch a movie or just think, without feeling like I need to also be accomplishing something. I am beginning to realize that my mind (and hands) need the stillness. Especially these days. Although to be sure, knitting is my mediation. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pq9I7Qprxww/X3eE5QuG2mI/AAAAAAAARBU/clq2Hy9ju1QGlOaygS1mOYxKjD6gDV1wwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/052F03F5-3A77-4F68-A51C-053BBB72D461.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pq9I7Qprxww/X3eE5QuG2mI/AAAAAAAARBU/clq2Hy9ju1QGlOaygS1mOYxKjD6gDV1wwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/052F03F5-3A77-4F68-A51C-053BBB72D461.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>A cozy day calls for a cozy afternoon snack and lately I have been enjoying brown sugar maple oatmeal with a dollop of crunchy almond butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon. I never liked oatmeal until recently but there is something so comforting about having a warm oatmeal filled mug in my hands so I believe I picked just the right time to start liking it.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BKpl-ALikP8/X3eJXAfZdKI/AAAAAAAAREw/CZH0_7aoMjw4R41X9Vc2k2GdV3G66Jm5wCLcBGAsYHQ/image.jpeg" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 238); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="213" data-original-width="320" height="426" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BKpl-ALikP8/X3eJXAfZdKI/AAAAAAAAREw/CZH0_7aoMjw4R41X9Vc2k2GdV3G66Jm5wCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/image.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dCVxDdujFQ8/X3eFAwBLMwI/AAAAAAAARBo/FDiL2xLdoUYapVTx3Yit-RhPrhiedOPRwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/903EA4A7-58A3-4566-9C0B-EB95622BB1F1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ug2i--XVqw0/X3eGVRPFH-I/AAAAAAAARDU/t9AFbEKEu5Q_5CAAVSOyVx5nVw-8CZyewCLcBGAsYHQ/image.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I recently read this quote "It is no bad thing to celebrate a simple life." I couldn't agree more. </div><div><br /></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H3XdF1E4Cy0/X3eNx-8PEwI/AAAAAAAARFI/q_kBOETgh4M5fdSHCwIq1-BBCgBl8xeBACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8165766D-F1B1-4B9C-8EBB-375B40E2F6FC_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H3XdF1E4Cy0/X3eNx-8PEwI/AAAAAAAARFI/q_kBOETgh4M5fdSHCwIq1-BBCgBl8xeBACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/8165766D-F1B1-4B9C-8EBB-375B40E2F6FC_1_201_a.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've been thinking lately about how important it is to love your life- to not spend your days wishing for your next vacation but to build a life you love so much that you don't feel you <i>need</i> to escape it. New adventures are wonderful and the change in perspective and memories we gain from them are invaluable and they can even give us an increased appreciation of home. Ideally, I think, they compliment our every day life and don't become our main focus. What a wonderful thing to be content with who and where we are right now. I hope that's where this day finds you.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Qml3TIOuoQ/X3eE5D58-RI/AAAAAAAARBQ/2N7zITJ32LIjY_6Dt_ACXfS0eJpcyr2LgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/194BBC15-CBBD-49F4-B6A3-D38E437B674B.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Qml3TIOuoQ/X3eE5D58-RI/AAAAAAAARBQ/2N7zITJ32LIjY_6Dt_ACXfS0eJpcyr2LgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/194BBC15-CBBD-49F4-B6A3-D38E437B674B.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u1ILauIGbLs/X3eJiA0WqXI/AAAAAAAARE8/NV-REHnr-8slThQV2ykMVYjPrB9cZVQuACLcBGAsYHQ/image.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="213" data-original-width="320" height="426" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u1ILauIGbLs/X3eJiA0WqXI/AAAAAAAARE8/NV-REHnr-8slThQV2ykMVYjPrB9cZVQuACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/image.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div>Jen Kershnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16128661586028201160noreply@blogger.com13