Happy Birthday to my baby!

How does this happen?! I had the smallest little baby what seems like yesterday and now she's a fun little girl with miles of personality and a loving little heart. Today's Gemma's 4th birthday and she's celebrating with stickers, colouring books, and cupcakes. She loves all the birthday excitement and opens presents with a gusto! Happy Birthday darling!

At Home by Bill Bryson

As much as my history nerd status may now come fully to light, I have got to write about how much I enjoyed this book. Bill Bryson sets out to write about what makes up life at home, the most important part of anyone's life no matter what era one is living in. But along the way we learn about everything from prehistoric homes in caves, to gas lighting, to locust infestations. The wonderful gift of being able to make the smallest minutia into an interesting story is Bryson's specialty and uses it with a flourish throughout this book.


I initially picked up this book because of my own love of the home and wondered what amusing tidbits of history things in the home have picked up over the years, but At Home is a treasury of Jeopardy fodder! Discussions of history, exploration, architecture, archeology, agriculture, fashion, medicine, and hygiene abound in every chapter. But its the small stories behind the other inventor of the electric lightbulb, or the importance of the discovery of vitamins, or the daily life of an English servant in the nineteenth century which become riveting. 


Bryson tries to focus upon what made life at home as we know it today. And surprisingly it is mostly the result of tremendous technological innovations of the last two hundred years. Bryson focuses mostly upon life in Britain and then America as these two countries were the hotbeds of technological growth in the modern age. I found many examples of English life explained that I had wondered about while reading Victorian classics. It is truly amazing how many different aspects of history affect our life today within the home, this book gives a great knowledge of life in the past and should leave each reader marvelling at our luck being born into our present age.


Bryson writes with exceptional wit which makes his histories entertaining. He recounts most facts objectively and I found little tendency of the author to leave liberal biases upon the page. Of course, he writes from a secular viewpoint, but did not harass religion outright, a trait which grows more uncommon with today's contemporary history writers. This book is well worth the memorable trip through history exploring the remarkable ways in which our home life has come to be.

Washin Windows today!

Source: countryliving.com via Christy on Pinterest

Well, I'm going to break down today and wash windows. I've officially reached grime overload. Washing windows to most people is usually a standard on the weekly cleaning list but when you've got 3 littles who practically manufacture their own "stick", clean windows are so far down the cleaning list they only register twice a year, or in dire circumstances, e.g. your mother in law coming over. 


Now with the longer daylight, my windows appear as if there is a opaque filter from floor level to about three and a half feet up. I'm going to windex them up and scrub them to Martha Stewart standards even if they only last 5.5 minutes! The only problem is now that I'm noticing months worth of finger grime on the windows, I'm seeing that in reality it covers most walls and pretty much anything kid level. I'll be here for a while...

May Monday-ness

Source: lovemademedoitx.blogspot.com via Christy on Pinterest

I love May! Its just a wonderful month where things finally turn to spring up here! Right now as I look out my window the first beautiful baby green buds of the trees are out, and I see baby calves grazing on fresh green grass. I also bought my annual flowers this weekend-which always makes me happy-so I'll be planting those when I get a chance! 

Source: notonthehighstreet.com via Christy on Pinterest

This weekend my husband and I got to go out for a little date night, a movie and some drinks afterwards! Motherhood expands your capacity for joy for so much of life, but it really increases your enjoyment of small things like getting out for a movie with your husband! Also in my breaking news; I got a haircut. Will wonders never cease!?

Source: glorioustreats.blogspot.com via Christy on Pinterest

Another wonderful May perk-my birthday! This Thursday is my daughter's birthday and she will be turning 4! Does 4 mean she's no longer a "toddler" but a "child", she most definitely will not be referred to by that dreadful word "pre-schooler" but what happened to my "baby"?!? My birthday is the day after, which means we have a whole weekend full of celebrating and a great excuse to eat cupcakes for a few days in a row! 


Have a great week-enjoy May!

Stunning Scandinavian Style!

Sometimes I wish I was born in Sweden so that this kind of sweet, colourful, and terribly cool Scandinavian style would come naturally to me too! This beautiful home has such a great take on Scandinavian style while still having a kick for vintage, along with a healthy dose of warmth and lightheartedness! This home is the beautiful creation of Ida and the subject of her cute Norwegian blog Sukkertøy for øyet or "candy for the eye". I'm going to keep my google chrome running to stay up to date with this beauty!

All images from Sukkertøy for øyet

The Fashion File by Janie Bryant

Let it be known I'm a huge Mad Men fan so I was excited to read anything about the gorgeous styles that Janie Bryant brings to the show, but this book was a lot more fun than even I anticipated! 

Unlike most fashion books out there that focus primarily on which style of jeans you should be buying while being written in the usual twaddle of an entertainment show, Bryant writes with a enthusiasm and Southern wit which makes for an enjoyable read. She sprinkles in a few of her techniques she uses for the show which clearly show her genius, but most importantly she encourages the pursuit your own personal style. Through accessories, fit, and vintage pieces, Bryant inspires a dramatic and personal style for your everyday dressing. 

Bryant's love for vintage and chapter on how to shop for vintage was what I enjoyed most. She has a great eye towards what vintage pieces work with todays fashion and has chic ideas on how to gradually add vintage to one's wardrobe without breaking the bank or crossing the line into dressing like an old lady. 

Although the book has moments of being a tad out of touch with regular women's wardrobes, and Bryant's personal closet sounds alot like MGM's costume department, I think the inspiration she gives to building a stylish attitude and wardrobe is helpful, especially to those of us stuck in a rut. If you like a little talk about beautiful clothes and love the classic look of Mad Men, The Fashion File is a fun guidebook.

Toddler-hood

"The first things must be the very fountains of life, love and birth and
babyhood; and these are always covered fountains, flowing in the quiet
courts of the home." -G.K. Chesterton

Lately, we've been running around outside splashing in puddles, getting covered in sidewalk chalk, and all-around being just completely dirty. Its made me think about how fun and new everything is to a toddler. 

Right now, as seasons of motherhood go, I'm right smack dab and buried in toddlerhood! My oldest turns 4 next week and then I've got a 29 month old and an 18 month old. As soon as they're awake the questions, narration, tantrums, fights, singing, and constant requests start and continue until they're napping! And as most mom's of toddlers can attest, I spend a majority of time saying no to things, or at least trying to divert attention to something else so I don't have to say no, and cleaning up after them. Sometimes I watch in wonder as a completely tidy little room goes to complete war-zone in a matter of mere moments! 

But the sweetness of toddlerhood is watching your little people see things, do things, say things for the first time. From Luke's adorable swift, determined, baby walk, to Dominic's first formed questions, to Gemma's daily changing imaginary games. The bright joy they bring to everyday events, and of course their own crazy, unique, perspective on everything from the sounds they hear in Church to why the phone rings, are hilarious gifts I don't want to miss. 

And thats why I'm going to enjoy my toddler's days and hope I never forget the daily craziness!