this precious life.

what an immense gift it was to spend a little bit of time in st. louis with these two! as i drove to michael and chloe's saturday morning, i literally felt like i was coming home and my entire body began to relax. these last few months in memphis have been phenomenal and i've never questioned once if this is where i am supposed to be… but even as i settle in and begin building relationships here, i'm reminded of the incredible family i have spread all over the u.s and my heart hurts just a bit. as i'm learning to embrace each season of life fully, there's always an underlying measure of feeling like a traveler/nomad/sojourner. i've lived so many places in just 21 years and connected with so many different groups of people that there isn't just one city or place i can call home and feel rooted in. i think i originally thought that moving back to memphis would bring life full circle and give me a solid city to call home but i'm quickly learning that charl...

for years i've had this stash of embroidery thread from my grandmother. it's gotten used for so many things and pretty soon i'll have to replenish my supply:) it has come in handy for wrapping packages, making necklaces, hanging things, driftwood photo frames, and of course embroidery. i'm all about supplies looking pretty when they aren't being used so i came up with this simple idea. i had several pieces of driftwood leftover from last summers scavenging on lake erie so they got put to use. now these lovely colors are on display on my desk! you'll need >> sticks or driftwood of your choice | embroidery thread, bakers twine, ribbon | jar or vase | knife make a notch in the end of the stick (or use one that's already there). wrap the thread around the stick from beginning to end & slide the last bit of the thread through the notch to hold in place. display in a pretty jar, vase or container! before:  after:

Abigail & Ellyn helped me put together this thankful tree that now adorns our kitchen table. We wanted a way for the whole family {and whoever else decided to participate} to share with each other what things we were grateful for leading up to Thanksgiving Day. It's the first time we've ever done this but it's been pretty catching... all the way down to Elaena who writes something in her scribble handwriting & then translates to us what it says she is thankful for! It's fun to see the collection grow each day & then sit at dinner reading the new ones. To make your own, just read below-- it's super straight forward & simple! Materials: branches | vase | scrapbook paper or card stock | hole punch| thin twine or string  Arrange branches in vase. Feel free to fill part of the vase with colorful leaves, river stones, marbles or other filler.  Use something circular {bottom of a glass, lid} to trace circles on the back of the paper. Cut...

I met up with Bridget on what turned out to be a super over cast fall day to do her senior pictures. But we'll pulled out all stops & managed to make it a great session despite the threatening rain! She loves spontaneity & living life fully with the people around her and I love how that came out during our shoot! Be blessed as you finish this last year of high school & head off to new & greater things next year, Bridget!