i get inspiration from little things like this. when i was taking photos at maureen’s house i saw this detail on her back porch. when we live in an age where we go out and buy something new every time something breaks, it is refreshing to see some simple DIY patch working.
i discovered the cutest farm stand right down the road. every morning they pick what’s ripe and put it out, so it’s really farm fresh. in case i don’t have enough, now i know where to get more!
this past year we have really gotten into foraging food. the thrill that you get from hiking through the land that surrounds you and finding food that nature offers is priceless. foraging has really connected us to our environment and seasons. it is really quite amazing how much food in our backyards, fields, and forests is edible, and quite tasty!
this summer has been a great year for chanterelle mushrooms. this fungi is easy to identify and there is not any poisonous look-a-likes around. not only is this mushroom beautiful but it is one of the more flavorful mushrooms out there. we have found so many this year that we have dried some so we can enjoy them all year long…..until next season.
click here to read an article in the month’s food and wine about an inspiring forager/chef in california
i just went to one of the sweetest weddings ever! everything was home grown, handmade, and locally sourced.
click here to see the lovely flowers from their wedding
sharing some details……
i smitten over these flower garlands that were handmade by the bride’s mom.
mandy spent a year making these glasses for each guest to take with them. they are made from wine bottles which have been cut and sanded.
reuseable napkins were made from fabric, the locally made cheeses were yummy!
these sweet hand painted numbers were tied to local milk jugs and marked each table.
i love the cupcake holder that was made from reclaimed wood and tin platters.
welcome bags for each guest were hand painted and included handmade items such as ‘love butter’ made by mandy.
our dear friends mandy and steve just got married. mandy grew mostly all of the flowers in her garden and the rest were gathered wild flowers. she also collected feathers, gourds, vases, jars, pods, seeds, nuts, and other natural beauty and scattered the objects on the tables. this wedding was filled with rustic and southern beauty-enjoy!
i was just revisiting photographs from our wedding day and needed to share. two years ago yesterday, we tied the knot!
i still can’t believe how amazing the flowers were! all of the flora used was found in our yards, gardens, or the side of the road. peaches…marigolds…geraniums…magnolias…fig branches…thistle…zinnias…dill…fennel…queen anne’s lace…and much more.
the arrangements were made by my lovely friends; rinne, rebecca, and kathryn and were scattered throughout.
the memories from our wedding day keep getting more beautiful with time… click on the pictures below for easy viewing
i was on a walk and saw this cute handmade lemonade stand. made me smile!
the term “foxfire” is a name commonly applied to several species of bioluminescent fungi that grow on rotting wood in damp forests (like the Southern Appalachians) during the warmer months. These fungi typically produce a dim blue-green glow that can be seen only in dark, starlit areas, away from any artificial lights or moonlight. Other names associated with these glowing fungi include “faerie fire” and “will o’ the wisp.” (an excerpt from foxfire.org)
the other day, we headed up to rabun county to visit foxfire. foxfire was started in 1966, by a local high school english teacher who sought the importance of educating students about appalachia history, self-sufficiency, living on the land and at the seasons’ demands. over the years the students have published several books and magazines that talk about such topics. you can find them here.
walking around the foxfire land, it was easy to imagine life in a much simpler time, no phones, running water, computers, electricity, plumbing, or modern conveniences. i oftentimes think how nice it might be to escape to those times…for a little while. when people worked to live and enjoy life.
since i’m growing so many flowers this year, i’m trying to figure out where i can display them all! i spend a good deal of time at the kitchen sink, so that’s a natural place. i got one of the old jars i collect, and got a piece of wire i found out in the yard and made this really cute wall vase. i hang it next to the kitchen window. try making your own.
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