JO Blog

Day Five was a bit overcast and rainy for most of the morning. I loved the cooler air and even though the rain changed our plans I loved seeing France through the rain. The afternoon sun came out and gave me the opportunity to head back out and take some photos of the countryside. I […]

It had rained all night. At times hard and at other times a soft, consistent rain that is so soothing. The day was supposed to start with a 90 minute walk into the next town through sunflower fields and the French countryside. The rain changed our plans.     We ended up driving to the […]

I have been a little MIA this past week or so because we have had family in town. I will share photos soon…so much fun and wonderful to catch up with everyone. It is almost time for my Winter Collection and before I reveal it at the end of September I wanted to offer FREE […]

I love the details. It is the details in life that I love and it is in the details that I believe you find the true beauty. Not perfection…details. The dimples on my son's cheeks. The sound of my husband's breathing next to me at night. How Benjamin's breath still smells sweet. How Madolyn talks […]

After our morning woading vintage and new linens we were greeted with a beautiful tea. Luckily my new friend Alexis and I were the first to notice the table and all the gorgeous china and we were quickly taking photos before anyone else arrived. Even as I look at all the photos now it is […]

I had to show you a few of the goodies I brought home from France and how I have incorporated them into our home. Don’t you love pretty things from a trip that add to your home and you get to look at them everyday…..and remember your amazing time????

Day four was full of fun at the chateau. Our previous days were packed full of gorgeous villages and brocantes. It was nice to stay put the whole day on this magical property. I may never get to say again that I stayed in a chateau…might as well talk about it a lot now:-) The […]

Day three began with an omelet with hollandaise sauce and fresh herbs. (I may be missing the food more than anything else) After breakfast we headed to Cordes-sur-Ciel. It is a medieval village built on a hill. It was incredible to walk these cobblestone streets and look through so many shops. I was surprised my […]

Day two began with creating in the art barn. This is in a beautiful building only 30 yards away from the chateau.   The barn has been completely renovated and I love that they kept the original beams. We were able to make bracelets and necklaces with Kaari's kits and extra baubles she brought. I have […]

(My friend Alexis with her dreamy hat from Paris.  I was hoping the whole trip to find one just like it) You have already seen the beautiful chateau and morning I was excited to capture that first morning in Auty.  After an amazing breakfast served in the dinning room we headed out for an early […]

I put my head on my pillow at 12:30 am and fell asleep instantly.  To my surprise I was WIDE awake at 3:15 am. I tried and tried to get back to sleep but truth be told I was too excited. I was anxious for the sun to rise so I could step outside and […]

(The amazing view that first night as the sun was beginning to set) Here I am back at home and slowly getting used to the time change. As I am unpacking my suitcases, unwrapping all my vintage treasures, kissing my children, doing laundry and catching up with friends and family….I can't believe that must a […]

  (image found HERE) Well, it is finally here! I leave for France on Friday. There were so many things I was going to do and learn before the trip. Do you do that? I swore I was going to truly learn French….that did not happen. I know a few things but where did the […]

"Today I begin a journey. I awake, put one foot in front of the other. Uncertain of what lies beyond the doorway, I take a step of faith and I walk out my life… step by step, day by day, until I build a collection of days that add up to a life well lived. […]

Saturday morning was flea market day. If you remember last month you will know that I woke up to pouring rain. The sound of birds chirping at 5 am was a pleasant change this time. My husband and I packed up the truck. He thought I would need to make two trips but I reassured […]

Good morning girls! I seriously feel like I am in overdrive. There are so many things going on. I have the flea market tomorrow and I need to pack the truck up EARLY! After the flea market I will only have SIX MORE DAYS UNTIL I LEAVE FOR FRANCE. I still have things to get, […]

It has been crazy busy around here lately. On Friday I drove with the kids to Ft. Collins to meet up with my friend Courtney. Courtney was on a house hunting trip with her mom and her beautiful daughter. I have known Courtney since I was little.  We both grew up in Illinois and attended […]

I’m baacccckkkkkk! I have to say…this little Friday thing has me working on things I have been meaning to do for awhile now. This project was super simple and EASY. I have been wanting to take my cabinet (that I keep my china and some of my ironstone) and put vintage sheet music along the […]

When you spend so many years not feeling well you can forget how amazing it is to feel good! The past two months I have not experienced almost any of the health issues I have struggled with for the past eight years. I feel healthy. I feel energized I feel focused. I feel able to […]

My husband travels a lot. We are very used to his schedule at this point. When he first started traveling more he once mentioned that he would often look for us at the top of the escalators hoping we would be waiting with all the other people. I have traveled more this year than I […]

When I was little I was constantly making up plays, "sewing" purses with the stapler and rounding up the children in the neighborhood to play school. I also learned to be very resourceful. My mom would never buy the plastic high heel dress up shoes….so I would put blocks in my socks for heels. I […]

For the rest of the summer I will be having Facelift Friday. Every Friday I will share an easy project that will cost next to nothing. I have so many projects that I want to accomplish and so many of them are just like things here and there waiting for my attention. Hopefully we can […]

Madolyn is my only daughter. I am often struck with the realization that she will never grow up with a sister. She will never be blessed to be one of the first people in the world to hold her sister's new born baby, toast her at her wedding and raise their babies together. I have […]