On My Vanity

Ever since I was a little girl I have always dreamed of having a vanity or fancy dressing table. I believe this want comes from watching the animated 'Cinderella' so much as a child - her room may have been sparse but I have dreamed about it ever since! Not only did she have a lovely vanity and mirror, she had a dressing screen - another piece of furniture I pine after. Also, who wouldn't want birds to give you a shower in the morning and mice to help you sew your clothes?

If you look at old drawings of my 'dream home' I made when I was younger, there were always the same things: a spiral staircase, a claw-footed bathtub, a room completely devoted to books (with a ladder that rolls around the room! This was taken from another of my favorite child-hood movies, 'Beauty and the Beast'), a dressing screen, and of course a vanity. 

Last winter when my mother-in-law Melissa was building the doll house of her dreams, she asked me if I would like her vanity table as there soon wouldn't be room for it in her room. Believe me, I tried to curb my excitement but I don't know if I succeeded. The vanity didn't move over to the Barn until a while later, but what a fun day that was! I felt like a little girl putting things in the drawers and setting things up just so. I have enjoyed redecorating it every month or so - it's just so fun to have it all set up with things I love - things that bring me joy whenever I see them.

I thought it would be fun to share my vanity with you Dear Friend, and to show you some of the things that have their special places on it.

A snippet from my poetry notebook:

Upon it sit my treasures: things dainty, clear and bright.
Bottles, powders and fragrance that fills me with delight.
And in the shining mirror I seem more glamorous by far,
My reflection seems to be of some forgotten movie star.
And in it's pretty drawers, tucked in and hidden away
Hankies, letters, a favorite hat - things to brighten up my day.
If only every hour could be spent just sitting here -
I would be like a child playing dress-up, that much is very clear!

It's true, whenever I get to sit in front of it and get ready for a dance or perhaps a date I feel like a little girl playing dress-up! As I said, I redecorate the top of my new vanity every month or so, but there are a few things that always find their way on to it or are tucked carefully away in one of the large drawers...

Perfume- I can still remember the first bottle of perfume I ever received. It was from my parents and I got it in my Christmas stocking when I was around 13. I considered it so precious I only used it for the most special of occasions (and because of this I didn't run out of it until after I was married!).

Yes, I had always considered perfume something for special occasions, but now I am allowing myself to wear it whenever I feel like it - just because it brings me joy and makes me happy! I received a bottle of Summer Hill perfume for Christmas from my father and mother-in-law and I do believe it is my new favorite! This is the same fragrance that scents the drawer-liners in my vanity - absolutely one of my favorites.

Lotion- I wear lotion everyday, and although I'm not too picky about what goes on my hands, I am picky about what I put on my face (I'm almost 30! When is this acne going to leave me alone?! Haha!). The Crabtree & Evelyn line of lotion is my go-to - the scents are beautiful and make me feel like a princess. My favorite scents are Rosewater, Lilac, and again - Summer Hill.

Powder- I received pieces from the Brambly Hedge vanity set for Christmas, one of which was the powder box - so of course I needed some powder to go in it! I had seen the Woods of Windsor powders in my favorite catalog 'Victorian Trading Co.' several times, and was thrilled to find a lily of the valley scent. My goodness, I don't think I've ever owned something so luxurious!

Makeup- As a general rule I don't wear a lot of makeup. Just a little concealer and some powder and that's it! But I do so enjoy wearing my vintage and retro dresses, and these always call for an extra touch. For this I like to curl my hair and perhaps do a victory roll or two, and who doesn't feel special wearing some red lipstick? I was very lucky to be given some products from Besame at Christmas, a makeup company that recreates real vintage makeup! Now if I could only figure out how to do a proper winged eyeliner, I would be set - haha!

Memories- I don't think my vanity would be quite complete if I didn't have some love notes and letters tucked away inside it! Ever the hopeless romantic, I of course have some special things hidden away: a birthday card from my mom & dad, a mermaid doll made by my sister Abigail, my garden journal - awaiting the arrival of spring. These are the things that truly make it special I think.

I do hope you have enjoyed this little look at my vanity, Friend. Now tell me, do you have a vanity or a dressing table? What sorts of special things do you keep on it? I would love to hear! Please share with me below in the comments. Until next time, Dear Friend!

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An Alaskan's Guide to Toughing Out the Rest of Winter

We’ve come to that dreaded time of year here in Juneau, Alaska. Christmas and New Years are both long past, as well as the excitement and joy that come with them. The snow that seemed absolutely magical in December is now cold, icey and devoid of excitement. It’s dark, wet, and it won’t be getting much better until the end of April. What is one to do? In case you’re suffering from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), or just got a case of the winter blues and (like me) are longing for spring - here is a list of ways I combat Alaska’s long, dark winter months:

1.) Light - I have lamps and candles all over Blueberry Barn! Soft lighting makes me feel relaxed and the flicker of candles or oil lamps is such a nice soothing way to light your home. I would so much rather have lamps and candles burning than have my overhead lights on! It can also be very romantic having soft lighting, and it helps disguise a messy home or dirty floors (just kidding!).

A lot of Alaskans (including my father-in-law) live for their ‘Happy Lights’ - lamps that mimic the sun and help reduce the effects of SAD. Earlier this winter, Quinn and I would wake up every morning and shuffle down the stairs only to turn the corner into the kitchen to be blinded by dad’s happy light! He often practices his guitar in the morning in a certain spot, and he would point the happy light right at himself (and right out the window, across the yard and into our kitchen!). After a while we finally had to ask him to turn it away from the window, it was such a shocking way to wake up every morning, haha! 

2.) Pretty Decorations - I don’t know about your house, but Blueberry Barn looks rather plain once all the glittering Christmas decorations are taken down and put away. The way my home looks has a big impact on me - if things are messy I find it hard to create, and likewise if things are orderly and neat I feel at ease and ready to be inspired! Since you’ll be spending a lot of time inside over the winter, it’s so important to keep your home cozy and a haven of rest for yourself and those you love.

So after all the pretty Christmas bobbles are tucked safely away, it’s nice to decorate the Barn in a way to excite me and bring me joy. Often times that means bringing out the Valentine’s Day things a bit early, or perhaps putting up some brightly colored spring decor! Bright and cheerful things are best since it’s still dark out the window and the world appears to be an old black and white photograph.

3.) Cozy Cooking - It’s safe to say winter is the best time of year to make soups, stews, and baked goods. Not only will your tummy be happy, but your house will smell amazing, making it even cozier. In winter it’s even harder for me to make sure I’m getting the exercise I need (no summer hikes to keep me in tip-top shape!), so healthy soups are my favorite go-to meal - bonus points if the recipe uses my crock-pot (then the Barn smells wonderful all day long!).

Cookies are also a fun easy way to brighten up a dark day - just make sure you’re not baking them every day. I like to make a batch of cookie dough, bake a pan, and leave the rest of the dough in the  fridge or freezer until the next time I feel the need for a cookie with my tea (or perhaps when an unexpected friend comes over). A cookie is always a welcome treat, but a cookie straight out of the oven is perfection!

4.) Start a Ritual - Instead of sitting on the couch all evening and binge watching a show, why not think of a better way to spend your time? Something you can look forward to everyday! Perhaps you could have a cup of tea to relax as soon as you get home from work. Maybe you create a fun before-bed routine where you put on your favorite jammies and use a face-mask! Oh perhaps it's sitting quietly in a cozy corner and reading your Bible or spending some time in prayer. It doesn't have to be everyday, but it should be often enough that you look forward to it and have a set time to do it.

For me, a favorite ritual is checking the mailbox when I get home from work. It's so fun to see what little parcel or letter has been tucked inside, and its such a fun time reading news from friends far away. Likewise, the time I spend writing letters to friends is so peaceful, and it fills me with a quiet joy I miss when I'm too busy to sit at my little desk. With how busy our world is it's so precious to have moments of peacefulness in our lives. I hope you carve out a time and space to do this for yourself!

5.) Get Outside! - We have a saying here in Juneau - "If you wait for the weather to be nice, you'll never get out at all." How true it is! Juneau gets on average 71 inches of rain and 80 inches of snow per year. If you wait to take that walk or go on that run you'll be spending all your time shut up inside. It's so important - especially when it's dark for most of the day - to get outside when there's a little bit of light.

I try to take Greta out on a walk at least once a day - not only does she like it, but I benefit from being out of the house! This has been hard as both Quinn and I are working this winter, but even still we try to get outside. When it's dark when we get home we'll go on 'lantern walks' - we'll go below the Barn to the tidal flats, a place we know very well, with kerosene lanterns! It's a fun and magical way to get outside even if the sunset has passed us by.

6.) Plan for Spring - I promise even though it seems far away, it will be here before you know it. If you are hoping to plant a garden, now is the time to begin preparing! Starting seedlings, planning out flower beds, buying seeds - all wonderful ways to keep your mind off of the cold ice creeping up your windowpanes. Or perhaps you have some other project planned for spring, like a party to plan or a special place you hope to visit. It's never too early to make a spring bucket list!

I enjoy looking back through my garden journal for inspiration (this year will be the third year I'm recording!). It's fun to see all the photos from spring and summer! They help to remind me that warmer days are ahead.

7.) Hobbies - It's true, some days it's just too cold and stormy to venture beyond the front door (no matter how many coats and scarves you put on). Those days are the perfect opportunity to work on some fun hobbies - or maybe start a new one. I am always busy during the summer being outside as much as possible, so these long winter days are perfect for sewing, writing, reading, and crafting.

What sorts of hobbies do you have, Friend? I often find myself behind my sewing machine or in a comfy chair with a good book. The only thing is (with the whole day being dark), I find myself accidentally staying up too late working on a project, or reading too long! "I thought for sure it was only nine! How can it be so late already?" Are you the same way? Once I start something and I'm working well at it...time seems to fly on by!

8.) Enjoy the Moment - Even though it seems to drag on, winter isn't here to stay so we need to remember to enjoy it! It's always nice to look toward the future and dream, but don't forget to find peace and contentment in the present. Winter has it's own magic - even after the sparkle from the holidays has worn off - and I hope you, Dear Friend, find that magic today!

I wish you a long, cozy winter Dear Friend!

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Wont You be my Valentine?

How I always look forward to Valentine's Day, Friend! There's just something so fun and special about making a valentine for a friend or loved one. Memories of elementary school parties and boxes filled to the brim with notes and brightly colored paper (and of course...candy!) fill my head as I sit down to write this. Valentine's Day is one of my most favorite holidays because it's a day anyone can be a little crafty, whether they have amazing skills or not! The gift of a personal valentine, made with lots of time and care, is simply a lovely present, wouldn't you agree?

This last week I decided to make a whole stack of valentines! Crepe paper, embelishments, stickers, and glitter were spread all over the table - it may have been hard to see me as I was so burried in crafting supplies, haha! Oh, but what a fun time I had! It's been a long while since I sat down and crafted for hours. Here's a little rundown of what I did if you would like to replicate the valentines I made:

There really is nothing to it! I cut out a heart template from some scrap paper and traced it onto scrapbooking paper and cut them out. Then I scrunched up crepe paper ribbons and slowly made my way around the hearts, taping the crepe paper down as I went. After the crepe paper ruffles are all done, I tape another heart to the back so the valentine is pretty from both sides. Then, you simply have to decorate it in whatever way you wish!

But it wasn't just me who has been busy with Valentine's Day preperations. The dolls over in Melissa's doll house have been busy bees as well! I may have given them some tips for their valentine making, but they learned very quickly and had a whole party making valentines for their friends.

Their table may have been even messier than mine! Well, maybe...

I sent out a whole stack of my valentines to my penpals and friends far away. It was rather humorous when I went to the post office with them - I had written 'DO NOT BEND' on all the pretty packages and what does the post office clerk do? He takes the first one and bends it completely in half! I think my husband and I must have looked at him with a little shock because he asked "Are these really not supposed to be bent? Or do you just not want them to be creased?" Oh well, so much for that, haha!

After hearing of my plight at the post office, the dolls decided to give theirs to their friends personally, rather than risk more rude post office clerks. It turned into a sort of game, as they had a lovely time hiding the valentines all over the house for sisters and friends to find. Some were even given special treatment and personally delivered, along with a 'how-do-you-do' and a jar of strawberry preserves from last summer.

Since I made so many valentines, I have one special one leftover! I would love to send it to one of you, Dear Friends. If you would like to join a little giveaway for a valentine from me to you, simply leave a comment down below telling me your favorite part of Valentine's Day. I'll randomly pick a winner this coming Friday! Make sure you don't comment anonymously, for I wont be able to contact you.

I pray your Valentine's Day is full of family, friends, and all those you love and cherish. And may your February be filled with joy! Have a happy Valentine's Day Dear Friend!

"We love because he first loved us."

1 John 4:19

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A Kulokk

A year or two ago, Abigail and I became entranced by kulning, Swedish herding calls sung to bring the cows in from the mountains. The videos of Jonna Jinton really inspired us, and soon we were trying to teach ourselves the lovely melodies that Jonna sung.

This last July, while visiting my parents in Seattle, I found a book entitled "Sing 'til the Cows Come Home" by Peggy Larson, so of course I picked it up immediately and brought it home! The book centers more around kulokk, the Norwegian form of kulning, though there are several Swedish cow calls in it as well. Not only did the book explain the history of this lovely art form, it included tips and sheet music (even a CD!) so I could learn the cow calls myself!

I've already learned several of the calls in the book, and I'm having such a fun time practicing in the mountains above the Barn (the volume needed for these calls is such that you wouldn't want to practice inside, haha!). Greta loves it too because this means she gets to go on more walks!

With Quinn's help I put together a little video of one of the kulokks I've learned - I hope you like it! This particular call is called 'Kulokk Bushann' and it was originally sung by Eli Storbekken.

I don't have any cows to call, but there were a few eagles in the trees when I sang. And please do let me know if you would like to hear more cow calls - it was so much fun making this video I already have ideas for another! And tell me, had you heard of kulning or kulokk before?

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An Octoberfest Celebration

A Small Note:

These photos were taken last year, 2018, but for whatever reason I never got around to writing the story to share it with you. I hope you will enjoy it nonetheless - 

September is drawing to a close, and here we are approaching the first of October. Last year I got it in my head to host an Octoberfest party, and what a grand time we had! I must say, thinking back I do believe we planned it mostly for the thought of the food, but there was so much more to it than that. I do hope you enjoy this little story, and perhaps you will find some inspiration to host your own Octoberfest celebration come October first!

It all started the morning of the first, with making the pretzel dough (I followed this recipe here, but if you would like an easier version - that doesn't require the baking soda bath - I recommend this version which I've made numerous times.)! Quinn was very kind in helping me with all the planning for the celebration, and the two of us had a marvelous time rolling and shaping the pretzels (the best part, second only to eating them!).

Besides making the pretzels, the fancy dessert would need to be made before the party as well. After looking through ideas of traditional German treats, I settled on making 'apfelstrudel', or apple strudel. I had never made nor had I ever tried this dessert which is so lovingly sung in the song "Favorite Things": 'Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudel...' After reading through the recipe, I knew I had my work cut out for me - this was no easy dessert!

Instead of rolling out the dough as you normally would, you actually stretch it thinner and thinner until you have a  large sheet of dough you can see through! I was a little nervous about making one large apple strudel, so I chose to make two smaller ones instead. My dough didn't stretch nearly enough I believe, but I'm sure next time it will turn out even better!

We used our own apples from our apple trees to make these, they were ripe and ready to go! After stretching the dough out as much as I dared, it was time to fill it and then wrap it all up - using a tea towel placed underneath to help guide the dough. Soon the Barn was smelling amazing with scents of apple and cinnamon. 

It was nearing time for our Octoberfest celebration to begin! Quinn was on the back porch grilling brauts, while I ran to and for hanging up decorations and picking bouquets for the dinner table. Just as important as the decorations, we chose our outfits well! Abigail and I wore German dirndls, and Quinn - not wanting to be left out but owning no lederhosen - chose the next best thing: a kilt!

As the food was laid out on the counter and the last few dishes were set on the table, Quinn hooked up his phone to the loud speakers and blasted German polka music! Dancing ensued...

Everyone grabbed a plate and a fancy bottle of ginger ale, and together we sat down to enjoy the music and food of Germany.

We talked and chatted and tried to sing along to the fun polka songs. I was so happy with how everything turned out - especially the pretzels! After eating, we all felt so full the thought of dessert wasn't even near our minds - so we cleared the table and opted instead to play a game of 'Settlers of Cattan' before continuing with dessert. It should be a surprise to no one that Quinn won the game, haha!

Before it got too dark out, we ran outside to get some photos in front of the apple trees (which were looking so lovely in their autumn colors). Greta had been busy watching the chickens, and wasn't too thrilled about getting her picture taken. Quinn on the other hand was ready and willing (it's fun to see how 'short' his hair was then, a year ago, compared to how long it is now)!

Back inside, we were starting t find ourselves eyeing the apple strudel when Abigail announced she had also made a dessert: fresh, homemade donuts! So while I warmed up the apple strudel in the oven and dusted some powdered sugar on top, she set to work over mom's antique gas stove frying donuts.

Suddenly we didn't seem full anymore, we were ready for dessert! Abby had all sorts of yummy toppings for her donuts - chocolate, maple and vanilla icing, coconut, sprinkles, and cinnamon sugar as well! I am also happy to report that the apple strudel turned out quite delectable even though my dough wasn't as thin as I would have liked. It still turned out flakey and "crisp" - as Maria sings that it should be. And it was made all the more perfect with a scoop of ice cream on top (looking at these pictures, I think it's about time we made al these desserts again, wouldn't you agree?).

 We finished the night munching on leftover pretzels listening to the wood cook stove crackle away with a fire. It truly was the best way to start off the month of October - so I do hope you've been inspired to make a German dish or even to throw your own little Octoberfest celebration. Please do let me know if you try your hand at making pretzels or apple strudel - I would love to see your results.

Have a wonderful October Dear Friend!

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