Trays

Words & Photography
by Jenna Marlar



I just wanted to share a little styling tip with you today!

Trays are a great tool for styling, especially in the kitchen! I like to use trays to contain items that would otherwise just look like a bunch of things out on your countertop. Using a tray brings the items together and provides a clean, less-cluttered look...and aren’t we going for less clutter this time of year?

I like to use trays to contain items that would otherwise just look like a bunch of things out on your countertop. Using a tray brings the items together and provides a clean, less-cluttered look...and aren’t we going for less clutter this time of year?

So, instead of putting your utensil holder out, a candle in another spot, your decorative pieces, cookbooks, or even small appliances that you often use and want to keep out, throw them together on a beautiful tray! This could work for your coffee maker too. It just looks nicer with a surface between it and the countertop. I recommend using them on your coffee tables in your living room too - it creates a clean and complete look and contains the pieces you want to display.

Hope you all are enjoying this time in between the holidays - it’s the best time to declutter and refresh your space before the new year! .

This Right Here

Words & Photography
by Melissa Male



This right here is everything
I’ve ever wanted and more.

Homegrown/Homemade Swap

Words & Photography
by Holly Morgan



Women gathered in community, learning about one another, and showing up to be supportive. We talked about our excitement of growing gardens, and motherhood, and our intentions and hopes for growth in the new decade. Old books and clothes found new homes to love, and being part of the collective under the powerful full moon energy was pure magic.

Women gathered in community, learning about one another, and showing up to be supportive. We talked about our excitement of growing gardens, and motherhood, and our intentions and hopes for growth in the new decade.

Many many thanks to Amanda Riley for the inspiration and encouragement to host this lovely gathering. And so much gratitude for the women who shared a table with me last night!

Winter Landscape

Words & Photography
by Katie Hartman



I may have had to bribe them with oatmeal,
but they finally decided to explore the
winter landscape outside their coop.

Hot Chocolate

Words & Photography
by Melissa Simmons



We switched out tea with hot chocolate this morning. A wise decision, I think.

I made a big batch of hot cocoa powder the other night. It’s nice to be able to control the sweetness and keep preservatives out. Here is the recipe if you want it!:

Hot Chocolate

Ingredients
2 cups sugar
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
2 cups cocoa, sifted
1 tbsp salt

Directions
1. Mix all ingredients (I whisked together in a large bowl) and store in an airtight glass jar.
2. Add 2 tbsp of mix to every 1 cup of milk and heat to preference.
3. Add a fancy marshmallow, or whipped cream, or mini marshmallows, or a drizzle of caramel, or.... ok, I’ll stop. So good!!!

DIY Win

Words & Photography
by Cat Meschia



I’m calling this my biggest DIY win of the year- this wall was one of the biggest blank spaces in the house, and sandwiched between a bathroom door, sloped stairwell cutout, tv, and access panel. Oh, and 2 alarms.

...this wall was one of the biggest blank spaces in the house, and sandwiched between a bathroom door, sloped stairwell cutout, tv, and access panel.

Since we moved in I had been trying to figure out what should go here. I loved the Halloween gallery wall we tried, but now I am so in love with this faux white oak shelf. It took months of sitting on the to-do list until the need for a Christmas mantle pushed my butt into gear, and I can’t wait to decorate it for the New Year!!

This shelf, plus the faux garland (yup, that’s a DIY too!), really make me appreciate how much love and effort we’ve put into creating our little #haileyhome. Here’s to big dreams of finishing the rest of our renovation projects in 2020!!

Sparking Joy

Words & Photography
by Karin Uno



This sparks WAY too much joy.

Christmas Magic

Words & Photography
by Kimberly Stavros



I'm allowed to shed a few tears at this scene, right?
Christmas magic.

The Grey Days

Words & Photography
by Chelsea Mohrman



Believe it or not, I actually prefer gray days
to sunny days this time of year.
Most of the time we are confined inside by temperature,
raging toddlers, or a huge to-do list.
I love how hygge the gray skies make our house feel,
and thanks to all our windows it still feels light but oh so cozy.

Thank You Facebook Marketplace

Words & Photography
by Grace Start



Thank you Facebook Marketplace
for the tufted velvet petite French chairs of my dreams.
Now I just need a stone-washed
linen slipcovered sofa to go with.

My Hands Are Full

Words & Photography
by Cassie Arnold



Today felt like a lot. It was an "everyone needs everything from me all at once, and because of that no one really got anything from me" sort of day. And truthfully, it was the first time since bringing Eleanor home that I felt the way people usually sympathetically look at me when I’m out in public and they say so condescendingly, "Well you got your hands full, now don’t you?!" (Because usually I feel darn good going out with all of them and don’t understand the snarkyness).

Today felt like a lot. It was an "everyone needs everything from me all at once, and because of that no one really got anything from me" sort of day. 

But today my hands were full. But after some deep breaths, some amazing words of affirmation from a sweet friend, and a super quick shower...I changed the narrative. MY HANDS ARE FULL! Three healthy, lively, unique and kind little girls. What a blessing. So we stuck to our advent activity today and made hand-dipped candles like we do every year and it was so good for my soul.

Long story short: hot showers saves lives, y’all! And making things for others is always a great way to stop thinking about yourself.

Fresh Evergreens

Words & Photography
by Alyson Morgan

I used last years wreath form and fresh cuttings from my friend’s Christmas tree farm. I find such peace in knowing that all of these decorations will go back to the earth to nourish our gardens and soils.

One wild and simple wreath made from cedar and white pine for our front door. I used last years wreath form and fresh cuttings from my friend’s Christmas tree farm. I find such peace in knowing that all of these decorations will go back to the earth to nourish our gardens and soils. I have really been missing our sleepy gardens, so all these fresh evergreens indoors and out are filling my heart with glee. Also I’m so happy elfing and I don’t know if I care to stop.

What Our Children Will Remember

Words & Photography
by Caroline Snider



Slowly, slowly making a home out of this old girl. Sometimes, when it’s quiet for a moment, I like to think about what our children will remember of this home when they’re old and grown and gone from its walls.

Maybe it’ll be the way the floorboards warped and groaned from 250 years of tiny feet running across them. Maybe it’ll be the way the whole world turns white for as far as the eyes can see when the snow falls steadily overnight.

Maybe it’ll be the way the floorboards warped and groaned from 250 years of tiny feet running across them. Maybe it’ll be the way the whole world turns white for as far as the eyes can see when the snow falls steadily overnight. Or maybe, just maybe, it’ll be the half-inch gap surrounding the fireplace in the nursery, and that if you smoosh your face right up to it real close when you’re supposed to be napping, can be used to call to your Mama in the kitchen below, and how it also serves as an excellent place for stuffing your prized possessions repeatedly and then crying fitfully when they can’t be rescued with the end of an old coat hanger for the third time that day.

Local Support

Words & Photography
by Holly Morgan

These vegetables were grown miles from our home by a woman who had a grandchild the same time I had Fern. At the apple orchard they will pull out a pocket knife and slice an apple for Bodhi to feed the goats near the barn. Our weekend coffee stop is at the cafe where Michael and I were married.

I had been taking for granted the privilege and additional value of being a “regular” at some of my local businesses and markets. Exchanging familiarities, watching families grow, sharing favorite recipes, and showing up in a way that supports each other’s livelihood. These vegetables were grown miles from our home by a woman who had a grandchild the same time I had Fern. At the apple orchard they will pull out a pocket knife and slice an apple for Bodhi to feed the goats near the barn. Our weekend coffee stop is at the cafe where Michael and I were married. Businesses, and PEOPLE who truly are an integrated part of our lives. Get to know/support your neighborhood farmers, baristas, shop owners, etc.

Holiday Artwork

Words & Photography
by Katie Hartman

I’ve been saving his holiday artwork every year cause I just can’t seem to part with them...from that handprint Santa who has long since lost his eyes, to the paint splatter wreath...Just small reminders of days past, full of paint-filled messes and chubby baby hands.

I’ve been saving his holiday artwork every year cause I just can’t seem to part with them. They are all my favorites, from that handprint Santa who has long since lost his eyes, to the paint splatter wreath, even that adorable extra gluey Christmas tree. Just small reminders of days past, full of paint-filled messes and chubby baby hands. Memories we’ve made together that I never want to forget.

Dried Orange Garland

Words & Photography
by Brit Strawbridge



How pretty are these?! I’m trying to find new ways to decorate and bring Christmas cheer into the house without spending an arm and a leg on cute wintery Christmas decorations (I can’t even go on Anthropologie’s website right now). So we tried our hand at dried oranges for a garland and ornaments, and I love how they turned out! The imperfection of them all make me love them so much more!

Dried Orange Garland

1. Preheat oven to 250°
2. Slice oranges 1/4" thick and pat to dry.
3. Line a baking tray with parchment paper OR put an oven safe cooling rack on a baking tray and line up orange slices.
4. Bake for 3 hours, flipping after each hour.
5. Remove from baking tray and let sit for 2-3 days to fully dry and harden (otherwise the flesh will tear when you stitch it).
6. Poke two holes with a tool similar to a thick craft needle (you can even puncture with a knife and make the hole bigger with chopsticks or something!).
7. Thread your choice of twine through one hole and back in the opposite side (so they lay flat when hanging).
8. Leave enough string on either end for hanging.
9. Hang anywhere around your house and enjoy the beauty of your labour!

Banana Coffee Caramel Upside Down Cake

Words & Photography
by Melanie Lionello



I partnered with JURA Australia to create this delicious cake that I am *head over heels* for, using their gorgeous fresh espresso. It's sticky, sweet, morish and warming, and is perfect served warm with a dollop of cream.

Banana Coffee Caramel Upside Down Cake
Serves many

Ingredients (for cake)
1 and ¾ cup plain flour
1 cup brown sugar
125g butter
1 and ½ tsp baking powder
Pinch of salt
2 eggs
1/3 cup JURA espresso coffee
2 level tbs milk (40mL)

Ingredients (for caramel)
75g butter
1/3 cup brown sugar
2-3 bananas, peeled and sliced in discs

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 160C fan-forced.
2. To make cake: place butter and brown sugar into a stand mixer fitted with the paddle.
3. Cream butter and sugar until light and creamy. You may need to scrape down bowl. Add each egg one at a time, and beat until combined. Then add all remaining ingredients and beat until just combined.
4. To make caramel: Whisk together butter and sugar while butter begins melting until it thickens. Set aside.
5. Line a round 22cm cake tin with baking paper and place banana discs into the bottom. Pour over caramel. Then spoon in bake batter, smoothing out evenly.
6. Bake for 50-55 minutes until a skewer comes out clean. Let the cake sit in the pan for 10-15 minutes before carefully turning out on a plate to slice and enjoy.
*You can make a double batch of caramel for extra topping if you like.

Fire Cider

Words & Photography
by Alyson Morgan



I’m feeling 100 times better today. Marshmallow root and rest did wonders for my sore throat and achy body. Today I woke up late but felt great. After dropping the kiddos off at school, I took to digging up some roots in the garden before the ground freezes and we get a big snow tonight.

Digging the roots and crafting my own herbal support feels like an act of resilience, resistance, and empowerment.

I dug up horseradish for this year’s batch of fire cider and another root I’ll share more about in a post to come. I adapted a couple recipes to make this batch. One from Herbal Academy and one from my favorite book The Modern Herbal Dispensary by Thomas Easley.

This fire cider includes:
+ fresh horseradish root
+ fresh rosemary + fresh ginger root
+ fresh turmeric root
+ fresh garlic
+ red onion from our garden
+ fresh jalapeño from a friends garden
+ fresh rosemary + fresh thyme
+ lemon slices + juice
+ creative add ins im experimenting with are a couple juniper berries + rosehips.
+ raw apple cider vinegar

I’ll let this concoction sit for 4 weeks, shaking everyday, and when it’s done  I’ll strain and add local raw honey from my dearest friend's bees. Fire cider is a wonderful cold and flu remedy. Digging the roots and crafting my own herbal support feels like an act of resilience, resistance, and empowerment.

A Paper Bag Star

Words & Photography
by Amy Stanford



Casually made a paper bag star, and then got carried away.
We dug out all the Christmas boxes and decided
this was the first room to get ready for Santa.
Kids make Christmas so much more special!

Your Five Senses

Words & Photography
by Yana Khostariya



Want to make your day instantly better? Let’s play a game. Wherever you are, make a quick list (on your phone, a napkin, or old receipt) of one thing you’ve perceived with each of your five senses today, that you’re thankful for! ⁣

⁣I’m currently in my dining room loving the smell of my coffee, and in the sight of a snow falling, and the sound of me typing on my laptop keyboard.

I’m currently in my dining room loving the smell of my coffee, and in the sight of a snow falling, and the sound of me typing on my laptop keyboard. This morning I was so grateful for my delicious avocado toast with scrambled eggs, and the feel of my comfy sweater. ⁣

What’s on your list?⁣

Almost Five

Words & Photography
by Kristina Nissen



At some point I can’t exactly recall, my baby stopped needing to be rocked to sleep. He stopped asking to be carried on my hip. It all just happened less and less until it no longer existed.

At some point I can’t exactly recall, my baby stopped needing to be rocked to sleep. He stopped asking to be carried on my hip. It all just happened less and less until it no longer existed. But now he spontaneously tells me that I’m beautiful EVERY day. He closes his eyes and holds my face when he kisses me. He makes me coffee mid-afternoon.

But now he spontaneously tells me that I’m beautiful EVERY day. He closes his eyes and holds my face when he kisses me. He makes me coffee mid-afternoon. He tells me stories and makes me special trinkets out of legos. Sigh...I couldn’t possibly choose which stage I prefer; I’m just so grateful for each moment. Here’s to (almost) five, little love.