Journal
Books That Change Us
Every few years I stumble upon the right book at the right time. Clarity, hope, vision settle profoundly into my heart, and as a result, I am changed.
Here are some of the books that have changed us.
Travel Guide: Seeing Paris through Rose-Colored Glasses
There will always be another chance to spend eight hours in the Louvre, or to ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower. But the first time you go to Paris, spend it the French way, and you just may get to see the city through rose-colored glasses.
Stargazing: Finding Yourself in the Stars
By the end of this post, I hope to help you to see the night sky a little differently, to rekindle a touch of awe for the majesty of the heavens—or, at least, to convince you that the universe is simply awesome.
Midsummers Eve: a Tale of Fairies and Belief
A night when magic abounds, darkness is kept at bay, and the fairy world is close at hand; Midsummer's Eve is simply enchanting. Since I was young, Midsummer, or summer solstice, has been my favorite holiday. I read all the folklore...
Loving Shakespeare
The true magic of Shakespeare lies in the chance he gives us to create a world and a moment of play with him. Here's a step-by-step guide to learning to love the Bard.
Finding Things that Last: A Knight's Perspective on Life
If you were going to die tomorrow, what would you say to those you love? How would you spend your last day of life?
I admit, I’ve always been a little bit dismissive of these questions because they often lead to this follow up statement: So, live every day as if it was your last.
Well, I thought, that’s a little silly. If I spent all day, every day as if it was my last day on earth, then I wouldn’t work, I wouldn’t set long-term goals, and I wouldn’t really progress. It’s not practical to live that way.
The Virtues of Vinyl: On Things We Can Hold
What we’ve lost in the world of digital downloads are tangible experiences with the music we listen to. Listening to an album can be a feast, in the same way that preparing a thoughtful meal and intentionally sitting around a table with friends to share it is a feast.
Double Rope Band: A Modern Take on an Age-Old Tradition
More mothers are leaving the nest and taking on the same brave role as the fisherman of old. We love the idea of sending them off with a reminder and momento of home and those that love them there.
The Making of a Warm Kitchen
For all the time mother spends boiling pasta, scooping ice cream, ladling soups, and loading and unloading the dishwasher, we’ve come to truly love these brass cooking utensils as a gift for her.
A Mark Twain Masterpiece: Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc
Today Notre Dame Cathedral was on fire. As far as I can tell the world paused to watch, to ponder, to mourn and to consider for a moment what is holy, permanent, or worth remembering. The parallel between the burning of Our Lady and the life and demise of Joan of Arc is a connection too obvious to be ignored. For years, I have had important things to share about the story of this martyr but for whatever reason was holding back. Watching the flames today has encouraged me.
The Warmth of Handwoven Wool
While most mothers these days are not found sitting at the loom, there is something inherently motherly in textiles. My mind is flooded with snapshot images of my mother tucking the quilts around me as I went to sleep, wrapping a warm towel around me as I got out of the bathtub, or helping me bundle up in scarves and coats before sending me out to play in the snow with a kiss on the nose. There is something of motherly warmth in a blanket and Mother's Day is a wonderful moment to return the favor to our mothers.
An Easter Tree
Last week here in our store we decided to put together our own Easter Tree and we wanted to share the process so that you can do the same. If you already have an Easter Tree, we have a few ornaments that you may want to add to your own collection.