country ham house

Honey child, we had the best breakfast ever on Saturday. You walk in the Country Ham House and it's like a good ole Southern cafeteria style place. Folks in their Sunday best, children running around, and regulars ordering their favorite meat and three. Perfect spot for breakfast with a baby. Sweet potato pancakes, sausage biscuit, country ham, eggs, and grits - so much for my recent workouts!

baby on a shelf

About seven months ago I was sleep deprived and overwhelmed with new responsibility. There was a new baby in the house and we had no idea what we were doing. Seriously. Feeling kind of cooped up I decided we needed a little project one day. So we had a little photoshoot - baby on a bookshelf. Naturally! I went straight to work arranging the shelf while momma arranged Miriam like a prop. Hubs thought we'd lost our minds and truthfully I probably had, but it was a hoot!

I sure don't miss those early days, but lordy she was one tenny-tiny, precious thing.

ps: I borrowed the idea from here so she gets all the credit.

asheville visit

Over the weekend I got together with two old friends in Asheville. We stayed up late drinking wine and telling tall tales. It was just what I needed. I love that even though we all live in different cities and don't get together very often, we pick right up without a trace of distance. They're the reason I loved college.

Between the endless chatter, we visited the Biltmore. Even my wine head from the night before did little to distract me from how gorgeous it is. I had no idea. Seriously amazing. After exploring the mansion we headed down to the Red Stag bar in the village. It's decked out in dark paneling kind of like a hunting lodge, but much fancier. Big ole fireplace and these crazy chairs with a photo printed on the fabric.

We had the best time and nothing like a little road trip to spice things up.

southern living weddings

Well, I'll be. I've been waiting and waiting to see if it was really going to happen, but honey it sure did! Tenn Hens is featured in Southern Living Weddings edition!!!!! I swear it's true yall. We got a call a few months ago from someone at the magazine who'd found our blog. We didn't think too much of it until they asked us for samples of our work. I packaged 'em up real pretty and sent off the package with fingers tightly crossed. Of all things they picked out my wedding invitations (never mind that they're from '08), but not that we mind one bit. Nope, we're some hap-happy hens here.

Anyway, I'll settle down and stop patting us on the back soon, but for today I am singing out loud and dancin' a little jig!

good boy

As my family sat around Christmas morning opening presents and chatting, all I could think about was my gift for hubs. I hoped this year was going to top all others. He casually unwrapped the gift, but as soon as he saw what was inside his eyes filled with pure joy. I commissioned a painting of Mr Cooper by Amanda Norman in Nashville. She totally captured his spirit and it brings back all sorts of good memories with him. He was kind of our first baby.

Now we get to see him every day. Sometimes I feel a twinge of sadness, but for the most part I smile right on back at the big buddy. Pure sweetness. I miss him like crazy and would do anything to give him a big 'ole hug around the neck and tell him good boy.

a blessing

Her dress was pressed and ready for the big day. It had a small ribbon around each sleeve and tiny buttons up the back. We slipped the dress over Miriam's head, brushed her hair, and slid on some tights. It was time to get this baby baptized.

We were so lucky to have our parents and even a few friends join us for the service. I wasn't quite sure if we'd all make it because hubs and I came down with a terrible bug the night before, but we survived and pushed through on a high from all of the excitement. The weather was cold, but the church looked beautiful and bustling as we arrived. We gathered in the back along with the other babies, waiting our turn.

Miriam was such a hoot, making all sorts of strange grunting noises and kicking her legs like crazy right up until the minister sprinkled the water on her head. Then she was all calm. The peace of the Lord made for one very serene baby. And after all the commotion she promptly fell asleep in daddy's arms for the rest of the service. Arms hanging heavy and her cheek pressed against his shoulder, she'd let all the love in and that was all she could take.

It was off to brunch to celebrate Miss Miriam's big day and we felt so grateful to be surrounded by those we love. Such a special day for such a special baby. I just didn't want to take her out of that sweet dress!

adventures in baby food

I may change my tune, but for now I'm making all of Mimers baby food. I have no idea what I'm doing, but I rather like it. And let's be honest, it's not that hard. She opens her mouth like a baby bird and I swoop in with a bite. Some ends up on her face and comes squishing out her lips, but for the most part we're getting the hang if it.

On the menu so far…pears, apples, banannas, avacado, sweet potatoes, carrots, prunes, and peas. Baby nugget pretty much likes it all. And to give me some inspiration I've been checking out baby food recipes online here.

Next up… buying a high-chair. I love the wooden swiss one, but it looks like it would be hard on a baby bum & it doesn't have a tray. Otherwise, I like some of the modern ones, but they may look a tad out of place in our house. Any recommendations out there?

entryway

I tear our stuff from magazines all the time. I have intentions of organizing all the tear sheets into nice file folders, but the truth is they end up scattered around my house. Anyway, I tore out this pretty spread because of the great entryway. Our bungalow is very similar in that it doesn't have an entry hall. It just opens straight into the living room and we're always dropping things on the chair or dining table. This is much more stylish. Think I need to copy this girl.

{The golden retriever doesn't hurt either}

And her office makes me feel hopelessly unorganized. Making a note to get my act together asap. Maybe this afternoon. Better yet, maybe tomorrow.

photos from amy meier

my moosh

We have a new ritual at night. I used to have to rock Miriam until she started to get drowsy and heavy. Now I just give her the paci, rock her a couple minutes in my arms and put her right down. But while I'm rocking and humming whatever tun pops in my mind, she will stroke my face. Open palm on my cheek, then fingers down my nose and around my mouth. Exploring every surface and crevice she can touch. I have to close my eyes so she doesn't poke my eye, but it's the sweetest thing in the world. I pretend she's memorizing my face before she drifts off to dreaming. Little girl, I love you so.

 

note: mini pink patagonia is the best fifty bucks I spent last year!

favorite store

So we were casually walking around Rockefeller Center on our big trip and out of the corner I spotted the familiar logo. The one that makes my heart go pitter-pattern. Oh, how I love Anthropologie. It did not disappoint. The window displays were ridiculous. I could've wandered around for hours, but hubs waited patiently with my coat and bags while I tried to see it all in only a few minute. And I contained myself to one sweater, a top on sale and a baby dress. Yes, they even had a children's area. Sweet as pie.

snowed in

Well, it must be our year for snow. There were 6 inches on the ground this morning in Greenville. Mimers and I stared in awe out the window at the bright white everywhere. I haven't seen snow like this down South since I was really little. So we snuggled in and watched our street come alive as the morning began.

Dogs romping around, an outdoor fire pit started at the neighbors, people tromping around in lots of layers, and a bunch of kids sledding. Ahh… this is the life!

twelve and a dog

It's a new year and I'm already off to a sour start. Been seriously neglecting this here blog. But, I've been spending lots of time with my family, catching up with friends, and hanging in a tree house. This here tree house I mention is pretty amazing. One of my dear friends father is an architect. A really fabulous architect, actually. Anyway, he decided to built a tree house behind their house. Not your run of the mill tree house for kids, but a funky hangout hung high in the sky.

About 50 or so feet high, it's supported by only 4 bolts into an old oak tree. There are beer & wine bottles suspended around with the bottoms cut out so candles can be placed inside. It's beautiful and I hope to get invited back when it's dark next time. We should all be so lucky to have a hideout from the world. Gotta find me my own tree one day.

when he asked how many folks it could hold… "12 & a Dog" … naturally.

happy new year

A brand new year. It's sort of amazing how time passes by and it makes my mind pause and reflect on all that has transpired. The slate gets wiped clean. All blank and ready for new moments to be recorded. This little face brings me happiness & hope so here's to more of both in the new year!