A New Thing: Cottage Living

I officially accepted a strings teacher position at a school (K4 through 12th grade) that was offered to me back in February of this year. That meant a move across the country to the beautiful Midwest. All I could fit in my car was what came with me, and sadly, there was no way that my sewing machines and supplies would fit, so they have to stay put in my parents home until Christmas.

While it isn't a true cottage, my new place of living will be "the cottage" here on the blog, and I'm looking forward to setting up house, figuring out real adulting, and learning the new and very wide gamut of teaching in a private school.

Any tips are welcomed for this newbie! :)

Christmas Greetings!

Making it to the President's List (ie., having a 3.75 or higher GPA for the semester) may have something to do with my silence on my blog in the last several weeks. Reflecting on the four plus weeks that we have come through are somewhat of a blur. It must be either my caffeine is wearing off, or my body is still sleep deprived, or both. :)

But I do remember that the string quartet I was in this last semester had the great honor of playing Christmas carols in the university's widely acclaimed Museum & Gallery when it was open to the public early on in the month. Discarding the traditional black for the evening, we chose to wear festive colors.

Growing in friendships and musically with these girls this semester was great fun! For our chamber recital we played

Glazunov's AllaSpagnola and All’ Ungherese from his 5 Novelettes. Check out the links for an idea of what we were playing, played by real pro's...)

The rest of the semester was a whirlwind of completing classes, passing my senior recital note check, and taking eight finals. One of the weekends a couple friends and I went to watch the Nutcracker live, played by  the city's symphony. I think I would enjoy it more if I were to experience it again, since that night I was so, so tired. What I do remember was that I enjoyed it. :)

Prior to driving home for Christmas Break I went up to a surprise birthday party that was being put together for my Grandma's 85th birthday. It was the weekend right after finals, so it worked out perfectly to make the drive up north. She was completely surprised, and it was such a joy to spend a weekend with her. Michigan had lots of snow, too, which was a delight.

And now I've been at home for just under two weeks. What have I been doing? Mostly sticking very close to home and resting alot. Being a college student is exhausting (but oh so rewarding!!) and this semester was no exception. There have been a few occasions where I've gone out with my sisters, or up to the mountains for a morning in a coffee shop, or spent some time making Christmas treats in the kitchen, so I haven't been a complete lazy bum. ::winks::

With less than a week now before I head back for my last semester of undergrad, it is doubtful that I'll get anything added to my etsy shop (so sorry!). My priorities lie in some more rest and keeping up my senior recital repertoire. I'll spare you those juicy details, since most of you have had your fill of musical dialogue for one post! But I hope you all have had a wonderful Christmas season and will have a joyous new year!

(If you love the delights of this season as much as I do, check out this wonderful new blog that will keep you occupied with lovely writings and pictures! I still have many more posts to catch up on, which I'm off to now after I fix myself another cup of TWG's vanilla caramel tea.)

Autumn Scenes

Little time to write very many words, but I have not been completely lost in practice, papers, and productivity. In the last month I've gone on little excursions for my own sanity (and most likely my roommates ::ahem::) which included trips to an apple orchard and the mountains.

Tonight I fixed this copycat recipe of Panera's Autumn Squash Soup. The only thing I did different to it was use 1/2 cup of almond milk instead of 1 1/2 cups of heavy cream. I may or not be on my second bowl. :)

Comings and Goings

The fall semester came and went. The start of Christmas break found a friend and I taking a road trip back home with lots of music (Can you believe I never heard the music from Phantom of the Opera? I got choked up, I won't lie...), philosophical discussions, coffee stops, and sneaking in pictures as we traveled along the beautiful highways.

Christmas Break. It was wonderful. It was a time of...

sleeping in,
my persian cats snuggling up to my face,
lazy mornings on the couch bathed in sunshine,

laughter, stories, and movies,
Christmas books, and candles,
late night sister talks,
going on two brother-sister dates,

shopping at all of my favorite thrift stores and antique stores,
lots of rest,
caroling with good friends, 

 

snow storms,
family gathering around the kitchen with steaming mugs of tea or coffee,
having someone pour encouragement and prayer into your life (and then buying you a scarf and a matching necklace & earring set and saying, "When you wear these, remember I'm praying for you),

and much more could be said about the break. It was wonderful. But then it came time to leave and make the same trek back to school. This time driving solo, but it was good to spend that time in solitude, prayer, and thanksgiving.

The semester is only 1 1/2 weeks underway, and we have already been blessed with a three day weekend. Snow and ice came two nights ago, so classes were canceled yesterday, much to everyone's delight! This morning we woke up with a little bit more snow and a magical-looking world. I slipped into my moccasin shoes and took a couple pictures from our back porch.

My roommate and I have been making use of our extra time for rest, making a mess of the kitchen (she made pumpkin cinnamon rolls this morning, which we enjoyed over piping-hot mugs of coffee), and homework or practice.

Perhaps with being so busy with college, I have to say that I never miss sewing but then yesterday some kinda of wave went over me and I was longing for a sewing machine, soft fabrics, and paper patterns. :) If I'm not writing in vain, (though I can't blame anyone for deserting a blog that used to consistently appear with with posts, but then die away once school became a higher priority) what are some sewing projects that you all are working on this winter?

Before you know it winter will have come and gone, too. Growing up and even now, I've loved the winter (but then maybe only because my favorite season follows it) and whether it's the earth seasons or seasons of life, I want to learn to savor each one for what it is.

I close with a good quote I read on a blog a while back:

"The color of springtime is in the flowers; the color of winter is in the imagination." - Terri Guillemets

These Last Summer Days (and an important shop announcement)

Where has summer gone to? It seems like it was only a couple of weeks ago that I was putting my garden in, or going outside every two days to weed after the heavy spring rains. Was it actually 6 days a week that I worked in three different towns? And I'm truly going into my 4th year of college? How has all of this taken place? and so fast?

Time has a way of slipping by in slow, circular intervals at times and at other times, rushing by so abruptly that it takes your breath away...

It was great fun to ride the Ferris Wheel at our local county fair this summer after  a long space between childhood and adulthood. 

And now to wrap this post up, I will be closing my etsy shop for the next several months since I really don't wish to bring all the items with me along with packaging supplies. My mom doesn't need to have me calling her up with "can you send this out to…" while I'm away, either. As much as I hate to actually close it temporarily, I can't think of a better solution.



So to lesson the blow, I'm offering free shipping all day today and part of early tomorrow morning in order to make any last minute runs to the Post Office before they close for the weekend. Just use code SHIPFREE while checking out when purchasing stateside. The shop will be officially closed tomorrow since I leave for school this weekend.

All She Wanted for Christmas

This pretty much sums it up. ;) However I have been very grateful to have been able to get some good naps in the last couple of weeks, partly from sheer exhaustion and partly from my body fighting off the various sickness' going around campus.

This coming week there are just a few finals to finish up, and then I will be on my way home for Christmas break. Looking forward to some much-needed relaxation!

S&S 1940s Swing Dress in Midnight Blue

It was on Wednesday that I locked (figuratively) myself in the sewing room to finish up everything on my table. There was an alteration for a friend from church, and then my sister's dress. Both were completed. What a relief, and yet what an odd feeling to not having anything to sew. ;)

As requested, I took a couple pictures of the completed dress. Using another wonderful pattern from Sense & Sensibility, I only made very little alterations to the 40s style dress. The biggest "fix" was the length of the skirt, since my petite sister wasn't wanting anything super long but a modest somewhere-below-the-knee. Since she's currently in Mexico, I had to guess on the length! :)

The fabric she chose was a poly satin crepe fabric, and while she is a classy lady, she didn't want the shiny side of the fabric so I used the crepe side. It's such a pretty blue color, and will match her eyes perfectly. I've teased her that she'll need a chaperon when she wears this dress. ;)

The front bodice is softly gathered at the shoulders and at the waist which meets the front yoke. I suppose my sister could wear a camisole or a pretty brooch at the neckline to keep the front crossover part from becoming scandalous!

The sleeves are just-above-elbow length and straight. The gored skirt is a-line, making for a slimming silhouette.

The dress features a hidden zipper on the side that starts in the bodice and extends into the skirt. I was thanking the Lord that it went in flawlessly the first time. The back of the dress has simple pleats at the bodice waistline, and has ties in the back.

Hopefully this fall, I'll have a picture or two for you all of my sister modeling the dress. Did I already mention that she'll be wearing it for a Retro-Diner themed dinner at a conference that she's photographing? With a set of kid gloves and a pearl necklace, she's bound to look fabulous!

Shakespeare was right: "Summer's lease hath all too short a date..."

Summer Holiday in Pictures - Part 5

Finally, the last few pictures of worth to share online. Trust me, a large family being cramped in a 29' RV for two weeks one can get many, shall we say, interesting pictures. ;)

Ah well, here are the last few favorites up on Lake Huron.

The sunset the following day from the above picture. One night we had an electric, stunning sunset and the following a calming one. I love Michigan. :)

Mackinac Island seen from the mainland.

I promise that the two bugs/spiders (?) were not seen until after I had taken this picture!

We visited my dear Grandma and Grandpa Fred a few days, and they had massive thunderstorms come in everyday. The violent downpours and large hail "ruined my flowers" Grandma bemoaned, but I thought these begonias still looked lovely even after all the rain.

The day before we left the state while we were visiting my aunt, we toured a 19-teens home not to far from the southern end of Lake Michigan. It was a beautiful, cozy home decorated as if she was expecting guests. My aunt, who is a neighbor to this lady, said she lives like this all the time. I couldn't help but notice that there was a tea service in nearly every room, with a couple of antique books within arms reach. Her décor style is exactly how I've always envisioned my own home to be and now I wish I would have snapped a few pictures since I don't know how to describe it. :) At the time, I wasn't sure if it would have been impolite to take pictures of her home so I refrained from asking. The elderly lady has lived in all sorts of interesting places, many of which she has restored. At one time in her life, she owned a large estate that Abigail Adams (yes, wife of John Adams) once spent the night in. Such an interesting, yet gracious woman is this neighbor lady of my Aunt's!

Summer Holiday in Pictures - Part 4

I've been anxious to share the following pictures with you. While up in the northern part of Michigan, we went to Mackinac Island for a day. We took a morning ferry over to the island where there bikes, horses, and your own two feet are the mode of transportation. It's like going back in time.

Speaking of which, here is some Somewhere in Time theme music for you to listen to if you wish, while browsing this picture-heavy post. :)



Riding on a ferry that went under the Mackinaw Bridge before dropping us off at Mackinac Island was a treat!

The lilacs were in full bloom there, too! Did you know that among the hundreds of bushes and trees on the island, there are 68 varieties in 18 different hues? We picked up a pink-purple variety called Palibin and the kind shop owner gave me a free white one called Mt. Baker.

Mom, moi, and my youngest, but taller sister Molly

The beautiful Grand Hotel

Part of the Grand Hotel gardens. It was around this time that I dreamily spoke, ""I'm going to stay here for one week and then another week in London on my honeymoon," and Mom replied, "You'll be living the rest of your life in a garage!" ;)

 

Another view from the Grand Hotel gardens. Notice the porch ceiling painted a sky blue color to prevent birds from making their nests on the porch.

Where I was sitting when I took the above picture.

A birdseye view (after getting off of a lovely carriage ride) of the Roundhouse Lighthouse on Lake Huron



Can you imagine seeing such beauty on a daily basis, right from your own back yard?

I have one more installment of pictures to share with you. Hope you all aren't bored to death with these pictures! Some of you may remember these pictures from Mackinac Island from four years ago. If you ever are up in northern Michigan, I highly recommend saving all your pennies to visit this lovely place!

Summer Holiday in Pictures - Part 3

Spending most of our time on the shores of Lake Huron, these are just a sample of the many delights we were blessed with:

The lilacs were in full bloom near our campsite. We were ticked pink!

Lake Huron at twilight

A favorited spot to sit in silence and watch the beauty

One obviously must abandon shoes, sandals, and flipflops when by the lake!

Lakeside beauty

Ladeside beauty

Getting ready for s'more making! An eerie fog rolled in one evening, making for some enchanting views of the full moon and some creepy campfire stories.

Summer Holiday in Pictures - Part 2

Today I stationed myself by our kitchen counter to cut out some sewing projects. If I could only complain about two things related to sewing, it would be cutting out  and sewing hidden-side pockets. It's strange, I know.

Here is another installment of pictures:

One of our afternoons spent in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan was at Tahquamenon Falls

We decended 116 steps to get another view of the falls, and right before we ascended them, Mom took this picture of us. L to R: Stephen, myself, Molly, Evan, and Dad. My other sisters Erin and Leah, and brother Ryan, were not able to join us on the trip.

While we were in the neck of the woods, we stopped at the Whitefish Point Lighthouse that is apart of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum in Paradise, MI.



We took the tour and went up in the lighthouse. It was overcast that day, but feeling the dampness, the wind, and the beating water drive against your face was what one wants to feel at a lighthouse. If we had not had a schedule planned out, I think we would have stopped at other lighthouses. We were all wondering the same thing: "Why has it been so long to finally visit one??"

 

Mom and I ran into a fabric store in Paradise. The prices were outrageous on everything, but they did have some high quality quilting fabrics, and some gorgeous skeins of yarn. Were I better at knitting and crocheting, I think I would have been sorely tempted to pick up a color or two.