Sometimes Bare Feet are the Best Accessory

While planning my wedding two years ago, I hunted high and low for the perfect pair of shoes to match my vintage-style, outdoor wedding. I hunted in vain. So, instead, I went with the flow and decided to sport the footwear I feel most comfortable in. Bare feet.

Two years later, on our anniversary. We went to the ocean. Once again, I ran around barefoot.

What can I say? I love the feel of the ground underneath me, and barefeet really are my favorite accessory.

Although, hats aren't half-bad either.

An Anniversary Post

Yesterday, we celebrated our 2 year wedding anniversary. The day before, on her 12 year wedding anniversary, a friend learned her husband is dying from cancer. As I mourn and pray for this friend, I also pause to reflect.

We're taught to treasure the moments in life. This glib statement often seems accompanied by the idea that the moments to treasure are the happy ones, the sunshine-filled, laughing days. But are those the only beautiful moments?

For two years, I have lived with, fought with, loved, angered, and stood alongside a very real, very human, and very lovable man. We've had our wonderful moments and our awful moments. So, should I treasure only the wonderful moments? It's a hard question. I hate it when we fight and struggle, but those fights and struggles are part and parcel of the life we're building together. The friction, either from the storms of life or from each other, grows us and our marriage.

As I watch this friend struggle through watching her husband die, I have no glib statements. How can you treasure these moments, good or bad, knowing all the moments you dreamed of will soon end? At the same time, I'm awed by her. Through the pain and tears, she looks for God's little miracles and counts it a blessing to hold her husband's hand.

Maybe this seems like a gloomy anniversary post. I'm not sure. But I'm reminded that every kiss could be our last, every fight could be the final one, and all our humans plans could come crumbling down at the feet of a good, sovereign God. I'm reminded to thank God for the time, good and seemingly bad, that I've had with my husband and for the time we have left, whether it's a lifetime or another minute.

I'm thankful I get to fight with and for this man. Every breath we share is from God, and I thank Him for every breath He gives.

I'm thankful, too, for my friend who right now models true for-better-or-for-worse-love. God doesn't tell us never to sorrow; He just reminds us that we sorrow with hope. Thank you, friend, for your transparent example of sorrow and hope.

Give it Some Time {How to Make Raspberry Vinegar}

My mom called me a couple weeks ago, excited about a free PYO raspberry spot she'd found. I'm a sucker for free (even if it means traveling over an hour to my hometown). So on a bright (TOO bright) morning that week, I spent several hours with my mom, wading through brambles, squishing berries on my favorite jeans, and getting sunburnt. While we picked, she told me about this strange new thing she'd heard about—Raspberry Vinegar.

I was suspicious. I mean, I love vinegar. Seriously—LOVE it! As in, I might drink it. But I couldn't wrap my mind around fruit-flavored vinegar (apple cider vinegar being an obvious exception). The next day, though, with fresh raspberries in a cooler in my living room, I ventured to a local kitchen store and tried a sampling of their raspberry vinegar. That sealed the deal. I knew this delicious concoction was in our future.

It might sound intimidating, but raspberry vinegar actually has only three components: raspberries, vinegar, and time. Here's how it's done.

Raspberry Vinegar Recipe

Ingredients

2 cups raspberries (don't worry, frozen works just as well as fresh)

2 cups vinegar (I made two batches, one with white balsamic and one with black balsamic)

Patience

Directions

1) In a mason jar, combine rasberries and vinegar.

[caption id="attachment_299" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Left: White Balsamic
Right: Black Balsamic[/caption]

2) Let set in a dark place for two weeks. I cheated and did one week and six days. Guess I should work on that patience thing.

3) Strain vinegar through a fine-mesh sieve. Discard raspberries.

[caption id="attachment_301" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Can't get over how much darker the raspberries in the balsamic came out![/caption]

4) Enjoy!

[caption id="attachment_296" align="aligncenter" width="560"] White Balsamic Raspberry Vinegar. Somehow, I neglected to get a pic of the black balsamic.[/caption]

The vinegar makes a delicious vinaigrette when mixed with a little olive oil. It's also surprisingly sweet and can (I've heard) be mixed with seltzer water for a delicious soda. I'll fill you in on that recipe once I try it.

Next up? Wild Maine Blueberry vinegar! Can't wait to try blueberry soda.

How to Make Lemon Curd {5 Ingredients = Perfection}

Lemon curd. It's one of those intimidating sounding things that's not so intimidating after all. In just 5 ingredients and 3 steps, you can make the perfect topping for your morning toast.

Ingredients

• 3 egg yolks


• zest of 1 lemon


• 1/4 cup lemon juice


• 6 Tb sugar


• 4 Tb butter

Directions

1. Put egg yolks, lemon zest, lemon juice, and sugar in a small saucepan. Whisk well. Place over medium heat and stir constantly with wooden spoon until mixture coats back of spoon. This should take about 7 minutes. 


2. Remove mixture from heat. Add butter a little bit at a time, stirring well until butter melts and all ingredients are thoroughly mixed.


3. Put lemon curd in a small bowl. Place a layer of plastic wrap across the surface. Refrigerate for about an hour or until cool.


4. Enjoy! Lemon curd taste great on scones and toast.

Worthless Pieces of Broken Glass

Tuesday, we took a trip to a nearby island. As the hubby scoured the beach sand for sea glass, he noticed a couple guys nearby wielding metal detectors. He laughed, asking, "What does it say about me that I don't bring a metal detector to the beach? Instead, I spend the day looking for worthless pieces of glass."

How often do we live a metal detector way of life? We look for the big adventures and forget about the little not-so-insignificant moments. We're so focused on hunting treasure that we don't notice the view of the harbor as we come into shore, the seaweed on the rocks, clouds over the bay, a rope covered ledge, the pile of deserted lobster traps, or the hollow through the trees.

Even if we do noticed the significant nothings, in our visual-centric age, we often become so focused on seeing them through our camera lens, that we forget to step out and truly see.

I obviously have nothing against taking pictures (this post is full of them), but I wonder how often we see those pictures as the memories themselves and forget the moments they were taken in. Do we remember the breeze as we came into shore? The feel of seaweed underfoot? Do we remember how we felt or what we thought? Do we use photos as an aid for remembering or as a replacement?

Sometimes I think we would be less focused on searching high and wide for adventures and more content with the beauty surrounding us if we learned to treat those memories like sea glass. Carefully collected and displayed in a glass jar. Little, worthless pieces of broken glass able to brighten even the drabbest day.

Weekly Roundup

[caption id="attachment_191" align="aligncenter" width="450"] Photo Source Here[/caption]

• Lately, I've been teaching myself pattern drafting, so Sarai's post on how they develop a new pattern was truly fascinating.


• Love, love, love, this adorable little number by Anthropologie!


• Just rediscovered Mandi's darling blog Making Nice in the Midwest. Definitely a regular read!


• Marianne's post almost made me wish it were winter here.


• 10 item wardrobe? Is it possible? I'm really curious about giving it a try.


• I'm really tempted to sign up for this sewing eClass. It looks like a great refresher as well as a fun introduction to home sewing techniques.

Paisley Remix

This dress started as a test for some variations I'd made on a Colette Pattern. I'd picked up the fabric for free somewhere years ago and had just enough to squeeze a sample dress out. It soon, as you can see, became one of my favorite summer dresses.



I guess that's part of the irony of life. It's the projects I think I'll love that eventually make their way into the giveaway pile and the ones I view as throwaway samples that I end up wearing the seams out of.