Classes for the fall!

So here it is, my new poster for Nutmeg's fall series of Adult craft classes. There are several options, all of them great fun, especially with the wine that'll be on hand. Sign up soon on the Nutmeg website (click here), the first one is only a few weeks away! p.s. Doesn't the poster look great? It was made by the lovely Sarah Helen Parker of SHP Creative. She's awesome. Enough of that now, sign up! Hurry! Quick!

xo

Nutmeg

Kids in the Kitchen

Last week was the first kitchen adventures workshop (aka Home Economics Workshop) and I couldn't have been happier with how it went. It was all ladies in the kitchen all week long, and we had so much fun. These kids were ready and willing to try anything. They planned our entire incredibly healthy and delicious meal on the lunch themed day, and were beyond excited to sit down at the Indian feast on our dinner day. I was once again inspired by the infectious love of food and cooking that these kids brought  with them every morning. It's easy to forget what a powerful nurturing and connecting force food is in people's lives. Enjoy some of the pics from our week together. Then, go sit down with some folks you love and share some delicious food! It's good for the soul.

xo

Nutmeg

Prepping chicken for lunch

Fresh garden salsa

Barely any left! Summer heirloom pasta. 

Green beans, fresh from the farm. 

Delicious! 

Supremely delicious lunch, planned by these ladies here! 

Nice Curves

I am such a car nerd. Show me a nicely formed and shined hunk of metal, gleaming atop four (or sometimes 2) wheels, and I'll most likely drool. I'm not sure exactly where my love of all things on wheels comes from, possibly Steve McQueen in The Great Escape. Visiting the Frist Center last night, I had visions of Al Capone, leaning out the window of some slick art deco ride with a sawed off shotgun, wreaking havoc. I took a few pictures, which was also exciting. It was the first time I'd seen pictures allowed at the Frist, so I went a little crazy. This exhibit, "Sensuous Steel: Art Deco Automobiles" is on display until September 15, so: ready, steady, go! 

xo

Nutmeg

Mountain Home, Pt. 2

Well, we are homeward bound tomorrow. While I'm looking forward to being back home, in my own bed and with more than just three shirt options, I'm always more than a little sad when it's time to leave. The drive here was towards rest, trees, rivers, lakes, late nights playing cards with my kids. The drive home is towards obligations, stress and all the other things that infringe upon the sanity of everyday life. I always leave inspired to find a way to fit more of the peace and clarity I find up in the mountains to the life that awaits me back at home. Every time, I'm a little more successful. I've said it before, but only because it's true. This place is magic. Something flows in the mountain rivers that revives. Something permeates the air around the dense forest that heals, soothes. There is definitely something to be said for heading off to the sun and the seashore in the summertime, but for me it's green and misty mountains all the way.

xo
Nutmeg

Our Mountain Home

I can't even begin to tell you how much our annual trip to North Carolina was exactly what I needed right now. This past week has been the first time in over three years that I've really been able to stop and rest for a minute. No projects have been hanging over my head, no homework is needing to be done after I put the kids in bed. Nothing has been on the schedule but to spend time with my favorite two people in the world. I'll be honest, the first few days we were here I found anxiety and stress trying to creep in and ruin my trip, but I refused to allow it. Inhaling the mountain air is just good for the soul. There is too much beauty to be seen to spend any time being negative. A day spent at Lake James soaking in the sun extinguished all my cares and worries, and we drove home tired but happy. So many new story ideas floated 'round in my head as I watched the sun set behind the mountains. This place is magic. It nourishes. It energizes. It heals. Happy first day of summer to all of you out there! I hope you enjoy the pictures!

xo

Nutmeg

Prithee, kind sirs and madams!

I'm a little late in posting these pictures, but is it ever really too late to enjoy some pictures from a Renaissance Fest? I think not. I took my kids out to the annual celebration of everything 1555 on Mother's Day. It was the first time visiting for all of us, and we almost immediately decided that we had a new Mother's Day tradition. Next time, I will not be getting on the man-powered swings though. My turkey leg almost came right back up. Enjoy the pics and enjoy the amazing weather we've been having! I love a good, green start to the summer. 

xo

Nutmeg

Minstrel Serenades

Birds of Prey!

Mid-joust stretch

Little lord is all tuckered out

Just like The Hand's Tourney, right?

Big Nutmeg Announcement!!

 I wanted to write a quick note to say thanks to everyone who's kept up with my blog over the years. The blog will be trimming down a bit due to the fact that I've launched a website that is specifically for all the Nutmeg workshops that are being planned. That info won't be listed here any longer and can be found at Nutmeg's Website (click here). Hooray!! I'm so excited about all these new workshops, and can't wait to get started on them in June. My blog will still be here, but will be all travel, design, craft and cooking rather than a place to promote the Nutmeg workshops. Summer is one of my favorite times to blog, as there are so many amazing things to go do with the kids. So, new posts coming soon!

xo

Nutmeg