The seasons are changing quickly here, and it causes a stirring in me. It’s always about this time of year where I find myself in eager anticipation of the holidays, yet I try my hand at steady patience - to have myself wait a little while longer, lest I overlook the joys possible during this particular stretch of autumn; The time where the days are still long enough, and warm enough, to enjoy an evening walk, breathing crisp air as the very last of the departed leaves flutter to nature’s floor. When the hours remain readily open, and we may savour the time given to us by filling them slowly and deliberately, prior to each moment brimming with activity and excitement by the very essence of the season. Where upon looking outside, we are greeted with a lovely burnt colour palette and the radiant glow of the sun, before the cold suppresses nature into latency and whiteness. It’s a time of looking ahead with elation, and a tangible lightness to my heart, before ultimately wishing time would just slow down and hold us longer in the holiday moments we cherish most. Ah yes, I think late autumn is truly full of all kinds of beauty. Continue reading “AUTUMN AT HOME”
Author: Rachel Jane
Spiced Apple Bundt Cake with Maple Glaze (Paleo, Gluten Free, Dairy Free)
Hi there, friends. I hope you are having a lovely week! This coming weekend is Thanksgiving for us here in Canada, and I’m so looking forward to spending time with my husband and family. Though, the weather would denote that it’s actually closer to Christmas than anything else with the insane amounts of snow we have been getting. It seems autumn didn’t want to stick around for us in the North this year.
It’s funny how much the seasons and weather can really get into my brain, as I now find myself eagerly anticipating the holidays, complete with planning my decorating for it! I won’t spend too long discussing that though, lest it frustrate anyone who would rather think that reality is still much further away than it is, haha.
Anyways, with Thanksgiving upon us, I always start thinking about all of the amazing foods we get to eat this time of year! It’s so fun, and truly a privilege, to be able to gather around a table with loved ones and to enjoy one another, as well as wonderful food that always brings memories of each holiday that passed before it. Continue reading “Spiced Apple Bundt Cake with Maple Glaze (Paleo, Gluten Free, Dairy Free)”
SIMPLE, SMALL ENTRYWAY DECOR
Hi there, all! Well, we are officially into the autumn season by a couple of days, and I am finally able to embrace it fully. I personally do so as soon as August comes to a close, however it’s now more socially acceptable, haha.
This past Sunday afternoon, my husband and I went on a lovely drive together in the countryside near our home. Here, the third weekend of September is historically the weekend where many of the leaves have changed colour, but most of them are still fluttering brightly on the trees. We are also usually gifted with a spotlessly sunny and blue sky, and this combination creates a beautiful mosaic of autumn colours over the landscape. This is something I have taken note of over the past 6 or 7 years, so we always make a point to get out at least one of the afternoons that weekend to soak in the season. Troy and I have a specific spot we visit, where a grouping of immense trees have begun showering down their leaves, creating a vast area to enjoy the crunch beneath your feet as you walk along the path. Continue reading “SIMPLE, SMALL ENTRYWAY DECOR”
Harvest Pumpkin Bread (Paleo, Gluten Free, Dairy Free)
Ah, friends, it really does feel like autumn is upon us. The air is more crisp, the days are growing shorter, and as I drive through my city, the leaves have begun to turn their golden yellow and rich amber colours. That happens a bit earlier up north here where I live, and I don’t mind it one bit. You’ve probably read from me a couple times now that I will take all of the cooler, overcast weather I can get. Rather than feeling motivated when the weather becomes warmer and sunny in the spring, I find my boost of productivity when the opposite occurs. I’ve had home organization and cleaning projects on the go, and have found myself getting out and about much more now that the new season is imminent. However, my favourite time is still a cozy day at home, with my lamps and candles on, good music, and baking some sort of yummy goodies (and sneaking time here and there to do some reading, of course!). Continue reading “Harvest Pumpkin Bread (Paleo, Gluten Free, Dairy Free)”
SUNNY SUMMER MUDROOM
Hello again, sweet friends. Doesn’t it just seem like summer is flying by? We are half way through July already, and where I live we are still just getting glimpses of summer here and there, as it has been unusually rainy for us this year. However, when it is sunny and warm out, we have been flowing through our mudroom much more than we had previously, because we’ve done a lot of work on our backyard this season!
I am hoping to show you some of it soon, though I do have some peeks on Instagram in my story highlight titled “backyard” if you want to take a look. Anyways, given this space has been in frequent use recently, I thought it would be nice to refresh it for a new season. Continue reading “SUNNY SUMMER MUDROOM”
SUMMER KITCHEN + LIFE THOUGHTS
Oh my, it has been so long since I have popped on here to do any sort of update! This year has been full of a lot of self-growth, and new things in several areas of my life, and it’s an understatement to say that this blog and the PLC instagram has taken a back seat (like, the back of the bus, back seat). So, if you are still hanging around here to see my posts, I want to truly thank you for your patience, and your continued interest in what I am doing over here in our home.
I am still attempting to figure out balance when it comes to this, as I want this blog to remain a place of joy and inspiration. I thought I would spend some time chatting and sharing my thoughts while you scroll through some photos of how our kitchen looks right now. This way, if you’re just here for the photos and sources, this isn’t too boring for you, but if you do want to read along as well, feel free! Continue reading “SUMMER KITCHEN + LIFE THOUGHTS”
FRONT ENTRYWAY PLANS
Happy January, friends. I know we are heading into February soon, but it’s my first post of the year, so Happy New Year as well! The start of another year is always such a refreshing time, I find. I know like me, most of you get the itch to organize, declutter, and plan, and I have definitely been full on into planning mode, so today I am actually sharing a different type of post with you that I have never done before.
The front entryway of our home has been a bit of a pain in the butt for me since we moved in almost two years ago. There is a large window on the side near the front door, and then perpendicular to that is our stairway that leads to the upstairs level, and there is not a lot of room to work with in between. I have wanted a nice console table so I can use it to style the area, but I have been searching forever to find one that is a size that will work, paired with a style I like. Continue reading “FRONT ENTRYWAY PLANS”
BRIGHT & COZY CHRISTMAS BEDROOM
Well friends, we are just under two weeks away from the big day! Can you believe it? I shared on my Instagram the other day that as excited as I am, I also want the time to slow way down, so that I can continue savouring this season for awhile longer. Christmas always seems to be one of those things that both can’t come soon enough, and in the same breath you don’t want to be here quite yet, so that it’s all over. This is my dilemma every year at least, which is why, generally speaking, our tree and other decor stays up until New Year’s. I am so thankful that every year my husband gets to take off work from Christmas to New Year’s, so that while we are busy with gatherings, seeing family and good friends, we still also have plenty of time to relax together, so it isn’t too much of a whirlwind. And this way, we can always pretend it’s Christmas the entire time, rather than just one day. Continue reading “BRIGHT & COZY CHRISTMAS BEDROOM”
A FESTIVE CHRISTMAS KITCHEN
Welcome back to my home for more Christmas festivities! Today I thought I would share with you how I have styled my kitchen for the season.
For so many people, the kitchen really is the heart of the home. We spend so much time in here making meals, baking, washing dishes, and sitting on a stool and chatting at the end of the day while doing all of these things. And for us, our kitchen literally is in the centre of our home. We see it from the dining room while sharing meals, the living room while sitting and relaxing, when walking down the hallway, and when coming down the stairs in the morning to start the day. Because of all of these reasons, I always want to bring Christmas decor into the kitchen as well, so I can feel the spirit of the season wherever I am in our home. Continue reading “A FESTIVE CHRISTMAS KITCHEN”
CLASSIC CHRISTMAS AT HOME
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
That’s one of my favourite first songs to play when I put on some Christmas music at the start of the season. It just throws you right into the spirit, no easing into it, which is kind of how I do things when it comes to this time of year. All of a sudden I just have the need for everything to feel Christmas-y, and I can’t stop until it’s done! I often have the concept in my mind that I will decorate slowly, and take things one area at a time, but when it comes down to it I get much too excited, and can’t show much restraint. So, my husband and I usually take the full weekend at the start of November to blast the Christmas music and set the majority of Christmas up - he puts the trees up, and then while I’m fluffing and decorating them, he’ll take some eggnog (and rum) and his pipe outside, and put the lights up on the house. That night, we will usually snuggle up with our tree lights twinkling, and watch Elf together, and start dreaming of our Christmas holidays come December. Continue reading “CLASSIC CHRISTMAS AT HOME”