journal – The Elle In LOVE

Condensed Cream of Mushroom Souppantry staples made better

April 17, 2024 food and drink

Upon tasting this from-scratch version of condensed cream of mushroom soup, we will never go back! It's simple, incredibly tasty, and anything made from scratch is better-for-you.

Making Play Eggswith Fabric Scraps

April 5, 2023 making

This week, I am working on adding a few new food items to our play kitchen. We have a handful of staples that are always available for play, and then I rotate out a few of the extras or seasonal foods to keep the space fresh and interesting.

Papermaking at Home

March 18, 2023 making

The process of making something simple yet bespoke is an invitation to slow down and focus on the task at hand, and I've always found the beautiful texture and timeless deckle edge of handmade paper to offer a rich tactile experience.

Play Kitchenan IKEA Makeover

July 14, 2021 curating the common - kids, Littles, making

It was years before we had littles that I started dreaming about a play kitchen. I figured it wouldn't matter if we had boys or girls one day, a play kitchen is a staple for any child growing up, and I can't say why exactly, but I imagined ours would be something special. Back then, my visions were fairly limited to the high-end, "pretty" kitchens found at Pottery Bar[...]

Wooden Play Cookiesa Melissa and Doug Makeover

December 8, 2020 making

If you happen to follow my sporadic posting on Instagram, you already know that we are in the process of making over a play kitchen for the girls' Christmas gift. It is almost complete, and I am so excited about how everything is coming together! I've even rearranged my office to clear up some space for a combination office/playroom with a designated space for the gir[...]

Everyday Favorites: 6-9 Mos

May 26, 2020 curating the common - kids

We aim to maintain a minimalist approach to the baby stuff that comes in... Only the bare essentials in terms of gear, and carefully selecting fewer, better made play materials that will offer versatility and longevity in the ever-changing needs of infant & toddler-hood.

sensory tileshomemade

March 2, 2020 curating the common - kids, making

The mountain crinkles, the sun rays flap... each piece has it's own special sensory features.

Why Our Embryo Transfer Didn’t “Fail”

March 29, 2019 adoption

For a little while, I wondered if I could handle continuing down the same path. I debated whether we even should invest the emotional energy, time, finances, etc. But through much prayer and coming together in consideration, that still small voice reminded us of an important truth...

Pregnancy Loss

March 21, 2019 adoption

If I was better than I am, maybe I would've held my head up high while joyfully proclaiming that God still has a plan! But crumpled on the ground amidst the fragments of a fresh and fragile confidence that had crashed beneath me, all that I could offer was a heartbroken, "Why?".

One Day at a Time

January 2, 2019 adoption

If it seems inconceivable to make plans when you still have so many unanswered questions, rest assured, you are not alone. And it is OK to be exactly where you are.

MMXVIII

December 22, 2018 adoption, the KM files

"Because of Christmas, redemption envelops our current circumstances..."

Reflection and Release

November 2, 2018 adoption

To be honest, this jubilation feels a bit like immaturity. Which is sad, isn’t it? Perhaps it is the cynicism that comes with being a thirty-something who knows a thing or two about loss and disappointment, but I honestly cannot remember the last time I stepped so fully and carefree into anticipation.