CrumbBums – Page 59

Weekend Shenanigans

Family, by lauren, November 23, 2015, 3 Replies

I almost, almost, did not blog at all for this coming week. Last week on Wednesday and Thursday, I finally started to feel better. My ballet teacher pulled me aside to say you have lost weight, dear, please rest and I assured her I would, I have been, and will. Friday morning I woke up and realized it was all worse, I felt like death warmed over. Andrew, newly returned from a three-day trip, took over and for the next two days I slept more than I was awake — waking up only to drink hot water and homemade chicken noodle soup and change the water in the vaporizer. There was definitely a secondary infection going on, but my doctor’s office was closed for the weekend. And then, on Sunday morning, after sleeping a solid 12 hours straight, I woke up better. Again.

This time I’m thinking it’s gone for good, a nearly three-week ordeal, good grief! But the one good thing about hanging out around the house for the past couple of weeks is the amount of coziness I’ve been surrounding us with — I have hung so much greenery inside and outside the house, it’s beginning to look a bit like a forest! A good thing, I think.

Emil’s contribution to the household chores is always cleaning up after himself in the spill department, which, from the above picture, is a common phenomenon. The wet cloths and tablecloths accumulate on the radiator to dry…

Emil and I also snuck two mini trees into the boys’ rooms while they were out. We will decorate them after Thanksgiving and use them as night lights — a special tradition we’ve enjoyed over the past few years. It really makes it so nice to wake up to, especially when it’s snowing (which, by the way, it did this weekend, but it didn’t stick — boo).

Thank you for your kind words and ideas for healing, and I promise, I am a million times better! Have a wonderful Monday!

Reading…

Books, by lauren, November 19, 2015, 1 Reply

A God in Ruins, by Kate Atkinson

I just started this one — it’s meant as a companion to Life After Life, which has been so far my favorite of Atkinson’s books. This one takes many of the same characters (and then some) and tells the story of the younger brother of Ursula (the main character in Life After Life), Teddy, who grows up to become a bomber for the RAF in World War II. As usual, I am really enjoying the character development early on. I am especially enjoying the train wreck that is Teddy’s daughter, Viola. Really enjoying this one, and looking forward to reading more about the British perspective of World War II!

Dress That Mama: Layers

Style, by lauren, November 18, 2015, Leave a Reply

Still feeling pretty rotten, hiding behind layers of clothing to stay cozy even though it was pretty warm yesterday… I missed ballet last week but I’m going to try to go today as long as I can stop coughing for a good chunk of time, maybe ten minutes? Ugh. Hope you’ve missed whatever bug is going around!

I promise to post a better outfit post next week (maybe one that is in focus?), right before Thanksgiving!

Bowood Farms

St. Louis, by lauren, November 17, 2015, 5 Replies

With the holidays fast approaching (it’s mid-November, what?!!), I wanted to share a favorite establishment in the Central West End of St. Louis: Bowood Farms. This is often the first place I stop when I’m looking for a special gift for friends or family, and admittedly, I go there on rainy or gloomy days, sometimes to pick up a small plant and other times just to be inside the beautiful space for a pick-me-up. In fact, I took these photos yesterday, during the pouring rain. Clearly, the thoughtfully repurposed warehouse space has beautiful natural light!

Aside from a wide array of unique, sometimes rare, plants, Bowood has the best kids’ gifts (especially the books). They have amazing coloring books, locally made stuffed animals, art supplies, and a wide range of creative kits. I bought this book here last spring and my boys love to cuddle up on the couch and look at the beautiful illustrations. This book also caught my eye… Milo and Oliver might find this under the tree on Christmas morning!

My favorite items in the store right now are all the lovely ceramic sculptures which resemble dahlias and succulents and sea anemones. They would bring the charm of an air plant without the care. I also love all the little glass houses… isn’t there a saying…

But really, all the home goods are fantastic. There are amazing-smelling candles, soaking salts, decorative pillows and throws, the whole place is packed with beautiful things!

The care with which each item is stocked and presented makes visiting Bowood Farms an experience. Also, the employees are super knowledgeable about all things garden; I have asked many rookie questions about our growing vegetable garden over the years and have never been led astray. And speaking of gardening, this is the place to go if you need anything at all: tools, organic fertilizer, repellants, chicken manure, bulbs, seeds, supplies, seedlings in the spring, greenery in the fall and winter.

The textures of the pots shown above are perfection. I get the most compliments on the succulents I have growing throughout our house in those pots! They are pricey, but really make a statement. Also, they naturally grow moss on the outside if kept moist, but remain pink if allowed to dry out between waterings.

And though I’ve never eaten there, I hear Cafe Osage (which is just to the right as you walk into the main building) has a delicious lunch menu. Cafe Osage also takes advantage of fresh vegetables and herbs grown on site, which is located across the street from Bowood Farms in their lovely urban garden.