Beginning of August An Introduction

I’ve been journaling since the third grade. My teacher, Ms. Massie, would carve out time each day to dim the lights and give us fifteen minutes of uninterrupted quiet journaling time. Thanks to Ms. Massie’s generosity, I discovered my own voice through the pages of my journal. It was unlike anything I’d experienced before— no prompt, no grading, no corrections— just writing for the pleasure of writing.

Writing for pleasure soon translated into a love for writing academically. My first serious writing assignment, a fifth grade book report on Jane Addams’ Hull House, left me completely enthralled with the experience of deep diving into a story. I remember feeling so connected to Jane, a connection I still carry to this day.

My first undergraduate degree was a Bachelor of Arts in Public and Urban Affairs. So many sleepless nights were spent in the library or in the confines of my dorm room, spending countless hours working on papers. By the end of my degree, my brain felt like it had become meticulously primed for analytical thinking. I felt well read, well informed, ready to discuss and to absorb the world around me.

Then, several years into my post grad career, came the shift that changed the course of my life forever— I decided to become a nurse.

I wrote maybe two or three essays during my time as a nursing student. Most days were spent collecting 600+ hours of clinical training in the hospital or studying for exams. My brain was re-wired in a completely different direction, a rewiring I didn’t even know I had the capability of doing. More on my experience becoming a second degree nurse here, if you’re interested.

All of this to say, I have fallen far out of touch with the part of my brain that came alive while writing that Hull House book report. I’m longing to rekindle the part of me that was curious enough to sit down and deeply ponder, reflect, explore. I hope this space can provide that, and encourage you to do the same.

Here’s my proposed mood board for August, all images are saved on my Pinterest. There’s a very clear color scheme here, lots of organic and muted tones of blue, white, green, oatmeal-y browns. The weather here has been misty and cool, inspiring many nights spent by candlelight, continuing to cultivate my partner and I’s new home in preparation for the indoor months ahead. Signs of fall are making themselves known more and more each day. The trees are beginning to droop ever so slightly, as if they’re ready for their long winter nap (…as am I). You’ve Got Mail really hit the nail on the head with the academic nostalgia of fall. Maybe that’s why I’m having a hankering to write again.

Let’s talk favorites as of late:

• Food

  • Avgolemono

    • This delicious and simple Greek soup has been a staple in our house as of late. We first discovered it’s lemony goodness from a little Greek spot in our neighborhood, but we have yet to attempt to make it ourselves, so I can’t yet recommend a recipe.

  • Decaf coffee

    • This is a goofy one to add, but I have to. For the longest time we only bought beans to grind for the morning, but let me tell you, we have become obsessed with our evening cup of decaf. Such a nice way to end the day.

  • Local tomatoes + mayo on French sourdough

    • Does this even need an explanation? If you’ve never had French sourdough, I can’t recommend it enough. I keep trying to get back into making my sourdough starter, but I’m so emotionally attached to my weekend ritual of picking up a French one from the farmers market.

• Music

  • Abel Selaocoe

    • Absolutely phenomenal South African cellist. I discovered his music a few years ago but have recently been playing these songs on repeat:

      • Cello Suite No. 6 in D Major

      • Tsohle Tsohle (Live)

      • Selaocoe: Ibuyile I’Africa

      • His Tiny Desk concert

  • Electric Lizard by Angela Autumn

    • Just a nice and catchy tune that’s been great for driving, cooking dinner, getting ready.

  • Most of the Time by Jackie Evans

    • Her voice gives me the same warm inside feeling as Norah Jones. Found her on Instagram, very eager to see her release more songs.

  • Art Pepper

    • Really nice background jazz, we recently bought the album Modern Art on vinyl.

• Fiber

  • Yarn

    • For socks (very much inspired by the socks in the mood board)

      • Lana Grossa Vintage Sock

      • Jill Draper Makes Stuff Barstow

    • For sweaters (been loving a cozy chunky yarn)

      • Juniper Moon Farm Cotton + Merino 03 Dove

      • Harrisville Designs Shear: Wellscroft Dorset - Aran Weight

• Reads/watches

  • The Field House: A Writer’s Life Lost and Found on an Island in Maine by Robin Clifford Wood

    • Synopsis: The Field House: A Writer's Life Lost and Found on an Island in Maine is a biography memoir hybrid that recounts the life of Rachel Field, a renowned author, poet, and playwright from the 1920s to the 1940s. Field's once-cherished summer home became the property of writer Robin Clifford Wood and her husband in the 1990s. Wood soon fell under the spell of island, house, and Field herself, whose presence whispered from the dusty corners and creaking floorboards. It took Wood ten years to uncover the mysteries surrounding Field's life, ten years that transformed her own life and career.

    • I’ve just started this book so I can’t speak to its entirety, but I have absolutely loved what I’ve read so far.

  • What Yoga Philosophy is Teaching Me - Danish Musings

    • An immensely grounding and beautiful video, wise concepts to live by.

  • House & Garden Inside a Soulful 1930s Cottage Nestled in London’s Countryside | Design Notes

    • A maddeningly beautiful home tour.

Finally…let’s chat plans/visions for this month

• Launching this blog was a big goal for this month. I’d love to do this weekly, but it will likely need to be bi-weekly. I’m thinking having a big round up at the beginning of the month— mood board, favorites, plans, etc— then everything in between can be updates on projects, little concepts I’ve been wanting to explore, etc.

• In addition to my normal vlogs, I’d love to make a video talking about fall knitting plans. All I want to do is talk about chunky knit cardigans and wooly wools over a cup of coffee! Maybe I’ll even include a little styling video with my favorite fall knits I already have.

• Be on the lookout for another Online Knit Club this month! Will be releasing that poster with dates soon :)

• I went on a long solo hike along the water on a rainy day earlier this week, and it filled my soul. I’d love to do a few more nature excursions to share with you all. Don’t forget, there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes— so live a little and hike in the rain when you can!

• My partner and I do yoga together in our spare room relatively often, and recently purchased yoga bolsters (so, so worth it). I’m hoping to get in a lot of restorative Yin Yoga.

• Speaking of You’ve Got Mail, I’d love to watch more classics this month. There’s nothing better than watching a Nora Ephron film on the couch curled up with a blanket and your knitting.

• Overall, here are some descriptors of how I’d like this month to feel: slow, savory, intentional, creative, abundant, restful, curious, attentive.

Thanks for being here, until next time xx

Ellie