On Changing Seasons

Isn't it amazing how quickly things can change in the matter of a year, or in the matter of a minute?

Meet Me at Joe's?

Just the other day, Tim and I joked about how nice it would be to walk to Joe's Inn for breakfast — and it was in that moment I realized just how quickly our "normal" can change.

On Giving Grace in 2020

Midway into a bottle of wine on New Year's Eve, Tim and I began thinking back on all the cornerstones we could remember over the last decade — I'd moved back down to Virginia, Brandon had graduated high school (wait, did Stephanie too? Yes, wow and now she's married!), we'd brought Basil home, traveled to Hungary, moved into our current home and so on and so forth well into the night. We'd agreed to go dry for January again this year, so nearing the end of that bottle and indulging just beyond our norm, we got sentimental. We've been together a decade, but longer really. So much has happened over the course of our years together, yet some things stay the same, continuing to strengthen and grow. Love and relationships are funny like that. 

Hello, From the Rivah!

Friends! We've been excited to tell you that we recently bought a river house, where we have been spending a good deal of the summer.

Our Etta!

And just like that, she's here! Our little Etta Garnett Vidra had plans of her own on the timing of her big debut, making her way into the world two weeks early over Memorial Day weekend. Today marks her official due date, which feels surreal since we can't imagine the past 2 weeks any other way than with her here. That said, while we were mentally prepared for any scenario, we fully expected her to come on or past her due date.

Oh, Baby!

Big changes are on their way, come June!

Reflections and Intentions for the New Year

Image by Ali Williamson

With each new year on the horizon, we find ourselves taking a moment to reflect back and set new intentions for the fresh start ahead. This year we're breaking from the structured format we've previously adhered to and are sharing a more personal note amidst some of the family milestones and project highlights we're most proud of from the past year.

The In Between: Living in the Midst of Projects

Leather chairs | Loveseat | Marble nesting tables | Rug | Vase

I'm calling the stage we're living in right now "the in-between" (kind of like the upside down for any Stanger Things fans out there). What I mean is — we're amidst a season of juggling home updates, all at various stages, which can feel a little unsettling at times. On the bright side, we're on the home stretch with our front room and the running projects we've got going on are all things we're excited about. You know, the fun kinds of cosmetic updates instead of necessary ones like a new roof or bubbling plaster walls that blow the budget with nothing to show for in the end.

In that spirit, while perfectly finished spaces are still a ways out (are they ever really finished though?), I wanted to check in and share a few updates on all that we've got going on...

A New Year: Our 2018 Goals & Intentions

Tell me I'm not alone in feeling like the start of a new year is like having a new chance. In all the hustle and bustle that comes with day to day life, this is a time of year we actually take the time to pause and look back, reflect and realize we're making this life of ours. It's also a chance to think about where we're headed, what we're dreaming and how, perhaps, our dreams have changed.

All About Basil: A Birthday "Pupdate"

It's hard to believe our big guy is 7 years old. His birthday was this past Friday and we've been joking all week that he's finally caught up to me (in his 50's if we calculate by human years).

So Much to Celebrate!

The last several weeks have been filled with milestones in our family — we have lots to be thankful and excited for not only in the here & now, but looking forward as well...

New Beginnings: Our 2017 Goals & Resolutions

Laguardia Airport floor, December 2016

The start to January is a classic time we take to sit down, reflect on the previous year and begin putting our minds to what we want from the year ahead. While these posts tend to be more wordy and robust, they've become some of our personal favorites to scroll back on and see where we were at the time — along with what we were thinking, planning and dreaming of for the year ahead.

January Bits & Snaps

January — a time for reflection, getting organized and looking forward. A winter month where we yearn for spring not to wait much longer and balance nestling in at home with venturing out to try new things. It's been a full month for us — sips of tea with a blanket by the fire, trampling through the first fresh snow with Basil and venturing out beyond our same old same old.  In the spirit of our Weekend Basics series, today we're here to share the bits and pieces from over the past month...

Grateful: Coming Home

We're headed into this new year feeling optimistic and in a good place. With one of Richmond's largest snow storms in recent history behind us this weekend, Tim and I thought to ourselves — this is the first year we didn't need to worry about how the weather may have affected our second home just across the river...

A Fresh Start: Our 2016 Goals & Resolutions

Fonti del Clitunno, Italy

Though getting back into routine after taking an extended holiday break, we're peering into the New Year this Monday morning with bright eyes and a fresh outlook (case in point). January is a classic time we like to take a deeper look back into the year behind us and make plans for the year ahead.

Best of 17 Apart 2015

Over the past (5!) years, we've celebrated the year-end close with a look back and assembly of our most popular posts from the blog over the past year. This year was refreshing taking a look back — realizing when in a time where we felt less productive, we actually accomplished a heck of a lot. We are inherent "doers," and revisiting our 2015 projects, travel, gatherings & everyday adventures maintains that spark of motivation to continue to archive.

Two Years Strong

It's hard to believe May has already passed us by. Today we find ourselves at a fresh start to June, which also marks our wedding anniversary.

Image by Tori Watson, Tori Watson Photography

It's been 2 years since we officially got married here in Richmond, surrounded by a small group of close friends and family. When thinking about it, Tim and I both agree it feels longer than 2 years ago — probably because we've actually been in this relationship together coming up on 11 years. While we took things slow, I'm a true believer that when something is right, it will still be right if there's reason to wait.

Happy Happy!

Monday we celebrated Tim's 49th birthday. He was blown away by all your well wishes and greetings across Instagram and Facebook, we can't thank you enough.

Image by Tori Watson

It's been a bit of an extended celebration this year, starting on Sunday while Brandon was in town. We ventured out to Tim's parents house for a full "Nana" meal, which is birthday tradition for Tim. It was no joke — she made pork paprikash to eat with pasta or potatoes and finished with a caramel cake (which we sent the leftovers of back with Brandon as he starts his 2nd semester of school this year).

Close To Home: Sean Brock's Heritage Manifesto

Sean Brock's Heritage cookbook is one of my new favorites. It was a holiday gift and one I've been eager to own since hearing rumors of a new book in the works. While paging through the book in hopes of discovering new Southern recipes to try, I found myself completely wrapped up in Brock's storytelling.

2015 Goals & Resolutions

It's the start to a fresh new year (can you feel it?) and a time we like to indulge in the age-old rituals of looking back and looking ahead. Earlier this week we enjoyed taking a stroll down memory lane, sharing some of the most popular projects, milestones and memories we made from last year. In the spirit of looking ahead, we've listed out the goals and inspirations we're thinking about right now for 2015 and want to share them here on the blog.