A Few Pins I'd Like to Actually Try

What is your relationship with Pinterest? Is it a love-hate relationship like mine? I love Pinterest but sometimes it can be quite overwhelming. There is too much there. Too many pins to try. Too many pins to make you feel inadequate about what you are already doing in life. Too many distractions. I'd like to say I do a lot of what I pin but who am I kidding - I don't have the time for that. Here are a few pins though that if time permits in the next few months I would definitely like to try.

Bike Wreath

(Photo courtesy of REI.)

I make a wreath every year anyways, so this pin shouldn't be too hard to accomplish. I just need to find a bike wheel. The instructions seem pretty simple. If anyone wants to learn to make a wreath, let me know! It is one domestic skill I have!

Mail Art

(Photo courtesy of The Realistic Mama.)

I'm one of the few people that still sends snail mail. I love sending it and admit it - who doesn't love receiving mail that isn't a bill, ad or junk. Everyone should be shaking their head yes! Now, I just to actually remember to do this when I send mail. I have three cards currently waiting to go out, so maybe I'll start there. This blog has some great suggestions to make mail prettier in the mailbox.

Layered Picture Frames

(Photo courtesy of Beneath My Heart.)

I doubt that I would do this for the apartment but fingers crossed if we ever get to move into a house I love this photo arrangement. I'd want to use my own artwork and black and white photos from places that Dennis and I have been together. 

There are so many more pins I want to try but I'm limited by time, money, space and tools. I remember what planning a wedding was like with Pinterest, now I'm obsessed with home decor and all I have is an apartment where I can't paint and am running out of space. Sigh...

Happy Pinning!

Tuesday Link Love

The sun is shining and it looks absolutely gorgeous outside.  Too bad the view from my window is deceiving and its cold with flurries.  I just want spring.  Correction.  I just want summer.

 

(Picture Credit: Pinterest)

 

Right Now

 

Another reason I want it to warm up is so that we can sit on our deck!  I pinned this wine glass holder last week and though it would be perfect for parties on the deck.  And the reason its probably not available is Pinterest and everyone that pinned, liked or search it.

 

Book/Library Love

 

Has anyone read Commencement or Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan?  She is one of my favorite authors and I'm so excited that she has a new book coming out in June called The Engagements.  I bought Maine when it came out because I was so excited.  I might have to buy this new one too and I never buy fiction brand new!

 

Running Thoughts

 

Ahh the half-marathon...I feel like I'm definitely lacking motivation again and not feeling quite so confident in my running abilities.  Not sure really what to do since my motivation board isn't really helping.  This is a pretty awesome list though that I found and I might take some of the author's suggestions.  We will see how I feel next week at this time after running eight miles.

 

Wedding Inspiration

 

Just a thought I had... Not really having to deal with the wedding but stemming from it.  Last week I couldn't decide it I wanted to type or write the addresses for the save-the-dates.  I asked opinions.  I read information online.  When it came down to it, I decided to handwrite them.  I don't mind.  I like receiving handwritten mail.  It's more personal.  This is an interesting article about that same idea and a similar blog post I wrote two years ago.

 

And that's my two cents for the week.



Sincerely? Cordially? Affectionately!

Dear Friends,

Right now I'm reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society for my book club (which is fabulous if anyone was wondering!) and I realized how amazing it is that a whole book was based on correspondence via letters. How interesting!! Granted, the setting of the book is England following WWII so there weren't any of the modern conveniences that we have today to communicate but each of the letters possesses a sincerity that is missing from today's texts and Facebook messages.

Writing letters is an art that I think the current generation and most of society for that matter views as an old-fashioned practice and waste of time. Personally, I LOVE writing letters and notes to my friends and family. There is something special about opening the mail box and finding a HAND WRITTEN ENVELOPE from your best friend, grandma or aunt. My great aunt and I write letters a few times a month to each other. It brightens her day and makes me happy to have this unique connection her.

One of my most treasured possessions next to my books are the letters that my late grandmothers, as well as my great aunt sent to me throughout the years. These beautiful paper memories are stored as bookmarks within the pages of my books - a pleasant surprise when I take a book off the shelf to read. Writing letters was a regular part of life for my grandmothers, so will it completely disappear as the older generations begin to die? Have children today even written a letter besides to Santa (if they've even done that)?

It makes me wonder though... If we aren't even writing letters, what will happen to the love letter? Is that a thing of the past now? I'm reminded of the Sex and City: The Movie scene when Carrie is reading old love letters by Beethoven. She asks Big if he has ever written her a love letter and he says he will send her a love fax. How unromantic, even from Big! My generation is going to have love emails and texts. There is no way to express true love for someone electronically. The future of communication seems void of emotion and heart.

My icon, Jackie Kennedy, was known for her impeccable correspondence, not only as First Lady but throughout her entire life. In fact, most of the First Ladies and Presidents wrote letters frequently. There is a great book about letters written between the Presidents and their spouses. It highlights a part of their lives that the public rarely sees and all through LETTERS. We could all learn a simple lesson from our nation's leaders and start writing letters again.

Perhaps I should be grateful that new technology has opened the gateway to instant communication with friends, family and others we have lost touch with throughout the years. Email and Facebook have their benefits but at the same time I long for the surprise of a letter or card in the mailbox from a friend. The sender actually put thought into picking the card and writing the note, a simple way to show you care about someone. It takes time but try it! I guarantee it will put a smile their face!

Love,

Carrie