Cabin in the City

Books, cats and midwestern charm.

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30 Days of Thanks // Week 3

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Welcome back to another week of gratitude! November has been a crazy busy month, but I like slowing down to say thanks with these posts. A brief centering like this keeps the wheels from coming off.

Day 16: Magic

It’d be a shame not to go literal on this one! I’m truly so grateful that I got to visit Salem this past fall. My mom and I had an amazing time, and this witchy city helped me reconnect with the ghoulish, magical things I love.

Day 17: Seasons

Working in publishing, I spend a lot of time thinking about and even living for the upcoming season. But I’m grateful to come home to someone that keeps me grounded in the here and now. There’s no one else I’d rather watch Thanksgiving episodes of Bob’s Burgers with.

Day 18: Books

It sounds so silly, but I’m still so happy and thankful that I bought a Kindle. Having it at the ready in my bag helps me reduce my absent-minded screen time and helps me squeeze in a bit more reading. I’m actually two books ahead on my Goodreads challenge for the year.

Day 19: Kindness

I am truly thankful for all the little acts of kindness from strangers. These little just-becauses are so sweet and really lift my day.

So, to the barista this week who let me add vanilla syrup to my latte after I ordered (and for free), thank you. To the girl who complimented my eyeshadow while I was handing out hot chocolate for work, even though I looked silly in my rubber gloves, thanks! And to Mary Elizabeth Burt of Half-Caff Designs for giving me a shout out on Instagram, I appreciate you!

Day 20: Health

I’m so thankful that I’ve found a new doctor that I gel with. I’m not a big fan of the doctor, but my new one really put me at ease and helped me find a solution to a problem that’s been plaguing me.

Day 21: Inspiration

I draw a lot of inspiration from where I call home. Wisconsin, thanks for keeping supper clubs relevant (and consequently tasty ice cream drinks like the Grasshopper above), serving beer chasers with your Bloody Marys and making your Old Fashioned with brandy.

Day 22: Home

Every day I am thankful for my little home. It is strange, it is imperfect, it is occasionally frustrating, but it is so dear to me. What it lacks in space it makes up for in warmth and good memories.

I’m also so grateful to my great-aunt Mary who saw the potential in this little home so many years ago. Mary, you knew a good thing when you saw it.

• • •

I’ll be back next week for the last edition of this year’s gratitude challenge.

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Portlandia (the Other One)

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You already heard about Salem, but that wasn’t the only leg of my great New England adventure. My mom and I also visited Portland, Maine.

I loved every second of it.

I loved Portland because it was a blend of all of my favorite things: water, lighthouses, forest, amazing food and beautiful, walkable streets. It was, quite simply, a dream destination.

The Food

The East Coast, particularly Maine, is all about the lobster. I am not. But the food was exceptional nonetheless.

Our first evening we went to Luke’s Lobster on the Portland Pier. It totally delivered. My mom and I both wanted something casual after traveling all day, and this place was absolutely perfect.

My mom opted for a lobster roll which was on her to-do list for this trip. I was a simpleton and got a burger, but it was darn good (and honestly the lobster roll was pretty good too in my seafood-averse opinion).

I also tried this beer from Allagash Brewing Co. and it was honestly so nice. Sipping a beer, looking over the water and shooting the breeze with my mom was precisely what I was in the mood for.

As fantastic as my burger was (it really was so good), the highlight of the meal was this mixed berry pie from Two Fat Cats. It’s the best fruit pie I’ve ever had. I’m currently debating having one shipped to Wisconsin just to relive this moment.

Truly, though, the food highlight of this entire trip was HiFi Donuts in downtown Portland.

I am a sucker for a really good donut (and I will not accept any lackluster donuts!). HiFi had some truly spectacular donuts. They had some really excellent flavors on offer like blueberry, pumpkin and hibiscus, but I went with a classic chocolate glazed. The simple things are often the hardest to get right, so I feel like a basic option was the best way to judge these donuts.

I don’t say this lightly: It was the best donut I’ve ever had (and I’ve had plenty). My mom went for a shredded coconut donut and it looked spectacular.

We also split a breakfast sandwich and it was way better than it had any right to be thanks to some really top-notch bacon.

If I could transplant one thing from Portland home to Milwaukee, this would be it.

The Sights

We, of course, did much more than eat in Portland. After snagging those dream donuts, my mom and I hopped on a boat tour with Portland Discovery Land & Sea Tours.

I have to say that while wandering downtown Portland and the wharves was fun, going out on the water really made me appreciate the area more.

Our tour took us around Casco Bay, the Calendar Islands and past three different lighthouses (big win for me). It reminded me a bit of Bayfield and the Apostle Islands so I obviously loved it.

The highlight of this cruise was seeing the Portland Head Light. This is the most photographed lighthouse in the world, and for good reason. Seriously, look how gorgeous it is.

The lighthouse looks out over the bay and another lighthouse (Ram’s Head Light). Talk about a dream lightkeeper assignment. Portland, if you’re hiring, hit me up!

This two-hour tour was worth every single penny. Our guide had plenty of interesting stories to tell, but my mom and I really just enjoyed being on the water and taking in the sights. It was so refreshing to be out somewhere new soaking it all in.

The Atmosphere

I cannot tell you how much I loved my short time in Portland. This city was like everything I love about my home condensed into a town of 60,000 and with ten times more maritime charm.

I mean, if I had to live here and live that lighthouse keeper casual life, I’d do it in a heartbeat. Am I in temporary vacation destination love? Maybe. But it also could be the real deal.

Here’s to you, Portland! And I’ll be back with even more about Maine soon!

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30 Days of Thanks // Week 2

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Welcome back to another week of this 30 Days of Thanks. Let’s dive right in!

Day 9: Change

This is my house back in the ’60s and while so much hasn’t changed, I feel like Michael and I have made so many alterations. But every update we’ve made has been to honor this house and keep it the special place that it is to us. I’m thankful that we’re able to keep all its charms (while making sure it’s still standing).

Day 10: Peace

This photo just makes me feel peaceful. This is the Baileys Harbor Range Light in Door County. Visiting Door County is calming and familiar. I’m thankful I get to do it once in a while.

Day 11: Freedom

This photo was taken on the lake where my family vacations every summer. Being out on the water is really freeing and relaxing. It’s nice to just paddle out to the middle and float. There’s no time tables, no agendas, no cell service, just total freedom.

Day 12: Beauty

Two lighthouses in one post? You bet. This is the Portland Head Light in Portland, Maine. It’s the most photographed lighthouse in the world and for good reason. As we sailed past, it really was breathtaking. This alone was worth the trip to the East Coast.

Day 13: Color

This building isn’t a landmark (to me at least), but it still stopped me in my tracks in Kennebunkport, Maine (more on that soon). The colors of New England, particularly this house, were really inspiring and cozy to me. Still pinching myself that I got to visit. Thanks to Maine for being so wonderful (and to my Mom for going with me).

Day 14: Time

I am nothing if not an impatient person, but somehow I love a craft that takes all the patience in the world (and a good amount of time). I’m thankful to have this hobby that helps me slow down when all I want to do is go.

Day 15: Friendship

I’m pretty darn lucky to have picked up so many great friends at work over the years. Above are some newer additions to my circle and I’m so grateful for them! I’m so thankful to have a bunch of creative gal pals that encourage some of my out-of-the-box and over-the-top ideas. And I’m really thankful to have a handful of friends at work I can shoot the breeze, vent or just snag a coffee with.

• • •

See you next week for more on this gratitude challenge.

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30 Days of Thanks // Week 1 + Some

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Last year, I participated in the @positivelypresent Gratitude Challenge, and I want to do the same this year. I think it’s a good way to count my blessings and generally not be such a humbug.

So I’ll be posting Fridays here for the rest of the month (yes, even though it’s technically an Instagram challenge). I hope this inspires you to reflect on all the good stuff in your lives, too.

Day 1: Growth

I’ll say it now: 2019 has been a year! But in the end, I think I grew into at least a slightly better version of myself, so I’m thankful for that! But I don’t want to get too heavy right off the bat.

So I’ll say I’m thankful for the literal growth of my garden this year. Getting back into growing after a two-year hiatus was so satisfying and joyful. I’m hoping to improve for 2020.

Day 2: Knowledge

I love to learn new things. This year I’ve tried to brush up on a lot of new kitchen techniques like pickling. I’m thankful to have the time to dive into new ideas and projects.

Day 3: Love

I’m so thankful for this darling man and his love. Michael is so wonderfully warm-hearted and he is accepting of me and all my good and aggravating traits (like leaving embroidery floss everywhere but also being pretty good at embroidery).

Day 4: Music

Eight years ago, Michael and I flew to Montreal to see Beirut at a music festival. This was very much on a whim and very much an over-the-top way to start a relationship. But it was a wonderful and beautiful time (and the show was great).

Earlier this year, we got to see the band again right in Milwaukee, and I’m so thankful we got to do it! It was a great way to rekindle some of those fond memories.

(Psst… that’s us eight years ago at the show in Montreal.)

Day 5: Nature

The Great Lakes are such a special place. I’m thankful I live, work and vacation right on these lakes (particularly Lake Michigan, though shoutout to Superior!).

This shot is from Cave Point Park in Door County. It’s always been one of my favorite spots. Door County has such a special place in my heart.

Day 6: Creativity

I’m so happy that creativity plays such a big role in my life. I get to be creative at work and when I come home, I’ve got a creative outlet with my many, many crafty hobbies. I’m thankful that I get to express myself and create.

Day 7: Memory

Lots of great memories this year! I’ll say that turning 30 was a highlight and I’m thankful to all my friends and family who celebrated with me.

Day 8: Work

I can’t say how thankful I am to have a job I really enjoy and some really fun and creative coworkers. Working for Taste of Home challenges me in all the right ways. This year I’m really proud of making this chocolate babka. I’ll have some big news on this soon, but for now, enjoy this video!

• • •

See you next week for more on this gratitude challenge (which isn’t much of a challenge because I’m lucky enough to have lots to be thankful for).

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Coming Soon // Holiday 2019 Craft Fairs

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It might seem early to be thinking about the holidays, but for crafters, it’s never too early.

This year, I’ll be at two holiday events: one in Milwaukee and one in Madison. Local folks, I encourage you to check these both out! I’m saying this not only as a maker but as someone who has shopped both (and found lots of great things).

Cream City Creatives

I took a bit of a flyer on this show last year and I am so glad I did! It was so much fun selling in my own city.

Cream City Creatives is two floors full of amazing makers and artists. I highly recommend coming out for this one. There were so many unique gifts to be had (and plenty that were exchanged under my family’s Christmas tree).

Madison Makers Black Friday Market + Pub Crawl

These Madison Makers Markets are some of my favorite events both as a shopper and a vendor. Seriously, what could be better than kicking off the holiday season than by shopping small and having a great drink?

So Madison friends, I encourage you to check this one out. It’s reliably a good time and Old Sugar Distillery (where I’ll be at) has some spectacular drinks.

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Small Goals // November 2019

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I’m sad to see October go. At least it was a good one!

  1. Turn my house into Comfy in the City. It’s on its way. I got a few new throw pillows and I finally ordered my new chair from Joybird. I’m hoping to get it in early November.
  2. Visit HausWitch. Done. You can read about it and my trip to Salem here.
  3. Do something scary or bewitching. Done! I went to a screening of Hocus Pocus with a few gal pals.
  4. Finish and list my zodiac hoops. Done. I finished stitching all 12, but I’ve decided not to list anything new until my fairs are done (more on that soon).
  5. Upgrade my iPhone. I did it. I opted for the lavender one. I’m still getting used to the larger size, but loving the nicer camera.

5/5. What a month! This October was great. I kicked it off with a trip to New England and rounded it out with lots of scary shows, ghost stories and Halloween vibes. I could use a few more weeks of this (so I might keep on my spooky kick for a few more weeks).

For November, my primary goal is to be prepared for the two craft fairs I’ve got coming up. So my goals here are going to be pretty low key. I’ll be honest, I’m ready to spend some nights in doing nothing but stitching.

  1. Bump up my inventory to 75 hoops. I might be pushing it here, but I really want to be prepared.
  2. Create 5 new designs. I don’t want my product getting stale. Let’s see if I can make five totally new hoops.
  3. Host my inaugural Craft Club. I’d been wanting to have a craft club for a long time, and there’s no time like the present. Let’s see how the first meeting goes!
  4. Schedule my last days of PTO. I’ve got a few to spare. Time to get them on the calendar.
  5. Try a new podcast. I need something besides old episodes of 30 Rock to keep my busy while I stitch.

Alright, November, let’s see if I can do another five out of five!

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A Sweet + Silly Halloween

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As you know, I love all the scary, spooky parts of Halloween, but sometimes it’s fun to be sweet (and to be a part of a theme). That’s why this year I dressed up as pastry chef extraordinaire Christina Tosi.

Christina is the founder of Milk Bar, a judge on Master Chef Junior, author of some amazing cookbooks (pictured) and the subject of a great episode of Chef’s Table.

I’m a big fan. I made her signature birthday cake for work earlier this year and I regularly mix up this riff on her compost cake (actually made some to accompany this costume).

This costume was my favorite kind. Mostly out of my own closet plus some handmade elements (I embroidered my apron to match the Milk Bar logo). And I honestly had so much fun wearing it. It’s a bit niche, but if you can’t dress up as a famous baker at a food magazine, where can you?

Also, a major shoutout to my friends and coworkers at Taste of Home. We’ve got angel food cake, the Starbucks mermaid, Ina Garten, the Guinness toucan, Bastet, Guy Fieri (the best), a barista and Mermaid Man. Look at this crazy creativity!

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The Season of the Witch // My Visit to Salem

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At long last, I’ve visited one of my must-see spooky destinations: Salem, Massachusets. It was absolutely bewitching (and I had a lot of fun).

This jaunt to Salem was part of a bigger trip my mom and I took to New England (more on that later), but I figured I’d share all about this stop while the mood is right.

What to Do

My primary goal for visiting Salem was to learn more about its history (you know, beyond Hocus Pocus). So before we even made it to Massachusetts, I booked my mom and myself a tour.

I chose Witch City Walking Tours (though there are lots of tour companies). I was really impressed by how thorough the tour guide was and how she was able to blend history with ghost stories and pretty astute commentary (shoutout to Paige!). What I appreciated most was how Page dispelled a lot of common misconceptions. I felt like I got the real history.

I’d definitely recommend a tour like this. It helped me appreciate the sights more and learn all about what spurred the witch trials.

What to See

Outside of our tour, we spent most of our time just wandering the streets of Salem. Fortunately, a lot of the historical sights are right downtown, so we found many of them just by making our rounds. This was pretty nice since I like a good walkable destination.

The Witch House

I was really excited to bump into the witch house as we were walking. It’s really haunting to look at all dressed in black. It’s a real mood and I love it.

This is the only edifice still standing that was actually used during the trials. It was home to Jonathan Corwin, a judge in the trials. Perhaps it doesn’t deserve the term Witch House as Judge House, but that’s alright.

Inside is a museum, which wasn’t really much to see if you ask me, but I’m glad we did it anyway.

Hocus Pocus Haunts

Now, there are Hocus Pocus-focused tours in Salem if you’re serious about the movie, but we didn’t opt for one of those. But we still got to see a few locations where the movie was filmed.

Above is the Town Hall where the big party is held (you know, the one where Winifred sings “I Put a Spell on You”) and below is Allison’s House (it’s actually a museum).

Salem Witch Trials Memorial

Our tour ended at the Salem Witch Trials Memorial and it was honestly really moving. The tour guide did a great job conveying the meaning of the place and how the trials still weigh heavily on Salem and how a lot of people feel conflicted over its fame, which is very fair.

Where to Shop

Part of what was so fun about Salem was walking into little shops that were full of all the strange, creepy and metaphysical-style things I love. We went into a lot of stores but these four were my favorites.

HausWitch

Visiting HausWitch was a big deal to me—so much so that I listed it on my monthly goals.

I’ll admit that my expectations were just too damn high for this shop. I was fully expecting it to be a treasure trove overflowing with wonderfully modern witchy home essentials. The store in actuality was not jam-packed full of must-haves. Instead, it was light and airy (if a bit sparse). I snagged a pretty moon necklace and a mug. They had lots of other great resources for modern witches, too.

So while I was a bit let down by the experience (thanks to my own unrealistic expectations), I would still recommend stopping here. It was a pretty shop that didn’t feel hokey or touristy.

Emporium 32

I’ll admit it: I visited this store based on a recommendation from a BuzzFeed article. It didn’t disappoint.

Emporium 32 was equal parts witchy and Victorian. It was full of wonderful hats, Stevie Nicks-style capes, art, stationary and jewelry. I snagged an Edwardian-esque necklace and grabbed a wax seal for Michael.

Die with Your Boots On

Die with Your Boots On was such a fun surprise. My mom and I wandered in here on a whim since it was close to our hotel and we had some time to kill. It was so much fun.

This is the place to go for wonderfully kitschy, witchy clothing. I’m talking jack o’ lantern flats, Ouija board jackets and crushed velvet everything. I’m having serious regrets about not buying a goth Dolly Parton tee I saw there.

Circle of Stitches

Perhaps my favorite shop in Salem was Circle of Stitches. This was right by our hotel and I walked in thinking it was just a nice yarn shop. It was so much more!

Yes, of course, there was a lot of beautiful yarn (shame I don’t knit or crochet), but Circle of Stitches was also full of other crafty items like embroidery kits as well as tarot decks, books and some other local goods. I only snagged an enamel pin here, but it was really fun looking around.

• • •

Overall, Salem was a really fun part of this trip. It was fun to embrace the silly, touristy side of the town and the serious, historical side as well. I feel like we got a good balance. And in the end, it also helped me reconnect a bit with all the scary, strange things I love.

Anyways, I’ll be back with more about Maine soon!

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Small Goals // October 2019

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Is it just me or did September just fly by? Despite the month going so quickly, I managed to squeeze a lot in—way more than just these goals. But let’s start with the goals:

  1. Treat myself. I did end up buying that Fossil backpack. It’s handy.
  2. Tackle Taste of Home’s first-ever Bakeable bake-along. Done! I made this amazing layer cake for my dad’s birthday.
  3. Stitch up a new project. I started a zodiac series and I really love it.
  4. Check out Cedarburg’s Wine + Harvest Fest. Done! I had a lot of fun and bought a lot of delightful and unnecessary things like a velvet headband and a puzzle.
  5. Hit 3 weightlifting classes. Swing and a miss. I made it to just two.

4/5. I’m looking at my calendar right now and I can’t believe how full this month was. Outside of tackling most of my goals, I managed to fit in a ghost tour, a night out seeing Rachel Bloom, a press trip to Texas and our first-ever Stocktoberfest party. That’s a lot!

With that in mind, I’m hoping to slow down a bit in October (of course, I write this knowing that I kick off the month with a big trip). But I am hoping to spend more time inside with candles, books and scary shows and a little time out doing more creepy, seasonal things.

  1. Turn my house into Comfy in the City. After a warm September, it’s time to switch over to cozy mode. This entails a lot of odds and ends: switching to winter linens, breaking out the fall candles, getting a few new throws for the living room and replacing our string lights. I feel like our home needs a bit of a refresh.
  2. Visit HausWitch. I’m going to Salem, Massachusets this month!!! I am deeply, deeply excited. There’s a lot I want to see there, but this is one shop I definitely want to check out after following their A+ Instagram for so long.
  3. Do something scary or bewitching. I’m sure I’ll get my fill of bewitching haunts in Salem, but I’m hoping to squeeze in another spooky outing at home. As always, I’m hoping to revisit Legends & Lore at Old World Wisconsin, but I’m open to new scares.
  4. Finish and list my zodiac hoops. I’m loving these. Yes, of course, because they are new, but I feel like I’m onto something. Let’s hope folks like them!
  5. Upgrade my iPhone. iPhone 6, you’ve had a good run. It’s time for an upgrade and a better camera. Plus the new iPhone 11 comes in purple (my favorite color). Yes, it’s stupidly expensive, but may as well do it now before the next version costs even more.

Of course, I’ll be filling in the gaps this month with plenty of scary movies, creepy reads and spine-tingling podcasts. Here’s hoping I can get it all done!

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What I Read // August 2019

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My goal for August was to add four books to my yearly tally. I managed to do it and most of it poolside. How great is that?

The Summer Wives by Beatriz Williams • ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book is the definition of a summer read: light, easy-going, with a vacation-worthy setting. In this case, that setting’s a small island off the East Coast. Toss in the fact that it’s set in the ’30s-’60s, involves a movie star and a lighthouse—you’ve got a winner.

This is the first book I’ve read by Williams and I’m excited to read more (but maybe not until next summer).

The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware • ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ruth Ware reliably writes entertaining and thrilling reads, so it’s not a surprise to me that I enjoyed The Turn of the Key so much.

Ware manages to create, time and time again, these capsule-like worlds. In this case, it’s a manor in a remote part of Scotland (in The Woman in Cabin 10 it was a small ship, in In a Dark, Dark Wood, it was a country house). The remoteness of these locales always amps up the intensity to me.

What I really loved about this book, though, was how Ware wove paranoia about the supernatural plus the uneasiness that comes with new technology (the home where this is set is a smart home that’s fully wired with cameras) together to create a thriller that really kept me wondering.

 The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides • ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Goodreads kept trying to sell me on this book. It’s the release of the year! It’s a lot like all these other books you’ve read! Wow! Look at all these positive reviews! But I don’t know about it.

This pageturner focuses on a woman accused of killing her husband and her therapist. The thing is, the woman hasn’t spoken since the murder. Her therapist is hell-bent on getting to the bottom it so he can reveal the truth.

It sounds intriguing, right? I won’t steer you away from this book by any means, but I did feel a bit frustrated with the characters throughout. Take my review with a grain of salt, of course.

The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert • ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book is outside my typical reading realm: It’s fantasy and it’s YA (did not realize the latter when I first checked it out from the library).

At any rate, I really enjoyed the twisting together of folklore and reality in this book. I particularly loved how the fictional source material in this novel was fairytale-like, but the kind of fairytales that have no moral (I love that sort of thing; it brings Baba Yaga to mind for me). But in the end, this book just reminded me how fantasy and YA, in particular, are not my things. But if they are for you, definitely give this a read.

• • •

Now that summer is gone, I’m looking forward to some moodier and spookier reads. I’ve got three on deck: The Poison Thread by Lauren Purcell (loved her other book: The Silent Companions), The Toll by Cherie Priest and Dead Lake by Darcy Coates. Gotta pace myself so I’ve got some spooky reads left for October, though! And, as always, you can follow me and my reading on Goodreads.