In amongst the commercial stands on Eastern Avenue theres a rather charming display of plants, each one encased in moss balls. I particularly loved this daisy. I would like to tell you more about them, but the Japanese men who were manning the stall were charming but spoke little English.
Todays guest post for the Creating a Meaningful Home Blog Series is Jessica of Four Generations One Roof . Welcome Jessica
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Hi everyone! I was so happy when Jenna asked me to be a part of her series, Creating a Meaningful Home. My name is Jessica and I happen to be the ring leader of our home and family blog called, Four Generations One Roof.
We are a family of four generations all living together under one roof and our blog is where we share our insane living arrangement, DIY home renovations, project tutorials, room makeovers and whatever else goes on in our home. Creating a meaningful home is really very simple in my book, its about family.
Can you imagine living with your parents and grandparents? We are going on 5+ years of this insane journey and lets just say, its been interesting! ha. Our home is my childhood home owned by my mom and dad. Jennas series, Creating a Meaningful Home for us, is all about creating a home that suits everyones needs both physically and emotionally. What do I mean by that? My grandmother and grandfather both require a chair lift to get up stairs so we installed a chair lift and a handicapped accessible bathroom. Many of our renovations in our home have been done to accommodate individual needs. While my grandparents required necessary handicap items, we also each required personal space and privacy. Yes, this is important to keeping your sanity in our home. There are two thoughts that come to mind for me about how we create a meaningful home.
1. Create individual living quarters under one roof.
While our home may be very different than many, the overall living style and concept is the same. What I mean by that is, its important for everyone to have personal space whether it be a room or heck, even a closet to call you own! For us, we created individual family spaces. My mom, grandmother and I all have different decorating styles. We decided to create multiple TV rooms and build an additional kitchen in order to accommodate everyones needs. For my family (me, my husband, son and step-daughters) our personal spaces are casual, comfy and cozy. We love a modern cottage style with rustic elements. Our main goal when renovating our personal spaces was to create a family room that we loved, gave us a sense of calm and a room that was comfortable that we could all lounge in together.
I added wide pine planks on the wall and chose a pretty blue green paint color which exudes relaxation. In case you are wondering, yes, all the kids and two dogs are allowed in this room and the room never looks like this in real life. Only when company is coming 
.
2. Create multipurpose rooms for eating, gathering and homework!
The days of a formal living and dining room are long gone in our family. I remember when I first graduated college, got married and bought my first home. It had a formal living and dining room that I thought I needed. The rooms collected dust and what a waste of space! Our home is constantly full of people coming and going, different activities from transporting my grandparents to doctor appointments or going to soccer and baseball games. We all eat at different times but for my family, our dining room is an extension of our kitchen. Its where everything happens. We eat, gather, do homework, play legos and work on blog posts all in our dining room.
These pictures are courtesy of Womans Day Magazine. When we were renovating the kitchen, we wanted an open concept so we removed the wall between the kitchen and dining room. When I was a kid, this dining room was setup as a formal dining room. My dad would kiddingly say during holiday dinners, so, this is the dining room. ha.
My dad, grandfather and I do all of the renovations ourselves and we actually have fun doing it. Our home is full of DIY home projects and family memories that will last for eternity. A meaningful home in my opinion, isnt just about the things in it, its what you do with those things. My dad and I built this media console together along with my grandfather for our family room.
Creating memories and long lasting traditions that will live on is whats important. We spend our weekends together working on our home. I kiddingly said to my son the other day, do you think you will live here in this house with your family someday? Keep in mind he is six, he said, mom, Im living here with everyone forever!. In my sons mind, home is all about family. In some ways, its all about basics and how families lived years ago.
Thank you so much for reading about our family and what a meaningful home is to us. Come visit us sometime at Four Generations One Roof, we would love to have you! Thanks so much Jenna, this was a blast!
Thank you so much Jessica for giving us a tour of your home and how it centers around everyones needs in the family. I love what Jessica added about home, A meaningful home in my opinion, isnt just about the things in it, its what you do with those things.
Jessica and I connected right when she started blogging and when I learned that she lived with her parents AND grandparents, I was alittle taken back. A few years ago I had lived with my parents for about 8 months and at times, it was tough. I love how Jessica has embraced living with her family and enjoys the everyday journey. One of Jessicas DIY projects that will forever stick in my mind is the couch that she cut in half to make smaller. Yes, you heard right. She actually took 2 out of the center to make a smaller sofa. Check out the before and after.
Head on over to Four Generations One Roof, and give Jessica a BIG HELLO!
Do you remember when you got your first sewing machine? How about the second or third? Even for those of us whove acquired several machines over the years, meeting each one is just as exciting as the first. Kimberly Einmo (you may have seen her Magical Jelly Roll Quilts and Chain of Stars classes on Craftsy) sent this story about her newest machine.
Ive always loved BERNINA sewing machines, and Ive been wanting to purchase a new BERNINA for quite awhile. Due to a number of reasons in the past few years it just hadnt been feasible. However, after a recent trip to Paducah for AQS Quiltweek in April, I finally decided I needed to jump in with both feet and just make it happen.
I called JeannieDelpit and shared my happy decision with her and discussed options, including which machine would be perfect for me. Jeannie (who is a breath of fresh air and sunshine all in one!) was happy to help me make this a reality. Since my family and I had recently relocated to the Washington, DC metro area, the first thing she did was suggest a number of wonderful BERNINA stores in the area. I did my research online at the BERNINA website to compare machine models and features and with her help, decided the BERNINA 820 QE was going to be the best fit for me.
My sweet husband gets much of the credit too, because he surprised me during a Friday date night by telling me to just go ahead and order the machine right away. What a wonderful guy!
Jeannie put me in touch with Mei-Ling Huang, at G Street Fabrics in Centreville, VA, and I ordered the 820 through her. It took less than two weeks before the machine came in and you can bet as soon as she called to let me know it had arrived, I made an appointment to meet with her that same afternoon. Mei-Ling was so sweet and gracious, and only too happy to set aside a three-hour time slot to give me one-on-one, personal attention and instruct me in my first new machine owners class. Honestly, I have to say thats one of the best things about BERNINA and their dealers: they are truly committed to personal attention and outstanding customer service!
G Street Fabrics, Centreville, VA
A new BERNINA 820, awaiting Kimberlys arrival.
When I walked into the store, the box was waiting for me. (Ordinarily, Mei-Ling would have had the machine already unpacked and set up, ready to go. But at my special request, she waited to open the box while I was there so I could see just how the machine was packed for shipping.) I took lots of pictures just in case I ever need to pack it for shipping. Considering our military background and the number of times weve moved our household in the past 24 years, this was an essential step so I will remember how to do it properly.
The box inside the box.
A network of protective interlocking foam inserts.
Removing the foam inserts.
Under all the foam, the machine is wrapped in plastic.
Mei-Ling carefully checked off each accessory as it came out of the box. She even took care of registering the machines warranty. It felt like Christmas going through each and every item!
BERNINA 820 accessories.
More accessories, accessory cabinet, warranty card, and even a pack of thread!
As I always tell my students, it is so important to establish a good rapport with your local sewing machine dealer from the very beginning. You are not simply purchasing a new sewing machine. You are establishing a relationship with a dealer who will be there to help you, give instructions, answer questions, and provide outstanding service to you and for your machine through the years. Thats why its essential to find a machine that meets your particular needs, fits your budget, and a dealer who will take care of you AND your machine from day one and into the future.
Kimberlys BERNINA 820, unpacked.
Needless to say, I spent an informative yet fun-filled afternoon getting know my new BERNINA 820 and Mei-Ling and her staff. Looks like the beginning of a beautiful friendship!
Mei-Ling and Kimberly
Kimberlys new BERNINA 820
Kimberly Einmo is an AQS author, international quilting instructor and quilt judge. Her books include Quilt A Travel Souvenir, Jelly Roll Quilts & More, Jelly Roll Quilt Magic, and Precut Bonanza. She has written numerous magazine articles and developed a signature line of tools including the EZ Flying Geese Ruler, the EZ Jelly Roll Ruler, the EZ Hearts Cut Tool, and the EZ Pineapple Ruler. Kimberly also has two very successful online video classes on CRAFTSY.com and is very proud to be a BERNINA Ambassador.
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Cat-loving readers will no doubt remember our recent dust-up over the issue of cats in the garden. That post was prompted by a cat-in-garden photo illustrating a magazine piece about wildlife-friendly gardens a strange juxtaposition, at least to my eyes.
Well, I was happy to notice Horticulture Magazine addressing this issue head-on, but in a solutions-oriented way, not a controversial one. (Though Lord knows, the topic is controversial no matter how its handled.) Their article, 4 Ways to Keep Cats out of the Garden, summarizes the problem that our beloved cats can sometimes be destructive, irksome troublemakersespecially when they decide to visit neighboring homes without permission! Gardeners are often bothered by a cat who decides to make a mulched bed her litter box, or when cats bother (and potentially kill) birds, butterflies and other wildlife the gardener is trying to attract.
The author then quickly moved on to possible solutions chicken wire, cat repellents, repellent plants (news to me!) and good old scare tactics.
In my own garden theres just one cat who roams freely across it or would if I didnt yell at him every time he approaches. I do that not just to protect my garden and the wildlife in it but to avoid turf-related aggression between him and my three indoor-only cats, who love hanging out on the screened-in porch. Theyre so happy, and so uninterested in escaping to the outdoors, that I had to laugh at the comment on that prior post expressing concern for them: Keeping them couped up in a house all day is, in my opinion, terribly cruel.
That may apply to cats who are accustomed to hunting outdoors but not to cats like mine whove never been outside except in a cat carrier.
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Drawing on themes from luxury, glamorous and trendy blends, Eskada Club Porto designed by AAMD stands for an invigorating atmosphere. Thought from a range of differently design rooms, each with its own special feature, it has achieved a unique environment out of the mix between past, present and future. In the buildings restoration, materials were carefully chosen to guaranty comfort and innovative design. Retaining the original features and characteristics of its stunning façade and blending them with modern European design, it stands out for an exclusive club in the nightlife of North´s Portugal region.
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Original elements, such as the nude stone, architraves and ceiling coving have been restored and contrasted with modern, custom designed furniture, brushed and polished copper steel finishes and natural colors. The light design trends for an exceptional visual experience. Through its minimalist elegance, it leads to a stimulating and refrained exuberance. [Information provided via e-mail by AAMD Architects; Photo credits: Joao Morgado - Architecture Photography]
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Veganism has been creeping into my consciousness for a while now, but it was the recent vegan festival in my town that makes me wonder if its now mainstream. The festival, modeled after the successful Garlic Festival in California (now in its 35th year), and billing itself as the first-ever Kale-a-Rama, managed to draw over 1,000 people, and was a blast. Whod have thought a vegetable could be so much fun? Well, not me.
But a bunch of activists for veganism and animal rights in the DC-Baltimore area dreamed up the festival, put together a roster music and vendors, and injected a surprising amount of lightheartedness into the venture. No stern eat your vegetables tone or off-putting PETA antics.
Tasty kale-luscious vegan offerings included kale smoothies, kale pate, kale non-dairy ice cream, the exciting debut of a vegan food truck, and kale donuts. Just imagine guilt-free donuts! Entertainment included the first-ever vegan drum circle. (Lots of first-evers that day.)
The organizers tell me that Kale-a-Rama will be back next year, bigger and better. Heres my story about all things Kala-a-Rama on the Greenbelt blog that I write.
On the Popularity of Veganism
Ive been nearly vegetarian for 30+ years (eating no mammals and almost no poultry), for a variety of reasons and had no intention of changing that, until I saw the movieForks over Knives which made a thoroughly convincing case for full veganism. 
And theres a growing group of celebs whove gone vegan and are making news about it, starting with Bill Clinton, of all people. (Good for him!) And sexy movie stars, too.
But I wonder is veganism for ME? The foods are tasty enough (especially those donuts) but as someone who rarely cooks, for whom Greek yogurt is a primary food group, Im not sure I could pull it off. Gotta get enough protein to keep on gardening into my senior years, ya know.
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Located between Ziqidonglai Central Park and the peripheral edge of Jiading, a new town in Shanghai, China, From East Bookstore displays a very European design. Scenic Architecture Office imagined a cultural retreat with unusual architecture elements that blend in, defining the personality of the project : “We conceived the environment of the bookstore as a whole, which provided an even and merged interrelation between interior space and exterior space, guiding people to read and relax“, explained the design team.
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A sense of intimacy is provided by two small gardens included in the layout of the property, which further blur the indoor-outdoor boundaries. It is here that the visitors are offered an extra treat: “In different parts of the courtyards we created multi-leveled and enriched spatial sequences through splits and merges of wall routes and simple wall openings“. How would you comment on this highly modern bookstore design in Eastern China? Share on Facebook Tweet Comment Share on Facebook Tweet Comment Share on Facebook Tweet Comment Share on Facebook Tweet Comment Share on Facebook Tweet Comment Share on Facebook Tweet Comment Share on Facebook Tweet Comment Share on Facebook Tweet Comment Share on Facebook Tweet Comment Share on Facebook Tweet Comment Share on Facebook Tweet Comment Share on Facebook Tweet Comment Share on Facebook Tweet Comment Share on Facebook Tweet Comment Share on Facebook Tweet Comment Share on Facebook Tweet Comment
A couple of signs that summer might finally be heading this way. The mulberry tree is budding up 25 years ago an elderly French gardener told me this never happens until after the last frost and he has yet to be proved wrong and the swifts have arrived. I saw them overhead this morning.
Veganism has been creeping into my consciousness for a while now, but it was the recent vegan festival in my town that makes me wonder if its now mainstream. The festival, modeled after the successful Garlic Festival in California (now in its 35th year), and billing itself as the first-ever Kale-a-Rama, managed to draw over 1,000 people, and was a blast. Whod have thought a vegetable could be so much fun? Well, not me.
But a bunch of activists for veganism and animal rights in the DC-Baltimore area dreamed up the festival, put together a roster music and vendors, and injected a surprising amount of lightheartedness into the venture. No stern eat your vegetables tone or off-putting PETA antics.
Tasty kale-luscious vegan offerings included kale smoothies, kale pate, kale non-dairy ice cream, the exciting debut of a vegan food truck, and kale donuts. Just imagine guilt-free donuts! Entertainment included the first-ever vegan drum circle. (Lots of first-evers that day.)
The organizers tell me that Kale-a-Rama will be back next year, bigger and better. Heres my story about all things Kala-a-Rama on the Greenbelt blog that I write.
On the Popularity of Veganism
Ive been nearly vegetarian for 30+ years (eating no mammals and almost no poultry), for a variety of reasons and had no intention of changing that, until I saw the movieForks over Knives which made a thoroughly convincing case for full veganism.
And theres a growing group of celebs whove gone vegan and are making news about it, starting with Bill Clinton, of all people. (Good for him!) And sexy movie stars, too.
But I wonder is veganism for ME? The foods are tasty enough (especially those donuts) but as someone who rarely cooks, for whom Greek yogurt is a primary food group, Im not sure I could pull it off. Gotta get enough protein to keep on gardening into my senior years, ya know.
A few weeks ago I showed you some great embroidery projects from Katherine, one of our WeAllSew readers. There was a beautiful log cabin quilt serving as a backdrop for her pretty anniversary pillow. Heres a better look at the quilt, along with a peek at the back.
I didnt even realize my log cabin was in the background. Thought youd get a kick out of seeing how I quilted the log cabin with my 730 from the backside! It was a great place to try out decorative stitches. The nice thing about playing with quilting it with embroidery designs and decorative stitches was that the log cabin center and seams made placement so easy. I love to make quilts that get used over and over and Im a firm believer in the Amish belief that only God is perfectso dont look too closely!
Log Cabin Quilt, quilted with embroidery and decorative stitches.
Log Cabin Quilt, back, quilted with embroidery and decorative stitches.
Log Cabin Quilt, detail, quilted with embroidery and decorative stitches.
She also sent photosof a last-minute gift-wrapping project beautiful! She had no wrapping paper, but plenty of fabric, so she made this precious wrap which ended up being as big a hit as the gift!
Natalia baby gift wrap.
Natalia baby gift wrap, open.
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