Happenings Around The Nest - Week 1
You made it! Welcome to my weekly brain dump where I share all the things that didn't quite fit into a regular blog post. If you're here from my Friday email, you know the drill - this is where we get real about the chaos and joy of everyday life, the projects that are driving me crazy (in the best way), and what's got me excited for the weeks ahead. Let's dive in!
Jump to:
Something new coming to the Blog
I'm genuinely excited about something I've been working toward for years - my vision for Celebrated Nest has always been to create my own online version of Better Homes and Gardens, all things home and style - and I'm finally ready to add a missing piece: recipes!
One of my greatest joys is having our children over for dinner and making their favorites, or trying something completely new and watching everyone's reaction around the table. There's something so satisfying about a meal that brings everyone together, and I've been dying to share some of our family favorites with you.
This feels like such a natural next step for the blog - after all, what's a home without the heart of it, which is definitely the kitchen and the meals we create there. I can't wait to start sharing the recipes that have become staples around here, along with the stories behind them and maybe a few happy accidents that turned into new traditions.
I recently made this charcuterie board for our granddaughter's baptism celebration featuring stuffed dates.
Family life
I've been thinking a lot about how our role as a parent completely transforms when your kids become adults. We have four adult children - one still lives at home with us, and three have homes of their own with two of them married. We also have a precious 10-month-old granddaughter, and the fact that they're all fairly nearby feels like a true blessing that Ray and I don't take for granted. Oh, and let's not forget Allie and Cooper, our two dogs plus three granddogs - because caretaking duties extend to the four-legged family members too!
What I do know is that we're passionate about being there for them in whatever way they need. Our home is always open, whether it's for Sunday dinners, emergency babysitting, or just a place to land when life gets overwhelming.
There's something bittersweet about celebrating their wins, watching them launch careers and start families of their own. We're so proud we could burst - getting to watch from the sidelines as they turn into these incredible human beings is both amazing and humbling.
What I've discovered is that being needed looks different now - it's less about daily care and more about being their safe harbor when life gets complicated. And honestly? I'm really loving this season.
If any of this resonates with you, I'd love to hear about your own experience with this season.
Around the house
I teased this in one of my recent Instagram reels, but I truly feel I'm in the middle of a decorating identity crisis (not sure if that's the right word) but it's the only one that fits. I've been slowly moving away from my all-white vintage everything look toward something more refined and warm - almost minimalistic but with vintage pieces - layered in thoughtfully. You can see it happening most clearly in our living room as I continue tweaking things.
Honestly? It makes me a little uncomfortable. I know what I like in the all white vintage world! There are days I look around and think "I have no idea what I'm doing," but I'm trying to trust what I love and create a space that actually feels like ours. I'm taking it one piece at a time, one area at a time - peeling away some of the white vintage and replacing it with something that feels more like where we are now.
Do you ever feel your style shifting? And if so, how do you handle that in-between phase when you're not sure what you're doing but you know you want something different?
What's currently in my Amazon cart
Okay, I know I'm incredibly nosy about what's sitting in everyone else's Amazon cart, lol - so I figured I'd dish and share what's currently tempting me and what has already landed! You know how it is - you start looking for one thing and somehow end up with seventeen random items just sitting there, waiting for you to either commit or finally delete them in a moment of clarity.
Right now I've got:
Curtains: I bought these curtains to hopefully give me the boost I need to get started on our guest bedroom makeover. You may remember we moved our guest bedroom to the first floor and it will double as my office. If you're like me, you will only use the office if it's neat, organized and fabulously decorated! My vision includes this wallpaper from Ballard Designs, but since it's out of budget right now I thought maybe these would be a good stand-in. (If they look and feel right, I would remove the large grommets and sew in curtain tape to create pinch pleated curtains.)
Coffee: I feel like my life revolves around always making sure I don't run out of my favorite organic coffee - it's a job in and of itself!
Yak Cheese Chews: We are out and Allie and Cooper love these - they last a very long time and are worth the price.
Poop Bags: (Did I mention I'm sharing real life??) I like these the best - they tear apart easily, open easily and are strong. 'Nuff said!
Artificial Artichokes: Random I know, but they are really cool and look like the real deal!
General Finishes Lamp Black Milk Paint: I've been dying to try milk paint and two furniture refinishing friends of mine swear by this lamp black by General Finishes. I plan to paint a dresser as part of my evolving decor style.
Anyone else have a cart full of things you keep going back to look at but can't quite commit to buying? Just me? I didn't think so!
And that's what's been happening around our nest this week! I hope some of this resonated with you, and I'd absolutely love to hear what's going on in your world. Whether it's your own decorating dilemmas, family updates, or just what random things are sitting in your Amazon cart - I'm always up for a good conversation. Thanks for being part of this little community, and I'll see you back here next Friday!
