Yes! I do feel like I know you and would love to have you stop by for coffee… in fact, if you are ever in the DC area…
I just finished reading The Help and about 20 pages from wrapping up Water For Elephants. I’ll check out Peace Like a River next on your recommendation!
May I suggest Beneath a Marble Sky for you? It’s beautiful! Also Jodi Picoult’s House Rules.
Thanks for your generous spirit!

Hi Emily, thanks for chatting–one of my favorite things to do over coffee! I may or may not say things like, “well, Emily has these great paint colors in her house” or, “yah, I got that idea from Emily” as if we were BFF’s. My husband goes, “who is Emily again? Am I supposed to know her?” Thank you for your posts.
I have to, have to recommend two books to you by Marissa de Los Santos. They are both SO GREAT. I could not put them down and the best part is the second one picks up where the first one leaves off. Love Walked In is the first and Belong to Me is the second. The titles make them sound a bit cheesy, but they are absolutely wonderful. They are funny, smartly written, sad, romantic, and most of all remind you of how important friendships are between women. Oh, absolutely great summer reads!

i’m so addicted to downloading fonts too!! i haven’t used those sites yet though… sometimes my fonts show up under different names in microsoft word… have you had that problem?! it’s quite bizarre!
P.S. you prob won’t regret getting an iphone! smart phones are awesome for uploading pictures and even blog posts on the go! i have a full time job (probation officer), a 1 hour commute each way, i do murals on the side, and i am working on furniture/painting projects at home… i would be lost without my blackberry! and i’m upgrading to a “smarter” phone {with angry birds} soon too!

I recently read a memoir, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Wells. It was fantastic and I could hardly put it down! Highly recommend it.
Also, I have been knee deep in projects lately….painting pretty much any furniture I can get a hold of. Quick question (if you have time)….what color of white would you recommend using? I just bought the generic white off the shelf and it seems a little too bright for the shabby chic old look I’m going for. If you have any ideas, I would greatly appreciate them!

I read Peace Like a River and The Help and loved them both…. so I think you might also love Unbroken. AMAZING story. You won’t regret it. Bloodroot is also really good – similar to peace like a River. And in between books, I too am hooked on the bachelor. Poor Ashley. . . .

I am not one for a fancy phone. I always had my husbands old ones. He bought me the i phone and I have to say i am in love. I use the camera a lot.(especially now that I am doing twitter via instagram) and I love knowing I can get timely emails away from my desk.

Love this post! My oldest is 7 and he’s favorite game is also angry birds. And we recently discovered Piggle Wiggle audio cds at the library (for long drive trips) and my kids love them!

I definitely feel like I am friends with bloggers I read regularly, especially those that share about their personal lives. I have a book recommendation for you: Heaven is for Real. I LOVED it. My husband hates reading, and he loved it too. (Plus he loved that it is only 160 pages.) I loved The Help, and I can’t wait for the movie! I read a lot of Francine Rivers, a Christian author you might like.

PS. You should get an iPhone. I have 1500 photos on mine, and I’m addicted to Instagram and Hipstamatic!

You make me smile
It looks like I’m not alone in enjoying a little chit-chat with you today. Or…maybe it’s just chit…at least until I start chatting back! TeeHee!
Blessings!!

I LOVE fonts, too! Thanks for sharing some of your sources for free fonts!
I LOVE my iphone…for all of the reasons you mentioned. I would suggest getting one.

Fun times! I LOVED piggly wiggly books, I read them all. I can’t wait for my #1 to getnold enough to read them!

Funny! I always talk about you with my husband or girlfriends as if we talk everyday. “Emily said . . .” or “Emily thinks . . .” I guess it’s not that far-fetched since we were friends in college. I, too, have been obsessed with fonts recently and can’t wait to get an Iphone. I do have a smartphone already, and it does make life so convenient. Although, I sometimes feel TOO dependent on my phone. We were in Canada last week and I didn’t know how to function without my email and internet accessible at all times. I’ve been wanting to read The Help, so you’ve convinced me to pick up a copy. I’m starting a master bath re-model. Fun but overwhelming . . . the growing price tag on the project is a little daunting too.
Glad to hear your summer is going well! I love the photo documentation of it all.

I’m fairly new to your site, and I’m enjoying every post. I love to read and recently read two great books that you might enjoy. (As an aside, I live in the American South. In other words, I’m a Southerner, and I love Southern Lit. So take my recommendations with that in mind.) I read Pat Conroy’s My Reading Life while at the beach last month, and oh boy, it was great. Every chapter stands alone essentially, and each one covers a work of literature that has influenced him as a writer. Book lists interest me generally, but I also loved hearing him describe them and their influence on him as a writer.

The other book I read was Silas House’s Clay’s Quilt, which I just finished a few nights ago. It’s a wonderful story of redemption, set in the Appalachian mountains of Kentucky. I read A Parchment of Leaves by him several years ago and loved it too.

Thanks for sharing your life, creativity and love for your family with us. You’re a gem.

~Rebekah

My husband turned me into an iphone user… I was more than hesitant! But I love it… I blog stalk, email, facebook, pinterest, text and everything on it!!! I am not a phone talker either, and I don’t really talk on it at all, ha!!! I have used it as my sole camera now for a while… I even have a free photo editing app on my phone that I love!!! The pictures are good, not as great or crisp as yours are but still good! Hope that helps!!!

Always – Abbey

*I totally feel like I’m friends with all the bloggers I visit regularly…including you! My husband laughs at me when I reference something I read on a blog as if it was from a person I really know. I also talk to the TV as if I can be heard. There’s a lot of “uh-huh” and “uh-uh”.
*Have you read the Something Borrowed series of books? I’m on my third, the 2nd in the series because I went out of order ~ whoops! Anyway, they’re simple and easy reads. I absolutely loved The Help and cannot wait to see the movie…I only hope it’s a moving as the book was.
*iPhone is GREAT! I just have the 3GS but I love it. I’m holding out for a replacement until the 5 is released. It’s hard though because the hubs has the 4 and it’s so much faster than mine with much better image quality. You should get one so you can join Instagram and post iphone photos and we can all follow you there too!!

Love all your posts and thanks for being our “friend”!

I loved this post! I think I’ll do one like it soon. Ok…

You *need* an iPhone. I am completely addicted to mine. The ability to check email, blogs, etc. on the go is so helpful. Especially in those moments when you’re stuck in the pediatrician’s office for half an hour waiting in that tiny room, or when little ones want to play outside and you just want to check your email without dragging your laptop to the porch. It’s great for on-the-go entertainment for kids. I carry mine in my pocket sometimes from room to room when I’m cleaning, playing Pandora radio.

Then, there’s the camera. Seriously. I’m super picky about photos, and the new iPhone takes great shots {for a phone}. Plus, you can edit and upload them directly on the phone. It makes sharing a lot easier and less time consuming. Plus you get that many more great pictures and videos of your family!

Love the fonts you picked out – as usual.

My mom used to read Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle to us as kids. Thanks for reminding me of it! I need to pick up that series for my little one when she’s a little older!

Emily, I felt like I just had the best morning with a friend. Please continue using this type of blog, it truly touches my heart. Have you read “Winter Garden” by Kristin Hannah? It is one I would suggest you try, it was hard for me to start and then I didn’t want it to end. She writes so well.

Your blog is definitely one of my top 5 favorites, if not my number 1…really! So, I love the conversational and laid back feel. You make projects seem more approachable and I really hear your heart in your posts and I love that!
The most embarrassing thing about referencing blog authors is when I’m talking to my husband who has no clue who ‘Emily’ (or any other blogger for that matter) is and there I am rambling on and on about something you said or a project you did. So funny!

Absolutely true – I was planning on my next post being about blogs I am really enjoying right now, the ones that give a slice of life as well as the decorating side of things – My top three were You, Meg and Ashley. Do you know Becky over at Farmgirl Paints, another favorite? I am not familiar with Angie, but I look forward to meeting her as well! Thanks for such a great place to visit and have a virtual cup of coffee!

As far as the iphone, so did not think that I needed it and my husband pushed me towards it. Love IT!!! Don’t know how I did it without it, the camera is so great on the go, Love Instagram, and a great use of time when you are waiting for things. Highly recommend it even if you still don’t answer calls!

Have a great night,
Laura

I could talk about books for forever; I just finished Little Bee and One Day, both are absolutely wonderful and heartfelt.

I really adore your blog! Keep up the friendly, happy work!

Hi Emily! I almost do feel like I know ya! Had to comment about the iPhone, love, love, love mine – don’t know what I’d do without it, keeps my calendar, contacts, email, fav blogs, Facebook, games for the kids [including math flash cards which I consider summer school!]…..If you want a picture into my life, just look at my iPhone, it’s all there – the good, the bad and the ugly!

Heading up to Seattle this weekend – where should I shop?????? Good vintage/home dec shops…would love to know your favs!
xo~Jill

Oh, Emily you have to get an iphone. I just love mine!! It keeps you updated even when you are not home. I also like the Bachelor/ Bachelorette. Another favorite of mine is Bethenny Ever After. Can’t wait to watch the new episodes in the fall. I loved reading The Help. I am also loving a recipe book by Gwyneth Paltrow called my father’s daughter . Yummy recipes!! I love her blog called Goop. Thanks for intro me to Mrs. Piggle Wiggle. Also, thanks for your wonderful blog. You inspire me daily!!!

Oh sweet Emily,
What a perfect day for a chat. It has been storming all afternoon. May 10th I fell off of a ladder and broke my back. Put on bedrest after I attended my daughter’s destination wedding at the lake and I am still here after 2 months. Having read your blog for awhile, you and all the blogs I read have become sorta my social outlet these days. Being on pain medication and laying flat makes most projects difficult. Reading some, but find that I often doze off!
I need to thank you for the free fonts you share from time to time. I love your favorite font list.
I have watched the bachelorette this season for the reason above. Lots of TV and Netflix for me. Human nature never ceases to amaze me. Bentley really did not speak well for the male race. I certainly know how blessed I am to have a wonderful caring husband for 30 years! He has been such support thru these trying months. Always helpful and never complains about things I need him to do for me. It has been such a testimony to my adult children (girls, 29 and twins girls 24) of what I feel a good marriage involves; not perfect of course, but good with God at the center. The accident has brought us closer together (I thought we already were).
I am a lake girl! Loved that you visited an island. We have had a lake house since my oldest was 3. In my girls early years we would move to the lake for the whole summer. They even went to summer camp from there. It was so wholesome for them and allowed my priorities to always be correct. It is amazing the conversation you can have floating. We played lots of board games and the girls with their cousins or other guests did a whole lot of pretend play outside. The sky from the dock at night is magnificent. This city girl never knew how many stars I was missing for the lights of the city. We would often lay on our backs and watch for shooting stars and saw at least one most every night. The kids would catch fireflies in jars with air holes and that would be their night light. After all were asleep I would release them. Each day during the heat of the day we would have rest period. You did not have to sleep but you must be quiet and stay on your bed. This was a much needed break for me and when I usually did pleasure reading as I had to get on my bed also. All my girls would read or play with some type of figurine or maybe draw. To this day each of them like to read and I felt it good for me to model pleasure reading to them. At the lake it is wonderful the activites you can come up with when you use your mind to pretend and are able to block out much of the world’s noise that translated into business for us.
Next to us at the lake is an old white clapboard church which has not been used since the 1920′s. It is still maintained by a family who has many of their family members in the small cemetary there. My girls preached many a sermons and conducted weddings umpteen times in that little chapel on the lake. In fact, one of the twin’s (who married this May) husband proposed to her in the chapel. We were his legs to fill the chapel with candles and flowers; just magical!
Emily, you and I have exchanged email once before but I need you to know that your love of God shines thru. Not to long after my accident I was reading your blog and you shared a U tube video of the Seed Family worship singing Psalms 55:22. It was just what I needed to hear. I was weary and needed to be reminded that He would sustain me! Having purchased those last fall for me and my daughter that has 1 year old twins (she was raised on Psalty the singing songbook)I somehow forgot that I need those words as much as my precious grandsons do! Of note, you did a Christmas card of them for me. They are Jack Henry and Harrison and were sitting in a galvanized tub. Anyway, I am rambling but just wanted you to know that I admire you. I wish I was as crafty as you and I love the balance you so tenderly and fervently try to keep with God, your family and your design business/blog.
Hum, I have gone on way to long! I was just about to launch into pro and cons of iphone and how no shopping for me since we just paid for a wedding in May, but I think enough!
Thank you again for your blog. It is a blessing to me.
I would like to leave with a verse my daughter Grace, who is in vet school several hours away, sent to me in a card today. it is Isaiah 43:18-19. It says-
18 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

She then so sweetly said; “See Mom ,He is making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland! I know this time is hard and you feel lost/confused as to the course to take.” She went on to say, “Rest assured that even in the deepes,t darkest, most painful days He is with you making a new way.” Such a precious child of mine!
Stand fast with your children, train them up and you will reap the fruit as I did today.
~Vicki

Okay, I think I love you!!! That was too cute! Thanks for chatting

Dear Emily,
I am also a new friend and visitor to your lovely blog. You write beautifully, in a conversational way, that draws many people to you, I’m sure. I’ve been a design blogger for about a year and I’ve grown to love it as well. What started out as almost a chore, has become a part of my life that serves as a great outlet and lets friends, old and new, understand my personal style, values and aspirations.

I’m happy that you have the wonderful freedom, as a designer, to be there for your boys when they need you. It’s incredibly important, especially as a single mother, as I was for years.

Now, with freedom in mind, did you know you can write an entire blog post, add photos, save a draft, preview your work, all on an iPhone? You can of course reply to lengthy comments like this, take pictures, video and just about everything else you can imagine, except make pretzels! Run, don’t walk, to your nearest dealer!

I haven’t read any books recently worth mentioning…besides “the Help” and “water for Elephants”. I used to love reading my two kids Amelia Bedelia books. if you haven’t read any of them yet, they’re great!

Well, that’s all for now. I don’t want to wear out my welcome!
Until next time,
Barbara
The Treasured Home

I have an iphone and we have a love -hate relationship. I love all of the apps: ones for keeping appointments, ones for entertaining a 3 year old in public, and even the ones that help me make sure the picture I hung in the hallway is level! (YES, it really works!) But I don’t like how needy it is. It is constantly reminding me of something or notifying me of everything else. You can turn them all off, but then what is the point of having it. Anyway- just sharing my thoughts on the matter.
I wanted to say thank you for your blog! I like you a lot! I am a new follower and so far so GREAT! I like how you share all of your tutorials and you have a great sense of style.
PS- Great CHAT! Have a great rest of the week!

I always love catching up with an old friend, and blogging does feel like that. I’m excited to see what updates/renovations you make! I’ll be doing a lot of those too soon enough! We finally have a house here in Washington.

Love it! Thanks for chatting with me. I’m a social dork and it’s fun to have time with you by the pool without having to worry about what we’d talk about! LOL I love your blog and get all excited when I see a new post. Love your style, writing voice, heart for God. Everything!

The Help is great! You might enjoy, The Glass Castle. Very dysfunctional family with an interesting perspective from a daughter’s point of view.

Seriously, you must feel stalked sometimes putting yourself out there, but for people like me who do so enjoy our cups of coffee while entering a design blog, or family blog, or faith-filled blog, or artsy or whatever…and you kind of combine them all, it is a treat. So once again, I was raised near Spokane with many family still on the coast. My grandmother and one aunt used to live on Bainbridge…oh the memories of that gorgeous place. Now the aunt lives across the Narrows Bridge…that rather interesting tower house beside the bridge…yup. I’m certain that broke a few architectural rules for the area, but they didn’t build it.

Anyhoo, thanks for letting us peak into your life, and thanks for making ours brighter! -And thanks for my dose of the gorgeous Northwest as I’m no longer in that area.

I agree with all the other comments! Nice to chat. I just finished The Bride’s House by Sandra Dallas and loved it. I also love Sarah Addison Allen – The PeachKeeper, Garden Spells, and The Sugar Queen…all great reads!

i just asked friends on facebook for a good book recommend, one that was repeated was the forgotten garden so i just started it. some of my favorites are the glass castle, these is my words, and still alice (so good!!)
my whole family were getting iphones so although i am not a phone person at all ( i get everyone’s handme downs and don’t mind) i didn’t want to be left out. i LOVE IT! it is so nice to have for so many things. i will admit i have been a little obsessive with it, surfing facebook and pinterest while riding in the car, as the passenger of course!

Read the Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins, The Help, and The Outlanders by Diana Galbaldon (there’s a lot of them). Or better yet, get the audio books so you can multitask.

As I type this on my iPhone I have mixed emotions. I can text, email, surf the net, take pictures and email them to my mom instantly…. But as a “phone” it lacks a lot. Poor coverage, dropped calls, hard to dial when driving and so on. Is that off set by having access to gas buddy.com or map quest instantly…. Not sure. And it’s priced at double a regular phone monthly cost as well. Try to borrow one first and see what you think…I probably would not get one again, but it does sone really neat stuff.

Thanks for chatting I am wondering about your camera since you mentioned in commenting that if you had an iphone you wouldn’t always have to lug your big camera around. That is my dilema with a bigger camera, do you mind lugging it around so you can take pictures? I have had a Cannon point and shoot, and it was great, but no longer working properly. Several of my siblings recently upgraded to an entry level fancier camera, whichI think, take much better pictures and I am tempted to do the same. My husband was questioning whether I’d always want to lug it around? So since you have one, what are your thoughts? Do you find you don’t want to bring it cause it’s cumbersome, thus missing picture opportunities? Or is it not that big of a deal, and the better picture quality etc. are worth it. You obviously take a lot of pictures, more than I probably would, as mine would just be to capture life, not for a blog or anything.
Thanks,
Allison

We just got home from the beach and the two books I read while we were there were Peace Like a River and The Help! Loved them both! It looks like I’ll have to give Water for Elephants a try. Have you read A Gospel Primer by Milton Vincent? I recently finished it and loved it- so encouraging!

I love this post! It’s really funny how you feel like you really know someone when you read their blog. I’m guess the Bainbridge picture wasn’t taken recently. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen blue skies like that in the PNW.

So, if we were sipping hot cocoa (which is more appropriate than lemonade on a day like today) I’d tell you about my blogs. My newest blog is lovelaughterandliteracy.blogspot.com. I thought you might like it, since you started talking about Mrs. Piggle Wiggle. I’d also invite you to my home blog. becca-homeiswheremystorybegins.blogspot.com. Hope you’ll stop by!

Becca

[...] It’s been a few weeks since our last chat. [...]

[...] for a random chat session. In case you have missed our last coffee dates, you can catch up here and here.  And this is another pretty random post. And this one too. {I see a theme [...]

I just found your blog this Fall and I love it. I already feel like you are one of my friends. Maybe one day if I get to Seattle (and I hope so) we could have a cup of coffee and just chat. In the meantime I look forward to reading your blog. Thanks!