Jonesborough Day

On a pretty spring day, we spent a bit of the afternoon in Tennessee's oldest town, historic Jonesborough. Strolling these streets is as close to stepping back in time as one can get in 2015.

Quaint cafe's and one of a kind shops scattered among 18th century homes converted into bed and breakfasts, museums, and more, fill Main Street with a sweet southern spirit of yesteryear.

Rich in history from the travels of Daniel Boone, the American Revolution, and the Civil War, to more modern claims to fame such as the National Storytelling Festival and Jonesborough Days, an annual three-day celebration centered around Independence Day, a visit is sure to spark your inner history buff.

As a kid, my mom worked on Main Street, and looking back it was probably my first exposure to a "city" environment. That is, lots of stuff in a little space. I loved visiting her at the office, having lunch at a grown up spot and browsing the nearby gift shop for mementos of our day. Being back felt oddly familiar, but with a new appreciation for the vast history these streets hold.

Watermelon Cutie

Maybe because it was the first really warm day, and it felt like summer. And we call her juicy, and her watermelon romper was begging to be worn. But we couldn't help ourselves from shunning the to do list and taking 500 pictures of this gloriousness. Raise your hand if you could just take a bite right out of her! 

So happy for spring!

The Greatest Luxury

I've always been in a race against time. I've ruined plenty a memory by not living in the moment. And I've lived a life feeling rushed, sometimes even when there's no such reason. Blame it on the way I navigated the fast pace of city life, or my planner/preparer personality. But if there's one thing I've learned over the past few months, it's that time is life's greatest luxury.

Time to appreciate a foggy morning.

And to gaze at the lights at night.

Time to catch a kiss on camera. 

To study the color of their eyes.

Time to swing with my baby girl on a spring day until we've had our fill.

To waste our minutes wisely.
Making memories, not do to lists.

Time is free, but it's priceless.

And this is the best time.

Tulip Time!

Over the weekend we took a little road trip over to Holland, Michigan for the Tulip Time Festival. It's something that's been on my to do list for years and I finally got the timing right. Unfortunately, the weather has been chillier than spring's past and only about 25% of the tulips were actually in bloom but it was still a sunny day, albeit with a cool breeze, and a nice escape from the city. While we were there we watched some Dutch dancing, dined al fresco for the first time this year (even though we were pretty cold) and hit a few breweries along the way. (Here, here and here.) Small getaways are the stuff of life.

And because it's spring and I'm in need of nature, this weekend's agenda... Lilac Fest! I can't wait to get a whiff!

Spring Scenes from Tennessee

"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome."

-Anne Bradstreet

 'Meditations Divine and Moral' - 1655

I always love visiting Tennessee in the spring. Trees and flowers are in bloom and the sun is shining nearly a month sooner than in Chicago, so it's the perfect getaway to push me through until warmer weather finally arrives. Lazy cats, front porches and greenery are a few a my favorite things.

And also, my adorable niece, who carries this Jamaica purse like it's going out of style.