Stories | grocery shopping, cooking, and eating in Russia
I need to preface this post by saying that I have always been a picky eater. I wasn’t a picky eater in that I wouldn’t try new things or that I didn’t like vegetables. I actually loved a lot of vegetables that most kids won’t touch. I could eat an entire artichoke by myself […]
Slipcovered recliner ottoman
Last week, I shared about the hand-me-down recliner I slipcovered. You can read about that HERE. A couple of weeks after I finished sewing the slipcover, I made a cover for the matching ottoman. I’ve shared here many times over the years that I don’t particularly enjoy sewing, but I continue to do it because […]
four things | eighty-two
It was a beautiful morning for late July, a gift really, so I decided to spend some time outside in the garden to do some weeding and trimming. It’s the time of year when I usually get tired of the maintenance, and it’s too hot to enjoy being outside, but this week has been a […]
Stories | Our Apartment in Izhevsk, Russia
All of our fellow travelers from the US and Canada stayed with Russian families for our summer in Izhevsk. Since I was under 18 and my dad had his own apartment, I would be staying with him. My dad rented this apartment for a few years, so he had his own place to stay when […]
slipcovered recliner | take two
I shared a couple of weeks ago that my parents gave us an old recliner that was much better than the Facebook Marketplace recliner we’d been using. I was hesitant to replace it simply because I spent so much time making a slipcover for it, but it wasn’t the best recliner ever. There was a […]
Move Slow & Make Things | Giveaway No. 4
The launch of my new book, Move Slow & Make Things, is just a few weeks away! September 1 feels like it’s far on the horizon, but it really is right around the corner. I’m excited to share our next giveaway to celebrate the book’s launch, showcase some of its themes, and highlight another artisan who […]
Recent Blog Posts
Antiquing Jaunt
When my in-laws were visiting for Calvin’s graduation, I decided it would be a good opportunity to hit a few antique stores with my mother-in-law. She is happy to sit and read while I work on things, and over the years, she has helped with many sewing and slipcover projects during her visits, but we also enjoy going to antique stores together. She rarely buys anything, but she likes antiques and is good company. I needed to shop for frames
Move Slow & Make Things Preorder Print Bonus
In case you didn’t hear, my new book, Move Slow & Make Things, comes out September 1, 2026! We’re getting into the final weeks before the launch, so I’ll be releasing more preorder bonuses, running giveaways, and sharing more about it in the lead-up to the release date. Of course, I’m sharing the book because that’s part of my job as an author, but I’m also sharing it because I am so proud of this book. I loved writing it,
May Garden Notes | Part II
We had a gorgeous weekend, so Jeff and I both worked outside to get some more yard and garden projects done. Jeff has actually been working in the yard almost every day. He’s been a beast this spring! Since we made so much progress, I thought I would share one more update on the garden for May. One of the big projects Jeff took upon himself was edging and cleaning the curb. Our house is on a “peninsula”, so we
May Garden Notes
If you’re interested in following along with how our garden and landscaping efforts are coming along, you can read about my April Garden Notes HERE. Over the past couple of years, I shared more frequent gardening updates here on the blog throughout the spring and summer, but this year has been more about maintenance so far. I would like to plant some perennials to fill in some of the beds, but we’ve mostly focused our attention on the details of
the new fridge
The day of the delivery was bittersweet. After over a month of fetching milk, butter, cheese, eggs, leftovers, and such from the garage fridge, we were going to have a working refrigerator in our kitchen again. That was the sweet part. The bitter part was knowing I would no longer have a built-in fridge that blended in seamlessly with the cabinets. When designing our kitchen, one of the things I wanted most was hidden appliances. Aside from the range, that
four things | seventy five
I had an original art sale yesterday, so I spent the bulk of the day babysitting the sale (answering questions, managing presales, etc.) and packing paintings that sold. I am always bubbling with nervous energy before a sale, so I channeled it into cleaning the house and doing small, mindless tasks, like sprinkling some of the shells I collected over Spring Break around the garden and patio. I was thinking about nervous energy before an event like this as I
Original Art Sale Preview | May 20, 2026
I typically post my previews a few days ahead of an original art sale, but May has been so busy that this sale snuck up on me! The next original art sale is tomorrow, Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 1:00 pm Eastern (New York) or noon for presale subscribers. If you subscribe HERE, you can shop the sale before it opens to everyone else. (This isn’t a blog subscription. You will only receive emails with presale information for this and
Lucketts Spring Market 2026
Before I share my Lucketts recap, I wanted to let you know my next original art sale is Wednesday, May 20, 20206, at 1:00 pm Eastern. For those interested in early access at noon, you can sign up HERE. On Thursday night, we packed our van with oil painting supplies, two bins of framed paintings, and a couple of bags. As I looked at the small pile, I couldn’t help but notice the stark difference between packing for this Lucketts
Lucketts Spring Market Wish List 2026
I’ve reached that tipping point in my life where I feel like I probably have enough stuff. No doubt, I passed that point years ago, but hunting for antiques and just the right piece for my house is still so much fun! I have noticed I walk out of more antique stores empty-handed or with just one thing these days, compared to my piles in the past. I think this house feels pleasantly full, and I find myself shopping for
learning charcoal
A few weeks ago, I was thinking to myself, Marian, you simply don’t have enough hobbies. You should pick up another one. Okay, not really. I have hobbies coming out of my ears. In actuality, I just found myself thinking about charcoal as an art medium and felt a pull to it. I struggle with drawing, specifically with a pencil or pen. I am much more comfortable working with paint, where I can focus on shapes instead of lines. Charcoal
Lucketts Spring Market Preview (available original paintings)
As I shared a couple of weeks ago, I’m heading back to the Lucketts Spring Market as a semi-vendor. Since my business has changed so much over the past eight years, I’m just testing the waters to see how my original art will sell at that venue. I’ll be there just one day, Friday, May 15, from 1-4 pm, to do a bit of painting and be available to say hello. I’m also bringing along some of my original oil
four things | seventy four
It’s been a full week. I was called for jury duty, so I didn’t know whether I would have a day of sitting at the courthouse or a normal workday until 4:30 pm the previous day. I got ahead on blog posts and worked over the weekend to be ready in case I was selected for a trial. Well, I never even had to set foot in the courthouse. My number was never called, and then I was released yesterday
my first nikon mirrorless camera | nikon zf review
My suggestion when it comes to camera gear (or just about any creative tool) is to upgrade when your skill level outpaces your tools’ capabilities. Basically, you’ll know when you’re ready. There is no need to buy a $3000 camera if you only know how to use a point-and-shoot, you’re not super picky about clarity, and you’re not interested in getting the most out of the bells and whistles that accompany the high price tag. So, years ago, I started
growth
Growth doesn’t usually happen in leaps and bounds. It’s something that sneaks up on you; it’s masked by time and embedded in the act of showing up every day. One day, you look up and realize you’ve traveled a great distance, closing the gap between where you want to be and where you were. It was done in increments so small they were barely noticed. You hope for it, catch glimpses of it, and feel like you’re making some progress,
built-in fridge update
If you followed our kitchen renovation, you might remember that we went with a built-in panel-ready fridge. I never thought we would be able to fit one into our budget, but when I had the opportunity to work with Ilve’s US distributor on the range as a part of a blog/social media collaboration, they asked if I would also be interested in working with Forte on our fridge, dishwasher, and range hood. I knew that choosing a relatively unknown Italian
four things | seventy three
It’s been a day of comings and goings. Rosa Jo is staying with us for a few days as my parents visit friends. Our contractor stopped by to open our pool and talk about a few upcoming projects. The refrigerator repair tech was out to make one last-ditch effort at getting our fridge working again (I’ll share all about that in another post). I’ve been trying to work between it all, but this post has taken forever to put together
A return to Lucketts Spring Market
Quickly, I wanted to highlight that today (April 28) is the last day to join Pup Club Prints as a founding member and receive the beautiful German Shorthaired Pointer fine art print. Pup Club Prints is a fine-art snail-mail print club for animal, art, and analog lovers. It’s just $10/month for a quality 5 x 7 giclee fine art print, and you can cancel at any time. As an inaugural member, you’ll also be entered to win an original 8
April garden notes
Most of my April gardening work has been tidying up the beds, pruning old blooms off the hydrangeas, raking leaves, and weeding. Oh, the maple saplings and onion grass have been prolific this year, so pulling them out of the beds has been my primary objective. Instead of spending a couple of long days weeding, I decided to work in small chunks. Every day, after my morning walk, I put on my gardening boots and gloves and would fill one
four things | seventy two
I decided I won’t talk about the weather in my little Four Things preamble today. (Although we have been having wonderful Spring weather, and I’ve been delighting in my morning walks and time in the garden.) I’m going to share some thoughts on embracing change… I used to love Instagram. It was such a fun community and an easy way to share and connect. Once the algorithm was imposed and Meta acquired it several years ago, it slowly became less
Bronzino & the Medicis
As I shared in THIS POST, the self-portrait gallery was the highlight of the Uffizi Museum for me, but another exhibit was a very, very close second. I mean, they are virtually tied, and I think you’ll see why. As my mom and I meandered through the light-filled U-shaped corridors of the Uffizi, a portrait of a woman and her child hung high on one of the walls. It was too high for me to lean in and appreciate the
I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.
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From the very first coat of paint to custom cabinetry, Marian has been slowly transforming her 1970s split-level into a home filled with charm, character, and creative vision. Explore room-by-room updates, clever DIYs, and the stories woven into each renovation project. It’s a work in progress—and that’s part of the beauty.
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Stories | Our Apartment in Izhevsk, Russia
All of our fellow travelers from the US and Canada stayed with Russian families for our summer in Izhevsk. Since I was under 18 and my dad had his own apartment, I would be staying with him. My dad rented this apartment for a few years, so he had his own place to stay when he was working in Izhevsk. You might think it was outfitted with American luxuries and amenities, but it was bare-bones and typical of a working-class
Move Slow & Make Things | Giveaway No. 4
The launch of my new book, Move Slow & Make Things, is just a few weeks away! September 1 feels like it’s far on the horizon, but it really is right around the corner. I’m excited to share our next giveaway to celebrate the book’s launch, showcase some of its themes, and highlight another artisan who shares her creative gifts with the world. If you haven’t already, you can preorder the book HERE. Don’t forget to sign up to receive your
stories | 17-year-old me travels 6,000 miles
If you missed the first installment about my trip to Russia, you can find it HERE. Our first flight was from Orlando, Florida, to Miami. It was a short flight and a small plane that had me blaring music in my headphones, closing my eyes, and gripping the armrests, pretending I was anywhere else. I was relieved when we landed and had some time on the ground before we boarded our first international flight. We would first stop in
stories | 17-year-old me goes to Russia
I’ve actually considered sharing some of my personal stories here on the blog before. When I was organizing our house in Minnesota from tip to toe, I came across so many bits and pieces that brought stories to mind. I considered writing a Summer Stories series about some of my childhood summers. But, I didn’t. I was still in the season of my business when my blog felt like something that needed to stay exactly as it was at all
telling stories
I’ve been telling stories here on this blog since 2009, but they’ve mostly been stories about furniture, about my business, my work, and my creative endeavors. About refinishing floors as a novice, about my first magazine feature, about the exciting firsts for my business that unfolded as I shared online. As this blog continues to morph and I continue to evolve as an artist and a person, I have decided to start sharing some of my personal stories here. These
Move Slow & Make Things | Giveaway No. 3
Welcome to giveaway number three leading up to the September 1 launch of my new book, Move Slow & Make Things. This giveaway is in collaboration with Erin Callahan of Garden & Guild. I’ve been following Erin on Instagram and have purchased several heirloom garden tools and classic gardening books from her since learning about her small shop. Since I reference many gardening stories, analogies, and parallels in the book, it seemed fitting to have a giveaway centered around gardening
Seasonal
Fall
back-to-school supplies for mom
Back-to-school is such an exciting time. We make sure the pants are not high-waters, everyone gets a new pair of shoes, and we get to go shopping for pens, pencils, notebooks, and hand sanitizer. But, we also need to take a minute to acknowledge that it’s such a hard time for moms. The house is so quiet and clean and there isn’t anything to do but sit around and be sad until your kids come bounding home from school, ready
soup recipe round-up
If you follow my Instagram stories, you know that I make soup almost every weekend. We usually have it for an easy dinner on Sunday and then I’ll put the leftovers in jars to eat for lunches and quick dinners through the week. Since we’re heading into soup season, I thought I would do a soup recipe round-up to share some of the regulars in our soup rotation… (Click on the soup titles to go to the post with the
five things | fall decorating favorites
Because I’ve been busy with home and work projects, I haven’t done much fall decorating. I did buy one heirloom pumpkin yesterday and some heather, but otherwise, I’m not going to do too much this year. I may change my mind in a week or two! The temperature was a crisp 40 degrees this morning on my walk and a couple of trees in our yard have turned a fiery red, so I’m definitely in the mood for fall. It’s
easy creamy potato & ham soup jars
We are just in one of those seasons of life when things are really busy. I’m sure so many of you can relate. You get a few months in a row when evenings and weekends are generally quiet and then you hit a stretch when there is something happening every single day. Jeff has a meeting at church, the boys have climb team practice, I have a women’s event or a planning committee meeting, Jeff has a men’s thing, we
decorating a mantel for fall in the living room
Disclosure: This post on decorating a mantel for fall is sponsored by Walmart. As always, all words and opinions expressed are honest and my own. I have resigned to the fact that decorating for fall isn’t going to be a priority this year. Each year, I think I’ll just put out a couple of pumpkins or something, but each year, I’m wooed by the cool temperatures, the crunching of the leaves, and the piles of heirloom pumpkins at the market.
how to dry annabelle hydrangeas
I have been patiently waiting until my Annabelle hydrangeas were just right, so I could cut off the blooms and dry them. I did this last year and I have been so pleased with how long the dried flowers have lasted! I cut them almost a year ago and they still make a nice bouquet. So, for those who have asked, this is how to dry hydrangeas. I’m specifically working with the Annabelle variety. how to dry hydrangeas | when
at home
All Things Home
Lucketts Spring Market Wish List 2026
I’ve reached that tipping point in my life where I feel like I probably have enough stuff. No doubt, I passed that point years ago, but hunting for antiques and just the right piece for my house is still so much fun! I have noticed I walk out of more antique stores empty-handed or with just one thing these days, compared to my piles in the past. I think this house feels pleasantly full, and I find myself shopping for
A return to Lucketts Spring Market
Quickly, I wanted to highlight that today (April 28) is the last day to join Pup Club Prints as a founding member and receive the beautiful German Shorthaired Pointer fine art print. Pup Club Prints is a fine-art snail-mail print club for animal, art, and analog lovers. It’s just $10/month for a quality 5 x 7 giclee fine art print, and you can cancel at any time. As an inaugural member, you’ll also be entered to win an original 8
April garden notes
Most of my April gardening work has been tidying up the beds, pruning old blooms off the hydrangeas, raking leaves, and weeding. Oh, the maple saplings and onion grass have been prolific this year, so pulling them out of the beds has been my primary objective. Instead of spending a couple of long days weeding, I decided to work in small chunks. Every day, after my morning walk, I put on my gardening boots and gloves and would fill one
styling pet portraits in interiors
I received a question a couple of weeks ago about how to style a pet portrait in a room without it looking like a shrine to your dog, cat, hamster, or horse. Good question! I’m so glad you asked. Let’s talk about animal art in interiors and how to make it work with your decorating. First of all, let me say that there really aren’t rules when it comes to style, art, decorating, or aesthetics. I mean, there are rules
madame mére
I finished yesterday’s post about the Uffizi portrait gallery with a bit of a cliffhanger. I didn’t include the setting, though. This was at Isle of Palms a few weeks ago. Several extended family members live near Charleston, so we visit them (or they visit us) while we’re there. So, my aunt interrupted my story about people walking right past a Rembrandt with an intriguing offer. “If you love portraits, I have a proposition for you.” Now, I had no
Kim’s Coastal Bedroom Twin | room makeover
Every once in a while, I get to see how something I share on my blog inspires someone else. Most of the time, it’s just me at my laptop, pressing publish and receiving a handful of comments as feedback. Over a year ago, though, I received an e-mail from one of my blog readers, Barbara, who was so in love with my design for my parents’ bedroom that she decided to replicate it in her own home. She reached out
Everyday Moments
A Slice of Life
four things | eighty
I hope all of my American friends had a nice July 4th! We kept the day very low-key, but it was nice to have a long, slow weekend, and I enjoyed watching some of the festivities in clips online. I have spent years in the past going to see fireworks displays, but I find I don’t really want to sit in traffic and fight the crowds on a hot summer night. I’d rather stay at home and listen to the
four things | seventy nine
Oh my word, it is hot as the blazes this week. I often joke that I was made for Norway. (Although I have never been there, and the ancestry information I’ve found so far has all led back to England.) I certainly wasn’t made for anywhere south of the Mason-Dixon line. I’m fair-skinned, have a sun allergy, turn beet red in the heat, and feel nauseous if I can’t cool off. So, I’m getting my gardening and pool chores done
proof of life & productivity
One of the little tidbits I jotted down in my phone and then in my commonplace notebook (a place where I collect quotes, lyrics, words, poems, thoughts, and such) recently was this: “A clean barn has no oxen.” I am going to confess that, as a pastor’s wife, I didn’t know that little nugget of wisdom was directly from the Bible. Well, it is. It’s from Proverbs 14:4. When I heard it, though, it resonated with me right away.
four things | seventy eight
I realized once I started working on this post that I was chattier than I expected! I only posted twice on the blog this week and twice last week, and I think I’m feeling that! Writing and posting on this blog have been part of my creative process for over 15 years, and when I take that away, I miss the outlet. It’s like when you haven’t called your mom or a friend you usually speak to regularly, and then
four things | seventy seven
This week started with the loss of power from a storm. It wasn’t really the storm that knocked out the power, but the wall of wind that came right before the rain. It took out trees, limbs, power poles, and made a general mess of our yard and pool. Jeff had just finished cleaning up the curb, only to have it littered with leaves and branches again. Such is life with six mature maple trees! We put our generator to
Visiting Clarkson’s Farm
When Julia (my English friend and host when visiting the UK) and I discussed what we should do with our time in the Cotswolds, we frequently kicked around the possibility of visiting Jeremy Clarkson’s concerns – The Farmer’s Dog Pub and Diddly Squat Farm Shop. Both of us are fans of the show, and we were going to be right in that neck of the woods. Our only hesitation was the tourist attraction factor. Neither of us wanted to wait
Explore painting at your own pace—no experience needed
Free Art Classes for the Creative at Heart
While the world slowed down in the spring of 2020, I found connection and creativity by offering live art classes each Friday—just a simple way to share something joyful during uncertain times. What began as a small spark turned into something truly special. After receiving such kind and encouraging feedback, I decided to turn those lessons into a free online course. Inside, you’ll find nine beginner-friendly oil painting classes covering everything from mixing colors to painting a sweet grazing cow. It’s a gentle, joy-filled place to start (or continue) your painting journey.