A few years ago, Landon jerry-rigged a basement shelving system with grow lights chained to various rungs and rows and rows of tiny seedlings in sprout. He spent weeks finding seed purveyors, reading about different heirloom varieties of fruits and vegetables, deciding what he’d try to grow based on our geography and space configurations, time lining germination and planting, looking at weather conditions and frost dates. He crouched over the makeshift wood table in the back and wrote the names of seedlings on small stakes—a mystical naming ceremony if I ever saw one. He conducted careful ministrations as he prepared to draw life from earth.
At a dinner party a few weeks ago, someone asked him about growing lettuce and I could read the spark of joy on his face from down the table as he spoke. The depth of his knowledge appeared to startle even him. We all bore witness to that surge in energy that lets you know you’re in the presence of something beloved—something born of dedication, and gorgeous curiosity, and earnestness—which is to say, something divine.
And I think we all thought the same thing: how good it is to dig into what we love. How urgent really, to follow what makes us lean forward.
Time spent doing what we love is always a petition for joy.
Post-Scripts.
+The above is an adapted version of “The Basement Shelves” (p51) from Small Wonders.
+On becoming an expert in yourself.
+And along similar lines: protect the whimsical in your life!
Shopping Break.
+Treating myself to this terry cloth lounge set (wedgewood blue color) that Julia Amory launched over the weekend! (Use code JEN-15!)
+Today’s the final day to get our favorite tinted glow SPF for 20% off!
+Ann Mashburn new arrivals alert: this top (with white jeans or shorts!) and this breathtaking rose print shirtdress. I believe it just launched on Friday and is already nearly sold through. Their shirtdresses are, IMO, the BEST on the market. Exquisitely made and tailored, and I like the slightly longer fashion-y midi-to-maxi length (on me, nearly a maxi).
+A really good crossbody bag for mom life. The brand offered to send me one, and I opted for that great kelly green. The shape reminds me of the Hermes Evelyn. A friend of mine said these are all over Paris!
+I wore the bag above to my kids’ sports games yesterday, styled with this athletic dress we all love so much and this sweatshirt cardigan thing that adds so much polish to an athleisure look but feels like you’re wearing a sweatshirt.
+While at my daughter’s game, I saw two moms wearing these shorts, aslo from Rhoback! The fit is amazing and the colors are incredible, too. Snag a pair when you order your husband one of their golf shirts for Father’s Day :).
+Speaking of sports, outdoors, etc: Backcountry is offering 20% off full priced items today only and if you don’t yet own these chairs, now is the time to snag a few. They are virtually weightless, fold up into a tiny parcel, and super sturdy. We keep them in our trunk and pull them out at all the sporting events, but also great for BBQ, beach, hiking, parades, etc! We first discovered these at the annual Aspen, CO Fourth of July Parade — the street was lined with them. (And you know Aspen people know good outdoor gear!). Now we routinely get asked by other parents about them! They’re SO good.
+Speaking of FOJ: my outfit, sorted.
+And how adorable are these jammies for your littles ones?
+This gingham linen set is beyond chic.
+Only a few left of this Magpie favorite dress.
+While you’re there: Faherty’s best-selling, top-rated short for men. I love that they actually do colors. Too many menswear brands offer only khaki and navy — so boring! I actually just got Landon one of these striped hoodies to throw on over bathing suit!
+Back to athleisure/athletic wear: Rhone just launched the greatest “cabana red” collection. I loveeee their Mirage sets. I own in yellow but I’m so loving this punchy Porsche red for summer! Use code SHOOP20 for 20% off.
+A baseball motif performance polo for your boy! (Had to get Hill one!)
+If you have a pool with chaises longues — OMG! You’re welcome!
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