Through the Keyhole

The Power of Nostalgia : Why We Long for the Past and Why It Matters Almost everyone has one, sometimes it's on the shelf in the closet, sometimes it's slid under a bed, up in the attic or in a cedar chest at the foot of a bed. Sometimes it's a shoebox, or maybe a reused cardboard box or plastic bin. But whatever form it takes, almost every home has one. Some people would rather not look inside, others simply choose not to make time but when we open it, we are often overcome by a sensation that sweeps us away.  A keepsake box or memory box is one of the most powerful material possessions we have next to the bible. Even the photo albums on your phone or computer can't compare because they lack the power to awaken as many senses. The touch, the sight, the smell, or the sound can be all it takes to transport us back in time, through a powerful sensation that aches in the most wonderful way. This experience is known as nostalgia.  But what is nostalgia? Is it j...

🎆 My Top 10 Favorite Nostalgic Things About the 4th of July A little love letter to simpler celebrations, gingham tables, and all the things that make Independence Day feel like home. There are so many things about the 4th of July that bring on a deep and vivid nostalgic euphoria—maybe even more than Christmastime. I think it’s because it comes on more suddenly, and once it’s here, we’re less distracted and there’s less pressure to make everything just perfect. It’s a holiday often spent kicking back and relaxing. But there’s just something about the 4th that feels like a sweet old memory. Maybe it’s the scent of barbecue smoke or the first taste of a bomb pop. Maybe it’s the way even a divided country seems to pause for a moment to stand together. Whatever it is, this day carries with it a kind of old-fashioned magic. And today, I’m celebrating that with my top ten favorite nostalgic things about the Fourth—those little details that feel stitched right into the American m...

When Life Gives You Lemons… You Make Lemonade (And Maybe a Coloring Sheet, a Pair of Earrings, and a Whole Lemon Table Setting) Lemons have taken over my life—and I’m not even a little mad about it. They’ve popped up in my product line, my daughter’s wardrobe, our family’s grocery trips, and even in the form of coloring pages and print-on-demand drinking glasses. But this whole lemon thing didn’t start because it was trendy. It started because it felt familiar. 🍋 It All Started at Dollar Tree A few weeks ago, my husband and I ran into Dollar Tree for a quick Easter basket filler trip. We had a mission, and my husband was determined to keep me focused on it. But the moment we walked in, I saw them—lemon-printed kitchen wares. Something on the shelf caught my eye, and my husband already knew I had a new focus. There on the shelf were glasses covered in bright yellow lemons and delicate white blossoms. I gasped—loudly—and ran toward them like I’d found buried treasure. I'm pretty su...