Woot! Yesterday we OFFICIALLY BROKE GROUND ON THE BIG DECK PROJECT! Although breaking ground is a bit of an overstatement since we are not even close to digging post holes yet – we’re still working on getting our ledger board up (those are the support beams that run along both sides of the house to start the deck frame). Let’s just say that cutting and drilling into brick – especially brick that makes up the side of your house – is not for the faint of heart. So we still have a long way to go, but we’ll be back on Monday to share our progress! Until then here’s an Instagram sneak peek that I snapped of Clara playing Job Site Supervisor while peering through the sliding glass doors (you can actually see some ledger boards hung against the house in the reflection):
But back to the real subject of this post: present projects. You know we love a project. Especially when it’s personalized. May is always a busy month for gift-giving in the Petersik family. Not only did we have Clara’s birthday and Mother’s Day back-to-back, but in the past two weeks we’ve also marked my mom’s birthday, Sherry’s mom’s birthday, my sister’s wedding anniversary and my parents’ wedding anniversary (their 40th!). So there are lots of milestones to be celebrated… and lots of gifts to be given. But we’ll spare you a run-down of every unwrapped gift and just show you some of the highlights – mainly the things we designed/put thought into customizing and personalizing with a little DIY design input.
Let’s rewind first to Mother’s Day, when I coordinated with my three sisters to give our mom a gift that was inspired by our visit to Richmond’s Spring Bada-Bing craft fair in April. Look familiar?
Those are the Articipe prints that we spotted at the craft fair, and I ordered four custom prints for my mom (there was a “buy 3 get one 1 free” deal going on, so it was $75 for the four 5 x 7 prints and $20 for the four Ikea Ribba frames). I loved that my three sisters went in on them with me so they could be from all of us (we each selected our favorite recipe of my moms and they were apparently so iconic that my mom could guess which person picked each one). She had given each of us a collection of her go-to dishes after we graduated, so were able to use that to get the recipes just right.
I chose “Chicken Squares,” which is some old Pillsbury recipe that I’ve made so often I can basically do it with my eyes closed (this version listed here is similar, but not exact, to what my mom cut out of a magazine at least a few decades ago). Of course the Articipe version came out much more beautiful than any recipe I learned off of!
The recipes my sisters chose were Black Bottom Cupcakes, Dutch Babies, and Derby Pie – and we were sure to chose a color scheme that worked with my parents’ kitchen decor. Of course the Black Bottom Cupcakes had to be in black:
My sisters and I actually had a great time picking the recipes and reminiscing about our favorites – wondering when we last had a certain meal and comparing what was popular with my mom at what time (there are 13 years of age between my oldest sister and youngest sister, so things evolved a bit throughout our childhood).
My mom loved them. And after accurately guessing which of us had chosen each recipe, in true form she pointed to a Derby Pie that she had brought with her to our Mother’s Day celebration. Love you mom!
While we’re on the topic of my parents, let’s switch celebrations to their anniversary. Specifically, their 40th wedding anniversary (thanks all who congratulated them when I posted this Instagram pic of the breakfast we whipped up for them last Sunday morning).
But breakfast wasn’t our gift. Though the present was once again meal related – and also in the vein of commemorating something my sisters and I grew up with. Before any sit-down meal growing up we would always say grace. We held hands and said the same words every time: “Thank you God for a pretty day.” I’m not sure the origins of it, nor why we adopted “pretty” as the adjective to describe our gratitude but it has been something we’ve said for decades. And the other day it struck me just how meaningful the saying was: we were walking in the park with Clara when Sherry and I each took one of her hands. She took holding hands as a cue and shouted “Thank you PRETTY DAY!!!” We couldn’t stop laughing.
So that night I whipped up this graphic in Photoshop (the small font is Bangla MN found on my Mac, the other is Freebooter Script downloaded here):
I then hunted down this listing for a custom platter on Etsy and emailed my sisters with the idea. They were in, so we ordered it (it was $70 with shipping) and a couple of weeks later this came in the mail:
We figured they can display it or actually use it to serve food on, that way our sweet little family grace is present at every meal in more ways than one. But whatever the use, we were all just so happy they liked it as much as they did. My sister managed to capture some shots of the gift-opening this weekend, but this is the only one I’ll dare share. Once it was actually opened there were some tears going on – and I know better than to post photos of any of our family members’ cry-faces.
I have to admit that I was tempted to make a gag version based on the time my dad slipped and accidentally said “Thank you God for a pretty face.” Something tells me this was the better choice though…
Oh, and if you’re wondering what Clara, Burger, and I gifted Sherry for Mother’s Day – well, among other things (like the flowers shown here) we finally got Sherry two of those West Elm Hive Vases she has ogled for at least a straight year. Here they are hanging out on the fireplace mantel in the kitchen. You know we have a thing for bees…
And there was also the One Word A Day journal that Sherry mentioned back in this post. It was on sale for $5 at Urban Outfitters so I thought it’d be a fun addition to Sherry’s journaling tendencies.
Of course in true mother-ing fashion, Sherry’s using it to document Clara. She thought it’d be fun to write down a new word Clara was saying, but ultimately decided it’s more entertaining to write full sentences or conversations that Clara’s cracking us up with – like this one that coincidentally happened after saying grace one night. Yes, she thought we were saying “a man” instead of amen. So naturally she wanted to include a lady too.
Anyone else have a gift-tastic month? Did you get (or give) anything particularly designed or personalized? Is anyone else excited like me that a quieter celebration month is upon them? Or at least a month where they get to be celebrated – hello Father’s Day!
Psst- Speaking of presents, we shared a sweet one that Clara got for her birthday over on Young House Life.
Pssssst- We announced this week’s giveaway winner, so click here to see if it’s you.
Lori says
Could you give us your black bottom cupcake recipe? They used to be my favorites! I haven’t had them in ages and would love to make them for my boys. Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
We’d love to try to link to a larger jpg of them so you can read them all! Soon hopefully!
xo,
s
katie says
Gift giving is one of my favorite things in the world! If I could be a professional gift giver I would quit my job today. I literally spend weeks (even months) trying to think of the perfect gifts. Sometimes I agonize over it so much that if I can’t find something perfect, I’ll end up giving a gift card but try to personalize it/let them know that I thought about it and that it wasn’t for lack of trying! I gave my college roommate who was having an extended hospital stay an iTunes gift card for her iPad but I sent it with a list of my recent favorite books/movies/tv shows/apps to give her some ideas on how to spend it. A way to make something generic a little more special!
YoungHouseLove says
So cute! I love that.
xo,
s
anna see says
hi young-uns! just sold my haven ticket b/c i couldn’t seem to get it together to be there this year. just want you to know i consider it a HUGE bummer that i’ll miss seeing you two, learning from you, and cheering you on!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw Anna See, you’re an inspiration and we love love love you. If we can’t meet this time, then next time for sure!
xo,
s
Pip says
Now that would be an amazing get together – the writers of my two most-read and most-treasured blogs at the same place!
Kate M says
One year at our big family Christmas dinner, at the end of Grace I loudly proclaimed, “He-man!” instead of Amen. My family still gives me grief about it 20 years later!
YoungHouseLove says
Hahaha, so funny!
xo,
s
Amanda says
Glad to know I wasn’t the only one tearing up over here! For some reason, it was the family park scene that got me. Ugh, divorce sucks. :( Your family is going to be the Reason I still have faith in the marriage institution. Luv you guys. :)
Nichole says
Love all of the thoughtful gifts! So sweet to put some extra effort in – something that I don’t always do, but always wish I did.
I consider myself to be pretty confident in Photoshop but I’ve never been able to figure out how to get letters to interweave like you did on the plate with T, D and God, instead of just placing them on top of other letters (like outlining the word in the most forward layer would do). It may not be an easy explanation but I do know most of the technical terms ha! I’m guessing it has to do with combining effects. Maybe you have a tutorial already posted somewhere?
YoungHouseLove says
I don’t remember exactly what I did (just played around a while) but I believe it was some combination of adding a white stroke around the text to give it that white breathing space and using layer masks to erase other parts by hand. Hope it helps!
-John
Nichole says
Yep that helps! Thank you :)
Kara says
John, did you have a long wait when ordering those prints for your mom?
I glanced at the Articipe etsy page and noticed an announcement that there is a 2 month wait for any print orders! Was curious if that was just due to publicity from your blog?
YoungHouseLove says
Wow- ours just took a week or two- nothing too long! I wonder if she got some big press (like in a magazine) – although I guess it could be from our site- not sure!
xo,
s
Katrina says
those articipes look so cool. i think i’m gonna have to make some of those for myself!!
Joy Franks says
My birthday was May 28, also Memorial Day, and I was treated to a ride over to Lopez Island from our island (San Juan Island) on our sailboat for dinner at a restaurant overlooking the water. It was a perfect way to celebrate: good friends, good food, good seas.
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds so nice!
xo,
s
Gil says
John, very touching and thoughtful presents.
Sherry, what about your Mom’s present and your family traditions? It seems as though lots of things you both share are reflective of John’s family.
YoungHouseLove says
We have shared some my-mom stuff too (over on Young House Life usually) but she lives far away (in NY) so it’s hard to get photos of things since a lot happens by mail. I got her a navy frame with a picture of Clara in it (an annual tradition) and a navy bath robe. We have a funny habit of sticking to the same color scheme through multiple gifts, so that always makes us laugh.
xo,
s
Chrissie says
These are all such lovely ideas :-)
I was wracking my brain trying to think of how I could use the articipe idea for my mum – I know she’d love it, but she’s not renowned for her cooking (she tells me that I learned to cook in self defence).
But then I remembered some of the Polish recipes that her family brought over when they migrated here after WWII – that would be perfect!
YoungHouseLove says
I love that!
xo,
s
Michelle says
I’m halfway around the world– the Philippines, I stumbled upon your blog when I was researching for a DIY article I was making as part of my remote online freelance work. I quickly bookmarked your blog and has been a regular visitor of your blog ever since.
I’m glad I stuck. Your sense of simplicity and style (it’s the perfect union) is what got me at first. But as you open your home, you inevitably open your heart and family, too and we love what we’re seeing.
I so love this post. You make gift-giving so simple yet so profound.
I love the articipes, they symbolize how much you know your mom.
I love the hive vases, they represent the working, loving and helping that are going on in your home.
I love Clara and her witticisms. Recently, I and my 4-year old son were grilling fish and I asked him to fan the coals. He said, apparently in pity for the fish, “Hey, fish, don’t be afraid of the fire.” Moments like these make me regret why I haven’t recorded all of my 3 kids’ words a day just like Sherry did.
I love that you pray.
Btw, we are all Filipinos here in the family but that does not keep us from enjoying your blog. I swear I’m gonna blog about your blog soon.
Love,
Michelle
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Michelle! Your son sounds adorable and quite entertaining- haha.
xo,
s
Ashlene Murphree says
My mom got me three of the Articipe cards for Mother’s Day, love them they are hanging in my kitchen in a great Ikea triple frame. Great presents for people and presents for yourself too!
Laura says
I LOVE your blog. I have been following you guys for years now but dirt time leaving a comment, ha. I am totally going to be stealing your family tradition, I hope you don’t mind and I love that saying “thank you God for a pretty day”
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, thanks! We don’t mind at all!
-John
Rachel T. says
Such great and creative gifts! I’m always looking for gift ideas that don’t include gift certificates! They’re definitely useful, but not very personal. :-/
Quick question (that may have been answered a million times, but I’m not researching years of posts to find it! lol)… how do you manage to order gifts for each other and have them delivered home when you both work from home? Any gifts ever been revealed earlier than planned when the wrong person answered the door for the delivery man?
YoungHouseLove says
We just say “do not open anything that comes addressed to me, I ordered your Father’s Day gift!” Haha. The delivery guy just leaves our boxes in our carport, so the person expecting something will usually pop out there and grab it before the other person can see it if they know it’s coming.
xo,
s
Jan C. says
Our daughter Molly recently graduated from high school, and her birthday was the very next day. So in addition to the totally rad Batman hoodie we got her, I also ordered from Elizabeth Eaton on Etsy a personalized necklace. It’s in the form of a pewter “stick” that says on the 4 sides “beautiful,” “talented,” “creative,” “loved.” It has a circle charm with her first initial on it, and an African bead. Turned out gorgeous (like our artistic and lovely daughter).
jasmyne martinez says
Thank you for sharing these great gift ideas! I love Dutch babies and now I must go make them!
Meggan Colombo says
My mom is SO hard to buy for. So, I had to be creative and find something useful. She hates “dust collectors”. So, This is what I had done:
http://oncewed.blogspot.com/2012/05/mothers-day.html
She will use it every May and it has 1 petal empty for grandchild #5 that is still baking. Due early July
YoungHouseLove says
So cute! And congrats on the bun in the oven!
xo,
s
Brianna says
I’m am so inspired now to do this for my grandpa, the pancake master! Thanks for posting!
Kaitlin says
I think that card ‘I love that you love each other’ is ADORABLE. Any idea who makes it?
YoungHouseLove says
That was from my sister, and I think she got it from Target.
-John
deb says
My husband and I recently took up beekeeping as a hobby. We got a top bar hive and it couldn’t be easier to maintain. The investment is small, too. Take a look on the web for top bar hives or email me for some more info. We love it! And we have our first batch of fantastic honey!
YoungHouseLove says
So much fun!
xo,
s
Tracey says
I like your dad’s shirt….go Hokies!!!! :)
Michelle says
it look as if the Articipe prints are 4 for $25 on etsy now…did you really have to pay $75 for them?
YoungHouseLove says
The 4 for $25 list is of her existing designs. If you purchase a custom design (with a recipe you provide), they’re $25 each. But she gave us a buy 3 get one free discount.
-John
Michelle says
aha! thanks for the clarification. the custom design is far more personal :)
Elizabeth says
Your Mother’s Day gift from your mom is prize winning. I love those prints so much.
And in Clara’s defense. My grandpa often ended grace by saying “Ah-men and Ah-women” leading to squeals of laughter from some of his younger grandchildren!
Annalie says
The recipe prints are super awesome and I am salivating over those hive vases! As a side note, I was just looking at the houzz weekly roundup and there you were!
Alisa says
It just warms my heart to see how much you guys love your family.
Selena says
What a precious blog post. I love the recipe art and thought having the family blessing made into a platter was priceless. Those memories are the ties that bind. When my siblings and I were still at home, we took all those things for granted but now as we raise our own families, we’re so thankful to our parents for the wonderful examples they set before us.
Emily Johnston says
Making gifts is so much fun. Great picks, all of them. I just finished a graduation gift art project. Loved the idea so much I made one for me, too! Just need to package & present before I can share pix!
BTW, I am *shocked* that you didn’t go with Ana’s plans for Adirondack chairs! I plan to build a pair this summer.
Mary B. says
Hi,
Those recipes look delicious, but I am having trouble making them big enough to read clearly. Could you please post the recipes for your mom’s chicken squares as well as the Black Bottom Cupcakes, Dutch Babies, and Derby Pie? Thanks so much!
YoungHouseLove says
We’d love to post those for people when we have the recipes handy and can type them up. So sorry they’re not available right now for ya!
xo,
s