Author: Gina @ Oaxacaborn

Gina Munsey is a Mexico-born, Eastern Europe-raised missionary kid who ended up being a Californian by way of Florida outside of Nashville, Tennessee. She lives her days full of coffee and adventures while her 12-year-old learns Mandarin Chinese and Greek, her 3-year-old uses all the markers, and her artist-husband creates worlds from pixels and light. A blogger since the turn of the century (ouch!) she's an editor, co-op teacher, and writer who has only completed four chapters of her languishing manuscript. You can find Gina right here at oaxacaborn.com, or in the middle of [home]school surrounded by stacks and stacks of books.
Monday's Pretty Things

MONDAY’S PRETTY THINGS :: Toile Dishes

Gina @ Oaxacaborn

How are you this November Monday? I’m enjoying these pretty toile patterns right now — although I do find it odd that both Anthropologie and Target have such a similar interpretation of dip-dyed toile. I saw the former in Anthro this weekend, and they are really lovely in person (I’m partial to the blue-on-blue ones). Target’s version is melamine, but they don’t seem to be currently available online or in stores right now. I wonder if they are just temporarily sold out?

Molly Hatch Toile Plate PaintingsToile Plate Paintings via Molly Hatch

TOO by BLU DOT Dinnerware Collection via Target // Dip-dyed Toile Plates
TOO by BLU DOT Dinnerware Collection via Target

Dipped Toile Dinner Plates via AnthropologieDipped Toile Dinner Plates via Anthropologie
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P.S. Even more pretty things.

Poetry & Words

November Ads/Sponsorships

Gina @ Oaxacaborn

Eyebrows the Fox - handmade toy for sale on Oaxacaborn's Etsy

Historically, this blog has always had higher-than-average views during the Christmas season. And with October’s traffic coming in as the highest of all-time (thanks to YOU!), I think the stats this holiday season are going to be the best yet.

So grab your ad spots now for November and December! : )

Poetry & Words

WRITING & WORDS :: The Miracle in the Midst of the Noise

Gina @ Oaxacaborn

Aveline reading on the couch - photo via Oaxacaborn dot com

Sometimes, it looks like this.

(Sometimes. Not today.)

It has sounded more like this, today: “Don’t put your head in the toilet.” “Why are you putting that piece of sandwich between your toes?” “Hey! Don’t eat my makeup!” “I am not a trampoline.” “Good job helping! Yay! Thank you! Wait! Was that a red dress? We’re washing whites!”

But those are just the things I’ve said.

I don’t want to drown in the sound of my own voice.

I’ve got to remember the things she’s saying, too.

I’ve got to remember the joyful shouts of “Mummy!!” whenever I reappear. The MO MOW! (more milk) and MO SEE-WOH! (more cereal) breakfast chorus. The “Oh, wow!” marvel at everything from a cookie to a piece of lint. The giggling “Ready? GO!” shrieks followed by hugs-from-a-running-start.   The “Help. Stuck!” announcement that’s she has woken up from her nap. The bouts of uncontrollable laughter. Even the endlessly dramatic “Oh, no!”, which drives me crazy sometimes.

Because, even though every day doesn’t look like that photo, every day won’t always sound like this, either.

So on days like this, I ask God to let me see the miracle in the midst of the noise. And you know what? Every time I remember to stop and ask him to see with new eyes, He always, always answers.

“You have put gladness in my heart.” -Psalm 4:7a

Monday's Pretty Things

MONDAY’S PRETTY THINGS :: Hope is the Thing with Feathers

Gina @ Oaxacaborn

Feather Table Runner by Michele VarianFeather Table Runner by Michele Varian

Story TIme print by Arian on Etsy“Story Time Print” by Arian on Etsy

Owl Portrait Pillow via Coral and Tusk as sold on Sweet William LTDOwl Portrait Pillow by Coral and Tusk as sold on Sweet William LTD

Hope print by Arian on Etsy“Hope” Print” by Arian on Etsy

Want to know a fun fact? Arian, who illustrated the two prints above, is the same artist behind Josh Garrels’ “White Owl” music video!

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P.S. Even more pretty things.

Christmas

Submit your Scandinavian Christmas Guest Post!

Gina @ Oaxacaborn

Submit your Scandinavian Christmas blog post to Oaxacaborn dot com! Illustration of Dala Horse Swedish Christmas by Aina StenbergIllustration by Aina Stenberg (1885-1975)

Just a quick reminder…don’t forget to send me your submissions for the very special Scandinavian/Nordic Christmas series coming up soon! It seems early, but this season gets busy very quickly. I know my calendar is already filling up quickly; yours too?

So, if you have a lovely round-up of wintry images to share (all properly sourced and credited, of course), photographs of your own home, Scandinavian recipes or traditions, a tutorial showing how to make an ornament or pretty giftwrap, decoration ideas — or something else I haven’t thought of — email me (oaxacaborn at gmail dot com).

Content which you’ve already published on your own blog is perfectly fine. And remember, the posts don’t have to be lengthy – a single inspiring image is excellent, as well.

Can’t wait to hear from you. :)