This past Valentine’s Day was life-changing.
At 1:30 a.m. on Saturday morning David and I welcomed our son Augustine Krupinski Downs into the world. Born six days after his due date, we were thrilled that the anticipation of meeting this little man was finally over. Here’s the story of how he came to be a Valentine’s babe. Continue reading
We have some big, exciting, huge news here at the Pierogi Picnic family. We’re expecting! A little human to be exact! David and I broke the official news to friends and family last week – and we couldn’t be more enthused at the prospect of growing and grooming a little person.
With the coming of the little man/gal we’ll experience a dramatic shift in lifestyle as we add baby to our daily activities and endeavors. So what does that mean for Pierogi Picnic?
Pierogi Picnic has blossomed and evolved in incredible ways since I launched my handmade business in the fall of 2008. Since then I have grown as a person, creator and business owner in ways I could have never imagined. And that will continue as we anticipate the arrival of our bundle of joy.
The little human will make their debut in February of 2015 and we’ve already begun planning. For Pierogi Picnic that will mean some ebbs and flows in product creation between now and the winter. Instead of pushing my already limited energy reserves on custom orders, I’ll be focusing on hawking items that I’ve already created, as well as vintage pieces. There will definitely be some sewing going on here and there – but much of my productivity will depend on how my body is feeling. David and I have chosen to take as easy-going an approach to the pregnancy as possible, so keeping deadlines and mad-crunches at the machine at bay will be key.
So starting this weekend, you’ll find that the “Custom Made” category of the Pierogi Picnic Etsy shop offline. Is this a permanent shift? Absolutely not! Being able to create tailored clothing for people of all shapes and sizes is key to what I do! So come Spring 2015 expect lots of new design choices within the made to order category. But for now, as my body settles into baby growing and all the fun adventures that go with it, I’ll be sticking to ready-made orders only.
So excited as we enter this new chapter of our lives! And who knows – maybe a Mini Pierogi Picnic line is in the not-so-distant future!
When it was announced that my baby brother was getting hitched – I could barely contain my excitement! Not only was I a mega-fan of the bride to-be, I also knew that this wedding would be different. Between the creativity imparted on Phil by our family, and the uber-crafty cunning of Katie, I had no doubt that this would be a DIY wedding to remember!
The Plan:
First things first, the bride made her own handy-dandy wedding planner in which she would list all the elements that would need to come together for this rustic, meets shabby chic, affair. Delegating out tasks across the familial pool, we each had an important part to play. The Krupinski side of the family was in charge of flowers, bridal party accessories, favors, and a portion of the food and centerpieces.
By inviting family and friends to take the lead in the preparations for their special day, Katie and Philip ensured that their wedding would hold sentiment for them, and all the guests who attended.
Wedding Favors: With a little elbow grease and some heavy duty diamond tip blades, my father made over eighty drinking glasses for the guests using old soda bottles. Talk about being green! Each one was then scripted with the event date and initials of the bride and groom making them an elegant and functional wedding favor.
Centerpiece Stands: My brother and dad also gathered used wooden candlesticks and wood from a recently fallen tree trunk, and assembled the most ingenious centerpiece bases (which I plan to steal for use in my own home – shhhhh). White washing each candlestick and gluing the top to a cross-cut of the tree trunk, these homemade cake stands were used for elevating the light and whimsical baby’s breath table bouquets.
Needing a breath of fresh air and a temporary escape from city living – my hub and I embarked on a one week adventure to Appalachia.
Spending several days in the Pisgah National Forest in a beautifully renovated antique cabin at Brown Mountain Beach Resort, we enjoyed leisurely hikes, canoeing and fresh locally made foods. The couple who recently acquired the stretch of historical cabins imparted their enthusiasm for all things green and homegrown. Not only is this treasure of a resort striving for true sustainability, both financially and ecologically, they’re also pet-friendly. Talk about hitting up the right demographic! David and I will be sure to swing through again in the future with our mini goblins in tow.
After a few days of R&R in the park, we embarked on a visit to Asheville, the self-proclaimed “foodtopia” of the East. With a penchant for the arts and slow processes, both with foods and products, this tiny city nestled in the smoky mountains was refreshingly low key. With live folk music pouring from the bars, an abundance of local handmade crafts, direct-from-farmer restaurants and a thriving arts scene, this town of 50,000 was a pleasant surprise. We enjoyed gallery hopping in the River Arts District and leisurely strolls between the many boutiques. A true gem with much more to be discovered – I foresee us swinging through Asheville again in the near future – to do some more in depth exploring.
Is there a close vacation destination near your home that offers sustainable and local foods? If so – share your suggestions for regional trips in the comments! We’d love to know where you go to escape!
Last Monday my family and I took a day trip to Michigan to do what Polish people do best – forage for mushrooms. An autumn tradition, I hadn’t gone with my parents in over a decade, so the time had finally come. Continue reading
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