Miscellany by Marsha Ess

May I be completely honest? I never expected to find myself in Grand Rapids, Michigan…ever. As a travel destination, it simply didn’t appear on my radar. On the rare occasion when the city might have crossed my mind, I envisioned a small, staid Midwestern town, nothing at all like the vibrant metropolises I’d come to know in New York or Seattle or Chicago. But when I learned I’d be traveling to…

A breezy recap of the month that was: I share my current obsessions, future plans, and other snapshots from a life well-lived. Life has been lifing, you know? Every day, some new news in the news leaves me shaking my head and more concerned than ever for our collective future. Under circumstances like these, writing lighthearted, positive content is challenging to say the least. Thankfully,…

In my mind, “soft” living is mostly about a feeling: calmness, intention, and a focus on cultivating beautiful spaces that evoke a sense of rest.  And if that’s the case, my life is anything but soft. My life is, instead, marked by hustle and hurry; my home, by more clutter than I’d like. And I’d love nothing more than to find more balance and lightness and inject my days with slow, restful…

The first time I remember having any interest in preparing a food garden was around five years ago, as the world began shutting down in response to the rapid spread of a new, highly transmissible virus we’d come to know as COVID-19. During that first year, families turned to home gardening as a stress reliever and as a way to increase their access to food at a time when popping out to the grocery…

A breezy recap of the month that was: I share my current obsessions, future plans, and other snapshots from a life well-lived. While February may not have been the best month ever, it was a decided improvement over its predecessor. We had our first 50-degree days of the year here in Central New Jersey (with sunshine as a bonus—huzzah!), I finally got my hands on a highly anticipated book from my…

Can you feel that? That delicious sensation marked by lengthening daylight, warming temperatures, and the first glimpses of budding trees? It’s winter’s last gasp. Continue reading Looking Ahead to Spring

If you’re anything like me, you probably like to keep a l’il “somethin’-somethin’” stashed at home to satisfy a persistent sweet tooth. Continue reading What I’m Making Now: Lemon Rosemary Shortbread

Lately, as I’ve alluded to in a few earlier posts, I’ve been feeling drawn toward fully embracing a creative life in which making art is one of its key elements. Not knowing exactly where to begin, I started my journey by scouring the web for opportunities in creative expression. It wasn’t too long before I discovered that Princeton Art Museum, right here in nearby Princeton, New Jersey, offers…

Yes, it’s a belly shot, but then I look at the smile on my face and all I see is pure joy. Happy to be where I am and who I am right now. Continue reading Taking Risks, Finding Joy

After the longest January, I'm back with another monthly recap! Highlights: learning to make focaccia (it's so simple!) and launching a new look for the blog. Enjoy!

A breezy recap of the month that was: I share my current obsessions, future plans, and other snapshots from a life well-lived. Oh, lawd, I’ve fallen off, haven’t I? Continue reading For the Record: January 2025

A breezy recap of the month that was: I share my current obsessions, future plans, and other snapshots from a life well-lived. Happy New Year! Y’all, I can’t believe that I haven’t posted since the beginning of December. It was a busy month as we prepared for the Christmas holiday: decorating, cooking, and all of the things. What a whirlwind! But as usual, before we move forward into the new…

It’s that time of year for Spotify Wrapped and YouTube Music Recaps to begin making the rounds on social media. Continue reading My Year In Music

A breezy recap of the month that was: I share my current obsessions, future plans, and other snapshots from a life well-lived. Why has it felt like November’s been seven months long?  Continue reading For the Record: November 2024

Because this year’s family Thanksgiving celebration was a bit unconventional–we gathered for the traditional meal on Wednesday instead of Thursday–it’s been such a treat to spend the holiday reflecting instead of stressing about getting dinner on the table. I’m still so grateful for this little corner of the internet, this platform that allows me to share my experiences and insights, and for…

If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I truly enjoy appreciating great architecture. In fact, during my recent travels, I’ve been prioritizing visits to architectural sites. From the gorgeous Brutalist angles of the University of California San Diego’s Geisel Library to the expansive Prairie style of the Frederick Robie House in Chicago, I’m always going to be on the lookout…

Over the past week, we’ve been treated to a few truly stunning sunrises here in Central New Jersey. At the merest whisper of dawn, a pink tinge begins a slow, silent spread across the landscape, sunlight glowing more and more brightly until morning officially begins. And that’s how I’ve been feeling over the past few days. A beautiful clarity has descended of late and with it, the re-emergence…