Hot Chocolate and Daises

One of my most vivid childhood memories is sitting in my great-great aunt’s house in France, a bowl of sugar cubes on the table in front of me, while she poured hot chocolate—freshly made on the stove—into my mug. I’m sure it’s the French in me that’s always cherished starting the day with chocolate. All these years later, hot chocolate made on the stove has become a morning tradition in my home. It’s a little glimpse of my childhood with each new day.

When I was a teenager, I set out to learn a piano piece called Field of Daisies. It was a real challenge, and my frustration grew as the afternoon wore on without much progress. Needing a break, I stepped outside and spotted a patch of daisies. I quickly grabbed a vase, picked a few, and set them on the piano. As I stared at those simple blooms and tried the song again, something shifted—and just like that, I made a breakthrough.

Maybe I’m reading too much into these memories, but to me, they speak volumes: the smallest, quietest moments can hold the most beauty. A subtle, unassuming experience can become a fundamental part of who you are or what you love. These memories remind me to move slowly, to savor the small things as I pass on the traditions I love to my own daughters. It’s that same spirit of intention and appreciation for the little things that inspire everything we create at The Painted Press.