If you’re so inclined, hop over to facebook and take a look (and maybe like)! xo
Category: life+such
Going Away
It was just over a year ago that the Mr and I began our journey into Navy life. I’ve been thinking lately how thankful I am that his training so far has been a success, and how far along we’ve come. It’s been quite an adventure so far!
Before he left for basic training in Chicago for five months last spring, some family and my closest friends and I threw a going away party for him. I stumbled across these photos from that special day and thought I would share them, if you’d like to see…
We used red and blue glass, rope and burlap accents, and vintage photos and Navy prints to give it a festive maritime feel.
Some of the Mr’s favorite foods (Mexican market tacos, spiced rosemary cashews, and a special whiskey cocktail) made him feel extra loved.
Everyone signed a beautiful print I had found and framed (which is hanging in our bedroom), wishing him well.
One of the highlights was (of course) a fantastic photo booth by our dear friends. They even made the flag for the background by hand.
It was such a precious and memorable day. But I am so thankful that this year of separations and tough training has flown by so quickly!
Thanks for taking a look! Happy Monday. :)
Happy Fourth
I am so grateful for all those who have served to protect the freedom we have.
I’m looking forward to a lovely long weekend spent with family and friends, eating good food, lounging on a boat, and ooing and ahhing over fireworks.
Happy Fourth!
Morning Rituals
I mentioned recently that I love my mornings.
There is such a calming joy of having nothing to do when that alarm goes off, except get up and pour a cup of precious coffee. Sit down on the porch. Wake up. Be still. Pray. Read.
Birds come alive and the sun begins to peek through the marine layer. In the stillness of this time, I become rooted in who I am and what I was made for… truths that, with the everydayness of life, I inevitably forget.
Some mornings, other things may creep their way in: a hot yoga class (the only thing that relieves my computer hunchback syndrome). Or extra sleep, or work. But there is always resistance, a hesitation in my heart, because the morning quiet has become more and more precious to me.
This stillness has not come easy. Years of busyness and connectedness (thanks to my iPhone) have taken their toll, and have rewired my brain for constant activity. There is an unspoken dismissal of stillness around us, everyday. And even though I’ve been enjoying my morning ritual for over a year now, there are still days that my mind runs a mile a minute with the to-dos and musts of the day, unable to let my heart settle down and focus.
But the longer I’ve taken the time to find this stillness every day, the more natural the stillness becomes. And I’ve come to find I cannot do without it.
I believe in finding stillness and quiet mornings. Or afternoons. Or evenings, if that’s your style. Do you have daily rituals or a special time of day that restore you?
Java Tea Launch
This past weekend, we were invited to celebrate the launch of Java Tea, a brilliant tea company a few dear friends have been working tirelessly on for years. We were so honored to be invited to the launch party, which was almost single-handedly pulled off by my one of my besties, and filled to the brim with good friends, food, and fun. Here’s a peek!
Highlights: a to-die-for table of cheeses…
amazing tea-infused beer and cocktails…
some of my favorite people all in one room…
…and of course, a crazy-fun photo booth (c/o amigobooth).
We even got to take a bag of tea tins to enjoy at home.
Thank you for the good times Java Tea peeps! Be sure to check them out and buy some tea.
Convos With My Two Year Old
Have you seen this brilliant YouTube series? I wanted to share it with you to kickstart your weekend (this one is amazing too). :)
Happy Friday!
Hello Wednesday
This week seems to be flying by (thank goodness, since the Mr will only be spending weekends at home for the next month). Here’s a peek at what’s been up lately, if you’d like to see!
(Above: a little hummingbird that stopped by while I was having coffee on the back porch yesterday morning.)
A slightly stalkerish photo I snapped of a sweet couple grabbing sushi on the way to prom next door to my office (can you see her head-to-toe sequins?).
A new buddy in our office named Cliff.
A whole wheat pasta version of this recipe (another dish for one that’s easy to whip up with what’s on hand).
Mumford and Sons in concert. Absolutely epic. (The pre-game tailgate BBQ wasn’t bad either!)
Editing one of my best friend’s wedding video (four years later!). Doesn’t she look stunning?
I hope your week is full of happy moments. Thanks for taking a peek! xo
Living the San Diego Dream
A few weeks ago, I mentioned that some friends and I ran a 200 mile charity relay race with a group of kids from a school called Monarch, that serves children affected by homelessness. It was such an incredible experience, and we were excited to be able to hang out with them again last week. To congratulate them for finishing the race, they were invited to a San Diego Padres game, complete with private box seating and a walk on the field. (And we were invited to tag along!)
The kids were so excited and it was powerful to see their accomplishment honored in such a big way. Here are a few pics from the evening.
Monarch is an incredible place (they just moved to a beautiful new facility), and I would encourage anyone to support what they do! Thanks for taking a look. :)
In Full Bloom: The Jacaranda
This time of year, I am always astonished by the Jacaranda trees that explode into full bloom all around the city. And since it just might be my most favorite tree in the world, it makes me so happy that it happens to be the official tree of San Diego. Here are a few photos I took four years ago, near Balboa Park.
It makes me want to travel to Australia just for this. Wouldn’t it be stunning? The Mr and I may just have to start planning a trip. :)
Does your city have an official tree?
A Memorable Weekend
Oh three-day weekends, how lovely you are. I am still basking in the glory of it, trying to hold onto every ounce of relaxation it brought. And even though the Mr wasn’t here to enjoy it with me, I am so thankful for the service that he and thousands of other men and women, past and present, have given so that we can enjoy peace and freedom. Here are a few highlights from my weekend, which was spent with my dearest friends.
We assembled an (appropriately) all-American quilt – a belated/in-progress gift for our friend K’s birthday.
We took bikes to Coronado island and enjoyed a leisurely ride along the strand.
And finished the afternoon with an impromptu picnic by the bay, complete with watermelon, stinky cheeses (my favorite), kettle corn, and cocktails made with juice from my grapefruit tree.
I hope your weekend was as lovely and memorial as mine. :) Thanks for stopping by!
xo
AWEIGH WITH ME 