For months we have planned. Waited. Saved.
For months I have dreamed. Pictured. Hoped.
For weeks I have counted. Made changes. Made moves.
For days I have held my breath. Nervous. Anxious.
Today my life changes. Forever. For good.
Today my life changes. Just as it should.
Experiences.
Labels: Family, Me, Thoughtfulness 3 comments
My littlest brother starts college today. Which meant that my parents and other brother came down last Thursday so we could get him moved and settled in. He is attending the same school Taylor and I did, though I've been careful to say that it's his school. Which it really is, since hardly anyone would recognize my face around there anymore! We said goodbye to him on Friday, with just a few tears from my Mom, then set off to have some adventures ourselves this last weekend.
Saturday we headed over to the coast, Newport, to be specific, and spent the day trolling around the little town. We had a fantastic lunch at the Chowder Bowl, we toured a light house, we grabbed some coffee and listened to the sea lions, we explored a stinky bookshop and got sandblasted by the wind on the beach. We even stopped and had a fantastic Salvadorian dinner, where Taylor experienced his first papoosa.
Sunday, we got up and headed north to Mt. Hood. We started up at the historic (Shining starring) Timberline lodge where we had a ridiculously delicious Farmer's Market buffet, before riding the chairlift (Taylor's first ever!) up the ski hill where there were people STILL skiing! In August! Blew my mind. We stopped off in the gift shop to load up on the essentials: commemorative magnets (it's a family thing) and Huckleberry licorice. We piled into the car and headed 'round the mountain to Hood River for a little wine tasting at Mt. Hood Winery, where my brother's GF fell in love with the dessert wine. After wine tasting, we headed back into Portland to go to church, meet up with my in-laws and celebrate Breakfast All Day.
It was a truly fantastic weekend. I had a good time with my parents. I had a good time with my brother (and Meagan!). And I had a great time with Taylor. Sometimes big life changes can be crazy stressful, and this transition (my brother to college and parents with an empty nest) will surely be difficult for my parents, but it was so great to send him off with love and joy, trusting that God is going to guide his path. And then to celebrate the great work of my parents in raising three pretty great kids- if I do say so myself- was a fantastic way to start off the transition. We kind of joked about the fact that we were making lifelong memories this weekend, but it really was true. I'm so grateful for an awesome family who knows how to have fun, explore our surroundings and eat well. :)
What I been eatin'.
Labels: Cooking, Food, Me 2 comments
1. Giant Bruschetta (CSA tomatoes, S&P, Olive Oil, Ken's Artisan Bakery Bread, fresh mozarella and garden grown basil).
2. Cupcake Moscato. YUM!
3. Bruschettas.
4. My Make Veggies Yummy Gratin.
5. Veggie Gratin- date night meal.
6. The most delicious pasta I've ever eaten.
We've been eating pretty good around these parts lately, thanks in part to our friends who oh-so-generously keep giving us their CSA goodies every week. I don't think they quite understand how excited I can get about a bag full of vegetables. The goods produced some of the most delicious and GIANT bruschetta I've ever had in my life. I may or may not (MAY) have eaten four pieces for lunch right after making them.
I also (finally) got around to using some of the multitudes of summer squash and zucchini that has come in the basket the last two weeks. I'm not a huge cooked vegetable person, especially when they end up a little slimy, so I decided that masking the sqaush with some stronger flavors- cheese and potatoes- was probably a good idea. Here's my recipe:
Make Veggies Yummy Gratin
inspired by the Barefoot Contessa
Ingredients
1 Yellow Summer Squash
1 Zucchini
1 large Yukon Gold Potato
Olive Oil
Salt
Pepper
Parmesan Cheese
Chicken Sausage (I recommend this brand, it's AMAZING)
Thyme (to taste)
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Slice up the squash, zucchini and potato into thin discs. Put slices in a bowl or pan, drizzle with olive oil, add thyme, salt and pepper, and mix with hands to coat evenly. Arrange in gratin (or baking) dish according to your aesthetic pleasure or OCD tendencies. Slice chicken sausage into discs and place throughout veggies. Coat evenly with parmesan. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until cheese is slightly browned and crispy. You want to make sure the potatoes are cooked through but the rest of the veggies aren't too mushy. Enjoy! :)
In other news, I ordered a used Canon from Amazon today so the photos around here should improve dramatically. However, the posting frequency may not increase as I start school NEXT WEEK! I can't believe it's finally here!
What's new with you?
Shoe Sale!
Labels: Clothes, Fashion, Shoes, Shopping 2 comments
UPDATE:
Boots: SOLD.
Loafers: SOLD.
Juliet Pumps: SOLD.
All shoes in great condition. Email me with questions or offers! Shipping is an additional $5 ($10 international). Happy shoe shopping! :)
In the in-betweens.
Labels: Me, Thoughtfulness 5 comments
You know what I've been thinking about lately? Semi-related to my desire to shut myself up in a book, get absorbed in a movie or float away into a TV show. How art imitates life, and life imitates art. You may be thinking, "um, duh." But let me explain.
So many movies are made, books are written, songs are composed, paintings are painted, to express, to capture what life is like. More often than not what specific emotions, experiences, circumstances are like. To show truth, beauty, passion, courage, love, sacrifice. To show off the best of our human natures, and also the worst. So often, a movie is a real "zooming-in" on a specific experience. A war movie zooms in on the courage or horror that a solider experiences. A romantic comedy zooms in on the process of falling in love. Hardly ever does a movie, book, etc. capture an entire lifetime. An entire span of human experiences, personal growth and changes, is not only hard to contain, but can even be considered "boring."
Because the truth is...so much of life is the in-betweens.
And it's really been driving me nuts lately how the art we've created to express what our lives/emotions/experiences are like- the art that can only capture a moment, a feeling or an experience- has suddenly flipped into the standard for what our lives are supposed to be like. Especially with relationships.
Because of love scenes in books/movies, I had a pretty distorted expectation for marriage. I thought my wedding day was supposed to be the most glorious day of my life, that our honeymoon would be pure bliss and that married life would be hard, sure, but I didn't realize just how much work it would be on an everyday basis. And I know I'm not alone. Romantic comedies tend to lead up to a big, glorious wedding or moving into together, and end with a happily ever after once "I do's" are said. They cover events such as weddings, proposals, childbirth with a perfect, glossy, warm-fuzzy perspective most of the time.
They don't talk about the ebbing and flowing, the going from a burning romance to a warm, glowy love, through the hard times and back again. They can't represent the sweet satisfaction gained from little every day victories, the trust that you work so hard for and moments when that courtship flame reignites for just a short while. They also don't talk about the occasional loneliness, resentment, doubt and anger that pop up in that happily ever after you signed up for. They can't explain that life, while periodically thrilling and exciting, is mostly lived in the in-betweeens. In the everydays. Not in the short, powerful moments, but in the long, routine hours that make up most of our lives.
And that the trick isn't waiting for and holding on to those fleeting moments that come every now and then, but learning to appreciate and enjoy the "big picture" of things.
I say all of this with a disclaimer: I've always had a hard time with this. Despite my tendency to have a hard time living in those moments when they come, I tend to look back (or forward) and romanticize life events. I looked forward to our wedding for so long, and though it was perfect and we had a great time, it didn't live up to the hype I had set up for it. It's taken me almost three years to process the real meaning of that day and the truth that it was really just an orientation to our married life.
Knowing this about myself, and being in a transition period currently, I'm trying so hard to stop my brain from jumping ahead, daydreaming about yielding very large knives, and focus on the beauty of my everyday life. Of my 50 minute commute, of my lunch getting to know new co-workers, of my soon-to-be-non-existent weeknight evenings with friends and my husband.
I'm trying to remember that my life is good, in the good moments and in the bad, but especially in the in-betweens.
So many movies are made, books are written, songs are composed, paintings are painted, to express, to capture what life is like. More often than not what specific emotions, experiences, circumstances are like. To show truth, beauty, passion, courage, love, sacrifice. To show off the best of our human natures, and also the worst. So often, a movie is a real "zooming-in" on a specific experience. A war movie zooms in on the courage or horror that a solider experiences. A romantic comedy zooms in on the process of falling in love. Hardly ever does a movie, book, etc. capture an entire lifetime. An entire span of human experiences, personal growth and changes, is not only hard to contain, but can even be considered "boring."
Because the truth is...so much of life is the in-betweens.
And it's really been driving me nuts lately how the art we've created to express what our lives/emotions/experiences are like- the art that can only capture a moment, a feeling or an experience- has suddenly flipped into the standard for what our lives are supposed to be like. Especially with relationships.
Because of love scenes in books/movies, I had a pretty distorted expectation for marriage. I thought my wedding day was supposed to be the most glorious day of my life, that our honeymoon would be pure bliss and that married life would be hard, sure, but I didn't realize just how much work it would be on an everyday basis. And I know I'm not alone. Romantic comedies tend to lead up to a big, glorious wedding or moving into together, and end with a happily ever after once "I do's" are said. They cover events such as weddings, proposals, childbirth with a perfect, glossy, warm-fuzzy perspective most of the time.
They don't talk about the ebbing and flowing, the going from a burning romance to a warm, glowy love, through the hard times and back again. They can't represent the sweet satisfaction gained from little every day victories, the trust that you work so hard for and moments when that courtship flame reignites for just a short while. They also don't talk about the occasional loneliness, resentment, doubt and anger that pop up in that happily ever after you signed up for. They can't explain that life, while periodically thrilling and exciting, is mostly lived in the in-betweeens. In the everydays. Not in the short, powerful moments, but in the long, routine hours that make up most of our lives.
And that the trick isn't waiting for and holding on to those fleeting moments that come every now and then, but learning to appreciate and enjoy the "big picture" of things.
I say all of this with a disclaimer: I've always had a hard time with this. Despite my tendency to have a hard time living in those moments when they come, I tend to look back (or forward) and romanticize life events. I looked forward to our wedding for so long, and though it was perfect and we had a great time, it didn't live up to the hype I had set up for it. It's taken me almost three years to process the real meaning of that day and the truth that it was really just an orientation to our married life.
Knowing this about myself, and being in a transition period currently, I'm trying so hard to stop my brain from jumping ahead, daydreaming about yielding very large knives, and focus on the beauty of my everyday life. Of my 50 minute commute, of my lunch getting to know new co-workers, of my soon-to-be-non-existent weeknight evenings with friends and my husband.
I'm trying to remember that my life is good, in the good moments and in the bad, but especially in the in-betweens.
Cleaning out my closet.
Labels: Clothes, Me, Shopping 2 comments
1. Anthropologie (Moulinette Soeurs) Behind the Clouds Dress, Teal, Size 4, $65. SOLD
2. Anthropologie (Odille) Gaslight Blouse, Pink Stripe, Size 4, $35.
3. Anthropologie (Lil) Boucle Cape, Cream, Small, $50. SOLD
4. Nordstrom (Tulle) Pea Coat, Deep Red, Medium, $35. SOLD
5. Emersonmade "The Stripe," Small, $35. SALE PENDING
6. Anthropologie (Three Dots) Buoyant Bunches Cardi, Small, $30. SOLD
7. Anthropologie Flower Pin, Pink, $10.
8. Anthropologie Flower Pin, White, $10.
9. Anthropologie Earrings, $15.
10. Anthropologie (Odille) Button Sampler Skirt, Navy, Size 6, $20.
11. GAP Perfect Trouser, Black, 6 Tall, $35.
12. GAP Perfect Trouser, Khaki, 6 Tall, $35.
13. J.Crew Jackie Cardigan, Aqua, Small, $25. SOLD
14. J.Crew Jackie Cardigan, Coral, Small, $25. SOLD
15. Anthropologie (We Love Vera) Stars & Stripes Skirt, Size 6, $30.
It's that time again, closet sale! I know I said a while ago that I was going to quit doing these, but I did another purge last week and realized there's still a lot of nice stuff that hasn't been worn in a long, long time. So...have at it! I've listed prices, but I will consider offers as well. As usual, shipping is $5 on top of the listed price ($10 for international). Email me with any questions or to claim items and I'll PayPal you an invoice. Happy Shopping! :)
Lazy.
Labels: Me, Thoughtfulness 3 comments
Despite the fact that life is now different.
That circumstances have changed.
That I'm surrounded by new things, new people; I'm living a new schedule.
Despite the fact that there has been so much change.
I'm still me.
There are so many things I want to change.
So many ways I want to grow.
So many things I want to leave behind,
and so many things I want to add to who I am.
And despite all these new surroundings,
which you'd think would allow for more room for growth,
I've found myself retreating inside, reverting to thoughts, feelings and actions
that are safe and comfortable. And not in a good way.
Almost forgetting the things I've been working towards for so long.
One of the things I've struggled with the most in my life, and especially my faith, is the fact
that life is a journey often made up of two steps forward, one step back.
It's a journey that often feels like it's going around and around in a circle.
It's a journey that takes a lifetime, this journey of life, and it's rare to beat something,
a personal flaw or struggle, without having it rear it's ugly head again at some point.
Things are new. Things are changing. And as long and as much as I've wanted this,
It's been a little scary.
I'm a little bit uncomfortable meeting new people.
I'm a little bit uncomfortable not knowing entirely what I'm doing.
And I'm a little bit uncomfortable with the ways I deal with my discomfort.
In the last couple weeks, I've found myself feeling insecure,
feeling the strong urge to retreat inside myself, to distract myself with things I can't afford-
clothes, books, movies and other things that take my mind off my discomfort.
And after listening to a great message at church last night,
I realized that it's laziness bringing on these reactions.
God has set up these new opportunities and deep down, I'm afraid I won't take advantage of them.
And as the speaker explained last night, being afraid that we can't do something and acting out of that fear,
is a form of laziness. It's being too lazy to do the hard work of trusting that God orchestrated this plan for
me and it's being too lazy to live in that discomfort and work through it.
So, I don't really know what it looks like, but I'm trying this week to fight that instinct,
stave off those distractions, deal with the discomfort of new and different, and trust that
God will see me through this path He's opened up for me.
That circumstances have changed.
That I'm surrounded by new things, new people; I'm living a new schedule.
Despite the fact that there has been so much change.
I'm still me.
There are so many things I want to change.
So many ways I want to grow.
So many things I want to leave behind,
and so many things I want to add to who I am.
And despite all these new surroundings,
which you'd think would allow for more room for growth,
I've found myself retreating inside, reverting to thoughts, feelings and actions
that are safe and comfortable. And not in a good way.
Almost forgetting the things I've been working towards for so long.
One of the things I've struggled with the most in my life, and especially my faith, is the fact
that life is a journey often made up of two steps forward, one step back.
It's a journey that often feels like it's going around and around in a circle.
It's a journey that takes a lifetime, this journey of life, and it's rare to beat something,
a personal flaw or struggle, without having it rear it's ugly head again at some point.
Things are new. Things are changing. And as long and as much as I've wanted this,
It's been a little scary.
I'm a little bit uncomfortable meeting new people.
I'm a little bit uncomfortable not knowing entirely what I'm doing.
And I'm a little bit uncomfortable with the ways I deal with my discomfort.
In the last couple weeks, I've found myself feeling insecure,
feeling the strong urge to retreat inside myself, to distract myself with things I can't afford-
clothes, books, movies and other things that take my mind off my discomfort.
And after listening to a great message at church last night,
I realized that it's laziness bringing on these reactions.
God has set up these new opportunities and deep down, I'm afraid I won't take advantage of them.
And as the speaker explained last night, being afraid that we can't do something and acting out of that fear,
is a form of laziness. It's being too lazy to do the hard work of trusting that God orchestrated this plan for
me and it's being too lazy to live in that discomfort and work through it.
So, I don't really know what it looks like, but I'm trying this week to fight that instinct,
stave off those distractions, deal with the discomfort of new and different, and trust that
God will see me through this path He's opened up for me.
Recently.
Labels: Cooking, Family, Food, Friends, Holidays, Me, The Lake 2 comments
Recently I've...
Journeyed to Priest Lake and back.
Had our family annual Elkins breakfast.
Consorted with pirates.
Baked peach blueberry crumble.
Received a Harry Potter snuggie for my 25th birthday (among many other generous gifts).
Made Butterbeer with my brother and his GF.
Watched my 50-years-young mother tear up the water.
Helped make the most delicious porkchops ever.
I've also...
Started a new job.
Met new people.
Acclimated to a new schedule.
And had a fantastic birthday dinner/flame throwing event with my friends and family.
What's new with you people?
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