the summit

oh how good it feels to have lunch with one of my favorite people
while being served by my favorite.

a feast

+ dry smoked barbecue ribs
+ homemade coleslaw & cornbread with honey butter
+ a long, windy walk
+ jambalaya
+ root beer floats
+ two movies
+ shredded beef taco & enchilada
+ arugula salad with pine nuts, gorgonzola & granny smith apple
+ an hour spring forward
+ waffles made from scratch & fresh strawberries
+ air popped popcorn with butter
+ lots of breathing space

she and i

she and her kitty slept while i rode my little heart out on the spin bike.

more.

more snow.
those lovely peeks of tulips and crocus.
no more. they're covered in snow.

finally

running down by the river again
and feeling spring creeping towards its glorious day of celebration.
the clouds were big and billowy and the sun so, so warm.
i'm eagerly awaiting that magical day.

his day

part of his present was a night away, a soak in the hot pools and an amazing thai dinner. we also celebrated with banana cream, lemon cream and dark chocolate tarts from this scrump-dilly-ious bakery. i think some of the best treats i've ever had.

happy, happy my mister!

the best things

watching

it was all about escaping the snow and cold temperatures. it was about sunshine, blue sky, swimsuits and the greenest landscape we'd seen in months. but mostly, it was about whale watching for my first time. this i know: i love the ocean. i love swimming with all those colorful fish and especially the sea turtles who embody the word grace. but what i didn't know, is that i would fall in love with the whales. those beautiful humpback mama's and babies and male suitors. just the exhilaration and anticipation of seeing them spouting, breaching, pec/tail slapping and sky hopping was amazing. i could not keep my eyes off the water.

the beach

we're practically professionals at laying around, snorkeling, boogie
boarding and building sand castles. i really needed this.

village trails

we've done a lot of laying around here balanced with a daily rigorous morning hike. a steep climb with stunning views and a hidden lake at the top. an adventure brimming with snails, singing birds, colorful flowers, innumerable beautiful monarch butterflies, ducks, fish and the greenest landscape. invigorating.

the gazebo

to start our stay...banana macadamia nut pancakes with coconut syrup and whipped cream, fresh squeezed pog (pineapple, orange, guava) and big kahuna omelets...all served in a tiny grass shack with an amazing view of the bay. mostly, looking at the color of the sky and the water and feeling the warmth of the sun that first morning is something i won't forgot. not ever.

exactly

five days and anxiously counting.

new years day

its become tradition.

good cheer

in this home.
we dined.
under this amazing light.
toasting the new year!
with beautiful friends.

a heartfelt thank you for the memories
and lovely friendship i share with each of you.
what a year it has been.
cheers!

merry

merry christmas to all and to all a good night.

i awoke this morning
with devout thanksgiving
for my friends, the old and new.
ralph waldo emerson

thankful

i am thankful for a bounty of goodness.
i am thankful for each day with the love of my life and our sweet little one.
i am thankful for our beautiful families and our individual and collective journeys.
i am thankful for the warmth and kindness of friends.
i am thankful for the place we call home.
i am thankful for possibility, creativity and endless dreams.
i am thankful for pumpkin pie and the farmers who provide food for our table.

i am thankful for you.
love and warm wishes this cold, cold night.

feeling a little restless lately.

anyone dreaming of far away places?

free

inspired by this beautiful friend to let go.