Friday, May 31, 2013

Tomorrow is summer!

Technically, no. Summer doesn't officially start until June 21st, but why in the world should we wait that long to jump into such a happy, fun season?

We should not, and we will not!

But first, in order to give spring a proper send-off, let's have a display of handsome husbands - one husband, actually, and more specifically, mine :) - and beautiful flowers. And maybe a glimpse or two of the clouds and sky, just for good measure.

Friday, May 24, 2013

Halcyon and Hilary go on a hike

Maple the puppy was with us, too, but her name is struck from the title because it's not alliterative enough :)

We tackled Rattlesnake Ridge this morning, which was terrific fun, and if we know what's good for us, we'll do it again soon!

The Pacific Northwest gets the stink eye because of all the rain, but when it equals so much green, I'll take it.
I'd like to go again on a sunnier day when we'll be able to see for miles, but the fog and the mist were awfully enchanting. Not a shabby way at all to kick off Memorial Day weekend!

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

15 + (37 x 2)

May is a month of serious numbers around here!

On the 9th we celebrated our 15th anniversary. I'll spare you the mushy details (except to say that we're so thankful to spend another milestone together) but I will share a picture of the (handsome!) husband of my youth on our 15-year sushi date:
(And if all goes according to plan, we'll be eating sushi next year at the Tsukiji Market in the middle of Tokyo on our belated anniversary trip!) 

And now, about our birthdays: I hit 37 on the 18th, and Jan Michael followed just yesterday. 

This year I decided I wanted to hit the ground running on the 17th (treat every day like it's your birthday, I say!), and so my birthday eve began with Lori and Tonya on a coffee date. They bought me a latte and gave me beautiful handmade cards (card-making wonders, those two) and Tonya made me a sign to hang in our Seabrook bedroom, which made me cry ('You're such a girl!' said Jan Michael with a smile).
I went directly from coffee to lunch with Jan Michael (at Taco Time. So fancy, I know. But I have a thing for fish tacos and refillable Coke Zero.) And later, because I'd also decided I wanted to do something fun when the clock struck midnight on the 18th (don't waste a second on your birthday, I say!), we had a late-night donut party with Steve, Lori and Karissa at a 24-hour bakery across the valley. 
Apple fritters and bacon maple bars are a fantastic way to begin another year, but even more than that, I love the memories we made. Friends that are willing to hop on board with this kind of silliness are priceless!

And then yesterday Jan Michael was the star! He would be perfectly content to let his birthday slip away quietly without any fuss, but he's married to me, so that's out of the question. 
Earlier I said no mush, but I can't help it! His smiles light up my heart :)
And oh, his poor cake. I meant it to be much more grandiose than this, but sometimes what I see in my mind doesn't quite translate into real life. It tasted just like a birthday cake should, though, so it wasn't a complete flop :)

Now, if you have a birthday coming up, your mission is to celebrate! Find something, big or little, that makes you smile and reminds you of what you have to be thankful about, and do it! That's an order!

So mayst thou live, dear! many years,
In all the bliss that life endears,...
~Thomas Hood, "To My Daughter, On Her Birthday"

Sunday, May 19, 2013

With my head in the clouds

I've spent a good chunk of the month wandering around with the camera pointed up; the sky is like a magnet to my eyes and I can't resist the pull! It's a wonder I haven't ended up in a ditch or something, what with not bothering to pay attention to where I'm putting my feet :) 

And here's a sweet P.S. from our day with Todd, Jenny, A & B at the end of April, all courtesy of Jenny:
Oh, this makes me laugh! I love that we don't need words to know what A thought of of a grown-up messing around on the toys :)

Each time we're together, it becomes clearer and clearer that Miss B and I are cut from the same cloth. I smile just thinking about her!

And this is why it's a good idea to hold tight to some of your favorite things from when you were small :)

Friday, May 03, 2013

April send-off

 Do you know what makes a really lovely end to April? Merry-go-rounds and jungle gyms and creeks that beg to be explored and two darling little people who jump up and down when they hear that roasted cauliflower is on the menu for dinner. Todd, Jenny, A and B, please come back soon!!