{me again}

High desert sun, cold sharp breeze, winter brown grasses and summer blue sky; 

Harsh smell of spring on brightly chilled air, pounding of heart, wind on hair;

I run.

Limping gait, rippling lake, lagging dog, dragging my mind from fog; push past pain. 

Gasp, dry rasp, parched throat, burning arms, chilled legs, shed coat;

I spread my sun-starved bare soul.

Slow gained speed, aching knees, heart breaks free,

           I’m almost me again.

Poetry and photography by me

For the love of {icy blue}

Normally in the winter I am all about bright, warm hues to bring life and heat back into the cold, dreary world. I crave bold colors and rich textures and warmth. But sometimes you just have to embrace the cold and take your inspiration from what's going on outside you. Find your hues in the snow and ice and pale wintry skies. I'm majorly inspired by this icy blue, aren't you?

Images via: nordstrom, photowall, the chic department, you broke the internet, blue eyed boutique

Amsterdam {take three}

One more quick (or not) post about my recent adventures in Europe!

I spent one day biking around the canals in Groningen, which is a University town north of Amsterdam. Pretty much every one bikes in the Netherlands. I absolutely loved it! 

This is the University, it's over 500 years old. It was so pretty! Also - see all those bikes in the distance?!

The rest of the my days were spent either working, schmoozing, or wandering around Amsterdam. 

House boats on a canal in Amsterdam.

This house had an entire garden growing up it's face! 

The Blomenmarkt!

Another beautiful church. 

Dad and I in a giant wooden shoe! 

We spent one day doing WWII things - we went to a memorial/graveyard and then went to visit the John Frost bridge.  

I could seriously post photos of canals all day long. I absolutely loved them!

See?

I had one great day wandering around the Rijksmuseum. I got to see a lot of Rembrandt and Van Gogh.

Canals. Can't help myself.

So anyway! That was my trip in a 3-post nutshell!

And now back to our regularly scheduled programming...

Paris {take one}

I want to show you all of my pictures! But that really won't do, there are so many!

We arrived in Paris in the morning, and after a quick bite to eat we rushed off to see as many sites as we could!

 Church near our hotel. There were seriously gorgeous buildings everywhere!

 Notre Dame Cathedral was really impressive. Touring churches may be one of my very favorite activities in Europe.

 Dad napping at a cafe. I swear to you this man can sleep anywhere!

 We walked along the Seine and checked out the oldest bridge in Paris.

 Dad and I outside the Louvre. Thanks random stranger for the pic!

 Love the juxtaposition of old and new!

The one day we left our umbrellas in the hotel room was the only day it rained! We huddled under some trees for a while but then just kept trekking on. 

After darting in and out of shops along the Champ de Elysee (famous shopping, but we didn't buy anything, too pricey!) we ate dinner and went to visit the Arc de Triomphe. We climbed the stairs all the way to the top for the most phenomenal view of the city and the Eiffel Tower!

The views were seriously breathtaking. 

 The next day we returned to the Louvre. Here's the Venus di Milo.

 There was some seriously impressive Babylonian stuff. Pretty much everything was impressive, actually! We only managed to see about 1/3 of the museum, it was sooo big!

 One of my favorites, Cupid and Psyche.

 That night we went up the Eiffel Tower! We climbed stairs up the first two floors. Oof. We were climbing with a cute French couple who were all dolled up, the girl was climbing the stairs in 4 inch heels! At the top I watched them get engaged! So cute!

The next day we took the train out to visit Versailles!

 I never thought I'd see too much gold in my life, but I may have to admit it was a little...gaudy.

 This hall wasn't gold!

 Just a fancy ceiling or two...or twenty.

 Dad and I in the Hall of Mirrors.

 I believe this was Marie Antoinette's bedroom. 

 My favorite part was actually the musical gardens. There was classical music playing throughout the acres and acres of lovely hedges and grass and flowers and pools. So beautiful!

 There were lots of mazes for romantic seductions and political intrigues. I mean, I'm sure that's what they were for, right?

Fountains galore that splashed in time to the music!

And just a simple carriage house that I fell in love with. 

We rushed back from Versailles (and almost missed our train!) and were on our way to Brussels!

But I think I'll save that story for another day. Photo overload, much?

Have a fabulous weekend!

Happy {first of fall} Weekend!

Fall is officially beginning this weekend, and I am caught up in my typical excitement over the changing seasons. I think Fall may be my very favorite season of all! (I think I say that about every season, but who's counting!)

I want to take full advantage of the crunchy leaves, brown boots, scarves and sweaters, and hot hot coffee.

I want to go apple-picking and do loads of baking and get more excited than usual about Halloween costumes. I want to craft and sew and spend the mornings under quilts and the afternoons with the sun warming my body. 

I want pumpkins and gourds and mums to surround my house like a protecting army of orange. I want to drink cider and eat pumpkin seeds til I'm thoroughly sick and ready for winter. 

What is your favorite season? What are you most excited to do this Fall?

Images via: free people, maya made, favim, social survival

Happy Monday!

It's Monday again. Also, it's snowing. Again.
I had my interview at the pregnancy center on Friday afternoon. Now to sit back and wait ;)

This weekend we went to our small group Bible study on Friday, and on Saturday I tried acupuncture for the first time! It was actually really interesting and I think I'll probably go back! We also went to see "42" with some friends. What an incredible story!
On Sunday we had church, fertilized the lawn, trimmed some branches, and had a birthday dinner for my grandpapa.
That's about all that's new with me. It's going to be a day of hiding from the cold, folding laundry, and possibly sweeping the floors (my very least favorite chore!).
Hope you had a great weekend! 

Happy {be} Weekend!

Be brave. Be kind.

How perfectly short, sweet, and inspiring. 

Have a great weekend!