Morning, v.4

I received the new issue of Kinfolk on Wednesday! It's been resting safely on my coffee table, waiting for the weekend to arrive. This morning, I am curled up on the couch in my pajamas to enjoy this magazine properly with a fresh cup of joe. I am in my happy place.

Did you know that Volume 7 is an ode to ice cream? Yeah. I love these people.

California, v.4

We spent our time in Santa Barbara at the sweetest little inn. The front door was propped open all day long for easy coming and going.

We actually didn't spend our entire day out and about, exploring every tourist attraction or lying on the beach for hours. To be honest, we went out for breakfast... then went back to the inn. We took a long walk down the beach, ate lunch... then went back to the inn. We ventured outside once more to go window shopping... then went back to the inn. It was amazing, and we definitely needed the rest!

Our final adventure in Santa Barbara took place at Stearns Wharf. We left the inn one more time for a beautiful walk along the coast.

Aren't the mountains gorgeous? This scenery is much different than the beaches in North Carolina, where I grew up. The East Coast is very flat, but the West is garnished by these rolling hills.

California, we miss you already!

California, v.3

 

We took the California 1 from the San Francisco Bay area to Santa Barbara. Needless to say, it was the most glorious drive of my life. These photos hardly capture the magnificence.

California, v.2

You can't visit the San Francisco Bay area without walking across the Golden Gate Bridge, right?  We thought so, too.

 San Francisco dwellers have such a pretty view!

Someday, we'll show these photos to our kids.  I'm hoping that they'll be able to say, "But... we drive over that red bridge all the time!"

I can dream, right?  :)

California, v.1

We are back, we are tired, we are content. Our nine-day adventure in California was truly beautiful.

These particular photos were taken on Mt. Tamalpais, or "Mt. Tam." Our cousins drove us safely along the steep road, through the fog and around the deadly turns. I had never been to the West Coast, so in my mind... those golden hills were the most stunning scenery I'd ever seen.

So, what did we do for nine days? We flew in to Los Angeles and drove the 5 through the desert to stay with family in Novato. Together, we explored San Francisco, Sausolito, Fairfax, Mill Valley, Berkeley, and other towns sprawling across the coast. After a few days, Josh and I left and drove the 1 down to Santa Barbara to stay at a charming inn, finally journeying back to Los Angeles for our return flight to Chicago.

To all you lovelies from California... now I know why you love your state. :) More photos to come.

Two more days...

Josh and I are counting down the days to our summer getaway!!! I can barely contain my excitement!

While I am gone, my department is moving to a new, sunny office. Our current space is dimly lit and feels like a basement, so this change is going to be amazing.

(Josh took these photos are few weeks ago. Aren't they great?)

What are you looking forward to?

Hot day

It has been simply stifling in Chicago. These fountains at our favorite park look rather appealing today, no?

Get in my belly!

Step 1: Appropriate delicious toppings.  Freshly cooked bacon is recommended.

Step 2: Stab potatoes repeatedly.  Coat with olive oil and sea salt.  Nuke and wait impatiently.

Step 3: Decorate generously, photograph, and eat without shame.

What are some of your favorite meals?

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Some things are too perfect not to photograph, like fading bouquets from Trader Joe's. The cashier asked Josh if he was in trouble. Hehe.

A vintage find

Josh found this beautiful book at a little shop in downtown Evanston this weekend.  We spent a wonderful afternoon there, walking around in the sun, drinking milkshakes, exploring the little stores, and eating tapas with his brother.  Summer is upon us, and it is wonderful!

Isn't it wonderfully descriptive?  I'm planning to cozy up with it tonight, after dinner.  Maybe it will inspire me to write a story or two!

Have you found any new treasures lately?

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We attend a church which is 30 miles away from our little home in Chicago.

With scenery like this, the drive is certainly worth it.


Josh took these stunning photos!

three blogs I love

I follow a lot of blogs.  Some of them have thousands of followers, but others are less grandiose, harder to find... and a tremendous treasure when you do.

spent all my money on some elbow room

leah's first roll

the hours.

1. becca at pleasant pheasant
2. chloé at me, myself, and jeff
3. alexa at afternoons & coffeespoons

Do you have any treasures to share?

Blogging to remember.

Have you ever wandered back to your older blog entries?  I read the text and gaze at the photographs, and I remember.  This virtual journal is protecting my otherwise undistinguished memories from slipping away.  That quiet weekend, that sweet storefront, that afternoon coffee with a friend.  Without words, I am prone to forget.  Without photography, those unsung moments begin to lose their color.

A forgotten snow day.

An amazing cup of coffee.

 

Memories of home (and my first ever blog post... yikes!).

Blossoming love for this city.

What do you blog to remember?

Now, I know.

 

I recently started carrying around Josh's iTouch.  Now, I know why everybody loves Instagram.  How fun to have a new avenue for simple, creative photography!

Do you use Instagram?