Happy Birthday Dear

Today is your birthday.  And today is Thanksgiving. We decided to mostly celebrate the former and mostly skip the latter.

Except that I made pecan and pumpkin pies.  But who doesn’t like pie on their birthday?

So we slept in, ate pie for breakfast, and went on a nice long hike.

Of course, we usually go on Thanksgiving hikes anyway, but this was of the birthday variety.

It was a relaxed and quiet day.
Full of sniffing, walking, and pictures.

You take care of your family and are constantly showing us new things.
Why would today be any different?

You are a wonderful friend and partner.
I’m so glad to explore this earth with you.

Happy Birthday my dear.

eight years ago today…

Really the count-down begins ten years ago, when we met…amongst apple orchards in the middle of the Netherlands…

Then eight years and 14 days ago, we gave out parents’ two weeks notice…

A sudden storm…

A beautiful sunset…

And more adventures to come…

spring must fill the air (somewhere)

Weekends crisp and cold, temperatures falling.
I forgot how the snow makes that squeaky noise,
A warning to remind us that
It’s just this cold.

And so, we find ourselves at the indoor gardens,
Looking out, but staying in-
Breathing in the warm air artificially maintained
With the perfect humidity.

It’s a promise that seems so far away,
But these forced bulbs will soon bloom
And we will remember what life looks like
In April.

:::in the moment::: misty sunset

Inspired by a) Emily, who is reminding me to live in the moments and take notice of the present and b) Soulemama, who weekly posts “{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.”

Happy Weekend!

Quotable Sunday: eternal summer (in the middle of winter)

I previously used this quotation during the last days of summer.

This weekend, we returned to find the beach in much different condition. I could not resist placing the same words with a much different image.