I’ve been quiet this month.

It hasn’t been my all time favorite month, but I must admit I’ve gotten to do some beautiful things and for that I am thankful.

A favorite girl is here for the weekend. I love when people come into your space and instead of making it feel more crowded, you find yourself with more room to breathe.

January

Took a day off from skiing to watch the storm move in over Mono Lake and the Eastern Range.

and so here we are

I’ve been living the past few days with about three spoonfuls of nutella on the side, at least.

Winter is here.

Short days. Cold days.

I can feel myself quietly rebelling,making big salads, painting my toes, but winter is winning.

The need to bundle up, hunker down, sleep a bit more, keep warm things and warm people in my hands.

Its dead week, then finals, then Texas, then Christmas, then New years, then the year is over.

The reality of this makes me want to just get under the covers of my little bed and not come out. Press the proverbial pause button on the universe. Please stop spinning so fast little world, you’re making me nauseous.

Its been real November.

I bid my favorite month farewell in the Yosemite Valley, which inevitably meant I spent a lot of time looking up.

Looking up and giving thanks.

love for the leaves

more lovely here.

thanks j.smith.

laurel

Isn’t she beautiful?

I shot a whole series of portraits of her last year in our old backyard.

Naturally, all I can find now are the scratched copies and discarded drafts. Story. of. my. life.

Today was a good day for remembering and sharing tea.

wake up girl.

Wake up girl. Breathe in and out, in and out. Trace the design on your quilt with your little finger until your alarm goes off.  Twist heavy legs between sheets and fleece blankets, until you are tangled into a makeshift cocoon.  You are safe and warm here.  Savor the warmth and then find the guts to pull one leg out and then the other out. Plant your feet firmly on the ground. You must get out of bed, no hiding today child.  There is much waiting for your attention. Wash your face, pin back your day old wavy hair, get the sleep out of your eyes. Wear your favorite grey pants, the ones he hated. Wear them not out of spite, but because you love them. Just like you love your owl pendent, wear that too. Let the coffee seep into your bones and hold up your heavy eyelids.  Greek yogurt with a whole banana today, you’ll be glad you did later.  Show up, be present, raise your hand, take down your notes, voice your opinion. When the bakery has chocolate cookies with sea salt, know wholeheartedly that they have been made for you and that you must buy one.  Share it.  Move quickly through the words of Herman Melville, but store them in your heart so that you can savor them later. Sit up straight, even when you’ve been in front of your computer for hours. Be thankful, even though the approaching waves of change has left you feeling raw on the edges. Breathe in and out, in and out, find your diaphragm even though the weight of this semester has you feeling trapped and tender in your ribs.

(Via TheCellarDoor)

It’s been my mantra for the past year and a half.  Ask anyone. Its all I say back to anything anymore. Really.

I say it because I need to say it, because I need to hear it, because it’s the truth.

And well, because I believe if you can accept this simple little truth, if you can start here, your trajectory is pretty darn good.

Oh. Well, hello there November.

Quite possibly my favorite month of the year. Just maybe.

Here are a few little things that are making me smile;

1. Persimmons are in season!!

2. Also,  I replayed THIS 8 times, at least. It’s phenomenally great.  I think if I could get a guarantee from God that if I had a child they would do cool tricks like this, I’d be less adverse to that whole watermelon through a Pringles can thing.  Thanks for that one,  Ms. Jules.

3. This makes me looove human beings. I’m not even sure what that means, other than that in the face of so much darkness and hatred there sure is a hell of a lot of beauty out there too. This is artist Stephen Wiltshire.  The photo  is him in the process of completing  a sketch of the New York Skyline by memory from a 20 minute Helicopter ride, with PERFECT accuracy. Talk about the power of the human mind.  Seriously, read more about him here. (Via Cup of Joe)

4. You don’t have to know me long, to  know one of my small BUT VERY IMPORTANT dreams is to have a chicken coop one day. Maybe a few Goats for cheese and milk as well, but at the VERY LEAST, I’d like a coop.  I think about this ALL the time. Especially as of late because, crap. I’m falling in love with this city by the bay. And well,  city dwelling presents this slight problem with that dream of mine you see…  Anyways, to make matters worse I came across this today (Via Design Sponge).  Can you say VOGUE for Chickens?

geez… my heart.

4. And lastly my sister passed this great photo blog along to me today. I could look at these for days. Makes me think about love, aging, seasons, and time- in the loveliest sort of way.

All for now. Happy November tidings to you all.

details

I’ve rediscovered my favorite brown cords.

Sea Salt & Turbinado Sugar Dark Chocolate Almonds from T.J.’s.

I pressed fiery orange leaves in between the pages of my text book on my walk to class this morning.

A sour cream apple pie is in the works.

Mud. Yes, there was mud on my trail run today and it was FABULOUS.

Perfect Fall.