28 Days

Every year I thank God for the shortness of February; its container of 28 days always breezes by and makes me utter "Is it March already?" "Are we really changing our clocks in a week?" "Is spring really only 21 days away?" I tend to hold my breath and close my eyes through February and early March, fixating on how every second lived is just one second closer to spring; I keep my head down until I know that when I look up I will see blossoms. This technique is not one that I would suggest and I am slowly trying to change and lift my eyes from the ground during this season, finding gratitude amidst great anticipation. Here are some snippets of life and gratitude from the past 28 days.

Sun filled offices. Snowy train rides. Fresh clementines. King Street Station. Breakfast at the best place on the planet. Bitter cold hikes before the snow hit. Many days spent in Seattle due to my car breaking down, but at least that meant many days with my man. Back to work. Back to working out. Choco-coconut oatmeal and a down comforter. Iced coffee and a cookie on an unseasonably warm and sunny February afternoon.

Portland Beginnings

 I packed up Miss Aspen and headed south

[Left] Made it through my first week of my internship, this is a picture from the coffee house in the same building as our office (which is in an old stone church, by the way, pretty amazing.) [Right] Our office partners with other creative arts therapies, such as horticultural therapy. We did an awesome demo and now this little cutie is hanging above my bed.

Found some beauty on the Columbia River Gorge

 And some more in Forest Park, the weather has been rain, fog, and the occasional, miraculous sun break

 I became name-badge official

This handsome man came to visit me. We are figuring out this whole 180 miles apart thing. It really isn't too far compared to most long distance relationships but I have only ever known him with about 10 miles of distance between us. 

 We explored old town and spotted some famous Portland landmarks, exploring new cities is kind of one of my favorite things.

 It rained for the entire weekend, so what else can you do but eat? We went to a delicious brunch at Mother's Bistro and I got Mike to try the ridiculously over-hyped VooDoo Doughnuts, as far as doughnuts go we are Seattle fans through and through, Top Pot for life. (We take doughnuts very seriously by the way...)

When the rain finally let up we took a muddy hike in Forest Park

It has been a blessed transition. I am keeping myself open and receptive during this season, in many shapes and forms. I want to stay focused on why I am here and why I have come this far. Human connection is a beautiful thing, pour in music and there is so much creativity to paint a landscape of hope with. Creativity, thats why I started this blog in the first place right? May He use me, a young women of many imperfections, to bring hope and healing into this world. 

The Sea and the Woods

Last weekend a dear friend and I adventured down to the Oregon coastline. 

The weather was foggy and wet, but it suited us well.

The best things about a girls trip is having ice cream for lunch two days in a row.  

This was Apsen's farthest trip from home. 

(Who is Aspen you ask? She is my 2003 Subaru Outback)

Cape Kiwanda

Meg and I grew up backpacking, so to us, car camping is a luxurious thing. 

(Left): St. John's Bridge (Right): Here comes a big statement... This was the best ice cream I have ever had. Sorry Molly Moon's.  Salted Almond Brittle, you slay me.

Portland Rose Garden

Portland is to be my home for the first half of 2014, I am quite the lucky gal.

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 There has always been something about the sea and the woods that soothes me; the smell of the earth and salt water releases my mind from many heavy things. It was bliss.

Hood River

The vacation started out with a joyous wedding!

Arrived in Hood River and realized this would be our view for a week!

I got to spend quality time with Mike. We never get days off together, so to have a whole week felt like a miracle!

 We did some make shift spelunking in the ice caves.

we swam in a lake with a mountain view

Watched kite surfers and swam in the Columbia River Gorge

Enjoyed this view on the daily

Enjoyed some delicious ice cream

Got to play with this precious baby for a week

Spent time with the Jones clan. Did I mention his parents put this whole vacation together? It was quite a gift. 

We rock climbed, or attempted to. We know now we need to work on our upper body strength (when I saw we I really mean myself...)

 We walked around Hood River and realized it is where young people come to retire. Perhaps at 25 we will leave it all behind, move to Hood River and become wind surfers.

Watched many glorious sunsets.

Took a Mt. Rainer pit stop on the way home

 But saw no trace of Mt. Rainer, but it was still an adventure.