Simple Pleasures

This last week was about the simple things. Generic and cliche as it is, I am breathing them in deeply. During the next few weeks, there will be more transitions and new possibilities so easy days and pretty views are cherished. There will be nothing profound here just some snapshots of things that have made me smile recently:



1. Open Mic Night at the Three Trees: There will be only 1 of these left before the place closes its doors and is transformed into a tavern (guh, just what this college town needs)This has been an incredible place for so many, becoming the downtown "livingroom," and meeting place. Here are Mitch and Ken version of "Down on the Delta"




2. My collection. Until a few days ago, I didn't know that I collected anything. But I do. Small bud vases. They are just pretty. Dusk is especially fancy when viewed through the antique glass. Other than my lovely man, they are the first thing I see when I wake up and look out the window at what the day may hold.




3. Date Night & Concerts in general. Cam and I went to see The Cave Singers, an accidental Seattle band who put one quite a show Friday Night. In true Bellingham fashion, there were LOTS of beards, flannel, ski caps, and brown boots. Lead singer played the melodica. That's fun. Also fun was watching Cameron react to somehow ending up behind the bounciest, loudest, flalingest two girls in the crowd. She stomped his toes with her (very cute) brown boots. I laughed (while i tried to not), she laughed (obliviously), and he smiled (that sarcastic, "i love this" type of smile). We had fun!




4. A window with a view. This never gets old. Each night displays different colors and patterns. They are especially crisp and bright this time of year. Nuff said.




5. Mucky walks on Sehome Hill, giggling to myself about all the dingleberries on the bushes. Since it's almost Thanksgiving it seems about the right time to decorate the house for Christmas so I went foraging. Holly branches, check. Cedar branches, check. Spruce branches, check. Dingleberries (hehehe) check. Just enough to home make a wreath (it ended up just a evergreen mustache with a bow, but looks just as festive on the front door). Being that I live in Bellingham which is an extremely environmentally conscious town, while walking i was preparing my defense in case I encountered someone personally offended that innocent branches were being snipped from unsuspecting trees. My approach: only clipping one off of each tree. A longer walk, but that was just fine on the chilly, frosty, perfect day.

For now, that's it. The aim is contentment and these things help. Trying to just find moments and images each day and let them soak in.

There are too many similarities between this blog right now and the house plants in my condo. I am well intentioned. Honestly. Now, I am not sparking this little laptop up and lettin my fingers fly because the words that come out will probably do any one any good. It is not a narcissistic attempt to find my fifteen minutes of virtual (or viral) fame. Writing is good for me, so is reading. So lets just view this blog post as a watering can full of plant food and water given to my limp flowers in hopes that they'll perk up for at least a day. Its worth a try. And. I found the plants in an ally on a dumpster on a day when I was really needing some flowers in my life. So they have served their purpose and there's not much to loose.

It's been nearly 7 months since I've written on here. I can sum them up.

May: prepare for wedding festivities. Family fun. Big party, pretty white dress, hunky man waiting for me at the end of the isle, good food, lots of dancing. Honeymoon in Boston, Maine, and Cape Cod. A true New England tour complete with lobster feasts and a sunset cruise and a visit to the SS. Constitution. (i like boats. Become a wife and momma (or a steppie, depending on the lingo you prefer)

June: Normal spring/summer fun here in B'Ham. Farmers markets, frisbee in the park, camping up on the Nooksack river, garage sales. Perfectly fine things to do with your NEW HUSBAND AND STEP KIDS (from here out will be referred to as "the clan."

July: More summer exploration: Larabee, hiking, lots of work, become a liscenced bar tender and tend my first bar. And probably my last. find rope swings and swim at the local lakes. Oh, and I turned 28. Which i was afraid would feel old. But my husband is 35 (he looks young), so I feel young and spry!

August: Work, splashing in lakes, wishing I had a dog, work, interviewing for new job (for the 4th time this year...ugh), work, then a lovely annual family camping trip to Gold Basin.

September: Labor day weekend at the Farm in Port Townsend that Cameron's sister and brother in law live at. Play with llamas and fling apples at a barn. So nice. Reconnect with some friends that I've been distracted from. That whole newlywed thing I suppose. ;) Weddings number 3 and 4 of the summer. Get my first "real" haircut in probably 5 years. Oh did I feel sexy!

October: Life slows to a manageable pace, like it's supposed to in autumn. Kids are back in school. Work (which by the way almost always will refer to the non-profit work that Cameron and I are doing. my real work is not so exciting...well its exciting in a prime time sitcom type of way...think The Office) slows before a big push for the community training. YMCA visits are more frequent as the sun is starting to set EARLY.

November: And here we are. My doctor prescribed,"Exercise" to me on my last visit to still my reeling mind and to ground me a bit after a whirlwind summer. I do. Some. Not enough probably. But now it's dark at 4:30 pm and the cold wind is not as inviting to pop out for a run. It was also suggested to me recently to take care of myself...which means...spoiling myself with tasty warm beverages, candle light, warm baths, time to read and write(ahem, hence I am plopped down in front of my computer), and quietness. I've set some goals.

1. Write weekly on this thing. No matter who, if anyone reads. And for real writing regularly. Like the pen and paper kind.
2. Read a book every 2 weeks-ish. Fun ones. Not the non-fiction learning ones I am normally drawn to.

Becoming a psuedo momma and wifey have taken some learning but my man and his kiddos are incredible. The kids are a riot and a joy and don't even get me started about my adoring Husband. There will probably be a post just about HIM.

For now, here are some pics from a drizzly walk we took before heading into church-ish at the Three Trees Coffee Shop. Thank God for that place.





Until next time.
Here's one for laughs. She fell. Really.