This is going to be quite the week.  I'm fairly certain I had the flu this past weekend.  Lots of sleep, a few cancelled plans, 4 baby chicks and a 5k later.... I'm back at work and going to attempt to pump out 3 proposals in the next 3 days.  On top of that, some other side-exploratory-projects.  Aaaaaaaand Morgan, John and I are flying out to San Fran 6am on Thursday!!

Not too shabby. ;)

I'll take that window please.

Anyone know the forecast for the Bay Area next weekend?

 :)

I didn't exactly quit me job, but thankfully my boss did give me a couple days off.  And Kristin and I just bought tickets.   She said to me over the phone as I booked, "You know this is kind of ridiculous of you, right?  I have to do this, you don't."   I assured her, I had to too.  Just, in a different way.  I may not have a wedding to go to, but my heart's been craving some California air and I'm well due for some good adventure/ wandering hours.  Here's to writing the last few Goals for 25 at the same cafe table I began them.  And perhaps even marking a few more off.

Sometimes, I worry about how much of me seems all about this.  And then there's the practical / realist side.  I'm not sure which will win in the end, or even which is supposed to, but I'm pretty sure the longer the battle lasts between the to, the better off I am.  :)

On that note, my sister is going down to Cali in a couple weeks for a wedding, and I'm seriously considering just getting in the car.  She asked me, "What are you going to do all week, just wander around the city?"  Yep.  She'll be staying in Petaluma, which I wouldn't mind too much either.  I bet I could even find a bus to San Fran for the day or so.  :)   Kristin, I know I'm being such a little sister right now..... "Can I come too?!"  But truly, my heart starts to ache for California every couple months and I've been feeling the withdrawals for weeks.  I blame part of this behavior (or thought-behavior) on Kerouac.   This girl just needs some sunshine, needs a drive, needs to wander that city that I love.

I think I'm going to mention it to my boss on Monday.  :)  I've got some gas money.

 Grateful for this Girl.  :) 

And for getting to just be, "me," together. 

I'd like this stamp. 

I'd also like this zip code. 

At least for a season.  :)

Mi Pueblo's -- more mexican food. ;) 

(I think this one WAS the best burrito I've tasted.)

Sausalito, CA

Tiburon, CA 

I have been looking forward to spending a morning with Miss Landies at La Boulange for months.  And this morning, it happened.  :)  It was all I hoped.  And it didn't hurt that I was spoiled with Birthday presents and gifts from Italy that have been stored away.

After La Boulange, we came home and read by the pool. Rather, I read, and Megs worked on her final paper that continue to drags along, grasping at her ankles. I love all the time we're getting to talk, but it definitely took some self control to STOP talking to her while she was trying to focus. I'm proud to report, I was able to silence my commentary... even if it did take me walking across to the other side of the pool.

After that, I was so lucky to sneak away for Frozen Yogurt and some park time with Sara and her amazingly funny and adorable little girls.  I didn't think to grab a picture... which is a shame since those girls are three of the loveliest faces!  Tonight it's a family night with the whole Landies crew.  Loving my time away with these wonderful people.  And LOVING that I still have 4 more days. :)

After all the trouble of trying to make a decision... we fell into the perfect evening. I couldn't have thought up anything better for my first evening here with Megs. We wandered the neighborhood on a long walk catching up and then came back and made ourselves pancakes with fresh peaches, and a glass of wine. Then, with our wine, we slipped into the hot tub and watched the sky fade into the dark, star-stunning wonder it is. What an amazing night! And how amazing to be with my sweet friend, catching up. :)

We came across FIVE deers!! When I find this incredible, Meg's teased me for being a Seattle girl. I'm sorry, I've seen deer.  We have plenty in and around Washington - but FIVE all together?! Amazing. 

In short, nothing went as I expected. Yeah, that whole time-line I posted at 3:30am on Thursday, went out the window about 5 minutes later. But isn't that how so many of the greatest times go? Certainly the case here. After getting stopped at both passes and required to chain up (which we didn't have and had to go buy)... and some other minor adventures... we arrived at the Mahers' at a quarter to ten. So In n' Out was dinner instead of lunch, and dinner at the Mahers' was more like... dessert(?) or speed Scrabble and a movie. Breakfast the next morning was probably my favorite part. A.) because I love breakfast, and B.) because I love cooking/ baking with friends. While Morgan and Adam (and Braden?) slept, Joel drove over and picked up Meg and I from the Landies, then we drove to Petaluma to pick up Court (who was staying with Katherine), and to do some quick grocery shopping. Then, we returned and all relaxed together while we made French Toast (not bad to cook in a kitchen that looks out on one of the most amazing views!). San Fran got scrapped, as Morg and Adam ended up having a change in their plans and had to leave earlier than expected, plus, it was raining. So, San Fran will have to wait for this coming July, when hopefully I drive down with Meghan. Instead, we toured Novato. (Note our tour guide above.) And ate at the infamous "Italian Delight"-- delicious little stop that might frighten some away.

Such a short couple days, but I couldn't be more grateful. I got hours with the Carpenters, who I see less and less with their busy traveling schedule, and spent time in the hometown of two of my best friends. Something about getting to see your friends at their 'home' that helps you understand and truly know them better. I'd never been to the Landies' (or even met Hannah!), so it was especially nice to share a breakfast with them and start to understand my dear friend Megs all the better.

In short, so many lovely people and moments. I'd do it all again, maybe not tomorrow, but certainly next week if I could. ;)

On my way to ...



With Morgan & Adam. Oh yes, road trip'n with the Carpenters. I might have to bust out a little "We've Only Just Begun.." somewhere around Ashland. :)

Today's lunch will be...


Dinner with the crew (minus Jordan :( !) at the Mahers.

Sleepover with Megs at the Landies!!!!! :)

San Fran (my beloved and missed city!) on Friday.

Short and sweet, I can handle that.

We will be leaving Novato in a couple of hours and heading on to our "adventure stop"- tonight is the undecided night where we are not entirely sure where we will end up for the night. Tomorrow we will be going to Redding.

The sunshine is incredible here and it is so hard to leave!! Plus we have had a blast hanging with the guys the last few days- yesterday was INCREDIBLE! We got sandwiches and drinks and put them in a cooler. Then we took off for a beach a little over an hour away. Even Joel had never been there. It was a gorgeous drive- and when we reached the hilly coast the drive literally took my breath away! We felt like we were in Europe some place, with free range cattle wandering across the road and this road leading us up, over and around lush green hills with the cliffs and and ocean all around. Literally, unreal! We wanted to put in some Sigur Ros and pretend we were in Ireland or Iceland or someplace in Southern France perhaps. :)

The beach was super windy, otherwise warm and gorgeous! Soft sand, picnic lunch, it was fantastic. Then we decided to follow signs to a light house- that was the most spectacular part of the drive and the view we got from the top was unbelievable. The winds were so strong and there were no fences telling us "Caution: you will die if you fall." Apparently the folks in charge of this area think that the average dumb person can figure that out, and rightly so. We took some pics and decided that our parents probably wouldn't kill when we show them to them, since the danger is already past and we lived to tell about it.

After our adventure we came home (and I CRASHED) downstairs for about an hour. Sleep = delicious! Then we headed to Santa Rosa to meet up with Katherine Danford for In n' Out burgers (de-lish!) and coffee. We literally just wandered around this cute historic part of town for hours, moving from corner to corner until eventually finding this strange little gazebo to all sit at and chat.

Eventually we headed back and watched American Idol and the Office before decided the night was over. Well, over for most of the group. Court and I returned to our room (where Morgan had already passed into deep sleep), grabbed our blankets and snuck quietly upstairs to the upper porch. We sat and watched the stars for a while, talking and trying our best to be entirely quiet. We decided to head to bed only once we got another brilliant idea: sunrise! We grabbed my laptop and found the moment of sunrise for that day. Alarm set and we were out. 6:50, court wandered outside and I soon followed to watch an AMAZING sunrise!! Court grabbed a few great shots and I'll be sure to add them to this post once she gets them up.

After a morning of playing "PDQ", sitting in the sun with lattes and listening to Joel play a little guitar...the boys are off and we are packing up. Soon we will be on the road again.

Love you all and see you soon- hope you are finding moments to rest this week...and I really hope we are able to bring a little of this sunshine back with us to the rainy (yet beautiful) Seattle :)

PS, I finally wrote something new on my creative blog (link in the right upper corner of this blog).

It is beautiful this morning, I woke up before the others, showered and headed out to the porch to read in the morning sunshine. T-shirt and shorts (and yes Kris- of course swimsuit!) Its warm and incredible, with a view of rolling green hills.

Funny thing is, I miss home more than any time yet this week-- and I am probably happier then any other moment thus far. There is something about sitting in the morning sunshine alone that undoes me. I have a suspicion that something in my heart will always long for home when I sit outside in the peaceful morning.

My home in one of the most beautiful places to be in the summer. Surrounded by blooming flowers and green shrubs, a running brook and quiet little cozy nooks every where. It sounds like a natural eden, but it has taken a lot of labor. My mom hands show it. :) I love the "Secret Garden" my mom has created with her love and hard work. And I love to be no place more then sitting on the porch swing in the morning while the neighborhood is still quiet. The kids just waking up and not yet out and about making mayhem, playing indians and hoola-hoop, shooting hoops and riding bikes. The birds are chirping and my heart is listening to every melody the morning plays me. I'm wrapped in a soft blanket and holding a cup of coffee.

That is why, even while I sit here so contently, warm and alive and in love (with Jesus, calm down)...My heart misses home a bit. And my mind is drawn to my mom, and the beauty and feeling of 'home' she creates.

(PS, happy 37th anniversary [yesterday] mom and dad!)

Update.

I'm in cali for spring break having an incredible time!! We spent a night in Ashland, Oregon (which I LOVE, I can't say the same for morgs and court). Then we headed to Novato on Tuesday. Yesterday we all went to the coolest place for dinner- Old Chicago Pizza! Seriously, such a cool environment, I LOVED it. Brick walls and old carpet in the hallways full of doors. [side note: we are watching American Idol right now and I totally caught myself making my "tv-watching face"....I shut my mouth, and I believe no one saw it] After dinner we rented a couple movies. We watched some movie none of us had heard of (joel's brother recommended)...which ended up being one of the FUNNIEST movies ever (everything is so green here!").

Today was San Fran (TONS of pics to come!), and then pool (was supposed to be bowling but it was league night so plan B became pool). Now its American Idol (and court and I eat'n pints of ice cream, YES!).

Pretty much you all just need to know that it is GORGEOUS here, and I think Courtney Sones is one of the coolest chicks ever. :)

Love you all!

Oh, and I got my grades today- HALLELUJAH, Praise Him!