this is totally in our future.
that and chickens.
aaaand…cue the eye rolls from readers.
{yup. we are officially those people.}
{and yes, i hashtag-ed the blog post title. so now i am officially that person.}
{but seriously, check out the link above. it is a super cool site and the garden design is super easy and practical.}
a few days backmiss elinor, hubby, and i grabbed some early dinner with my folks at st. francis. it was mighty tasty. there is just something about heading to a restuarant on the earlier side and making the most of the evening. it usually gives us license to try more dishes and double up…you can’t beat a happy hour deal, am i right? and in this case, i am talking a big ol’ gourmet burger with a side of hand cut fries for seven bucks. #winning.
the springtime weather was particularly springy and the restaurant opened up the side of the restaurant so there was a perfect breeze while we dined. elinor sat in her little seat just playing away while we sipped some good wine and noshed on baked goat cheese with crusty bread, french onion burgers, chicken salad sandwiches, and radish/bacon/garden pea/buttermilk ranch salad. good stuff. and so local and fresh. it was a simply delightful meal with great company. happiness and satisfied tummies all around.
this was a good weekend. we enjoyed some much-needed scheduled nothing and got a bunch done. this is such a busy season. so when we have a few hours to relax together, plan together, check stuff off the ol’ to-do list together, and eat yummy food together it is perfect.
even though much of the weekend was spent driving here and there and doing thing after thing…we were able to spend some time outside in the delicious springtime sun while savoring some tasty plates, sipping on refreshing beverages, and licking on cones of cold, creamy goodness. yup. it was amazing. it doesn’t get much better than this…
me and my bearded, specs wearing man + a sweet little peanut chilling in her stroller. feet up. tongue out. + a grapefruit beverage at windsor + cheddar biscuits with gravy and sausage + yes. i had brunch dessert. toasted coconut and double chocolate ice cream from churn. the place is right next door…it is meant to be. + miss elinor with her “please papa, please may i have some sausage?” face
how was your weekend? are you ready for monday?
spring. ah, spring. feels good, doesn’t it? amazing what one little day can do. things feel fresh. the air feels different. a spring in your step, if you will. welcome! you sprightly season, you.
springtime makes me want fresh fruit and hot dogs and peanuts {preferably at the ball game} and ice cream and floral prints and bright colors. this saturday will be spent switching out wardrobes and tidying up to make way for a fresh season. i am hoping to dive into some cheery DIY projects and to add more fresh flowers to our home.
so happy to smell the orange blossoms in the air again. bonjour, spring buds. nice to see you again, brightly painted toenails.
{what? march already? no way.}
have i mentioned that this is shaping up to be one crazy month?
hubby is taking his series 7. elinor has a 4 month checkup.
{what? i have a four-month old already? no way.}
a birthday celebration. st. patrick’s day. a wedding shower.
woah.
i don’t know why this always happens to me. february comes to a close and i have a mild freak-out that march has arrived. mostly, it is a happy freak out. like…hurray, spring is around the corner! but it also contains a hint of panic and melancholy. like…wait, i’m not ready for spring cleaning and to flip the closets and put away the sweaters and scarves! and this year especially, i am feeling overwhelmed with that feeling of SLOW DOWN TIME! this time last year i was getting ready to head to the doctor to confirm that we had a little peanut on the way. and now, now that little peanut is a chatty little thing that rolls around on the floor and grabs at objects and smiles at me. and is moving through diaper sizes way too fast. i am acutely aware of how quickly time can fly once springtime hits. and it is thrilling but also jolting.
something deep in my bones starts buzzing with excitement this time of year. i love the fresh infusion of energy and hope that seems to accompany the change of seasons. but i also mourn the cool breeze and coziness that fall/winter offers. alas, time waits for no man. the page turns. the seasons shift. and you know what? i am going to embrace it. let’s do this march. i am ready for a fresh start. i am ready for the warm, fragrant air of spring. i am excited to see what new life and creativity and joy bursts forth from the stagnant soil.
jesus, you’re the one who saves us.
constantly creates us into something new.
jesus, surely you will find us.
surely our messiah will make all things new – will make all things new.
life is breaking out, it’s breaking out, it’s breaking out.
gungor – dry bones
a spoonful of springtime. jeni’s splendid ice creams proudly presents absinthe + meringues
are you ready for spring? perhaps this will get you in the mood…
bright, warm absinthe—with a soft, mild licorice flavor—in grass-grazed cream, with airy sweet, hand-piped meringues. matcha powder for color and a clean finish. inspired by the 100th anniversary of Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, it tastes like a pizzelle.
minimalist, clean, contemporary design at its best via afflante.com
leonardo da vinci said that “simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”
i am definitely getting on board with a more simple approach to life. cleaning up, clearing out, decluttering, organizing, using simple and clean design elements…a little bit of less is more. i am already making the shift into a spring mindset. trying to clear out the mess and lighten things up. {p.s. who is super excited for the j.crew spring collection? me. that’s who.} there is something so lovely about the understated. classic elements that mean something. not just things for the sake of things, but things that tell a story. what statement pieces are your favorite? what does your story look like? what does your living space say about you? here’s to a quest to become more sophisticated through simplicity.
a warm welcome to a new week! hubby and i had a simply splendid weekend together. here are a few little snaps…
waiting for the baroque concert to begin + my handsome and remarkably talented hubby leading those strings while the youth soloists are featured + a post-concert splurge at jalapeño inferno + we split some queso and mini chimis…it really hit the spot as our evening snack 
+ my current obsession in a cup…32oz iced decaf americano from coffee bean and tea leaf. big coffee flavor in a huge cup with heaps of tiny ice cubes. i can already tell that this will be my go-to summer beverage. it was lovely to sip on our 80-something days…and will be even more refreshing when it is 120 outside [eek] + weekend breakfast snapshots…harissa eggs with gluten-free bagels [a guilt free indulgence] and savory sweet potato hash + charlie’s adorable face…he likes to sit as close to me as possible + driving around town on a warm spring day, just me and my man
it’s here! it’s here! it’s officially here! and the signs are everywhere…
this spring i want to spend more time in the fresh air of the outdoors, have more fresh flowers in the house, and try some fresh recipes that incorporate springtime ingredients. what are your fresh ideas for spring?
this is actually a fairly accurate portrayal of the scene when ben and i arrive home with shopping sacks in tow. those furry babies of ours always think we are bringing home the goods for them. silly buddies.
this weekend, we got a lot of good stuff at the store. today, i am busy preparing a hearty and festive steak and guinness stew in honor of st. paddy’s day. it is going to be decadent. and, there will plenty of leftovers so we can let the rich, cheesy, meaty goodness spill into next week! yum.
lent update: all i want right now is a big ice cream cone, preferably from jeni’s. they just released a hummingbird cake flavor that is drool-worthy. hang in there rachel. are any of you giving up something for lent? how is it going?
okay, on a non-sugar-deprivation note…i hope you all have some fun plans for the day. hubby and i have been spending time with our families who are finally back in town from their travels. and since the weather is going to turn cold tomorrow [come on, spring! what's happening?] hubby and i will have to get a rain check on our outdoor sunshine by the pool plans in favor of a cozy day indoors with an old movie and some comfort food. maybe even a big bowl of popcorn.
