weekly scenes

Spring is here, friends. There is no doubt about it. The weather is perfect. For some reason I feel surprised by how great it is. Like I thought that the winter was an incessant, never-ending thing. I had forgotten what sunshine was like past 5 o'clock, but I'm mighty grateful to have re-discovered the feeling. 

I am invigorated just being able to step out and enjoy myself. I make little excuses to NOT come inside. I walk with no purpose, and make everything into an outdoor activity.

My parents were in town and we made it back to my favorite hiking spot, Wissahickon. Marley and I haven't been since the fall. You can see just how happy she was from that shot of her jowls billowing in the wind. What, your jowls don't billow when you're content? Ahhh, I'm just messing with you guys - but - our return to Wissahickon made me very excited for the months to come. It solidified the inaugural initiation of spring. I can't wait to see what amazing memories get made this season. I feel like it's going to be a good one. ;)

weekly scenes

The indoors are getting cozy. Do you feel it?

Winter has moved her way in, making morning toast and heartfelt gifts all the more warming to the soul.

Not that I don't enjoy nature in winter. Oh, very contrary. 

She's quiet. She's exposed. She's beautiful.

But she's cold. And she circles her cool breeze around pockets of warmth, creating small cocoons for living creatures to find refuge.

Bright lights ignite rooms while snow crystals fall outside the window.

Four walls are a tightly wrapped blanket of love, light, and happiness.

Here, we find our comfort and what it means to be cozy.

weekly scenes

Life is good, boys and girls. My favorite season is here, and I've been enjoying every last drop. My parents came to visit for the weekend, and they stayed here at the house. I loved welcoming them (and their two dogs) in. Watching guests relax on the couch and preparing lunch made it feel like a real home. It allowed me to sit back and admire the space Adam and I have created. It really is homey and cozy.

With my parents here, we also went out to several delicious meals. Brunch, dinner, as always, we ate well. Of note, we got to try out new local spot, Noord. Their Scandanavian plates were creative, elevated, and completely original. Unlike anything else in the city, compliments were flying out my mouth the whole meal.

The following weekend, Marley and I went on a solo walk in the woods. We found the Indian statue at Wissahickon after many attempts to do so. It was great to enjoy this beautiful season as thoughts worked themselves out in my head. There is so much to think about, to figure out. Nothing bad, but I find there's a constant need to question, to mull over ideas, and to plan for the future. Without time to do so, I can get a bit lost. It makes me feel very grounded getting back to nature with my thoughts and my dog.

It's been a good string of days.

wissackon hike #2

I went on a hike to Wissackon with my friends Liz & Ellen a couple of Sundays ago. It was just a bit after I had been there with Adam, but between the two visits I saw stark differences in the landscape. It's amazing to see with your own two eyes nature adapting to spring. It happens so fast. Brown turns to green, flowers burst open, and where there was once a dead, dormant feeling, you can again feel life and happiness. Lord knows Marley enjoyed it. After playing in the stream, running up hills, and climbing on fallen trees, we finished things off with some soft serve and boy was it perfect. I.Love.Spring.

first hike of the season: wissahickon

Last week Adam and I ventured out into the woods for the first time since temperatures have begun to rise. We went just twenty minutes away to Wissahickon Valley Park in Philadelphia. Everything is still very dead and, without their leaves, you can see structure of the each tree. Nature has a lot of rebuilding to do, but there is no doubt that she will heal. I'm just happy that the time to really enjoy her glories lays just around the corner. In about a month's time we'll be backpacking and shopping the farmer's markets again. This spring and summer is going to be blast, I can tell already.