The happiness of life is made up of minute fractions -- 

the little soon forgotten charities of a kiss or smile, 

a kind look, a heartfelt compliment, and the countless infinitesimal of 

pleasurable and genial feeling.

samuel taylor coleridge

 

1. the yummiest truffles     2. my ♥ necklace, from HIM     3.4.5. the end of my pretty Easter bundle  

those flowers were so pretty i didn't want to be done with them. i loved that bouquet. 

yesterday my mom helped me prepare them to be pressed ... so now, those pretty little leaves & stems & colors are nestled between piles of books, waiting for me to come find them. i've never pressed flowers before. i'm excited to see what i can do with them and who i can send them to when they're ready. 

today, it's about the little things.

in other news ... tonight my boy is coming for a visit from chicago. yay. 

Wanna Know What Else I Did Last Weekend?

i saw The Civil Wars live in St. Louis ... 

with my greatest of friends - and cute boyfriend - after eating a cozy dinner at a local pub. 

a turkey melt, fried pickles, & lemon water, if you were wondering.

they were in-stinkin'-credible. 

i stood in awe of their tight harmonies, intriguing lyrics, killer MJ covers, & totally dreamy chemistry.

if you and you should youtube some live videos of their performances:

1st: you'll fall in love with their music.

2nd: you'll wish they were actually a couple, because it'd make them being this good of a band 

so. much. better. 

3rd: you'll wish you were joy williams because of how dainty & charmingly enjoyable she is. seriously. 

Easter post still to come.

Wordless Weekend.

 

the end. 

Easter post to come.

Sealed With a Kiss.

i think i am going to start sending things through the mail more often. 

letters ... flowers ... packages.

i love the idea. getting things in the mail is charming and strangely exhilarating.
hand written letters are intimate. unexpected bouquets are beautiful & uplifting. brown boxes full of things BIG and small are guaranteed to make anyone's day. 

i almost sent out some killer packages this Christmas to my greatest girlfriends. 

they would've included elegant bar soaps and funky, handmade blessing baskets and cutesy fabric wraps and huge blocks of chocolate and a series of paintings i made for the four of us to share.  

and then ... i didn't.

i sorted and stacked the items into their own boxes and pushed them aside to be sent another day ... and then i just didn't send them. lame. 

i always have good great intentions.

so ... i am going to start. 

beginning today APRIL 12TH.2011 i will send one thing to one friend, 

family member, church member, or boyfriend singular each month. 

i will, it's true. one thing a month. that's not hard. i'll do it, and i'll document it. 

 ... i have 18 days before my first deadline.

Portland 2.0

our home away from home. 

with sweet surprise notes, good reading material, cozy lion sleeping buddies, & early morning cappuccinos

... all compliments of our beautiful host, of whom i haven't but one picture  :(

 my girls.

the sole reason for my trip ... my dear friend's wedding.

we had massages, giggle-fests, & perfect afternoons full of wedding planning & rehearsal busyness.

 

nights of crazy.

we had lots of donuts & fun this night ... my friend, david, & i.  

this weekend i witnessed a best friend make a lifetime commitment to another human. 

i witnessed her in love ... and i am honored & blessed to have been at her wedding. 

i love her. she is a dear friend & she has an impeccable soul. 

this weekend i spent time with a friend that i haven't seen in years. 

i got some much needed closure & understanding. i got hilarious memories & honest conversation. 

this weekend i was the recipient of a whole lotta love, hospitality, wise words, & humor. 

the home i stayed in was peaceful & kind ... it had a healthy and welcoming spirit, where weary minds and souls were invited to relax, laugh, eat, discuss, contemplate, and just be.
when i have one, i hope my home can offer that kind of atmosphere to my loved ones. 

another successful west coast trip, full of goodness, is tucked safely under my belt.