0 Mushrooms. They're popping up everywhere!

It has been a weird few weeks - things have just felt funny. I have a knot in my stomach that won't go away. I have the need to hold on to loved ones, talk to them, tell them how much I adore and love them.

My weekend adventure has been planned for months - and I'm quite excited about it. A great friend and I are going on a mini-vacation - a girl's weekend hasn't been had in....too long!

While I'm super excited to get out of town, all of the weirdness around me just makes me want to stay home with Tim. Safe. And. Sound.

Hopefully that all changes as Laura and I are driving into the sunrise Saturday morning. For now, I'm going to make a few phone calls.

3 Ha. Ha. Ha.

Tim woke me up the other morning laughing in his sleep. Part of me thought it was super creepy, but then I started to laugh back. I began to wonder what he was dreaming about...naturally, I assumed it was me. He must have been flirting with me, or enjoying one of my lame jokes, or maybe I was dancing and he couldn't contain his laughter.  Hah. So the next morning I asked. Come to find out, he was hunting for quail in his dream and I was home, not anywhere to be found. Silly boy. Silly boy that makes me smile. 

1 "please get me out of this hideous fabric mess!" - Charlie

I just want to eat this little lady up! 

For those of you who don't already know - this is my niece. Charlotte. Charlie. Charles. Any of the previous names will do. And believe it or not, in only a few short months she has become one of my favorite people! Her little lips have won my heart.

0 Can't argue with that!

One of my students surprised me with a big smile and a latte. This is going to be a good day.

I hope you have a fantastic weekend - one that's filled with moments of relaxation and also productivity!

3 fancy pants

A few little things that might tickle your fancy. 

2 patent number 1855

flowers from the garden. check. 

vintage blue mason jars. check.

burlap runner. check.

candles of varying heights. check.

together they create the perfect space for an evening outside. 

2 emerald city

This weekend was a little gift from above. Our plan was to be at the lake with my parents and chill under the autumn sun, and instead, the forecast showed lots of rain and so we stayed home. Bummer? Not really. Every part of the weekend felt like it needed to be cherished - like it was a freebie we weren't expecting. No plans, no previous commitments, no "must-do's". Just us in our home with the windows up and the music playing. Just us enjoying the perfect 75° weather. We were able to meet friends for happy hour, try a new neighborhood restaurant, go window shopping on the Plaza, visit the museum, have an afternoon date with my mom, decorate the house for fall, and work in the yard...we were able to do all of those things we never have time for! So, thank you rain. Thanks for that sweet little gift of a weekend.

0 mmmm.....fall is near!

0 a belated wish

Okay, I have to admit. Tim is not the only man in my life that I love. There are a few more on the list - one pretty close to the top is this guy. Although there were moments in my childhood that I wished him off the list, he always prevailed. Michael is not only my brother and friend, but he is one of the best men I have ever met. As we both grow up, I am constantly amazed at how kind and helpful and BIG his heart is! Seriously, I have never met a kinder person in my life. I am not only thankful, but I am truly proud of the man he's grown in to.

Michael - I know you will roll your eyes as you read this, but happy birthday! I love you!

1 magic man

When I was a little girl, my siblings and I came across a picture very similar to the one above while at my grandparents house. It was a picture of my grandpa's polar bear. His polar bear, you ask? Yes. My grandpa had a polar bear. Sometime in the 70's the Kansas City Zoo was remodeling their polar bear exhibit and my grandpa offered to house the polar bear in the family's basement. The Zoo was so excited about the offer and brought the bear right over. He even had his own "little room" and easy access to the outside through the garage door. And luckily, it was always a little damp down there!  Soon enough, the exhibit was done and the bear had to go back to the zoo...all before my brother, sister, and I had the chance to meet it.

Yesterday when Tim and I headed to the zoo, it didn't take long before I was back in my grandparent's basement mapping out how the polar bear actually lived there, how it got it's food, how it stayed cool enough...

That's the magic of my grandpa, I guess.