Looking Forward

The theme in my life these days seems to be "I can hardly WAIT!"  There are so many things that I am excited about, so many plans, ideas, and new things to look forward to.  Learning and growing in my business, new friends and relationships, trips and adventures, and all of the wonderful small things that summertime brings.

So, with that thought, here are a few things, in no specific order, that I am looking forward to:

Fresh figs, farmers markets, learning to flyfish, sleeping in tents, dinners on the deck, salmon, ling cod, rockfishing, boats, craft fairs, cuddling, new places, road trips, adventures with a certain boy, surfing, KALE, eating out of the garden, potlucks outside, lying in the grass, making jewelry, blackberries, strawberries, thimbleberries, backpacking trips, lakes, rivers, salt water in my hair, bonfires, and outdoor concerts.

 

Breitenbush Weekend

I recently got out of dodge for a bit and headed to the oh-so-lovely Breitenbush Hot Springs for the weekened with Mama Bear.  I had booked a weekend for us as part of her Christmas gift this year and we were both so excited about it.

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Breitenbush is one of those magical places that feels completely removed from the rest of the world.  It is owned by the employees and is an intentional community on a wildlife reserve.  Intentional is an accurate word in more ways than one.  Everything feels like it was done with thought and purpose, and there are so many small details that create beauty; handcarved wooden doors, sloped Japanese style roofs, a small ceramic sink and water fountain along the path through the woods.  There is also an amazing feeling of community, a quick familiarity and ease formed with strangers as you eat at the same table (amazing vegetarian food!) and soak in the hot springs and saunas together.

We spent our few days there walking the trails in the snow, reading on the couches in the lodge, yoga-ing, soaking until we felt like melted prunes, and generally talking and laughing endlessly.

Here are a few thoughts from my journal:

In the sauna last night at dusk we peaked out the round window to see three deer grazing in the damp grass, soft and brown and so very close to us.  Today the sun came out and the moisture in the sauna was caught in shafts of light, twinkling motes that swirled and danced as we waved our hands through the air.  Small rainbows formed at the corners of my vision and I felt so alive I wanted to laugh aloud after immersing myself in the white claw foot tub outside, full of ice cold water.  This morning it had snowed and we walked down by the river, the sun emerging from behind the clouds, all the branches dripping with shimmering drops of melting snow.  Widening circles formed in the creek, plop, PLOP, plop, as fat drops fell from the branches.  Everywhere I looked was something beautiful; a snow covered teepee, lime green lichen on the leaf-strewn ground, a pile of brightly colored fishing poles stacked on someones deck, a blue bathtub in the snow.

Getting Out

My dear friend Kerry, who moved to Mt. Hood this winter, came back to visit the coast this week.  We spent our few days together getting outside as much as possible, enjoying the early spring sunshine, catching up on each others lives, and laughing a lot.   We headed out Highway 6 and climbed Kings Mountain, a new hike for both of us.  It was snowy, steep, and the view was astonishing.  I have often found that hiking with friends is where I work out a lot of things in my life and this was no different.  We talked and walked and talked some more, catching up, discussing, laughing and slipping on the snowy trail on the way down.

We also made it out for an early morning surf session, the sun just peaking over the trees and sparkling on the water, hardly anyone out, tiny glassy waves; it doesn't get any better than that.

I often can't believe my luck when I look around at all of the amazing people in my life.  This is one of those friendships that leaves me feeling supported, encouraged, and excited about my path in the world.  Getting outside into beautiful places is also an endless source of inspiration and renewal for me.

Here are a few photos of our adventures.  Enjoy!

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Sweet Music

I came across this recently and I just adore it.  The song is lovely and perfect to listen to while my hands are busy.  The video is just beautiful, a little sad but the details are so perfect.  Enjoy! [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pyue2N1XZ0M]

A Few Beautiful and Inspiring Things

[gallery] Here are a few lovely images that make me smile and inspire me to go and make something.