my [ heart ] is full

my heart is full with happiness.
a few things that made my [heart] smile this week...

- the most unexpected and delicious 6 course meal we made over fire at Mark's farm.
eating with just our fingers, sitting in the dark of the cool fall night with the fire as our only source of light and warmth, surrounded by friends and puppies.

- when I realize my baby (pup) is learning things.  she's now the queen of "sit", "down", and "stay"... sorta.

- seeing a bald eagle flying outside my window as I am writing this... no joke.

- every early morning, with bed head, drool dripping out the corner of my mouth, and my eyes crusted shut because I forgot to take my contacts out (yuck, sorry, too much? ; ) Mark still wakes me up to kiss me goodbye and tell me he loves me when he leaves for work... and I swear he still looks at me like I'm the most beautiful thing he's ever laid his eyes on. 

- sharing in a gorgeous fall wedding this weekend with Mark's family.  fire pits, amazing pulled pork, and sunflowers.

- & boyfriend/dad bonding time.  they are currently out skeet shooting... here's to hoping everyone returns safely ;)

what makes your heart full with happiness?

so not ready for this weekend to be over... 

teaching a "Tasty Art" art class tomorrow for 1-3 graders, eek!  

Experimenting with a lot of (hopefully) fun food projects,

I'll try to get some good pictures!

[ Spring ] Afternoon Picnic

I'm leaving for California for the week late tonight to visit friends (expect many pictures of the beach when I return :) so my boyfriend and I spent the afternoon together having a spring picnic and exploring my backyard.  My dad lives on a little farmette (about 40 acres) with my step-mom and my two little half sisters.  There's a little cove along our creek that is my favorite spot on the property... I dream of being married there one day :)

I'm trying to soak up all the moments like this I can, before the real world hits me and I start my full-time job June 13th.  

Hopefully you all are enjoying your Monday :)

7 Moments of [ Bliss ]

 

bliss/blis/Noun

1. Perfect happiness; great joy.

2. Something providing such happiness.

- realizing that despite my fear of change, i'm surprisingly comfortable in this crazy transition into the real world.

- feeling at home, even when i'm homeless

- walks down daffodil valley with my best friends

- getting random texts reminiscing on the memories
of the good ol' days (a few weeks ago :)

- packing for my trip to california
(my first time ever on the west coast!)

- waiting all year for my favorite flower to bloom,
ooh peonies, you get me every time...

and

- all my blog friends i've made in the past few months,
and opening my eyes to this new world of beautiful people i never knew existed.

i love these types of posts because its easy for me to just overlook these moments of happiness and let them pass by, but this gives me a chance to really just sit and be immersed in the little things that bring me joy.  we need to appreciate these moments, always.

9 Things That Make Me [ Smile ]

... being in a community of such talented artists, and the adorably creative Chinese food cupcakes they make just for fun...

... having a few extra moments in the morning to watch the Today Show and sit with a warm cup of coffee ... 

... cuddling with my love...

... waking up to the sounds of birds and for a moment thinking its Spring...


... fresh flowers, in a mason jar of course...

... brunch ...

... running out in the pouring rain to cover my car's broken and open sunroof (i have to laugh, or else I'll cry)...

... painting into the wee hours at night, and being too inspired to quit...

... dreaming of soaking up the sun and lying on the beaches  of Key West in TWELVE DAYS for Spring Break...


What makes you smile?