:: a happy nest ::

mountain magic.

On Friday, we headed up to the mountain cabin of our dear friends Tom and Judy. Their wonderful cabin is in the Allegheny Mountains, just outside of Franklin, WV.  It has been nearly four years since we visited - we hadn't been since the very beginning of my pregnancy with Thea.

The landscape is so dramatically different from ours here in the city - and I had forgotten just how breathtaking it is. From the leggy trees in the valley to the gorgeous ferns and dappled sunlight covering the forest floor.

The mountain laurel was in bloom, and was quite a sight.

And in between all of the woodland beauty are incredible bucolic scenes.

There are endless opportunities for exploring. As she grows older, I look forward to broadening and lengthening our adventures with Thea in this magical place.

We went for several adventures on Tom and Judy's gator, which made it easier to travel a bit further from their cabin. Thea even got to drive with her dad.

I'd say someone was having a good time.

We saw an entire family of deer, including a "teeny-tiny baby" (Thea's words). We filled up our water bottles with cold water from the mountain spring. And Thea collected endless treasures in her basket.

She continues to help me find joy in even the simplest of things. Children are so magical!

We were so fortunate to spend the weekend with not only Tom and Judy, but our friend Jing Tao, who is visiting from China, as well as David and Anita, who came all the way from Houston, TX. Jing Tao is such a kind, gentle, and curious soul. It is such a gift to be in his presence. I had long talks with David, whose son John died in September from cystic fibrosis. Anita spent hours on the porch knitting and sewing, and Thea worked on her very first sewing project.

Thea was totally smitten with "Miss Anita" who spent so much time showing her all of her knitting projects and letting Thea feel all of her different yarns. She even made her a special bracelet and gave Thea a piece of wool she had felted. 

We experienced terriffic thunder storms, and beautiful sunsets. I was completely taken with the incredible light.

While we returned home more than a little exhausted, I still feel completley full from the quiet, the adventure, and the family time this mountain retreat offered us.

I am so grateful for this time, and for our generous friends who opened their home to us.

 

 

grateful monday.

feeling grateful...

for a wonderful (though exhausting!) weekend getaway in the forest.

for the way time in nature fills up my soul.

for time to reconnect with friends.

for yummy soft serve ice cream.

for the joy of adventuring with our wee girl.

for freshly planted seeds.

for laundry drying on the line.

what are you feeling grateful for today?

photo friday : a week in photos.

 

 

I hope you have a lovely weekend!

at the kitchen sink.

**i started this post last week and haven't been able to finish it until now. i'm going to just let it flow as is, written in many separate moments.**

yesterday we spent the morning playing and making a big, big mess with friends, and then moved through our afternoon washing, folding, and cooking.

it's summer: her preschool is out for the hot months and most days, our sweet girl can't settle down for a rest. i'm feeling a bit topsy-turvy as we find our way into a  a new rhythm. i'm trying to figure out the best ways to take care of our home, and of the daily bits of life that need tending.

i'm moving from a space of trying to get things done while she sleeps or is cared for by someone else to trying to find ways to move through the acts of daily living together. i have a sense that for some mothers, this working together - little and big side by side - comes quite easily. but for us, these times are usually thick with tension. perhaps it is my temperament or expectations, or hers - i'm not sure.

but on this afternoon, with our hands working together in the warm soapy water, i caught a glimpse of what could be. i realized what could happen if i slowed down more - if i could breathe through and soak up these daily acts of caring for our home and family. if i could remember to pause and find ways to help my wee girl fee purposeful in her own work.

often, when it feels as if there is so much to do, i have trouble slowing down to consider how things might be done differently. for now, i am trying to be gentle with myself, and to keep my heart open to these moments of opportunity.

tell me, mamas - how do you share your home space with your littles?

grateful monday.

Feeling grateful...

For a thriving (and mostly weed-free) garden.

For the way photos help me express myself when words are failing me.

For time spent with two of my favorite mamas.

For my happy new headscarves, handmade with love.

For early morning thunderstorms.

For quiet time at the sewing machine.

For lovely meals shared with friends.

For watermelon.

For snuggles with my sweet girl.

What are you feeling grateful for today?