because sometimes

Because sometimes you just need a big old waffle. While you enjoy that quilt your husband personally made for you.

new eyes

 It's hard to talk about teaching. When people ask you what you do and you tell them you're a teacher, they always have their two cents to contribute. Which, great! I've got lots to learn! The thing is, everyone had teachers for years and years of their lives; everyone knows a teacher. That makes it impersonal. For me, though, it's so personal. Done right, it's almost intimate. As in, close and personal.

One of the greatest decisions I ever made was when I was six years old and I wanted to be a teacher and I wanted an overhead projector and I had no idea what I would be getting myself into. I did get that overhead projector and I did play school in my room for years and years, and I did cry myself through student teaching ten years later.

And, it's been the best thing ever.

Ever.

yum

School supplies make my mouth water.

memorial day

A few years ago I spent Memorial Day weekend in Utah with my Gran. She's pretty feisty. She's told us all that when she dies, she wants to be buried with a list of issues she'd like to take up with Poppy in heaven....one of which: Dying too early.

She drove me around the various cemeteries in her little 1980-something Toyota Camry (with the automatic sliding seat belts) and told me about people she knew (including her elementary school janitor). She had the back of the car filled with plants, each one specifically chosen for a certain spot. We brushed every speck off each stone and carefully placed the flowers.

Jennie is my namesake, yet I never knew her. How is it that we can feel so connected to people simply because they are our family? I'm glad it's that way. Gran tells me about Jennie's quirks, the things she used to say, and what she was like. I hope that, just like Gran's mother Jennie and her elementary school janitor, I will leave behind a little memory for someone else to enjoy. It's cheesy, but it's Memorial Day. We are supposed to remember.

pup

This guy. We chose the chubbiest of the litter. Sam wanted to name him Rock, or maybe Tarheat. He came with us to Seattle and sat with us around the canned pears and half-unpacked boxes. He waited up for me when I worked until 2 a.m. He keeps his post at the most available window so he can growl at the squirrels that might, maybe intrude. He doesn't eat tortilla chips or pasta off the floor. Apples? Yes.

We love you, McDoogal (Doogs) Shaw.

new plan

 The great thing about Seattle (well, one great thing about a city FULL of perfection) is moments like this: When you pull up to a stoplight on the sunny afternoon when it's supposed to be rainy and find these two kindred spirits. No, they didn't know I was taking the photo. No, it wasn't a classic car show or a sock hop. It was just them being them, appreciating the lovely-ness as much as I do.


The great thing about not blogging for years is you have all these crappy cell phone pictures to reminisce about. And truly, this is the perfect gig for me because I'm really bad at writing about my current life. Blech. Instead, I'll just dig deep into my low-budget-non-smart-phone phone and write about a little life tidbit. Or a huge one, like the topic of the great Northwest. Which I really should consider starting a blog JUST about that.

Marlin and me.

And the city of perpetual autumn. Sending my love, Seattle.

a post

Most often, we stay until our souls sink deep within the walls and our smallest possessions have found homes in all the corners and the air is thick with stability or sometimes contentment. That is the sign that it is time to neatly pack ourselves brown paper and seek something new.

The moss and hues filled my lungs so I did not need to breath and my heart so I did not need any other beauty.

For my Pop

 

Happy Birthday, Dad! Missing you...Love you!

a color combination

Today I admire this lovely color combination of navy, blush and slate. I'm always searching for silly color combinations like mint + manila envelope or pumpkin + celery. This just seems refreshing and classic and perfect for the transition into Fall. I spotted it on Snippet & Ink, a fun blog for browsing and daydreaming (and love).  

P.S.

P.S. This silly little blog design seemed fun to try for a while. As a reader, instead of thinking about all the posting I never do you can more easily browse my old posts. Like/don't like?

{Print here}

feeling dotty

I'm excited for polka dots this fall, mainly in the forms of a pretty blouse (J.Crew) and tights. The other day a ten year-old asked me why they are called polka dots. At first I had no words, then all I could come up with was polka dancing (which seriously mocks such a classic pattern). This is the kind of thing I'd like to know. 

For now, though, I'll just have sweet polka dotted dreams. Two days left of September! How could it be?!

autumn + a love affair

So. The official first day of Autumn is tomorrow. I wish I was organized enough to throw a Happy First Day of Autumn party. I would make little felted decor and things that taste like pumpkin and cinnamon. And I would most certainly make these tomato-soup-and-grilled-cheese-in-a-mug beauties. YUM. I'll make them party or no party. 

I really do have a love affair with this season of the year. I think the reason I love Seattle so much is the fact that in many ways it is the city of perpetual Autumn. Maybe I'll just get it all out now and share my favorite Autumn-y things for the next few posts. Yes, that's what I'll do. 

good moments + I'm a weirdie

Today I woke up and went to play with my little guy (work). I can't believe I get payed to do puzzles and play Star Wars with other people's precious little kids (I will admit I rarely deliver in the department of playing Star Wars. I try to contribute and they just look up at me as if they pity me for even thinking I know what I'm talking about). But I do. Then I came home and couldn't quite decide what to do before my next "job"...hanging with other people's kids. 

Then I found myself laying on my bed, computer resting on my stomach and munching honey wheat pretzels. Then I looked up and realized I was sharing my bed with my pooch and my clean laundry. And it was just one of those moments. When you are warm and satisfied. I hope I never stop relishing in moments like these. 

Then I realized how weird and peculiar I am because today in Seattle it is beautiful and hot and sunny. That is a special combination here. Yet on days like these I usually prefer to be indoors. And that's why I'm a weirdie. 

So basically, this post is about nothing. Except remembering to enjoy the silly good moments and that it's okay to be weird. 

p.s. That picture was taken on my phone...which is not a fancy, modern-age phone. Hence the poor quality. 

Hi, little blog.

Inconsistency is perhaps my greatest demon...

I don't really have anything to say regarding my obvious loyalty problems. 

As I write this post to the mysterious void we call the World Wide Web (because my very few yet valued readers gave up months ago),

Life is a beautiful thing. And I finally feel like sharing bits of mine again. 

Photo here. I look at this post once a week. 

The Best Thing

This upcoming week is finals week, and all I can think about is playing this song in my kitchen while making something delicious and doing a little dance.

painted fields

The Northwest is perfect for so many reasons. I pick blueberries in the summer and I sip cider in the fall. In the spring, I return home and enjoy all my favorite little places. And I mostly anticipate the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. Everything about it is lovely, including the drive. I see little farms and fruit markets out my window as we pass through endless countryside. I see little plots of land with gardens and white houses and wonder about my life. 

Then we happen upon the fields of tulips, quite literally painted with colors. This earth grows us the best gifts--gifts that imprint upon our souls. That is what I shall do as soon as the last test is taken and my little collection of clothing and furniture is neatly sorted and organized. 

Also, this year's poster (above) is my favorite. You can see them all here. 

eternal style inspiration

J.Crew just feels good. Spring is coming. And maybe something new and delightful will come along and inspire me to make my blog great again.

P.S. Free shipping on women's swim this week. I reallllly want this one.

It's Friday, I'm in Love.

I love The Cure.
and I have great friends.

One just found out he's having a baby boy.
One just found out she's going on a mission to California. She'll be learning Spanish.
Three, I'm going to lunch with tomorrow.
One's having her baby this spring.
One's moving away this summer.
One's going to Europe next month.

I'll be adding more and more addresses and baby birthdays to my little notebooks as the years go on. And I couldn't be more content to just go through life so excited for all of them.

Here's to great friends and life's adventures. To new babies and big plans. To simple pleasures, and to each his own.

Hello, pretty scales.

Good heavens, I'm obsessed with those scallops. I've salivated over this tutorial for about 20 minutes now. Why hadn't I thought of it before? Regardless, it's the most lovely thing I've ever seen (perspectively). It's shooting straight to the top of my project list.

daydreaming

If college gave any credits in Daydreaming 101, I'd be graduated. That's all I can seem to do these days. At least it is paying off in creative ways. For instance, my weekend homework was not touched, but a certain sewing machine was. And a kitchen apron. Two of my favorite things to work with.

Other things I'm daydreaming about:

These gold coin necklaces from EmersonMade. This one says "Always toward better things."

Kitchens with wooden counter tops and really good light, like this one.

Banner + doily (my two favorite things) = project ideas 

Someday having my very own big fuzzy dog...to match me, and snuggle.

Daydreaming a bit longer (or permanently) at this cottage on the Oregon coast.