our town.

this past saturday, dave and i had the chance to see one of my absolute favorite plays, our town. it's a play about life and moments, and without fail, i think about anything thornton wilder writes for days afterwards. helen hunt was great, of course. her voice has so much presence, and all the actors were right there. and, probably because santa monica in general is just so wonderful this way, the concession food was good. as in, i actually enjoyed the sandwich that i bought five minutes before the play.
afterwards, we stopped at the 3rd street promenade, because i have missed it so much.
our first official date night of 2012 was complete with strawberry nutella crepes from cafe crepe and a stop at LUSH to pick up some bath bombs.
nights like this one make me even more thrilled about this new year. i really think it will be full of special moments.

a monday night.

monday was awesome. monday was a day of relaxing in the morning at my parents' house, baking chocolate chip cookies in the afternoon, and a home-cooked dinner date (bruschetta + spaghetti & meatballs + warm cookies & mint steamed milk) with family in the evening. 

i vote for three day weekends every weekend.

reading & writing...

... just two of the things i'll be doing more of this year. and i have a book club and snazzy, new journal to help things along!

it's 2012!

the first week of 2012 has come and gone! we're feeling so blessed over here because already, our january days have been filled with good food, quality time with each other and close friends, and fun, new things.

pictured: a gift of homemade (!!!) from my sweet coworker. my very first hockey game (ducks v. sharks. a yummy vegetarian meal. a sleepy puppy ball + lululemon (of course, i'm addicted). a little something from anthropologie. a meal and an almond twist to go at pain du monde (the best bakery in orange county).

happy 2012!

the new year is always filled with such hope and anticipation for me. it makes me so happy to know that in the continuum of time, there is that small change that signifies a fresh start.

my intention this year is to make every moment count, to be present, to savor, learn, absorb. to spend more time being immersed in whatever it is that i am choosing to do. and reminding myself that there is a choice.

mindfulness over multi-tasking. peace over production. minimalism over materialism. 

time is a gift.

         

[iphone photos from our today's lovely sunset adventure in corona del mar with the sweetest family i could ever ask for. no better way to start the new year].

a reminder for the new year.

i've been thinking about the upcoming new year. i've broken out my new planner, made a few lists, but in the end, i'm a visual person, so photos win. i made this mini-inspiration board to remind myself of the little joys that i want next year to be filled with:

home-cooked meals

champagne with appetizers & wine with dinner

book club meetings

long conversations

journaling. lots of it.

reading in bed

the peace & simplicity of being home

scented candles

beauty. beauty. beauty.

rest

intellectual challenges

hard work

photographs

husband. winston. family.

this next year, i'm choosing to be more grounded. to look around me at what i already have.  to practice contentment and simplicity. to really take the time to enjoy a meal, a conversation, a book, a project. i'm choosing to make art, to give my full attention to things that matter to me, to read more, learn more. i'm choosing to appreciate beauty in small doses: a vase of fresh flowers, a campfire-scented candle, a stack of unread books. i'm choosing to spend less: less time, less money, less energy... on things that just aren't as important. i'm giving myself permission to decide when to hibernate, work, play. i'm giving myself permission to do my own thing. i'm choosing to value my time, my money, my energy, my resources. i'm choosing to make 2012 the best year yet.

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merry christmas!

we're so happy to be celebrating our Savior's birth with family and friends. wishing you all the peace, joy and beauty that surrounds this season.

love,

david, ruth, and winston

[holiday card from minted]