Do you have something in your life that seems to trump all else?  That when given an opportunity between that something and anything else, you will always choose your something.

For me, that is time with my husband.

I am so thankful for this week, this week of "leave" as the Army calls it, this week of vacation together.  Although opportunities presented themselves to get away to some other location, we chose to stay here at home. It is the beauty and simplicity of being home with one another: a gift that in our normal routine is given only on the weekends.  It has been a marvelous gift that will be thought upon every day in this next chapter of our lives.

Every moment has been a gift and we have LOVED all of them.  To share a few with you:

We have LOVED our dates together.  Sweet Renee babysat on sever occasions for us to steal away.  Last Friday was my most favorite date ever, I would have to say.  What an eclectic eve we spent together.  It began with a delicious meal in a little hole in the wall in Olympia.  I delighted in Seafood Cannelloni while Daniel enjoyed the house specialty: Scallops.  We lingered long at the table, enjoying the atmosphere, the service, and the romantic music.
Next we ventured to a local book store where an author was speaking on his book Backyard Homesteading.  We made several new acquaintances with like minded people who are pursuing self-sustaining lifestyles.
After, we shared lattes and dark chocolate grahams at a local coffee shop.
And lastly, we found ourselves at: a tattoo parlor!  No kidding, we ended the evening with both of us having a new mark on our left ring finger: permanent bands that signify the commitment and the marriage convent that we have entered into together.


Yesterday morning we were able to steal away yet again while Michael babysat.  We found ourselves again in Olympia (it is quickly becoming my favorite town herhe in Washington) at the perfect little diner: Sage's. Sage stood behind the stove hand-crafting each and every meal that was ordered.  The coffee drinks, such as Daniel's hot chocolate and my Arabic White Coffee (served with orange blossom water, cardamom, and honey) were heated upon the stove.  The blueberry walnut pancakes were hugely delicious and my smoked salmon benedict was beautiful in all ways.
Next we visited the Olympia Co-op which was just next door: another one of our favorite places to visit with both organic products and bulk options.
Last, we went for a beautiful walk which landed us upon another rocky beach of the Sound.  Delicious food, a health foods store, and a gorgeous walk with my husband.  What more could a simple girl want?!

We are LOVING working in our garden.  We finished the tilling just today and what excitement we feel!  Daniel weeded and turned the soil; I was on rock removal as the soil here in the Pacific Northwest is absolutely full of them.  But not to put anything to waste: they make a beautiful garden border which we LOVE.  (I am having difficulties with the pictures so I will post more soon!)  We LOVE the purity of time spent in the garden.  How right and good it is to spend time on that which will soon nourish.  We LOVE the smell of earth and rain.  We LOVE to see the dirt on her fingers which work alongside our own.

We LOVED the time spent with Renee and also my brother Michael who came for the evening.

We LOVE the new life of our little seedlings: the miracle of watching them push through the darkness, breaking into light.




What are you LOVING these days?