Random Acts of Kindness

Two days ago I opened the coffee shop where I work and the assistant manager came out and handed me a gift card and a box of Hershey Kisses. She said,

Someone came by and bought a 500 dollar gift card and asked us to use it on everyone who comes through the drive-through this morning. So use it until it's gone.

five HUNDRED dollars.

Everyone who came through our drive-through that morning, from 4 to about 9:30 was given their entire order for free. It was an amazing thing to tell car after car of people that their coffee, their breakfast and the coffee they were getting for a friend, was on us. My regulars were so blessed, and were still talking about it with me two days later.

Up Before the Sun

I adore early mornings. I'm pretty familiar with the hours of the day before the sun comes up. Close actually, much more than acquaintances. The coffee shop where I've been working for a year--

its actually my one year anniversary there today, happy anniversary--

opens at 4:30 in the morning. Add a half an hour before that to get everything open, and 45 sometimes 30 minutes before that to pull myself out of bed and get there, equals a lot of no-sun hours.

What I love most about the morning is the things that go along with it. Our house is quiet in the morning. Don't get me wrong, I think the daynoise is great, most often laughter and games, yelling dinosaurs, tigers and sheer delight (or anguish) with the day's happenings. Early mornings are cozy in the kitchen, with my laundry going in the other room and a cup of tea with breakfast. Breakfast. I think breakfast may be the best thing since...

well what is older than breakfast? The parted waters?

I recently discovered an amazing cookbook at the library entitled Super Natural Every Day. The author/chef/photographer, Heidi Swanson, lives and works in the city of San Francisco. She walks about 5 miles a day, most often to any number of local farmers markets. With China Town, the Mission District and the Park all within her reach she cooks with ingredients that make my heart happy. Her book is amazing and I can't wait to try some of her breakfast delicacies. One last thing, did I mention I love San Francisco?

 All photos on this post taken by Heidi Swanson. 

 101cookbooks.com

Enchanted Rock

Last Thursday night I came home to find the fam planning for a one-night camping adventure. Did I have to work? Nope. Did I want to go? More than anything. After much preparation and turns of events, we arrived to Enchanted Rock and a wonderful expedition.

 From foreground: Levi, Seth and Caleb.

 Caleb, Charis, Alina, Levi and Seth.

 

 Adam and Kathy helped the kids down into the cave.

We got to our campsite after dark and Thomas and I set up the tent (we had done it once before in the backyard). After a chilly night we woke up and Beth made pancakes and eggs over the fire.

Enchanted Rock is a National Park here in Texas containing a huge granite rock that rises 425 feet in elevation. The kids, including Levi (age 2) hiked to the top almost completely unassisted. They did an amazing job! It was wonderful to hike up the granite and look back over the surrounding area. Just over the crest is a cave system that runs down one side of the rock. We took the kids inside the first little area so they could get a feel for the cave. They laughed, asked questions and were absolutely tough troopers. It was windy and cold but we all had a blast.

What a joy to go along on the first Hernandez family camp-out.

Give Prints

*Photo taken by Cristina Robeck*

This blog inspired me more than anything else has photographically in a long time. Maybe it's the lighting, or maybe it's that I love this long-haired-california boy so much. Cristina is on a black and white journey recently with her photos, and it inspires me. Back to roots, back to the darkroom...she is incredible and I thought I'd share.

24 Exposures.

Productive.

So many things we've gotten done!

First, James' best man AJ Teaters was here last weekend and they embarked on a mission to put together the perfect outfits for our wedding. I have to say I think they outdid themselves. They are not only going to look so sharp, but dang handsome too.

Friday night I invited a bunch of the girls I know in San Antonio over to a friend's house to craft. We made about 27 yards of pennant banners and made great progress on my favors! It was an absolute blessing to receive all of their help. Serene learned to use a sewing machine! I still have a hundred banners left over to sew together. Also, I'm starting to feel like I live in Hobby Lobby.

James and I started a registry today. It was a blast to run around the store and pick things out. I think James had fun with the little scanner.

We figured out our flower situation, and it looks like we will put them together ourselves after all. I'm excited about the process however, and I believe it is completely possible to pull it off. We have so much help!

We found a little place in town to order our wedding bands through. The part I am most excited about is that my wedding band will actually be carved to fit in with the squared off bits on my engagement ring. They'll go perfectly together.

I'm loving the process. I have finally gotten a break from working 50plus hours a week and it absolutely shows. Plugging away with so much help we'll be done in no time. Or, in just the right time.

Thanks to many of you who contribute to this process.

Magical

I arrived home yesterday morning and when I walked in the door Beth's face lit up and she told me a package had arrived that morning. I saw the big brown box and new immediately what had finally arrived. The most magical package I have ever received.

My absolutely perfect wedding dress.

We stood wide-eyed, looking as I pulled it out. Alina (who happens to be 5 years old) was outside playing in the dirt and promptly came in to see. Beth said, "do. not. touch. it." Alina stood back, and began to describe all the things she loves about my dress. Then while telling me she began to move forward and reached out to touch the material. Beth grabbed her, laughing.

She had already forgotten.

For now it hangs on the antique wardrobe in my room. I have a lot of work ahead of me before I can wear it but that doesn't mean my anticipation is any less strong.

I can hardly wait for James to see.

The Quiroz Family

I had the pleasure of taking photos for this family in November. They're kids are great and it was absolutely a ball to hang out with them that morning. Ryan was perfect at making the kids smile and it seemed the Alamo was there just for us.We went early in the morning so they could get on the road but it turns out we could not have chosen a better time. They are a beautiful family.

And will you look at this light?

Ryan, Magen, Sara, Wilson-- you guys are amazing!

Niahmaya Lily Powell

Welcome to the world little lady. We've eagerly waited for you. Dear you are more lovely than I imagined.

laureldandelions.wordpress.com

happenings

Things I have been blessed with in the last few weeks:
                         Essays for a certain graduate school application                       sleep

         payed off all of my credit cards!        
                             talked to a friend's friend about flowers

talked to a great friend about boutonnieres and the like

PURCHASED a wedding dress
                                                   became a god-mother

went on an adventure with my fiance                             talked with sam

                                             found James' wedding band          coffee
made some future plans
played paper dolls with Alina and Sheri         completed a great week at work            

here's to more great things!

Detail in Winter- Sierra Nevada Mountains

Five years have past; five summers, with the length
Of five long winters! and again I hear
These waters, rolling from their mountain-springs
With a sweet inland murmur.—Once again
Do I behold these steep and lofty cliffs,
Which on a wild secluded scene impress
Thoughts of more deep seclusion; and connect
The landscape with the quiet of the sky.

Though absent long,
These forms of beauty have not been to me,
As is a landscape to a blind man's eye:
But oft, in lonely rooms, and mid the din
Of towns and cities, I have owed to them,
In hours of weariness, sensations sweet,
Felt in the blood, and felt along the heart,
And passing even into my purer mind	30
With tranquil restoration:

And I have felt A presence that disturbs me with the joy
Of elevated thoughts; a sense sublime
Of something far more deeply interfused,
Whose dwelling is the light of setting suns,
And the round ocean, and the living air,
And the blue sky, and in the mind of man,	100
A motion and a spirit, that impels
All thinking things, all objects of all thought,
And rolls through all things.

Therefore am I still
A lover of the meadows and the woods,
And mountains; and of all that we behold
From this green earth; of all the mighty world
Of eye and ear, both what they half-create,
And what perceive; well pleased to recognize
In nature and the language of the sense,
The anchor of my purest thoughts, the nurse,
The guide, the guardian of my heart, and soul
Of all my moral being.

Lines Written Above Tintern Abbey by William Wordsworth.