To Camp!

At least they're prepared. 

We did lots of hiking!

Flashlight tag! 

Lady slippers, out of my childhood wildflower book.

James and Noah.

Views from the top of Foss Mountain.

Signs of a good trip.

25 elementary school students. 

3 days. 

5 cabins.

10 adults. 

2 mountians.

1 lake. 

4 soccer games. 

A whole lot of fun. 

Little Bits of Wonderful

1. My lettuce is sprouting! 2. James and I went and helped on the sailboat last week, James is a pro--Boston in the background. 3. I've been making lunches that look like this--swiss chard, pea sprouts, apples, avo, feta, tomato, shallot, and dressing--yum. 4. I finally got a new store manager! (Picture me jumping up and down and dancing.) So I made this sign for him the other night. 5. This sweet coffee and croissant date with friend finally worked out, I'm so thankful for her.

Extra Shot of Good

John, my district manager; Dan, our schedule writer and team builder; Rhyan, who keeps us on a cleaning schedule; me, I do planning, food, and training; Tiffany, who rocks the morning rush; and Nicole, fastest and best closer.

A few weeks ago my partner (at Starbucks we call each other partners, because we each own a piece of the company, literally and figuratively) Dan posted a signup sheet for a volunteer project at a local farm. By the end of the week there were five names on the sheet--the management team. So he called around and found other partners to watch our store all morning, and we went out to play in the fields. 

These are the people I see and work with everyday. They are most of the reason that I love my job. Today I was proud to work for a company that is known for pouring back into our local community, part of a company that rallies together to do a service project, and brings huge 5 gallon buckets of ice coffee along too. 

We weeded mostly, but laughed a tun, and worked alongside partners and managers from other stores in our district. Have I mentioned I love my job?

Some of Spring

Blossoms are fading into bright green leaves as we get more rain this week. But before they disappear completely here are some pictures from walking around and taking it in. Oh, and a chocolate cake I made for James.

Seeds for lettuce, peppers, rosemary, and swiss chard are in pots on our front porch. I'm hoping the rain headed our way over the next few days helps me water them.

I'm currently reading We the Drowned by Carston Jensen, on recommendation by the author I worked with last semester. The book's design, which first caught my eye, is unique and wonderful. The story is engaging, though dark at times, which is fitting for the setting I guess.

We started planning and organizing for Anwen's arrival--she get's here in two weeks! We found a bed for her to borrow for the summer from some friends at church, and I moved my craft supplies into the pantry area. We'll re-arrange some furniture and with any luck she'll feel like she has her own little space in the front room in our apartment. You know the room with the big windows that are full of bright green trees right now? Yup, that one. I can't wait. 

What's New?

 Wine tasting at local vineyards in the central valley.

 California, gets me every time.

 Hanging out at my mom's house means sitting out in the garden!

Cousins and Family. 

I'm currently on a cleaning spree in the kitchen, and I'll move on to the rest of the house next, but I thought I'd pause to update here.

Things That Are New and Exciting In My Life: A List.

1. I turned in my last final project for the semester.
2. The basket of snow gloves by the door has been replaced by our umbrellas.
3. I again have no store manager at work, though this time I feel more prepared and am actually loving it.
4. Boston is full of trees in bloom.
5. We spent a weekend in Northern California, with family and loved ones, celebrating the marriage of my cousin and friend Sarah.
6. I have started collecting books on my summer reading list.
7. I started a garden yesterday, with herbs and lettuce.
8. Today I'll begin to work on my Coffee Master certification at work, to earn a black apron.

And the best thing of all: my sister Anwen is coming to live with us for the whole summer. Her coming here has been my motivation to finish the semester. I can't wait to start preparing for her, to see her everyday, to go on adventures with her.

Two Years

James:

Ashley Diana,

You are the greatest blessing any man could ever ask for. I thank my God for entrusting me with the great responsibility of being your husband.

With our dearest friends, family and Lord as my witness - I promise to remain by your side as we welcome in the life our Father has for us.

I promise to encourage you, to dream with you, and most importantly to love you in the same way that Christ loved the church. Ashley Diana, I give myself to you, and to you only - my ragamuffin poet queen.

Before God my commitment is made in faith, kept in hope, and lived in love.

Ashley:

James David,

You inspire me. Like papers scattered in the street our options in life are endless. Since that day I have found myself on the most beautiful adventure. Your love, laughter, patience, and dedication is the most incredible I’ve ever known.

I promise to honor you, encourage you, and enjoy each day with you. To help you, listen, and respect you as my husband and friend. You, James, are the man I want to stand with through every adventure.

Before God my promises are made in faith, kept in hope, and lived in love.

That Time I Held a Tiny Chicken

This is Betsy, she's a Rhode Island Red.

James has been helping the Olsens, who go to our church, build a chicken coop in their backyard. Last night after I was done with work we all went to our favorite pizza place for dessert, and after I asked to see the chickens who will live in the coop. There are four of them, and by July they will be laying brown and blue spotty eggs.

This Betsy is cute, though she has the intelligence of an eggplant. It was sweet when she got cozy in my hands, and relaxed. I'm excited James is helping build this coop, my plan of course is one day he'll build one for the chickens I hope to have.

My Dream Job

Left to right, top to bottom. 1)Sometimes I get bored. 2)August the robobarista. 3)Love my partners. 4)Getting ready to walk to work. 5)Some spring coffee art. 6)Goofballs. 7)Sometimes it takes all the screens. 8)Perfect shots of espresso. 9)Running the store solo. 10)Snow days at Starbucks. 11)Tuesdays mean putting the big order downstairs, yup, all of it. 12)More coffee art. 13)Christmas signs I doodled. 14)Shift managers hard at work. 15)Stuff baristas take to work. 16)My store in the summertime.

I rarely write about work. But it's where I spend most of my time. These are a few moments from the last three years, and I realized tonight I don't have enough. I started with this company thinking it would be a summer job, but three years later it has become much more than that. Friends, community, partners, family even. We argue together, cheer together, dance, stress, laugh, pull together like a team, hurt each others feelings, and stand up for one another.

I'll have high standards for the next company I work for.

Turns out my dream job is the one I already have.

Morning Edition

I woke up at 6am this morning, rested, and ready for the day. The first great morning in probably a month, my late night schedule this semester has me up until 11 or 12 every night. It was a rainy gray morning but sometimes those inspire me. 

What did I do with the extra morning energy? 

Made James waffles and eggs for breakfast.

Did all these dishes while I listened to NPR's Morning Edition. 

Finished a New Yorker article and created a presentation for class tonight. 

I need a raise.

The Last of Winter, Hopefully

We are in the deepest, saddest part of winter. The earth is bare and cold, the trees have been empty for months, and James and I are both drinking more coffee than usual to try and keep warm.  

I feel like the poor daffodils in my grandma's front yard. Every year they push up through the frozen dirt and bloom in glorious yellow, only to be covered in snow again. 

Last week I took James out on a lunch date. We're trying to do more of those again, so I chose all-you-can-eat sushi in Brookline. We took the train there, and from the station walked through the neighborhood to our restaurant. We were cold for sure, but it was a much needed walk outside in the fresh air. We ate nine rolls of sushi together and because we were so full didn't eat dinner that night. 

Speaking of James, yesterday he helped me cook for refreshments at church, clean the house, and host a dinner here last night. I'm thankful for him.