All Around the Mulberry Bush

Monkeys or weasels? 

Caleb was great at finding the best places to pick berries. 

"Alina, how many berries did you eat?"

Our bucket was full of them! 

Levi's hands.

One of the best things that happened right before we left San Antonio.  I was able to go mulberry picking with the Hernandez family and friends. The mulberries were so ripe we could just shake the branches and they fell off onto blue tarps below. 

We laughed as the berries rained down on us, along with the fuzzy caterpillars. We made mulberry pie, milkshakes, and compote for pancakes. Yum! 

East Coast Road Trip-- Getting There

We left Texas on Monday morning, as the sun was rising. Texas is HUGE and it took most of the day to drive through it. Listening to music, talking-- this is the most time we've spent together since our honeymoon. I brought along an a sewing project or two and James has a book. We take turns driving.

Last night we had dinner with my Uncle Donny, Paula and cousin Rene' in Memphis, TN. I haven't seen her since we were tiny girls, and it was absolutely wonderful to reconnect. She is beautiful and I am so blessed to call her family. I can't wait to go back and visit for longer! Today we got up and drove to Salem, VA where James' brother Ian and his wife Courtney live. We all share the same last name now!

Here for the next couple days to adventure and hang out together.

Mario Cart calls my name!

Honeymoon Part III-- California Redwoods

Wine tasting and ancient trees, what more could you ask for? This was one of my favorite days of the week. We went wine tasting in the morning and wandering through Redwoods in the afternoon. James and I were convinced to drive through the park--rather than walk--promised amazing views at the top of the mountain. We were not disappointed.

Honeymoon Part II-- Northern California Coastline

One of our days we dedicated to the ocean. In our Subaru Outback with the windows down we drove to the oceanside, enjoying the sunshine and nature that runs right down to the beaches there. After we had our fill of beach we drove up Highway 1. My heart was full of beauty and we both sang along to Oh Light by Branches, perfect for the twisty-turny road and the green hillsides full of flowers. The National Park lady let us into a Russian fort for free. I told James a hundred times,

"California is the best state."

Sweet Friends

In the excitement of getting reading for a new adventure, we are also saying goodbye to friends here. I feel a little like Bilbo Baggins. Remember when Gandolf had to literally shuv him out the door to get him started? For sure me.

Girls, it was more than lovely to share, create, tear up, laugh, listen and love with you this afternoon. My heart is so clear, yet at the same time I will miss living in community with you each day.

But the road returns where it began I think.

Russian River-- Honeymoon Part 1

We did a lot of nothing.

Slept in, made yummy meals (woo Trader Joes!), wine tasting, driving, out to dinner, rock skipping, walking, exploring, tours of wineries, scrabble, made fires, french press coffee, talked, laughed, enjoyed California sunshine, visited a fruit stand, took naps, didn't set an alarm, almost caught the house on fire, went in the hot tub, opened wedding cards, played backgammon, and enjoyed each moment together.

More to come!

Soon, I promise.

Beginnings

I'm thankful for many things. 

Happy Easter!!

The moment he realized there were eggs to find.

 Our sweet neighbor and friend, Kairi.

 Caleb got me...

But I definitely got him!

Just to make sure Zach got some in his hair.

Happy Easter! Jesus is risen, he is risen indeed! 

One Hundred Love Sonnets: XVII

I don't love you as if you were a rose of salt, topaz, 

or arrow of carnations that propagate fire: 

I love you as one loves certain obscure things, 

secretly, between the shadow and the soul. 

I love you as the plant that doesn't bloom but carries

the light of those flowers, hidden, within itself, 

and thanks to your love the right aroma that arose

from the earth lives dimly in my body.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where, 

I love you directly without problems or pride: 

I love you like this because I don't know any other way

except in this form in which I am not, nor are you, 

so close that your hand upon my chest is mine,

so close that your eyes close with my dreams. 

Pablo Neruda

Happy Wedding! Back in two weeks!

In Continual Celebration of Spring

This last white one reminds me of a wedding dress.

I walked around our neighborhood just to take a closer look at these. I love the different textures in each of them. There are fields erupting in color everywhere here, constantly reminding me of the season of life I am in.

I'll call this season New.