And I hope they remember this bond we have together.

During the Holidays I was insanely busy bee.

This had to do greatly in part that many people that I love very much, from many corners of the country, were all in town.

And let me tell you something, I was a very happy girl.

I love that so many of the friendships I have now are so effortless. Months go by, so much happens, and still when I see these people I am immediately warmed and reminded how lucky I am.

One of my favorite little ventures this season was definetly skating at the outdoor rink downtown.

It was so fun and really beautiful, very cold of course but an afternoon filled with laughter, catching up, and good people.

Loved it. Thankful for this beautiful season in the snow!

I hope your holidays was filled with loved ones and fun adventures. I have much more posting to catch up on! ekkk!

xoxo,

j

There are times that walk from you, like some passing afternoon.

I am so sleepy.

We pulled in around midnight from our grand adventure. As we were rounding my street I almost wanted to ask to drive around the circle one more time because I knew once we pulled in the driveway,

it would be over.

It was the weirdest feeling, we fit about 3 weeks worth of fun into 3 days. But, we had absolutely nothing planned. We never had a schedule or a be here at this time or that, we just let ourselves "be".

Be. Just letting the days plan themselves. It was the kind of rest we really needed. Just to be away from our schedules and plans and time frames. We never thought of home once.

And even among all the chaos, laughing, coffee, walking, sleepyness, music and cooking, we had some really good soul talks. Really just valuing such lovely people.

So thankful for the friends we stayed with. They have a wonderful home in the sense that they make it one just by all being together. Some of my favorites moments were definitely spent in the apartment. Smiles.

We went to the MoMA. I almost cried in the entry way because of all the beauty. Then I cried alot throughout the entire museum. My brain was so filled and inspired after. Just wow.

I just felt apart of history. Seeing some of the most famous paintings of all time. These painting you've seen a million times in your art history books, there they are. Looking closely at every brushstroke. Being able to just sense the raw emotion. I was just so moved.

We had a goodbye breakfast at probably the most deliciously fresh cafe. yum.

We were only an hour outside Greg's hometown. So before we headed home we got to stop into good ol' hunterdon. I saw my beautiful jersey loves, starting with my Mama Antonow. We surprised her at work:), spent some soul time with Amy, surprised my darling Presley at work, and ended our quick visit with cupcakes at Linneys. As Lin shut the door and looked at me she just said, "wow, I feel like you were here yesterday" like no time had passed at all (it has really been since the beginning of aug.) It made my heart so warm because I knew I really had a family in jersey too. Sigh.

She sent us off with cupcakes and we started the long haul.

As we pulled away across the amazing vast of bright blue and white clouds we saw a hot air balloon floating across the sky. All Joy could get out was a scream and when she pointed and I saw it I screamed too until we both started to laugh with tears in our eyes.

It was pretty magical.

The ride home was filled with many sing-a-longs and lovely chats.

It was truly a beautiful escape.

xoxo j

When worlds collide.

Ever since Greg and I have met we have always had so much to say about how great our social circles are. And its true, we both know some really wonderful people.

But sometimes we get really lucky. Sometimes these people meet and magic happens.

I am reminded what love looks like. Love that knows no style, state, or past. Love that has nothing to do with where you've been, its just who you are right now. Just loving people wherever they are at and whoever they are. Non judgmental love.

These people knew nothing about each other besides the fact that they both knew Greg and I. Yet, they meshed together like the void had never been there. As if this was not just a first introduction.

I believe this is just because our friends love well.

It is always just super encouraging for Greg and I because we realize just because we come from different places, doesn't mean the worlds have to exist separately. We can all be together.

Our weekend was filled with...

apple picking, egg breakfasts, hot cider, pumpkin carving, laughing, coffee dates, bike rides in the city,birthday parties, homemade pumpkin spice lattes, church, good talks, lots of hugs, mass amounts of food, free vinyl, naps, and the warm cozy feeling.

Pres and Den thank you so much for visiting!!! Please come again anytime:)

Tonight's goal: GET THIS HAIR DYED. serrrioussslyyy.

Yay, happy heart,

xo j

These friends of mine.

I have really talented friends.

No seriously, whenever I am in need of almost anything, I probably know someone who specializes in it. Wether its book smart, helping me recall dates and facts- giving me historical insight to situations. Music gifts, friends who make me smile when I see them sing because I know how much they love it or play me an instrument just so I can dance- or to make me laugh- or put me to sleep. Artistic friends, those who are brilliant painters, photographers, designers, and screen printers. Tech-e friends that I can call when my computer crashes or I can't recover a document. Teacher friends, those I can bounce curriculum and lesson plans off of, those who get as giddy as I do in the children's section of a bookstore. I have a wide range, and I love it. I love being connected to a group if people so diverse in their strengths. It makes us such an interesting bunch:)

Well anyway, I'm a super proud friend. I notice when I meet new people and talk about my loved ones, I am so energized to share who they are (as people) and all their accomplishments. So I decided to just start embarrassing them all on this blog.

Introducing my very first blog segment: Friend of the week:)

I'm sure this wont be an every week thing. I just want to credit these people for how amazing they are. They are all making the world more beautiful in their own ways, and have all had impact on my life.

So should we just get started?

Friend of the week: Danny Ebersole

Danny is a newer friend of mine, he is just darling. He is dating one of my best friends, Brandi. (<3)>

I have noticed over the last year he is really growing in his ability as a photographer, and more specifically using film. Some of his photos cause me to take a deep breath because they are just so beautiful. Some of them make my eyes well up (I am a sappy girl) so much that I have to instantly print them out and hang them on the inspiration wall.

Just a few of my favorites.

You can see more here! Love you friend.

Quite enough for now I think. I still am reallllly going to post some of my as of late projects tonight!

I'm surrounded with wonderful people,

J

Be still my heart, This could be a brand new start.

Whew, whirlwind.

I got off the plane yesterday got home, put my bags in my room and I was out the door again.

In my car I felt such serenity. I just loved driving myself again and having my music blasting as drove into the city.

Of course right to Joys I went. I love her room, its so peaceful, just like her parents house. Its like she literally cut out a portion of their home and made a life for herself in it. I just get the same feeling when I'm in either place.

Out to tea, venting of my very full brain, joined by Pete, then off to the Bug Jar.

A few very wonderful bands were playing including my friend Bri's band which I love.

It was a very happy night, with a lot of very happy faces that I missed quite terribly. And the hugs and love and smiles and chats were all medicine to my deeply yearning soul. I was home, with my family and couldn't be more thankful.

Anyway, do you have a list of those simple things that can make your heart happy no matter your mood? Like really soft grass on bare feet, or home made apple pie?

Well somewhere in my top 10 is snail mail/care packages. So I was more than thrilled to see this on my doorstep from Greg's mama.

Of course it was filled with treasures..

she made me these little slippers, I mean reallly?! so cute.

mini buttons! some of these are smaller than my pinky nail. ekks!

and A TON of vintage zippers!

Thanks mama. love you.

So the cool air is blowing in my room. Apple cinnamon tea with honey is made, music is on and a long night of sewing is ahead of me.

OH! ps. my littles totally had to have matching glasses with miss jessie. Adorable.

.xoxogreenbird.