happy new year...almost!

Hi friends,

It’s almost 2013! When I was younger, I use to think the only thing grownups could ever talk about was the how time was always flying by and how much the weather changed. As I inch closer to becoming a grownup myself, I understand why they were always talking about time moving so quickly. (The jury is still out on the weather banter.) The days and years seem to be going by faster than ever and in just a few short hours we will  welcome yet another. Before we get to all the things we hope for in 2013, I’m going to take a little look back at 2012. It's been a bit of a whirl wind. A great whirl wind. 

The year was brought in with fun friends, a trip back to Alabama and the Bachelor Brownies. (Bachelor brownies consist of printing off women’s faces, putting them on toothpicks, sticking them on brownies and watching a terrible reality show. It’s excellent.) It continued on with birthday celebrations, pretty spring flowers and a really fun trip to the beach with my Mama. Summer greeted me with gorgeous sunsets, fun day trips, an apple pie on the fourth and an incredible birthday beach trip. The fall of 2012 was rounded out by my internship in Portland which really needs a whole post of its own. Four months filled with new everything; including some really beautiful scenery. The final days of this year have been spent with family and a lot of food. It’s been wonderful. I have learned and grown so much this year and looking back at it makes me so happy but most of all, so thankful.

Here’s a little look at this year:

a long awaited update + Tour De Pacific Northwest

Friends!

It has been way too long! It's been a crazy couple of weeks. My friend Carolyn  came to Portland to visit me during the last week I was there and then we flew home to Florida together. We figured it would be best to plan it that way because twelve hours of travel is only made worse when you have to do it alone. We had ourselves a classic adventure in the Pacific Northwest and even though it didn't go as smoothly as either of us hoped, we made a lot of memories that I'm sure will last forever. (Along with the bruise on Carolyn's knee from tripping as she got on the bus.) Sorry Carol. 

Traveling home also included eight (!!) bags full to the brim. Roughly 300 pounds. I know, I know, who needs that much stuff? No one. The answer is no one. Nevertheless, eight bags sadly turned into seven when I left one on our first connection from Portland to Oakland. The missing bag held my laptop, camera and art supplies. Needless to say, I was a bit upset when I realized what I had done. Thankfully my bag was delivered to me a few days later by way of FedEx and hefty price tag.

Here are a few photos from the start of our adventure. Anyone that goes to Oregon for the first time will undoubtedly be taken to the Columbia River Gorge without hesitation because it is that beautiful. Remember when I went the first time? Four short months ago.  

Hope you had a happy Christmas!

Emily 

super sweater sunday.

Howdy friends! 

As the days creep closer to Christmas, festive gatherings seem to be out in full force. Last week, the church that I have been going to in Portland, Mars Hill, had the brilliant idea to have a Christmas Sweater Sunday. Everyone wore their Christmas best and after the service there were photo booths set up so you could get portraits taken. A grand time was had by all! 

I am so very thankful that in just a few short months I have been able to find a great church, people who were so welcoming, and a community of friends that have been nothing but generous and sincere. Friends aren't always easy to come by so I feel pretty blessed that I have found so many great ones here in the North West. 

Fondly from Portland, 

Emily 

p.s. I'm also getting really excited because THIS GIRL gets here in exactly one week!!! (That sentence really deserved to be in all caps.) It is going to be awesome. 

  

seaside, or.

Hey Friends! 

A windy afternoon was spent at the coastal town of Seaside this weekend. Despite leaving with hands that were too cold to feel, it was a lovely time spent with really great friends. Most people will probably look at you with a question mark face if you tell them you are going to spend the day at the coast in December but don't let their puzzled looks stop you. The Pacific coast is breathtaking and a lot of perspective can be gained from doing some things out of turn. 

Have a great Monday folks!

Fondly from Portland, 

Emily 

 

weekends are the best.

Hey there!

This weekend kicked off in downtown Portland to see the new 007 movie, Skyfall. Downtown is really pretty at night but as we walked through the city, my Florida blood was so thankful that it wasn't any colder. I've pretty much come to terms with wearing a heavy coat from this point forward. The rest of this weekend is going to be pretty awesome too. I am headed out to a DIY fair, a Pie Social and hopefully watching the Noles take down some turtles. It's going to be major.

 I hope your weekend is full of fun things and good friends. 

Also, you should come to Portland & eat some pie. Just do it.

Fondly from Portland,
Emily

thankful thursday.

Friends!!

Let's welcome November with open arms and full hearts. The truth is, there is so much in the world to be thankful for. All around us are opportunities to be grateful for the small things, the big things, the expected and the unexpected. So let's do just that. Every Thursday I will post a little something that is currently filling my heart with joy. 

Today, I am so thankful for the comforts of home in a new place. You've Got Mail is the only movie I brought with me to Portland and I'm so glad I did. There is something about hearing the opening song chime in that will always be familiar to me. "Dreams are nothing more than wishes, and a wish is just a dream." I am also incredibly grateful for the United States Postal Service and their ability to transport sweet little packages from my lovely friends and family over 3,000 miles.

Yes, you're right, these things are not big but they are worth celebrating. 

What are you thankful for this week? I would love to know. Enjoy this first day of November!

Fondly from Portland, 

Emily