I've been experimenting with double exposure photography over the past few days -- I find it rather enchanting and whimsical (though I must confess I'm left bit disoriented after awhile, ha!) Do you have a favorite?

I don't have much to say today -- all my free time lately has been devoted to working on the blog changes (which will launch Monday, be sure to check back!). It's only February third, but this month has already felt so long. I like it though -- it's so nice to finally have a bit of extra time to do things other than school. And the weather has been crazy mild. This time last year, we were drowning in snow; this year, it's sixty and seventy degrees every day. I'm not a huge fan of winter, but this is a bit strange, I must say.

As for today, it's been filled with rain and shopping and The Avett Brothers. And for tonight, I'm thinking some more Downton Abbey is in order. (fifth night in a row! can't get enough.)

Happy Friday, loves.

[i love these two so much.]

The sun wrapped tendrils of sweet warmth around me, the gentle breeze rippled through the bare branches, and the sweet cacophony of the birds sang their afternoon song (a symphony greater than anything man-made), while we strayed off the path and went exploring in the bushes. We knew that we were in the middle of civilization, but pretended  (or at least I did) we were instead in a remote patch of woods. Sometimes I feel like I'm drowning in a sea of uncertainty--planning your future can be and is insanely scary--and it was good for me to get away from it all and change the scenery a bit, especially with the best friend and the best sibs. It was such a simple moment that we shared together, but it was a surefire way to start a good week. When can we go exploring again?

ps over the last few days, i've been working on some changes to this space that will launch in february (which is already tomorrow, eek!). so excited for you all to see them!

I spent the afternoon journaling, sipping coffee, eating ice cream, and gardening. The weather has been so unseasonably warm this year -- but I'm not complaining. It's rather nice not having to worry about bundling up. And as for journaling, that's something I've started this week. I've always kept a diary, and I regularly fill up notebooks with my writing, but I intend to make this new journal visually appealing as well. I like sitting down in the afternoon to fill blank pages with quotes and song lyrics and blackout poems and short stories.

Do you journal?

ps i caved and got a formspring account...ask away, loves!

I've spent the past four days surrounded by snowy vineyards, forests with impossibly tall trees, and wonderfully foggy lakes. I flew thirty-two thousand feet above the earth, took photographs in the cold until my fingers throbbed, and laughed until my sides ached. I experienced new things, met new people...and fell blissfully in love with a new country.

My dad was invited to be a keynote speaker at a conference in Canada, near Niagara Falls, and I jumped at the opportunity to come along (oh, the perks of being a pastor's daughter, ha!). It was such an adventure, and I never expected to fall so utterly in love with this gorgeous country, especially when it was blanketed by a fresh layer of snow.

I'm home now. Yes, it's nice to be back in my own bed and surrounded by family, but there is a part of me that misses Canada so. I'm a bit reluctant to get back into the daily grind of life, though I suppose all good things must come to an end. But the memories we made will be unforgettable and I feel crazy blessed to have these new experiences.

Canada? I'm coming back. Promise.