Manzanita

Just the four of us, plus two can't-live-without friends, escaping for a short weekend to the Oregon coast. Is it possible to stand inside a sunset? Can the sand reflect the sky? Will the Farmboy steal some pussy-willow cuttings for his Sweetheart? Are there hearts made of rock? Can a two-night getaway feel like enough to hold a girl over for weeks and weeks? Can a girl find both a new favorite coffee AND a new favorite whisky in the same small town? What does a 12 year old video-game obsessed boy write in the sand? Will the 10 year old find evidence of our small town all the way over on the coast? Who is intrepid enough to step out of a cozy house into a darkening world with a camera-holding Mama, while everyone else stays behind?

The following photos will answer each and every question.

"Your Princess is in another Castle" (Mario)

"It's dangerous to go alone, take this" (Zelda)

And if that isn't enough to make you want to visit the Oregon Coast, I don't know what else to do.

My Valentines

This guy. We've had 20 Valentine's Days together now. Things are different than they were way back then. Then it was all about fancy restaurants and one-upping the previous year. Now, we share the day with our little Valentines (love takes all shapes and sizes); we celebrate family love instead of romantic love, although there is something to be said for romantic love that grows deep and strong and steady even after the excitement and thrill diminishes.

This year there were lovely flowers and dinner at my favorite local Thai restaurant.

But then... in addition... my Farmboy gave me the most romantic gift I could possibly imagine.

He gave me the sunset.

On a section of our Western horizon, where trees used to block the sun all winter long, he carved out a path, so those elusive setting-sun's beams can reach my eyes.

Decking the Halls

It's pretty simple around here... I update my little hallway chalkboard with a festive greeting. The mantel and piano top get some garland and lights. The kitchen windows get garland and a Nativity. A stack of Christmas storybooks are put out for reading. And there's a tree (harvested right here on our own property). No collections to display; no spill over into other rooms; it's pretty much just the family area that sparkles. But that is where we spend our time, and it's enough.