Weekend in the Woods

Back in January my husband and I attended a newlywed retreat that some dear friends of ours host every year, and even though we aren't technically newlyweds anymore, they were so lovely to let us come anyway since we missed it the first year we were married as we unexpectedly moved away! Anyhow, at the retreat we played The Newlywed Game and we won...5th place, I think? The prize was a night stay at a lovely cabin in the woods. We finally found the time to go this passed weekend and it was so lovely! Such a nice getaway after a hectic summer!

There was a gas fireplace, which I was SO thankful for because Britton and I both can't keep a fire going to save our lives. We really should learn how one day. Survival skills are important, right?

Our cabin was right next to a creek, we walked out on our back deck and this is what you see! It was lovely to listen to while falling asleep! And just look...so gorgeous!

 On the way up we stopped at my favorite place, Sahalie Falls. I took some of my hand knits to get photos of them. I've always wanted to stand this close to the falls...it was amazing! And I got so wet! But it was worth it. I felt like I had fallen into a chapter of Lord of the Rings.

My new favorite hand knit that I just finished last week is my Hinagiku Hat. It is so comfy and the perfect amount of slouch! I can't wait until the temperature cools down here, I'm going to wear it all the time!

 There is this Christmas store on the way to the cabin that we pass every time we go to the valley. We have always thought it a random place for a shop all about Christmas, but this trip I decided I wanted to be adventurous and stop and check it out and buy something! Just so we could say we had. I got this little Rudolph ornament, isn't it cute? And it's made in Oregon which is cool!

Now we are back home and even though it was a lovely trip, it feels so good to be back. Which in my mind means the trip was successful. We had just enough time away to make us miss home.

How was your weekend?
♥Anna

Back Again

Hello friends!

I've been staring at this blank blog post for the past few weeks trying to figure out how to pick back up what I've neglected for so long. I didn't know if I should recap all the time lost, or simply start where I am at today. I decided I just needed to dive in and break the ice and go from there. 

I have to admit it has been a nice break, but as the year is swiftly passing by I find myself missing taking time to write. Not just post pictures. As much as I love Instagram I feel like I've gotten lazy about writing, and sometimes I miss it. So hopefully as I feel inspired, I will post a little more often.

One thing I will share with you that happened over my summer is that I had abdominal surgery. It was supposed to be minor and turned into something a little more major which meant 6 weeks recovery instead of 1 week. But I was so blessed through everything with good friends to take care of me and bring me meals. And it really was good for me to be forced to rest and not feel guilty about it. I'm doing much better now and I'm mostly recovered, but I'm still very easily fatigued so life is slower than I sometimes wish it to be. But maybe that's God's way of telling me to slow down and not take on so much. Through it all life is really good and God has taught me so much about trusting in Him and finding peace and joy through trials and frustrations. 

Lately my focus has been a lot on exercise and trying to eat healthy. (I can hear that maple donut I ate last night laughing at me right now) It's a very slow road but I'm determined to fight it out to the finish. I have been walking about 2 miles a day and working out every other day or so. And after just about a week, I am feeling stronger even though I don't see much difference. 

I've also been reading a lot and working on a project challenge which I will share in another post. (the project in the photo above is Pepple Beach Shawlette in Supernova) My favorite books lately have been Fairy Tale inspired. I've fallen in love with Gail Carson Levine novels and stayed up way too late a couple nights finishing Ella Enchanted and Fairest. So good! Right now I'm reading The Captive Maiden by Melanie Dickerson and really enjoying it. Cinderella was my favorite fairy tale when I was little so I have a soft spot for stories based on that theme. I'm hoping I can pluck up the courage to read a Dickens novel this Fall/Winter. But we shall see.

How has your Summer been? Did you do anything fun? Any exciting plans for Fall? Reading or working on anything fun?

♥Anna