Man, it is beautiful out today! We're not used to seeing the sun around here in December and it feels oh so good. I saw someone call Portland sexy today on instagram, and I gotta agree- those blue skies and big sun are beckoning!
Continue reading "Well hello, beautiful day! & goodbye til next year " »
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...and the mister, around the neighborhood we feel so lucky to live in, on a crisp and clear Autumn evenin'.
No, this wasn't today- today is a total sogfest, as is Portland most of the time during fall. But that just means when the sun decides to peek itself out, it makes it all the more magical.
Dang.
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The mister and I went on a little mid-week daytrip to the beach last week, and gosh it was gorgeous! We went to Lincoln City- ate some Mexican, checked out the antique stores and were lucky enough to catch the whole sunset from the beach. Come watch the sunset with us, won't ya?
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Each year in Portland, we get a population of Swifts who roost in a chimney at a local elementary school for the most part of September, as a stop along their migration path.
During this time, just before sunset you can see the swifts start to gather and hundreds of them swirl and whoosh and fly around the air together in unison until they ultimately whirlpool down into the chimney where they roost for the night.
It's a totally amazing sight and one that we've been wanting to see in person for a couple years after watching a documentary on our PBS station about them- and a couple weeks ago, we got the chance to go with some friends of ours and it was AWESOME! In the truest sense of the word- nature is crazy amazing and awe inspiring.
But I didn't catch any pics of the birdies swirling into the chimney at the end as they do, because you really need a zoom lens and tripod for that, so I thought the photos were kinda a bust. But I was checking them out again yesterday and eventhough I didn't catch the money shot at the end, so to speak, there were some pretty beautiful moments along the way that I did catch- so I thought I'd share them afterall!
{our little friend Juniper}
There was a hawk waiting on the edge of the chimney ready to grab his dinner as the swifts came in, and they would swoop in a pack and scare him off and the crowd would cheer! And then the hawk would go for a kill and dive, get nothing and the crowd would cheer! And we wouldn't see the hawk for a little while and the swifts started to swirl around like they were going to go into the chimney, and the hawk would suddenly return and the crowd gasped! And the swifts would swirl around and scare him off again, and the crowd cheered!
It went on like that for about half and hour until the hawk finally caught some dinner, and then the swift's roosting ritual could go back to normal. It was hilarious! A whole hillside packed with people just riveted watching nature unfold in front of us- pretty darn cool.
God, I just love the fall! I feel like I come alive in a whole new way this time of year, I love watching all the changes happening around us.
Do you have swifts where you live? What sort of natural phenomena is making you feel happy to be alive lately?
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I've just spent literally hours sifting through all the photos I took this past weekend on a little trip to the coast with my friends Jen & Julz!
It was amazing weather, an incredible spot to stay, and there were so many memorable, photo-worthy moments. Here are just some of my favorites from the weekend!
We stayed at the Anchor Inn in Lincoln City, which is decked head to toe in vintage collections- it's trippin' the kitsch fantastic in there, such an awesome place to stay!
Hanging out in Jen's room at the inn- that's not quite tea we were sipping out of those cups ;)
Ate dinner (and breakfast the next day, which is included!) in the Tiki Lounge
It's only a few blocks from the beach- we walked down to watch the sunset that night.
We stumbled upon a magical fort that had been built out of driftwood. We claimed it as ours and played there as the sun went down.
I wish I could transplant that fort, and the sound of the wind and ocean along with it, to my backyard to escape to whenever I need to relax- it felt so incredible there.
We stuck around the Anchor Inn that morning to eat, try out Jen's Clarisonic (I want one!) and say bye-bye to the super nice people who run the place.
And we headed back to the wild beach one last time...
And we walked back to that magical fort, a fog started rolling in...
And then it was time to hit the thrift stores, and say bye to Lincoln City!
My only complaint about the whole trip was that it was too darn short!
Jen and I actually went there to scope this spot out as a potential place to have a Maven Circle retreat in the future! And after spending such a relaxing, inspiring and fantastic weekend with supportive friends there, we agreed, it's the perfect place!
We're taking the flood of ideas we came up with over the weekend and starting to plan already for how to create a magical experience here for a group of creative, passionate women (you wanna come with us?) We're planning for early 2014 so you'll hear lots more about it in the coming year. It's going to be SO MUCH FUN!
It felt so good to getaway, so reviving. It really makes me realize how I need to do it more often to feel balanced and whole.
Have you gotten to take a getaway lately, mini or large? Or planning one? A change of scenery can be so inspiring, don't you think?
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Hello! Man, Monday holidays always screw me up a bit, I feel like I'm missing a day- poo!
Well over the long weekend we hung out with some friends in town from San Francisco and one day we took them out on a relaxing hike in the Columbia River Gorge. I brought my camera along, of course, so come along with us as we walk the trails, jump river rocks and admire the views.
Here's to these last gorgeous days of summer!
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I wanted to share some trip photos from the mister's birthday last week. We drove out to Tillamook and went to some thrift stores & ate ice cream. Then went over to a Cape area from there and down the coast to Pacific City where we played on the beach and got some grub. And then chased the sunset back home. It was a really fun and beautiful day.
Happy day!
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We've had so many pretties blooming in our little backyard garden over the last couple months. Here are some of my favorites... (check out may and june's flowers if you missed em!)
dahlia- from old house dahlias, in our hood
impatiens, with a litlte geranium bud peeking in
chocolate cosmos that ACTUALLY SMELL LIKE CHOCOLATE. No joke.
cally lily
bee balm- the hummingbirds love this one!
potato vine goin' buckwild- covers our chain link fence, we love it
little friend, watching me take pictures
yarrow
dahlia
so many roses
hydrangea
And here's a wider view of our garden and little backyard shed, where I film my doses of mojo videos!
Ok so it's techincally video, singular, at this point, but I'm filming more and have so much good stuff coming up soon soon- can't wait to share! The fall feeling of shifting into high gear is starting to catch me. I love this time of year!
Although today's my Mr's birthday (I love you, Mr!) and I'm off to play hooky with him at the coast to eat ice cream, take pics, drink a beer and take in the ocean breeze. Squeezing the last out of summer where we can!
What's been blooming in your neck of the woods lately? Feeling that fall buzz yet, or dreading the end of summer?
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So I got one of these olloclip lenses for the iphone, and it's pretty dang fun! Do you have one? I LOVE the macro view- I really like looking at things in depth and seeing different perspectives, it totally shifts your world. The above shots are of my begonia plant- it's like a strange and beautiful alien landscape!
In other news, I'm seeing Fiona Apple tonight and am so. freakin. excited! I grew up playing piano and she was my idol, I was obsessed with her! (ok, still kinda am :) I have butterflies! Whee!
Hope you're having a good Thursday!
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More photos from a walk around the neighborhood in the sunshine. See the first set of photos here, and let's take a summer stroll together!
Have a happy day! <3 Jena
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