Good Bye, Summer.

It feels necessary to officially say good bye to summer. To make this line in the sand, and cross over to fall. Last night I found myself in flip flops and freezing while hurrying across the Target parking lot to get into my warm car, away from the wind that often shows up with October. And it was in this moment I realized how I have been holding onto summer for as long as I could. Holding onto it even though night starts at 6:30 now, and yellow leaves scatter the ground, and window frost greets me in the morning. The reality is that this has been the hardest summer to say good bye to. Spring was cold and long, with traces of winter still, and summer was wet and mild. I feel like summer was never truly here. I guess I'm just still holding onto the idea of pool side, popsicle full, and bike ride weekends in the hot sun… so officially, this is where you and I part ways, Summer. Or at least the idea of you must go. But first, one last moment from this past August, when the concrete was hot and the nights long - from the biggest rodeo in Kansas and a parade to go with it.

A few more posts with photographs scattered from our trip to Kansas: here and here. 

Oh, Spring!

Spring is either a favorite season or completely loathed, it seems. Favorite because its warmer on the flat land, yet snowy and abundant in ski days in the mountains. Loathed because winter seems as though it can't let free its grip, hanging on as long as it can, with snow days arriving as late as May. It's a rare find when you hear someone say that Spring is somewhere in the middle. A second or third favorite? Yeah, not really. Well, at least here in Colorado. 

For me though, Spring brings an overwhelming feeling of fresh, clean, and bright. I fall on the end of loving it. You can escape to the mountains and feel the need for a beanie, after spending all day in sandals and a dress. You can eat ice-cream one day, and need a bowl of hot soup curled up on the couch the next. The window lets more light in, and the brightness brings rejuvenation after a long winter of early days cold to the touch. That first sign of Spring? With the bulbs pushing up through soil. beginning to make their green mark all around, with fresh cut tulips to ring in the season, waiting all winter long to pop up and say "Well, hello! Didn't you miss me?" Longer days, with nights that are still cool, and mornings that are still damp, with birds chirping before the sun even rises. Summer doesn't have these things, because hot and beaming and sun burnt cheeks arrive--but Spring, green and bright and new--in Spring--those things are abundant. 

So here's to an end of April and almost May. The last month of this Spring love-loathe relationship. To warmer days on the flats, and melty snow in the mountains. To cool damp mornings and fresh earth piercing blooms. To early birds chirping and bright light waking the day. To new life, and growing roots. To Spring!

photos from my Instagram Feed (@lauren_tien)

Seasons and The New Year

I feel like this blog of mine has often become a place where I share the things I am learning. Those things that I'm stuck on, and can't get over until I write it out. So thank you for sticking with me as I share the massive compiling of my heart, even if it comes out a bit wonky or in the form of long never ending run-on sentences. You may have started reading my blog because of a DIY project or a stream of pretty design photographs, or maybe through the Love Yourself Link Up or just by random stumbling. And if you've been here from the start, you've probably seen a shift in what I write about. A shift to things that I used to be hesitant in writing, like anxiety or faith, but then, when I did put words to paper (or screen), I was provided with more meaning and purpose in my writing than ever before. And so I stuck with it. If you've stuck with it too, which many of you have--you are my encouragement to keep coming back. To keep writing about those things. Thank you for that. 

So as 2014 is just a day away, I want to keep up with that momentum in my life. I want to jump into a year of writing with intention, purpose, and meaning. Being real and honest about the things I'm learning, joyfully experiencing, or struggling to grasp. Creating a place where we can openly go through life's seasons together. What do you say? Are you with me?

In January, Nellie Magazine launches, which will be yet another great place to go through life's seasons, and be encouraged to shine brightly in the everyday together, full of intentional living. Mary Beth, Natalie, Anne, Stephanie, and Allie also have inspiring spaces where conversation and inspiration aligns with these very things: truly living and loving the simple things in life.

Here's to a Happy New Year, sweet friends, one full of celebrating the seasons, and living life sharing those things that are true to who we are and what life is teaching us :)