Talking Buns: 5 Things

This weekend was really great. My friend Pam was in town and, as usual, she brought her camera and snapped some pictures. She took some of me, my little family, and of the place we call home. We were able to have some much needed one on one catching up time (as she just moved to Missouri!), we spent some time with friends, and I was able to get some rest and have a little me-time. There were some really great things that stuck with me this weekend and I thought I couldn't help but share 5 of them (they are a little random so bare with me).

1. See yourself as others see you

I love when Pam takes photos of my family. She has a way of capturing not just moments, but emotions. Whenever I see the photos of myself I always comment, "Pam you make me look so pretty!". And her response is always "you are pretty, that's how I always see you.".  She has said this comment before but I've always brushed it off. This time I actually took it to heart. Lately I think my eyes and ears have been a little more open and receptive to what has been around me. Novel thought, what if we actually took to heart all the compliments that people told us about ourselves? How pretty we are, how smart we are; how wonderful we raise our children, how well we do at keeping a calm home. The list goes on. How wonderful it would be to grow our self love and self worth if we listened to the positives and believed them ourselves. I'm going to try to do this more often. How about trying it as well?

2. Share your feelings with those who have similar experiences

Over the past few weeks after our recent loss it's been paramount for me to be able to talk. Share to my spouse how I'm feeling, as those emotions come up. Every day is different, my mood changes and different things trigger that. Sharing how I'm feeling with Cory has been so important. But there was that missing piece that he just couldn't relate to. The longing to be a mom and the feelings you get when your body just says no. I connected with a friend who had a miscarriage recently. Freeing. How freeing it was to share exactly how I was feeling with some other woman who has felt the same way. My feelings were validated and I feel like I've finally had some closure with the situation. Everyone is different and has their preferences with how they grieve, however, I truly believe there is something powerful in talking things through. And a good cry at that as well.

3. Alone time is rejuvenating

Don't schedule a thing. For a whole day. Absolutely nothing. When we have time to just breath in silence, to not have to leave the house for anything, we get recharged. Make that fancy grocery list and rewrite it twice if you want just to make it look pretty, go for a walk at that very second you decide you want to; you want new flowers in the house, go get a few bunches. Do want you want, not what you need to do. Give your time to just be. Take some calming breaths and re-center yourself. Give yourself time. Whatever that may look like. Time to think, breath, stretch, eat healthy, refocus your goals. Be alone with yourself for a little bit. Oh the things it can do for you.

4. Shopping is always therapeutic

If you are in Portland there is a cute little store I just discovered. Porch Light It's this cute little Anthro-inspired store that sells a variety of feel good things. See candles, succulents, and beautiful jewelry. It's been on my check-out list for a while and I finally was able to pop in.

5. Eating clean is good all around

I decided to start another round of whole 30. I was feeling a little disconnected from my eating habits and from my body lately. And what better way then to do a little reboot. The whole 30 program is really great and I definitely swear by the fact that I do feel better when I eat this way. I'm ready to reconnect with my body and the foods I'm eating. Ready to get back into a healthy routine of eating habits before the summer ends.

Thanks for listening to all that randomness! I dare you to give yourself some alone time if you are feeling like you need a recharge. Laugh and love yourself.

xo / leah

Birthday: Quarter of a Century

{photo circa 1995 of my sister and I at the Portland Rose Gardens}

This weekend I turned 25!! The day was absolutely perfect. We did exactly what I was hoping to do. Eat and walk my way around Portland. But before we get started with how awesome the day was, lets rewind to a few days prior. 

My twin sister and I share a birthday, obviously, but my brother is two years younger than us and was born just 4 days after our 2nd birthday. My sister drove down from Seattle for a night so we all could celebrate together. We ordered pizzas and just sat around outside catching up and talking about the year that was and the year that was to be. 

It was so special to have both of them there to start this birthday week off right. 

On my actual birthday I woke up to the smell of bacon being cooked in the kitchen by Cory. That man knows the way to my heart. After a light breakfast we headed to Pip's Doughnuts for the most amazing doughnuts I've ever had. I've been looking forward to going to the place for a while. Not only do they have perfectly small, delicious, hand-made doughnuts, but they have Chai flights (!!) , and on your birthday you get a free dozen of those little yummies. So yeah, this day started off perfectly! We were able to try all there little flavor combinations and taste every last drop of their perfectly made Chai. My favorite doughnut was the apricot-habenero and my favorite chai was the King and I. 

We walked around Fremont for a little while, perusing through little shops and just exploring that part of Portland. Some beautiful homes are in this neighborhood as well. We then headed over to Division where we knew we'd be having lunch. We walked around and explored some more shops, a fun one was Artifact; a place to get neat little gifts, up-cycled clothes, jewelry and furniture pieces, definitely Portland I'd say. We were halfway trying to find a new restaurant to try for lunch, but the Pok Pok wings were calling us and we just couldn't resist. 

Of course we weren't disappointed. After a delicious lunch we decided to head home to cool off a bit (it was 95 that afternoon) and to rest up before night time. 

Cory surprised me with dinner. He made reservations at Departure and completely surprised me with this gorgeous restaurant downtown. He's not the type who loves being downtown and after a day of walking around it I didn't think he'd be up for going back down. But he surprised me and it was oh so wonderful! We split a couple small plates from the restaurant and had a few cocktails to celebrate the day. We then met up with some friends at East Burn for some rounds of Skee Ball and Cornhole. We stayed there for a few hours before realizing we were hungry again. So we finished the night at Straight from new York for none other than a huge slice of pizza. 

The day was so wonderful and I felt incredibly special. I have an amazing husband who surprises and spoils me, I have a city that is just dripping with good food and fun places, and friends who love to have a good time. This birthday looks a little different than what I was expecting it to, but it was so wonderful and one I will always remember. 

Thank you to everyone, friend and family, who made this birthday time a lovely one. 

xo / leah

PDX Favorites: Sauvie Island Farm

A couple of weeks ago my mom and I headed to Sauvie Island Farms. This has become my new favorite summer tradition. I went for the first time last year with my friend Lauren and I was partially embarrassed that I had NEVER been here before. Just North of downtown Portland, acres and acres of you-pick farms. There are few things better than sunshine and berry picking, at least in the summer. 

We picked a real good bunch of Marionberries and Blueberries, enough to last us till next summer. It was hot that day and I was extra thankful some of their sprinklers were running. Yup I was that person running in the sprinkles like a little kid. But it felt amazing. 

Here's to farms and berries for days. 

xo / leah

A Day Berry Picking: Sauvie Island Farms

My friend Lauren and I both had the day off and we decided to head to Sauvie Island Farms to spend the early afternoon getting us some berries. Apparently I've been living under a rock because in the 19 years I've been in Oregon, I haven't once been here to pick berries. Granted, my parents had a pretty nice sized urban garden and I spent many a summer day picking the green beans, lettuce, and raspberries in our backyard. However, going to a huge island with an over abundance of fruit and vegetables to hand pick…it pretty much confirmed my desire to live on a farm. 

We loaded up our wagons with the buckets and bowls we brought and headed out. 

First stop: the Blueberries.

Oh yeah..did anyone know that cabbage grew like this? No idea! They were seriously 3 feet wide.

We pretty much picked one of the hottest days of the week to go and be berry pickers, but it was worth it. Sitting, talking, picking, and eating our way down the rows. It was so beautiful to see fruit in it's natural state. Definitely made me appreciate just going to the store to pick up a quart of berries. 

Between us we picked about 6 gallons of blueberries. They were delicious. 

We headed down the path to the Marionberries. These were definitely a labor of love. 

 We finished by the peach trees. I came out with some of the largest peaches I've ever laid my hands on. 

This place not only had fruit till your heart (and hands) were content, but had everything from broccoli, beets, and peppers, to dill, rosemary, and flowers. The Dahlias were so beautiful.

Even though it was hot and tiring, the 4 hours out in the sun was totally worth it. Walking back to the car I couldn't help myself to want to pick more and more. There was so much goodness just screaming to be picked! 

I am so glad we went and I know this will be a summer tradition from now on. I might just have to grow my own mini farm!

To berries for days,

xo leah