seattle.

seattle.

we make our way out there every summer. and love it.

 

this guy on the left was hoola-hooping, plaing the guitar, and singing "mrs. jackson." he was my favorite.

 

athenian inn. another tradition! (also where they filmed part of the movie Sleepless in Seattle.)

 

leaving the dock and back on the ferry....it was windy:)

jefferson.

jefferson beach, washinton

Point No Point.

a while ago i posted about my favorite place in the world...

i went back this summer (as a life long tradition!) 

it was too short.

way. way. waaaayyyy too short.

and it happens to be my favorite place in the world so much so that I came home with far too many pictures to post all at once. 

So i'll split it up. 

Spread out the fun. 

Stretch out the memories as far as i can until i have to wait until next summer..

Point No Point Lighthouse in Hansville, Washington.

raspberry.

remember my favorite jam?

mmmm....

favorite place in the world.

there's a small little house in a small little town in the evergreen state.

its my favorite place in the world.

my favorite memories...

my favorite smells...

favorite sounds...

favorite homemade jam from home grown and picked raspberries and blackberries...

i even welcome every mosquito bite. (and believe me...there's a lot)

 theyre all part of the memories.

they're all bundled up into my childhood summers and tucked away neatly in this little house waiting for me each time i come back.

(this "favorite place" is oma and grandpa's house, by the way. :)

my mom, brother and i cheated this year and snuck a trip up before summer came. just a quick trip.

it wasnt long, but its enough to hold me over for a few months.

love.love.love.

be back this summer.

Oak Glen

a few years ago, Darren and I went with my family to Oak Glen in Yucaipa. I fell in love with it! The trees are beautiful. its as close as california gets to "seasonal." We decided it was time for a return visit.

you can pick your own apples here! how fun!

lunchtime.

candy time. this place had the

best.

fudge.

ive ever.

tasted.

petting zoo!?

and finally, if you asked both of us what we would say you just had to leave with, if nothing else?.....this is what we'd tell you:

him: apple donuts.

her: the cider. really. its that good!

september...

can you believe it?? because i'm having a hard time believing that summer is over and September is here. 

i have mixed feelings. 

at the start of each new season, i always (always always) think that that season is my favorite. In December, i can list 1001 reasons why winter is my favorite...come March, there is another long list why i like spring the most. Summer can obviously hold its own when it comes to reasons why its the best.

and although i am in denial about summer coming to an end, today does mark the beginning of a new season. so naturally...today i thought about all the reasons why fall is my new "favorite season." (for the fourth time this year.)

1. the colors. i love the dark and golden colors of fall.

2. pumpkin scented and flavored everything! (candles, bread, pies, and on and on)

3. the idea of crisp air and leaves changing and the need for boots and scarves. i say "idea" because lets be real...i live in california.

4. baking. baking. and maybe some baking.

5. apple cider!

6. the holidays. back to back from Halloween to Thanksgiving to Christmas. There is always something to be excited about.

7. and lastly...the family. fall and winter always seem so cozy and family-filled and happy. 

so there you have it. seven reasons why fall is my "favorite" (ha!) season.

here's to you, september!