abbie || meet-up no. 2

“Friendship,” said Christopher Robin, “is a very comforting thing to have.”

Well here we are & here summer is, almost at the door. It's been a busy but still wonderful, amazing, & beautiful one. Blogging inspiration has been at an ultimate low lately & all I've really felt like doing is soaking up as much sunshine & as many summer memories as possible. I still can't believe time passed so quickly. It seems like only yesterday it was May & the flowers were just starting to bloom. I guess that's just another one of summer's traits, making time zoom by.

But summer is not quite gone just yet. We're heading to Florida early tomorrow morning & these last two wonderful weeks will be filled with ocean, waves, seashells & sand dollars, road trips, picture taking, ice cream, swimming, laughter, & family. All my very favourite things together. So much excitement!!

It seems like the best was left for last because, besides our Florida vacation, I also got to meet up with one of my favourite people ever last week! Abbie didn't think she could make it down south this summer, but she did & THIS happened. And I'm so, so, so happy it did because I had the best time! It was a day filled with Starbucks (Abbie's first time & she's a die-hard frappuccino fan now), window shopping, photoshoots, a visit to the theater (we saw Sea of Monsters), & of course, ice cream. In one word: AWESOME.

Well here's to family & friends & summer memories. Enjoy the last rays of summer & I will be back soon! :)

hugs,
e

p.s. Abbie, we are SO doing this together next year. For real.

mayflowers

"Do you know what I think Mayflowers are, Marilla? I think they must be the souls of the flowers that died last summer, and this is their heaven."
 anne with an 'e'

florida 2012 || part 2

Waves crash against the seashore, bringing with them tiny shells, adorned with colors of white and purple. Rays of sunshine peek in through palm tree leaves, only to disappear moments later. A steady breeze blows in from the direction of the sea, making my hair fly, and filling my lungs with the fresh aura of adventure. I gaze at the glittering waters before me, made up of the deepest sea blue, and stretching far out into the horizon. If I look hard enough, I can just make out the clear, bright blue sky meeting the ocean, forming its own unique blend of color. It looks so peaceful... and is yet so powerful & full of life. The sea.
And as the sun starts to set over the waves, lighting them on fire, I desperately wish I could sail into the ombre sunset. Far, far into the water... to the land beyond the sunset.
inhaling. exhaling. breathing. dreaming. tucking this lovely memory away.
ocean hugs,
E
 

florida 2012 || part 1

west virginia <3

We set off for Florida on August 28th, bright & early in the morning - just before sunrise. On day one, we crossed the border at Port Erie, went through Ohio, Pennsylvania, & then across West Virginia. I absolutely fell in love with West Virginia. The mountains & valleys, all arrayed in the deepest, most vibrant shades of green & bright blue rivers winding through the hills. It was the most picturesque place! I only regret not getting to see the trees dressed in full autumn splendor... it would've been simply magical.
After driving through West Virginia, we went on to Virginia, were we stayed the night at a friend's house in the country (AND that's were I got to pick up my brand new Canon 5D + 50mm 1.4, but more on that in another post. soon. I promise).

The following morning, I woke up at 5:30am... to this. I literally stared out my window for about five minutes before sneaking out to capture it all. The photos above do not give this scene even half the credit it deserves. Words cannot describe this wonderful fresh feeling you get standing there. You have to be there, to see the magnificent golden light peaking in through the mist, to breathe in the lovely fresh air, smelling of morning & country & promise. It just makes you feel wonderfully & truly alive.

And it makes you see & appreciate all the little, but oh-so-important precious moments.

~~~~~~

On day two, we headed out from Virginia & passed through North Carolina, South Carolina, & Georgia. They had the weirdest, most annoying two-headed flies in Georgia, by the way. Kinda scary too, actually. Especially when you're not expecting one to land on your arm - & it does.

And then, after two days of driving, we finally reached our destination. Florida. It greeted us with big black storm clouds & torrents of rain... which left us alone after about half an hour. You see, the thing about Florida is, when it rains, it rains hard... but then, it cuts off. Just like that. No warning. BAM... and it stops.

(part 2 coming soon... :)