Happy Birthday Cree! 


Having this wonderful man in my life makes me happier than I ever thought possible. Sometimes when I take a minute to stop and think about how wonderful he is....it takes my breath away. I love having a whole day to celebrate nothing but him.


On a sidenote: Growing up, we always got to pick a present to open in the morning. He picked one from my mama....a vintage sea foam green Swingline stapler. It is so beautiful, we swooned. For real. Mom always finds the best presents. Always.

I took a different way to the post office the other day because of construction and found this new little book shop nestled away on a side street.  I thought it was cute that rather than make the widow displays all done up like most, they just used the window as extra shelf space. No frills, just books. Love it. 


PS. Tomorrow is Cree's birthday! We've planned a day jam packed with fun. I love birthdays!

Here are some shots from Cree's school. I absolutely love meeting him here after work. The gentleman who donated the funds to initially build the law school was an introvert of sorts and requested places for students to "hide." Apparently there are secret rooms all over. The minute I heard this, I felt an immediate kinship with him. When I work, I totally prefer to be alone...unless Cree is there, then I'd want him with me too. For me and my current stage in life....my home for me is my place to "hide." I feel so safe and cozy. Some days when I'm having a frustrating day at work, I just yearn for home. 


One night, Cree and I should explore to find the hidden rooms. I'll keep you posted if we have any success. Our fingers are crossed.

I got a package from Madewell!!! I've been saving my birthday funds for the perfect pair of boots...mine have holes in the soles (I loved them so much, I've had them re-soled three times...I figured it's about time for a new pair.) Anyway they came last week and i've worn them everyday since. I'll have to take some photos of them this weekend. Don't you love their graphic design?

Also, because I like to give credit where credit is do, I'd like to support my friend Kenz and urge you all to visit her new shop and check our her scarves. I think she did a really lovely job. 

I got a fun e-mail from an Lindsey Costello (Robb's wife) last week. She and her husband had some old polaroids of Cree and sent us the scans. I just giggled and giggled. He looks like he could be straight out of the seventies with this swoopy bangs and those bell bottoms. I'm guessing this was taken about five years ago, but I think he could pass for a 70's man. 

Cree and I had our first orientation meeting at the Robot Shop downtown a couple nights ago. The Robot Shop is one of many tutoring facilities started all around the US by author Dave Eggers. There's the Spy shop in Chicago, The Superhero store in Brooklyn, The Space Shop in Seattle, The Pirate store in LA and a couple others. I personally think the Robot Shop has the best design. :)


Each night of the week they are open for tutoring, then during the day and weekends they hold writing workshops for kids. Cree is all for tutoring with his Teach for America background, but I'm not so keen on the idea. It kind of makes me really nervous. They do however need graphic designers to help layout and design the books the students write...awesome huh?  I'm sure they have tons of people volunteer, but I'm hoping with all my heart they ask me to help. At orientation I won two of the student published books. (Made my day because I never win anything!) They were filled with short stories by local elementary students and they just about melted my heart with cuteness. I'll keep you posted on our Robot progress. 

So, this is work. Yes, I do keep a messy desk, but always clean up before I leave.  We just finished up the program book for the Once Festival, so life is a bit more relaxed.  

This weekend we took off a bit early on Friday for a weekend get-away to Warren Dunes in Western Michigan. We've been so busy, we were yearning for an adventure. It is Cree's fall break today and tomorrow, so he figured he could take a break for homework. We roasted hot dogs, made s'mores, sang campfire songs, hiked the dunes and just enjoyed each others company. We both felt rejuvenated by the trip...the air, colors, the beach, the wind...it was exactly what we needed.

Fall is here. I think my favorite part (next to the colors) is that fantastic crunching sound you get when you walk through a pile of leaves on the sidewalk.

These are of Biff's school. I love old buildings. They have so much character. One of these days I'm going to go take some detail shots of Cree's law school. Stained glass, gargoyles....I love meeting him after work. Now all the trees are turning yellow and orange, it makes me feel like we are at Hogwarts. 


PS. I"ve been listening to this album non-stop on Grooveshark...thank you Brooke. I haven't been on Pandora since she posted about Grooveshark. The Gambler is my favorite. It kinda makes my heart hurt. Listening to Nate Ruess reminds me of my sophomore year of college. I like his crazy high notes. 

Cree's parents got cows. Awesome right? I should have taken more photos while we were in Idaho...next time, next time. 

Cree and I found a little stand in Ann Arbor that sells fresh watermelon juice and hibiscus juice.  We've been craving more ever since we found them, but it was about $3 a cup which is a bit our of our budget. If anyone knows any recipes or even how to make something like that, let us know. It was SO good. I would be forever indebted to you.

More from birthday...We made the Buttermilk Cake from Smitten Kitchen and went for a bike ride to Zingerman's. Yummmm, yum, yum. Alpha sent me the vintage post card from New York. Cute huh? I also love Cree's handmade tags....he loves to make me little surprises on the old-school typewriter. 

More from Sleeping Bear Dunes.


Photos by my mama.

We also competed in the Cherry Pit Spitting contest. The highest spit was 31 feet!!! I can't remember if it was Cree or Will who won, but it sure was close. I think I got about 9 feet, which was most defiantly last place. These photos make me laugh.

After we got back from the Philippines, my family decided to come to Michigan and have a mini family reunion. We drove up to Sleeping Bear Dunes...one of my all time favorite places on earth. My family is addicted to national parks. I think I've mentioned our passports before, but let me just say again that getting a stamp in our passport is like getting a report card full of A's. We just love it. 


A couple years ago, my mama bought the Junior Ranger hat at the National Park store. This year, we each took turns taking our Junior Ranger photo for the inside of our passports. We tried to show our inner junior ranger. 


One of my favorite Junior Ranger hat stories was when we walked up to the ranger to ask for directions and my mom (wearing her junior ranger hat) exclaimed, "I'm a ranger too!" To this the park ranger replied, " A junior ranger." Emphasis on the junior. He meant business and did not find the situation amusing at all. Since then, we've kept the hat in the car. :)