To grandma's house we go... actually I call her Nana. These are from one of our weekend stops...Liberty, Missouri. It's been almost two years since we've been.

Our trip to Kansas City was too short....we felt melancholy leaving so soon. I don't know what I'd do without my sweet family. More photos to follow.

Exciting news! Cree and I arrived home last night to a wonderful email from Adam at Ambrose....the tees are finished!  A couple months ago, he and his wife Jenna asked if I'd be open to letting them use my Save Michigan print on a t-shirt to raise money for their after school arts program. It has been a joy and an honor to be a part of their wonderful program these past few months. Buy a shirt here!


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Ambrose is a collective of artists, designers, thinkers and makers dedicated to using their talent for good. It started in 2008 when husband and wife team Adam & Jenna Weiler, and a group of volunteers started organizing weekly workshops for high school students based on their responses to two questions: “What do you want to learn? and How do you want to learn it?” Since then, they've been printing tees second shift to fund the free workshops on creative problem solving, design and entrepreneurship. They've just launched a new website and a line of tees designed by guest artists and instructors with the profits going to support free after school creative programs. 

Support Ambrose by grabbing a tee or joining the Maker's Dozen, a t-shirt a month club where members get a new tee every month designed by a guest artists and hand printed by Ambrose leaders and students.

Eastern Market is full of fabulous flea marketers on Saturdays and Sundays. Cree and I got lost in the vintage stamp and map section. Swoon...I love it here.

Today we are off to Kansas City for the long weekend. My little brother just returned from his mission in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I haven't seen him in TWO WHOLE YEARS, so I imagine today will seem extra long in anticipation of seeing him again. We already have a huge Cree and Amanda sandwich hug planned...he won't see it comin!

Happy Memorial Day!!

Date night! Best pizza we've ever had. Hannah suggested we visit Seventh Hill for dinner, and we're so glad we did. I highly recommend a visit.

On a side note, Cree said another intern asked what his hobbies are...Cree responded, "Hanging out with my wife." As you can imagine, that put a big smile on my face. I'm a pretty lucky gal...pizza included.

Yesterday was another wonderful day at The Hive...it is such a fun environment. I can already tell that I'm going to love it here, and I anticipate it will be hard to leave come August. Suann is just about everything you'd imagine...a real gem. I love hearing her stories about her cute little boy. Also in the office is Lauren O'Neill. She is Suann's right hand woman and I'm excited we get to work together on Wednesdays...she's a doll. My first day, we wore matching polka dots. Always a good sign! Also at The Hive is Kate Headley. She grew up in Ann Arbor! Small world huh? Her photography is incredible and she's big into 8mm film, which I love. :) Next are the Ritzy Bee ladies. I've only met Kelly, who is as nice as could be, but I'm sure I'll meet Maria soon.

Anyway, Last night, I was telling Cree how much I love going to work here. It's nice to get up and be excited about the work you're going to do for the day and the people you work with. It's fun to also talk letterpress all the live long day...paper, ink, plates...it never gets old for me.

These photos are from King Street, where The Hive is located. (Cute huh?!?) The last two ore of Suann's press and paper. Nothing better than the smell of Crane paper and ink. Smells like home!

Such a good weekend! We explored until we could barely feel our feet.  I'm feeling a little more comfortable getting around town. Two people even asked us for directions and we knew the answer! That's always a good sign.

I'm off to Simple Song in Old Town this morning. I was going to drive, but I chickened out about fifteen minutes ago...so it's the metro for me! More photos from the weekend soon, but in the meantime, isn't that door rad? Cree is so sweet to go with my every photo whim.

1) I am aware that my hands in my pockets make my pants look funny.
2) Took the train to meet Cree for lunch at the treasury. Doesn't he look like a big deal coming down the stairs? He was a tad bit late because he was waiting for updates or something from Obama. I guess I'll let it slide this time...he is the president. :)
3) I decided to go explore after our lunch. I got so lost and walked so far and had new shoes on.
4) Today was my first day at Simple Song. Um....amazing people, amazing space...just an all around amazing first day! Also, Alexandria is a cute little town. I took some photos that I hope to post soon. I'm so happy it's the weekend!

Exploring by myself is fun! I just go wherever I please....I get lost easier, but I'm directionally challenged, so it's only to be expected. Books and a market, fun finds right?  I ate lunch with a couple ladies from church yesterday at the Eastern Market. Hannah came again and Naomi came too with her adorable little girl.  I still have yet to decided where to explore today.

I'm freelancing from DC which means, I'm working from home except the days I go to Simple Song (starting Friday). I've found that i'm most productive in the mornings, but come 2:00 my brain is fried. If there are any freelancers out there with any suggestions, I'd love to hear them. Also, I'd love any DC dinner suggestions. Cree and I are trying to plan our date night for tomorrow....we don't even know where to start!

***I removed the meat photo for Angela--don't want to gross out any vegetarian readers. :)

After yesterday's post, Hannah sent me a sweet email saying that her husband had to work late too, so she invited me on a walk. We decided to venture to Lincoln Park. I've never seen so many dogs in one place! Little dogs, big dogs, gray dogs, brown dogs...you name it, I probably saw it. It's so nice to move somewhere and already have a friend. This is Hannah in front of her Capitol Hill apartment. Don't you love her cute read door and the fantastic door knocker? I also like how she sorta matches her house. As you know, I'm all about matching. (Speaking of matching, Hannah, I love your skirt...did you make it? I forgot to compliment on it's polka dot pockets.)

Before my walk with Hannah, I took a little stroll to the Eastern Market. Cree and I have plans to have breakfast there on Saturday. It's so cute, I can hardly stand it. Photos to come soon!

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Internship Update: Cree's awesome and came home a whole hour earlier last night! Apparently he's a quick learner, so my pity party was for nothing. Also, I got an email from Suann and I begin my apprenticeship on Friday! I'm excited to begin exploring Old Town.

I was so worried when we moved that I would hate living in a basement apartment, but Hannah reassured me that "English" basements are much better than regular basements. It isn't massive amounts of natural light, but it's enough to make me feel like I'm not living in a cave. The weather has been pretty rainy, hence the rain splotches on the window, but every once in a while we'll get a little shot of sun. The morning light has been my favorite thus far.

It's always tricky when relocating for the summer to make our new place feel "homish" without our things about us. That said, my mama taught me well. Growing up, even when we'd go on vacation, she'd bring nice table cloths, books, great music and always a bowl for fruit. That way, even though our apartment is a bit sparse, we have hints of our real home that make our new place a bit more comfortable and cozy.

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Treasury Update: Poor Cree didn't get home until almost 8:00 last night. (I certainly never had to put in eleven hours at any of my design internships!) He is the first intern to start, so he has a lot on his shoulders at the moment, but he's a sharp fella so I'm confident he'll get the hang of things soon. I started to have a pity party come 6:00, while I was sitting at home all by myself. I've started today with a new attitude though, and I'm going to have a productive morning and then explore all by my lonesome...something I haven't done in a while, so I'm kind of excited....weather permitting of course. I'm in the market for a new umbrella. Preferably one with a wooden handle.

Cree left this morning for his first day on the job at the treasury. Keep your fingers crossed for him! He'll be working with the Treasury's North Africa/Middle East Office at the Iraq desk. I can't wait to hear how his first day goes. On Saturday we tried walking there...it took us 40 minutes. He took the metro today and I think I might try biking to meet him for lunch. The Treasury is right next to the White House, so I don't anticipate I will mind the occasional lunch at the mall. :)

We made it! Safe and sound. We packed everything we could fit into our little honda accord and left after our last day of seminary Friday morning. I felt slightly melancholy leaving our cute little house behind, but then forgot all about it when we arrived at our new summer home. Cree and I have walked the block numerous times since our arrival, so now I can officially say that we have the cutest apartment on the block. Robins egg blue?!? Red door?!? Technically, our door is the little red one below, but I couldn't get a proper photo to do it justice.

We are pretty tickled with our new situation. We spent the weekend getting settled, exploring, grocery shopping, going to church and visiting friends. Hannah graduated, so she had a little get together to celebrate. We had a grand ol' time. All in all, a delightful weekend. I'm excited for our summer in capitol hill!

Cree is done with finals. I'm done with work. We've spent the whole of Saturday in the great outdoors. Biking, strolling, picnicking, gardening, reading...we did it all. Today we are back to work, but we're working from home, side by side. I love it when that happens. Four more days til we move to DC!

The top two are of my mother and the bottom two are of Cree's mother. We're awful lucky to have such lovely mothers. Happy Mother's Day!

This morning I got out my vintage ribbon to wrap mothers day gifts. I was in the mood for pink, which is a good thing because I have plenty of it.  As mother's day approaches, I'm often at a loss for words to describe the deep gratitude I have for my sweet mama. I am ever grateful for her kindness and love in my life. I hope to post some old photographs soon....

PS. The adorable tags are from Hammerpress. I highly recommend them.

PPS. Cree's last final is today. He's been studying so hard and for so long, I know he's ready to be done. He likes to study with his head in his hands, which creates a lovely little mess of hair that I think is as cute as could be.  I'm a tad bit sad to see it go, but my excitement to be done far out weighs my grief. :)