Hello friend

To our lovely readers, yes, we have been away for a while.

Life has been full, in the best way possible.

Weekend adventures to the cabin, outdoor concerts, catching up with long-lost friends,

 and leisurely evenings spent with family.

Yes, indeed, it has been good.

We hope to share with you some snap shots of what we've been up to in the coming weeks,

as well as our recent musings, inspiring quotes, and upcoming travel plans :)

It's less than 10 days till summer solstice and the beginning of a wonderful season filled with adventure.

Hooray!

xoxo  

Christina and Rachel

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The three amigos

"Sister. She is your mirror, shining back at you with a world of possibilities. She is you witness, who sees you at your worst and best, and loves you anyway. She is your partner in crime, your midnight companion, someone who knows when you are smiling, even in the dark.  She is your teacher, your defense attorney, your personal press agent, even your shrink.  Some days, she's the reason you wish you were an only child."

Barbara Alpert


Oh, how true that is ;)

Fortunately for me, I have two.

Two conspirators,

soul-mates,

and best friends.


We're like the original three amigos.
Only cuter!

*wink*

We're about to embark on our own little adventure,
a weekend away at the family cabin.

Hooray!

There will be copious amounts of vino, fire-side chats, late night movie marathons,
and delicious food, courtesy of my lovely sister Mel.
{She's a whiz with whipping up gourmet food}

I'm so excited!

There really isn't anything better than a girls weekend away :)

So my lovelies, what are your plans for this weekend?
Anything fun?

xoxo

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Wistful Wednesday

As we inch closer to summer, and spring slowly settles upon us, 

I can't help but be filled with anticipation....

For rope swings and watering holes....

For farmers markets, and vintage bicycles laden with wild flowers....

For trips to the cabin....

For camping in the great outdoors....

And of course the long and lingering fireside chats, with friends and family.

What are you wistfully day dreaming about?

Happy hump day!!!

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These are a few of my favorite things...

Josh Ritter {boyish, charming and crazy talented} at the Commodore Ballroom.

Vietnamese Pho at our favorite local restaurant. We go so often, they know our order!

Dutch blitz on cozy weekends with my little brother.

Sunny Saturday mornings in bed that easily stretch into Saturday afternoons, still in bed.

Fresh air. And days spent in the garden.

The most tasty sushi. Sister dates. And camera phone battles.

Rambling walks on gorgeous, blustery days. 

Lingering spring afternoons on patios around Vancouver. Delicious beer. And the best company. :)

These girls.

Whole tubs of Ben & Jerry's best.
Going for a scooter along the Sea Wall with the babes that I nanny.
And very milky tea.


That's all for now. :)

Blooms, blooms everywhere

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend!

Our weekend was especially busy, as it was also Christina's birthday weekend, but more on our weekend adventures later this week.

Neighbourhoods all over Vancouver are covered in cotton candy coloured blooms and it is a crazy beautiful time of year to be living here. 

I was walking to work this morning, and couldn't help but stop to quickly take some photos. So pretty. :)

The only thing I love more is when the blooms start to fall apart in the wind, and it looks as if petals are falling right out of the sky.

 

 After our Easter Egg hunt on Sunday, Christina and I took some silly and sweet photos.

We're blooming too. :)

Here's to a new week, lovelies!

xoxo

For my lovely Christina on her almost 30th birthday

Good golly, the cuteness of you!  Even now, those beautiful cheeks reveal your youth and your spirit, and I'm left forever grumbling when people think that I'm the elder sister. :)

But deep down, I don't mind. Because I think that you're radiant too.

Last summer, when we were having the best summer of our lives {which was preceeded by a fairly miserable winter and spring} I had written down some thoughts concerning you.

"I'm happy, so happy and content. The most I've been in a long time.

And sometimes it astonishes me; when I think back on winter's wearying months and instantly I can recall the heaviness in my soul that at one time overwhelmed. 

Now, in the same thought I can see and feel the restoration and healing that has occurred and I am surprised by the peace that floods my soul.

Despite my distance from God this last while, I know he has been near.

It is through Christina's care and affection that I have felt, almost constantly, the beams of God's love. When I have hesitated or floundered, she has provided hope and reassurance, merriment and distraction, ice cream and films, sushi and sauvignon blanc.

And together we push forward, though mostly if feels like a creep, into a new time and place, into new experiences, all the while knowing ourselves deeper and with greater certainty, and perhaps with greater love."

You've been like a mamma to me, loving me up and down and all around.

And I don't know how I got so lucky.

 All that to say, I love you. With the kind of love that fills up oceans and galaxies and universes and infinities.

You will always be my wild-grinned girl.

Happy 29th Birthday Christina!

 

Love, your Rachel

xoxo

To my beautiful sister on her 25th birthday

I remember giggles in the kitchen, birds nests in your hair,
and the perpetual pickle grasped firmly in hand. 

I remember, practicing for Christmas morning, summertime hammock swings, and flash-light tag. 

I remember you being so far away that fall so long ago, hearing about the honey-men,

and being oh so jealous {and proud} when you took that leap over the great barrier reef. 

I remember our debaucherous Bachelor nights, and the lethal margaritas.

I remember glazed croissants, pizza pockets, and long walks with screams and shouts. 

I remember late night dance parties, and our strobe-light campground shenanigans. 

I remember all of the brilliant ideas we've had and those that came to be. 

I remember all the tears and hugs and everything in between. 

25 years of memories, and oh so many more to come.

Happy 25th Birthday Rachel!

Love always,

xoxo Tia

 

You're one in a million ;)