touching base

          So, this is basically a faux weekly musings, if truth be told. I've been doing a lot better this summer documenting little snapshots of my day and rather than wait for a weekly summary I want to archive and frame these little snapshots while I have the moments fresh in my mind. In the same nature of my gratitude jar, I want warm, hazy memories to look back on when we're covered with snow once again. 

[left to right]
1. the peonies have finally bloomed in my mother's garden - they're honestly my favourite flower with their over the top bursting of blushing petals. if/when I get married that's what my bouquet will be: a lush pick of peonies. 
2. my parents moved their bedroom from the groundfloor to upstairs and the blue room downstairs is slowly but surely transforming into a cozy space full of records and books. but the addition of a print from one of my favourite paintings makes me like the room all the more.
3. I popped into the cafe I used to work at in highschool around the closing hours and ended up having a nice chat and a drink listening to lou reed with my former employer. i had also forgotten about his extensive collection of whimsical china ware. 
4. another shot of the beach from the walk along the water I mentioned in my last post. my crap phone camera does nothing to do the illuminated water justice but I thought I'd try. 
5. & 6. the view from my bedroom was a pretty good vantage point to snap shots and watch the twisting thunder clouds that caught us off guard a couple days ago.
7. & 8. two more beach shots - I couldn't resist. the waters of the atlantic were actually cool versus frigid and I was more than happy to hop around the (albeit slightly slimy) rocks for awhile. 

9. abandoned archway - I unfortunately don't know much about it or the building it stands in front of off the top of my head but I like it nonetheless. 

[left to right]
1. myself and the family drove up to clarenville to do some back to school shopping yesterday and my loveliest momma was kind enough to treat me to a duvet for my bed to bring back to town in a couple weeks. it's like sleeping wrapped in a hug. 
2. my horticulturalist parent's crop of strawberries have been candy sweet and absolutely perfect to pluck from the vine whenever wander around to our back yard. 
3. after telling my father that I wasn't particularly fond of porkchops, he went and proved a point by cooking one perfectly that I loved along with cous-cous and mushrooms & peppers. 
4. the blue room book cases illuminated by evening sunlight. one of my favourite views.
5. mussels were on sale. enough said. paired with white wine and great bread & butter it's pretty much the perfect appetizer in my mind. 
6. another pretty tea cup from the aforementioned visit to the cafe. 
7. sunny day views lying under my maple tree. 

hope august is finding you all well n' good. 

xx.

r   

weekly musings #7: summer smash

             It's been awhile since I touched base with a weekly summary post, and admittedly this is more of an amalgamation of photos over the last two weeks.  I've been mostly just trying to enjoy summer and the brief intervals of warm days we get. This has got to be the worst summer we've had in like, a decade. For example, it's 12 degrees today and I'm wearing double layers and wool socks. What have Newfoundlanders done as a people to deserve this????

the boreal diner: So, Fixed Coffee Company from town has has got a couple people scouting out this area and they're going to be opening full time next summer. But, they've graced us with a taster opening all this week with the most amazing coffee (holla' @pour over) and delicious menu. Think blueberry & brie and mozzarella & pesto sandwiches and spicy black bean tacos. It's going to be such a great addition to the area and at least for a week I'm glad to have coffee that isn't instant shit. 

the gig life: This has been a good summer for me scoring gigs and I've been enjoying playing for artists readings and at art galleries. I keep meeting really incredible artists and getting showered in compliments is good for the ego. Also, bless good tippers. I've been stretching my repertoire to throw in songs I've always really loved but never took the time to learn and it's a really satisfying feeling to finally play them for an audience. 

honorable mentions: ● savoring the sun when we get it ● comfortable, cozy layers on rainy days ● sooky kittens ● bullet proof coffee ● singing duets that I've always wanted to do ● laughing to the point of tears with my sister and her crazy dance moves ● consuming so many podcasts (I'm 20 going on 40-something) ● less makeup days ● re-watching Twin Peaks ● therapeutic letters ● old ladies who give sweet compliments ● doodling future tattoos ● finally registering for ~official~ majors and minor classes (!!!) ● planning my autumn wardrobe ● also, planning the decor for my new room ● new beginnings in general, truly ● good eyebrow days ● quiet reconciliations ● tiny revelations from my nightly writing ● successful gin cocktail experimentations  

link love:  ● Criminal podcast - I'm just linking the whole page with all episodes because it is just so good. Since I finished Serial I was looking for something else to fill my morbid-fascinations void. Podcasts are now my thing to listen to while cooking or doing filing at work.  ● Here is a link you should check out after listening to Criminal Ep. 23. That will give you a more in depth story but these photographs and letters are worth reading for a peek into our weird compulsions surrounding guilt and the supernatural. 

● Truly digging this black summer ensemble. Airy whites, begone. 

● I'm not getting engaged/married any time soon but this ring is pretty much my ideal nuptials jewelry. 

So, that's all from me for now folks, just enjoying this (eerily fast) hazy summer days. Over and out. 

xx.

r.