Life right now is wild. A 24-7 work schedule, a house in chaos, and a holiday looming on the horizon is only the beginning. As summer winds down my fall calendar fills to the brim and things suddenly get foggy. That's where I am right now, overwhelmed by the mounting to-dos, but thankful for a reprieve in the summer heat. The nights are cooler now and that's where I take my solace. 

This bouquet is an outward expression of my current state of mind. A little unkept, a little dark, but with light around its edges. I created it for my friend Maddie's most recent workshop and stole it away for a couple of minutes to shoot these images. Again this is symbolic of life right now. Every day I try to carve out a couple of minutes to do something for me, if only to keep my sanity it tact. This blog post is one of those things for me.

As I write this I'm watching a new-to-me television show I'm completely obsessed with, The Newsroom. We marathoned season one a couple weeks back and I finally convinced Ryan to watch season two with me. I like it because it reminds me there are bigger issues in the world worth my attention. The trivial issues of my day-to-day life pale in comparison. I'm starting to look at the world with a new perspective. Wouldn't it be nice if all TV lead to bettering our lives. Here's to dreaming.

    BLOOMS USED

1. Dahlias
2. Celosia (2 types)
3. Wax Flower
4. Statice
5. Spray Roses
6. Lysimachia Ciliata Purpurea
7. Wisteria

Ryan's fortune cookie this evening is my new mantra for this season of my life- "There is are no shortcuts to any place worth going." I may just keep this mantra for always. - b.

Every once in awhile, but increasingly so lately, Ryan and I like to escape the concrete jungle with our pup and head into the woods. This past weekend we decided to revisit a favorite Pennsylvania trail, Glen Onoko Falls. Located near the almost-too-perfect town of Jim Thorpe, it's a great day trip outside Philadelphia. It takes about 2.5 hours to get there (toll-free), but the picturesque mountain views and tree-lined roads make the trek 100% worth it. Here's photo proof:

The Glen Onoko Run Trail is a pretty strenuous hike up to the top, but the 10+ cascades are the perfect excuse to stop and take in the view, or splash around in the icy water a bit. There seems to be several different trail options, something we experienced first hand this time around. We couldn't figure out how to get down the mountain, and ended up going down the way we came up! Not necessarily the best hike for the novice hiker, or for older dogs, it is a great workout and beautiful way to spend a late summer day. Afterwards I recommend heading into Jim Thorpe and finding something to eat- you'll be desperate for a snack. - b.

image sources:  1  |  2  |  3- unknown  |  4  |  5  |  6  |  7 

There is great sadness in life, and moments of blueness so consuming you can scarcely breathe. My dear family is experiencing this first hand. I do not yet have words for this grief and so instead I leave you today with the color blue.

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Some images are kindred spirits, they relate and respond to one another in a way similar to how body language communicates between two people. It’s chemical, mineral, visual. It’s couplings. - b.