I'm in love, I'm in love and I don't care who knows it!! (Please see here if you need help getting that intonation right...).

Jimmy asked me to marry him on Sunday evening during the last night of our beautiful getaway to Joshua Tree. In true Allie/Jim fashion we were on an excursion down a long, beautiful dirt road, which ended in an amazing 360 degree view of Joshua Tree and the surrounding area. The sun was starting to set, we had the entire place to ourselves, and we were reminiscing on what a perfect vacation it had been. I always thought I'd be completely expecting it when the time came, but he really managed to surprise me (probably because he surprised himself)! Turns out the ring had been burning a hole in his pocket for days as he waited for the perfect moment, so I don't even think he knew it was the right time until about 2 minutes before :).

He even managed to get it on camera! Well actually, I did...I had set up our camera's self-timer for a long overdue vacation shot, and he embraced the moment, getting down on one knee just as the countdown approached zero.

Jimmy, I can't wait to continue this adventure with you.

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In case you care to peek, here are some photos from our magical Eureka Peak sunset.

Local artist: Alicia von der Lieth

[all images from aliciavonderlieth.com]

I ran into Alicia von der Lieth at local expo recently, and fell in love with her prints. Her photography is the type that I tend to love...natural, thoughtful, and magical.

You can find Alicia at aliciavonderlieth.com or at her Etsy shop.




Have you come across any great new photographers or artists lately? Would you like your photography or art featured here? Give me a shout at alliewhitney {at} gmail {dot} com!

Getaway Weekend :: Sierra Nevadas

Happy Friday, darlings! 

I'm so glad to be getting around to posting these photos of our trip up to the Sierra Nevadas. This place is just glorious. Actually, these are photos from two trips combined since I never got around to posting the first weekend away, and we loved it so much that we returned last week! 

We stayed with our friends  in Taylorsville - a teeny tiny town in Plumas County, smack dab in the middle of the Sierras....in California, USA, Earth. In the middle of nowhere. Actually, right about here (see the star?):

Every once in awhile there is nothing I like more than being in being in the middle of nowhere. It feels so good. Have you tried it lately? Not only does it usually come along with a slower pace of life and a general sense of relaxation, but it also reminds you of how small you are on this big, vast planet. When you're surrounded by nothing but trees and hills for miles and miles and miles, what is there to worry about? I guess a huge part of it for me is the fact that when you're surrounded by "nothing", you're probably surround by nature. Systems that have been around for millions of years, that will keep doing what they're doing regardless of whether you turn in your report or get to the gym or return your library book on time. Humans need this reminder sometimes. 

So these weekends in the Sierras were good. Filled with gorgeous drives, sunsets, hearty meals, hikes, wildlife, dusty roads, creek dips...and stars upon stars. So I'll let the photos speak for themselves, as the simple ones often do.

 

Thanks M&T for hosting us :).

And thanks to all of you as always for checking in!

What does your weekend look like?? We have a few possibilities but nothing set in stone...I love weekends like that. Hoping to cross a few things off the list, see some friends, create something new and be outside 24/7 in this fresh weather we've been having. Have fun!

Bodega (Part 2) + a Happy List

Happy Friday mon amie! This weekend, Jimbo and I are driving into the Sierra Nevadas for the weekend to visit our dear friends Meg and Tony. They're house sitting up in the middle of nowhere, on a 20-acre ranch with 4 dogs, 2 horses, 2 cats, and gorgeous views. We're heading up to benefit from their good fortune and soak it all in!

But first, here are the rest from our Memorial Day trip up to Bodega Bay (first part here).

We woke up on Memorial Day to a light drizzle, and knew that we'd need coffee immediately to tackle the task of packing up tents, towels and blankets that had been sitting out in wet sand all night. Jimbo and I headed out to the town of Bodega Bay to grab some. Bodega Bay is where a majority of the movie The Birds was filmed; appropriate due to the beautiful creepiness of the "surrounding bleak treeless hills, quiet fishing harbor and fog". We went for just a coffee, but I have zero ability to walk past any small-town "general store" without going inside. So we went in, and ended up bringing fresh homemade clam chowder, garlic bread, and pickled eggs back to camp for breakfast (going into the General Store is never a bad idea).

We spent the rest of our time on the coast walking beaches and staring at this adorable group of baby harbor seals. They were super fun to watch. They're so cute and fat and lazy, and they have to scoot around like an inch worm to move which is hilarious. I <3 them. Turns out they are terrified of umbrellas, and when Jimbo started twirling ours (why did he do this? I don't know) they all scurried into the water. Seal show's over.

Then we obviously HAD to take Caitlin and Eddie to In-in-Out on the way home. Actually, the only time we let ourselves binge on fast food is when we have visitors come that just have to try In-in-Out...so come visit, everyone. Please.

 

Before getting back to the East Bay we stopped at Muir Woods, "the best tree-lovers monument that could possibly be found in all the forests of the world", so that C&E could check out the gorgeous redwoods.

 

Finally, back in the East Bay, we took them to the top of our backyard friend Mt. Diablo. A mountain-top sunset with red wine and good friends is a perfect way to end a perfect weekend.

 

Besides reliving this lovely Bodega weekend, here are a few thing that have been making me happy lately:

 

1. Burma Superstar in Oakland. Just saying the name makes my mouth water! My sis and I checked it out on Sunday, and I've been daydreaming of their platha (multi layered bread served with a coconut chicken curry sauce) and 22 ingredient rainbow salad ever since.

2. This video. When was the last time you laughed so hard that you had tears streaming down your face?? And you had to pause the video to catch your breath so you could watch the rest and not miss anything? This video of a girl playing with her special effects camera might make you pee your pants.

3. The new Netflix original series Orange is the New Black. I came upon this somehow and am so glad I did. Even though I literally watched the whole first season in just 3 days, and lost massive amounts of sleep the last few nights because of it...I don't care, it was worth it! It's about a woman who is sent to prison for a mistake that happened 10 years ago in her prior life, and how she handles the issues and relationships in her new "home". The characters are amazing, and it made me laugh, cry, and be scared. Just try it.

 

 

Enjoy the weekend, everyone!!