Loving

• Pandora's Neutral Milk Hotel station. I mean, the Smiths, Mountain Goats, Four Tet, the Shins and Elliot Smith all on one station- even better than a playlist mix!

• Amanda Soule's blog. I have read it religiously for longer than I would like to admit and it never ceases to make me feel hopeful and re-centered

• Oregon passed tax measures 66 and 67. I am so proud to live in such a progressive state!

• Regina Spektor's "Fidelity"

• Memories of hiking through SW England last winter. I can't believe its been a year since we were exploring hillsides in Dorset and laughing at the sheep that were everywhere.

• This amazing banana chocolate chip bread recipe. I have been in search for the *perfect* banana chocolate chip bread recipe and this is so good I want to make another batch!

• The promise of spring. I know its not yet here, but soon enough. A girl can dream...

Cloud Break!

Most days in January have been bleak, gray and drizzly. Luckily, lots of crafting has been getting done like this crocheted filigree bowl I am working on.

But, this afternoon there was a cloud break! Me and my cat, Will, made a break for it and ran around the backyard soaking in the blue skies.

The grass is so green these days- practically neon!- and even our daffodils are sprouting. Even though it is still rather bleak outiside and the trees are pitiful and bare, you can almost feel the spring coming.