5 Random Friday Finds

Find No. 1

This week I found this package in my mailbox. Inside was...

This beautiful pottery piece from my friend Roxi. She knew it would be perfect for me. I love my friends I have never met :)

Find No. 2

At long last our books have found a home. Don't worry about those empty shelves as we still have more books in other parts of the house.

Find No. 3

More happiness is delivered this week. My Instagram photos from Social Print Studio.

Find No. 4

I found a window for the prompt Window from Susannah Conway's August Break 2014. You would never know this was taken at Lowe's. Apps. used VSCO cam, My Sketch and Stackables.

Find No. 5

I found flowers at the Farmer's Market and happiness with my big camera.

Joining Kim for Friday Finds
Joining Tanay for Willy Nilly Friday 5

Melancholy Feelings

Melancholy feelings swirl in my heart and my soul, until like a shaken aluminum can of soda that erupts when opened, so my feelings too are at the explosion point and I must write them into words as I unlatch my heart.

My beautiful girl has been home for the past couple of days, taking a much needed break from her summer internship. The reality of being away and being alone really hit her on the 4th of July. She spent the evening sitting on the beach reading her book as she watched families enjoying cookouts and playing games together. Her meal highlight was a baked potato when she got back to her little bungalow house. We rectified that on Monday night by having hot dogs on the grill, roasted potatoes and blueberry salad. We finished the evening by having quality family time watching America Ninja Warrior together on television.

Mallory and I have spent the last two days shopping, lunching at new to us restaurants, and enjoying lovely life conversations over mochas and lattes at local coffee houses. It is so nice to go exploring with her, something that we did on a regular basis back when she was in high school.

It is so easy for me during the course of a normal week to stay home and putter about the house. Never going out to explore, to have those experiences that fuel my writing. It is not very exciting writing about painting your walls or moving your laundry from the washer to the dryer.

This morning we made a quick stop at the Farmer's Market to top off her cooler of "from home goodness" with some fresh blueberries and a cookie for her snack at work this afternoon. Then it was time to say goodbye again, send her on her way northward. This summer may be hard for her being away and being alone, but I know that through this experience she is growing and learning so much about herself. This journey is helping to shape her future.

So even though there is a flutter of melancholy feelings in my heart and a tear in my eye every time she leaves, I know she is becoming exactly who she is meant to be.

One More Thing Day

The One More Thing Day is one of my favorite days of the year. It began a few years ago when Glen and Mallory struggled with what to give me for Mother's Day. I really don't think I am that hard to buy for...but anyway...Mallory came up with the idea of the One More Thing Day.

It got the name because it was one more thing she added to the present they did give me. It is a day she completely plans, all of which is a surprise to me. Let me say she knows me well and always does  an amazing job. You can read about last year's outing here.

She was afraid that she couldn't top last year's outing, but honestly I could care less what we do, or how much money she spends. I love the fact that she puts such careful thought into planning the day, and I LOVE the time together.

This year's outing started with this basket.

Each thing we were going to do for the day had something symbolic with the tag that described it. She was really thankful for all my photography props. Hey...another great use for them.

We started with...

A stop at my favorite coffee shop.

A blueberry muffin for her and  a pumpkin muffin for me...

This coffee shop is where we have always had big, life conversations and today was no different. It is so amazing to see have much she has changed and grown over the past few years.

Stop #2 - The Farmer's Market

Our first visit of the season. We both love the market. We got some red potatoes for a potato salad for Memorial Day, some rhubarb for a yummy dessert she will make, some asparagus for roasting, and some flowers for photographing.

After the market we had a brief stop home to put away our treasures from the market and to let the dogs out and feed them some lunch. Then it was on to stop #3...

We could not have asked for better photographic weather at the beach...fog. I got a new 85mm lens for Christmas so I was excited to try it out with my girl as my model. So very pleased with my first results...

I even found a subject for some homework for an on-line photography class I am taking called Keeping It Simple from Kim Manley Ort.

By this time we were getting hungry for lunch...

Glen and I discovered The Biscuit a few months ago for Breakfast but I have never been there for lunch and Mallory had never been there at all.

I had the Biscuit Club Wrap, very yummy!

Last event for the day...

Our own strolling walk of the historic district in our town. We have talked about doing this and it was such a beautiful day for it.

I love old buildings as you all know. I would love to tour the inside of these homes.

These homes also happen to be on the Tulip Lanes so we didn't look too weird strolling the streets with our cameras.

I had such a wonderful time and am so thankful for the close relationship that Mallory and I share, I know that will never change.

Thanks Mal, I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!

A Foodie's Heaven

I have been wanting to go to the new Downtown Market Hall in Grand Rapids since it opened Labor Day weekend. I have been waiting patiently though for Mallory to come home for Thanksgiving break so that we could go together.

The Market Hall is filled with wonderful vendors, many of them promoting local ingredients. There is a fishmonger, a baker, a butcher and the most heavenly cheesemonger. Our family LOVES cheese.

Mallory has turned into quite the "hipster foodie" now that she has an apartment and can cook for herself. Most college age kids are probably not making Zucchini Quiche or Potato Soup for supper, and  let's just say her favorite pastime is wandering the cooking and bakeware aisles of Target.

She and I have always enjoyed going to the Farmer's Market together in the summer. So it is only natural that this Market Hall is the Winter alternative.

Old World Olive Press
Is overflowing with flavored olive oils and balsamic vinegars. One of my favorite olive oils is the Tuscan Herb.

Sweetie-Licious Bake Shoppe
The owner focuses on simply fresh, completely homemade, seasonal ingredients to make her pies, and often goes back to old cookbooks to improve upon the recipes. 

Lunchtime was upon us, so we decided to try the taco place.

We both opted for the Shrimp Quesadillas.

Very yummy!

I couldn't resist getting a photo of these colorful glass bottles in their beverage case.

Where we were sitting for lunch had great side window light, so I took advantage of it to get some new photos of my girl.

Of course turn about is only fair.

After lunch it was time to make our purchases before heading to the mall for some "cute winter clothes" shopping.

We didn't need a lot, but the maple smoked salmon from Fish Lads was calling our name.

City Produce
These vegetables were begging to be photographed on our way out.

Then a Chai Latte from Simpatico for the wintery drive to the mall.

We will be back during the month long Christmas break, and now that we know what is here, we will plan some menus accordingly.