Be My Valentine

I love winter... but today was just dreary and so, so cold and without any snow at all to make up for it. I've been missing sunshine and green around me. I spent the day alternating between editing wedding photos and unpacking our bedroom. With a small intermission for vegan sugar cookie baking time. All the while with a fluffy pink nosed kitten at my heels. I love Atticus. He's such good company. Anyway... After all that dreariness and grey and a rather lonely day (unless you count the kitty), my husband decides to be awesome. 

First... the most-gorgeous-bouquet-I've-ever-seen flowers that smell amazing and remind of the wildflowers that grow along the coast back home. Plus a sweet card with the best note inside. (heart already melted). Then... a new pair of shoes that he bought me because... ready for it? I had bookmarked them on Pinterest. Talk about a winning combination. Throw in the kitten (which was already my "early Valentine's day" gift) and René wins the husband-to-the-happiest-wife-in-the-world award. Hands down. 

Sunny days

I may profess my avid love for winter unabashedly, but this being my first legitimate winter, I'll confess my love is wavering a tad. I was ecstatic the one day it snowed. We went tramping through the white, wet streets to the market and meandered through the brick lined alleys joyously. Noses going numb and all, I loved every minute of it. But these grey, dreary, freezing days after the snow stopped falling are the ones that make me anxious for spring. My heart is aching for some sunshine. And today... today we had some. 65% in the beginning of February?!? in PA? I have no idea. But I'll take it. Gladly.

Welcome to PA

After weeks of packing we took a break to say our goodbyes and celebrate new years eve with friends and family. I cant even begin to explain how it felt... How do you say goodbye to everyone you know? I have so much respect and admiration for those who do this all the time. It was probably the most difficult thing we've ever done. There were a lot of tears, but we did it. Now, two hours of driving, eight hours of flying, and three hours of sitting in an airport later, we are safe and sound in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

We're set up in a beautiful guest house by a family from the church. It's gorgeous and we feel completely spoiled! It's a huge blessing to have a place to call home until we find a more permanent space to call our own. Hopefully we'll be posting an update on that front soon!

As far as how we like PA thus far... well, let's just say I never thought I'd learn to appreciate the difference between temperatures in the teens and temperatures in the twenties. I do now. We've been keeping warm with coats and scarves and cups of hot tea as we explore the city and try to find a home. We were driving down the road yesterday when Rene turns to me and says "Jess! What's that white stuff?!" ...it took us a minute to realize that snow flurries can still occur in the sunshine. We have yet to experience our first real snowfall. but when we do, I promise we'll take full advantage and lots of pictures.