The week was full of golden, perfect days. For some reason, the colors of changing leaves are far more vibrant than in any year we remember. The sky feels bigger and bluer. We can usually expect the first snow to fall this month. There are hints of things to come (like a morning full of icy hail), but it seems that Old Man Winter isn’t quite ready to move in for the year just yet. Here are some of the things that have kept me smiling lately.
Sunflowers are my favorite.
A beauty!
Always say yes to triple layer carrot cake.
Homemade chicken stock in the freezer, just in time for soup season!
On the golf course, John turned around to see this big daddy running toward him!
My surprise sunflower in the front yard is starting to open.
Tennis ball fiend.
John rode almost 70 miles on his mountain bike on Saturday. Amazing.
After his ride, we watched the sunset in the hot tub.
Cholula turned three! I made her some delicious treats.
We went on a birthday hike…
…where she gave me a birthday kiss.
Grilled pizzas: pesto margherita and meat lover’s!
Hail on the patio.
Um, WHOA.
Afternoon light from the front porch.
The last of the gorgeous garden tomatoes will become delicious tomato-basil soup tonight!
On a new trail, I found the teensiest maple leaf.
There was a flag at the summit!
I’m learning so much in my painting class.
I made you honey-applesauce bread. Stay tuned!
The best kind of ladies lunch.
A year ago, Cholula and I were road-tripping to Colorado.
Two years ago, the wedding gifts were piling up!
Three years ago, John had big plans (that didn’t happen) to propose to me in Mexico.
Four years ago, my brother introduced me to the madness that is the Seattle Sounders.
And today, I had a lovely lunch with an old friend at the adorable Avenues Bistro.
You know. Just the usual bliss.
One year ago: Sausage and Spinach Calzones.
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the usual bliss 
Beautiful pictures! I want to come live there (and I’m not even sure where that is, but wow it’s beautiful!)
Park City, Utah! It’s a lovely time of year here.
Happy Birthday Cholula!! And. Those tomatoes look so, so fantastic! Love your pictures! 🙂
I made them into a really awesome tomato basil soup!
WOW – That is one BIG Moose – Handsome, but BIG DUDE! Here’s to Blissful Days – Happy Hump Day 🙂
He’s been cruising around the neighborhood lately. Lots of sightings!
Teensy maple leaf! Happy birthday, Amber. Was it a decade mark?
Or maybe it was the dog’s birthday, judging from the treat.
It was Cholula’s third birthday last weekend. I do have a decade mark coming up in a few months!
I want to come live there as well!! It’s so damn pretty! ps…you’re the sweetest dog mama in the world:)
I don’t talk about the times she makes me crazy. 🙂 She deserves extra spoiling most of the time!