Chickens: a new family adventure. I mean, honestly: can they get any cuter?! Forget cats, I'm going to be the crazy lady with bunches of chickens.

top: thrifted // jeans: american eagle // shoes: thrifted // suspenders: my dad's // butterfly hair pin: anthropologie // bracelets: miscellaneous

As of Monday, I am an official working woman.

I've always considered myself a person that loves change, but talking is easier than doing. When it comes to actually going through with those big changes, I get terribly scared to leave my familiar comfort zone. But on Monday, I was hired at my local Gap as a sales associate, following an interview that made my insides turn to mush due to nervousness. I was scared that I wouldn't get accepted; scared that my life would change too drastically; scared about a new environment; scared about everything.

I survived, though! I start training sometime next week and then have to learn how to balance yet another thing on my plate. But don't get me wrong, I feel so blessed to call this crazy life my life. And I'm excited to get working! I can't wait to get out there and learn new things and meet new people, despite that (big) part of me that's scared and not ready to grown up. I've been living by faith and Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Him who gives me strength."

A few more things to add to my happy list...

wearing suspenders (yay for dads with good fashion sense) | leaves that fall with every gust of wind and curl up at the edges | morning tea rituals | playing "I Knew You Were Trouble" by Taylor Swift on repeat (I probably should be more ashamed than I actually am) | and speaking of Taylor Swift, this adorably awkward video using Taylor's lyrics as pickup lines | saturday morning bike rides to the farmer's market | an autograph from James Vincent McMorrow to me, curteousy of the amazing Abbey (yes I know!!!) | that pleasantly heavy, warm feeling of an extra quilt on the bed | exciting new jobs

What are some things that are making you smile lately?

These past few days have been the kind of days that books are written about, songs sung about, and dreams dreamed about. Nothing--words or photographs or anything in between--cannot properly describe fairytale days like these for fear of belittling the sheer perfectness of it all; only the clucking of the hens, the sparks floating up to the night sky, the sun gently prying open my eyelids in the morning, yesterday's makeup and smoke clinging to my clothes, ice cream a few licks away from dripping down my arm, and the feel of wading waist deep through fields of wheat can begin to tell the story. And when the last harmonica strains die away, the big and little dipper melt into dawn, and the ink has faded from our skins, the memories will come back with tomorrow's starry night, the smell of warm sun on wheat, and the lingering smell of campfire and we will swear to never ever forget.

do yourself a favor and watch this video in hd || music by benjamin francis leftwich

I made no less than five trips outside, my arms full of fluffy bedding, this hook, and that blanket. It really is amazing to see how much work it is to set up a bed outdoors, but it was so worth it. When the sun slipped away and night fell, the dog and I went outside. I slid into the bed I'd made earlier while Sarge turned in circles before laying down beside me with a sleepy sigh, then parted the mosquito net and gazed at the vastness above me. The sky never fails to make me and my problems feel wonderfully small and insignificant. I cannot fathom the greatness of the heavens stretched far above me and it's a rather comforting thought in a strange way.
In the morning, Lilly flew across the backyard, the door slamming in her wake, and jumped into bed with me, snuggling close against my body. In the light of the rising sun, I couldn't think of a more magical moment. Sleeping outside is my favorite.