linnea paulina

It's coming along!

Hi there :o)  I hope your Monday was a good one.  I just wanted to let you know that I have started blogging at linneapaulina.com !  I'm still working at getting various sections of the site set up, but the blog is ready, and I would love to have you over :o)  Please update your feed readers with my new url!  Thank you!

happy autumn & a new website coming!

Hello :o)  I hope you are doing well and that the summer was very good to you.  Everything is going well with me.  I moved to Texas this summer (my job transferred me!).  It was very difficult to leave the Pacific Northwest (because I love it with a big part of my heart), and especially my home with Zachary, but have settled in well here.  In about a year and a half I will be moving back to Zac!  I sort of have a countdown (ok, I do), but at the same time I am really trying to enjoy every day here (life!) to the fullest.  I couldn't ask for a cozier apartment and am keeping busy with work, running, and another project... on Friday I filed paperwork to start a small business (sole proprietorship) : Linnea Paulina Photograhpy.  The idea has been in my head for months, bouncing around and building.  I bought the domain, linneapaulina.com, and that's where I'll be starting the 1st of November!  I wanted to post the link for you now, even though it won't be ready for a few more weeks!  

I am fired up to make this happen!  My new website will contain snippets of daily life (like this one did!), and it will also serve as the face of my new business (which will specialize in wedding and family photography)!  I will detail every step along the way.  This project excites me - I think about it constantly during the day and before I go to bed at night.  That's how I know it's something good, something I've got to go for.  

Right now I'm working on my business plan and branding.  I'm a planner at heart, so this part is fun for me.  Thanks for sharing my excitement :o)  I hope you had a lovely and relaxing weekend.  See you on November 1st at linneapaulina.com! 

hi there :o)

I hope you're doing well :o) After a long work day today, there was nothing I wanted more than to just get home & heat up some of last night's leftover shrimp curry. Zac and I have both been fighting off colds... good thing we are both feeling better this week (sinus headaches are gone!). A minute ago, I found it difficult to eat ice cream with a stuffed nose... but really, it's a minor issue. I had these pictures from valentine's day on my desktop & thought I'd share a few. It's always nice looking back & remembering the times.

We were so lucky to find a last minute place to stay at the coast. The weather was gorgeous, so many families were out walking and playing on the beach. This strange foamy stuff was covering the waterline. We don't know exactly what it was, but we've got our theories.

We climbed up a rock and sat there for a while with the waves swooshed around us.  These aren't the best climbing boots, but they sure are the most fun to wear.

We had a nice dinner at the casino, and bought little ice cream cups & champagne at the grocery store afterwards.  We walked on the beach at night and found a ginormous piece of seaweed.  It was bigger than me and looked like it came straight from outer space (alien tentacle!).  I started playing a little game & tried to follow the tide as it receded down the shore and then run back before it had the chance to catch me.  I was no match for the speedy water and ended up with pants/boots/socks sandy & sopping up to my knees.  

Zac took this picture of me.  I like it because I can see in my expression the same joy that I feel.  What a great weekend :o)  Now it's time for me to load up the dishwasher & head up to bed... let me tell you that I still have the best intentions of going to bed early... but rarely meet my sleep goals.  Something to work on.  

Tomorrow is Thursday & that means going out for phở & salad rolls with peanut dipping sauce for dinner :o).  I also want to make blueberry muffins (from the box), and ohhhh yes, doing my taxes would also be a good idea fo' sho (it'll be easy, but why do I dread it so?).  Sweet dreams!  

a saturday adventure with amy!

Hi there :o)  I hope your week is going well!  On Saturday I went on a much looked forward to adventure with the lovely Amy.  We started off our catching up over lunch.  Amy had soup, and I had been craving a caesar salad.  It was refreshing and light, because the real fuel was still to come...

Yes, I'm talking about cupcakes, aka warrior food!  The big top from Saint Cupcake is amazing.  It is a little lump of vanilla cake, sprinkled with chocolate chips, and topped with a delicious bright swirl of vanilla cream cheese frosting.  It sounds traditional, but the texture and flavors are distinct and unique.

We sat on a red gingham tablecloth in the arboretum and enjoyed our treats, the sunshine, and of course... friendship!  YEAH!!

After shaking off the crumbs and doing a few cartwheels, we set off in search of cherry blossoms.  There's something about them that just makes me want to dance... and maybe squeal, too.  

Found them!  Everything pink-ish and frothy is a cherry blossom to me!  Speaking of flowers, I've got a few light pink tulips scattered in ball jars around the house that are really making me happy :o)

Now I'm going to head up to bed.  Let's see if I'm awake enough to read a few pages of Julie & Julia.  I felt like tonight was both relaxing and productive for me.  It's so nice to have little projects to do around the house... things like taking out the recycling, straightening the blankets on the couch, vacuuming, and watering the plants really brought me joy & satisfaction tonight.  We're lucky to have spaces to take care of and fill with love! 

korea

I wanted to share some pictures from my first trip to Korea in December.  I went there for 10 days to spend Christmas with my family.  There was so much to see, and it was wonderful spending time with everyone again.  I had initially been worried about the long flight... but when it came down to it, the flight went like a snap!  Easy & quick.  While I was there, I ran the coldest 5k of my life, ate Mumsy's yummy Swedish food, got the lucky almond in my new years bowl of rice pudding, wore 3 pairs of pants at once to stay warm, had Korean barbecue, went to track practice with Jakie, and finished reading Born to Run.

Coming home was nice, too.  Zac picked me up from the airport.  I hadn't slept at all on the flight back, I was too excited to see him.  10 days felt like a really long time to be away.

I'm just about ready to tuck myself in bed, so sleepy!  Happy Friday :o)  

chocolate chip cookies

Thank you for your sweet welcome & support!  I truly hope you are doing well and enjoying life.  I missed you, and I missed this space.  Your "welcome back" warmed my heart.  I kept trying to figure out how I was going to start blogging again - what I would write, would I start over again? With encouragement (namely from Ashley, Lauren, and Amy), I decided to go for it... without worrying about little details, or whether or not things would make sense (because I know it's been a while since last July... catching up will be a gradual thing!).  It's true how sometimes wanting to make things perfect can hold you back from doing anything at all.  It was time for me to just go for it!  I think it has something to do with the flower buds, lighter nights, daffodil scented fresh air outside, and a cozy & warm home... it makes me want to bring out my camera, take pictures, see, remember, write, appreciate.

I have always seen blogging as a way for me to appreciate my life, special people, the goodness of food, and the fun in making things.  I love sharing the simple details, unique & universal. Thank you for being here & visiting!

I made chocolate chip cookies tonight when I got home from the gym.  I love it when I can bake straight from the fridge & pantry, without a trip to the grocery store.  This tollhouse recipe will always be my favorite.  I think it's nice to have a yummy little treat (or two) to sweeten up the day.

Have a great Thursday... the weekend is getting nearer & nearer! xox.

happy March!

loving july (lots of yummy moments)

Hi there :o)  Hope you've been having a great week!  The time is flying by, isn't it?  I can't believe I've already lived in my new place for a month!  

Autumn made the fantastic dinner  earlier in the month (featured above): veggie rolls & dipping sauce, wine, cherries, and a slice of french bread (to go with brie & fig jam).  I recently bought the most amazing pair of jeans.  They have already changed my life.  True story.  If you are searching for the perfect pair of jeans, try Express! 

Most exciting of all, my parents & youngest brother are visiting me for the week!!!  Yaaaaaayyy :o)  Tonight we barbecued sausages and ate corn on the cob, salad, and baked sweet potatoes outside on the picnic furniture.  I love having them here :o)  My brother Jakie is so grown up, I didn't even recognize him when I first saw him.  He had also changed his hair style a bit, if that can be considered a legitimate excuse for mistaking my brother from the same mother.  Forgive me.    

In other news, I have decided that I'm growing my hair out long again, and going to buy a blow dryer (sometime soon).  I tried Autumn's out and I loved its magic.  The only other blow dryer I had used in my life was my mom's clunky grey one, manufactured in the 80's (like me!) with poufy results.    

Fitness-wise, I have rejoined the gym (to get jacked!), decided to run a half marathon in the fall, and I am actively declaring my love for Lindt chili chocolate (chilling in the fridge).  I hope you are happy and loving your life right now. xox.

independence day (part 2)

There's nothing better than a hot dog with all the right fixings for the 4th of July!  Ketchup is by far my favorite condiment.  My fingers & nose were covered with it by the time I was through... quite attractive, I agree... but hey, that's what napkins are for :o)  When I was younger, I always had a hard time spelling independence  I always wanted to end it with -dance.  I like to consider myself a good speller, but it was just one of those words.... along with because which I learned to spell by repeating big elephants can't always use small exits.  It works!

Last Saturday, Autumn, Kristine, & I went berry picking.  I was sad that I missed strawberry season this year!  Good thing there were plenty of just-ripened raspberries & blueberries to pick (& eat).  I've been working on growing my nails out.  I usually just keep them short & unpolished, but now I'm all about the french manicure :o)  I'm getting good practice, it just takes some careful dedication (Savina nail color is my favorite... from the nordstrom rack, as always!).    

Here is Autumn, a natural berry picker!  I would not have been able to do it in 95 degree weather, in a dress, with my hair down... but she did, somehow :o) 

These berries are long gone... but they did brighten up my oatmeal and brownies for a whole week.  I should definitely go again (soon!).  Right now Autumn & I are working on our weekly meal plan, and about to head to the grocery store.  My philosophy at the moment is: as long as there is a good supply of fresh fruits & veggies in the fridge, I can use my imagination and make something simple & delicious.  I think it'll be an early night to bed for me (I really mean it this time!).  

This upcoming week is going to be characterized by STUDYING!  Ashley & I already kicked it off with a big bowl of PHO, and salad rolls (with peanut dipping sauce).  Then we hit the books.  When I got home, I bought a scrumptious dough ball and made some pizza for dinner.  Simple, fast, delicious! 

All in all, this was an encouraging week.  I'm so thankful for my friends and everyone who lifts me up, with smiles, words, letters, hugs, drawings, and airplane packets of peanuts.  Thank you, I feel like the luckiest of creatures.  I'm ready to take on this week.  Let's go!

independence day (part 1)

My fourth of July celebration started out with iced coffee and a trip to the farmers market.  This week I tried the pear soda, last week, the strawberry.  Next week, I'll give boysenberry a go... the fruit which will forever have a special place in my heart.  Maybe I'll even buy a bottle.  It's high-fructose syrup free!  

Aren't these little basil seedlings just the cutest?  I think I could grow some on my window sill?  Did I mention how excited I am about having window sills in my new place?  I think I also might buy a little orchid plant to put in the window... just like the houses in Sweden have.  

As always, I need to work on getting to bed earlier!  My bed is all ready for me, and I'm going to turn in for the night :o)  Sweet dreams & stay tuned for Part 2!