Isn't it always the case that life gets REALLY busy just before you're about to take off for a trip?

Papers, baby shower invitations, recipe writing, doctor's appointments, meals with friends.

I'm running from one obligation to the next, not even thinking about packing, about which dress will look best on the streets of Paris (and yes, this is worth serious consideration).

For once, I don't already have my suitcase packed. I haven't started a list of essential items that must be checked off before departure. We don't have a single tour book, and I doubt we'll buy one before next Friday. I'm rooted in what is happening here, in Austin, and I think that is an okay thing. Maybe even a good thing.

Isn't this beveled glass lovely?

I found 8 panes at a city-wide garage sale, and I'm planning on converting the vintage glass into stands for wedding treats. I'm hoping I can find wood bases to attach to each plane. Or even stack a few old books underneath a couple for a unique literary display (us writers have plenty of books to spare). 

But today, they're simply holding blueberry and cream muffins. A fitting beginning, I think.

Two more weeks till Paris! Hard to believe but my semester is almost over and summer is soon to begin. Of course, I'll still be working, but like most of us (at least I think) the excitement bred in childhood over warm summer months doesn't dissipate once you reach adulthood.

Paris will be cool. Cooler than here (which really shouldn't be shocking). But nonetheless, I was surprised when I checked the weather forecast and saw highs only in the 60s.

Here's to cute dresses AND cotton sweaters.

I haven't been overseas since I went on my whirlwind tour of Egypt, Jordan, Spain, and Portugal in 2009. Since then, Ryan and I have faced some hard times (to say the least) and I'm happy we finally feel ready to enjoy ourselves on a European adventure.

Many of you remember when my 2 year old nephew was in a drowning accident 18 months ago. You sent emails, gift packages, and prayers. Your support meant the world to me.

As you know, baby Ryan was revived, but he suffered extensive brain damage. My sister, a tireless example of grace and determination, has been sharing his story on her caring bridge site. The ups and downs, the trials and joys.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/ryanhoffman

Just yesterday, Ryan had the opportunity to ride a Special Needs Bicycle for the very first time. Ryan still can't walk on his own or sustain himself without feedings through a g-tube, so seeing his joy as he peddled on this special bike was amazing.

I've set up an account to raise money for this special needs bicycle. It will help build Ryan's strength, and once he outgrows it, my sister and her family will make it available for another special needs child.

http://ryanhoffman.chipin.com/ryans-special-needs-bicycle

Even a donation as small as $5 will help. Thank you!

Well, Ryan and I had a lovely weekend. Complete with baby birds, pounds of butter cream, and Neapolitan style pizza (we like variety). But truly, it was a good weekend, a much-needed fun weekend, in which we forgot about our stress/anxiety and embraced the simple pleasure of doing life with each other.

In small moments, we watched Cricket engage in her favorite afternoon pastime.

There are bugs on our windows.

They wait for us outside our front door.

We walk onto porch and their translucent wings flutter as we grab Margot and hastily open, then slam shut, our front door.

But if a lone moth dare enters the house, Cricket waits with her recognizable chirp. Whenever Cricket sees a bugs, she releases her hunting call.

Her green eyes dilate, and she runs in circles as she tries to keep up with the flutter of wings. Before long, she vanquishes her foe. But unlike in times past (when she lived near Town Lake here in Austin), Cricket doesn't eat her prey.

She leaves it on the living room floor.

And because Margot is a dog. She eats it. She eats everything we drop on the floor. Be it a dead moth or  a cauliflower floret.

But because I'm a good pet-owner, there's one thing she's not allowed to lick up: chocolate. (And why waste good chocolate on a dog with such indiscriminate taste?)