TEN SIMPLE THINGS || HAVING FAMILY AROUND

^^an iguana searching for a safe haven away from a very friendly labrador^^

it's been a fine week 'round these parts...mitch did well on his tests, I actually got to hang out with him again, his parents came to town, and we have been enjoying days spent by the beach and nights of treats and conversation. it really has been so nice catching up with them. it's going to be one of those instances where you won't know what to do once they've gone, you know? that feeling you get when the house feels sort of empty. that's gonna be my house next week. there's just something about having people around that know you so well and you don't have to put on any airs or pretenses because even if you did, they would see straight through them. and family always has the best pretense detectors, don't they? I'll miss them, but for now, they're here and I'll just have to keep bribing them with sunshine and petitioning them to stay. now, let's wrap this week up nicely with a mighty fine 'simple things,' shall we?

one :: friendly people at the grocery store who are willing to interpret dutch for me so that I know I'm purchasing the right thing. they are so kind and I'm sure I'm giving americans everywhere a bad name and I'm sorry about that.

two :: the wave of relief when I realized the stress from my pending to-do list was seriously unwarranted once I finally jotted it all down and realized there wasn't nearly as much on there as I had originally imagined.

three :: going for a walk with mitch on our island's nature reserve. nestled in the mountains, surrounded by thick, green foliage is the biggest patch of grass to be seen on this island and we cannot get enough of traipsing around it in the subdued autumn light.

four :: watching a girl in our building's dog chase after our little family of iguanas that lives by our pool. none of them were hurt, but the grown labrador just couldn't comprehend why they would rather jump off the fifty-foot cliff than play with her. it was a little sad, but mostly adorable. and we had to watch for falling iguanas landing on our heads.

five :: picking mitch's parents up at the airport, obviously, and having them love our island. though, they might be a smidgeon biased since just about anything feels better than the thirty below they've been experiencing recently in their neck of the woods.

six :: watching the sun descend below the horizon in all of one minute flat. it's unbelievable how quickly the sun sets after its set its mind to it. one minute I was thinking of getting my camera and before I even made it inside, the moment was over. but the best moments are meant to be kept safe, I suppose.

seven :: french pastries and the chewiest bread for a sandwich. a combination that made for one amazing lunch and had me scribbling down ingredients later on so as to recreate the masterpiece at home.

eight :: talking to my in-laws in the mornings. mitch leaves so early for school that I usually wake up alone, but it has been so nice to have friendly faces to converse with now that we are having company! 

nine :: receiving an autumnal care package from my sister! I haven't picked it up from the mailbox yet what with work and all of the other excitement in our lives, but it's first thing on my list tomorrow and I can't wait!

ten :: stuffing myself at the best italian restaurant I've ever eaten at. I had the mushroom ravioli, the dish I use as a standard to compare all italian restaurants (mostly because it's the only thing I ever order), and this one wins against all others.

what are your plans this weekend? are you planning on baking or is the weather still warm enough where you are that you're able to get out and about and go for a bike ride or something? I would love to hear all about it below in the comments! happy weekend, everyone!

love, arielle

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