this is what life looks like : gathering with friends for a weekend of autumn

what a perfectly content feeling i have after this weekend.

there's something about gathering with friends at harvest time

when the frost is just outside your door and the grass is golden at evening...

friday night we hopped in the car with one of our favorite couples,

and drove down to the little town of spring city to stay

with another favorite couple in their amazing little home.

they live in the old school house. it's a dream indeed.

they live on an acre of land that is perfectly wild, 

and fruit trees scattered about. i didn't want to leave such peace.

there were many meals together: butternut squash soup, bread,

homemade salsa, heirloom tomatoes, fresh peaches, and ice cream.

i love spending so much time with such good people. 

it makes me feel as if i've walked into a wallace stegner book,

and we will all grow old together, gathering as often as possible.

we walked in a beautiful canyon that has welcomed autumn

and winter has even begun to show its hand.

we stopped by a pottery shop i've been wanting to visit for years

{ceej and i got two perfect little mugs for sipping hot apple cider}

we visited a local pumpkin patch and picked out

our perfect little pumpkins for decorating and eating.

we practiced searching for avalanche beacons in preparation

for the upcoming ski season.

we told ghost stories while eating chocolate chip cookies and milk.

it really truly was perfect.

last night i gathered with some of my favorite women to talk about...

women. 

we talked about our own seeking, understanding, questions, desires;

we sang one of my most favorite old irish folk melodies around the piano.

these are my very own "little women" and i couldn't be more grateful

for women who can see and hear and feel what life is all about.

grateful to tears for all of the wonderful people in my life.

hope you had a lovely weekend gathering with those you love.

{photos by me, ceej, and matt}