I will dare to live fully right where I am.

CAPES [something empowering] Feelings of gratitude may come and go, but being grateful is a posture...a state of mind...a choice.  It can be found in the murkiest and darkest places in your life.  Yes, gratitude exists even there.  Today, I am grateful for fresh blueberries, my red corso como flats, the light mist that cooled me off as I went for a run, and a much-anticipated afternoon cupcake date with good friends. 

COFFEE [latest trend or addiction]  Stuffed green olives!!!  Lately, I can't get enough of them.  But while they are rich in vitamins and antioxidents, watch out, because 1 medium sized green olive can have as much as 300mg of sodium.  It's no wonder I've been waking up in the middle of the night thirsty.

THE COLOR ORANGE [something noteworthy]  This past week, my good friend (a soon to be a mother of 3!) shared with me that at times, she wishes she could be more independent.  I found this interesting, because the majority of the time I long to be rid of my independence.  Why is it that we always seem to want what we don't have?  Again, today I will choose to be grateful for my freedom; rather than be hindered by my intependence, I will attempt to see it as a gift.  I will dare to live fully right where I am.*

*Inspired by One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are, by Ann Voskamp

Just ask.

CAPES [something empowering] If you never ask for what you want, than you'll never know if the answer will be yes or no. 

COFFEE [latest trend or addiction]  I know there's only one more day left in July...but get yourself on over to Cupcake Royale ASAP before this cupcake goes away until July of 2013!  It rivals my favorite (the Pumpkin Maple), and totally deserves a drumroll....Blueberry Brown Betty.

THE COLOR ORANGE [something noteworthy]  Speaking of blueberries...while my nephew Cooper and I were picking blueberries the other day, he warned me not to step in what looked like a big pile of dirt.  I did anyway (whoops), and it was an ant hill.  The rest of the day I swore I had ants in my pants.  Literally. 

RE: self-esteem

CAPES [something empowering] RE: self-esteem...the bad stuff is easier to believe, but that doesn't mean the good stuff isn't true. 

COFFEE [latest trend or addiction]  A Canadian company has invented the coolest skins for your iPhone/iPad.  They are durable, easy to apply, plus they include wallpaper that coordinates with the design.  Love.

THE COLOR ORANGE [something noteworthy]  You know you've reached a certain level of maturity when you can embrace your real-life size (i.e. I'm a medium, not a small...I haven't been a small since my freshman year in HS). 

A good summer read & an impossible ask.

CAPES [something empowering] In all types of relationships, it's important to be aware of your own expectations.  In practicing this, I've realized how irrational I can be, especially when I'm expecting the other person to read my mind.  Wittle down your expecations to the rational ones, and when the timing is right, find a way to express them in a non-passive aggressive way (because contrary to what you may think, being passive agreeisve is highly ineffective and incredibly unattractive). 

COFFEE [latest trend or addiction]  My drinker count is up to 14.  I think I need to have a party.

THE COLOR ORANGE [something noteworthy]  I'm in desperate need of a good summer read.  I'm looking for a book somewhere in the ballpark of The History of Love (Nicole Krauss) meets Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (Jonathan Safer Foer), with an undertone of To Kill A Mockingbird (Harper Lee).  I know...an impossible ask, but I would love your suggestions.  

Something WA and OR can agree on...

CAPES [something empowering] Dating advice from a grandmother: watch their actions, not just their words.

COFFEE [latest trend or addiction]  Here's a list of TV shows that I've conveniently been exposed to while spinning on my Rodriguez in the garage: Dexter, Downton Abbey, and Revenge.  The [supposedly] nice thing about summer is my transition from indoor to outdoor cycling.  The not-so-nice thing about summer is that I have no shows to watch when it is not-so-nice outside.

THE COLOR ORANGE [something noteworthy]  Before heading south for the California state line, I'm going to try heading east to Chelan.  Operation "summer" here I come. 

"you complete me" = biggest turn-off. ever.

CAPES [something empowering] Tonight, I watched Jerry Maguire.  And no I did not cry over the whole "you complete me" line.  That line is crap.  You don't want to date someone that thinks they are made "complete" only by you.  Gross.  Ick.  Date someone that has a backbone, please.    

COFFEE [latest trend or addiction]  Cold pasta deliciousness: orzo, lots of basil, yellow+red+orange pepper, light champagne dressing, and fresh mozzarella cheese.  At least it tastes like summer (though it doesn't feel like summer). 

THE COLOR ORANGE [something noteworthy] However, I did cry when Ron Tidwell dances in the endzone.  Football-happy-ending-stories get me.  All the time, every time.  

rhubarb rhubarb rhubarb

CAPES [something empowering] Jesus said: "Love your enemies."  The extent you treat those who differ politically from you as enemies is the extent that you reveal your atheism.* 

COFFEE [latest trend or addiction] I haven't even tried it yet, but I know it's going to be a weekly favorite the entire month of June...Cupcake Royale introduces their Rhubarb Crisp Cupcake starting today.  My oh my. 

THE COLOR ORANGE [something noteworthy]  Speaking of rhubarb...I was at Lottie's the other night in Columbia City and had their homemade rhubarb sorbet.  The taste was incredible confirmation of why I need to eat this delicious celery-vegetable more often. 

*I've had this quote saved forever...but I don't remember where I found it.  M.K., is this you?