Pictures Of Things + Le Love List

September 12th, 2014 - filed under: Furthermore » Feedback

These early morning beach walks . . . ♥ so peaceful ♥ . . . ♥ so sacred ♥ . . . SO EARLY. Bless you, coffee.

Hello, beautiful community. I hope you all are well, and coming off a pleasant and productive week. I’m not gonna lie, mine was weird and very up and down, high and low, laughter and tears (lots of tears).

I wrote the Wednesday post – Vegans Talking About Ex-Vegans – late late Tuesday night, and to be honest, I almost didn’t write it at all. But I’m so glad I did! I had no idea that post would generate such interest and enthusiasm, and lead to such a wonderful discussion in the comments. It’s been so amazing to watch and to participate in, and it’s totally renewed my spirit. You guys are amazing. And I feel honored to be able to hold this space where we can all come together.

As Rebecca said in the comments of that post: “your blog is where all of the nice vegans hang out!”

And oh man guys, I am SO grateful for that. ♥

And now, a few of my favorite moments from this past week :

This old guy. So much love for this old guy.

And then there’s this one. This one is just too much.

Art in the sand, early morning.

Spanish tiles and painted doors. Heart Santa Barbara.

We made lemon raspberry muffins for preschool share snack. He loves to help me bake.

♥ Piece of crab carapace shaped like a heart. ♥

My potting table at summer’s end.

Lazy afternoons in the backyard with these two.

Taco Tuesdays with our friends. It’s definitely becoming a thing. (and thank goodness for that!)

On a morning walk, urban foraging the world’s largest lemon.

Panoramic. Sunset beach picnic with my loves. #LifeIsGood

The end of a loooong week. OMG so tired. So tired! #ButSeriouslyLifeIsGood

~~~

And now for a very important weekly ritual, Le Love List

I meant it when I said it – YOU GUYS. This community right here is at the top of my Love List this week. // Marigold baths. // Coconut oil hair treatments. // French Roast. // Getting the news that the project I’m heading is WAY ahead of schedule and we’re making great progress. // Ice cream dates. // Watching The Craft, ooh 90s witchy wonderfulness! // The August Petit Vour beauty box was GOOD. // Back to school shopping. Autumn is coming and I need clothes to teach in! // Spending time with the super moon. On the first night, midnight moon-bathing with Jeremy, setting intentions together. Then the next night, gathering with friends. A strong warrior woman and her pair of little boys, us two wild women and our three little guys, holding hands in a circle and spinning, spinning, spinning . . . beneath that beautiful harvest moon. // You may have noticed that I’m very . . . beach-oriented? Right now. At the beginning of the season Jeremy and I vowed to spend our weekends sunbathing and swimming, and it just never happened. But now, as the summer comes to an end, we’re finding our way to the beach almost every single day. Morning walks with Waits in the wagon, evening strolls for hours just the two of us, and sunset dinners with the kiddo: a big blanket, iPod with speakers, a bottle of wine, and a picnic spread of vegan eats. We dine, and then we dance. We watch the sun go down and the moon come up. And I think these are maybe some of the happiest moments of my life. Fleeting, I know. Fleeting but not so much so that I can’t manage to catch them, and hold them for one precious second, to stop and gasp and marvel at how magical life can be. ♥

Alright, that’s it for me. I hope you have a happy weekend, my dears, and I’d love to hear your Love Lists if you feel inspired to share. Just leave them in the comments below.

Cheers!

♥ ♥ ♥

http://www.claudiapoirier.com/ Claudia

I am glad that you posted your other topic about ex vegans. I struggle with veganism because I feel like there’s little support. So much of what I’ve run up against feels extremely judgemental and difficult to deal with. I am definitely not vegan at this point. Not that I feel like it’s other people’s jobs to help me along, I don’t mean that. It’s just that often I feel hesitant to ask questions lest I be jumped all over for being “stupid” and “how did you not know” or “I’m a level 5 vegan*”

On a more pleasant point, I am so happy to see the faces of your sunflowers! I’ve got a few to harvest that are sitting in the snow until they’re a little more dead and easier to hack off :)
http://windycityvegan.wordpress.com/ Monika {windycityvegan}

Those sunglasses!

I need to deadhead my sunflowers this weekend, but Nina really wants to whack them like piñatas.

LLL: Somehow, I managed to find the time on my calendar this weekend to tuck a movie date in between outlining my notes for midterms, a board meeting, dinner with friends, cataloguing lecture podcasts, a run, and oh yeah, getting a jump on assignments. I’ve been busting my ass all week, but it’s paid off and we’re seeing Boyhood on Sunday. So – time management! (I guess my 90′s Franklin Covey addiction wasn’t for naught.) That’s at the top of my Love List. // The community you’ve built and maintained on this blog, where the nice vegans do hang out! // Cake. Really, really good cake. // Two days ago, the pixie I’ve been attempting to grow out is officially long enough to pass for a bob. With naturally curly hair, in the humid humid South, it’s been quite the first world problem. // Tinkering with the idea of starting a vegan supper club at the Refuge, specifically, a local extension of my friend Kevin’s Peace Meal Supper Club. So many ideas! (So little time! As if that could stop me…)

Happy weekend!
Tammy Digmann-Smith

Your blog is at the top of my love list right now! I look forward to reading each and every one of your posts! Not only is it comforting to see another vegan enjoying her life and not feeling like she’s missing out on one single thing by living a vegan lifestyle, but you also inspire me to be grateful and enjoy the simple things in life! Thank you for what you do!
Secondly, I’m loving being a runner! I recently completed my first half-marathon and I feel like I’ve only just started! Can’t wait to achieve more running goals!
http://livinlavegan.com Belen Molina

I discovered your blog a few months ago and I absolutely love it. As a medium crunchy mom (thanks for putting it in words) of a three year old who has also struggled in the health department, I am so thankful to have found your blog. I love the way you write, think, parent, and inspire creativity… Your blog allows me to borrow some of that beautiful confidence and kindness of yours. Thanks for sharing :)
Lisa C.

I love your blog! That is all. :)
Rachel in Veganland

Sayward, reading your reminiscences of your recent beach goings brought tears to my eyes. Beautiful! There is so much radiance and love coming from your posts these days and it is so lovely to see and so, so inspiring! Thank you for sharing it with your readers. <3

Le Love List:

Researching topics I love for hours and completely losing track of time//freshly fermented jalepenos// ordering freshly made, local vegan pizza and having it delivered right to my door//feeling that I've found true and absolute health//quiet evenings with sounds of crickets and cat purrs
http://www.the-applekat.tumblr.com Amy Applekät

I feel your joy radiating off the page reading your blog these days girlfriend! Your happiness is infectious and inspiring!
Sonja

Sayward, I’m reading your blog for 3 or 4 years now and love the happiness which is beaming from your posts these days! Also, they make me want to travel to some nice beaches as I have no beach near by ;-) Thanks for creating this beautiful community and for sharing your thoughts and wisdom with us.

My love list:
- sunny late summer/early autumn days
- breakfast with my loved one
- yoga every damn day
- my friends
- inspiring non-vegan friends to bake vegan cookies
Sonja

I forgot one thing: where did you get the rainbow sweater from? Love it!
http://howtofeedawookie.blogspot.com/ WookieWifey

I agree 100% with the whole ‘your blog is where the nice vegans are’ thing. It is why your is the ONLY vegan blog on my read list. You’ve somehow found that sweet spot in writing where you are presenting your knowledge about a lifestyle you are passionate about *without* sounding all holier-than-thou and talk-down-y, and that isn’t something you see too much.

<3 FALL ZOMG! Finally. Sweater, candles, cocoa, hot tea…/swoon
<3 Hubs being super thoughtful for my birthday (early gifts since neither of us can keep secrets)
<3 Misdiagnosis – Just found out last week that the incurable genetic skin disease I've thought I had was a misdiagnosis and that I'm ALL GOOD! (Except that they think I may have PTSD from thinking I was incurably ill for 6 years, but we'll call that small potatoes.) Hello outdoor world. It has been too long, friend.
<3 Blogs who not only don't mind, but encourage readers to leave stupidly long comments. Most are like 2 words, so looking down at others' comments on this one gives me a happy.
stephie137

Love your blog. It’s positive but not fake or saccharine. The joy is real, and you are talking about important things. That’s a hard combo to maintain. Authenticity and committment to your values…key for a leader’s voice. You help me be a better vegan and better vegan mom. You are awesome!

LLL…first day of dance class for the girl, hanging out with all the 30-something girls at work (we are a small, but fun group), wine, sisters, 3 sleeps till Portland!
lysette

Ooooo I just want to squeeze Harley in that picture!! I took that love energy to my dog’s belly instead :)
~working at the family book shop
~running into a former carpentry co-worker and being told how much I’m missed – appreciation always does the heart good
~hanging out with Mom in her yard, picking apples and grapes
~your moon baths remind me of my moon baths and does me well
~brisk morning air dog walks that have all the other dog walkers jazzed and invigorated
~free showing of Princess Bride in the park
~the coming solstice
~xox~
Deirdre

SO much love! And what Lisa C said below, but actually…that’s not all. We’re big fans of the beach>breakfast, lunch, dinner picnic and I’d love a post on what you bring that’s portable, sand friendly, and not that I even need to say it because all your recipes are delish, but yeah, that!

Happy weekend!
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

Oh I would love to see sunflowers int he snow! That must be so pretty. ♥

I completely understand your hesitancy about engaging with vegans as someone who is struggling with veganism. Some vegans can be abrasive or unkind and it’s such a shame. But that’s what we’re really hoping to do with exvegan.org – to provide a space where people in your position can talk to vegans who will NOT judge or shame them, and are just genuinely interested in helping them along. It’s going to be an amazing resource!
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

Haha, those sunglasses are actually mine – I love them!

I love your love list this week! Such a great blend of super accomplishment and also enjoying the little things. Balance, baby!
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

Aww, thank you Tammy! This means so much to me, and I’m so happy to hear that my blog is bringing you joy! ♥
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

Thank you Belen, this comment made me so happy to read! This is everything to me and exactly why I keep blogging – so thank you!!
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

Thank you Lisa! =D
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

Thank you Rachel, I’m so glad to hear it’s coming through! I’ve been feeling so centered and present when I write these days and, yes, feelin’ the love. It’s been a good summer!

Love your Love List, especially fermented jalapeños yummm. And also, congratulations on your health and finding that spot where you can relax into it. I know that spot and I know that if you’ve been struggling to find it for a while, it feels so amazing. So congratulations!
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

Thank you so much Amy! ♥
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

Thank you Sonja, and thanks for sharing your beautiful Love List! And thank you for reading for so many years, that’s so awesome! Also the rainbow sweater is by Wildfox, it’s a few years old I think (I got it secondhand).
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

Oh my god on the misdiagnosis, holy moly! Congratulations, that is amazing! Quitting smoking and now this – 2014 is a freaking huge year for you!
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

Thank you for this comment. Authenticity is always what I strive for, which means when I’m low it shows on the blog, but also when there’s real joy it’s right out there too. Thank you for appreciating that, because it can be hard and scary. Also, thanks for the LL and YAY for Portland!!
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

I’ll give Harley another good rub on your behalf. ;-)

Thanks for sharing your awesome Love List! And yay for moon bath solidarity, I swear more people should be doing that. There’s something so *connecting* about it . . .
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

Haha, Deirdre we’re actually working on coming up with some more recipes ourselves, because we only have one or two and we’re getting tired of them! So, yes, a post is in the works but . . . it might be a while, haha. ;-)
Deirdre

Yum.
Rachel in Veganland

Thanks so much Sayward. It’s been a long road and I’m still reflecting on the process. You’ve been such an inspiration to me along the way, so thank YOU!
http://howtofeedawookie.blogspot.com/ WookieWifey

No kidding…years of Same Shit, Different Day and now the Universe is all “hang on, bitch, we’re going for a ride.”
Rebecca Carnes

I’m a little late to this one!!! So will save my love list for this Friday :):) Except…I love that you mentioned The Craft!!! Love that movie…and reminds me that Halloween is fast approaching. And I LOVE Halloween – holding back on my inner Martha Stewart until at least Oct.1st…or maybe the last week of Sept:) lol
Debbie

Hi Sayward, These are great books for children. I’m ordering some for my girls. :) Thank you! I love your blog and have been reading it for years!!

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