I went for a walk in the woods yesterday. It was perfect.

I'd been in a funk, the kind where I wanted to scream every time the people around me had the audacity to do something crazy, like breathe. I needed some alone time.

Even though it was raining, I needed to get out in nature, by myself, away from anyone who might breathe too loud.

I rode my bike to some conservation land on the bike path, and I walked in the rain, and I sat under a tree, and I got soaking wet.

I felt better immediately, and all was well again. I highly recommend it.

The other day, my neighbor put out a box with a sign on it.

It said "free mason jars."

I took six. They make me happy.

Merry Christmas!

I hope yours is full of cookies and happiness.

Thank you so much for stopping by here, friends. If I could, I would give everyone who reads this blog a whole sidetable full of presents.

P.S. Sarah, Giovanna, and Neo-TRAD, send me your addresses! abigail.cyr{at}gmail.com

Here is what is perfect right now:

An iPod (especially if it's playing Noah and the Whale), a fountain pen, and a coffee shop.

Actually, to me, that's perfect almost always.

How about you?

Happy (almost) Weekend!

Fall is coming! Fall is coming!

It is freezing outside, and for some reason, I couldn't be happier.

Right now it's pouring outside my window, but I'm all curled up in my cozy bed and it is perfect.

(It seems that two down comforters is the way to go if you want a cozy bed.)

This weekend is looking like a good one: on Friday night, I'm going to a concert with my country-music-obsessed friend (I'm a little nervous- I've never been to a country concert before! What if I hate it?), and then on Saturday, I'm getting together with a couple of people to make pasta!

What are your exciting plans for this cold and stormy weekend?

Look what I found!

Sometimes I like to make lists of Things That I Want. These things run the gamut from little and easily obtained (the September issue of Vogue, clean laundry) to huge (a vacation home on a Greek island). It's an interesting exercise in articulating my worldly desires, but mostly it's just fun to dream about things I'd like to own.

Recently, after seeing lots of pretty pictures people had taken with Holgas, I added the camera to my list. While it tends towards the more affordable, I'm still trying to avoid unnecessary expenses, so I figured I'd ask for one for Christmas, or maybe buy one as a present for myself when (if) I get a job. Imagine my surprise when I was describing the latest Thing That I Wanted to my mom and she said "oh, we have one of those! Dewey used it in high school when she took photo!"

I am so excited to have temporary custody of such a quirky little camera! I'm going to a Red Sox game with Sara tonight, and I think I'll bring the Holga out for its maiden journey. I can't wait!

The Purple Balloon

Last Thursday, while babysitting one of my favorite children, I received a purple balloon from the manager of the best toy store around.

I hadn't had my own balloon in probably ten years, and it's amazing how much I love it. Just looking at it floating around my house made me happy, so of course I had to bring it outside for a photo shoot in the gorgeous September light.

Doesn't it just look so cheery there, floating in the tree?

Here's to Happiness

Inspired by the Here's to Happiness Project, I've made my own happy list. Here goes:

Ten things that make me Terribly Happy

1. Friends who know you so well they can guess exactly what you're going to say before you say it.

2. When Pandora guesses the song you needed to hear right when you needed to hear it.

3. Rituals and Traditions (especially my new favorite, Two Oceans in 12 Hours)

{Pacific Ocean, Ocean Beach, San Francisco, August 15th, 2009. two-thirty p.m. pst.}

{Atlantic Ocean, Revere Beach, Revere, MA August 16th, 2009 five-thirty a.m. est.}

4. Peach Pie at midnight.

5. Having two chapters left in a really good book.

6. Sitting in a cafe, drinking a latte, writing in my journal and watching the people go by.

7. Church on a Sunday morning.

8. Going to the farmer's market, talking to the farmer and finding the most delicious produce.

9. Fresh flowers on my windowsill.

10. Sleeping under tons of covers with the windows open all the way (really, there is nothing cozier).

What makes you terribly happy?