previously on ross and haylie, part 1

Hi all. Now that I'm officially done with everything I need to do for school (master's degree, what WHAT!!), I thought I'd catch you up on some of the goings-on here over the last few months. First up, our visit to the cherry blossoms. I would say the Cherry Blossom Festival, but because of the warm weather the blossoms came so early that they were already mostly gone by the time the Festival rolled around in mid-April. Bummer, DC. Luckily for us, though, we managed to make it out on an absolutely gorgeous day in March.

Look! It's a picture of Ross! It's been pointed out to me that this blog lacks photos of my spouse, which is true. However, I'd like to point out that someone hates having his picture taken, and so it's not entirely my fault. This was, like, the fifth take.

I don't know who handed Eleanor this bundle of blossoms, but I approve.

Side note: I was asked to wear a sari once for an Indian Fashion Show. I've never felt more beautiful in my entire life, not even on my wedding day. If only I could have gracefully walked around the cherry blossoms like this lady.

for the beauty of the earth

Still from Earth, the movie. Also, I guess, the place.

We sang my very very favorite ever hymn ever in church today. You may know it, in fact:

For the beauty of the earth,

For the beauty of the skies,

For the love which from our birth,

Over and around us lies,

Lord of all, to thee we raise

This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the beauty of each hour,

Of the day and of the night,

Hill and vale, and tree and flower,

Sun and moon and stars of light,

Lord of all, to thee we raise

This our hymn of grateful praise.

This Thanksgiving (and yes, I know it's not actually the day yet), I'm particularly grateful for the immeasurably beautiful planet on which we live. I'm grateful for the air we breathe, the water we drink, and especially for the plants and animals that enrich our lives. To that end, I'm going to try to post something celebratory about our world and wildness every day this week. Try is, of course, the operative word, but I really will. Promise. Because even though it's a cliche, and even though I hate turkey and other traditional Thanksgiving foods, and even though the holiday is historically suspicious, at best, we really do have so much to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving Week, friends.