Me and Nico at the beach, Bodega Bay
Grant with oysters, Bodega Bay
Nico watching the ocean, Bodega Bay
The kid’s table at dinner on Saturday night, how did we make all these tiny humans?
homemade pasta hanging to dry
Camie and Cenovia, Bodega Bay
Sasha and Talia eating oysters and drinking bloody Marys by the sea
The magic hour in Bodega Bay
Our dear friend Viola turned 40 this weekend and celebrated in the very best way: She rented a beach house for her dearest friends and we all spent the weekend together. It was like pure oxygen. Beach, fog, ocean, good friends, good food, tuna sashimi, homemade pasta, kiddos galore, hilarious conversation. It was SO SO GOOD.
A wise reader right here on this blog said to me recently, “Can you find some time to just goof around? To do something for no good reason? That isn’t productive at all?”
That comment stuck with me and has been tossing around my brain ever since. I have been so focused these days: The launch of the new site, the brand new e-courses, the usual drive and striving and ambition of being a solopreneur. It can all get overwhelming and serious and leave very little room for joy. In an effort to be good and responsible, I haven’t given myself room to take a break. To celebrate. To take pleasure in life and fill up with laughter and joy. I’m taking that reader’s advice and I’m going to build in time to goof around. This weekend was a great beginning.
The Joy Telesummit
Speaking of joy, I was asked to be interviewed for the Joy Telesummit. I said yes (my brave move for the day for Cultivating Courage) but I was nervous. Is she going to ask me how joyful I am? Is she going to ask me to give tips on having a joyful life? Hilariously, I even felt pressure to be joyful on the call with her! and wondered if I would come off as dark or depressed if I was just myself.
On the contrary, this might be my all time favorite interview to date. It was a transformative conversation for me and I hope it will be for you too.
You can stream the interview here. Enjoy!
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Gorgeous images! It seems like an incredible trip was had!
I wholeheartedly hear you about needing more time for goofing around. Big time.
And I definitely want to check out this Joy Summit and your interview!
Sometimes when I’m doing my art I forget that goofy no-pressure play is the most fruitful thing I could do for my art. It almost always frees me up. This is a lovely post! Thanks.
Wonderful!! I’m so glad that you had a weekend like this – you deserve such fabulousness and more…:)
So glad you took a little time off to enjoy yourself. And thanks for the reminder – I need to do the same!
I would love to hear your joy interview but couldn’t find it. It could totally be because it is the middle of the night, but I thought maybe you could send me the link, or otherwise help me find it? I could use some Joy!
Best,
e
I have always wanted to make homemade pasta, that photo of it hanging out to dry is making me crave it more. 🙂 Love the kids table… looks like a wonderful time!
Gorgeous photos!!! Makes me long for a fun trip like that. It looks like an amazing time was had!
Congrats on the taking your courage leap to do the JOY interview. I look forward to listening to it!
It looks like such a fun-filled, soul-soothing, love-fest of a weekend.
Glad you had a lovely time with friends – lovely beach too! Good for you to find some ‘goof around’ time – it’s such a tonic for body and soul. I find with our two boys, that it does them good to see their parents just having fun and not ‘doing’ all the time too. Have a good weekend.
As ever, you inspire, Andrea. After a grueling two months of work, and another trip starting Tuesday, I woke up this morning determined to tackle things around the house. Instead I made some coffee, dragged my beginning embroidery stuff into bed, found a silly British TV series on Netflix, and goofed with needle & thread & no end game in sight. This walking the talk, even around idle pleasure, takes courage & determination. I’ll keep on if you will.
Thank you for showing me what I want to do for my 40th birthday, when it arrives. This is going on the life list for sure!