A Perfect Day
This past weekend I feel like we must have hit some sort of record for the biggest swing of temperatures in the history of Dallas. On Saturday I spend the day with a dear friend wondering around the Arboretum. We walked for hours then found a patch of grass somewhat shaded by a Crepe Myrtle tree, kicked off our shoes and flicked away tiny bugs as we talked of life. Toes gripping into the lush, green grass, sun poring down, sunglass-covered eyes closed, face tilted up and red unruly hair tumbling down my back, I felt the contentment that only an 80 degree day kicking off the first whisperings of Spring can bring.
Needing more, that afternoon Scott and I went to one of our favorite patio spots in Dallas and sat outside, slowly savoring a cocktail and eating brunch plates with eggs. Forks cutting into the eggs, with yellow yolk running down, there was laughter and joy and love. Afterwards, we gripped each other’s hands and dodged between cars across the street to a local organic grocer. There were dogs outside available for adoption and we petted and played and laughed more. Fingers intertwined and mouths open with laughter as the sun shone on. Such a perfect afternoon.
That night we joined some friends for a surprise birthday party. Again, we sat outside and the entire table rejoiced in the perfection of the evening- stories, friendships made and rekindled, wine and a perfect breeze. Afterwards Scott and I wandered down a few blocks to Starbucks then walked around with our freshly pressed coffees. We stopped at every store—all closed but that didn’t bother us. We peered in the windows and played guessing games, trying to figure out what the other’s favorite items were. At one point I turned to him laughing deeply and joyfully and he reached out and affectionately touched my cheek, drawing me close for a kiss. And I thought to myself:
“This day is perfect.” It was 11pm, warm and I was happy. Even when I got home and saw my sun-kissed skin was looking a little redder then I liked. A sunburn is a small trade for the perfect day, no?
The next day it was 23 degrees. Yes. Twenty three degrees. Nearly a 60-degree drop in temperature in 24 hours. Blew. My. Mind. And yes we knew and were preparing ourselves, thus our sun-soaked day on Saturday. But still.
When Scott decided to open the front door to check how cold it was, he promptly declared it felt like “knives stabbing” his face, and called me to come feel it too. So, bravely I went. And he was right. Face stabbing indeed.
The ice and the sleet came and every school district around us cancelled school for the next day. Bundled up in layers of clothing we decided to have some fun. We drug a space heater into the studio and pulled out baskets of supplies from where they were stored.
We each had our mediums of choice. Scott carefully selected paint tubes from our basket of watercolors and swirled and dipped and mixed until he had the right combination. He applied every stroke of paint with precision and purpose- the opposite of my abstract, modern-esque, wild, colorful designs.
I pulled out some calligraphy supplies- two inkwells, a pen, some nibs and paper. I used my new lightbox (love it!) and wrote. I was absent-minded and dreamy and wrote whatever random words and phrases came to mind. The point was to practice. I hadn’t realized how much I would enjoy it.
It was so relaxing. Dipping my nib into the pink gouache I mixed, dabbing some away and writing. Some letters were not up to standards, some impressed even me, but all of them flew freely out of my pen.
With our dogs lying on the carpet under the table, the space heater humming and essential oils diffusing, we made art. Maybe it wasn’t very glamorous or professional or perfect, but it was special and it was fun. We talked and laughed from time to time, but were mostly content to just be. To forget the outside word, impending deadlines, budgets and bills, renovation plans and forget everything that wasn’t our sheets of paper. There is something magical about that.
And you know what? I was happy. It was a perfect day. Face stabbing cold and all. 🙂
Tania Griffis is an accomplished writer, blogger, and interior designer with a Journalism degree from the University of Oklahoma. She started her popular blog, Run to Radiance, in 2011, demonstrating her design expertise through the personal remodeling of six houses to millions of readers across the globe.
Tania also owns The Creative Wheelhouse, a respected ghostwriting agency for bloggers, further showcasing her talent for creating engaging and informative content.
Gorgeous photos. You are a poet with words! The pink calligraphy is my favorite 🙂
Thanks Volta! 🙂 From someone as versed in poetry as you are, that means a lot 🙂 Pink calligraphy is my favorite too girl!
Ha! 23 is a warm day for us this winter.
What a lovely weekend. The calligraphy is beautiful 🙂
Haha Samantha I try not to complain too much but I expect more out of Texas! 😀
this really does look like a perfect day — an arboretum, cute puppies, and painting? couldn’t ask for more 🙂
Jennifer you are so right! 🙂 That’s about as good as it gets.
I love this post! Such a beautiful description of two beautiful, perfect days.
Thank you Barcy 🙂
Nice! Your post makes me want to get out my art supplies! And how amazing that Dallas has warm tropical days in early March. Even if they are mixed in cold ones I’d take a few of those warm ones here in Toronto 🙂
Oh Char you must! Art is so relaxing and nice. I’m a big fan!
What a beautiful place you live, that first photo is perfection! I like your painting craft too Iv been thinking of making my own pretty poem to frame. Such a simple idea but so effective 🙂
Michelle you should! It’s so meaningful and pretty. I love it. 🙂
I’ve been here over 6 years and have yet to make it to the Arboretum. It looks gorgeous!!! And you are right: that Sunday was face stabbing for sure. But a perfect day for Netflix and a fire. Or pink calligraphy (if I knew how) 🙂
Oh Rebecca you MUST go! Especially right now with the spring flower festival going on! 🙂 So beautiful.