This weekend we didn't have any plans, just a short list of small projects to tend to. Saturday morning during breakfast we were having our usual "What do you want to do today?" conversation when Rob said, "Wanna go camping?" and as soon as he said it I knew it was exactly what I wanted to do.

So we packed a cooler, loaded the car, drove for a bit, and voilá! Instant tranquility.

We spent several hours sitting in those camp chairs. I knitted while Rob read aloud from Dr. Tatiana's Sex Advice to All Creation (which is fantastic and fascinating and not at all what you think). It was so nice. At one point I thought to myself, "Hmm, we could be doing this same thing at home on the deck." But it's not the same, somehow. Camping is relaxing in a way even deck-sitting isn't, and I suspect that's because camping doesn't allow for phone calls or emails or to-do lists.

In the evening we went for a walk along the river. We saw several deer, and lots of shells.

We made our dinner over the fire and then spent a few more hours in our camp chairs, talking and watching the flames flicker and the embers glow until darkness settled and then deepened and the stars and fireflies started twinkling.

In the morning, we took a hike before heading home. We made our way to some rocks on a ridgetop and looked down at the landscape below. A few falcons glided silently on air currents, their paths gently rising and falling like the rippled mountains below.

All in all, it was a wonderful weekend for regaining some peace and perspective.

Today's my birthday. I always take off work on my birthday. In the past we've often been traveling, but even if we're home I like to have the day for myself. Here's how I spent it this year:

Tea and scones with my mom

A visit to the farmers market, and then a bit of downtown shopping

Making a strawberry-rhubarb pie

Knitting on the deck

Fancy dinner out with Rob, and then back home for some birthday pie and a Ruby June

A lovely summer day, and a most delightful start to my 30th year.