Alright... It's growing on me.

    We are officially in the second month of 2026, and I have officially been living in Florida for 1 year and 4ish months. I have to say, I have really grown to enjoy Florida. If you know me, this is quite a feat considering I have evergreen tree sap running through my veins. I wanted to record some of the things that I find especially special about the south-east corner of this state we live in. 

- While I have had the privilege of living near the ocean throughout my life, I have never been so motivated to enjoy the beach! Between the surf culture and the warm weather, the beach has become a nearly daily spot for me to read, sketch, or walk. 

- The post-Christmas blues are practically eliminated! I remember every year in Washington, about three days after Christmas, my mom would say something like “Alright, I’m ready for Spring.” Here, in Florida, the January weather is cooler, but not by any means cold. (about 70F) This means outdoor activities, projects, and sunbathing can happen as soon as you would like! No more waiting for spring to finally arrive, it's summer all year! 

- As someone whose favorite season was fall, I found it hard to feel cozy or have an excuse to "have a lazy day" as I did on rainy days in the PNW. Now, I think of the peak of summer, when it's too hot to do anything at all, as an excuse to have a lazy day. I have switched from longing for hot cocoa and a warm blanket to an icy popsicle and a good book. 

- The biggest discovery that helped me appreciate Florida more is finally braving the outdoors. I have found that once you dawn weather appropriate clothing, you can experience the diverse wildlife Florida has to offer! There are so many unique plants and colorful animals here! Ocean creatures, bugs, and so many cool birds! I'm very new to birding, but I have really enjoyed identifying as many as I can! 

Below are pictures of things I appreciated this past month! 

Awesome birds I saw this January!

The Beach!

Local flora and fauna

Of course, I have to include some pictures of Ian! No matter the weather, month, or location, Ian is always my favorite part of my life. I love you Ian! I can't wait to get married this June :)