week thirty-nine 2025

What an amazing week! I confess, I was on vacation last week and not at work. The only updates I have for you are personal. So if you're not into that, you can skip this week. There are a couple upcoming events toward the end, if you want to skip ahead.

Tom and I celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary last week. We try to visit a National Park every anniversary. We've visited quite a few through the years. This year we visited Grand Teton National Park. Our National Park vacations are adventure vacations. We get up early, explore all day and go to bed exhausted. It's always a fun and inspiring time. 

We arrived Monday late afternoon and headed into Jackson Hole for some provisions then headed to the park. After we sat outside of the Blue Heron Lounge and watched a spectacular sunset over the Mountains. It was the best sunset of the entire trip. Tuesday we got up real early for a Scenic Raft Tour. What a cool way to experience the park. While we'd hope to see lots of wildlife, we really just saw birds. Several bald eagles, ducks, goose and a kingfisher. There was some mist that made everything feel a little eerie and made for some great pics. The highlight was coming around a bend and seeing the Grand Teton, it was gorgeous. Afterward, we explored Jenny Lake area and the Scenic Drive, which was stunning. That evening we celebrated our anniversary with a nice dinner at the Mural Room, even though it wasn't our actual anniversary just yet. It was delicious and they treated us to champagne and the best seat in the house. 

Wednesday we had a horseback riding excursion. I'm a grown ass woman who's never been on horse. It was my first time and it was nerve racking. It took me a bit to relax. I had to remind myself people do this daily, it's OK. Once I relaxed, it was much more enjoyable. My horse was Molly Brown and she was a great companion. Such a beautiful and thoughtful horse, I know, that sounds odd but trust me, she's a sweet girl. The trail was stunning. The vistas were full of fall colors and we had a coyote sighting as well as a mule deer. The views were truly breathtaking, the mountains, the fall colors, the reflections in the Snake River, it was magic. If you ever find yourself in Grand Teton National Park, splurge for the horseback riding. It'll be a highlight, for sure. After we explored the park again. Later in the day, we packed a picnic and headed to J.P. Cunningham Cabin for sunset. While there, we chatted with a wildlife photographer who let us look through his scope. He had been tracking two elk bulls bugling at one another. They each had a couple babies with them and their mom's. It was so cool. While heading back to the lodge, we saw a herd of buffalo and the cutest baby running to keep up with it's mom. So sweet. Wildlife is always a treat in the National Parks.

Thursday we had to check out and head to Jackson Hole. We decided to get up and explore early before checking out. We drove Moose Wilson Road in hopes to see Moose. Instead, we saw a bear in a tree, just eating leaves and climbing. It was adorable, from the safety of our car. I imagine if I'd been hiking and run across the bear, it would've been a different story. That afternoon we headed to Jackson Hole and visited Snake River Brewery for lunch. Mr. Favorite is a home brewer and we always visit a local brewery on our trips. After we went to Jackson Hole Aerial Tram. It's not for those with fear of heights. The summit offers 360-degree views of the Tetons, Jackson Hole valley, and surrounding mountain ranges. It was epic! The temperature was a -20° difference from the valley to the summit. There's a catwalk over the mountains and I felt the need to hold on to the handrail the entire time. We spent some time looking out and sat for a bit at the Corbet's Cabin deck. It was sunny, windy and glorious.

Friday morning we went back to Moose Wilson Road in the park hoping for Moose and Elk sightings. We saw another bear or perhaps the same one. This time climbing up a Lodge Pine. We explored Jackson Hole after. What a cute town, filled with small businesses and a town square complete with antler arch. It was lovely. That afternoon, we flew home. Sigh. It was a nice vacation, filled with so much beauty and adventure. Of course, it's always nice to come home to Scooby-Doo and my own bed.

This Thursday, is our our Monthly Letter Writing Meet Up. Join us Thursday, October 2nd from 5pm to 7pm and share the magic of snail mail with other stationery enthusiast. As always, we'll have our vintage typewriters for you to use and a good selection of our pens to try out. You can shop our stationery, or bring your own. No RSVP required, first come, first served. Stay two minutes or the full two hours. BYOB.

This weekend is Apple Fest in Lincoln Square! Come celebrate all things fall in Lincoln Square. There will be entertainment, delicious food and local vendors, like us. We'll be in booth 119, between Wilson and Sunnyside.
Friday, October 3 - 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Saturday, October 4 - 9:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday, October 5 - 9:00am - 6:00pm
North Lincoln Ave (between Lawrence and Sunnyside)
See you there! We'll have letterpress cards, pencils sets, stickers, gift wrap and smiles to share. 

That covers week 39! Hope to see you this weekend.