pancake party.

it's kind of old news by now (i'm a bit behind), but a couple of weekends ago the reeds threw a party for their one-year anniversary. first of all, i always think anniversary #1 is such a celebration- a whole year! it was fun to celebrate with them, and as they looked back on their past year together, for me to look back on the past several months in seattle.

we had breakfast for dinner: mexican vanilla pancakes with homemade whipped cream, homemade butter, homemade candy coated walnuts, syrup, and delightfully delicious sweetened condensed milk. i spent the day at their house helping get things ready and relaxing in their wonderfully day-lit living room, quite a contrast from my basement cubbie bedroom. i'm pro natural light.

we saved the buttermilk and used it for another batch of pancakes a few days later.

hearts, for celebrating love.

katy got a little too excited with the coffee grounds...oops!

what anniversary is complete without some champagne?

'mexican vanilla' because the vanilla we used is legitimately from mexico.

mmmm.

good friends just hanging out and playing games.

alecia and will's sweet little orion!

we ate lots of pancakes that night, and played banangrams and the question game (our fallbacks). they're great games to get to know each other, and always good for a laugh. i'm fond of our saturday tradition, and i'm thankful for a community that likes to get together and share a meal, talk, and just enjoy each other's company. even if that just means being together and not really even doing anything. the picture of what community has tangibly looked like since moving here has changed over the months, but it's been something that i have come to value more and more. people who know me and can challenge me to know the Lord more just by living life with me.

and i always love a good excuse to cook up a tasty treat for my friends...

so here's to pancakes, mimosas, and many more saturday nights together!