The Dreamer's Pen

There’s always something kind of bittersweet about the last weekend of August. It feels like standing in a doorway, you know what I mean? You can still feel summer, but fall is hovering right outside, waiting to step in. The days feel like they’re slipping away a little faster, like the season is quietly packing its bags while pretending no one notices. Maybe that’s why this weekend felt so special to me. I wanted to do things I’ve never done before and I actually did.

Saturday kicked off with MOD Pizza (yes, Lucy Sunshine! My favorite little slice of happiness). There’s just something about that pizza. Bright, cozy, cheesy, it feels like pure joy in food form. Honestly, it was the perfect pre-game for what came next: my very first paint and sip.

I didn’t know what to expect, but it was so fun!

I had wine, I had cider, and I had a blank canvas that somehow turned into the night sky. Deep blues, purples, stars scattered like little secrets.

It was messy, but in the kind of way that feels alive. I laughed at myself, loosened up, and at one point, it really did feel like I was painting with stardust.

Sunday flipped the vibe completely. I went to the local horse races for the first time ever. Totally new world for me. The sound of hooves pounding the dirt, the buzz of the crowd, the way those horses move it was electric. I didn’t bet, I barely understood what was happening, but I was yelling and cheering right along with everyone else. It honestly felt cinematic, like I’d stumbled into a scene I didn’t realize I’d been waiting to live.

And then, to top it all off, Dough Zone. Dumplings so good I literally had to stop mid-bite just to take it in. Soft, warm, ridiculously delicious. It was basically a hug disguised as food.

When I look back at this weekend, what I love most is that it was both fun and meaningful. It wasn’t about doing something huge or life-changing. It was just me, stepping into a few new experiences, laughing at myself, savoring little moments, and remembering that small adventures can be magic, too.

Lucy Sunshine pizza. A painting full of stars. The wild chaos of a racetrack. Dumplings that felt like comfort in a bowl. Somehow, it all came together into a weekend that was quietly perfect.

And honestly? That’s more than enough.