foothills life

When I moved to Colorado for the first time in 2002 with car full of belongings and no plan, I was a bit nervous. But not long after I crossed the border from NE to CO the Rocky Mountains came into view and I actually gasped. I remember saying out loud about the scene in front of me: "I will never take this for granted." I knew this was where I needed to be. And the next few years I hiked and skied and snowshoed as much as I could. I stayed in awe of the mountains. But after leaving and returning again to this state I have embraced the foothills. I've definitely spent more time in them than the mountains. Why are rocks and a slightly elevated ground so appealing? They just are. Living on the west side of town I get to drive along side them to and from work. On the weekends I can just zip up to walk around, breathe, or on this day- journal and admire and be thankful I live here.

god jul

A Merry Scandinavian Christmas this year. Even though our family has Norwegian and Swedish blood lines, most of us had never sampled some of the more traditional faire: sips of Aquavit and Glogg, creating a St. Lucia crown wreath, and herring both pickled and curried. But the family favorites were also represented: lefse, krumcake, Swedish meatballs, and of course, lingonberries.

mushroom forest

Every hike this summer began with a question: will there be mushrooms? For months we never saw a one. So on the last hike of the summer the group was prepared to embark on a serious hunt. We didn't search long. In fact, we didn't search at all. The trail that was too snowy to walk just months ago was lined with beautiful fungi- big and little, poisonous and not. Now, porcini picking is on my list of fun things to do: it is really satisfying to peel the spongy part off and see the clean meaty flesh of the cap. Thank goodness for the mushroom expert on the hike who was prepared with a knife, an extra bag, and, most importantly, knew how to spot the edibles.

hello l.a.

School's out and what better way to celebrate the end of my last semester with a big getaway. I wanted to go to L.A. because I've never been and yet I see it so much in popular culture- the glitz, the glamour, the lifestyles of the rich and famous. But it is my new favorite city now not because of the standard tropes like stars on a street, but because there is much more there than that, with so many fantastic surprises: The Getty, the Huntington, the clean beaches, the comics, the architecture, and even, the incredibly friendly drivers (really!).

on smelling: a walk in bloom

Psychologist and animal behaviorist (specializing in dogs!) Alexandra Horowitz came out with a book this year titled On Looking: Eleven Walks with Expert Eyes. Instead of rushing and multitasking when walking, she embraced slowing down and noticing the daily happenings, design, and perspectives all around her. This time of year though, it's the nose that is hyper-aware. This week every walk, bike ride, even drive with the windows down there are glorious waifs of budding nature. So I am focused on breathing deeply now, for each block has a different combination of floral scents.

springtime, or, what a difference a may day makes

There is a saying in Colorado (or maybe in lots of states but it is said here all the time): If you don't like the weather wait 15 minutes. In this case, it was a few days but extreme. On Sunday it was spring in the best way: there was a kite festival in town, it was 80 degrees and I got a sunburn. Today: I had to pull out my winter gear again to walk through the heavy, wet 10 inches of snow. The good news is whatever the temperature, the pup is always adaptable as long as there is a squeaky toy involved.

easter craft

Fun with felting continued in March. Me and mom used styrofoam eggs so it was a really quick process too.

brrr

I like the idea of being different. When most zig, I hope to zag. When people say "well of course it is THIS," I have the urge to say "But what about THAT?" When it is time to fly south for spring break, I... drive to North Dakota. So it is not always the best philosophy. This year it was quite cold. I mean exceptionally bitter, pathologically frigid outside. However, it was heartwarming to be with friends and family for the week. A rock concert with the parents, godmother duties and a babysitting gig with my niece, lunch meetings with friends, cooking tutorials with cousins, and a rum/licorice tasting with sister and brother. The pictures were taken near the St. Johns campus in Minnesota. Titled Lean On Me, this art piece , this fairy tea party looking place that is waiting out winter is a metaphor for what I felt this week: among the snow, immersed in harsh temperatures, I still find joy, whimsy, beauty, and comfort in moments I get to share with the people I care about. But sometimes I wished they lived in Arizona.

the biggest little vacation

Every year I attend a regional conference for scholars living in the West. This year it was in Reno. I always enjoy exploring new cities and meeting up with old school friends, so the fact that I got to have both experiences at the same time was extra fun. Reno was full of extremes which I also relish. We visited Circus Circus, then went to a fancy restaurant, walked along a street full of tattoo/piercing parlors and gentlemen's clubs to go to a yoga class. Lights/glitz/serenity/conversation. What a weekend.

happy happy birthday

Hungry Hungry Caterpillar is not just a classic tale of extreme herbivorian experimentation. It is now the inspiration for the most epic birthday party ever! Little Miss Niece turned ONE and anyone who is anyone was there. There were games, coloring, candy, and of course, lots of of holey snacks.

slopes

There is a report out about how visits to ski areas are down- the lowest numbers since the early 90s. So, I knew I had to do my part. I did not mind that I never shared a chair lift or skied down empty runs. But it is hard to believe there were not more people out: the sun was shining and the powder was perfect.

eggs

One of my friends lives just out of town. In the twenty minute drive to her house, I feel my blood pressure drop. When I turn onto the gravel, I breathe more deeply. When I get out of the car and see the fields around me and unobstructed views of the foothills, I smile. I am so glad she shares her sanctuary with me. We rarely go into the house first. Instead, it is off to the barn, past the bee hives and the solar panels and the shed with the cool toys, to see the animals. Beautiful bunnies, sassy hens, and now elegant quail. The quail have just begun to lay eggs so today I took pictures of these small, perfect, shockingly white eggs. These are my favorite.

the small town

If you only drive on interstates you miss many opportunities to see the farms, trains, and towns that pepper our landscape. Of course there are cliches of tiny towns: the charm, the feel, the simple life. I think those are said by people that don't live in them. Many are rough, run down, and getting smaller. I think I started liking small towns when I was able to walk from my grandma's store to her house in just a few blocks, and hit multiple golf balls for each hole of the course because no one was behind us. Now I like taking the highways and stopping at a few that catch my eye. This is Dannebrog, the Danish Capital of Nebraska.

quiet

The 2,500 miles of Christmas travel are completed. Houseguests have said goodbyes. Three weeks of wonderful times full of family, friends, and fun are finished for awhile. Today, Pirate and I are going to take naps in the sun.

earthbound

Every hike is a joy in its own way. Yesterday's hike was fun because it was with friends, we shuffled on the iced-over pond as it creaked and moaned, I got to see the changes winter brings on this path I traveled five months prior, and did one of my favorite things- jumping on rocks. Rachel Carson has a fitting quote for why these hikes always work for me: “Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature- the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.”

the gift of craft

Some call it structured procrastination. But I call it my new-hobbies-that-just-happen-to-get-in-the-way-of-my-job-but-it-is-my-amazing-selflessness-gift-to-others-that-I-don't-want-to-do-I-NEED-to-do. I must craft. I must draw. If I don't, I get grumpy. Luckily, with the holidays, I can tailor crafts to gifts for my favorite people. My newest interests are making books and felting. The books combine my interests in my muse, Pirate, and blends of pencil/ink, and felting combines my love of wool, cute things, and sharp objects.

fröhliche weihnachten

It was German food this Christmas. Fitting because so many German Christmas customs are holiday spirit essentials- the tree, the stockings, St. Nick. Even more apropos because the foods are familiar family favorites- sauerkraut, strudel, gingerbread. What a great time to celebrate the German way- time honored traditions for a baby's first Christmas. While the pretzels were for lunch and not part of the official dinner, they do photograph better than goose, red cabbage, spätzle,and prune wine sauce.

in a closed oven

Every year around this time I hear about these little nuts but had never tried one. If it is too cold for "an open fire" and "Jack Frost is nipping at your nose" like it is here, a little slit in the shell, a quick simmer and roast in the oven will do just fine. They are surprisingly meaty and robust and may just be a new tradition for our family.

gourd-eous

Went to the pumpkin patch last week to find the perfect pumpkin. Tens of thousands of pumpkins to choose from. The grocery store always has the same old same old, when in true Halloween form, "perfect" can mean partly green, warty, and oddly shaped. And that is just what I got.

get thee to the greek

Dinner with the neighbors last night was an episode of appreciation to Mediterranean cuisine. The color was delightful- reds, greens, and yellows- and the flavors light and clean- lemon, olive oils, and fresh yogurt sauces. A good reminder: as the days get darker, chillier, and landscapes dull, the impetus is to become a shut-in eating hotdish for the next three months. But visiting over shared dishes can make for a great escape.