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.