Little Cottonwood Canyon: Part Two

Alta is at the top of my list for favorite places to ski.  That might have something to do with the free skiing available every afternoon for a couple hours which only allows for a few runs down the mountain, but that is just fine for me.  Besides the great price, Alta is set way up in the canyon and completely beautiful in the winter.

{The only lift available for the free ski is the one in the background behind the moose and her babies.}

So it is funny to me that I've never even questioned what this winter paradise might look like during other seasons.  I was looking at the mountain from a whole new perspective since my usual way of having fun at a ski resort is going down, not up.

We had been hiking for ten minutes or so when we came around a corner and the entire scene came alive with color. 

The sun was setting, casting great shadows and streams of light all over the place.  The flowers were all competing to be the prettiest thing ever.  There wasn't another human being in sight and there was a peaceful quiet to the place.  At one point I felt like I needed to see something ugly just to feel like I was still on earth.  I've never seen anything quite like a blanket of wildflowers in every direction.

Little Cottonwood Canyon: Part One

I went for a hike over the weekend that turned into two separate hikes.  The two experiences really couldn't have been more different from each other for just one evening spent in the same canyon.

The first hike was overcast, very green, and rained the whole time.  The rain was the refreshing kind, just enough to cool me down and remind me of the great northwest that I love.  It was the thunder that seemed to be getting louder and closer that made us turn around way before we were ready to quit.

The storm passed by the time we got back to the trail head and I really could have been content with the evening at this point.  Had I known where we were headed next I would have turned around on this hike even sooner... 

{part two later}

over the weekend

I love climbing hills on my bike.  Especially when there are clouds like this to add to the 'this is my beautiful life' sensation that comes with being outside doing something I really, really enjoy.  

Did you have a nice weekend?

summer fun

 a peek at my weekend.

on the phone

with this cute girl.  See you in Hawaii in June 2012 Seaira {and family}.

I'm not one of those kind of cat people

Before you judge me for writing an entry about my cat, I'll preface this with a firm, heartfelt declaration that I am not one of those cat people.

People can talk about their dog until they're blue in the face and so long as they don't dress it up, tote it around in a stroller {I've seen this!}or feed it cooked meals stating 'special dietary needs' their vets would even think peculiar and excessive, people would say, 'they love their dog, how nice.'  You could even include the dog in a family portrait and your friends are still going to accept the fact that the dog is just a furry, four legged member of the family.

But if a girl, a single girl at that, talks about her cat? {on her blog no less}

Well then...

You know what you're thinking right?  Right?!  I'm thinking the same thing!!  And I love animals, dogs and cats equally.

I do believe there are two distinct kinds of animal people, and the true litmus test to see if I fall into the category with those people is the honest answer to some very telling questions:  

I'll never post a video of Vesper Lynn to YouTube no matter how funny I think she is, I'll never dress her up or knit her booties, never will I try to give her a bath or brush her teeth, and I'll never take her to the spa to get a kitty massage, {I know, what the what?! It seriously is a thing}and I most definitely don't post about her here all that often.  Really, can you think of the last time?

It is a fine line my friends.  I've asked to be told if I ever cross it.

So this may be treading dangerously close to the line by telling you this...

 Today is our one year anniversary.

We celebrated with dinner on the porch earlier this week.  A tuna melt {with swiss and lavender spice}on toast for me, and straight tuna in her pretty Asian bowl for her.

So, to Vesper - mouser of the catch and release variety - saddest sounding meower in the history of meowers, and true fur ball companion who enjoys sitting on the porch watching the neighbors as much as I do - thanks for some hilarious memories and a really good year.

{Photos from last fall hanging in the garden at our old place on 9th.}

rain, rain stay awhile

I went for a walk in the rain today.

It smelled wonderful and everything was so fresh and green.

The Salt Lake Cemetery is a pretty cool place to wander around for all the history and cool stone sculptures.  I liked this hill today for the view of the city in the distance.

Glad I had my umbrella because a few blocks from home, the light sprinkle/drizzle turned to total downpour.  I stayed dry, except for soggy shoes.

mandu, dear mandu

 Did you know with the new way things are set up with google/gmail/picasa all your blog pictures are lined up chronologically for easy viewing on your task bar under 'photos'?  I discovered this last week and have went back today to enjoy a trip down memory lane and came away with a unquenchable craving for mandu.  Why oh why does Utah lack on our Korean food?

While I was browsing I also got it in my head that my little hairs could not grow fast enough.  I'd like this length when I wake up tomorrow pretty please.  I'll up the dose of vitamins and see what happens.

watercolor

 Don't you just love the smell of summer rain?

the only way I think it can smell any fresher is to add a little sage brush to the mix.

Do you have a favorite summer smell?

a short cut

 that I enjoy to and from my friend's apartment on So Temple. It cuts the block in half and is much more fun than the regular old sidewalk.  I discovered it not too long ago, but have had plenty of chances to use it since.  We even caught the tail end of the baseball game fireworks from this vantage point the other night framed in between the two buildings.  The sound bounced around the buildings making the experience pretty cool.

I'm fighting the urge to apologize for not blogging {a blogging faux pas}so I'll say instead that I'm so enjoying summer so much I haven't been thinking about stuff to share.

The chorus of the song I think about on such occasions:

Didn't have a camera by my side this time
Hoping I would see the world with both my eyes
Maybe I will tell you all about it
When I'm in the mood
To lose my way
With words

-John Mayer

A photo from my phone when I probably should have had both hands on my handlebars coming down City Creek Canyon last weekend.

on my walk this morning

I walked over to my neighbors house this morning and found another little graffiti tag on the sidewalk.  Call me a bad person, but I actually kind of like the little tags that don't end up messing up walls or personal property.  Sure, it's illegal, and may be ugly to some, but it made me smile this morning.

Found this one earlier this week a few blocks away.  Same artist? 

isn't this pretty? I snapped a quick little shot of her living room while we were chatting.

pressed gingko leaf

came across this little lovely on the sidewalk on our way to grab dinner to go after my friends and I laid out our blankets claiming our space on the grass for the concert in the park.  I stuffed it in the moleskine as a little reminder of a perfect summer night.

best moment of my week: U2 Concert

Best moment of my week:  Hands downs, the U2 Concert Tuesday night at the Rice Eccles Stadium. 

I had no preconceptions although I've heard they put on quite the show.  Um, major understatement.  I've tried comparing it to any of the other concerts I've been to, but I've never experienced anything quite like it.

I had chills when Bono and the rest of the band walked on stage for the first time.

I was awed by this iconic band's ability to go beyond the show and create an entire atmosphere.
Starstruck by Bono and his leather pants and sunglasses and charm.

Touched by his humility and sincerity as he thanked his crew and fans and his sincere apology for cancelling the show last year while he had back surgery.

Inspired by his efforts to make a difference in the world.  {And not because it is good for his image.}

Overwhelmed by the flood of memories that came with hearing some of my all time favorite songs.

Completely caught up in the moment.

Thank you U2. 

come rain or shine

 It just so happened that this commuter and I were on the same schedule this week.  3 out of 4 days I ran into him at the same spot on my ride home {corner of State Street and 2nd Ave} I get a kick out of his unique mode of transportation.  I was impressed to see him out in the rain even.

I'd like to try that someday, how about you?  I imagine it'd be fun on hills!

pay it forward

Picture a typical girls night out: a Friday night in a crowded restaurant. Appetizers made with all the things we avoid in our day to day regular diets {bacon, avocado, trans fat}and lots of laughs and sighs of relief to be out without the kids {for my mommy friends, not me.} Plates being swapped along with stories and favorite SNL skits reenacted... so far, a very normal night for us.

The event that changed it from normal to memorable: our cute server comes to our table with the desert menu and says to start thinking about what we are trying after our meal.  {Assume much? What if we were full? Maybe a clever up sale tactic and I'm impressed} then he came back a couple seconds later and says, "This has never happened to me before.  Ever."  That is when I noticed a second server hovering nearby smiling at us.  She says,

"The family that just left that table over there has paid your bill."

We were all stunned.  It took a minute to register, then a million questions from the four of us all at once.  Both servers were gushing about how cool it was of them to pick us at random.  We are all smiling and wishing we could have had the chance to thank the kind strangers who picked us out of a crowded restaurant to remind us how it feels to have a random act of kindness passed our way.

So yeah, we ordered desert {our bill now, we weren't taking advantage of the strangers}to celebrate our good fortune, and maybe to draw out the meal a little more to soak in the niceness of the moment.  As we wandered the mall after from time to time one of us would say, "I can't believe that just happened to us." 

I have goosebumps and a lump in my throat just thinking about it.  How fun it'd be to pick someone at random next time I'm out and do the same for them.

{images from the snowstorm yesterday.. that is still going on strong today}

fluttery paper butterlies

I know I've seen butterfly mobiles somewhere before so I can't take creativity credit for my whim yesterday to slice up an old book and make some butterflies.
{tho I may be the only grown woman unabashedly making one for myself, instead of some deserving young girl}

Want to make one too?  It's easy and fast.  {about an hour if you're fast with scissors}

 What you'll need:

• an old book - I chose mine for the linen quality paper and yellowed pages over a crispy new type.  It felt more romantic and fluttery.

• scissors, fishing line and glue of your choice - {I prefer hot glue, no question it'll stick and the smell is oh so crafty}

• a round object to hang the strands of butterflies from - I was impatient and didn't want to run to the store so I looped some light weight wire twice and twisted it around itself to create an interesting texture. 

then...

• cut a bunch of butterflies of varying shapes and styles from the pages of the book

• tie strands of fishing line to the round object and hang the whole mess from something high enough to work easily around it {5 strands for me, and I hung it from the light in my room}

• place butterflies one by one on the strands of fishing line paying attention to the balance so it hangs straight from the base. I cut squares from the pages to use to secure the glue.  As the glue was setting I bent the butterfly at the seam to give the effect of fluttering wings

• trim off excess line and clean off hot glue spidery webs from everything

• Ta da! A butterfly mobile.

 I went to the library last night after I finished my mobile.  Must have been all those fluttering words hanging around getting me in the mood.  When faced with all those shelved universes to peek into I can't get too involved in trying to take only the perfect ones home with me.  So instead I pick books mostly for the cover.  I get sucked in with a witty title, pretty typeface or a great image.  I'll skim the first page to see if the author can catch me in the first few lines and from there I'll take the stack of contenders home to weed out the worthwhile from the fluff.

It is national poetry month, so go enjoy some poems.  I grabbed Say Uncle, Kay Ryan because of the poem below.

Happy Friday!