Snow Day

Denver got quite a bit of snow last night, so much that I didn't want to risk the drive to work (boss completely understood).  So, Zia and I are having a snow day together.

We got up early, made coffee and breakfast and set out for a big walk.  

She's a little one, but sure loves plowing through the snow!

I Went To a Concert Tonight

...and I left with zero worthy photos!

Check this out:

Hahahaha!  Is that not funny?  Low lighting + amateur photographer (me) + incredibly happy, dancing people surrounding = unlucky break.  I had to share.  After 2 songs I just put down the camera and rocked out with the crowd. 

http://otherlives.com/
Ah-mazing.

 

The Head and the Heart

Down in the Valley by theheadandtheheart

Listen to a few more here:
http://www.theheadandtheheart.com/

A note about the song, Sounds Like Hallelujah --  I was sitting in traffic on my way to work this week, listening to a mix my friend gave me, trying not to scream at all the rude people around me.  I missed the entire first part of this song, but the happy beats at the end caught my attention.  I listened to the song 28 times?  And was a clapping fool in my car, ready to start the day.  The bridge is weird, but the end, ah the end is glorious.

Have a great weekend, friends.

Kindle Cozy

I got a Kindle!

I used it in the car on the way home from Oklahoma 2 weekends ago and was extra careful to not scratch the outside.  A cover was needed, and fast.  I'm pretty tough on my electronics, especially since I think everything needs to be smashed in my purse at all times: camera, iPhone, (used to be) iPod, etc.  I can add a Kindle to the mix, but it's going to need a little cover first.

It's been forever since I last sewed up something special.  Four months to be exact, which is too long my friends, too long.

So I got to work, and over a span of a few nights, I completed a little Patchwork Kindle Cozy.

 

Minus a few uneven lines (that you can see with the super white thread I used), I'm really pleased with the way it turned out!

Tutorial:  Patchwork Kindle Case 

Fabric:  Leftovers from all these projects.  
I also used this perfect points tutorial, and low and behold, it worked!  Perfectly!

Birthday Weekend

Around our house, we have birthday weekends.  And I have to say, my first birthday celebrated in Colorado was pretty grand.  Friday night Ryan and I went to a fancy-schmancy work party (free food? okay!).  Saturday morning I had an early birthday brunch with some friends, a bit of relaxin' at home, then off to the alumni bar to watch our alma mater kick some bedlam booty!  It.  was.  awesome.  Sunday, we tried out a new church (thanks to the neat blogging world - Hi Hannah!), I grabbed coffee with a friend, and that night we made cookies and listened to Christmas music; all during a mini blizzard!

I'm very grateful for the friends we've made here in Denver.

And my far-away friends and family whom I miss dearly made me feel so loved.  It was a great day, indeed.

27

(photo by Beth Retro Photography)

Twenty six has been quite the year of big events and wonderful surprises!

  
We quit our jobs, packed up our belongings, and moved to a brand new state -- the location of our dreams really.  I was baptized in a church that will forever hold a place in my heart, received a camera in which I found even more passion for photography, met new friends, celebrated our one year wedding anniversary, traveled the states, and experienced so. very. much.
 

This year required me to have great faith; it was a year that really pushed me to let go.  Ultimately to find that I will always have an amazing family by my side, friends who support and love me unconditionally, and a generous husband who never stops believing in me.  It was a challenging year, but also one of the most rewarding.   I'm so blessed.  

    

27, my new friend, let's see what you got...

Weekend Skiing

It's finally ski season!  Since I'm more of a beginner, I had to wait for the lower areas of the mountain to open.  So, it's sort of been ski season for awhile, but for me, it's now!

Before Thanksgiving, a small group of us set out toward the slopes.  Though it was a very cold (20 degrees or so), snowy day, it didn't stop the excitement from bubbling over for my friend Rachel and her first ever attempt at skiing.  We took beginner lessons together - I've only skied a handful of times, so I thought they would be helpful for both of us - and she really picked up the skill.  After her first, and very much successful, run down the mountain, our instructor moved us both over to an intermediate class for the afternoon session.  And it turned out being a private instructor just for the two of us! Score.
 
Hope I can go back out this weekend... I've got the itch.  You know, the skiing itch.  That's a thing, right?

Where you will find me at parties

..pretty much!!
Meet you in the kitty corner, Carol.

(via)

Thanksgiving in Oklahoma

11 hours in the car, with 4 adults, 3 dogs, 2 mountain bikes, 5 duffel bags, 4 iPhone's, 1 book.. and a partridge in a pear tree.

   

The trip was a complete whirlwind, but one filled to the brim with family & friends, black Friday shopping, car games, hugs & kisses, football, movies, and family dinners.  It was more than we could've hoped for (well, minus a bit of car trouble).  

We made it back to Denver around 10pm, dropped our bags at the door, and crashed.  Possibly from our extended food coma, I'm not sure.  It was such a great trip.

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving too!

Away we go

over the

mountains,

and through the

woods.

We're off for the upcoming holidays.  Can't wait to see our family and friends we've missed greatly, eat a delicious dinner, and give thanks, for so very much.   

Happy Thanksgiving, friends!

Carded

Finally got a new library card! That's right, a library card before a new state driver's license... Priorities.

It's only the second card I've owned since my early reading days in elementary school, when I was fighting so hard to fill up my Book it! pin for a free mini pizza.

Anyone remember that reading program with the psychedelic Pizza Hut pin that changed colors when you moved it side to side and had little gold stars at the top?

Clearly it was important to my little self, I still remember it so vividly.

Currently...

(we heart it)

attempting to // sew... anything...  It's been far too long since my last project.  Hopefully I will get my mini sewing machine out this weekend for a little crafting session.

excited about // Christmas!  Too soon?

listening to // Everything by Lifehouse and remembering the moment in college at a praise & worship night when I heard the song in a whole new way; the meaning transformed from a love song about a boy to a song about my relationship with God. 

loving // our new city!  Still.  There's just so much to do. 

hating // the dark drive home from work.  Why is the sun gone already??

looking forward to // hitting the slopes this weekend!  I bought new skis a few months ago that are begging to get out of the garage.  Even though I've skied a handful of times in the past, I signed up for lessons this season and hope I will learn some new skills so the kiddos will stop passing me by on the mountain.  It's a little embarrassing.

reading // the 3rd book in the Jessica Darling Series by Megan McCafferty

stumbled upon // this blog a couple weeks ago.  It makes me laugh a whole bunch. 

watching // the late 90s TV show, Felicity on Netflix (almost finished too, which makes me sad. it's sooo good)

spending time // on YouTube, watching the Hunger Games trailer over and over and over.  Get ready, friends.

*Currently... in June

*Currently... in August

Back in 20

Around 11:45 today, I realized I forgot my lunch at home and immediately felt bummed.  I love brown bagging it, so I can sit in my little office, "work through lunch" and leave early.  It's the best!

Or so I thought...

Knowing nothing about my surroundings, I asked around the office for some eatery recommendations within walking distance, and set off. 

Look at all the beauty I found on the way!   

The sun is shining, students out and about on campus, laughter, puppies, the wind blowing my hair around into a mad mess.  It was ah-mazing! And completely worth the extra 20 minutes I'll stay at work today.

So, I've now decided a bit of time each week out of the office is the really the "best".

On the bookshelf: Fall finds

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass - Classic novels from Lewis Carroll that I just read for the first time.  I really enjoyed the simple stories of little Alice and her big imagination.  Both books follow her through the mysterious wonderland, accompanied with new found friends and a few foes.  It was really great reading the original story of Alice in Wonderland that we have heard in various forms many times.  Bonus:  the novel I bought included both stories AND had interesting footnotes that told of Carroll's various meanings behind each poem or phrase.  I brought a wealth of knowledge to my first book club gathering!

Sweet Little Lies - The second novel from Lauren Conrad that was just as entertaining, if not more, than the first.  The fictional story follows Jane and her life as a reality starlet, with the highs and lows of being placed in the Hollywood limelight.  Yep, still sounding like The Hills to me.  I've passed it along to Val, then onward to Sam.  I hope they like the breezy read as much as I did!

The Shadow of the Wind - An incredible mystery that circles around a book, titled Shadow of the Wind (confusing right?), that a young boy named Daniel discovers in a cemetery of forgotten books.  The story unfolds chilling secrets of romantic affairs, tragedies, family struggles, and friendship.  Quickly, Daniel's story and the stories of the Shadow of the Wind begin to connect in haunting ways.  The writing and imagery are beautiful; even though I've never been to Barcelona, I feel like I know it so well after reading this novel.  The entire book club group enjoyed it and now want to read more from Zafon. His writing and storytelling is superb!

Autumn Aspens

As lovely as these photos turned out, they don't compare to the real deal.  Can you imagine that? The trees were bright yellow, the weather was perfect, and I didn't have to turn around halfway like last time!  My lung capacity for the Colorado air is getting there.  I think it's safe to say that this is the most beautiful hike I've ever experienced.


We hiked this trail only 2 weekends ago...
Now it's snowing.  Whoa.

New Digs: two months later

We've lived in Colorado for two whole months!  My does time fly.  One month ago, the apartment really came together and then a few weeks later we made some progress in the last room.  I had a few goals to complete in the apartment before I went back to work, and the list is still fairly lengthy, but I sure do love to cross off items, no matter how small!

Two of many household goals:

• Perfect my Expedit (bookshelf) decorating
• Necklace organizer  

I'm sure I'll change my mind a million times, but for now I'm happy with the new arrangement.  And don't mind the photo frames filled with people we don't know.  I'm getting prints soon!

I kind of cheated and bought a necklace organizer, though this one is still a project for the future!  Thanks Hobby Lobby for making things so easy. 

Small, but fun, progress!

The rest of my extra time was spent exploring this new, but very awesome city I live.  Now, back to the working world on Monday.  Though I'm so ready and very thankful for employment!

Weekend Brunch

We had a laaaaazy weekend.  It was cold, and rainy... and cold.  I woke up on Saturday morning to snow-covered mountains!  Really?!  The idea that it's snowing in October is so weird, but I was excited to see the white mountains because skiing is right around the corner.

So, to compensate for our lazy weekend, Ryan and I went out for brunch - twice.  We went to two different places and I ordered Eggs Benedict each time (because it's the best); the first, crab cake benedict from Mona's and the second, avocado and tomato benedict from Madison Street.  It was delicious, both times.

"Sometimes you're not in the mood for what everyone else is drinking"

Ryan agrees.

With a Hint of Autumn

Left to right:  prayer flags on our back patio, Oktoberfest, finishing the 4th season of Mad Men with Zia, fresh roses, first soup of the season: tortilla, wearing my maxi skirt everywhere, celebrating employment with Little Man Ice Cream, reading Alice's Adventures in Wonderland for book club, a rainy Saturday drive

Autumn has arrived.

And I can't help but continue to open the windows every morning and wrap up in blankets.  Love it.

Lions and Tigers and Bears

Oh my!

I worked at the Tulsa Zoo during my last summer in high school.  It wasn't a glamorous job, but every little kid and kid at heart needed ice cream on hot days and it was my job to serve them with a smile.  Once the zoo closed, we all left our food stations and walked around the zoo together, enjoyed the animals, and really learned how a zoo runs and what it takes to provide for the animals.  I got to know many of the zoo keepers, all of which were very, very cool.  I love learning about the "behind the scenes" elements (that goes for anything, really). It was such a great summer.

When we moved to Denver, going to the zoo was top on my list (since I love them so much).  So a couple weekends ago my friend Rachel and I made a whole day out of it, thankfully she's just as crazy about zoos.

Jalapenos, finally

We took a piece of our community garden with us when we moved to Colorado -- a little jalapeno plant that showed zero progress since planting back in April.  Maybe it's the hot sun, or the extra love we've provided, being an only child now, but somehow we now have peppers growing on the vine!

Photo Swap: It's back!

Let's SWAP!

I've missed the swap so much and I'm really looking forward to participating myself and compiling all your photos each week.  For those who are new and love to take photos, you should play along!  Here's what we're talking about...

How it started:  I knew I wanted to do a photo-related project once I received my first DSLR camera for my 26th birthday.  And once challenged by my California-dwelling friend, Adam (the second half of The Life in our Years & who took some amazing wedding photos for us) to a creative photo collaboration;  I said let's do it!  We wanted to share our admiration of the places we both live and how different, and sometimes very similar, they may be. 

When it evolved:  Adam and I invited others to join after the second week.  Everything is more fun with friends, right?

A theme?:  YES!  A few people expressed to me how hard it was to take a photo of "anything" and needed a specific direction.  So, I throw out a new theme every week and ask for everyone to make it their own.  It's fun to see the different points of view. 

How you can join:  Anyone can join us for the photo swap, just dust off your camera, make the weekly theme your own, and e-mail your photo to me on Sunday with your name and how I can link the photo to your website (if you have a site, if not, that's absolutely okay). 

The purpose:  Ultimately, I hope the photo swap can be a creative outlet and a place where photo enthusiasts can share their love!

**Next week's theme:  something that makes you happy

E-mail your themed photo to:  kendra.e.grimm(at)gmail(dot)com

Take a peak at the past year's swaps and I'll look forward to your photos in my mailbox on Sunday!