As I Walked Out One Evening...

As I Walked Out One Evening...

uyguguygu   05.59   Comment  

I decided to start memorizing poems a few days ago, as kind of a brain retention challenge, just to see how much I can fit in there. I was inspired by the readers on the iF app I just downloaded. I can get behind Tom Hiddleston, Bill Nighy, Harry Enfield, and Helena Bonham Carter reading me poems! And as I listened to them speak I wondered what it would be like to memorize one, just to have it in my back pocket for the next time I needed a poem.

I started with a short one with two outstanding lines that I fell in love with - When You are Old and Full of Sleep by W.B. Yeats. The lines "But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you/and loved the sorrows of you changing face" spoke so much to me I wanted it wrapped into my brain. Since it was only twelve lines long it was memorized quite quickly. I'm now working on "As I Walked Out One Evening" by W.H. Audin, which is a lot longer but more sing songier. I've gotten about half of that down, and I think I can have the next half memorized soon.

How are you challenging yourself? 

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Four quick snaps taken on my way to work yesterday - every day I am thankful that I can have such a relaxing and beautiful commute.

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The shirt is by Madewell, the pants are by Banana Republic, and the shoes are also by Madewell, who makes very comfy, teacher appropriate ballet flats!

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Also, I sold my cross bike and got a new commuter bike. I really wanted something that I could ride to work in my regular work clothes on. It's a slower ride than my other bikes, it weighs about a million pounds, but I'm totally in love with my new Pashley! I don't think I've ever had so many compliments on a bike so quickly!  

Good Morning, Sunshine!

Good Morning, Sunshine!

uyguguygu   05.45   Comment  

It's six A.M. The alarm goes off and I stumble into my kitchen. My husband, who has made the perfect pot of coffee, has already left for work and the house is quiet. I make myself my morning coffee au lait, stumble back to my room, and plug in my flat iron. While I wait for it to heat up I get dressed in whatever outfit I picked out the night before. When that's done I straight iron my hair and unplug it, double checking to make sure it's off, and put on some minimal makeup (eyeliner, mascara, lip gloss, some concealer if I really need it!). I shower in the evenings after work and my workout so this takes me all less than twenty minutes.

Then comes the best part of my morning. There is time to sit by the dining room window and nurse my cup of coffee. It's ritual, this morning pattern. It helps me wake up slowly, adjust to the day, adapt to the demands of what is to come. The world is waking up and I have a chance to watch it from my window,  and to sit quietly and study, read, or write before I head into the static and noise of the world.  

On the mornings I don't get my morning routine in I feel a bit worse for the wear. What is your morning routine? What makes it special?

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These pictures were taken very early in the morning at a park. I was on my way to work but the light was perfect so I had to pull over and take a few shots. 

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This is a great representation of teacher clothes or what I'd wear to work. Every piece is relatively inexpensive and durable. The blazer (linked similar!) is by Banana Republic (purchased on super duper sale!), the skirt and the shirt are from Target, and the shoes are my ever comfortable Sperry Top-siders.

Impromptu Polo

Impromptu Polo

uyguguygu   07.58   Comment  

I don't know how I got myself entangled in this adventure. One minute I was sitting on the lawn chairs outside of the barn I ride at after a lesson and the next minute I was winding my way towards the polo field. I think it had to do with "No riding experience needed." and "It's OK! Everyone can do it!" and the last comforting one..."See that guy? He's never been on a horse before! You can at least trot so you'll be fine!"

So there I was, learning how to hold (both of) the reins Argentinian style, how to hit the ball without hitting the horse, what to look for in a polo pony, and learning why my post lesson riding breaches and paper thin t shirt are not appropriate gear. (I know it looks like I wear the exact same thing riding because I'm in the exact same outfit as the last horse post! I promise I wear other things and that was a total accident!)

I wasn't very good at it, but I wasn't terribly bad at it either, and I managed not to hit any bystanders, the horse, or myself with the mallet! 

What's the latest accidental adventure you've been on?

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All of these photos were generously taken by Thomas Dole. 

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Thanks so much to all three of the Colorado Polo Clubs (Anyone have a link to the club in Northern Colorado? I could not find it via google!) that showed up to make this day awesome, show us the ropes, trailer the horses down, and tack up our Polo Ponies. 

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I am wearing a shirt by Caslon, my breaches are by TuffRider, and my half chaps are from Dublin. I am always and forever wearing Ariat boots to ride in. My helmet is by Ovation, the sunglasses are from Oakley, and the gloves are Kerrits.

...and in all things, simplicity.

...and in all things, simplicity.

uyguguygu   06.18   Comment  

It was going to be warm so I dressed in a simple black dress, my Birkenstocks, and these fantastic bracelets that my friend S. brought me back from Spain. (Thank you!) The morning started out just as quiet and easy as my outfit - making the bed, tidying the house, tea and journaling by the window, and putting a load of laundry in.

I am grateful for days like this. Breathing room creates time to think. Time to think creates answers. Answers create resolve. Resolve creates action. It is not healthy for me to be busy all the time, for every minute of my schedule to be booked up. Slowness is a luxury I forget I can afford but I am always glad when I can take it. 

What are you doing to simplify? 

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The shoes are Birkenstock's Gizeh - these are super comfortable shoes for running around. I thrifted the dress some time ago and have no idea where it's from. The bracelets and my every day pearl earrings were both gifts from friends and family. 

Not Quite a Bed and Breakfast...

Not Quite a Bed and Breakfast...

uyguguygu   20.09   Comment  

Our house is run, at certain seasons, like a home hotel. Whoever is staying at our house comes after work or on a weekend day and I feed them dinner and we sit around my tiny table using every spare chair in the house. We talk over life and love and all manner of other things. Then we all head to sleep, my guests sprawled out around the house on air mattresses and the couch. I feel happiest when my house is full, the company is laid back, and I can enjoy the adventures and stories, and experiences of life they are having.

I have really been finding my cooking groove lately. My sister, who's entire life revolves around food, would be proud. My grocery budget, however, isn't. Regardless of that I have really enjoyed the process of making dinners these days - and it is a process - a walk to the grocery store (five blocks there and back), prep, serving, and best of all eating and conversation and building relationships. It's a bonus when the food is delicious, in season, and exactly what I want to eat that day.

My friend S, on a whim, took me to Costco with her today. I had never been but I was excited to see the inside of the legendary store that both treats its workers right and has all sorts of food in bulk. While I was there I found gluten free cheese ravioli, something I have not had in many, many years. So many, in fact, I can't remember ever having cheese ravioli. With that in my (giant!) shopping cart I knew exactly what I was going to be serving for dinner: Gluten free Cheese Ravioli in a Garlic and Olive Oil sauce inspired by Seven Spoons - my variation gets rid of the crab and lemon zest. I picked up a loaf of rosemary bread to fill the carb needs of my husband, and lightly tossed mixed greens in the Jalapeno Vinaigrette I made from Sprouted Kitchen. It's a little more elaborate than our usual weeknight meals but you can't say no to inspiration when it strikes.

As someone who previously detested cooking I can say I am reformed.

What have you been eating for dinner these days? How do you manage your grocery shopping and cooking?

Late Summer Weather

Late Summer Weather

uyguguygu   21.09   Comment  

Even though it's been raining more than usual here in Colorado the fields are all dried out and the hay has been bailed up or is just sitting there waiting to be bailed. Summer has come to a close for me - I'm back at work now doing training for the new school year, which means I get to dig out all my teaching clothes. 

I'm excited for this new upcoming year - new school, new dress code, new friends to make at my new school, and new students to work with. I'm going to miss many things about my old school but I am looking forward to this new chapter in my career. 

What are you excited for?

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I'm working that prep look today. The lavender polo shirt is by Lacoste, pants by Banana Republic, the shoes you can't see that I'm wearing are Sperry Top-Siders. I have a Calvin Klein belt on, Pilgrim sunglasses, and a monogrammed L.L. Bean Boat and Tote. 

Summer Sweetness - Part Two

Summer Sweetness - Part Two

uyguguygu   12.47   Comment  

Summer is drawing to a close - I finished my internship yesterday and on Monday I start training for the new district. Oh my goodness! This summer has absolutely flown by and has been so jam packed and busy. We hit the ground running by flying to Alaska the day after I finished up with my school year, I started my internship the day after I got back, and I start school three and half days after my internship. 

Despite this, there has been so much time to play! When I think of all the amazing things that I have done this summer the thing that comes to mind is gratitude - simple gratitude for all that has been given to me, for all the happiness I have. 

What are you grateful for this summer? 

 

It goes without saying that all of these pictures were done by Jessica Triggs. 

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The Hair and Makeup was done by me. 

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The shirt is vintage, repaired quickly before the shoot after sitting under my bed for almost three years. The scarf and shoes are vintage, too. The shorts are by the talented Anna Allen.