Faux Japan

With Covid travel restrictions postponing my trip with Hannah to Japan for the past three years, Charlotte offered an alternative in Jackson Park, Chicago, home to dozens of blooming cherry trees and a serene Japanese garden. The weather was rainy. The weather was cold. The weather was windy. Delicate cherry blossoms littered the lawn. But some Japanese springtime was better than none. And any day with Charlotte is a good day. :)

Tomorrow: Off to Madison!

Chicago in May is Still Winter

 I waited until May for a Midwest visit thinking it would be warm. It's not. But we're having fun anyway! Here are some highlights with Hannah, Charlotte, Sean and Erica.

Here we are at Hoosier Mama with the owner and pie-maker Paula Haney, who loves Charlotte because Paula's daughter is one of Charlotte's students at Chicago Childrens Choir. Hannah was excited to take a chicken pot pie back to Madison with her.

Charlotte is a Future Erikson Graduate. Two years down, one to go for her MSW!

Here we are being touristy at the Chicago Art Institute. I took lots of photos for inspiration and instruction in portrait painting.

We met Erica in Evanston for yummy Sunday brunch at Lucky Platter. 

(Yes, that was right before we went for pie.)

As you can see, there were no shortage of smiles for the camera. :)

Stay tuned for more adventures!

Casa del Rio to Casa Idyllwild

It is a bittersweet day as we say a temporary good-bye to our cozy mountain cabin in Creede. 

We are moving out our furniture and belongings to make space for another family. There is a housing shortage in Creede, and our circumstances prevent us from spending more time here, so it seemed best that we rent our precious Casa del Rio. We were fortunate to connect with a nice young family (2 parents, two little boys, 2 cats and 12 chickens) moving to Creede from Dallas. They needed a place to stay for a few years while their home here is built. We move out and they move in, and we're once again landlords. The more things change, the more they stay the same...

But -- as is the way we do things, when we close one door we open another. So we're not simply driving a UHaul away from Creede, we are driving it to our new cabin in Idyllwild, California. 

From here...

To here...

They cabins are surprisingly similar with an open-concept living areas downstairs, two downstairs bedrooms, and a loft and master bedroom upstairs. Whereas Creede is a log cabin, Idyllwild is constructed of cedar and knotty pine. Both cabins have wood-burning fireplaces and river rock hearths. The one is Idyllwild is really spectacular.

Like the Creede cabin, Idyllwild has full-length decks in front and back.

Where Creede has views, Idyllwild has trees (and a peek-a-boo mountain view). We drop from 9,000 ft. to 6,000 ft. but both locations have snow, so we'll definitely have a white Christmas. 

I don't know if we'll love Idy as much as we love Creede, but it will be a new adventure in an old familiar place, so we're doubly blessed. Here's looking forward to 2022...

Wishing all our friends and family the happiest of winters and a festive and bright new year!

Birthday in the Mountains

Having the most wonderful, fun visit to Idyllwild to celebrate life -- mine and ours together. Staying in a cozy mountain cabin with a river rock fireplace and a loft bed. Early morning treks in freezing weather for my fave lavender latte, lots of reading, writing, and listening to John Denver and Rod Stewart on a record player. 

Hiked along Strawberry Creek one day, and the next on the Ernie Mitchell trail along Fern Creek. At just over 5,000 feet, the air is so fragrant with pine, cedar, manzanita and oak.

Ended the days with romantic dinners (also didn't hurt that the Dodgers won last night) and late-night hot tubbing under the stars. A bit of dancing in the living room, too. 😀

I couldn't wish for more. I couldn't love anyone as much. 

Beachin' It in C'bad

Trying to get out in the tuna can for some overnights this fall. Here are a few shots from a rainy day in Carlsbad, where we visited old haunts and made some new memories.

Mountain Summer 2021

 A few weeks in Colorado has offered us so much peace and beauty. Here are a few glimpses of our Creede summer 2021.

Sun over Bristol Head

Dining al fresco with Matt & Johamy on Isaac's deck

Stormy sky

Gotta love that smile!

Why is John not looking at the view?

Wildflowers and native grasses surround our cabin.

Matt cooked one of the best meals I've ever eaten. Simple but delicious!

A walk in the great outdoors.

Bringing the outdoors in.

Check out the cabin sign John made: Casa del Rio.

 We bid thee farewell for now. 

Summer rainstorm

 

April 17

Warm and cozy by the fire, but feeling a little sad for the birds, chipmunks, deer, foxes, coyotes, elk, bears and everyone else outdoors who through spring had arrived.