i loved this lengthy quote and thought i ought to share. i'll be whipping up a traditional bowl of trail mix (with gumdrops) this weekend and listening to more talks like this during general conference. lots of good general conference prep posts on mama's who know.
read more about my faith on mormon.org.
p.s. tune in tomorrow for a mini octoberfest kickoff.
...it holds my life in its hands. the home is where i clean out my fridge when the new groceries come in. wherein i introduce the new yogurts to the few that are still left. i separate the string cheeses and slice apples for baggies. the home is where i have cookies on top of the fridge and colorful cereal bowls lined up in a row. home is where the laundry lives...
read my entire guest post today over on the lovely website, Bloom. am delighted to be apart of their latest series about a subject i hold dear, home. it was nice to sit awhile and jot down my thoughts about what home means to me. the fact that i have control over creating this space is a pretty amazing responsibility, full of possibilities.
do tell, what are some magic touches you add to your home?
HOW-TO DESIGN A DESSERT BUFFET TABLE
by megan from Sandra Downie Events
Looking for a way to add a little zest to your party? A dessert buffet not only enhances the overall visual aesthetics of your event, it’s a fun way to entertain and give your guests an added element of surprise. If you spend any amount of time in the blogosphere you’ll see this beautiful trend being used for all kinds of occasions. We at Sandra Downie Event Designs wanted to show you just how you can create one yourself! We have recently created a Carnival Table for a client that was having a Bar Mitzvah and we thought we’d show you how we did it.
Designing a fabulous dessert buffet shouldn’t be daunting. It takes just a little creativity to make something that suits your party’s style and makes it shine! To start we like to create something called an inspiration board like the one shown below that we created for the Carnival Table.
An inspiration board is just that: inspiration! You can use just about anything that inspires you, a ribbon, a photograph, or do what we did for this table and start with a theme.
Once you have your theme and inspiration, it all comes together pretty quickly:
1. Plan what desserts you’d like to serve. Cupcakes, color themed candies, cookies, and snacks are all great options. We’d probably suggest choosing between 8-10 different dessert options.
2. Decide how best the desserts will be displayed and purchase serving plates, cake stands and dishes for the table.
3. Plan out the setting of your table. We like to physically do this on the table itself. We put little post-its on the dishes that we are using and then move them around on the table until it looks just right.
4. Then, decorate! Remember to really use your inspiration board here. Use ribbon to tie around the base of cake plates. Use color themed paper to line your serving dishes. Pick out a table cloth that brings together the whole look. And don’t forget about the backdrop! Use a pretty wallpaper to decorate the wall behind your table or a curtain. Let your mind fly!
After a little planning we finally got a finished product – and we’re THRILLED with the results!
Vendors Featured
Lollipops and Ribbon Candy: Hammonds Candies
Ticket Cookies: The Flour Pot
Paperie: The Fussy Designer
Table design: Sandra Downie Event Designs
the how-to series is here to encourage confidence in the creativity and skills you have to offer. browse the archives to see what our creative contributers have already mentioned; there are a plethora of inspiring ideas. i am booked with how-to guest posts at the moment, however i'll be calling for submissions at a later date. i'll be delighted to feature your how-to in the future.
"Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do." - John Wooden
the weekend was full of lovely things. there was a birthday cake. warm sunshine. fun surprises. favorite familiar faces. wrapping paper and ribbon. farmers market tomatoes and honey crisp apples. a movie date night (i loved inception, thanks for your reviews!) fresh flowers. a trip to the zoo and the craft store and the cupcake shop all in one day.
my mom and i went to women's conference (so uplifting and inspiring) and later joined our men to watch boise state win and eat chinese take-out (my favorite). in classic style, we stayed up late to play games and slice up chocolate cake with buttercream frosting. i didn't even bother with a candle, i was too darn happy at the moment. i see it as a very good thing when you have trouble wondering what to wish for.
sunday i got to sing songs with the children at church, hold hands with my two boys, take an afternoon nap, read scriptures and eat baked french toast. it was pretty perfect all the way around.
• as promised, here are the random winners from the comment boxes during last week's celebration. kim, miranda and christen you'll each receive a set of penpal postcards from my shop! congratulations and please email me your shipping addresses.
• don't miss jessica's blog, living the swell life. she is always showcasing something special, clever or heart warming. today jessica is kindly featuring the penpal project and getting the inside scoop on our collaborative postcard process with a Q&A session. be sure to drop a note in her comment box to get in on the giveaway!
five more of your favorite posts...
• my basic photography tips
• the one featuring my own craft closet and home office organizing tips.
• the blog & business workbook my first e-book, printed and tickled pink.
• the one when it was April and still snowing and i sulked and drank hot cocoa.
• blogging & jealousy the post i was nervous to write but am so glad i did.
image unknown via tumblr.com
thanks for celebrating with me this week!
am a fan of mini chocolate chips in my cookies these days.
am a fan of photo books from tinyprints.com. i recently ordered one and am delighted.
am a big fan of erin, my longtime friend's new website. it is full of inspiration and spirituality.
am a fan of such a cute imaginative way to say i love you.
am a fan of barbeque and bluegrass and this beautiful announcement by moontree.
am a fan of this bookshelf tree. in fact it is on my dream house wish list.
am a fan of cardigan weather. along with warm breadsticks and soups on the menu.
am a fan of revamping and rebranding. just ordered new business cards! am pretty excited.
am a fan of writing down creative ideas that must await patiently on the back burner.
am a new fan of miss mindy gledhill. i heard her song anchor and wanted to hear more.
am a fan of craft lovely; colleen posts the best finds. (she even mentioned the penpal project here.)
am a fan of this new-to-me foodie blog, ourbestbites.com. mmm. mm.
am a fan of the felt and wire shop; browse all kinds of designer paper goods. am in love.
am a fan of rummeybears. a charming look into this baby's life. leaves me baby hungry.
am a fan of the entire recent boden catalogue. this skirt was a birthday present to myself.
am a fan of fresh television. did you see jon stewart on oprah? and this kid dancing on ellen?
am a fan of toasted buttered bagels with a side of homemade applesauce.
am a fan of pugley pixel and her awesome free clip art layouts.
am a fan of discovering new lovelies like hooraydesign and elephantine and upon a fold.
am a fan of taking a walk as a trio to see the horses in the pasture down the lane.
am a fan of pointing out mailboxes and smelling flowers with benji while we walk.
am a fan of jotting little messages for neighbors on our penpal postcards.
am a fan of anticipation; carving pumpkins, holiday traditions, a slice of birthday cake.
am a fan of my twenties; a bit hesitant about turning twenty-nine, the final year of twenty-ness.
do tell, what do (did) you love about being in your twenties? please tell me the fun has just begun.
happy friday, everyone.
five more of your favorite posts...
• the one featuring the tale of our very first date.
• the alice in wonderland party that my niece dreamed up.
• the yoga book my amazing cousin created for me.
• my 2010 resolution list
• the one where i wrote a valentine to nora ephron, the author.
image source unknown via tumblr.com
remember when mr. justin hackworth photographed my mom and me for his 30 Strangers Project? perhaps not, but i do and i love having his photos hanging in my home reminding me of my cover girl moment. i am unapologetic of how much i adore the portraits he took, not because i think i am a beauty queen, but because he somehow pulled the beauty out of us. he somehow captured the awesome vibe me and my mom have going. i admire his work and think he is truly an expert in his field.
if i were in utah right now, i'd be calling a babysitter so i could hear justin hackworth speak at the provo library (such a lovely restored building) at six o'clock p.m., tonight. i highly recommend spending time with him. you will feel enlightened and happy. he will be talking about his photography and portraiture. i'm telling you, do not miss this if you can help it. justin, if you're listening, please share the cliffs notes version with your online fans.
images, of course, via justin hackworth.
mark your calendars and join me at the harvest boutique! it's only one month from today!
i am super excited about being a part of a team of family and friends who have created the harvest boutique in utah. we had so much fun the first time around, we decided to do it again! this year it will be hosted in beautiful park city. we hope you'll come and bring your friends. i'd love to meet you. last time i met a handful of local blogging friends including rachel from black eiffel, caroline of armelle jewelry, marie from makeandtakes and stephanie of stephmodo!
unlike chaotic craft fairs, our boutique is on a smaller scale so we can actually chit chat and mingle with our customers. the talented ladies involved will be presenting an incredible array of items: gourmet goodies, children items, quilts, accessories, aprons and cute holiday decorations. i'll also be whipping up some creations to sell; holiday note cards, penpal postcards, cheerful gift tags and mini clipboards. (the craft closet is exploding with supplies, i might add.) last time we hosted the boutique, customers stocked up on christmas gifts early. it is the perfect way to buy handmade for the holidays. i plan to list any leftover products in my shop for you out of towners. watch for more photos and details next month.
blog news. due to a few exciting big projects, genuine blogging will be put on the backseat for awhile. i wish i had 42 hours in every day instead of only 24 to get to everything i have brewing in my head. however the how-to posts and other very important updates will continue. am feeling pulled in many directions at the moment, so i have to choose wisely. i am planning to ball up my energy and focus my creative efforts on my design endeavors and come back to blogging, full strength, at a later date. i'm at a point that my work space is bubbling over with potential and if i don't buckle down, all these opportunities will blow away. thanks for your continued support, comments, emails and encouragement. not to mention birthday wishes.
for now, lets keep celebrating. i have a few more posts up my sleeve before i sign off.
look who's rubbing shoulders with ernie! click here and jam to will.i.am's song. me and b have listened to it countless times now. the lyrics are the perfect motto to my new year ahead. who can resist sesame street characters grooving with a super star? love it.
image via sesamestreet.org
this week i'll be featuring fifteen favorite posts from this past year.
i hope you'll enjoy reading them a second time around too.
• finding the guts advice for boldness from my blogging heart to yours.
• the one after i turned 28, featuring a few country family portraits.
• project thankful featuring all of your awesome thankfulness comments.
• blogging zen tips on finding balance in blogging & life.
• the cd sleeve a simple tutorial for your favorite mix cds.
image unknown via tumblr.com
make your party pretty with the colorful goodies from shop sweet lulu. these are the perfect supplies to have on hand for a halloween costume party or as fun favors for the holidays. and they're even more lovely in person! sweet lulu kindly sent me a stash of striped candy bags to add to my birthday box. lucky you, she's offering a discount to martawrites readers this week. purchase something sweet from her shop and receive 15% off when you enter discount code MARTA at checkout. act quick, this offer expires on sunday. thank you miss lulu.
thank you for the loud hurrah's about this week-long birthday celebration. and i loved hearing your excitement about my new nail polish habit. it's fun having friends like you around. which is why today i wanted to share a favorite poem of mine. the first time i heard it i was graduating high school. i still love its message. (after you read it, you might like to watch this clip about filtering out the static of the world and tuning in to something ultimately more important. i think it's a perfect reminder for bloggers like me who sometimes frantically swim in a sea of too much-ness.)
HOW-TO MAKE YOUR DAY INSTANTLY BETTER
by Phoenix Peacock
1) Pride and Prejudice. Read at least the conversation between Lizzy and Darcy that leads up to the second proposal, if you are short on time.
2) A good cuddle with a loved one (a partner, parent, child or pet will usually do the trick).
3) Chocolate and Glitter. Don't think about the aftermath of either - just dive in and indulge a little.
4) Doing something for someone else. Open the door for someone, let someone with less items ahead of you in the check-out line, smile and greet everyone, write a letter, even better... leave a little surprise letter for a stranger (a happy note for a random person to find in a public space, in a library book, or somewhere else they will stumble upon it; or a note of gratitude to a lesser-known individual, such as thanking a neighbor for their lovely garden that you admire each day). Of course, there are bigger and grander acts... but the small simple ones work just as well in instantly cheering up both the giver and the receiver!
5) Cooking a good meal. Taking the time to take care of yourself and your loved ones through nurturing food. And of course, the presentation of the food also counts for extra points of instantly betterness!
6) Talking on the phone with a little kid. They are sure to make you giggle.
7) Calling, emailing, or facebooking friends. At times they might feel far away, but modern technology means they are all just a key stroke or phone call away!
8) Checking your mailbox. A happy mailbox equals a happy owner of a mailbox, so write your friends often (writing others is gratifying in and of itself, but it also increases the likelihood of your mailbox being full).
9) A cup of tea - I highly suggest a mix of lavender and chamomile.
10) Finding a reason to laugh. It can be ridiculous, truly funny, or just an excuse not to cry. Whatever is the source of the giggle fits doesn't seem to matter as long as it results in laughing. After all, laughter is the best medicine.
11) Reconnecting with nature. Its amazing how much stress falls away when you spend time outside.
12) Babies. Baby humans, baby animals, baby clothes, baby toys... anything that screams cute. How does that not make you gush happiness?!
13) And old things. Cute old couples. Old houses. Old trees. Old stuffed animals that are obviously well loved. Old books. Vintage finds. Things that you can touch and just feel the history.
14) Getting dressed up to go out. I think just the ritual acts of looking good give you a bit of an ego lift... well, it might actually blow your head up pretty big. Feeling like you are fine definitely will improve your mood and make you feel unstoppable.
15) Taking time to appreciate the little things. Carrying a camera around helps one pay attention to some of those visual little things.
16) Making art, writing, sewing, cooking, or whatever it is that is your creative outlet!
17) Taking a bubble bath. With the candles lit. Add some aromatherapy, a "treat" drink, and some music. Romance yourself. You deserve to be spoiled.
18) Trying out a new recipe. It makes you feel like such a success when it works out. And when it doesn't, it gives you something to laugh about. Please reread #10!
19) Getting organized. Being busy gives a busy mind something to focus on. Plus, the end result is such a large pat on the back.
20) Making time to explore and play. On your own, with the whole family, or with friends. No matter what form it takes, it always feels so invigorating and adds life to the day!
21) Oh and who could forget... blasting some favorite tunes and dancing around (preferably with the curtains closed so you can break out your biggest and baddest moves!)
Thanks Marta for letting me be a part of the How-To series! To all of Marta's readers, I would love to hear what you do to make your day instantly better!
image via DuckDuck Collective.
the how-to series is here to encourage confidence in the creativity and skills you have to offer. i am excited to showcase your talents and unique ideas. if you have a specialty (and i know you do), please submit your how-to guest post by emailing me. i will be delighted to feature your how-to in the future.
"Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do." - John Wooden
i have found the perfect nail polish on the planet. really, truly.
the story goes like this. i never used to paint my nails. i didn't like the feeling of nail polish weighing my hands down. but i'd watch my mom paint her own nails every week as i grew up and loved clinking the bottles together and lining up her pretty polish collection when i was younger. i marveled at my oldest sister who kept a bottle of red polish in the car and would paint her nails real quick before backing out of the driveway. with four busy children, i suppose it was the only free moment she could get! i'd always attempt to gussy up for a special occasion and would end up completely frustrated as i'd smudge one or two fingers in the process and have to start all over again. usually i'd give up and have bare nails again at the end of the night.
then i got married, had a baby and found that painting my nails is a little like a mini mom getaway. because if i'm painting my nails it means the little one is asleep and i am doing something just for me. i cannot do dishes or fold clothes, i just have to sit and relax for awhile. plus it's a bit more instantly gratifying than sweating my way through a run on the treadmill. fingernails are something you can have control over; an instant way to feel pretty.
so i've collected a few bottles since then and still muddle my way through painting my own nails. practice makes perfect. the other day at target i landed in the nail polish aisle and found the sally hansen complete salon manicure line. i have come to like sally hansen polish even over o.p.i. and essie. so i gave it a go and i'm thrilled with the results. it goes on smooth and beautifully, like a professional manicure in only minutes. my current favorite color is commander in chic. it's this moody milky mysterious matte grey color. super duper pretty. not too dark, but dark enough. perfect for the change in seasons. and i am still not tired of wearing it. i also immediately liked clear'd for takeoff and a pale pinky shade, shell we dance. perhaps someday i might even try the bright blues.
the nail polish excitement doesn't end at the beautiful collection of colors. 1) the bottles now have a rubber grip around the handle for easier opening. genius. 2) this line is a whole manicure in one bottle. it claims to include a Base Coat, Strengthener, Growth Treatment, Color, Top Coat all in one coat. brilliant. it dries fast too. once i experienced the staying power throughout a long weekend camping trip, i am a believer. 3) the brush has been redesigned to create a thicker stroke. less smudging and faster painting time. after getting used to the new bristles, it's hard not to think this new polish is far superior to my old standards. am pretty positive you'll like it too.
so there you have it. i love to pass along an excellent find. (i received no free products from sally hansen, however i'd be happy to take some off her hands.) am wishing you a little me-time for yourself this week.
image via google images.
hello friends.
so here is the scoop. my birthday is in five days. and i want to party with all of you. to get into the spirit of turning another year older, this week i'll be sharing a few favorite finds (old and new) and also highlighting some of my most popular posts from this past year.
i hope you'll join the party and help me celebrate. i'll be picking a handful of winners from the collection of comments at the end of the week for a giveaway. tune in this afternoon to read about my current nail polish obsession. let the countdown begin.
p.s. please click over to my blog (if you're not there already) and answer the poll on my sidebar. i'd love to know what you'd like to see in the mini mart shop for the holiday season.
image via tumblr.com
thanks for all the kind words about our yellowstone camping trip. sounds like so many of you have made happy memories there. i wanted to wrap up my vacation posts up by answering your camping questions in a little Q&A session. here goes. if you have any other camping related questions, feel free to ask in the comment section. head over to my formspring page if you have general questions for me.
Q. What do you like to put inside your tinfoil dinners?
A. we like to include the basics; ground beef (or steak), onion soup mix, chopped sweet potatoes or classic idaho potatoes, baby carrots, onions and seasoning. i really enjoyed stephanie's great tutorial about making tinfoil dinners. be sure to fold it up tight and jot your name on it with a permanent marker.
campfire cooking should always be a little bit experimental. we brought along some refrigerated dinner roll dough and wrapped it up in buttered tinfoil and cooked it for 10 minutes on the coals. we've also cored apples and packed kraft caramels, brown sugar and oats inside for an delicious tinfoil apple crisp.
we pack individual instant oatmeal packets in a ziplock with packets of hot chocolate. a breakfast of champions. prepped foods that just need hot water is a perfect quick meal. packets of ramen noodles and easy mac are great for kids.
Q. What type of hiking backpack did you use to carry your toddler in?
A. we borrowed a friend's carrier to use while hiking. (thank you julie!) it was a kelty brand and completely perfect for our needs. dan said it was super comfortable too.
Q. Where did you camp and hike while you were in Montana?
A. we camped out in Hyalite Canyon and hiked Grotto Falls. one of the prettiest places i've been. just driving along the windy woodsy roads was breathtaking.
Q. What are your tips for camping with kids? Do's, don'ts and must haves?
A. like any traveling you do with kids, be prepared! bring along surprise goodies for the road and activities for them to entertain themselves. read my how-to for roadtripping with the family and some of your tips on vacationing with a baby here.
everyone needs their own hat, water bottle, plate / bowl & utensils, warm layers (i loved dressing our son in a warm plaid shirt that had a fuzzy lining inside), sturdy shoes and even a backpack that they can carry. older kids would likely love to snap shots with their own camera!
take along a game of cards, connect four, storybooks, a bottle of bubbles and/or a frisbee. anything that can entertain the kids while waiting for the campfire to get going and water to boil for dinner. this is a good time to get jammies on and go on a walk to meet the neighbors. (we happened to chit chat with a very nice man from holland and see another who slept in a hammock under the stars!) kids love exploring and counting pine cones and spotting squirrels.
be sure to bring their favorite blanket or stuffed animal and some books to make them feel at home. after familiarizing our son with the tent, he went down like a dream. we read him stories, sang a song and tucked him in like we always do.
maintaining an organized living space helps keep me sane while on the road. we separate the smaller camp supplies into three bins. we use a small cooler for ice, juice, milk, butter and anything else that needs to stay cold. a larger cooler holds all other food and snacks (this makes it easy that it's all in one place. i keep cups, dishes and bibs inside too. i keep a small serrated knife–wrapped in a towel–in there for slicing fresh fruit for hungry toddlers.) we also have a medium size clear rubbermaid bin that we call our camping chuck box. it holds our small fold-up camping stove, scissors, an axe, matches, a ziplock of saved up dryer lint for starting fires, spf. and bug spray, tarps, bungee cords, parachute cord, wet wipes, a sharp kitchen knife, a hand towel, a large spoon for stirring, travel size dish soap, and other must-haves for camp outs. after our trip, we clean it out and replace anything that needs replacing and store it away for the next camping trip. half the work is already done! i also keep a list of the contents taped inside the clear container so we know what should be packed inside.
bring along an extra duffle bag to act as a hamper to store all the dirty clothes. prepare to do tons of laundry when you get home! and when you're emptying out the cooler after your trip, put all the leftover perishables away and empty it out. put your camping dishes inside the cooler and take the whole thing to your bathtub. fill up the cooler and wash all the supplies at once with warm water and dishwashing soap.
Q. What did you do to prepare your Yellowstone camp out itinerary?
A. dan did most of the prep for this trip! he reserved a camp spot online. then he browsed the library and brought home an armful of travel books to plan for yellowstone. these were are three favorite resources:
Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks by Brian Kevin
The Rangers Guide to Yellowstone by Susan & Phil Frank
Family Fun in Montana by Chris Boyd
the PBS National Parks movie with Ken Burns is amazing too.
yellowstone park is so huge, it's like attempting to see the entire Louvre museum in one day! pace yourselves and enjoy all the beautiful surroundings as you go. there are plenty of rangers to tell you about good hikes for your family. bring along some books on cd and enjoy the drive through nature. get some bear spray (and read the directions before you leave)! don't be too nervous about camping at yellowstone. there are plenty of rules set up so there are rarely any troubles with animals coming into the campgrounds. plus, with plenty of campers camping around you, there's a sense of safeness. and if you own a pair of binoculars, be sure to bring them too. most of your animal interaction will be from your own car! you are sure to have a wonderful time together. it's such a perfect excuse to unplug from distractions and enjoy your family's company.
the old faithful geyser was another fun sight to see. everything feels classic in yellowstone. it's fun to imagine the crowds in the 1950s touring these same sights. however i find it hilarious how this huge crowd gathers around, waiting with cameras ready, we watch and wait for the geyser to storm into the sky. then we all furiously snap the same snapshots of the same thing while four steps away they sell the same image of the same geyser at the visitor's center. and we all view life through a viewfinder instead of with our own eyes. i tried to keep this in mind during our trip and really enjoy the moments, while still managing to take hundreds of photos. it's all in the balance. check out the photo of our family, well two and a half of us, so much for getting the perfect christmas card portrait in yellowstone.
the charming old fashioned yellowstone tour buses were the big hit in our family. benji perked up every single time a bus drove by. bus. bus. bus. i think they made a bigger impression on him than the bear or the elk. with ice cream money from his great-grandma he got his very own bus souvenir. it entertained him the entire time. best trip purchase ever. that and the hot stack of pancakes we got at the cute diner on our last morning there. whipped cream on cocoa never tasted so good. a pretty successful family camp out, i must say. dan is already talking about next time.
specific camping details & answers coming soon.
b and d smiling on a chilly morning; viewing lower falls.
lower falls close up. absolutely stunning. you can see the snowflakes still clinging to the trees. the snow melted by the afternoon. just wait, there's an upper falls too.
upper falls. this is one of those incredible views that you can't believe is truly in front of your own eyes. it's amazing. you have to be there to realize how huge and astounding these waterfalls are.
this is what i look like on every hike i've ever taken with dan. thank goodness he's come to love the bandanna look. (i have a whole collection of them.)
i may have taken a hundred photos of yellowstone lake. the water was like glass and the clouds were ever changing, around every bend. we kept pulling over to catch the scenic views. dan peeled oranges for benji and i while we marveled at the lake.
b playing in the tent on our last morning in yellowstone. he is what i like to call bright eyed and bushy-tailed in the mornings.
we stopped here to watch the buffalo roaming along the countryside. i liked seeing them with their families. we even saw some sibling rivalry action, with a buffalo battle of wills. the one who lost left the area and crossed the street, causing another major traffic jam for delighted tourists. it's awesome to watch the buffalo roll in the dirt to scratch their backs. the baby buffalo are soo cute.
thanks for indulging me in our family vacation photos. really, it means a lot to me. last slideshow coming up, the big crowd pleasers of the trip.
proof of snow on labor day. luckily we stayed warm and dry. amazingly, the stars were out that night and we saw the big dipper. there is nothing else like the starry sky when you are out in the woods at night.
me standing in line to wash our load of dishes. it's a little known fact that there is a separate facility for washing dishes and brushing teeth. those activities are not allowed at your individual campsite. who knew bears liked toothpaste? i was more than happy to follow bear safety regulations, picking up every last crumb. do not fall asleep with starbursts, gum, trail mix or pretzels in your pockets like you did at girl's camp. or was that just me?
a huge buffalo just moseying down the road one afternoon.
huge as in ginormous. isn't this a fantastic picture? dan gets all the credit.
here we are at the scenic point of upper falls. i thought it was cute that this ranger suddenly sat down next to the boys to get in our snapshot. benji couldn't be more ecstatic if he were mickey mouse.
we wondered if we'd have a chance to see a real bear in yellowstone. the ranger told us at the program one night that the bears are extra hungry during the fall, as they are gearing up for hibernation. ooh, lovely, i thought. sleep tight everyone. later on our trip, while touring the park, we spotted this guy lumbering up the road! (he was across the street from our car, but thanks to the zoom feature on my camera, it looks like we were closer than we really were.) i love the paw flexed mid-step.
next up: waterfalls and landscapes.
keep your camping questions coming, i'll try to answer them all at the end.
yellowstone national park. the entrance, the arch, the classic photo op. let me just say, my photos don't do this place justice. i highly recommend seeing it in person.
the mighty elk that caused a major traffic jam. he was a beauty. i guess it's mating season so they can get pretty fierce. no worries, cops were on the scene since this one was wandering so close to our campground. there are hardly any restrictions in this place, so to speak; animals roam free and plenty of cliff drops without fences. (of course there are scenic safe viewing areas for families and even wheelchair access too.) it's the closest i've come to really being in the wild. you have to be on your best behavior in these parts. and be sure to keep your shoes tied in yellowstone. you do not want to trip into a thermal pool.
since so much of yellowstone was experienced from the comfort of our vehicle, i took hundreds of drive-by snapshots. i love when these shots turn out cooler than i could have hoped. i was trying to get a good one of the classic yellow yellowstone bus in the distance. thanks to our little passenger, BUS quickly became the word of the trip. more bus-dedicated photos to come.
the boys are pros at setting up camp. thankfully dan knows how to work a rainfly, we would have been sopping in the morning if i had attempted it.
here we are overlooking what's referred to as the grand canyon of yellowstone. that high ridge held incredible views. however the winds were crazy up there. luckily i caught benji's cap before it blew away forever. we met a father and son up there who were super nice and friendly. (i took a photo of them with their fancy schmancy camera which i held on to with dear life. we were all very close to the edge at that point.)
that's the thing about national parks, strangers become friends to chit chat with and revel in the scenery with. people to swap stories with. in fact, a stranger at the ranger station had suggested that very hike the night before. and, as it happened, later that evening, we told another couple about it who planned on going back and hiking it themselves. all the retired couples loved watching benji. more than one older couple told us it goes so fast. enjoy it while they're little. a couple who had recently become empty nesters told us that it seems like yesterday when their twenty year old was only two. they were glad to see we were starting a family camping tradition early on, like they had. they assured us they were totally okay with benji jumpbing and jabbering during the whole ranger program. people are so nice.
this is norris geyser basin. completely incredible. dan took this picture right as it began to snow! we hustled back to our camp and marveled at the dusting of snowfall on the tall trees surrounding us. mugs of cocoa warmed us right up. however, at that point, i began wishing we'd brought gloves. next time i will be bringing three pairs. even if it's june.
me and b waking up in our nest of sleeping bags. the early mornings all bunched together in our tent made for some of my favorite moments. b really earned the name happy camper. and yes, i am wearing every layer i packed.
wild animal shots coming up next.
