My 1st 14er! (Ain't No Mountain High Enough)

Natalie and I climbed Mt. Democrat (14,148') on the 4th of July. Very apropos. Great weather, great company, great work out, and super-fun descent. I'm officially a Coloradoan!

At the trailhead.

Strong ladies summit.

Oh good. We climbed the right mountain.

From whence we came...

And this is why I will never graduate.

Trophies are so passé.

Craft Therapy: Cross-stitch

I think I've found my new favorite hobby.

Shelf thing makeover

Today sucked. The only thing that could have possibly made me feel better was to make something. I'm not even going to talk about what this thing looked like before, but it was at least three different pastel colors and had several rusty nails sticking out of it. So I painted it, glue-gunned some 25 cent-a-yard Ikea bargain print on to the back and *poof* a new home for my mint. I feel better now.

Totally non-functional shelf thing turned semi-functional...but WAY nicer looking.

Cymbal clock

Here's half a high-hat left over from that crappy drumset I used to have. I'll use this clock way more than I ever played that set. I accidentally broke the small hand on the other clock I disassembled to get the parts. But it wasn't anything a glue gun couldn't take care of! Neat, huh?

Keepin' time...

San Francisco

It had been a long time, but I finally made my return to SF. I got to see/do/eat lots of beautiful/fun/tasty things. Photo highlights:

The Davids take in the fresh sea air at Sutro Heights Park.

The Superior Palace Chinese restaurant in the Outer Richmond advertises the Land of Enchantment.

Napa in winter. Note to self: next time go easy on the wine the night before a wine tasting trip.

David and Casey admiring a piece at the MOMA.

Posing at the Lands End Trail head. Awesome views all around.

"The Gonzalesi" prepare empanadas. Success!

Christmas Tree Hunt!

Thanks to the Schuch family for inviting us to their annual Christmas tree hunt in Las Vegas, NM! Aaron, David, Michele, and I had a lovely, mix cd filled drive, a hearty breakfast at Spic-n-Span, and a brisk afternoon at the camp site. And I got me a Christmas tree!

We came in varying degrees of preparedness.

Could you be the one?

We don't know who David is waving at, but Aaron is tough, and that's one damn fine tree!