An arid beauty A brief glance at a few projects that awakened the architect (and human) in me. Arriving at Arcosanti last night stitched together a scene for me. I have been in places of awe surrounded by the most stark spaces. Well, initially stark. By ‘stark’ I mean seemingly simple, somewhat desolate…

Life in the desert “Don’t worry, the tarantulas are harmless.” For the most part, I am in no way, shape, or form a planner. I have no cute, book-like planner, and rarely use my calendar app (gasp, I know). But, sometimes even the most spontaneous adventures require a little planning. …

An easel and rainbow sprinkles Making room for reminders I’ve had multiple people ask me, “Are you the type of person that has really high expectations for this time?” To which I answer, genuinely but with a tinge of embarrassment, “Oh yeah.” Why lie about it? And while the embarrassment, I assure you, is fleeting…

Intro to Sabbatical Planning And after seven years, she rested. Rested. What does that even mean? For every person, rest looks different. One thing that feels restful to one person could feel like malaise to someone else. Working in the garden, a moment of rest for the gardener, can feel like tortured work to…

Once a stranger, forever a bestie. It is 60 degrees, sun is out to play and there is not a cloud in sight. In fact, the things that look like clouds are the snow-capped mountain beauties miles upon miles away. The visual of lingering snow paired with trees in bloom…

of about anything. In many ways, my season of life is appropriately coordinating with the winter season in Seattle life. Moments of outdoor spontaneity are met with nature’s own form of spontaneity — at any moment the gray clouds could decide to dispense their tears. …

While still preparing to leave again. — I packed up life in Seattle. Preparing for a short stint away. Or back. On one side of the bed were all the things I needed to take back with me for 6-weeks in Charlottesville. On the other, were all the things that could be left here in Seattle, but…

Appreciating the handiwork of colorful stitching — I think the last time we talked I was wandering through the desert. Does that sound right? Well, I think I’m still a’ wandering. It’s been hot, sticky and overwhelming at times. The dry wind has blown swiftly through my crazy weird hair, and not in that model-esque sort of…

A season of grieving with a good cup of hipster coffee. — Often the desert is a scary place. Filled with cracks and grooves in the dry, dusty ground. Sometimes those cracks feel as though they could swallow you whole. Full of rustlings and howls of a land unknown and yet to be discovered. …