300 Days of Sunshine

What would the world be like without books?  To me, books aren't just about enhancing literacy and gaining knowledge (though these things are essential, of course), but reading also means experiencing new perspectives, envisioning a different life, understanding the past, and gaining an appreciation of my own life in comparison.  Books allow us to escape from our own tiny reality and experience something greater, and I believe that the desire to enhance our knowledge of others' perspectives makes us better people and more compassionate citizens of the world.  I try to make reading a priority every day, and to also set this example for Ady.  We eat breakfast every day, we brush our teeth, we walk the dog, and we read books.  There are literally books in every room of the house (yes, including next to Ady's potty).   I read a lot of books this year -- fiction, mysteries/thrillers, memoirs, parenting books, a few in the scifi and fantasy realms, and...

We were fortunate to have a beautiful and snowy Christmas week in Santa Fe!  I'm so relieved that we made the decision to not travel for the holidays this year because it gave us the opportunity to enjoy Christmas in our house, start new traditions with Ady, and minimize the stress of traveling.  I am also incredibly thankful that my mom came to visit for the week, sharing in our Southwest traditions and embracing outdoor activities in the mountains, and Ady absolutely loved having quality time with her Nana.   Since hospitals don't take breaks for holidays, and winter is a busy time of illnesses and accidents, I unfortunately had to work all week.  However, I have discovered over the years that I don't really mind working holidays.  I enjoy the opportunity to support my patients who are sick in the hospital on holidays, many of whom don't have family or friends visiting at all, and I have some really fond memories of the patients I have treated on Christ...

I love the month of December.  The days are getting shorter, calling us to center in and conserve energy.  There are holiday parties, good food and drinks, and lots of reasons to give to others.  It can be challenging to stay peaceful and sane amidst the commitments, the expectations, and the fast-paced nature of the season, but I'm thankful to not be traveling anywhere this year and I feel a sense of calm about staying in our own home for Christmas.  Here are a few tidbits about things keeping me busy this month! 1.  Meeting Santa! Ady is starting to get the whole "Santa thing" and is pretty excited when we talk about him and read books about Christmas.  Now that she's 2, everything is "mine," so once she got the hang of sitting on the lap of the big guy in red, she became very attached to "my  Santa" and needed some help learning how to share him! Ady and Santa 2.  Winter Knitting I have two main projects this year -- a little vest wi...

Life is beautiful and there really is so much for which to be grateful.  Though my family is far away, I have the means to visit them and the technology to communicate with them.  My friends and my work team bring me joy every day.  Working as a physical therapist gives me the opportunity not just to help people, but to help people help themselves, and to give them hope for a future after an injury or illness.  My husband is my rock, an amazing father who has seemingly unlimited patience and compassion and who exemplifies a balanced life.  My smart and adventurous two-year-old makes me appreciate the beauty in the world and experience awe and wonder of the little things; everything is new and exciting to her toddler self, and she is present in every moment.  I'm thankful for my home, for our space.  While it doesn't always look as fancy as our friends' homes, it's well-loved and it's ours.  And it's hard to not be happy living in a place wher...

And just like that, we have a two-year-old!  Ady is exploring her world, talking up a storm, gaining independence, learning new skills by the minute, and testing her boundaries.  As toys and books began to take over every room in the house, we decided it was time for Ady to have a playroom of her own.  We have a four bedroom house, so building a playroom entailed combining the guest bedroom and the office (which was no small feat in a house with minimal storage space).  To have Ady's playroom ready in time for her birthday, I decided to tackle this project in a 10-day span right after returning from a weeklong vacation (while working full time and planning a work conference simultaneously)...I may have overcommitted myself a bit that week, but I am always someone who works best with a deadline and a goal in mind, and the playroom was done in time for Ady's birthday!   Painting in progress My assistant builder I spent a few hours each night...

My mom visited us in Santa Fe this past weekend and we checked off a few items on her bucket list!  We hiked at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, the home of Georgia O'Keeffe and the setting of many of her famous paintings.  We picked out Ady's Halloween pumpkin.  And the highlight of the weekend was the Balloon Fiesta, the largest international hot air balloon festival, featuring over 550 balloons from all over the world.   The Balloon Fiesta is one of Albuquerque's most popular events of the year.  It's definitely something worth getting up early to see, and it's hard to describe the beauty and excitement of the event to people who haven't seen it in person.  The weather this time of year can be hot, windy, cold, or snowy, and the conditions can change drastically from one day to the next, so there's never a guarantee that the balloons will inflate or lift off.  We we so lucky to attend the fiesta on a day with perfect weather conditions and minimal win...

Red Wine Caramel Tart from The Boozy Baker Every time I make homemade caramel, I think of my Grandma Bev, who is known for her decadent and irresistible caramels she makes at Christmastime.  While this recipe isn't quite as delicious as Grandma's caramels, it was fun to make and was a huge hit at my book club (paired with a juicy red blend).  I even got to use my candy thermometer and  my tart pan, so I'm feeling extra fancy!   I tried to snap a picture of the exciting moment when the dissolved sugar mix turns amber-colored and transforms into caramel, but I didn't have enough hand to stir like a fiend and keep the thermometer in place while snapping photos, so you'll have to use your imagination. Letting the crust cool while starting the wine reduction Stirring the caramel sauce Finished tart! Red Wine Caramel Tart From The Boozy Baker Ingredients For the crust: 1 1/4 cups flour 3 tablespoons sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 sti...