Big Cottonwood Lakes Mary, Martha and Katherine

I am in love with this John Muir quote. It speaks to me if you will... I made this print on the app Phoster. I went on a hike last week up Big Cottonwood Canyon. This hike was beautiful, I can't wait to take Drew. To get to the trailhead you just drive up to the Brighton Ski Resort and start hiking underneath the Majestic ski lift. The first part of the hike is a steeper incline that may be harder for little ones, but after that once you hike into the trees it evens out more.

I stopped at Dog Lake first. A different Dog Lake than the one up Millcreek. Just so we are all clear. The picture below makes it look so far away, but on the other end of the lake, which was probably 40 yards away were two moose. They were close enough that I could see them chew and turned when I cleared my throat. It was a much better encounter than last time. Miss that Caesar Bear.

I am crazy about hiking. The exercise, the air, the scenery, the isolation.... It all adds to perfection. I love to hike by myself. It drives Drew nuts. I have gotten better at letting him know where I am going.... Kind of....

After Dog Lake is Lake Mary, beautiful.

The water is incredible, mountains are breath taking, and as soon as we can find a dog sitter to take our pack we are going to camp up here. I can't imagine a better morning than waking up here.

Around Lake Mary, and up the trail you get to the smallest of the three lakes and arrive at Lake Martha. Just to the left behind the bushes was a third moose. Scary....

Something about being in the mountains helps put life into perspective. Almost a slap in the face how insignificant people and their drama can be. Up here it's just bigger than all that. Mountain freedom is bigger than judgement, meanness, stress and worry. I need that freedom, I crave it.

If you're still with me after that little journal moment lets see some pretty nature.

I love how the fallen trees have twisted trunks like this. How does that happen I wonder. I want to paint an office in this color.

A view from above of Lake Martha and a peek of Lake Mary.

After some winding I came to Lake Katherine.

Worth it.

I walked around the shore and found some huge moose prints, and grass spots where you could see a moose had spent the night.

As I said on instagram.... You can't take me out of Utah. I'm crazy about this place. Can you blame me?

Twisted trunks.

And on the descent a view of Mickey Mouse rock... Just to make this adventure that much more amazing.

Shower Stall Window....

I love the look of these transom windows in showers. In fact I love all of these glass showers.

These glass stalls and windows do come at a price. A price we weren't looking to pay.

Some tried to add the look for less. I wanted a window in the shower stall to help our small bathroom not feel any tighter than it had too.

Drew built a frame from some extra wood that we always seem to have laying around.

My very own Girl With a Pearl Earring.... This guy.... I'm crazy about him.

Drew?

Safety first second..... Beauty first.

 

I got this seeded glass on sale from Hobby Lobby.

Wood in a shower? Have no fear.. After some extensive research I found some porch and patio paint to use on the window. And this window sits so far back it is never in direct contact with water. Maybe just a rogue splash. I still have some touch ups to do, but it is in and I love it. This project was always looming over my head because I knew it would be a process.... But it was so worth it. We are going to continue the crown moulding all the way over the top of the window.

Now to fill the screw holes and touch up paint, and wipe off the excess grout.... That step probably should have been done a month ago.... Whatevs.... Look at that window!

 

 

 

 

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Shabby Springer Chic

Polly, Polly, Polly.... Cutest pooch alive, but man when her hair was growing out she looked like wild animal. She is our flusher. On hikes and walks she is running back and forth scaring up game. She comes tearing out of the woods with branches, burrs and sap all over her. So I finally decided to help this little shabby chic dog.

As you can see above I have not yet had it. With our weeds. They are running this place. Its my version of natural landscaping.

Look how cute that lady is! I felt pretty impressed with my hair cutting skills. Saved us $50. Can't beat that.

That face! Are you kidding? Adorbs!

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Project Knock-off...

I am going to fore warn you, this project is not yet completed.... Don't start this post hoping to have a war, and fuzzy after. It won't happen, yet..... You have been warned.

I found a nightstand at (Gigi) Urban Outfitters that I loved. For $150 it was out of my price range. But I kept it pinned for later.

One day while cruising around Savers I found 10 balusters for $2. And waited patiently for Drew to get home. I drew up some elaborate plans.... And we got to work with scrap wood we had from our old bed.

Don't those balusters look pretty darn close to the original legs on Urban Outfitters version?

 

Drew drilled some pocket holes on the inside of the faces to attach the legs.

Don't mind our tenants stash of moving boxes, etc in the background. Focus on the end table.

Then he ripped down a 1" strip of wood and face framed (?) the lip of the table. He then jig sawed out the hole for the door. This was making it up as we want. Remember we have 6 more balusters and scrap wood, so messing up was no biggie. Next one we will piece together the front for cleaner lines. We still need to build the door, but instead of inserting the cane webbing in the door, I am going to put in a gold metal grate door. And I will love it.

Testing out dimensions.

Soon ours will be in its happy little home. Whether that is in our house or we start selling them. Time will tell....

To Be Continued....

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Donut Falls

I feel guilty whenever I go on a hike without the dogs. On even days they can't go to Dog Lake anyway, so I went up Big Cottonwood Canyon where they are never allowed because its a water shed.

This is a short nice hike. Just good to get up and out of the city. Perfect weather, and perfect scenery.

Most of the hike is a clear trail, once you get to the falls you can scramble up the rocks and go into the grotto.

The reason for the name Donut Falls.

Inside the grotto...

The backside of water! Get it? Just like Disneyland's Jungle Cruise...

View from the top...

I'm just not sure there is anywhere as pretty as Utah.... Great hike for everyone. Probably an hour + round trip if you don't scramble up to the waterfall. I can't wait to try this hike in the snow.

Aspens...

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Love...

So simple and so precise. We can overwhelm ourselves with stuff. making sure you only keep things in your home that you use, and need helps cut on the clutter and keeps your house in order. Having pieces in your home that simply make you happy, I think is just as important.

I would prefer a great adventure....

(via)

 

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Key Rack DIY

You know the cold sweat you get and the pit in your stomach you feel when you should have left for work 10 minutes ago. It you can't find your keys? No, just me? Hmm.... I am constantly losing me keys. I set them down somewhere never to be found again. Drew has moved from wanting to slap me every time this happens, to patiently waiting on the couch while I go room to room in a panic. Well no more! I took a $1 frame and $0.50 leather belt from a thrift store. I had some of these small gold hooks on hand but probably would have been out another $1. And snagged this driftwood from a hike to Dog Lake.

I spray painted the frame gold, cut the leather belt in half and made two loops. I nailed the loops onto the back of the frame. I hand screwed the gold hooks in the driftwood and slipped it through the hooks. I like the wood sitting outside the frame so the keys don't hit the wall. We'll soon see if we can make it a habit to keep our keys here. This could be a game changer!

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