golden afternoon

I'm not sure which was more miraculous . . . this serene slice of heaven I found just beyond Dog Lake at the top of Millcreek Canyon before heading into Big Cottonwood, OR the fact that I can wake up on the first day of October and send the kids off to school, post a little something on the blog, get laundry started / straighten the house / clean the kitchen, go help at the school for an hour and then be HERE, taking in this breathtaking scenery just an hour later . . . and then back to pick up the kids from school after an invigorating 7 mile hike.

I find that quite miraculous.

Thank you Utah.  I don't think there are very many places on earth where nature and a major cultural/economic center are found so close together.  Plus, the options within our canyons are boundless . . . I haven't even begun to scratch the surface on all the available trails along the Wasatch.

My hike on Monday was going to be a "no camera / stay in the present moment and breathe it all in" type afternoon. Well, that lasted until I got to the top and found myself in a peaceful meadow at the crest of the hill leading down to another canyon.  It truly took my breath away and out came the phone, and before I knew it I was snapping pictures, with each one outdoing the one I took a moment before.

So, since I just LOOVVEE to share my nature loving moments, here ya go . . . our glorious mountains, bejeweled in brilliant gold:

I have to say that my iPhone takes some pretty great pictures. These photos capture the scenery just as I saw it . . . every bend more breathtaking than the last.

OK, so I have to share this little interaction I had with a fellow hiker.  As I was heading up the mountain, I came upon a portion of the trail that was lined on each side with these towering golden aspens.  The sky was bright blue overhead with the sun streaming through those blinding yellow leaves, the view of the canyon to the west was magnificent, and the leaves were fluttering and drifting onto the trail due to a slight breeze. It was truly one of those "catch your breath" moments.  

While I was in the midst of the trees, soaking in the magic of it all, a woman and her dog came around the bend.  I motioned at the majesty surrounding us, and barely above a whisper said, "oh my gosh, isn't this just magical . . . ?" Her response:  "Ya, I guess it's pretty nice."  Are you kidding me??  I wanted to give her a smack for so casually dismissing my reverie.  Seriously, it was the understatement of the year and I wonder how much it would take to impress that woman.  As for me, it was much more than "pretty nice."  But then again, maybe I'm just easily impressed :).

I even took a video for your enjoyment . . .

happy october

from, Anne of Green Gables

Thanks Anne.  Me too.

21 years on the 21st

Happy 21st Anniversary to us

We celebrated our anniversary Friday afternoon mountain biking in Park City before we hit Main Street that evening for dinner.  Can I just say how glad I am we decided to get married in September - really, every year it's such a beautiful time to get out and do something together. The original plan was to head up and take a couple runs on the Alpine Slide before dinner, but after a little more thought, we decided to rent some bikes and have a go at the mountain.  We have been talking forever about finally upgrading our old mountain bikes, so we decided to rent to see what we've been missing.  Ya, it only took about 2 minutes to realize our circa 1990 bikes are a tad outdated.  So, donning matching helmets and matching bikes, courtesy of Jans we hit the trails . . . 

My attempt to get us both in a pic on the chairlift

 Beautiful Park City Mountain Resort

The bright aspens against the brilliant blue fall sky were spectacular!

After dropping off the bikes and spiffing up courtesy the Yarrow hotel bathrooms (perfect place for cleaning up and changing after skiing or biking . . .), we took a trip down memory lane and walked around the newly remodeled Washington School Inn where we spent our first night of our honeymoon so many years ago.  The proprietor was so kind to let us wander around and view the renovations.  It was just lovely and I was having no luck at all talking Chris into checking in for the evening (it definitely wasn't $450/nt when we stayed there), but it sure was stunning inside.

Our conversation over dinner was one of reflection, as well as looking forward.  This weekend was pretty full and it was interesting to wonder what we would have thought if someone had told us on the day we got married that in twenty-one years on the weekend we were celebrating our anniversary we would . . .

• have two teenagers heading to the homecoming football game with their friends on Friday night
• watch our daughter get ready for her first high school dance Saturday afternoon
• send our son with his Dad's car to pick up his Homecoming date for an "all day extravaganza"
• sit on the sidelines cheering my 11 year old daughter during her volleyball game
• take our 8 year old daughter to a birthday party
• celebrate with our 15 year old her undefeated high school tennis season
• discuss the progress of our 17 year old's college application
• listen to two girls practice piano & ask one daughter to practice, despite protest
• need to make sure all homework was complete
• complete my visa application for our trip to China
• have the privilege to sit surrounded by my four amazing children during the Brigham City temple dedication (broadcast) and know that this is what life is all about . . . our marriage, our children, our family, and the gospel.

a little change

With all the change in the air and our Utah fall revealing it's magnificent beauty with each crisp, cool morning, I feel the need to switch things up on the blog to keep it interesting.

Anyway, I ran across this brilliant photo a minute ago and had to share:

I found it here, isn't it just lovely?

Oh, how I love autumn!

happy fall

Finding the perfect pumpkins with my girls

What a beautiful, crisp, autumn morning it is today - we couldn't ask for a more perfect Halloween - even I get a little giddy on this most wonderful holiday :-).   I absolutely adore everything about this time of year:  the bright blue skies, cooler days and evenings, sweaters and jackets, leaves changing and dropping, the World Series, pumpkin patches, school Halloween parades and parties, roasted pumpkin seeds, neighborhood gatherings . . . even the last minute scurry to put costumes together!

One of our favorite traditions is listening to Jerry Seinfeld's "Halloween."  It's hilarious and the kids never tire of hearing this classic stand-up routine.  We keep the cd in the car during the season and listen during long drives, plus the illustrations in the book are fantastic.  CLICK HERE to listen.

This tradition is one for the ages . . . I'm sure my grandkids will be listening and laughing along with their parents in the years to come.

Some pics from the past week:

Caroline with best friend Sophie and good guy friends Sam and Tyler after the CJH "Thriller" dance performance

Fall Tradition:  Pumpkin Patch with best friends Gracie and Emily

Thank you God for the beauty of last week.

In my element.  Really, what more can a girl ask for than a pair of hiking shoes, a camelback, and a some time for meditation, exercise, and bonding with friends while wandering through our majestic mountains in their full autumnal splendor??

Not much.

Morning hike

We thought last weekend was beautiful, but the canyons this weekend have been simply magnificent, unreal, and bursting with color! I just can't get enough of days like today,and unfortunately we didn't have our camera to capture the
blazing leaves and gorgeous mountainside on our hike up to the reservoir, but Sophie reminded me of the phone so we did manage to get a couple so-so pictures.  Leaving our trailhead behind will truly be the hardest part of moving (if it ever even happens).

Thanks girls for a most splendid Saturday morning hike.  How blessed we are to live amongst such overwhelming beauty.  Tomorrow: family hike up RED PINES!!

Oh, Glorious Fall

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it,
and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth
seeking the successive autumns."

George Eliot

Ahhh, autumn . . . the past week Mother Nature has been our best friend.  The canyons are filled with color, the sky's brilliant blue so unique to this season has been ever present, and the temperatures could not be more perfect . . . crisp and cool in the mornings and evening, yet oh, so warm in the late afternoons.

It's when as darkness falls, George Winston's Thanksgiving beckons to be played on the piano and brings such peace and stillness into our home as the little girls drift off to sleep.  Since I was a teenager and heard Winston's albums played for the first time I have always associated this glorious season with these beautiful piano arrangements.  Playing his music this time of year just warms my soul and I seem to find myself on the piano bench practically every evening, getting lost in the beauty of his calming melodies. 

We also make sure we take time to drive up the canyon on Sunday afternoons before all the leaves have fallen.  The kids look forward to this tradition every year and this past Sunday we invited Chris' mom and his brother David who was in town to join us for a walk through the woods and then back home to one of our favorite fall dinners waiting on the stove . . . homemade clam chowder.  I wouldn't have wanted to spend an afternoon any other way :-)

Little Cottonwood Sunday late afternoon

No words

Wish I were a poet, wish I could adequetly write the things in my heart, but I'll try:

Morning, driving home alone, acoustic "For Everyman" for company, up the canyon hill, lost in my thoughts.

Catch my breath, unparralled beauty, mountain on fire, no words, swallow hard, deeply feel the moment.

Fleeting. Autumn. Peace. Blessed am I.

15. FAMILY

Today is Thanksgiving and I thought it would be ever so appropriate to express my gratitude for my family. Not just these fine looking folks in the picture above, but to my entire extended family. . . grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and in-laws, etc. I'm really grateful today that my two sister-in-laws are cooking Thanksgiving dinner for us, and all I have to bring is rolls and pumpkin pie (such a great feeling, especially after being sick yesterday).

So, while the pies are cooking in the oven I would like to share how thankful I am for FAMILY - there is nothing that can compare to being a part of the larger picture, of something greater than yourself. It makes me so happy that my kids have cousins their age and how much fun we all have when we're together. I didn't grow up with any cousins even close to my age and was envious of my friends who would come home from a family reunion talking about all the great things they did with their cousins. It is such a blessing now to watch my children have that opportunity and how much they look forward to being with their grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. I love being with both the Howick and Cantera sides of the family - there is always laughter, stimulating conversation, good food, and of course, chaos (especially when all 18 Cantera cousins are together).

Now that we are entering the holiday season, getting together with family is one of my top priorities. The kids can't wait for the annual Howick and Cantera parties - they are always a little crazy, but so much fun. I love the family traditions we have in our own little family, as well as the fun gatherings and traditions we all look forward to with our extended families. It is definitely during this time of year that we feel closest and enjoy the time spent together. My family is one of my greatest blessings in this life and I am so grateful for each and every member.


The annual Howick family party - Christmas tree decorating contest - "and the winner is . . . !"