a stop over in Annecy

Can't you just feel the gentle autumn sunshine in this picture? It was snapped while strolling leisurely though the old town in Annecy a month or so ago. Time just seems to move at warp speed these days. We've since traded brisk autumn weather for artic winter cold and although the snow arrived seemingly early, it feels like it's time to hibernate with the ever shorter, dark days of winter. Here's to soaking up the sunshine wherever we can!

inspiration everywhere

What is it about autumn?  So lovely and fleeting that makes it feel imperative to enjoy each moment that comes.   The vibrant hues of fall have slowly started to amplify across the hills and mountains. The first rogue leaves have begun to flutter across the road on my way to work.  And week-ends are filled with time outdoors a little too hot underneath a thick sweater but no longer warm enough to be without it...

I've been feeling so lucky in this season of our lives.  Félix has finished his Masters program and Clover started school.  Work is crazy. But I'm starting to be able to catch my breath every now and then. The days and weeks are flying by so fast that it feels even more essential to enjoy these sweet moments when they come about...


















We stopped at to the Barrage d'Emosson the other weekend on our way to meet up with friends. The Emosson dam is past Chamonix just over the border into Switzerland.

We didn't make the hike to see the dinosaur tracks but we marveled at the dam's engineering nestled in among the peaks...

We admired the view all the way down into the valley below.

And we made wishes on dandelions...

 

Really, all the perfect components of a fall outing.

Hope you are finding many beautiful and fleeting moments to enjoy this season.

still around

photo credit: the always amazing JYR

Hello! I certainly didn't mean to go so long without a word here.  I went back to work in April and the world has moved at hyperspeed ever since. It's a challenge but a new chapter that I am enjoying immensely.

The other weekend, I ran my first trail race.  We started in the village and then ran up and  flailed down the super steep paths all around the valley.  It was a lot of fun and pretty challenging. A12km race by teams of two was the perfect initiation into the excitement and adrenaline of trail races.   I had a delightful friend as my trail-running partner.  We had great encouragement from Félix and Clover and our friends. Such a fun surprise to come down through a trail and see everyone cheering.  It lifted our spirits every time.

During the course,  I had decided that I was most definitely not going to ever run a trail race ever, ever again.  Those hills were killer but, once we crossed the finish line and joined the festive post-race ambiance, that feeling was quickly forgotten.

an ocean away

The days like waves lap at the shore and melt away. My heart swells.

After an early morning phone call with my mom I am thinking of sunny, winter days on the beach in Washington. And even though land and sea separate us it feels almost like we live right next door to one another.   Talking with her is so restorative.  Our catch up sessions never fail to right a balance and buoy my spirits.  

Thank you, Mom!