This past weekend, I had the amazing opportunity to attend Spark, an over the top crafting event in Lindon, Utah. I decided to attend at the very last minute and I’m so glad that I did. One of the best parts of the weekend was that I stayed an extra day so that I could visit with 2 of my favorite people, Barrie and Brendan, Jeff’s sister and her husband.
Whenever heading out of town, I always refer back to my list. What things can I experience in a new place that I can’t experience in Phoenix?
2 things that I have learned so far on my amazing journey:
You must make a life list. Short, long, somewhere in between. It doesn’t matter as long as it truly reflects you and your desires. Also realize that this list is not etched into stone. It is ok to change your list. Items can be deleted and experiences can be added.
Not all items on your list have to be expensive and out of reach. Some of my items on my list including cooking with my kids, doing a back flip on a trampoline, and following a rainbow to see where it leads. Simple, adventurous, and free/inexpensive.
This weekend I was able to mark 3 items off my list:
Attend a craft conference that takes me out of my comfort zone
Experience a taste of fall with the leaves changing colors
Attend a speed skating competition
The prices ranged from free to $300. And as much as I enjoyed the craft conference that was amazing, I was just as inspired by the other 2 experiences that were free or inexpensive.
I know that some of you scratch your head saying, “Experience the leaves changing colors is on your life list?” And my answer is yes. Yes, it is. I live in Phoenix and we really don’t have seasons. We have hot and not hot. And hands down, my favorite season is fall. Barrie and Brendan took me to the Pipe Line Trail in the Wasatch Mountains outside of Salt Lake City, so that we could hike and experience fall. The weather was gorgeous, the colors were rich, and I found myself stopping often to take it all in.
I want to remember the sight of the colors. The gorgeous blue sky. The bending curves of the trail. The leaves that had fallen on the ground.
I want to remember the sounds of the trail. The running water, the silence at times, the crunching of leaves as we walked over them, and Barrie and I laughing at Brendan’s sarcastic sense of humor.
I want to remember the taste of cold water when we would take our millionth break for pictures, the pre-trail breakfast of cinnamon french toast, sausages, and strawberries that Brendan prepared, and the couple of marshmallow pumpkins that I had snuck into my trail bag.
I want to remember touching the leaves with my feet and hands, as I took several to put into my Project Life book so the kids could experience this as well. I want to remember petting the dogs that would run past us along side their owners.
I also want to remember the smell of pine and how I was amazed at how when looking out you would see the pines growing only on the North side of the mountain.
What a great weekend. Full of life. Full of family and friends. And full of adventure.
Life is good. – Jenny
More about Spark and the World Cup Speed Skating Competition later in the week.
Comments
Kerry
officially we have five seasons here…spring, foresummer (Dry summer), summer monsoon, after summer and winter. But I get what you mean. This is the first year I have not flown home to the East Coast in the fall and I’m terribly homesick.
Jenny
You are generous with your seasons Kerry! I always wish that I was a snowbird with 3 houses for the seasons. Phoenix for half the year, East Coast for the Fall, and a Beach House for the Summer. Ah yes, now to return to reality.
Kimberlee
As with most of your posts, I just loved this. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. It has definitely been an inspiration to me. I just started my list and look forward to seeing where it will take me (and where I will take it!)
Jenny
I am so glad you started your list. You will have to keep me updated. I love to hear people’s ideas- there just might be something on there that I have to experience too!