Sunday, February 20, 2011

Day Trip

Cabin fever led to an impromptu day trip to Salt Lake this Saturday. Buck dressed Mimi in her city sweater and Otis in his collar and we headed out. Speaking of a collar, Mimi seems to have grown an extra one (or two) this winter.


And, we can't pretend that our cravings for "In and Out" didn't play into our plans to visit Salt Lake. From the perfect display of a Double Double and a Cheeseburger wrapped snug in a perfectly folded tissue pocket side by side, to the crispy fries in paper baskets and a thick whole milk vanilla milkshake... Why there is not an "In and Out" in every city beats me.


"I've been waiting for you"


Mmmmm, The best thing Salt Lake has to offer


Cheeseburger in Mormon paradise


The remains

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Keeping on

Settled into a more predictable rhythm of our life, it is comforting to have overcome the long distance season of our lives and have each other every day. Holidays feel a little different now that we have each other for every one of them, and coming home to the barn with these two pups and Bucky on Valentine's day was perfect.

Buck getting ready for upcoming trips with the flies he tied


Valentine's Day love with the kitty on the couch


Mimi was eager to watch the Regina Spektor DVD Buck bought me for Valentine's Day

Sweet hearts and Steak


the ying and the yang



Peek-a-boo


Otis and Mimi and I got out on Sunday when the temps reached 45
Mimi helped herself to an au natural slushie



Sunset and shadow




Mimi's glow

Home to finish the warm weekend on the front porch with the pups and a glass of red wine, waiting for Buck to come home from his fishing trip in Dillon

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Lava, Pebble and a New Kitty Trick

This weekend was more eventful than most as Bucky and I ventured outside of town to ski at a local mountain and take a dip in nearby hot springs. Even though these activities were enjoyable, they lacked the gratification we found in teaching Mimi a new trick.

Step One: "Sit Kitty"

Step 2: Tempt the little pig with a piece of rotisserie chicken from Costco
Step 3: Watch her dance
Mimi is a fickel pup and will only perform this trick when offered delectable incentives. Also, the window of opportunity to witness this performance is slim as she tires very easily and will resort to sniffing the ground looking for scraps or... sniffing inside Otis's ear looking for goodies (sick, we know)

Her symbiotic relationship with him is somewhat sweet, much like the remoras and the sharks. She gives extra attention to his ears and eyes.
He acts embarrassed when he is caught, and she retreats to cave under the coffee table


On Saturday we went to soak in the hot springs in Lava, Idaho. The crowd was similar to one of a water park: unsupervised kids pruned from sitting in the water too long and teenagers with tattoos. Lava Hot Springs has 5 pools that get increasingly warmer as you get closer to the spring source. We started at the furthest pool that was packed with kids and wondered how much their "body heat" affected the temperature. We quickly graduated to the next two pools, eager to get to the hottest one which offered the most space.


One of the warmer pools had a metal bar in it where you could hang and take a break from the heat. After waiting on a 7 year old to finish her turn, Bucky hopped on.
The 113 degree water in the last pool was almost unbearable but because we were only 2 of 8 people in it, we stuck it out... felt like a lobster boil
And to top our hot spring experience, we went to Pebble Creek the next day to ski. The weather was perfect and there were no accidents with any overly eager skiers plowing me down on their way to the bar. (I learned my lesson and stayed behind that unknown skier at all times)
The ski bum
This picture is for Meghan, wearing one of her favorite shirts: the Neil Young with suspenders
And home to the bashful kitty sunbathing on a sunny stair