Muscle Memory

My daughter used to be a figure skater. Not an Olympic champion, but the best skater around here. So when she and her boyfriend came to visit a few weeks ago, I suggested going to the rink. After days and days huddled inside eating and…eating, we all needed to get out and get moving. My daughter lamented that she hadn’t skated since last year and probably would be rusty. She perked up when the plan included hitting the outdoor rink set deep in the majestic Hudson Highlands at Bear Mountain State Park.

We laced up our skates and stepped onto the ice. Kids bundled up in winter gear were racing around the ice in all directions - falling right and left. My daughter and I took the first few laps together. I’ve mentioned before that my dad was a hockey player and the members of my immediate family know their way around an ice rink. Being more cautious than I can ever remember, I found myself looking for openings in the ice where I wouldn’t get run down by the brightly parkered pack. I finally made my way to the sideboards and noticed that many of the skaters had stopped and were facing center ice with broad smiles across their faces. They were watching my daughter spin her magic. She still had it.

Once upon a time, I was a teacher and focused on one thing that I did very, very well…kids. Teaching kids became so casual and easy. It defined me. Purely and simply, the kids loved me, and I loved them. So, when a young boy whizzed by my twirling skater and crashed hard onto the ice while she was in mid-spin, without thinking I glided over, crouched down and scooped him up. He smiled up at me. I still had it.

Muscle memory - we’ve all got it. What’s yours?

Amazing image captured at Bear Mountain Ice Rink by Ben Ross Scott

Out Of Bounds

This week I’m beginning to morn the imminent end of the ski season as the next season - mud season, seek kicks up its gritty heels here in the Hudson Valley. I know, I know, life could be a lot worse. But, maybe we could eek out a bit more skiing if we lived in say,…the Alps?

After a fabulous day on the slopes with my friend Brigitte, she shared her fantasy of spending a winter at a ski resort. When I was younger, I truly harbored an unfulfilled dream of becoming a ski bum. So now I could just pack up and leave on a dime (not).

Ski bum? Maybe the cold weather has frozen my brain.

whitepod

That night I could not help myself, I started pointing and clicking around the globe. Then mountainous ecopods danced across the screen and took over my consciousness.

Nestled deep in the Swiss Alps are Whitepods. Forget the sub-zero temps, these ecopod domes each have their own flickering wood fire and toasty outdoor wood-heated hot tub (as you may recall, I love those). Plus, you can sleep under organic cotton bedding after a healthy meal of locally sourced organic food. Yum. Eco-goodness in the Alps - Glamping in its highest form.

Since we are skiing dangerously out of bounds, do you know about the Gorsuch catalog? Skiers, boarders, and lovers of everything massively expensive, they are having a sale. Hide your wallet.

Main Image - Ebay, Whitepod - EcoSalon via Trendenser

Cabin Fever Dreams

I am told Cabin Fever is not a measurable or diagnosed affliction. It is getting capitalized here like any true disease because I believe it is real. I bet you know others who have been struck with this degenerative mood-altering ailment. What, with the snow, ice, rain, slush, mud, and the freezing, freezing temps this winter, it could strike anyone.

Here's my unofficial definition of Cabin Fever:

Cabin Fever is a type of hysteria brought on by spending too much time indoors during the winter of 2011. No matter how comfortable and beautifully designed the "cabin" is, in severe cases its inhabitants can see no end in sight.

So sad.

A Site

Designtripper is a dreamy website that's fueling a travel fantasy - Pack the bags, ditch the "cabin" and hit the road. What is Designtripper?

"Designtripper explores the intersection of travel and design with genuine curiosity and good taste."

Designtripper will not book a trip for you, but it will narrate bedtime stories with design eye-candy that will,

"…inspire you to see the world through someone else’s home."

Here is the first destination on Designtripper's itinerary I'm dreaming about…

A Place

Swedish fashion brand Elvine, has launched a new design hotel concept, Creators Inn in Stockholm, Sweden. They offer free accommodations for creative people. Yes, you read that right – It's totally free. No hidden fees. The mission of Creators Inn is to promote the local area and give something back to creative travelers who they feel will contribute to making their city more interesting.

To qualify for free accommodations, potential guests need to apply on the Creators Inn website, and write a reason why they deserve a free stay, and what creative activities they will be involved in during their stay. Then their wish may be granted. Hmm, I could think of…a zillion creative activities, none the least of which could be my role as an armchair creative.

Wait, it get's even better…

Creative Social Responsibility

Social responsibility is one of those buzzy eco-terms. It generally describes a company's business model of aspiring to have an impact on the lives of workers. Elvine takes this one step further and defines their model in creative terms:

"We tried to add some creativity to the equation, labeling what we do as CSR - Creative Social Responsibility. By offering visiting creators free accommodation, we hope to remind people of a lovely little thing called hospitality. And in addition to making the visiting creators happy and Gothenburg a more interesting city because of their presence, we hope this simple idea can be exported and implemented around the globe."

Travel, giving back, creative stimulation, design inspiration, feeling good – Just what the doctor ordered...

Cabin. Fever. Cured.

Credits: Creators Inn

Snow White Morning

As far as the eye can see everything is white. Viewing the snow this morning, I am reminded of John Steinbeck's, The Pearl:

"It was a morning like other mornings and yet perfect among mornings"

Go White…

…and drink warm.

…to ponder the possibilities.

...because you can.

…for good measure.

…to keep moving.

…because it’s hot.

…to feel good about your neck.

Credits: Main Image: Juliet Harrison Photography, White Tea Harney and Sons, Porcelain Skateboard via Dudecraft, Flask via Swissmiss, Ballet Dancer via PVE Design, Pearl Pin via Swissmiss, Glass Tea Pots via Life.Style, Knitted Cowl Jared Flood via Juniper Fiberworks

Living Inside A Snow Globe

There is a simplicity to winter when a snowstorm casts a shadowy blanket of calmness onto the woods around our nests. Its quiet stillness is like the insulated caress of living inside a dome of snow. The storm at my home arrived right after the barreling in of far-flung children, presents and all the holiday festivities. In its wake, the storm left us a winter wonderland, but no chance to fulfill our travel plans to drive to my mom's on Sunday. Instead, the four of us unplugged, unwound and reconnected as a family. It is in this calmness that I hope you also had a moment to step back and enjoy the wonderland of your life.

Make and Shake Snow Globes

I had a small childhood collection of souvenir-type snow globes. They are long gone, but those tiny window wonderlands pop into my thoughts each winter.

When I was a teacher, I created snow globes with the school kids for holiday gifts for their parents from this adapted Martha Stewart project. It was my way of sharing everything I love about winter (which you can read more about here, here and here).

Materials:

A jar (baby food or olive jars work well)

Ceramic figurines

Small evergreen tips or flowers from craft shops

Glitter or fake snow

Distilled water

Glycerin (available in drug or health food stores)

Clear drying waterproof epoxy

Small piece of sandpaper

What to do: 1. Sand the inside of the lid until the surface is rough. 2. Adhere the figurine to the inside of the lid with epoxy and let dry. 3. Fill the jar almost to the top with distilled water. 4. Add a pinch of glitter–not too much or the glitter will stick to the bottom of the jar when it is flipped. 5. Add a dash of glycerin. 6. Screw on the lid tightly, being careful not to dislodge the figurine. 7. Shake the jar and watch it snow!

Photos: Materialicious, LA Times,  Martha Stewart