Going back to Cal-i-for-ni-a

Ohhh how excited I am. It's little a mid-winter break to enjoy the water, friends, lots of Peets, a night on the town, shopping, and good old fashion fun. Ok!

I will be staying in Walnut Creek...one of my most favorite California towns with Natalie! We have been friends since college and have about a gillion memories together (being R.A.'s together, visisting Grams, packing the mustang, jammin' to "now" mixes) HAHHAHAA.

So excited to have a break from my normalcy.

The Unkown

Have you ever ventured to a place unfamiliar, unknown, and a little scary? That is where I am right now. At a crossroads. It might be unseen by those around me but it consists of a lot of choices. Good? Bad? Frightening? Fun? All are unknown. The scariest part is just embracing it.



As Robert Frost says in his poem "The Road Not Taken,"
...And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

I want to take the road less traveled by, but how do I know?

In this cloud of questions, I am reminded of what I do know and am truly grateful for:
1. Friends are the root of life
2. Coffee makes everything better
3. Little kids with lisps make me smile
4. Good conversation can be humbling and fabulous...all enveloped in one
5. Green pretty much goes with everything (at least in my book)
6. Buffalo Exchange is where it's at
7. I have made some mistakes but am so much better for it
8. A little blonde dog has changed my life.

Photo Credit: Markz.mystarband.net

green chair

I have a green chair. I love it. I got it from goodwill. It has the perfect shape and is a great accent bedroom chair.

It was buried under some folded laundry until I forced myself to pick it up. In my room of mostly white, I love how it stands out in it's own sublte yet bright way. I was reminded of it this morning and thought, "Gee, I'm really glad to have it."


Photo Credit

Great Ideas

What Great ideas for Sprucing up your bathroom! I just love it. Hello, new use for old things. "Totally Brill," to quote a line from the movie, THE HOLIDAY. Way to go Real Simple!

Speaking of Real Simple, my subscription starts next month. Let the creative/fashion juices flow.





Photo credit: Real Simple

Misto

Let me introduce you to my dog...Misto.


He came to me from this no kill shelter in Denver. I was thinking that I wanted a "love muffin (aka my dog's nickname)" but wasn't really sure what I wanted, nor what kind of dog I would like. I knew it would have to be a smaller dog and no barking. I wasn't in hot pursuit of a furry friend but thought it could be fun.

My roommate Rachell and I were in a local strip mall and happened to see a mobile shelter. She asked if "love muffin" was in there, I freaked out for a second, and then we went to have a look. I spotted a cute little dog from afar. As I approached her living quarters, shrieking barks pierced my ears. No thank you. I'm all for cute dogs but not ones that bark. Ugh. Ms. Yappy's neighbor happened to be peacefully sitting in the sun, the barking not interrupting his peaceful nap at all. I called for the little love and he came to the door. I loved him. He was quiet, calm, and I found out soon enough that he LOVED to be held.

Fast forward to today, and I have Ms. Yappy's neighbor as my own (sans the yappy neighbor!). It was literally love at first sight. He is what I needed to help me as I sort through this thing called life.



Misto himself was hard to name. His name at Max fund was "Wojeck." Ummm, that's not really my style, but thanks for trying!

It's soo much pressure....Ah, I'm buckling! Will he have to go through counselling or will he get picked on at school for a crazy name??!?! HA-HA, not quite but that did almost cross my mind. Misto was named for my favorite drink at Starbucks. The equivalent in all other coffee shop's to a cafe au lait, the misto is a mix of steamed milk and coffee (and I always get hazelnut and vanilla flavoring as well). My dog looks like the color of coffee and milk and he's my favorite. But it's more than just my favorite drink. That drink is like home base for me. Always good and always right and always warm. That's what this little guy has been to me. He's not always good or right(we're working on that) and he's not always warm (hence he was given a jacket for Christmas) but he's always ready to love.

The photo on the right is Misto's first hiking excursion. He is donning the jacket that my sister, Karley got him for Christmas. He is very metro and PROUD OF IT! Work those polka dots Misto, OWN IT!

On this Wednesday Wahoo, he's what I'm thankful for. Misto is curled up next to me on the couch and I am thankful to have such a true love muffin.

Editor's note: We're still working on the whole training thing. He can sit but that's just about it. He likes to follow me everywhere I go but sometimes he needs to stay. Anyone have ideas?

Editor's note #2: He even has a burnt orange name tag with accompanying sage green collar. Great color combo if you ask me!

Plum/green

What a great color combo. I recently really got into this color combination. I don't know WHY I haven't worn these two together more often. I love, love,love green but I somehow missed the "plum" train. Ohhhhh I just love it!






p.s. my sister karin makes silk purse scarves. They are hand dyed. She's all around brilliant.


Photo Credit: Anthropologie

Arms of a woman

These lyrics by Amos Lee are beautiful...

I am at ease in the arms of a woman.
Although now,
most of my days i spend alone.
A thousand miles,
from the place i was born.
But when she wakes me,
she takes me back home.

Now, most days,
i spend like a child.
Who's afraid of ghosts in my mind.
I know, there aint nothing out there.
I'm still afraid to turn on the lights.

I am at ease in the arms of a woman.
Although now,
most of my days a i spend alone.
A thousand miles,
the place i was born.
When she wakes me,
she takes me back home.

A thousand miles,
the place i was born.
When she wakes me,
she takes me back home.

I am at ease in the arms of a woman.
Although now,
most of my days i spend alone.
A thousand miles,
from the place i was born.
When she wakes me,
she takes me..
Ya, when she wakes me,
she takes me back home.
When she wakes me,
she takes me back home.

New Computer/Day off

Oh how lovely a new computer is! I have been unable to "blog on the go" so to speak for quite a while. I also haven't been able to upload any photos, which is quite sad. I remedied that on Friday so I can blog/photo/music away.

Today, I am sitting in my local Starbucks...enjoying the cloudy/sunny/dog walking kind of day. As our country celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. I celebrate with the day off. Yay! I got to spend some good times with my cousin Pete this weekend...it is really a treasure to reconnect with family. I truly love it.

On the list of agenda items?
-clean my room
-do some laundry
-get some Thai food
-take Misto for a walk

It's really nice to have a three day weekend.

Photo Credit: Stephen, Pete and I in Minnesota

Rachmaninov

Oh the joys of listening to good music.

Favorite piano concerto: Rachmaninov Concerto No.2. I was lucky enough to play in an orchestra where we performed this piece. Breathtaking.

Listen/watch here

Simply fabulous.

Photo credit: pianosociety.com

Reading the Written Word

I was just following up on some morning blogs..haha and Celia wrote about reading the written word. I love it!

Celia said she has gotten rid of her cell phone. I'm not sure I can do that, yet. But, I don't have cable or TV anymore. Don't get me wrong, I have movies that I watch but am not sucked into time waster on a day to day basis. It is quite refreshing. I used to be a reality star junkie, in tune with the latest and greatest TV families. Wait, I'm living someone else's realty. I knew about their lives but couldn't fit two pieces of my life's puzzle together. No thanks. I need to present in my life.

Books are a great way to learn. I'm embarrassed to admit my current reading material, but here it goes. It has something to do with a certain vampire and girl named Bella. I appreciate getting lost in the pages of a story. Not all my reading is so elementary in nature but it's FUN! I've got my coffee, Misto curled up at my side, and candles lit. It's a great way to spend a couple of hours.

So cheers to a good book!

Cardigans

Oh how I love them.

I just picked one up at the boutique called Target. Off White, simple, fabulous.

You just can't go wrong. Here why I love cardigans:
-A belt can be worn with it
-Looks great with a dress
-Can be a pop of color, or an added accessory
-Pins look great against it
-Can be worn buttoned for a most "classic" look
-Also goes well with jeans/heels
-Simple
-Come in all different colors/patterns styles

All in all, its just great.

Photo credit: Anthropologie

From Dove

From the inside of my Dark Chocolate nugget of goodness:

"Chocolate Therapy is, OH, so good."

Thanks Dove, I agree!

Photo credit: babble.com

Whole Foods

I love Whole Foods.

I wasn't ever that keen on it until this year, until moving to Lakewood, until having a room mate who loves Whole Foods salads, and until realizing one was so close!

I'm not necessarily a fan of their high priced food (i.e. I can't buy all my food from there), I'm more inclined to the atmosphere that's created. Great lights, natural smells, people carrying their reusable bags. It's fabulous.

Specifically, there is a section of the store with tables and chairs and many recycling bins. I love it there. Well, I guess I mostly love the conversation that is had whilst sitting at those chairs, drinking coffee that's placed on the tables, and staring at the recycling bins. They even serve ALLEGRO coffee. OMG, it's fate!

**Insert tangent** My first job in high school was for the Eye Opener Coffee Shop in Niwot, CO. We served ALLEGRO coffee. It is highly delicious and addicting. Locally roasted, the espresso is especially choice. I've not seen too many places in the Denver area with this coffee available so it was so exciting to find!

Oh, and by the way, I named a cat I had ALLEGRO for two reasons.

1: He's lively, as is the meaning of Allegro
2: It's the coffee we served at The Eye Opener. Isn't that cheesy? I loved it!

Who knew a grocery store could be a go to place for such bliss?

Gold Necklaces

Love.

I am generally not a gold person, but for some reason, I have come to love a particular gold locket. My life long friend and soul sister, Lynn, got it for me for Christmas. I just love it. It goes with everything. I like having a piece of jewelry to cherish. I have three pieces of jewelry that speak the most to me. Either because of the significant or meaning...I wear them all the time to remind of things. This necklace is cherished most because of who gave it to me.


I also think gold necklaces go well with friends (do you like how I came full circle with this?)

My gold necklace is something I love to wear, it has lots of meaning,and I would be sad without it. Same would be for these lovely ladies that are in my life and pictured in this photo. I love to have them near (I would wear them but that just sounds awkward! Yikes!) and would be sad without them. They are special gifts!

Photo Credit: Angela Jackson

Adventuring

Definition of Adventuring (freedictionary.com):
ad·ven·ture (d-vnchr)
n.
1. a. An undertaking or enterprise of a hazardous nature.
b. An undertaking of a questionable nature, especially one involving intervention in another state's affairs.
2. An unusual or exciting experience: an adventure in dining.
3. Participation in hazardous or exciting experiences: the love of adventure.
4. A financial speculation or business venture.
v. ad·ven·tured, ad·ven·tur·ing, ad·ven·tures
v.tr.
1. To venture upon; undertake or try.
2. To expose to danger or risk; hazard.
v.intr.
1. To take a risk; dare.
2. To proceed despite risks.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Isn't that a grand definition? The "participation of HAZARDOUS..." just jumps off the page. I wouldn't necessarily say that I participated in something hazardous this weekend but it was pretty close (insert sarcasm).

ICE S K A T I N G

Saturday was the first lovely day that Colorado has had in quite a while. Colorado has been hit with subzero temperatures for the past week. It was also a day that I was free to enjoy the sunshine and not watch it's slow progression across the sky whilst sitting at a desk. Evergreen, CO was a great place to jaunt for a half day. A couple darling friends (my sister included) went to whole foods for a latte (very green don't you think?) and then drove the 40 minute drive to the mountains. The sun was warm, no wind cut across the lake, and a sweater was all that was needed. It was a great combination.

Let's circle back to Hazardous. My falls. I used to be a "pro" skater in my mind. Mimicking the likes of Michelle Kwan, Oksana Baiul, and Kristy Yamaguchi. In my head, I was a so graceful and talented that Brian Boitano and I could do an improv Olympic ice skate and come away with all 10's AND a gold medal. Not so much now.

I have a large bruise on my hips thanks to my imagination being a little too over zealous. My once flexible body has been replaced with more stubborn muscles. What made it better was having good friends to get car sick with and have a lovely time.


Oh well, sometimes its good to be a little hazardous.
Photo credit: meaus.com/about.com

Simple Pleasures: Down Comforter

I have one more.

My down comforter.

This, is true love. I think it's a little bit of heaven that I get to feel every single night (or day if I'm so lucky). I actually have two down comforters that I sewed together to put inside the douvet for an extra special, fluffy delight.

Nothing beats a hard days work, or a chilly evening like a down comforter.

Yes please.

(photo credit:www.mycozysheets.com)

Simple Pleasures

I feel like Fridays are a good day to reflect. Fridays are a one of my favorite days (Thursday's top the charts). In an effort to regain priorities in my account and to appreciate the small things, I will have a new simple pleasure every Friday.

Today's?

XCEL ENERGY

Talk about a basic necessity. Yikes! This morning our house had no heat. The temperature was at or below freezing. The cause? A box that sits outside the house that allows the gas to come into our house (and enable the furnace to work) was frozen!

Thankfully the Xcel man was quick and responded and changed the box. The box was changed quickly and gas/heat has entered out house again. Hooray!

Thank you Xcel for your service. Simple Pleasures: heat. It is so nice.

(photo credit: thecolor.com

Peppar Kakor

The Swedes have some fabulous delicatessens traditions...one of them being cookies!

It is tradition that over Christmas, these yummy morsals be made. They are called Peppar Kakor and are similar to a ginger/spice cookie. Although S O M U C H better. They go great with coffee and are fun to decorate. I could go for some right now, seeing as it's -1 degrees outside in Denver and all I want to is go home and read. Well that and eat cookies.

Ugh, oh well. Here's to next Christmas. Wait a second, maybe I will go home and make a batch. I mean, I don't want to be descrimatory to any other months of the year!

Skol!

An Explanation for Amna

Amna...that's a weird name for a blog title. Right?

Yes, maybe. There is a long story behind it. I was born in the late summer of '84. It was a hot day, a very hot day. My mom would have died had it not been for A/C. Ok, maybe that's a bit of an overstatement but you get my point. Maybe the nurse or hospital register person was just aching for a diet coke and couldn't concentrate on the task at hand (ahem...properly editing my birth certificate). Or maybe my parent's were sooo excited at my arrival (I am one of four favorites-buahhaha) that they forgot to check. Needless to say, I found out about a spelling error some 16 years later.

There is one thing that should be made known before I go on. My whole family is Swedish. 100%.

We are all very proud of our strong Scandinavian roots...thus my sister's all have Swedish names. My middle name, Anna (pronounced Awe-na NOT Anne-na) is a family name. My great aunt in Stockholm was named Anna-Greta, etc...


Flash forward 16 years when I am standing in line at the DMV with my mom. I was shaking nervously, waiting to get my driver's permit. I was extremely nervous to be at the DMV because I was terrified of driving (serious car accident a few years prior). The nervousness continued as my turn finally came up. The DMV associate was a whole new kind of scary. He was 7 feet tall, had pasty white skin, long black stringy hair, long nails, and sported a fanny pack.

YIKES!

Now, flash to the point where my birth certificate is verified and I sign to acknowledge that I am the person I claim to be. Scary DMV guy leans over the counter and says, "Did you change your middle name?"

Ummmm no, hello...why would I do that? (insert face turning red and heart rate jumping through the roof).

He flipped my birth certificate over to me and said, "Look." I looked and upon closer inspection found my name was truly spelled AMNA, not ANNA. Not noticable on a fly-by glance, but very evident upon a second look.

My mom and I were stunned. How could this be?

Going forward, the only way to obtain my permit/licence was to go with the documentation on my birth certificate. My legal name. My middle name of AMNA.

To this day, until I go to my place of birth (San Luis Obispo, CA) to have it changed, my legal middle name is: AMNA.

My dad wasn't too happy, seeing as it's a family name and all. I think it's hilarious. Very unique and something that would happen to me.

HI LAR I OUS

Hope you enjoyed the reason I named my blog "Amna." It's a little funny, kind of unique, and makes me laugh.

Tootles,
Kimberly Amna Söderholm

(photo credit: countryliving)

Embellished Keys

...Are so F A B U L O U S!

Just think, you're walking to your front door after a hard days work. The wind is blowing, snow is even sticking to your eyelashes. You have are fumbling at the door trying to find which cloned key is the correct one for your door...before you die?!?! Just kiddding, but it can be kind of R O U G H!

How about embellished keys? Not only do to they look cute/charming/vintage/PRACTICAL but they are essential because you can feel which key you need. No more waiting out in the bitter cold with face and hands freezing. Isn't that brilliant?



I have one for my house key and just love it. It's a little more sparkle and less vintage than the photo above, but my local key-fixer-up shop didn't have any thing quite so delicious. Could these be easily made?

(photo credit:imagesbykim)

My familia

I would like to thank my family for being, well my family. They are great, you should meet them.

Here they are...the Söderholm Gang

Left to right: Karin, Me!, Lars, Pauline, Karley, and George

Love you so much!

(photo credit: Karin)

Coffee Machine

One Word...alright, two.

C O F F E E M A C H I N E

I have recently become in love with my local Savers. I have found wonderful things for the kitchen and it was proven yet again on my last adventure. I call it an adventure because I never know what I may find.

I was first introduced to Savers when my life long, co-hort in crime, lawn mowing, ice cream eating, cello playing, friend...Stephanee told me about it. We had always gone to different thrift stores growing up, but this one was close to Biola (our university) and thus easy to get to!

When I moved to Lakewood, I was pleasantly surprised to find a SAVERS practically around the corner. Ummm, ok! My first adventure consisted of finding 3 matching jars. I was looking for something to put flour, sugar, and coffee in and Voi-la! Super cute!

Ok, now to the second excursion. Our house had a small, four cup coffee maker. There is nothing wrong with it, but it would be nice to have something that could brew more in one sitting should we have guests over. To my wonderful and fabulous surprise, I found one! A stainless steal and black machine of G O O D N E S S! $5.50. Can you believe it?

It makes a sweet little beep when the coffee is done brewin' and it looks cute.

So, moral of the story? Savers...

It (Savers, I mean) can smell weird but if you "push through" there are some gems to be had.

I can now enjoy 12 cups of coffee...should I ever choose too.

Photo credit:briancromer

2009-reflections

Crazy how 2009 has already passed? I remember thinking that 2000 would never come and here we are...10 years PAST it. Yikes. Do I sound old for saying that? Well, yes seeing as I am no longer in my early 20's but right in the smack-dab middle of it. As my sisters and I say, I'm "squished kitty" in my 20's. (long story, probably doesn't make sense, but is still hilarious to even write). WTF?

2009 was not the prime for m-ua. I think of it as a cest pool of a year. Not much movement around my soul and I felt wayyyy more slumm-ish than fun-ish. I don't want to dwell on that for long, though, as I am an optimist at heart. I was told that life ebbs and flows..with my life feeling like a never flowing, always ebbing existence, I have learned a thing or two. I was (maybe still a little) LOST. Lost in the hustle and bustle or everyone else's existence that I forgot about my own. No creativity, no laughter, no joy, not much authenticity. Not Good. So, with 2009 behind me, I say "Cheers" to the new year. Cheers to being:

-creative again,
-reading blogs (so fun!)
-taking my dog on a walk with his cute polka dot vest
-drinking coffee...A LOT
-meaningful conversations,
-reconnecting with myself
-board games
-card games
-changing my oil on a regular basis
-taking my vacation days
-dancing more
-starting a business?

I'll keep you posted. Tootles!