Lessons on Living (Pt. 2)

So, I've noticed a few things since moving here to Sacramento...here's another one.

Fog and Rain and Moss.

I've only lived in Southern California and in during the Winter months, Southern California doesn't have a lot of weather change. It remains mostly the same.

But...

since moving to Sacramento I've experience my first Northern California winter. It's nothing like Colorado, but I have noticed a few things. Like IT'S COLD! It's rainy! It's foggy!

When I mean cold, I mean it's really cold. I got rid of a lot of jackets and coats because I didn't think I needed them. But I was way wrong. It's wet and always damp. The sidewalks are even turning green from the moss and moisture.

Word to the wise. If you come visit me in the near future, make sure to bring a rain coat, umbrella, and scarf and you'll be glad you did!

{Photo Credit}

Lessons on Living

Since moving here I have learned a few things. I decided to devote some of my next blogging posts to these new lessons. I hope you enjoy.


Yesterday marks my 5 month anniversary to moving to California. Thus the idea. Dang, time has flown by. Speaking of flown, I have flown more on an airplane since moving to Sacramento than in my total years living in Denver. That either shows I have no friends or am becoming more adventurous.

You can take your pick.

Anyhoo.

Lesson 1. CRV tax.

Wtf? Why do I have to pay $1-$1.20 extra for a case of D.C. D.C.=Diet Coke. Here I think I'm getting a good deal at Safeway for the "buy 2 get 1 free" deal. It's NOT a deal when I have to pay this tax...per case. Grrrr. Maybe it's a subtle way of hinting that I shouldn't be drinking D.C. But sometimes a girl just needs one, you know?

{Photo is the Soderholm clan, minus Karin, on Christmas Eve 2010}

Christmas is upon us!

It's here...Christmas!
And Christmas is my favorite time of year. It's a little bit different this Christmas as I'm living by myself in a new city, but all in all I'm having a great time. As I'm typing this, I have a peppermint mocha in a red cup. Fab!My theme this year was metallic. Mostly I chose that theme because I got 100 ornaments at SAMS and could fully decorate with the vast array of bulbs and designs they gave me.
I also threw in a little sample of what my Christmas wrapping theme is for this year. I love how it matches my tree and has a twinge of metallic on the paper too!

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

There are so many things to love about this photo:

1.Arugula (my mom calls is "arue-goo-la"): A new addiction from Trader Joes. It's good on/with everything.

2.Cheese: Specifically this is an English Cheddar with caramelized onions. Oh My. Also from TJ's, this cheese is soo good!

3.Wintry Blend Coffee: It's surprisingly cold here in Sac Town, and what's better than a spicy blend coffee??!?

4.Cutting Board: My dad made me this cutting board for my birthday. I use it once a day, if not more.

5.Spatula: This spatula is a cake decorating spatula that my Farfar gave me. It's supposed to be used to frost cakes, but I've found so many other good uses for it! It also reminds me of him every time I use it.

6.Bread: Ummm, hello...it's just good.

So sometimes a picture isn't worth a thousand words, but maybe this is close?

XOXO,

Kim

Gleeful

I totally have gotten into Glee...yay for free internet!! Enjoy.

Adventuring Out There

I have now been living in Sacramento for three months. Wow.

I can't believe. how. much. time. flies.

I think this may be the 3rd weekend that I've fully been "home" since moving. Since I am now feeling more confident in my job and getting my apartment organized, I had a little chance to explore. I was looking for a fabric store to work on a project. As I drove on highway 50 towards Lake Tahoe, I took an exit and headed west.

Tah-da, I found Fair Oaks. It's just about in the foothills of Northern CA. Talk about cute! They are known for having chickens and roosters roam around town. Watch out if you ever drive there to look out for them!

I was pleasantly surprised at the cute little shops and antique boutiques that I visited. I wish I would have brought my camera to capture the fun-ness that I had. It was such a cute, quaint one street downtown. It even had an Italian eatery and French bakery. YUM! Too bad I already had Peets in hand. Bummer.

Oh well.

I figure this little adventure was so fun and about 20 miles away from where I live. Not. that. bad.

I enjoyed it mostly because it reminded me of Niwot...where everyone has a slightly slower pace and there are older women who just stand/sit around and chit chat. So awesome!

Currently Listening To: Lyle Lovett "If I had a Boat"

{Photo Credit}

09.09.10 Heaven Bound

Today marks a sad day. One that I'm not sure how to handle. A piece of my known existence has left. Almost all of my childhood memories involve him in some way.

My dear, sweet Farfar went to be with the Lord this morning; he was 98 years old. I'm not sad for him, because I know he was ready to go..but I'm sad to loose his physical presence.

One of his paintings hangs prominently in my bathroom. It is a painting of a small portion of the central coastline where he and my Grandma lived. He had wanted to toss it, but I have loved it ever since I set eyes on it so he gave it to me:)

I love,love,love this painting.

There are many plants in the foreground but the ominous oceans lies in the background. Three seagulls seem to be in a quandary about staying on land or venturing out to sea.

Farfar planted a lot of seeds here for our family. Seeds that helped us each grow individually and collectively. He planted seeds of wisdom, loved his family, and sought to be a student of life until the very end. He brought his family over to America and blazed a new trail in a foreign country. He explored all things art and ventured in new businesses as well.

My sister Karley said it best...His passing is just another new adventure that he's paving the trail for the rest of us to follow.

He is like the seagulls in his painting with a slight twist. He's not lingering over land and sea anymore but it flying onwards and upwards towards Heaven.