Favorite Things: Autumn/Winter 2014

I love this time of year: after a wonderful and crazy year of being on the road, I’ve finally managed to carve out some time at home. I’m spending my days writing, catching up with my family, playing in the mountains, and reading—a lot.

My online favorites are these essays about the history of champagne and how honey is hunted and the art of tree bark. In print, I’ve loved To Timbuktu and The Geography of Bliss and this beautiful collection of photographs and information about different kinds of wood.  I just got my hands on this creative masterpiece by J.J. Abrams, and I’m dying to crack it open on a rainy night at home. Next on my reading list: this and this and this.

The holidays are right around the corner, and I’m hard at work on some fun gifts for my loved ones. As for me, I’m planning to ask Santa for a handful of my favorite fountain pens and some long, warm, joyful meals with my family and friends.  And maybe this.

I’m thinking about investing in one of these, because I’ve been told they’re amazing.

In other news, five poems written by Elaina Ellis for The Better Bombshell were featured on a cool local podcast. I’ve officially agreed to be an ambassador for Bronwen Jewelery, which has been fun and rewarding. And I’m hard at work on an exciting new project, which I can’t wait to share soon.

We’re nearing the end of the year, so I’m reflecting on my path and setting new goals. Some of my goals are fun and lighthearted, like learning how to sharpen my own knives and reading this list of the 50 Greatest Adventure Books. I’m doing more yoga and core work (and generally spending more time with my Manduka). Other resolutions are more complicated: certain climbing achievements, some very specific writing goals, and the continued pursuit of balance, accountability, presence, and honesty.

With every year that passes, I am more aware that all paths are winding—so wherever your winding path leads you this year, I wish you happy trails.