On Swearing

In certain trying circumstances, urgent circumstances, desperate circumstances, profanity furnishes a relief denied even to prayer. -Mark Twain

After musing with mum-friends over cake and lemon bars about kids and profanity, I had a thoughtful internal discussion with myself on the topic. I'm not yet a big parenting book reader, bypass trending parenting fads, and have let myself be mostly led by instinct. I don't often just sit and think about parenting theory unless we have an immediate issue to consider. My deep respect and insatiable appetite for language, though, got me seriously contemplating how I'd like to eventually talk to my kids about, well, talking.

Afternoon Hilarity, on Tape

I share about one baby video with the world every four and a half months, which makes it okay sometimes. Right? Last time, it was bubbles. This time, animal control. I caught the kid attempting to capture two of our dogs in a shopping bag while I was putting away groceries.

A Case of the Baltics, v1.3

Although it's convenient to speak of our June travels collectively as a Baltic road trip, I hesitate in doing so for two reasons. We only toured two of the three Baltic countries (Lithuania and Latvia), touching down only briefly in Estonia to change planes. It's disappointing in the same way that having Ventnor and Atlantic in your pile and never rolling the number you need for Marvin Gardens is.

Supply and Demand

Sometimes, all a girl needs is a new bike saddle and cork grips. Well, and a warm bed, several shades of lipstick, the world's darlingest baby, a kind husband, a suitable camera, a book to read, incredible friends with contagiously distinctive laughs, and a working oven. And a weekend ahead of her. If that's all, then I've got it. 

Summer, Squared: A Recipe

I really need to start expanding my baking inspirations; my obsession with Smitten Kitchen recipes is verging on stalking. I've been feeling like this for a little while. However, this gem of a recipe popped up a few weeks ago, and I needed it. Now.

More importantly, I needed to share the beauty of lemon bars with my non-American friends here; I had a feeling this was a strictly US of A thing. And damn diggity was I right.

Creature Comforts: Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread

Sometimes the body craves the food it was raised on. In the autumn and at Christmas, that meant pumpkin bread with a luscious ribbon of cream cheese running through the center. It's not autumn or Christmas yet, but I had a butternut squash sitting on the counter; all I could see when I looked at it was a loaf of that bread. 

Systematic

Yesterday, I relished in the simplicity of routine. The feel of clean laundry folding under my hands. A sunshiny cycle to the supermarket. Scratching the little dog with both hands on the scruff of the neck, watching her eyes half-close in bliss. Fresh produce adorning my kitchen. A stroll with the baby bird to the neighborhood park. Reading books together with hot skin pressed against the cool tile floor. 

The Appenzell of my Itinerary's Eye

The dramatic rise and fall of Swiss high country is breathtaking, but my happy place was cow country, in the far northeast. We stayed in Appenzell, which was a bit touristy but right in the middle of where we wanted to be.

Tavi Gevinson, Aesthetics Muse and Beehive Extraordinaire

If you follow Aesthetic Fauna on facebook, you already know that I'm a little obsessed with Tavi Gevinson, master of all things retro, classy, dreamy, and creative. Her writing and photos are incredible, in both their styling and their content, and her style is impeccably out of this era.

If I had some sort of award to give, I'd do so now. Seriously, this girl is talented. Like in an unparalleled way. And wise beyond her years.

Small Plates: Garlicky Brown Rice with Salmon + Kale

After what feels like eons of sleeping in the homes of gracious guests, hotels, and on planes when possible, we are home, with no immediate travel plans. Ready for normalcy, for home-cooked, for time with our dogs who have been snuggling up to various (and wonderful) dog sitters off and on (def more on) for the past two months.

A Great Leap in Ticino, Recovery in San Bernardino

Although I had high hopes of a little Swiss village overrun with its namesake furry gentle giant, our quick stopover for lunch in San Bernardino didn't disappoint.

A Glowing Peak and Belled Sheep

On our last morning in Zermatt, I awoke before 5AM and couldn't have gone back to sleep if you promised me a horse (to ride, not eat) and a lifetime supply of Swiss ice cream (to eat, duh). So what started as a stroll through town turned into a two-hour hike on the Matterhorn Trail. I was passed up by a few pairs with much more serious gear (and, presumably, intentions), but my rolled-out-of-bed getup gave away that I was just there for the view and lungfuls of crisp air.

Travel through Time, and Across State Lines

I got a little behind on photo organization and a little (read=LOT) excited about our current locale, but here is a peek at the final days of our travel to the states. Colorado chose these days to get moody in the sky, which made for gorgeous sunsets and a persistently sigh-able skyline.

It's the Principle of the Matter(horn)

Oh hey. From Switzerland. Even living in the Rocky Mountains' back yard for eight years didn't prepare me for this degree of majesty. It's like someone is following us and setting up the view with a ridiculous silk backdrop. And crazy cute sheep.

Pimp My Zucchini Bread

Sometimes I like monotony. Like in the consistency of milk. Or like in my schedule, after ten flights in the past two months and another departure impending. I'm craving enough meals at home and nights in my own bed to be considered routine. Mundane, even.

But when it comes to matters of the palate (other than the milk thing), I want food to surprise me.