adjö för nu...

what happened here?
life happened.
remembrance of times past
carries with it a heavy heart.
excitement for the future
moves us forward.
thank you.
adjö för nu.

living with a conscience...

My dream

since I switched careers has been to work for a more responsible business someday.  

My struggle

with my career change from day one has been that I help people make products that will end up in the landfill.  

My desire

has been to take what I have learned with this career change and use it for the better good.  

I am not one to advocate for change by shouting loudly and carrying a sign, 

I speak quietly and make purposeful decisions with how I live my life and spend my money.  

I want to take what I do for a living and help people make things with a moral, environmental, and human conscience that is well designed, purposeful, and thoughtful.  And yes, I still want to make money doing it.

6 years...whoa...like me...

by the way...

yesterday was

my hyggelig's

6th Birthday!

whoa...

and just a reminder, 
I am also over in fbland.
come like me...

feb. 1, 2013...

peace out...

It's that time of year again...

hyggelig hiatus

I do not know what the new year will bring,

but perhaps I will see you back here.

Take life slow

Soak it in

It's all you've got

Enjoy it.

Peace out...

happy wintering...

winter
has set in here in the North.
the arrival of over a foot of snow in 24 hours
tends to have the feel of instant tundra
and as a Minnesotan 
one fears 
this is it.
no breaks from winter for a very long time.
luckily, we had another phenomenal Autumn
and no early winter,
so at worst we are only looking at less than 3 months
of deep, dark, winter.
After 6 years 
it has become easier for me 
to wrap my head around 
winter
and try to maintain a positive air.

Happy Hyggelig Thanksgiving!...

It was an OUTSTANDING Day for a ride.
I'm always Thankful for Thanksgiving Day rides,
today was no exception.
60 degrees
Sunny
Calm.
Ahhhh...sigh...
Perfection!

and,
true to Minnesota form,
6 hours later it began snowing.
so it begins...

being part of life...

When the medicine finally kicked in,
I suddenly felt restless
and wanted to get out of the Hotel.
I wanted to see Shanghai!
For once during the trip, 
I wanted to be able to be a tourist!
I wanted to be
part of life.
This walk
was the highlight
of
my
trip.

about being sick in China...

my home base in Shanghai - and the view during my recuperation

Before I left for China
I was just getting over a cold that had never really turned into much,
UNTIL
I got on the plane to Shanghai.
Midway through the 15 hour flight my throat was so sore I could hardly swallow
and
by the time I landed in Shanghai
what I thought was the return of my cold 
was on full force.

My Hyggelig's China Travel Tips...

While I was in China,
I kept having moments when I thought to myself,
someone else might want to know this.
So here we go...

transported a world away...

I have just returned from China
where I let my eyes and ears
take in as much as possible
between meetings
and dashing to planes, trains, taxis, and cars.

In a rare opportunity to explore alone,
I went for a walk down the street from my hotel
and was transported a world away...

This is a short video I took that sums up
Shanghai mobility.
A confusing
and fascinating
mix 
of cars, scooters, bicycles, and pedestrians.

It should be noted, 
this was the only rainy day
during my week in China.
I even saw blue sky and SUN every day during my Shanghai stay!

we are addicted...

Today's plans include our new hangout.
We are addicted,
and H has NEVER EVER liked coffee.
It's that good.

Hooray for Saturday!

Minne Miss...

My Tuesday Commute - the Mighty Minne
My Saturday Ride - the Mighty Miss

Deep down I am terrified of what happens when all these leaves fall
and when my Sun leaves me.
BUT
on the surface I am maintaining a happy face
and riding my bicycle as much as time allows.

Happy Autumn from Minneapolis!
Please stay awhile...

daily life...

If you live in Minneapolis there are two things

that enhance daily life.

Adam Turman's art and

The Current.

This year the two have combined,

check it out here.

I bought Bridges Blue/Red for H as a gift a few years ago.

Having this print in our house

is a daily reminder of what 

enhances 

life

in

Minneapolis.

Even when/Especially when,

my most dreaded season is upon us.

bicycle filters...

Cabs in San Francisco have always made me nervous.
The drivers go too fast and are impatient.
But I was so happy to see this sticker on the window
as soon as I was whisked away from the airport.
Right on.

I have mentioned before that when I travel
I tend to see the world through bicycle colored eyes.
Remember NY?

schmooches...

really really nice...

It was
really nice
having this view
for a few days.
Really 
REALLY 
nice.

Positive
life
changes
always come
from this.

Summer's last hoorah,
now gives way
to
Autumn's whisper.

Focus
begins...

my new theme song...

If you knew me,
you would know that
I like
my salty snacks.

And I am not alone...

These kids didn't know they were doing it,
but they made my theme song!

the perfect everything (in the bag)...

part two...

So it was on the quest for The Perfect

that I found myself
in a quiet neighborhood
on a PERFECT

San Francisco day.
I already had a big smile on my face 
after a great breakfast with my girlfriends,
and meeting a new friend who was 2 weeks old,
plus I was walking the streets of San Francisco
and the NorCal Sun was shining down on me~
I wasn't sure my day could get any better,
it was already pretty darn great.

the Perfect Everything...

part one...

I have this thing I do.

It's called

looking for the PERFECT Everything.

I also have this thing I do.

It's called

multitasking to the highest level of efficiency.

That can lead to a tall order

when a gal
who bicycles
who travels
who goes to business meetings
who knows a thing or two about textiles and manufacturing
and who likes unique style,
is looking for the perfect bag.

how AWESOME was this?!...

(Stefano Rellandini / AFP / Getty Images)

"The Best Day of My Life..."

Lizzie

really Levi's?...

I initially thought to myself...
really Levi's?
I love you and all,
but really?
Is Levi's Commuter bicycle specific clothing
what the world really needs?
I see you rock it plenty
on the men of Minneapolis 
on their bicycles.
Then I watched this and I thought to myself -
ok, I get it, you are still cool,
I think I still like you.
But really Levi's?
Only men's Commuter?
Really?

wwjd?...

Two days ago 
I became a Jens convert.
I am sorry it took me so long.

Summer Lovin'...

Summer is my favorite time of year.

I have not been here much,

and I am glad for it.

Because 

I have been soaking in

every

single

moment

of

Sun

and

warmth.

I plan to continue my

Summer Life,

and as time allows may stop in here

for a visit.

A few weeks ago

I planned a night

of enjoying

Summer,

our bicycles,

good food,

and new-to-us entertainment.

you go girls...

more here and here


did you know?

yes...

Happy Midsommar!!!..

Today I will...

bask in the sunshine

ride my bicycle

stay up late in the twilight.

Midsommar...

my absolute 

favorite 

time of the year.

Wish that it could

last

forever.

je ne sais quoi...

Untitled, 2005  fabric

The Art of Louise Bourgeois
moves me.
I have been enthralled 
since the first time I saw her works.
Really, really, really good art
is 
about being moved,
about a feeling,
about a certain 
je ne sais quoi.

well done nature!...

I am catching my breath a bit right now
and stopping to smell the flowers.


I am just loving my
Zinnia's
Cleome
Alternanthera
and of course,
Lavender,
this year.


Well done nature!

bicycleness...

There is so much bicycleness going on in this town right now,

I can barely catch my breath,

but it makes me smile...

Open Streets Minneapolis is today.

See you there!