2011 Through Music, Videos, and Other Random Forms of Entertainment

These are the songs, videos, trips, and friends that fueled me through a rough winter, inspired me to see the beauty around me, and comforted me when I just needed a damn good song to sing to or some good ol' fashioned perspective.

Musical Memories
Gorgeous Montana days when you are literally moved out of your seat by the beauty.
Fleet Foxes Grown Ocean


WINTER and my Montana/Texas/Tennessee singer-songwriter friend
Jose Gonzalez Heartbeats


This one reminds me so much of the wintery drives up to the Retreat, anxious to hang out with my new friends, excited for some social stimulation and Mr. Ray to sing me up the mountain!
Ray Lamontagne Jolene


For the days when the weather met my sadness.
Sharon van Etten Much More than That

The Mother/Daughter Retreat and my first ever weekend-long intensive. I led a couple of yoga sessions for the moms and daughters to stretch and grow together, ending with this powerfully beautiful song
Sigur Ros Festival

Driving from Whitefish to Eureka and introducing a new friend to my favorite Avett Brothers song.
Avett Brothers Laundry Room (but you should watch the whole tiny desk concert! I'm pretty sure I've watched it 7 times or more this year!)

So this one is technically associated with Christmas 2010 when my brother-in-law's sister played it for me... and thus my unhealthy love with this handsome set of brothers began (be ready to fall in love if you haven't already... it's never too late).
Avett Brothers St. Joseph's


The gorgeous Lussier Hot Springs or maybe it was the trip to Fernie to snowshoe when my friend, re-introduced me to the amazing Andrew Bird.
Andrew Bird Scythian Empires

One of many songs that remind me of the journey to Spokane to grab my sister, run my first race, rush across the state and into Portland to see the Fleet Foxes with my dear friends from Seattle,
and then back to Montana, sister in tow
The sheer anticipation of seeing my sister's face had me singing this song at the top of my lungs.
The Head and the Heart Sounds Like Hallelujah
(ps this version is from Doe Bay Fest - my favorite music festival of all time and one I will absolutely go back to before I die!)


The following is my summer series... likely played on the short drive from Eureka to Dickey Lake on painfully stunning days - the place I'd default to when I was too scared to hike alone but really wanted to get out in the sunshine and hula hoop my heart out... it was my safe haven, my Barton Springs (for you Austin readers) ... my summer heaven.

TuneYards Bizness


Temper Trap Sweet Disposition


Beach House 10 Mile Stereo


Alexander A Million Years

This one is a classic drive-to-work tune. One of my co-workers re-introduced me to this band, and this song brightened my already gorgeous commute.
Sun Kil Moon Si Paloma

And for my growing love of the Ukulele and my constant attempt to pretend I'm musical.
Basia Bulat Before I Knew

And this one... oh this one. So many amazing memories of it.... like the other H&H it reminds me of furiously driving to Spokane to meet my sister for our epic journey... but this one... this version.. it broke my heart. My friend who had just packed her bags and left Seattle - the same friend who was a train ride away and who I visited 2 times in my < year in Montana - alerted me to watch this show live from Austin City Limits. BIG MISTAKE. My heart ached. It was at a particularly difficult time in my experience in Montana, when I was questioning everything: my job, my profession, my ability to live alone, and much more that I won't share here. The instant I saw the familiar field, the skyline of my home, I melted... and not in the loving kinda way, in a way that yearns for what you know and depend on to hold you up. A festival I had gone to numerous times and a skyline I was so familiar with I almost didn't notice it while I was living there. It's a song that lyrically could make me feel either close are far from those I was missing. The Head and the Heart Rivers and Roads Live at ACL

And as I came out of my funk and remembered to have a bit of fun this French-Canadian band was there to pick me up (thanks, dear cousin for posting a video of this woman on your facebook! It has brought me much joy!)
Coeur de Pirate Comme des Enfantes

And finally, in my last week of 2011, I was house-sitting for two of my dearest friends in Montana and one of the gems of my life from Austin came to visit. I was introduced to this poppy yet painful song which she played acoustically on her guitar
Foster the People Pumped Up Kicks



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Inspiring Memories:
One of my favorite things about my life in Montana is waking up on Saturday mornings, making french press coffee from Montana Coffee Traders or Indian Creek Coffee, mixing some pancakes with berries I'd picked myself either from the wilds of the mountains or my friends' ridiculous raspberry patch,
and watching TED Talks. I felt inspired and empowered. These are the ones that impacted me the most:


















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Written Memories:
And here are a few of the books I read or focused on in an effort to help my girls or deepen broaden my understanding as a therapist.
The Way of the Peaceful Warrior
Primal Wound
I Heard God Laughing poems of Hafiz
Please Stop Laughing at Me
Perks of Being a Wallflower
Wisdom of Yoga

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Photographic Memories:
And finally, a random sampling of photographic evidence of a year I'll never forget! They're in no particular order, and I had to stop myself from adding more... too many incredible memories!

Lussier Hot Springs in BC con l'amiche!
Ice fishing!

Boo Boo Snickens on my trip to Texas in October Music camp with my Texas friends

Cross country skiing with the Animals!

Snowshoeing Glacier with two dear friends!
Fly fishing lessons!
Tall tall trees
Ice skating on Sophie Lake.
Gathering wood with friends on Thanksgiving morning.
CANNING!
Bluebird Lake, aka my back yard! I forgot the chacos and thought I'd pose in my super stylish gear.
After a long and muddy drive, we arrived at the banks of the Missouri River for an epic float with fathers and daughters... and some incredible co-workers/friends too.
Bowman Lake in Glacier National Park, where our school camped for a week and did trail work for the park.
Jessica on one of the smaller islands in the San Juans

And Miss Eva in the San JuansNot sure, but a typical Montana sunset

My friend, local farmer, and when I need it most, my rational mind!

Summertime on Lake Koocanusa
One of the views on my run route
Kit Kat looking at the frozen Koocanusa ReservoirMe and Daddy'o on the banks of Avalanche Creek in Glacier National Park
Me and Mom at Black Butte
Lake Chelan, WA with one of my seestas!

Hiking to Bluebird Lake with friends.
The Highline Trail at Glacier National Park and yogis.

Upper Two Medicine Lake in East Glacier.

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When I reflect in this way, I realize what an incredible year it was indeed. I don't think I'll know just how much I grew as a person and as a therapist in these 365 days until many years have past. And, just in reflecting through music and inspiration, I realize the flood of emotion and experience I participated in this year. One cannot have such a full life without growth of great measure.

Gratitude!