Winter seems to be the season of the new...
Perhaps it is because of the cold. Or maybe the worn down, trodded upon, and torn up pieces of attire to go with said cold are simply more apparent.

I have made few exceptions in my challenge to buy nothing new. When my hairdryer died, I simply used the curling iron I had borrowed from a friend for a wedding. Until she wanted it back. Then, after a few weeks of throwing my messy, curly-kinky-not-quite-wavy locks up into a bun for convenience, I bought a hair dryer at Goodwill for $8.

It screamed. Screeched. Then, only halfway through the hair-drying process, it would stop cold.
After listening to me huff and puff about this, my dear husband simply bought me a new one.

I traded in an old coat that had gone from waterproof to water-absorbent at REI for a new coat. This one really is waterproof, this time. The same day, I walked past a rack of woven skirts. For the most part, that impulse of "I have to have this RIGHT NOW!" has gone away, but I had to have that skirt. I knew I wouldn't find anything like it at Goodwill, so I made an exception.

And the boots. One of my gifts for Christmas was a gift card. I haven't had winter boots since I moved to Australia over 10 years ago. I'd been eying this style of boots for months, hoping I would see some at a second hand place. Now, with gift card in hand, I knew what it would be going to--a pair of red Sorels for myself, and some winter boots for the hubby. After all, we had big plans for hiking in the snow during the winter break, and these would make it possible.

Plus, they're cute. 'nough said.

After I purchased my boots, I wandered around the store, waiting for something to jump out at me. Waiting for that impulse again. Since may, that impulse to grab things and purchase them right away has died away almost completely (well, with the exception of that knitted skirt). Over the summer, I distinctly remember accompanying one of my girlfriends to the mall, and feeling positively distressed that I couldn't just buy what I wanted when I wanted. Now, I feel as if I have everything I need.

It's a really good feeling.
I am content.
I have all I need and want.

I've learned that the impulse is simply lack of patience. And realistically, sometimes we don't have the time to wait and scout around every second hand store. Sometimes we do need a headlamp for hiking those caves tomorrow. But for the most part, I find that if I wait, the right thing comes along when it's supposed to.

5 months to go.

Nothing New is a challenge I set for myself to buy nothing new (with some exceptions) between May 19, 2012 and May 19, 2013

One thing I love about hiking the Gorge in the winter is the quietude. It's cold, and snowy, and you are generally the only person around. Or at least, fellow hikers tend to be spread out.
The air is crisp and smells like snow.
It is electric, alive, and you can feel it in your bones.

This year, for a New Year's Day hike, we took a group of friends to Catherine Creek in Washington. It's a nice short hike, but has plenty of beauty along the way. As we crunched our way up dirt trails that had been swollen by ice crystals, we passed a beautiful arch that is said to be a sacred site for the local Native Americans. We crossed a creek--my canine companion happily dragging me across the bridge--and came up onto the top of a ridge, which overlooks the Columbia River Gorge.

This is home to me.
This will always be home.
It captures my heart and holds my soul like no other place ever could.
In all the years I lived here, I never once took that beauty for granted.
My breath would catch on a daily basis--coming around the curve of a bend and seeing an incredible sunset, or at the appearance of a rainbow. Even when driving in the pitch black that made me wonder if my headlights were working.


It was incredible to spend this day with our friends (and look at Dave's amazing red beard! Swoon..). There was so much laughter and happiness--a perfect way to start a New Year.