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Oh hey.
This is the part of Bear Lake Local where we write things down. Could be nature. Could be nostalgia. Could be nonsense. Depends on the weather and what we’re overthinking that day.
All the Things


It's Been a Quiet Week
This week at Bear Lake has been quiet—coughs, canceled plans, missed parties, and a Christmas that feels a little unfinished. Some weeks are just like that.

Kristen
6 days ago2 min read


Still Figuring This Out
We took a short detour into AI and now we’re back—still figuring things out. A few things we know for sure, a few things worth noticing, and a reminder that small moments matter.

Kristen
Dec 141 min read


Creative Calm: Using AI to Spark Ideas Without Losing Your Soul
Creativity can get messy — not in a bad way, just in a “too many ideas, not enough clarity” way. This post shares gentle ways AI can help you sort your thoughts, spark new ideas, and create a little more calm and confidence around making things. No tech overwhelm, just small nudges toward creative ease.

Kristen
Dec 73 min read


Order, Calm, and Decluttering (with Digital Help)
A year after moving into our house, we’re finally settling into the kind of order that makes life feel calmer. This post explores how AI can help with the invisible clutter we all carry—mental, physical, and creative—so your days feel a little lighter and a little more your own.

Kristen
Nov 304 min read


A Slow Thanksgiving (with a Little AI Assist)
Thanksgiving is full of gratitude, good smells, and… logistics. This post shares how AI can quietly help with planning, connection, and calm—so you can focus on the moments that matter instead of the math behind your menu.

Kristen
Nov 233 min read


How to Talk So AI Listens (and Helps)
Most of us have no idea how to talk to AI — we either overexplain or freeze up. The secret isn’t tech skills; it’s learning to ask like a human. Here’s how to get useful, friendly help from a bot — and maybe make life a little easier in the process.

Kristen
Nov 164 min read


Lazy Sunday Conversations About the Future (and AI)
A lazy Sunday chat about the future of humanity turns into a gentle intro to AI. No jargon, no panic—just a friendly guide to understanding generative AI and how it can actually make life easier. Perfect reading for the cautiously curious human.

Kristen
Nov 93 min read


Watching the Countdown Clock: Living with Intention
A corporate town hall isn’t where I expect to find inspiration, but this one surprised me. A senior leader shared his “countdown clock”—a digital reminder of how many days he has left to live. Morbid? Maybe. But it got me thinking about time, intention, and how slow living isn’t about doing less—it’s about noticing more before the clock runs out.

Kristen
Nov 22 min read


Baking for Cash: Pumpkin & Molasses Dog Cookies
A simple, wholesome fall treat for your favorite furry friend — because baking joy shouldn’t always mean sugar, calories, or guilt.

Kristen
Oct 263 min read


From Fast Living in Salt Lake to Slow Living at Bear Lake
A quick trip to the city reminded us why we left: traffic, noise, and way too many people. Life’s slower at Bear Lake—and that’s exactly the point.

Kristen
Oct 193 min read


Living with Intention, Moment to Moment
This week brought good news from my financial planner, bad news from the Cubs, a moment of silence for my backbone, and fresh sod for the backyard. Life at Bear Lake — equal parts joy, regret, and grass stains.

Kristen
Oct 123 min read


Confessions of a Slow-Living Hustler
Confessions of a slow-living hustler: why balance matters, and how to know when hustle or slow is taking over your life.

Kristen
Oct 52 min read


Live Slower, Look Closer
Think of slow living as clearing out clutter—on your shelves, in your schedule, and in your head—so you’ve got room to notice what’s beautiful or interesting in the ordinary.

Kristen
Sep 282 min read


Seasons Change
Experiencing all the seasons of Bear Lake, not just the summer, is a privilege we're experiencing for the first time. And it's fantastic.

Bob
Sep 172 min read


Happy Day After Labor Day
Our first summer at Bear Lake as full-time residents could not have been better. This place is incredible.

Kristen
Sep 22 min read


Moose Sightings
Seeing a moose in your backyard is always a delight. The trick is to notice it more, document it less.

Kristen
Aug 253 min read


Hello, Bear Lake.
Here it begins. The inaugural post at Bear Lake Local.

Kristen
Jul 311 min read
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