Italian Ice Cream on a Stick | Copenhagen

I was on the local S-train a few days ago and saw a Danish newspaper with an eye-candy photograph and a short article on Olufs, which sells homemade Italian ice cream. It looked like a delectable little place, and I know the Danes take their ice cream very seriously, so I made a point of visiting.

Beautiful, natural, homemade Italian ice cream on a stick in three sizes and tons of flavors! I enjoyed a chocolate licorice ice cream dipped in lemon white chocolate. Who can resist that? Probably one of the most unique foods I have eaten since I've been in Denmark. They reminded me of the paletas I have had (and love) in Mexico, which are frozen fresh fruit popsicles, either with fruit only or fruit mixed with cream. I should mention that the shop is at the beginning of the very charming and colorful street, which added to my experience of the senses. Peace out ;-), Sharon

The Bread Station | Charlottenlund

When I return from the beach or a walk in the woods, I sometimes end up near the Charlottenlund Station; which is an urban railway system with sections of tracks that are out in the open. The velocity of the these electric-powered trains speeding by and then stopping (braking) makes a very distinctive noise and sends a little rush up my spine.

After walking around for several hours, a small coffee/snack break is much needed, and so I like to stop at a place called The Bread Station. I was a bit skeptical when I first saw the sign for it, since this place was actually located at the train station! But as soon as I checked it out further, I knew I had to try it.

Actually, I keep making excuses to go back. The Bread Station is an organic bakery with just a few tables and chairs for guests, both in and outside. You can have freshly baked bread and cakes, and delicious coffee drinks. Very recommendable! Love, Sharon

Learning Curve

The ritual of driving a good distance, parking my car at an unmarked fence road, and getting out my mountain bike for the reminder of the journey has gradually become second nature, a routine I've memorized as if for a singing recital. I eagerly set out to find the natural horses: none of them shod, no barn, no cross-tying or heavy tack to deal with.

Once immersed into the herd, I choose a horse, or they approach me for some attention, and brush him/her to remove all the dried mud for their mane, body and hand-pick the tail a little. I pick up their hooves (if willing) to look for anything stuck in them that can be cleaned out. This allows me to see how willing the horse is to accept my touch and be in their space. I next allow the horse to check out the rope halter with his/her nose that I'm about to put on. I stand on the left and put the halter on and gently swing the end to be tied around and make a natural horsemanship knot. I know how to check for correct fit and adjust things where needed. I have added another 8 foot rope to the lead rope so I tie this back to the halter to use as the reins. I am riding bareback and lead the horse to a rock for that extra 4-5 inch boost up that I need to get on. Once on and balanced, I feel like a teenager who just stole the keys to her parents' car and ready to leave the driveway when no one is watching (and really, not another person is watching)! It's exciting, but I am not ready for the open pasture and so ride in circles, weaving in and out of the herd, lovingly touching and stroking other horses within my reach. Sometimes I do yoga poses on the horse's back, such as tree, locust, warrior 1, twist, bridge, etc. and sometimes I unpack the suitcase of my soul. I enjoy this time; this is everything.

These are "skills" I did not initially possess, and it still amazes me because of how much sense they make now. My friend once said, "You will learn by doing." And he is right; the more I do it, the less I need to think about it. Love, Sharon

Drawing a Parallel

I've been thinking a lot lately about the parallels between tango and yoga, tango and family relationships, tango and business management, and even tango and love making! When it comes right down to it, observing and reacting in the moment takes top priority. I guess I don't understand the part of human nature that prompts us to point out the flaws of others: to have expectations and imagined scenarios, rather than responding to what is and immediately adapting to the changing needs of our partners, our loved ones, our co-workers, and of ourselves. I think it becomes even harder when leader and follower techniques come into play. I know a lot of us go into relationships, in general, totally naive to the natural forces we are sending to and receiving from each other. Are we speaking and listening to the other person in that moment? Or are we thinking things should be a certain way "during the dance" and question others' creative desires, that they'll take the wrong step or do it differently than we would, and do not trust them-?

I know personally, I went into my first couple tango/partner dance lessons with a very strong desire for self expression and maybe even to achieve that ideal dance. How I regret I passed judgement on others in the class for their lack of expression "the know how" -being what I thought a man, a leader, should express physically and verbally. I was impatient and then would probably pass more judgement at the non-verbal level as well, unless I caught myself. I think many times we judge what we don't understand. And I think that once I entered the situation where I needed to heighten my senses to touch and hearing (and ironically I already consider myself highly sensitive to touch, pungent conversation, and loud noises) I began to understand remarkably the parallels as they run through other areas of life and I love it. The steps and fancy legwork became secondary almost.

I still believe that there are absolutes, there are right and wrong moves (in dance and in life), but I think many times, we make our absolutes too broad. Unless you see someone crossing that absolute line, we should have more faith in our partner's (and in dance, in the lead's) ability to do their job, to dance their own way. This doesn't mean I don't have standards, I hold many of them. But I guess I'm trying to get to the point where I will think long and hard before holding anyone but myself up to those standards. Ahem.
Until next time... :-) Sharon Marzonie

Organic alert 2009

As our society strives to be increasingly "green" so too does the discerning jewelry designers' tastes. It will come as no surprise that natural beads are enjoying the limelight these days. Wood beads, nut-derived beads, shell pendants, felted wool beads, freshwater pearls, and natural stones are all examples of natural beads. In my shop you will find these organic goodies:
1) Primavera Stone beads
2) Flower-etched blacklip shell pendant 3) Genuine cognac amber beads
Long live the environment!! xo, Sharon Marzonie