Hello everyone! So happy to be back after the most wonderful, gorgeous week in New Mexico. If you haven’t been, please go. There’s a lovely cat at the Los Poblanos Inn & Farm named Mouse who will climb into bed with you if you let him.

One of my biggest takeaways from NM wasn’t just a break and time to relax with my sweetheart. It was the absolutely bold, incredible colors you saw everywhere you looked. There’s a reason the region is such an inspiration for artists, like Georgia O’Keefe. Everywhere you turn, there’s a red rocked mesa, a hunter green tree line, the terracotta of the pottery, and even the food. We noshed on saffron yellow diver scallops and bright pink passion fruit pearls on the most stunning gazpacho you’ve ever seen and tasted.

It felt very fitting for my conversation this week with Josh Gale, the founder of The Chef Out West. Josh led a life like many, taking the safer route in corporate tech sales even though it wasn’t his passion, and had trouble finding areas to express himself. Then came an accident that changed everything and he has boldly dedicated himself to maximalist dishes and recipes ever since.

Josh and the inspiring scenes and people of New Mexico reminded me that life just passes by to those who watch from the sidelines. Who don’t take the chance to try a new project, or climb the tall, scary ladders into the ancient cliff dwellings (yes, we did do that!). You want to make life happen and happen for you—not just to you.

Find your colors this week and embrace them as the painter does the brush. Your masterpiece is still underway!