Sunset

I was so lucky to get to witness this sunset tonight. It was so BEAUTIFUL!

...all I had with me was my cell phone....but it did an okay job capturing the mood and the spectacular color! I just had to share this with you!

Horizons Broadened

...learning something new everyday!

Love Is All Around

I went out and about late yesterday afternoon. The sun was setting and looked so beautiful. I pulled up into a driveway of a vacant house and started capturing images. I was mesmerized by how even the dried, dead weeds looked beautiful in the amber glow. I stepped out of my car to take a closer picture and when I got there, I discovered the sweetest little hearts everywhere in that field. At just that moment, I could hear the music coming from the speakers in my car playing "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You." That just happens to be our song. I love little moments of perfection like that.

A Brand New Day

My son, Alex, came into my room to ask me a question. When I opened my eyes to give him an answer, I was greeted by a most beautiful sunrise. The light that flooded my bedroom was so awe-inspiring. I knew I had to capture it. I didn't even go outside...I shot right through the lace on my windows!

God was showing off this morning, for sure!

Fun With Physics

Tonight, I arrived home feeling famished. I was eager to get my dinner cooked and eaten.

My cell phone rang. It was my neighbor. She explained that she was at bible study and the girls there were so excited about this once-in-90-years gravitational pull of the earth and ..... thing. She told me that it was the only day we could balance a broom on its bristles.

Curiously, I turned around, grabbed my extremely battered broom from its corner. I tried to balance it with no luck. She told me she didn't have a camera phone or she would send me a picture. I tried a couple of more times to balance my broom. I gave up quickly because I was still making dinner for the kids and myself. The kids took over the broom balancing. They couldn't balance the broom, either. Then, one of them had the idea to try to balance an egg on its end. That only took about 45 seconds for Amanda to accomplish. The egg soon rolled to its side. She balanced the egg again. I ran to get my camera. I just knew this was going to make an amazing blog entry!

The kids and I were happily snapping away and then I challenged them: "Let's try three eggs,!"

Amanda got two more eggs from the refrigerator and started to balance the eggs.

Eventually, after a lot of attempts, we did end up with 4 eggs standing on end. I captured some fun images. We ate dinner and then we researched broom balancing and egg balancing. Somewhat disappointed, we discovered that these feats can be done any day of the week, at any hour of the day.

Our little lesson in Physics was fun and I still think it makes for a neat blog entry! OH...and we did finally get the broom balanced, too!

His Name is Uno

We have a new baby!

He was the only kitten born to Moses in her last litter. We've decided to call him Uno. He's growing so big so fast, I am tempted to start calling him BrUno! His eyes just opened today.

A Good Little Party

My mother and step-dad celebrated their birthdays last week. Jim on the 19th and my mother on the 23rd. To honor them, my sister cooked a lovely spaghetti dinner. We gathered together and enjoyed each other's company and had a good time.

There were decorations. (Windows colors, perhaps? HA!)

We ate declicious food.

Danielle lit the candles on the birthday cake.

Mom and Jim made a wish and blew out the candles.

We presented gifts.

They liked them.

My gramma used to always say after we'd have a little gathering like this, "That was a good little party!"

And it was.

Palm Pilot

I logged in this morning and got the new assignments for this week. The writing assignment was to make a list. What? That's easy! I love to make lists. I sometimes kid that I need a list of my lists. It was no surprise, then this morning when I read that, I discovered I'd already started a list. Desperate for paper, I used the palm of my hand.

I know I used to drive my ex-husband batty when I'd write reminders on my hand. He asked "WHY do you DO that?" I replied to him, "I can't lose my hand!"

This, my friends, is my poor kid's version of the palm pilot!

Fun At 100

Sharing with you two little scenes from 100 steps away and wishing you a Happy Saturday.

Seems Like Only Yesterday

I am in the midst of cleaning out dusty corners of my home, and clearing piles of paper clutter and...even sorting digital stacks of "stuff." Tonight, I stumbled across these lovely images I captured over three years ago. It hardly seems possible! I remember it so clearly--the day I set up this vignette on my dresser. It seems like only yesterday. And then I wonder: "What other treasures lie in wait on my hard drives?"

We shall see!

Kinda Feels Like Monday

Do you ever have one of those days when you wake up that you feel like you could should slip back into bed for about 45 minutes, take a little snooze, wake up and start over? Today was one of those days for me. Let's blame it on Monday, shall we?

From the moment my feet touched the cold, hard floor this morning, I knew things were off kilter, yet I trudged on forward. I really tried to make the most of the day. I got a bit more organizing done around here and got a little bit of knitting done. Alas, despite my efforts, I still feel flustered.

I've finally placed myself in a timeout in my bedroom. The calming pink walls and soft light are helping immensely...and having my connection to the outside world, (my computer) helps a lot, too. I can hear the kids out in the living room talking and laughing. Things will get better! I'm taking deep breaths and....tomorrow is FRIDAY!

Ah! Autumn!

He is dying to carve a funny face into that little tiny pumpkin.

Jitter Cat

He had to come in for a closer look. It almost looks as if he's waving at me with eager energy.

I half expected this next move of his...with those little grabby paws.

Needless to say, I'm not much of a left-handed-only photographer! But together, Jitter and I made a little scribble on the page.

This Journey

Who am I?
I am a mother, a daughter, a lover, a writer, an artist, a photographer, an aunt, a sister, a daughter, a neice, a granddaughter, a believer, a friend, a journal keeper, a book keeper, a baker, a party planner, a nurse, a neighbor, a god mother, an ex-wife, a driver, a teacher, a thinker, a virgo, a fiancee, a comedian, a guardian of 4 orange tabby cats, a die-hard coffee drinker, a doodler, a cheerleader, a knitter, a quilter, a seamstress, a director, a music enthusiast...
I know the list goes on and on. Obviously, this list is in no particular order...and I know there are some important pieces that are missing from this list that was formed under a time limit.
In all, I am pretty happy with my life. I am happy with who I am and where I am. I've come to a place in my life where I can embrace the things in my past as they are what have formed me to be who I am in this moment. I know there are things I wish to improve and change. I know that change has to come from me. I can't look to any external stimuli to cause any of the changes I wish. I have to be the motivator. I have to be my own energy behind my desire. Can I do it? Heck ya!
I know I deal with a lot of interruptions throughout my day. And sometimes, as a result of all the interruptions, I don't get everything done...and most times, new things get added to my list of things I want to accomplish. For me, finding a way to squelch some of the chaos will be a challenge. This much I know. I know what I want. I will find my way. I have faith in that. I have faith in myself.

Aprreciation...

a short list of five....

• a change of seasons
• looking forward to time with My mom and sister tomorrow
• sweaters
• nutella
• pretty tea cups

Appreciation...

...another little short list of five wonderful things:

• Tea time with Susan today...we even used the pretty china cups!
• Skype
• FRIENDS (are wonderful! Aren't they?)
• my camera
• my home...it's been weatherized. I hope it helps save us some money this winter!
  

Big Shoes To Fill

the last time I went to the Paris Street Market, Kaitlyn accompanied me. We walked up and down the rows of all the neat treasures. At one booth, we found these fun wooden shoes. Kait decided to try them one...much to her chagrin, they fit her feet.

Here is to fun senses of humor and goofy wooden shoes.

Right This Instant

Oh how I love a strong cup of hot coffee in the morning. I mix it with just the perfect amount of Hazelnut flavored fat-free creamer and two packets of sugar, thankyouverymuch.

When I go to Starbucks, I let them mix it up for me in the form of a triple grande skinny hazelnut latte. Mmmmmm! That is my regular drink.

When my favorite Starbucks Barista, Jessica, handed me some samples of their new "Jiffy Brew", I was skeptical to say the least! I've had instant coffees before and they taste.....well.....instant. Coffee connoisseurs might all agree that the difference can be tasted! I am here to tell you that I tasted the instant coffee by Starbucks and it tastes pretty darned good. I tried the extra bold and really liked it. It doesn't do much for getting that fresh-brewed coffee aroma in the kitchen. It could very well be the solution to those mornings when you're out of beans! Keep a stash of these on hand!

Try it!

Glint

A Short List of Five Things For Which I feel Grateful Today:

• the seat warmers in my car's seats
• coffee
• quilts
• baskets
• the purr of a cat

I really, really, REALLY love this image I captured yesterday morning. The whole world was enveloped by a layer of frost. The Sun came out and gently started to warm everything and the frost became liquid. I ABSOLUTELY love the little glint on the bottom of this Aspen leaf...just look at it's starry perfection! Ahhhhhh! Photographic bliss!

One Fine Day

Sadly, this past weekend was the last weekend for the Paris Street Market. I was able to attend every weekend except for the weekend in June when I was visiting a dear friend.


One vendor this time had lots and lots and lots of old bears. I was expecially fond of this one. He looked so "loved". I wished I could adopt him and bring him to my home. I thought he was just perfect. Unfortunately, the hefty price tag prevented me from toting him along with my little bundle of treasures.


Apparently, some people already have Christmas on the brain...good golly! I still have to figure out Halloween costumes!

I thought of Quincy when I saw this sweet little display. Quincy LOVES books!

All in all, it was a beautiful Fall day to spend time and money at the market. I hope this market will be back next year.

He makes me smile...

mmm hmmmm

122,884 Stitches

This is a Christmas gift for Ryan. Yes, he's seen it and he knows it's finished.

What went into this:

• 130 hours of time
• 12 skeins of yarn by "I Love This Yarn" (Hobby Lobby's affordable yarn)
• 122, 884 stitches

It's very warm, and very soft. I need to wrap it up and get it ready for Christmas giftgiving!

Day Trip

Once the kids gain a bit of confidence in their driving skills, I like to take them out on the highway and go for a nice, long drive. Last Friday was Ryan's turn to drive. I packed my knitting into the front seat with me and away we went. It was a beautiful day for a drive. We crusied south to the south end of Colorado Springs then turned around and drove back home. Ryan told me he was grateful for the long drive experience. We also used the interstate highway so he could get some guidance with interstate driving. He told me he felt accomplished when we returned home. Thankfully, I was able to relax and get a few more rows knitted. It was a good day.