2012 - Whole Wide World

It is the beginning of a New Year.  The resolutions that we all hope to keep; exercise, healthy lifestyle, keep connected with family and old friends, etc., etc..  I like millions of other people made a list, only this time my resolutions are more attainable.  I am not stressing myself over things that I have no control of.   I don't want to miss out on LIFE; which in many ways  has happened; not because of other influences, not really, but because I was afraid.  I have always been cautious, but fear seems to have crept into my life, and fear is not of the Lord.   You may be asking afraid of what?  LIFE!  I should enjoy it more. 

I was bumming out the other day because this Valentine's I will not have a love.  It felt strange to know that I am alone, but I am okay with it; tho that feeling  might change in the near future.  I must admit that I did have a bit of an anxiety over the thought when I saw the Valentine displays.  Then it occurred to me that this year I can do whatever I want!  No explanations, no excuses, no bullshit! 

So welcome 2012.  I will live the life God gave me, because no matter what happens the Lord is leading the way.

Christmas decos finally done

___________________________

The beginning of it all.

  CHAOS!

___________________________

                                             Serenity

 This ornament
 was purchased
 at an antique shop
 in Littleton, Colorado

And to think

 I almost did not

 decorate for Christmas

 this year

 because of

 my marital issues.

  Sheeeesh!

I love this mantel and fireplace.

(can you see Paige's little head in the mirror)

--Front porch day and night.--

Christmas Blessings

Ahhhhh, I am finally done.

  I will enjoy this set up way past

New Years day. 

 Will probably leave it up

 two to three weeks into

 January 2012. 

Grasshoppers

This picture was taken last month, it was one of my last pictures on my Canon camera, because right after this photo was taken my camera died.  My son is intently photographing something in my dead daisies.  When I questioned what he was photographing, he would say, "nothing".  I took this picture of my son because of his concentration of subject matter.  Upon closer inspection he was photographing two grasshoppers mating.  What did I do?  Well, I might have made some snide remark and rolled my eyes to the back of head; usual response to unusual behavior.

  Have a great weekend!



A day at the Broadmoor

Nathaniel and I are home all week for Spring Break, although my teachers still had assignments for me to complete. One of my assingments is to write a paper on a figurative artists, there was no way I would drive to Denver, not with these gas prices.  So, my figure drawing teacher recommended the Fine Arts Center in Colorado Springs, but they are renovating for new works.  Then she recommended The Hayden-Hays Gallery at the Broadmoor.  So, Nathaniel and I packed our water bottles, notebook and camera and off we went to visit the Broadmoor.  Too bad I had not washed or vacuumed my van, but we drove up to the Broadmoor and again we were treated like royalty.  Nathaniel and I looked like throwbacks from the 80's; Nathaniel with his Pink Floyd sweatshirt and me with my old faded blue skirt and sandals.  Thank God we blended with the people in designer clothes, oh well.  The galleries at the Broadmoor are great.  The gallery directors were professional and very kind; they were helpful with my assignment and allowed us to take photos.  I will be doing my paper on "Drying Peppers" by Kim English.  The colors, lights and the figure on this piece caught my attention at first glance.

Kim English

"Drying Peppers"

20 x 30

Oil on Canvas

This painting by Gary Ernest Smith, "Cowboy at Sunset" was my second choice. 

Gary Ernest Smith

"Cowboy at Sunset"

40 x 30

Oil on Canvas

             The Broadmoor

This was the only picture I took as we were driving out of The Broadmoor. 

Nathaniel took all the other pictures.  He is a talented photographer.

 

Leaving Las Vegas

(The Broadmoor)

God looks at the heart

My son is a senior in high school this year, and he will graduate this May 2011.  He is your typical teenager with all the drama life has to offer.  I am very proud of him, he has endured so much in the last 7 years, and I am sure that he will be given much to endure thoughout his life; and God will always be with him.

When my son was a freshman in high school, he attended his first high school Homecoming Parade.  He did not participate in the parades and he regreted not riding on his class floats. He would always say that he would ride on his class float the following year, but he never did. This year my son planned to be with his fellow classmates and enjoy the parade riding ontop the Senior class float; he volunteered to help with the decorations for the float.  Saturday morning he met up with his classmates and was extremely excitedly about the Homecoming Parade.

I was one of many spectators enjoying the Homecoming Parade, every class went by and when the Senior's float was approaching I was waiting with my camera on the ready.  I searched for my son on the float, but I could not find him.  All the Seniors were waving to their family and friends, but I did not see my son.  As the float passed me I saw my son walking behind, inhaling the fumes from the tractor truck that was pulling the Senior float.  My heart sank.  I was so heartbroken for him because he did not get to participate with the rest of the Seniors on the float that he helped decorate.  He was walking with one of his fellow classmates.  You see, this classmate is in a wheelchair.

When I met up with my son I was hurting for him, and I was crying.  When I asked him what happened he told me that his friend was not able to go on the float so a volunteer asked him if he would walk with her behind the float; the volunteer had asked other students and they refused.  I asked him if that bothered him, and he said, "No mom, she is my friend."  I was so proud of him.  He lived out what Jesus asks us to do for those can't.  My son had a wonderful time at the parade, and he didn't mind giving up the glory of riding on a float in a parade.  He was the most distinguished high school Senior for me that day; what a beautiful soul.

I am not writing to brag on my son, he can be a stinker at times, but the memory of my son's loving sacrifice will stay with me for as long as I live.  I cry everytime I think about my son's offering for a friend.  I thank the Lord everyday for the son He gave me, and for the heart God gave him to serve. 

Abudant Blessings to my son. May the Lord give you favor and continue to use you.  Amen.

Valentine's Day with a side of Beef

I hope you all had a lovely Valentine's Day. I know sometimes I think it can be a overrated holiday. So much expectation of a great restaurant, flowers, candy and romance, it could be a bit too much.  Romance on steroids.  No, I am not a sourpuss when it comes to Valentine's Day, I enjoy it very much. As a matter of fact my husband brought me flowers and a sweet card.

WHAT?! No chocolates?!

I made dinner for my family. We don't go out on this day of LOVE; restaurants are extremely busy. So, I went and bought some steaks (my husband's favorite. Ok mine too). I made pico de gallo, guacamole, veggies, tortillas and a chocolate brownie torte.

****************************************************************************
.

We tend to eat a lot of chicken.  This definitely was a treat.

These flowers are so beautiful. 

Dinner was extremely satisfying. 

 (I paid for a week, if you know what I mean)

Brownies for dessert. 

Definitely next year for Valentine's I will eat lighter and go dancing . . .

Pampered Chef Birthday

My dear friend, Nydia had a birthday on Monday, 2/7/11, she is a Pampered Chef Consultant and she threw herself a Pampered Chef Birthday Party on Saturday, 2/5/11.  On Saturday she made pizza, and was it very tasty!  We also had cake and ice cream, then we talked about the evils of not fitting into our clothes.  Como es la vida (such is life); one day I will say that in French. 

Nydia, the Birthday
Girl Beautiful Woman

THE PIZZA, MMMMMMM!!

Nydia's Birthday Cake

We enjoyed ourselves.

We laughed a lot and ate a lot.

  What a wonderful combination.

Blessings to Nydia, my friend and sister in Christ.

Friday is here at last

Have a Super Weekend!

Autumn Decorations

I have been buying Fall knick knacks for many years, and I usually wait for the seasonal sales, but lately stores have been very savy with their merchandise.  Unfortunately, I do have to restrain myself; remember I lost my job this past Summer.

Anyways . . .

My son suggested that I take photos of our home and put them in my blog; I thought what a wonderful idea (it was something I was going to do anyways), but I will give him the credit.

 Some of these turkey were antique shop finds, the large one back center was from a hobby store and the back right turkey was a yardsale find.  These turkeys are so great to display.  The glass turkey in the center was an antique store find and it is a little lopsided, I just love it.  I had been eyeing the amber glass turkey for almost 5 months and my husband and son encouraged me to buy it;  it might not have been at the shop much longer. 

Coffee Table setting

Sweet find at a little

                                         shop in Littleton, CO

For our future grandchildren.  No pressure Nate.

I enjoy surrounding my family and home with beautiful finds

but my favorite find for this Fall is . . . .

Mr. Ghosty!





Cyrstal Reservoir

The drive up to Crytal Lake Reservoir

What a beautiful October afternoon.

I LOVE COLORADO

Thank you Father for the glorious colors you give us.