Hawk Photo From October.

This little beauty has moved into my neighborhood and I've had a good time taking pictures of her.  Every now and then she surprises me with something like the one above. 

Wishcrafting Wednesday!

Today, this last day before the insanity of Thanksgiving begins, Jamie asks us, "What peace do you wish for?" 
This one was a good one and not one that I had thought about before, but as I sit here looking out the living room window at the rainbow stretching out across the valley, I think of the peace I need in my relationships. 
My relationships, for the most part, are really good.  But others.....well, the negativity is begining to creep in and I'm avoiding it as much as possible.  And, with the holidays upcoming, I want all of them into the positive category. 
So, that's my wish - peace in relationships.

What's your wish?

Going To The Chapel

Not to bury the lead, I'm getting married.

(OHMYHOLYMOLY!)


Things have worked out better than I could ever would have imagined (thanks to everyone's wishing wednesdays) and we're getting married.  Granted, it's a ways off - the girls and I have to move to Texas first! - but everyone is really excited.  The girls and I are pinning wedding ideas like mad, it doesn't matter what it is, if we like it, we pin it.

This is a whole new thing for me.  My first/other marriage was fast and I didn't get to enjoy being engaged.  This time, I'm enjoying it all.  I buy the magazines, I sign up at the websites, we/I will be going to the bridal faires.  There's plans for cake tasting (how cool is that?  TASTING CAKES) and flower shopping. 
It's amazing and I cannot believe it.

This beautiful rough-legged hawk

has nothing to do with the wedding,

I just like how she's looking at me taking her photo.



Happy Saturday!

Enjoy the weekend - get out there!!  :)

Isn't She Delightful?

Jamie asks this week on Wishcrafting Wednesday, "What do you wish to delight in?"  I caught this last night before going to sleep so I've had some time to think about it and what I've come to discover is that I wish to delight in me.

I want to roll around in the uniqueness of me.  I've come to realize that the things that I want aren't the usual and I'm now okay with that.  While my friends are buying homes and sending kids off to college, I'm thinking that I want to travel instead.  (My kids aren't old enough for college, but I'm still saving)  My dreams are different and so am I.

And I wish to delight in that by supporting myself.  Even if it sounds outrageous and crazy, I want the courage to do it.   Just try it!

What do you wish to delight in?

Venice Beach

Surprise Vacation

Just like most of the really great things, stuff never turns out like you think. 

It turns out better!

I didn't realize that it was great until after I got home, got some rest, and got to looking through my pictures.  I was so tired from going like mad all the time during the vacation that I didn't get a chance to stop and really enjoy it.  Not exactly as I had planned, but it was a lot of fun! 

Oh man, it was FUN!


Now, I have and spent the last couple of days just revelling in the adventure.  (Is that the right word? Revelling?)   Look at what I did! I went to the beach!   I'm so proud of myself!  Go me!

I got a couple of ideas for some crafts from the trip that I'll post when I get them finished.  :) 

I'm Back! But Tired!

I got my toes in the sand!  Walked and walked and walked (13 miles/day) but had a great time!  More later!

Travelin' (Wo)Man

A blog that I frequent talks today about the trials and tribulations of travelling.  I find myself commiserating mentally and laughing at my own on-the-road adventures.  (We flew home from Scotland at 3:00 am, lunar eclipse, winter solstice, flight delayed leading to a bus ride with a broken heater...) I hate to say it, but I feel that everyone needs to have at least one of these occurrences under their belt to really be a "traveller".  It makes you able to roll with the punches and gives you really wonderful stories for later. If you haven't had one of these, it's waiting for you.....good luck.

I'm getting into a new type of travelling - The Solo Traveller.  Since about 1997, I have always had someone travelling with me.  Either (ex) hubby or kids or other family  members.  It makes for more adventures, but it also cranks up my stress levels at times. 
Next week, the kids are going to their dad's place and I'm jumping on a plane for California.  For five days, I will be on vacation.  A true 'vacation'.  I can't remember a time that I have done that in this century. (That was a pretty good one - for emphasis)

I'm taking two memory cards for my camera, my watercolor pencils, lots of paper, and flip flops.  


I can't wait!!

Happy Mother's Day

In the U.S., it's Mother's Day.  I've been lucky in that I have two mothers.  My birth mother died of breast cancer when I was young and my father remarried a wonderful woman.  She's been a great influence in my life and I'm so thankful to have her!  (Plus, she's a rockin' grandma!)

So, you don't have to have a birth mother to have a 'mother' or give birth to be a 'mother'. 

Family is what you make of it, people. 

Give thanks.

Fun Farmers' Market!!

I really didn't see this one coming, but sometimes those are the best experiences!  Anyway, I received a call from a company that I did some temporary work for last summer.  They were wondering how I was spending my Saturday mornings.

Uh.

It turns out, one of the local farmers' markets was in need of an assistant market master.  I jumped on it with both feet.  I started last Saturday, 6:00 am.  It was so much fun!  I have more crafts than food, but since I am a big crafter (and Pinterest fan), I had a blast.  The weather was a little nasty, so most of the usuals weren't there and that opened up the stalls for guest vendors.  We almost filled all of the spaces!
The other good thing was that my girls were able to come down a couple of hours later to help.  I think it's important that they 1) get around artistic people and 2) get involved in the local community.  We all hauled cones, picked up trash and helped the vendors when we could. 
Plus, we get paid for it.  :)

Sunday!

Still no word on the test, so I'm taking that as a good thing.  If I did horrible, he'd email me, right?  Let's hope so!

I've spent the last few days planting and weeding and generally being busy.  It's not a bad thing at all.  :)  I've transplanted and started seeds and generally had a good time.  Today, I'm relaxing.  Sort of.  I'm looking at making cordials this year.  Has anyone ever done these?  Some of them really look amazing and with the herbs I have in the ground, I could get some tasty treats!  And we like tasty treats in a big big way!

Ooh!  The sun is out!  I'm back outside!

Rainy Thursday

I always like that I was born on a Thursday, even with the old saying that I have far to go.  I tend to view it as a long enjoyable trip.

Today it's raining in my neck of the woods.  Which makes me happy because I've spent the earlier part of the week planting/weeding/etc.  Not only do I need a break, but my plants need watering! 

I took my Master Gardener test, but haven't heard any results.  Which makes me nervous, to be honest.  What if I didn't pass?!  I'd be mortified.  And emotionally crushed.  So, keep your fingers crossed for me.
On the day of the test, one of the women from the extension office came in and talked about canning/food preservation.  I'm hooked! 
Did you know that the USDA redid the requirements for canning in 2009?  I didn't and it really made me think about what I've canned and if it's safe.  And then I thought about all of those pins on Pinterest that I have/want to can.  I need to find out their canning requirements!
The really interesting thing that came out of it was the fact that the lady is moving to Louisiana (Zone 8) next month.  I don't know if they are going to fly her position or not.  But, I'm definitely interested in it!!  Canning and drying and freezing!  How cool is that?!? 

Only 28 days until vacation!!

Yes You Are!

On my travels today, I discovered this spray painted on a wall underneath the tracks. 

Yes, you are beautiful!

Wishing Wednesday

Today Jaime Ridler asks, 'Where do you wish to go?' 

I read a few other wishers and really thought about this before I came up with my wish:

This is going to sound strange, but I wish to go.

 I discovered a couple of years ago that I really enjoy meeting new people, doing new things, seeing new places.  I'm blessed with a gift (I consider it a blessing) of being able to make friends wherever I go, to find out about their cultures, to learn a new language.

  It makes traveling a wonderful thing.

 And, I've found a someone who wants to travel along with me. :)  So, I want us to go and see, and live, and be happy.

Walking

This little beauty (one of Montana's beautiful spring flowers) is called a Shooting Star.  (yes, I began singing Earth, Wind, and Fire's song too)  I went for a walk on the northside hills and when I was huffing and puffing up the hill, I stopped and noticed all of these little purple flowers covering the hill.

It's interesting that I would have missed them completely if I hadn't stopped to look around.  :)

Wednesday!

Yay!  It's that time again - Jaime's Wishing Wednesday.  Today, she asks, What do you wish to jump into?   This one evolked (did I spell that correct? I don't think so) a big response, which let me know that something was amiss.
So, I thought about it all night and early this monring and then it dawned on me. 

I wish to jump into my life.  Like that leap off the dock into the lake, I wish to jump into my life and swim around in it.  Feel it all over, do backflips in it, float around.  Immerse myself. 

I don't want to worry about drowning, just swim and enjoy.

Making Paper

Does anyone make their own paper?  I love the thought of it, but it appears to be a daunting task.  I'm looking all over the web for easier, less "equipment" type of papermaking.  Is there something that I'm missing?
I'll keep looking and see if I can find anything worthwhile to post.  :)

Gardening Limbo

This year, I'm in a strange gardening limbo.  I'm taking my master gardener class, but I've yet to buy seeds or get my garden up and rolling.  It's not like me, but I feel like I'm just sort of waiting.  I'm waiting to see what will happen in May, what comes about in work....waiting!!
Plus, last year, the puppies completely trashed my garden!  OMG!  It was disappointing, but the problem is now solved. 
And I'm still putting off starting seeds, planning, tilling. 

I did go and pick up some herbal use books.  Which got me excited and wanting to play around with herbs. 
But still did not go racing out into the garden.

Strange.

Wishing - Yay!!!

Good Morning!  I'm monstrously happy these days, it's disgusting to be honest.  I'm really working hard getting all of my ducks in a row (paperwork, a budget! yes, a budget, exercise), but still have a couple of things that I need to work on....mainly procrastination.

Jamie Ridler asks 'What do you wish to rise above?' and I wish to rise above procrastination.  I hate it and it's sucking the happy out of my life!  I need help!  I know that I need to be pro-active, not reactive and yet, here I am, plunked in front of the computer. 

Again.

So I'm calling in the big guns (so to speak) and asking for wishes.  I wish to rise above this procrastination and do everything I need to get done!

Wishing Again

I really need to write more than just Wednesday!  LOL 

But, I completely love this week's wish: What do you wish for your future?

I'm going big.  For my future, I wish to "have it all".  I wish for my love to be true, complete, forever. I wish to be productive with my gardening talents - helping those who need it.  And I wish to be ecstatically happy.  (Like I am now!)

Happy Wishing

Oh, I do so love Wednesdays!  I've begun wishing, most of the time, just randomly.  LOL  But, since I've been neglecting my blog here lately, I'm going to use Jamie's prompting for this week.

What does my spirit wish for?

My spirit wishes for a vacation.  I have a friend that lives in Los Angeles and we're making plans to get together over Memorial Day weekend.  I wish that I can pick up some extra hours at work and that all of the plans will fall into place so that the vacation works out.

My spirit is so happy now.  I love my gardening class, I'm sticking with my running and have been able to get some really good time in with my kids.  I was blessed to win a Sparkles scholarship and I did every single one of the tasks.  :)  I don't consider myself "artistic" so I was a little leery at first, but I had a blast.  I really recommend them!!  It's a great way to shake the winter dust off and get ready for spring!

February

I enjoy February.  Not only for the Valentines and birthday gifts/enjoyment, but for the seed shopping!  Oh yea, let the garden p*rn begin!  I love the newness, the excitement, the planning!!  It's like painting with plants! 
And yes, I will admit it, sometimes it doesn't work out.  It's sometimes horrific, but even then....it's wonderful.  The starting, the growing, the weeding.  I love it all.
And February is the first step.

My parents got me the cutest teapot for my birthday.  It's like a french press teapot.  I can't wait to make my own teas this summer! That one little teapot has opened up a whole new arena of planting this year.  LOL

And then, my class starts in a couple of weeks.  I'm aching for the book so that I can start early.... :) 

It's a great year!

Back To School

As it always happens, I searched my local extension office's website and discovered that they are having a Master Gardener class/certification beginning next month.  I had three days to get my application in and that space was limited.  (After a weekend of panicking) I called first thing Monday morning and found out that there were spaces available!  woo woo!!

I am in the Master Gardener program!  woo woo!!  (the really cool part is that it starts five days before my birthday.  Happy birthday to me!)

I've had twists and turns in almost all of my relationships this week.  I'm saying that it has to do with the huge solar flares.  :)  I have been knocked on my butt a lot this week.  It makes it difficult to go with the flow for this Pisces, but I'm trying!  It will honestly be interesting to see where this is going, but right now, it's a pain in the *ss. 

We were hit with strange weather these last couple of weeks and it's forced my running indoors.  I haven't been able to take many pictures, but I really do love the treadmill.  :)  The key is to cover up the time and distance with a magazine.  If I can't see how far or how long, I run for the joy of it like I did as a kid.  It's like being back in a great game of Kiss and Kill.   (I know, I know!)

Hope everyone has a great week!

Year of the Dragon

I'm not exactly sure what that means for me, but considering that I love dragons, it's probably good.  At the very least, I enjoy seeing all of the dragons everwhere I go!

I discovered this morning that I'm signed up for the local county extension's master gardener program!  woo woo!  You can't imagine how excited I am.  I can hardly contain myself.  The best news is that it begins five days before my birthday!  What a great present!!!

We were hit with a ton of snow that shut down school for a day and  left us with about 20" on the ground.  The sad part was that it was followed by a day of rain.  :(  My snow is no longer fluffy and the running dogs now sounds like the herd of buffalo!  They (the dogs) are still enjoying being outside and chasing one another around the yard. 

Happy New Year!!! 

Sorley Maclean

Tric 's mi gabhail air Dùn Èideann
baile glas gun ghathadh grèine,
's ann a lasadh e led bhòidhche,
baile lòghmhor geal-reultach.


Translation:

Often when I called Edinburgh
a grey town without darting sun,
it would light up your beauty,
a refulgent, white-starred town.

First Friday

There's been a lot of excitement in the air the last couple of days.  I'm not sure if everyone is happy about the new year,  the weather being pleasant or what.  Whatever it is, I'll take it.  I'm having a flat out blast!

I have been running on a fairly regular schedule (achilles dependent) and yesterday I sent in a blurb for my work newsletter to get a relay team together for the local marathon.  Teams of four, varying distances, we run the whole 26.2!  I think it's a great team builder (even for people who aren't running - a lot of people have already asked if they could work an aid station) and with the way I'm running these days, I'm opting for the hill section!

I read an article on how to make fingerless gloves and since, I have been knitting like mad.  I find it therapeutic and it's great to give as gifts.  (And now people are beginning to request them!)

I hope everyone has recovered from the holidays and are gathering the seed catalogs for the upcoming year!  (squeal!)