Burrr

Yesterday morning, approximately 12 hours after it started to snow.

This morning, after a day and a half of snowing; the drifts are piled high in our back yard and it is colder and windier than yesterday. It is supposed to keep snowing for most of the day and I believe most of the schools in Colorado are closed. Tonight we are supposed to have both families over to celebrate our two sil's birthdays(tomorrow)but we may have to postpone our get together~time will tell. Wherever you are and whatever weather you're experiencing today enjoy it.

Today I am so very thankful that I do not have to get out in the snow to go to a job. I am thankful for the workers who keep our roadways clear and plowed. I am thankful to my Creator for making such a winter wonderland for us to enjoy. I am thankful that He washes my sins in scarlet and makes me whiter than snow. I am thankful that His mercies are new every morning and they continually rain down on me....just like the snow. I am thankful that each person is as different and unique as each individual snowflake. I am thankful that this storm shall pass even as the storms of life also pass.
I am thankful to be alive and to behold the glory of the Lord in His creation.
My next post will be of photos from yesterday and today.
In His Warmth, Noreen

Winter White

I had hoped to post photos today of our white wonderland but the internet has been
up and down so hopefully I can post tomorrow. It's outdoor Wed. and unfortunately
I haven't been outside other than to take our two old dogs out.
So from all of us here in Northern Colorado, stay safe and warm.
Blessings, Noreen

Where is your trust?

Lately I've been pondering the world around us~ a fallen world with fallen people. There are wars, famines, pestilence,economic uncertainties and a whole host of diseases overtaking man. In the last five years I have seen so many robbed of life from cancer and even as I write this I see countless others battling to live.
In this world there are no guarantees save one-Salvation through God's own son, Jesus Christ.
One of my favorite verses is Ps. 16:5-"The Lord is my portion and my cup, He has made my lot secure." I believe this is the NIV translation and although I prefer King James version always, this was a verse that I memorized as a young christian. I know that He has assigned me my portion and my cup-and I trust in Him.

This is another one of my favorite songs and I am reminded to keep my focus on Him, not on circumstances.

Song

YOU ARE MY HIDING PLACE

You are my hiding place

You always fill my heart

With songs of deliverance

Whenever I am afraid

I will trust in You.

(Michael Ledner)

I'm not sure whether you are facing something today that terrifies you but I can tell you that He will not forsake you if you will but trust in Him.
Trusting in Him, Noreen

Sleepovers at Nana and Papa's

Friday night our sil took our oldest out for the evening so we had three of their four spend the night with us. Papa has a long standing "Best Fort Builder" reputation that goes back to our daughters youth so, as always, he constructed a fort in our family room. He even took the t.v. and lowered it so the kids could watch it in their fort. They only watch videos on a computer at home, so this was like going to the movies. Since they used to live in our home I didn't even need to sleep with them~they are so comfortable here.

When their momma has her baby this is what our house will look like for about two days. What fun it is to have them with us!

Have a wonderful Monday!

Blessings, Noreen

Fantastic Family Fun

Happy Happy Birthday to you dear daughter. My how the years have flown by. What an amazing godly woman you are! Here with youngest, Miss O.

Surrounded by three of her four children. "Her children will rise and call her blessed".

Daughter C with her hubby, our Peanut is on his lap and their two girls are looking at big brother.

Your other remarkable daughter with her youngest D. More than ever I see mamas eyes in this little one.

Play time at Nana and Papas.



On a side note, a thank you to all my buddies who answered about baking at high altitudes. Yesterday I went to Barnes and N*bles and purchased High Al*itude Baking by Pat*icia Kendall so hopefully I can learn lots from this book.

Have a blessed, joy-filled weekend.

Hugs,
Noreen

To all my friends who are cooks and love to bake. I'm in a bit of a quandary here and hoping some one out there has some tips for me. When we moved here two years ago one of my biggest challenges was to learn to bake at altitude, since we came from sea-level. Most packages have high altitude directions but how do you determine what to change when you bake from scratch? Last night, for the second time, I attempted a Pear Pie and I adjusted the temperature and time to bake it but it still didn't turn out. My sil said most times you need to tweak the recipe. So if there is anyone who has been in my situation and found the answer, can you share some wisdom with me.
Is there a website where a person can go to find out what to adjust? I am ready to throw my recipe out but don't want to because it was so good in California.

Today is Outdoor Wednesday at many sites but here in northern Colorado we've got rain and cold so I'll be staying inside sewing all day.

Two more bits of good news-our little Peanut, with her parents, met with the new doctor yesterday and there is a new course of action being taken concerning her GERD. We will know in about 6-8 weeks whether this is the answer but it is certainly better than adult strength medications and possible surgery.
The other Praise is that as of next April we will have a total of nine grandchildren as Peanut's mom is pregnant as well as our oldest daughter. God is so good!!!! To let us be here for both girls and their families is such an incredible blessing and we are so thankful.
May you behold the glory of the Lord this day in your life and the lives of your loved ones.
Hugs, Noreen

Fort Vasquez

On Saturday our oldest daughter and her family ventured to a nearby Fort for a field trip. I've always loved planning children's field trip and helping them to glimpse times past. Being new to our state there is a lot we haven't seen yet so it was fun to drive a short distance for this fort.

I hadn't realized it wasn't a military post but a trading post. There were wonderful things to see and read about and many animal pelts to touch. Our oldest grandson will make his own replica of this for school and I can't wait to see what he produces.

I truly believe one of the best ways to teach children history is for them to experience living history so that it comes alive for them. Saturday was no exception and the man who was working was a wonderful story teller.

Fall in New Mexico

As we drove from Santa Fe to Taos, these were the sights that greeted us. We have grown to appreciate the Golden Aspens of our home state and seeing these amidst the Pines brought smiles to our faces; I had forgotten that although most of New Mexico is high desert there are still trees to behold.

I pray this finds you enjoying Fall wherever you might be.

Blessings, Noreen

Taos Pueblo-The Place of Red Willows

This had to be the highlight of our trip for me. I have always been drawn to the land and to the First Nations peoples and this thrilled me to see a Living World Heritage village. There is approximately 100,000 acres in the Blue Lake Wilderness Area and I was told that 2,000+ more people live in the surrounding area. There are many who still live in the Pueblos, without any appliances or electricity, who cook in Horno's or outdoor adobe ovens and still live as their ancestors did-off the land. The people still use the Kiva's(sacred religious areas) and love to share their heritage. Taos Pueblo is considered to be the oldest continually inhabited community in the U.S. The natural beauty of the area and hills made me regret leaving my camera in the car. You can read more about this treasure here: www.taospueblo.com. Photo courtesy of Taos Pueblo.

Another museum we attended was the Georgia O'Keefe museum. It was quite interesting and for the most part we enjoyed looking at her work.

We also went to the "Loretta Chapel" with the wooden spiral staircase-what a site to behold. The architecture and craftsmanship in this chapel was incredible. I loved seeing the Italian sculptures and stained glass. I am not one to go see churches just to see them; I grew up Catholic and spent so much time in them that I often don't have the appreciation for the buildings but this one was beautiful. Are friends love visiting museums, churches and galleries while I'd much rather be outside, touring the countryside and seeing small towns. That is what makes a trip fun however, doing things you normally wouldn't.

Have a joyous Wednesday!

Hot Tamale!!!

I wish I had taken my camera to dinner with us in Albuquerque; we went to one of the best Mexican restaurants or so we were told. Now being originally from California I'm used to American-Mexican food and I've heard it is quite different than the food in Mexico. The man at the hotel told us that this restaurant had New Mexican food and my goodness what a difference! The atmosphere was quaint and the food delicious but can you say they sure know how to turn up heat! I am not one who delights in really hot and spicy food but I ate all of my enchilada. Even our cubed potatoes were hot, hot, hot. My dear hubby and our friend couldn't drink enough water to cool it down but in the end we found that the pastry with honey worked the best. It was a fun way to end our first day in New Mexico.
Hugs to you today,
Noreen

Sights of New Mexico

This is one of the largest Hot Air Balloon Festivals and it was spectacular!
Although we used to attend a festival in Sonoma County when our girls were young, it was nothing like this. Seeing so many balloons going up at the same time was thrilling and even though there were approximately 100,000 people it certainly didn't feel that crowded.

Hubby and I are now glad we got up while it was dark to venture to this.

Whether a child or adult I think this brings out the child in all of us.

These were so cute and even though they never ascended, it was fun to watch the pilots move them around.

Our close friends and old neighbors from California joined us. It was the first Hot Air Balloon Fest they had ever been to and they were thrilled to be there.

Smile God loves You! The song that crept into my mind this morning was:

"Oh how He loves you and Me".
May you realize just how much he loves you today!
Blessings, Noreen

We're home and it feels so good! Yesterday when we left Santa Fe it was lovely out, the sun shining and hubby was wearing shorts but by the time we arrived home last night the snow was falling. This was our yard this morning and as much as I love the snow and living here it made me wonder what type of winter we are in for if the snow is here already. Two years ago it wasn't snowing until Thanksgiving and last year it didn't start until December and was quite light all winter but it is just barely October. Hubby and I hit the grocery store last night to stock up for the weekend just in case and I can say I'm glad we did. I think I'll be quilting a lot this year.
Have a blessed weekend.
Noreen

Greetings from Santa Fe,
Currently we are loving our time here but unfortunately don't have access to post my photos so that will have to wait til our return. We loved the Hot Air Balloon Festival and yesterday traveled to Taos to see the oldest Pueblo locally-it was wonderful!
I prefer Santa Fe to Albuquerque but we still haven't see much more than the Plaza and backroads.
Have a wonderful week; we'll be heading home early to avoid snow this weekend.

Fabulous Friday greetings to you all! On Wednesday, hubby and I took a drive to the high country to check out the Elk that are out in the open due to mating season. We generally see at least a few Elk when we venture up to Estes Park but this time of year they are out in mass. The bulls of course are defending their harems while the mamas and babes rest nearby. I will admit I am one of those people who get excited over spotting wild life. Earlier in the week a neighbor had pointed out a flock of 200+ Sandhill Cranes that were rising in the air currents on their way south and it was spectacular to watch. I still haven't caught site of any moose up close-just glimpses of a few as we traveled interstate freeways but I'd love to see some.

Our colors haven't peaked yet but I'm growing to appreciate the gold and yellow more; I will admit I still miss the vibrant purples and reds of some of my favorite trees.

Tomorrow we head to New Mexico for a week to see our old Ca. neighbors so I'll be posting photos of our vacation.

This weekend get out into God's creation and enjoy it!

Noreen

Thankful Thursday

On this Thankful Thursday I have to start by saying I am so very thankful for this precious grand daughter who turned four yesterday. What a joy she has brought to our lives; she is the image of her momma at this age only with a serious side to her personality. Our girl is a girlie girl, through and through but having older brothers has given her an adventuresome spirit as well. She loves dress up and playing with dolls but is equally comfortable with mud, toy trucks, legos, and picking out pictures of rifles in magazines(of course she'll tell you they have to be pink).
I am thankful for her mom and dad and their own strong walk of faith; raising each of their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. I am thankful this girl loves to Praise Jesus!
I am thankful for the friend she is to her oldest cousin and how they are best friends as well as cousins. I am thankful she has such a tender heart towards little ones, especially babies.
I am thankful that when asked what she wanted for her birthday dinner she answered "A princess cake" and when her momma answered "no silly, what do you want to eat?" she exclaimed "a chocolate cake" and finally upon understanding the question she answered "sandwiches" which made the evening a bit more relaxed for my girl.
I am so blessed to have so many fun grand children who love this nana.

Blessings, Noreen