Another Birthday

Today is a very special day, can you all join me in wishing our dear little Miss F a very Happy Birthday!
Miss F turns six today; I well remember the day she was born.  I had gone back to work, teaching preschool, and I got a call that our girl Carrie was in labor.  I was so excited until she told me that her sweet man had to take Mr. B, then two, into the ER to get stitches in his head.  Poor Carrie, so worried about her boy and in labor to boot.  Her sister, Kim, drove up with a little one in tow, to take Carrie to the hospital. I was able to leave work and join them at the hospital so that Carrie's hubby could take her up to labor & delivery.  Oh my, what a day it was and that is only from my perspective.  Our Miss F is the image of her mama and has the sweetest temperament but don't let that fool you, she can hold her own with her brothers.  I look forward to watching all our grands grow up.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!  WE LOVE YOU.  xxxoooo Nana & Papa

May all you dear friends, find joy in the simple things and grace for the moment.  Happy Friday.
Blessings, Noreen

Birthday Fun

 Isn't little A just adorable!

 Miss D really got into her presents last night; such fun!

 Her little sis wanting to get in on the fun too. 

 Big cousin helping out with the card.

Surrounded by love, what more could one person want.

"My very own girly apron and cooking utensils.

Another masterpiece Miss D's dad created.  The theme was vintage camping and he made this cake from scratch.  It was so realistic; if he is ever out of work I think he'd have another career in cake decorating.

 Even the campfire was lit-it was so very cool.

Miss D requested the tent, which was actually part of the cake, for her piece.  Yum Yum!!! Everyone had such a good time.  On Friday we have another grand daughter's birthday from our oldest girl's family-her girl will be turning six.
We had a wonderful time in the mountains yesterday and it did my heart good.  I realized that the mountains do for me what Hawaii does for my man.  It was such a wonderful day!
Have a great Thursday!  Blessings, Noreen

Today our Miss D turns 3 yrs old; it is hard to believe! Unfortunately, I don't have many good photos of her because she doesn't like her picture taken.  This was taken when we went camping this summer and she was playing with her sisters and cousins.  Miss D is such a character; she makes us laugh because she is always into something.  She is full of life, I don't think she has a slow switch in her body.  A sensitive spirit who will cry if you are unhappy with her but so ready to make you laugh.  She hasn't quite got the grasp of her birthday yet or the idea of a party with presents but  I'm sure this will develop as she gets older. 
Happy Birthday my love, may you continue to grow and mature in our Lord Jesus; may His favor shine upon you.
We love you.  Nana & Papa

We are headed to Estes Park today to check out colors and hopefully get some photos.  Have a blessed day dear ones.  Noreen

Autumn At My House

 Good Morning to you dear friends.  I finally got around to taking some photos of harvest decorations in our home.  You can click on the photo to get a bigger shot of these.  My oldest and her family had a wonderful garden this year and I was on the receiving end of it.  I love gourds, they had so many and it was wonderful to get them for our center island plus two  pumpkins.

I'm off to go to court today with a friend to watch a trial; I love watching trials. 
It's so beautiful here, I love this time of year.  Hubby and I are heading to the high places tomorrow to see the colors and the Elk; I can't wait.
Have an incredible day my friends.
Noreen

Puppy Love

    My good friend,Cyndi, is here again to dog sit for her brother. Cyndi comes out at least once a year and spends about 3 weeks; it not only blesses her brother but blesses me as well.  Her brother raises English Springer's and Cyndi is constantly busy with the dogs.  This trip she has 9 puppies to care for as well; they are just a month old and still need lots of attention.  Thankfully the weather has been nice enough to have them outside.

Here is the momma-she looks tired and is about ready to wean them.  It is so comical to watch them all try to nurse at the same time. 

After all the play outside, eating and taking care of business they are ready for a nap.  They are adorable, I think all puppies are.  I learn more about the breed each time I'm around them and these are not dogs I would want as a house dog due to the hair and I learned they quite independent and stubborn, plus I'm not a hunter.  

Our Reggie continues to have great days and I'm not sure we'll be getting a puppy anytime soon but when we do it will be a smaller dog.  Have a great Monday dear friends.

Noreen

Happy Fall

From my home to yours, Autumn blessings~
Noreen

Happy Thursday All~I've got a busy morning scheduled so just stopping to wish you God's best today.  I'll be walking in a few minutes and then get ready to head to our Beth Moore study that starts today; we will be doing her new study on David.  I've done her older one but am excited about this new direction she takes us on.  After the study, I'm taking my friend to a store in the same town that is called Real Deals; it is a home decor store but at warehouse prices.  Don't plan on buying anything but it will be fun to look. Hubby and I did some clothes shopping over the weekend, at Kohl's, and got $60. Kohl's cash so I'm taking him back today to get new tennis shoes. 
We woke to frost on the roofs this morning-not a good sign is what my sweet man said. 
Have a day filled with Him.
Noreen

Harvest Blessings

 Welcome to our home; it's official Autumn is definitely here, you can tell by all my harvest decorations.

Last year we got a small Mum at the market and I planted it; you know the $7.00 kind that is so small.  Would you look at how regal it looks this year; I just love it. We did plant two smaller ones on either side of the Japanese Maple, in hopes that next year they will be the size of the burgundy one. 
Have an incredible day!!!
Noreen

Fall is in the air

 I haven't yet been up to the high places to see if the color is near its peak but I hope to soon; these photos are from different areas of Colorado and were taken last year(not by me), the year the mountains were ablaze with colors.

 Although I do miss the various shades of red and purple, I have come to love the yellows of the Aspens.

I just love these sights! I have come to love each season here, although the hard winter is not my favorite like it was the first year we lived here.  I remember feeling the winter was so romantic~we had the fireplace on, didn't need to go anywhere and would sit and watch the snow for hours on end.  The older we get, the harder clearing the driveway and sidewalks has become, but I am content at this stage in life. I love to have autumn candles burning, hot tea or cider, sitting and quilting for hours and of course watching football on t.v. has become a favorite too.  I still long to go back to New England again, maybe in a few years if the economy picks up and things become a bit easier. 

Are you experiencing the signs of autumn in your neck of the woods?  What are your favorite things about this season?

Blessings on your day, Noreen

Garage Sale bargains

Happy Monday to you.  On Saturday, my friend Kam and I went to the garage sales in our town.  Now that fall is upon us, we are finding that there are fewer and fewer sales and my hubby isn't too disappointed about that. However, for the last year I have been looking for one of these babies at a sale and was so excited to spot it.  They retail right around $100. here and although I knew I'd use it, I just couldn't pay that much for one.  So when I saw the tag on this for $25.00 I grew hopeful; Kam immediately asked if the gal would take $15.00 because that was all that I had one me and she readily said yes.  It was only used a time or two and was in great condition.  I came home and washed it and promptly made some vegetable juice using celery, onion, broccoli, carrots, a tomato and of course an apple.  It was so good but hubby wanted to know why I couldn't just eat all the ingredients, to which I replied that I left in the core and stem of the apple and the tops of celery because it is added vitamins.  I am hoping to just have juice for lunch twice a week but maybe more-we'll see.  I needed those extra vitamins because our old Reggie was up for almost two hours during the night.  He just kept wanting out and would eat grass; I never saw him get sick but I finally just left the door open and the light on the stairs on so he could find his way back upstairs.  I was worried that maybe it was his time but today he seems perfectly fine, it's me that is tired.  I did sleep in an extra half hour today but then went on our morning walk with Kam.  Hubby fixed an omelet when I got home with turkey bacon, salmon left over from dinner last night, swiss cheese and green onions.  Oh my was it good!!! No lunch for me though-well maybe just fresh juice.
I hope you had a blessed weekend and are rested up for a new week.
Hugs today.  Noreen

Happy Friday

Good morning to you!  Can you believe it is already Friday?  I well remember my parents saying that the older you get the fast time flies, I would definitely agree.  I decided to show you a couple of photos that are pretty random. The first is my early September decorations; I always decorate my treadle with seasonal decorations.  At this point, I wasn't ready for my harvest items to be out; but now I've always switched this out.  

 Here is our newest grandpup,Petrol.  I spent part of the morning with Kim and her girls yesterday-can you guess what I spent my time doing?  If you guessed petting this cutie you are right, but then I also helped the girls with her as well.

This weekend, may your days be filled with love and laughter.
Blessings, Noreen

                                                      

Happy Happy Thursday dear friends,  I hope you are all well and enjoying each day as it is given.  Today I am so very thankful for love of family; I know I sound like a broken record but it's true-nothing brings me more joy than our gang.  I am thankful that my brother and sweet sil made it safely to Ireland, after departing JFK on Sunday.  I am thankful that his little episode with food poisoning was truly nothing more serious and although scared the pants off my sil and ended him in the hospital, he is hopefully now enjoying their tour.

I am very thankful for our daughters and their families.  This photo was taken at a wedding this summer and we had a great time attending.  From L-R, hubby with granddaughter D in his lap, Miss S with her daddy, me, daughter Kim  with baby A and our Little Peanut.

  Last night they got a new, little 9 week old miniature Schnauzer; she is adorable and very calm & submissive.  They've named her Petrol(as in oil)and I know she'll be a wonderful addition to the family. Her is a photo of our little Peanut holding her this morning. O.k. so I'm smitten-she is just the cutest little puppy. She hasn't met Samson yet-it was dark and raining out last night and he is so big that they didn't want to scare her.  I'm heading over there is a bit to help out-mainly to hold that little bundle. 
Have a great Thursday.
Hugs, Noreen

Outdoor Wednesday

Little Miss S wants to take up archery; I'm amazed at what a good shot she is at six years of age.

The golf course where hubby works was holding a fund-raiser the other day and he got to go up in this baby; his first helicopter ride.  He loved it.

This is our calf "Missy Steamboat" aka Missy.  The children weren't going to name her, making it easier to remember she is for meat and  not a pet but they couldn't help themselves.  She is still a bit shy around people but loves all the dogs around the field.   My future rancher, Mr. B, is so excited about her~but then so is his big brother JJ.

Have a wonderful fall day!  Noreen

A Blessing Basket

There is nothing that gives me more joy than blessing others be it with a card, hug or an unexpected gift of love.  I just love how the Lord often orchestrates the timing and this happen when another needs encouragement desperately.  So it is with joy I can say that yesterday, on such a day, I received this basket from dear friend within our blogging community.  Sharon had a giveaway last week and I won; something I wasn't anticipating but so very grateful for.

 Her packaging is simply delightful!

 Look at all the goodies she sent-bookmarks, cards, stickers, tags, scripture cards in a darling basket; all sent by a heart of love.

I am looking forward to passing on special love gifts with some of her items-because like me, I know those who receive one of these will be blessed.

Please stop by and visit Sharon at http://theshepherdshouse.wordpress.com/ , I know you'll be blessed too.

Hugs today, Noreen

Happy Monday

Good  morning friends~ I hope you had a peace filled weekend with reminders that today is a new day, filled with endless possibilities. 
I had a great Saturday but I have a question for you; what do 180,000 women from 48 U.S. states, 11 other countries in 73 different locations and 1 correctional facility all have in common?  The answer is women joined together to hear Beth Moore in a live simulcast out of Lubbock Texas with praise & worship led by Travis Cottrell, lifting up the name of our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ.  It was a wonderful day hosted by a fantastic church, Rocky Mountain Christian Church, who made sure all  our needs were taken care of.  We had an incredible lunch and lots of snacks at a large church where even the men's bathrooms were designated for the gals.  Beth's teaching was so good, focusing on Luke and Paul, but applicable to each woman there. I have found that she has the ability to take the Word and show us all how to walk it out in our own lives and situations.  I wonder if any of my blogging buddies were in attendance too? 
For a mere $20. this day was so worth it, plus I got to spend time with two dear friends-what more could a gal ask for. 
Yesterday we got to visit with both daughters & their families and meet our new cow; they named her Missy and she is a bit reserved but will hopefully settle in quickly.   We also spent time remembering ten years ago and honoring those who were directly involved.  We actually had two F19 jets do a fly over; we get this on a regular basis and because we are now used to hearing them I always go out to see if we can visually see them. 
Have a wonderful day and remember to count your blessings.  Noreen

9/11

Ten years ago a hideous event took place, an attack on the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave. In horror, we all were transfixed watching our televisions seeing something we never thought would happen.
The terrorists couldn't have known it would rally America in a way that we hadn't seen for a long time.
Those feelings had stayed with us; I say WE WILL NEVER FORGET and I mourn with those who lost innocent loved ones and those firefighters/police/search & rescue and their dogs, that were doing there job helping others.
GOD BLESS AMERICA

Noreen

Happy Friday

I can't believe it is the afternoon already and I have yet to really sit down and think about blogging. Since it is Friday, my girlfriend and I hit garage sales this morning-got a few small things but not much.  After lunch, I went to our youngest girls home to watch her kiddos while she ran to a huge flea market for kids clothing.  She was gone for quite awhile and when she got home we visited.  Hubby and I did run some errands as well so this day has been a full one.  Tomorrow I head south to go to an all day Beth Moore simulcast at a large church; I'm joining some girlfriends so we should have a wonderful day praising the Lord and studying His Word.  Our calf comes tomorrow and I think I'll go meet her tomorrow evening-I just hope I don't fall for those big brown eyes. 
Our weather is definitely cooler; the mornings and evenings are so nice and our days are in the mid-70's. 
I'm resisting putting all my fall decorations out simply because if they are out til Thanksgiving, I'll be so done with them and I like putting them away before I am sick of them.
Whatever you've got going this weekend, have a wonderful time filled with laughter, hugs and lots of love.
Blessings, Noreen

Once again it is the day we stop and count our blessings, acknowledging that even in this uncertain world we can give thanks.  I can say that I am so thankful that our little Reggie is still doing well with no apparent indications of a brain tumor.  Now, I realize it may be like this until we are forced to make a decision but for now, I'm so grateful.  When our vet gave us the time frame, he said 3-4 weeks and it's been 8 weeks; I guess that is why they call it the Practice of (vet)Medicine.  As with people, there is only One who numbers our days and I am blessed by this day.  I am thankful that hubby and I went to the movies yesterday; it was raining and a golf outing was cancelled so we took in a show.  We saw The Debt; it was good-good acting and pretty intriguing.  I am so thankful that our oldest and her family are starting home from their vacation today; I can't wait to see them all! I am thankful that our youngest and I canned another forty pounds of peaches Sunday night and we are now done with peaches and will just wait for apples to appear and then will can alot of applesauce.  I am thankful that both our girls have continued on in this skill, thus supplying the needs of their families.  I am thankful for two days of rain and the possibility it might rain in Texas.  So many dear blogging friends are being impacted by the fires; I well remember what the threat of fire was like when we lived near open space in Ca. 
I am thankful for the all day Beth Moore simulcast that I am going to on Sat. with two friends. 
I am thankful we are getting the family calf on Sat. and will learn much about animal care with her.
I am thankful it isn't raining because I like to walk when it's a bit nicer.
I am thankful for His love, poured out on us.  How about you, what are you thankful for today?
Please visit Iris at http://www.eph2810.com/ to check out more TT posts.
Noreen

A Small Town Parade

Until we moved to northern Colorado, four years ago, we weren't personally involved in any small town parades.  That changed and the first Labor Day parade we watched here showed us we had made the right decision to move to a small town of 18,000 people.  I know this isn't small for many of you but after living in cities that had populations of about 200,000 it seemed small to us.  We loved the parade because those in it give candy out to all the children on the sidelines.  It seems as if the whole town turns out for it and this year the parade last two hours.  Such fun.

 Some of our eldest vet's lead the parade.

Our high school marching band is one of the top in the nation and was at the last Presidential Inauguration.
Our four granddaughters came away with lots of candy and they had a great time watching all the floats and marching groups.  Got to love it!!!
Blessings on your day.
Noreen