Farewell September

Happy Friday Friends! With September bidding us farewell, I thought I'd show the photos from the other day~as you can see the colors are definitely on their way out, at least the oranges are and many trees are bare. Still many of the Aspens are displaying gold.  I am content now and ready to prepare for colder weather and lots of indoor time. This morning however, I'm walking in the rain and then will have some grands over for a bit.

May your day be sweet and filled with contentment!  May your weekend be a fun one.
Enjoy!
Noreen

What a Surprise

Happy Thursday to you! As I mentioned yesterday, hubby and I took a drive to the mountains. We drove the Peak to Peak Highway, outside of Boulder and came around a bend in the road and saw lots of folks pulled off-a sure sign there is wildlife in the vicinity. Sure enough, this cow(we think she's a cow)was in this little lake. You would not believe how my heart and spirit soared. I had heard via KB's blog that there were Moose in the area where she lives. I've only seen them up close about 7 years ago and this was thrilling. My heart was singing. When we first approached the hill overlooking the lake, she was faced away from us. Hubby had the camera, so he ambled down the path so he could get a better shot or two.

We are not sure what she was after, probably some grasses or weeds in the water.  Oh, she is beautiful.  We do know that you don't want to get to close to them and that they can pose quite a threat to humans and other animals.  From that moment on, I didn't care about the colors any longer-may day was made.
Have a great Thursday.
Blessings and joy to you.
Noreen

Hello,  It's hard to believe that most of the day has gone by~it has been a great day none the less.
First thing this morning I had my ladies group and it was so good.  I got home, hubby and I had lunch~I have to tell you that I stopped at Pannera's yesterday and got a take out container of their Autumn Squash soup.  I love their Butternut Squash soup and this was just as good.  So I had a bowl for lunch today, again I love it.  It would make a great sauce for a white fish; I need to google their recipe and see if I can achieve the same wonderful taste.  Hubby was surprised that it was so sweet.
After that we headed up to the mountains again to see if we could find some great pics.  We did and also had a great surprise-but  you will have to wait until tomorrow to find out what it was.  We drove through Boulder Canyon and I got to see the area where blogging friend KB lives-but I'm not exactly sure where she is located.  It was such a beautiful day for a drive; I feel that I have done my best to see the colors and will have to wait until next year.  I will also say that last year I messaged KB, but it was in Oct., about the colors etc.-so my take on it is that  our colors have peaked a lot earlier than last  year.  Tonight we are going to our daughter's home because it is Miss D's 8th birthday and Little Man's 4th birthday celebration.  He turned four and celebrated last week in Disneyland; can't you just imagine what a birthday memory that will be.  Tomorrow I'm watching some of the girls and then we have a dinner with friends.  Friday I'll be watching more of the girls and then we have another family birthday party.  September is quite the birthday month, all three are within a week of each other.
I hope you've had a great day!
Hugs,
Noreen

Memories of Wildlife

Happy Tuesday to you! Last Saturday hubby and I took a drive out the Poudre Canyon, basically to see if we could spot any colors. The trip was a bust that way, but it made me remember other drives we've taken in the Canyon. Back in 2010, we decided to take such a drive and I couldn't believe that I spotted this bear; I told hubby he had to pull over so we could get pictures. I love having a telephoto lens just for that reason. It was so exciting to watch this guy and we were far enough away that we weren't in any danger.  I believe from the size that he was fairly young.

We stood watching him for an hour at least-so remarkable.  We've had friends that have lived here their whole life and not seen one; in fact, one friend was quite jealous.  Now if you know my friend KB, who lives up in the mountains, you know she gets them all the time along with a lot of other incredible wildlife.  This was the second time in our lives that we saw one; the first was when we lived in Ca. and were driving in one night to our cabin~one big old bear crossed the road in front of us.  I will say that time it was a bit scary.  When we went to Alaska 3 years ago, I watched and watched for some-to no avail.  I love seeing them from a distance and wouldn't want them around my yard.  I also remember going to Yosemite when I was about 6 yrs old and staying in a small cabin with my mom and dad.  Each night the bears would roam through the areas surrounding the cabins, looking for trash.  We could hear them and I think even saw them in the area.
I've also been thinking about the colors changing and I have a hankering to get up to Steamboat Springs for a night or so, we'll see if we can make it work.  I've walked already, finished washing some more windows and now going to look at a sewing project I need to finish.  Hubby will be gone all day until about 7:30 tonight, so I've got plenty of time to play.  I hope you have a great day today.
Joy to you!
Noreen

It's A Good Life

Happy Monday to you. Here in northern Colorado, we can tell Autumn is really here~the nights are really cool and there is a dusting of snow up in the Rockies. Please no more snow-I'm not ready for it yet. Hubby and I went on another drive on Saturday, looking for more colors up in the Canyon but we didn't see any. I'm still wanting to see more and that may mean a longer drive with a night away-we'll see.
 For the last week, Petrol was with us. She is such a sweet dog and was a great playmate for Hunter. Our neighbors even brought their dog Odie over to play; all three got along perfectly.

Yesterday afternoon I went by our oldest daughter's home to pick up some fresh veggies and a special treat. I haven't seen Copper and Lily in a couple of weeks, so it was fun to see everyone briefly. Copper had recently been groomed and she looked so gorgeous. I don't think she's gotten any bigger, she is now almost 9 months old.

I'm off to walk this morning and then not sure what hubby and I will do this afternoon-except all my windows need to be washed and the screens hosed down, so maybe that is what I'll accomplish. I'm ready to put the binding on one quilt and I found a Christmas wall hanging on Friday that I will want to start this week-it is a simple panel, but I loved the fabric. My blue quilt, from Oregon will probably wait until after the holidays because I've got too many other projects to work on.
I hope whatever you have planned for today, that you find some time to spend outside.
Blessings~
Noreen and Hunter

Dreaming of Vermont

Happy Friday! Today I'm heading down to Longmont for lunch and a quilt show with several friends. While I'm away though, I'll be dreaming of someday getting back to New England for the Autumn colors.

I hope you have a great day and enjoy some time outside this weekend!
Joy to you!
Noreen

Happy Fall

Happy Fall to you! This is my favorite season, but it hasn't always been. I think my love affair with fall started when my girls were teens and we began doing more arts and crafts during this season. I can truly say as I was growing up that Spring held my heart, but that was decades ago. Now I embrace the sights and scents of fall. For our 25th wedding anniversary, my dear hubby gave me/us a trip to New England. Oh my goodness I felt like I was in heaven. I loved how everyone decorated their porches with mums; in fact, the first stop we made once we got home was at the garden center to buy Mums. So yesterday I finished getting out my harvest decorations. I'm sure I could still add more and probably will but for now I'm happy with it. I've got Spiced Apple candles going as well.

I hope you have a favorite thing about fall.  I would love to have some red plaid throws to put out, but  I have several fall quilts I have on the couches, so that if it is cool we can cover up.  Today will be a day to stay home I think.  May your day be filled with joy, love and blessings.
Noreen

Happy Wednesday friends,  I have begun to decorate for fall more seriously, but need a few more touches, before I share.  Yesterday was a good day which included time to be together with other quilters and a relaxed afternoon.  Today I'm off to a ladies study this morning and then this afternoon my neighbor and I will go to lunch prior to heading to another close friends home; the friend whose home we are going to sells jewelry and purses.  My neighbor needs a new purse, so we'll drive out to see if we can find one and save on retail prices.  Not much to report here; we are still having cool mornings that warm up and then hit the high 80's, with cool nights.  By next week we are supposed to have showers.  Do you ever wonder why you fill your schedule with so many activities?  I am!  Friday I am driving a group of ladies to a quilt show in Longmont; of course we'll do lunch before hand.  It will be fun, but by Saturday I'll be ready to stay inside.  We've had our daughter's mini-Schnauzer all week; she is such a sweetie and I know Hunter will miss her when they come home on Saturday.
I hope you find some joy in your day today.
Blessings~
Noreen

Fall In The High Country

Happy Tuesday to you. I hope you had a wonderful weekend(this was supposed to be posted yesterday, but I put the wrong date) and enjoyed some nice weather. Here in northeast Colorado, the colors are beginning to change. As with most of the country, the weather this year has been different than normal and we are seeing this manifest in the lack of trees changing color. Hubby's schedule has been so busy lately, so I told him we needed to get to the mountains before the trees have all changed. So Sunday morning we hit the road with our destination being Grand Lake; we drove through RMNP and were surprised that we didn't see many Aspens that had changed or any Elk. After all, it is Rutting season and normally they would be stopping traffic. We then took Trail Ridge over to Grand Lake and began to see some colors. We had a lovely lunch in a quaint place called the Sagebrush Grill; I loved all the antique farming tools hanging on the walls. This little town is so cute and fun to walk through. In one store, I heard a clerk saying the colors had already peaked. We knew we would have quite a drive home, so didn't stay too long. On our way to Granby, we began to see some of the colors we were what we were looking for. I still long to get back to Maine and New England to really see the intense colors, someday.

We ended up driving over 230 miles and got home before dinner time.  We had recorded the Bronco's game, so watched while we had dinner~Go Broncos.  Yesterday was filled with errands and also meeting a friend for coffee.  Today I have my quilting club and I love it-it keeps me motivated to continue on, even when I'd rather be outside.  This is my busy week-activities every day but Thursday.  Sometimes I wonder why I schedule so much.
Share a smile with someone you don't know today, it may just brighten their day and be what they need.
Blessings~
Noreen

Healthy Breakfast Bars

Happy Friday to you! I've been out walking already, ran to the market for more flour and made two dishes of breakfast bars. A friend of mine made these for me several years ago and I loved them; then recently when I was at her house, she served them to me once again-YUM! Two weeks ago, I made a batch up for hubby and me and froze them-just for a special treat when we didn't have anything in the house. They can be used for breakfast, a snack or even dessert. I am still letting them cool, but wanted to share the recipe with you.

Breakfast Bars-a Healthy version
1 1/4 cup Almond Flour
1/4 teaspoon sea salt(I used regular)

1/4 teaspoon baking soda 

1 T Cinnamon
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted(you could also use grapeseed oil or regular cooking oil)
1/4 cup maple syrup or honey(I use honey)
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract or maple extract(I have submitted Almond extract too)
1/2 cup of unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup of pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup of sunflower seeds
1/4 cup blanched slivered almonds
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup dried cranberries or blueberries
1/4 cup chocolate chips(optional)
1. In a small bowl, combine oil, syrup or honey and vanilla
2. In a large bowl, combine almond flour, salt and soda
3. Stir wet ingredients into dry
4. Mix in coconut, seeds, almonds, raisins and cranberries
5. Mix in chololate chips
6. Grease baking dish(I use a 8x8")with oil. If you want them thinner, use a 9x13" dish.
7. Press the dough into the baking dish, wetting your hands with water to help pat the dough down evenly, if needed.
8. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, or until brown.
9. Cool bars in pan for 2 hours. Cut into 12-16 bars.
 They freeze well.
 Enjoy!

I even made a batch to send with Kim and family on their road trip.  I hope you have a great fall weekend.  I'm hoping we get up to the mountains on Sunday.
Joy to you!
Noreen

New Kicks

Happy Thursday to you. I've shared that I've been having an issue with my left foot-specifically the ball of my foot and two of my toes. From what I've read it sounds an awful lot like Morton's Neuroma, but I sure hope not. Tuesday I went shopping with my neighbor and wore the Born shoes I got two years ago for Ireland-well, by the time I got home an hour+ later, I was noticing that it felt like the were too tight-hmm, how could that be. Granted my foot has changed since high school and college and I now wear a larger size. So today, after I got home from a ladies bible study, I dragged hubby down to the shoe store. I probably need to see a podiatrist, but am hoping I can wait until I turn 65 next year(medicare). I had been told that Earth shoes(you know those hippy type shoes many of us wore in the early 70's)would be a good shoe for me. So now they have a new line called Earth Origins that I decide to try. They are very comfortable and since I won't be walking in them each day on my walks, I think they'll be just fine. I can wear them with jeans or a long skirt. I loved that they weren't as pricey as some shoes I've looked at. Time will tell.

I've never had it easy with shoes-when I was growing up I had to wear corrective saddle shoes with a wooden heel to prevent me from pronating, something that runs in my family. The only time I remember being able to wear shoes the first time I tried them on was when I was pregnant-because my foot wasn't as skinny as normal. Add in a Morton's Toe and that limits many shoes as well. In the summer I wear Olukai sandals that were designed by a Podiatrist and I love them. They have shoes as well, but are extremely pricey. I'll let you know how these go. Hope you are able to find shoes that are comfortable and that work for you.
May your day be blessed!
Hugs,
Noreen

Another Great Treat From Chewy

As you know, each month as a Chewy #Influencer, we receive a wonderful treat from Chewy for Hunter to try. Here is this month's choice~a jerky stick that would sure to be his favorite.

The size is perfect for Hunter.

Come on Mom, hurry it up already.

He really doesn't like his photo taken when he is trying to eat.

Seriously Mom, enough already!

What we like about the Flexi-Stix is easy-Hunter loved them.

 Hill’s Science Diet Flexi-Stix Jerky with Real Beef Dog Treats are chock full of delicious natural ingredients and include glucosamine and chondroitin supplements to support healthy joints. The rich, hearty beef-flavored sticks are made with no artificial ingredients and easily break into bite-size pieces. These treats are a wonderful complement to Science Diet brand foods and a nutritious snack that your dog will love.

Key Benefits

• Unique shape is easy to break into pieces
• Glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy joints
• No artificial flavors or preservatives
• Real beef is the #1 ingredient
• Made in the USA

Although he is still relatively young at 4 yrs of age, I don't think it is ever too early to provide the right nutrients for healthy joints.  

We rate them 4 paws up!

Disclaimer:  We were provided this treat free of charge for our honest opinion and without any compensation.  

You can find this and other Chewy treats here: https://www.chewy.com

Noreen and a very happy Hunter

Changing Seasons

Good Morning to you! I hope you had a fantastic weekend and are ready for a brand new week. On Friday I had my monthly quilt group and came away inspired to get back to sewing daily. A good friend of mine suggested that we all try to sew for at least 15 minutes a day; I've found if I do that I accomplish a fair amount. I'm hand quilting at night-usually almost four hours and that really helps me finish projects. Nothing to share with you yet. I want to start getting into some other projects, such as Christmas presents, but we'll see how quickly that happens. After the quilt group, I headed down to visit my friend whose out from Ca.  I took a neighbor with me and we all went to lunch and then did a bit of shopping. So fun. The remainder of the weekend was nice~dinner out with our neighbors, a boat ride with friends and new friends, dinner with them as well.  Most of the gathering are snow birds and live in California, but winter in Borrego Springs.  They all have RV's and it was great getting to know them.  Someday, maybe hubby and I will be able to join them; however, I am not a gal who would be happy being away from home and family for three months at a time.  There are also a lot of places I'd love to see here in the U.S. and bloggers I'd love to meet.
 While I've been cruising through bogland, I'm so impressed by all the Fall decorations. To be honest, I've been slow it getting mine out-simply because I leave it up until  Thanksgiving.  I did want to share a few touches around my house.
Love the giant acorn that I found this year, it can be used to hold candy, a candle or nuts.
A family member visiting brought me this decorative napkin holder and I love it, I have a thing for festive napkins.



 
My dough bowl on the dining room table. I received the figurines from my sweet mother-in-law.

As I've said, I'm not ready for all sorts of pumpkins(believe me I have lots)but wanted pinecones, acorns and various textures.  I think this came out perfectly.
I'm sure by next weekend I'll have put out most of my items; Fall is my favorite season.  When we moved here I loved winter, but as you get older the cold and snow seems to get a bit harder to handle.
Have you put out any decorations yet?
May your day be blessed!
Noreen

Happy Friday to you.  I hope your week has been productive and that you are ready for a restful weekend.  Having this cold/sinus/allergy thing happening has taken some of my energy, so I haven't been posting as much as normal.  Mind you, I am still able to walk and bike but that is kind of it.
Yesterday I met Kam and we rode around our lake twice-between 5-6 miles.  When I got home, hubby and I ran to Koh*s; he needed some long sleeved t-shirts-he came away with five.
Of course, last night we watched the Bronco's game-yeah!
Today I have a quilt meeting and then I'm grabbing  a friend and taking her down to Longmont to meet my Ca. friend and go to lunch.  This weekend will be a mix of activities.  I just want this congestion to end-it will, but it takes all my energy and projects are not getting done.
Blessings to you!
Noreen

A Love Transformed by Tracie Peterson

"When Clara Vesper's husband, Adolph, dies suddenly, Clara is stunned--but not grief-stricken. Her marriage to Adolph had been arranged, their primary interaction revolving around the sapphire jewelry Clara designed and Adolph produced and sold. Widowed and penniless, with two small children, Clara decides to return to her aunt and uncle's ranch in Montana, the only place she has ever been happy.

Curtis Billingham, injured in a sapphire mine collapse, is recuperating at the ranch of his friends, Paul and Madeline Sersland. But when the Serslands' niece returns from New York City, Curtis curses both his broken body and his broken past. Clara, the love of his life, has come back to him, but he is no longer worthy of her love.

Clara's brother-in-law Otto Vesper, Adolph's business partner, fears that the loss of Clara's design skills will doom the company's prospects. Following her to Montana, Otto is prepared to do whatever it takes to get Clara to return with him to New York. 

As Clara fights for love and freedom, a dangerous secret in her late husband's life comes to light, threatening everyone she loves."
From the last page:  "Only a few short months ago, she'd lived with servants and all that money could buy,  yet a cloud of gloom had hovered perpetually over her.  She'd hoped that the love of her youth would save her, but it too had become tarnished and disappointing.  Finally, through patient endurance, she and Curtis had found a love transformed into something deeper, a love centered on foregiveness.  An eternal love that Clara intended to cling to forever".

I have loved Tracie Peterson's books and writing for years.  This book met all my expectations and more!  It was intriguing, suspenseful and the characters deep.  I loved each twist and turn and couldn't wait to get to the end to see what would happen.  I found it delightful that it not only took in Montana, but also the  treachery of some during World War I.  

I was provided this book by Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing, for my honest review.  I received no compensation.  Thank you to Bethany House for such a great blogger program.  If  this books sounds intriguing, you won't be disappointed.  
Noreen

Happy Tuesday to you!  I hope you all had a great Labor Day weekend.  Ours was relatively quiet~I either have been having horrendous allergies or caught a cold, not sure which one.  So I haven't been doing as much as I normally would; just don't have the energy.  Today however, I'm going to a friends so we can walk-doubt it will be my normal pace and then at noon meeting another friend for lunch.   I'm trying to get back into the swing of things-especially sewing, now that I'm not spending time with three fun dogs.  Hunter is always happy to sit at my feet when I'm downstairs-I love this.  Fall is definitely in the air; hubby and I usually try to get away for a night or two each fall and see some new part of our state, but doubt this will happen until Oct.
I hope you find some time to get outside today and enjoy nature.
Blessings~
Noreen

Animal House

We've been having so much fun with Copper here; it does show me that I need to start doing some weights though, because I'm not strong enough to hold her back if needed. Hunter has had so much fun and I know he'll miss them when they go home on Sunday. However, that having been said, Petrol(Kim's family dog)will be with us in a little over a week and Hunter will be happy again.  We were downstairs watching t.v. and saw Copper's leg draped over Lily. Copper is half on the couch and half on the ottoman.

She's been having nice long walks each day and playtime with Kim's kiddos-she's dog tired!

Didn't even make it up to the couch in this shot-so funny,

Two peas in a pod.

We've given Copper the nickname Moose, because even though she isn't full grown she lumbers through the house like a moose.

When she starts playing and running, we just get out of her way.
Such a great three-some, the three Amigos.
I hope you have a great day and wonderful Labor Day weekend.
Joy to you!
Noreen, Hunter, Lily and Copper