Friends that are family

There are friends that are as close as family, they are our chosen family. Our next door neighbors from California still remain our best friends and traveling companions. It was such an incredible surprise to have them here for the entire weekend! We are already planning our next vacation, next year; initially we had thought about Charlotte, N.C. but changed our mind to an Alaskan Cruise and I'm already researching the various land/sea packages. Jim and Barb went on a cruise and land trip about 10 or 11 yrs ago and loved it. Hubby and I have always wanted to see Alaska and this would be such fun.

WE were so incredibly honored to have our friends and family fly out to Colorado for our party.  Barb always gets me in the mood for quilting, for this is what we did so much of when we lived next door to each other.  We are still so in awe of what our daughters and sil's and grands were able to orchestrate and pull together. 
Now that life is back to normal, I've got fabric to wash and a quilt to design.  Hunter is settling back into a quiet house. Our cow takes its farewell journey today; my daughter is feeling a bit sad, as am I.  How can you bond with an animal that you were never affectionate with?  The kids seem fine with knowing Missy is going to the slaughterhouse, but time will tell if they miss her presence in the pasture.  Daughter Carrie says she needs some chickens now. 
Have a great Wednesday!
Noreen & Hunter

Happy Thursday to you!  I have a list of thanks a mile long each day but just want to focus on a few items today.  

Yesterday I drove down the road apiece, about 45 minutes to meet my two blogging buddies for lunch.  I have known Marlene, on the left, and Pam,on the right, for about 3 yrs now.  These ladies are incredible women of faith, nanas, moms and bloggers; plus they are just fun to spend time with.  We try to get together every three to four months as schedules allow and I cherish the time we spend together.  Marlene is an accomplished writer and I always love hearing if she has any new stories in the works.I got to meet two of Marlene's grands and also her daughter-what a wonderful family.   Pam does childcare for her grands and that touches my heart; having done childcare in my home for years makes me reflect on that time when I hear her stories.  I am so thankful that the Lord brought us together, via blogs, to share fellowship.  There are a couple of other ladies down the road that I haven't met but would like to. 

We had a wonderful lunch in an old home that was built in the 1890's and converted to a very nice restaurant. I should have taken a photo of my salad because it was so good! 

Today I'm off to bible study, which I am thankful for, and later we head up to the mountains to have dinner with friends.  I just hope it isn't snowing this afternoon and evening while we are traveling. 

I hope you have a wonderful day filled with the Love of Jesus; don't forget to stop and give thanks for the blessings in your life.

Hugs, Noreen