Family

This was the whole family who gathered here on Friday evening.  Seated on the couch, left to right, my brother Rich, sister-in-love Sue holding Lily, me with Hunter, my hubby John.  I love spending time together, such fun and such love.
Today I'm thankful for a sunny morning that will be a bit warmer to walk in.  I'm thankful for that extra hour of sleep; when I worked I didn't like the time change because it meant getting home when it was dark but now that I'm retired I don't mind.  I am thankful for the chiropractor my hubby goes to, that helps his back.  I am thankful for the health of my brother and sil; considering he is my only sibling left, I want him to live a long and healthy life as well as the sister of my heart.  I am thankful for every breath I breathe, for life and for Love.
Joy, Noreen and Hunter

Happy Sunday,  I hope you've had a glorious weekend so far and for those friends still dealing with the aftermath of Sandy, I pray the cleanup is going quickly and that you've got power back on.
Normally, I don't post on the weekend but since this is the month to give Thanks, I want to post something every day.
Today I am thankful for the fun day we had yesterday; Stanford took CU to the cleaners.  I was so surprised, I expected them to win but not end with a score of 48-0.  I do have to say my heart was routing for Stanford because I spent over 50 years living in that area.  The weather was cool and damp and I am thankful that it didn't rain or snow.  I was cold but it wasn't as bad as it could have been.  We had a wonderful dinner and a very nice restaurant but I was still so full this morning I think I could go a day without eating.  I especially appreciated the restaurant because they had gluten free pasta.  I love Boulder, there is so much to do and so much life there. I will admit the first time I went to the Pearl Street Mall, I felt like I was back in high school and college-so much tie-dye and long haired college students.   I was so thankful for the time spent with my brother and sil; wish we lived closer to them-actually I wish they lived here.
I am thankful for the time change; I always love this time of year.  Hunter and I went on a nice walk this morning and he got back into his training mode; I was pretty relaxed last week with Lily here, but we are back to work now that we are on our regular schedule. 
Hugs~Noreen & Hunter

Happy Saturday to you!  This morning there is frost on the ground but the skies are blue and clear. Our outside thermometer is reading 30 degree F with promises of getting warmer.
I am thankful that the whole family could gather here last night for a wonderful dinner and visit.  When you get 18 of us together, it is for one lively and loud gathering.
I am thankful our oldest girl and family are back in town, albeit tired.
When we moved here to Colorado, I wasn't into watching sports of t.v. but have always loved going to games.  Since we live in such an area where the winters make it necessary to stay inside, I've begun to really enjoy football on t.v.; so you can imagine how excited we are to be going to a Stanford vs University of Colorado game today.  Hubby and I both grew up in Palo Alto, home to Stanford University; I have memories of my mom and I going to games on Saturday afternoons.  So I am very very thankful for a generous brother and sil who have provided us with the tickets to go with them.  I am thankful they flew out here for the weekend.  I am also thankful that the weather is going to be nice and not snowing.
Joy to you~
Noreen & Hunter

Salmon Snacks

Our dog trainer recently introduced me to the greatest dogs treats yet. In fact, she buys the very large bag and gave each of us a sandwich bag filled with these tempting tidbits. There is no doubt that they are freeze dried Salmon, because when you open the bag you are hit with the smell. Hunter loves them and now Lily does too; you only give one a day so this bag should last awhile, even though we are sharing. They are rich in all the nutrients our pups need. 

Yesterday when I got back from bible study, the dogs who had access to the back yard, were pretty dirty. To say my wood floor was covered in dirty paw prints would be putting it mildly.  What's a mom to do?  Hunter got put in the sink for a full bath and Lily had her feet, legs and face washed.  They both look much cleaner.  So today, I am thankful for small dogs that can be put in the kitchen sink instead of the bathtub.  I used my vinegar cleaner on the floor twice but it just looked like I spread the dirt around, so this morning I will be using the professional cleaner on it.  I try not to use it too much, as I prefer something natural.  I would much rather clean wood floors than carpet; so I am thankful that we have wood floors.  In our next home, in the future, I hope it is all wood floors with area rugs.  For today, I am thankful we have such a nice home.  I am thankful that I found these great treats for Hunter.  He is such a picky eater, but doing better, but  I  love knowing he is gets so many vitamins etc in these treats. I am thankful that Hunter and Lily get along so well and love each so much and that trading dog sitting saves us money(we used to always kennel our dogs).  I am thankful that Hunter is finally warming up to all the grands and is getting excited when they are here.  Our little guy is growing up.  I am also thankful that Hunter gets along with Petrol, our youngest daughter's dog.  This makes life easy!
I am so thankful that my brother and sil are here in Colorado and that we will be spending a majority of the weekend with them. We will be with them tomorrow all day and then we are planning on going down to have breakfast with them in Boulder.  I love it when they visit! 
I am thankful our oldest daughter and her family are on their way home this morning and that they had such a fun time in California. 
I am thankful for life!
How about you, have you noted all the blessings in your life?
May your weekend be filled with love and grace.
Blessings, Noreen & Hunter

Happy November Friends~It is certainly hard to believe that it is already here, where in the world did October go? I was pondering what to post this morning and realized  that last year I put a challenge out there to you and me, to find at least one specific think to give Thanks for each day of the month.  For many, choosing gratitude has become a way of life but sometimes it is easy to forget.  So, I am setting about to deliberately find things each day to give thanks for.  How about you?  Will you join me?
~Today I am thankful for the beautiful sunrise and promise of nice weather.
~I am thankful that hubby and I did a thorough, deep cleaning yesterday and that even though it wore us out, we were able to do it.
~I am thankful that the weather this week has been nice and hubby is golfing today.
~I am thankful for the two white fluffballs at my feet and that we are going for a walk shortly.
~I am thankful for my ladies study each week.
~I am thankful for health, family and friends and that my brother and sil arrive today.
~I am  thankful for my dear hubby, although listed here he really is at the top of my list.
~I am thankful for the Love of God, that I am redeemed and He calls me by name.
Won't you take this challenge with me?
Blessings, Noreen & Hunter

Happy Halloween to you. I hope you've had a good week and enjoying the last bit of Oct. For those on the east coast, I pray you are safe and didn't not have too much damage to your home or area. I wanted to share my latest quilt with you; it is far from finished and I'm working on a pieced border, but this is what I've completed so far.  Photos always distort the color but these colors are very muted and warm, very much like autumn. 

On another note, my brother and sister-of-my-heart arrive tomorrow for a long weekend.  They are true Stanford football fans and season ticket holders; this weekend University of Colorado plays Stanford.  CU(as the team is actually called)joined the pack twelve this last year, so for Christmas last year, we got tickets to this game and in turn we are taking them out to a very nice dinner afterward.  On Friday, they will head up here and we will have a large family dinner(18 of us) here at our home.  We/I always get so excited when they come to visit! They are staying in Boulder, near the stadium;  we will still be spending most of the weekend with them....yippee!!!!
Today should be an easy day-I will begin to pick up the house, work on my border for the quilt, and make lists of all I need to do tomorrow and Friday.  Our weather has been so nice the last few days, I love it and once it warms up the windows are open. 
May your blessings be many!  Noreen & Hunter

Bitey Face

When pups get together, who know each other, they often play a game called Bitey Face. Hunter and Lily are no exception; Hunter does play a bit dirty though because he will also bite anything else within his grasp.

You can see here, how he is going after Lily's tail.  Our girl, Carrie, had told me that Hunter will grab onto her tail and hold on; he actually pulled her off the couch by her tail. She never cries out but can we say ouch!

Thankfully, this couch is very old and worn, so I don't worry about them on it at all.

Lily is now four years old and I think there are times when she gets plain tired of Hunter's antics.

Here she is giving it right back to him.  I love having dogs that play together and don't draw blood. We had two females for many years but occasionally they would get into it seriously and someone would end up bleeding.  Lily and Hunter are perfect together-the same size and personalities. 
Have a fun day.
Noreen & Hunter