Wide Open Spaces, High Places

Yesterday gave us a welcome taste of spring with warmth and sunshine over the plains so hubby and I decided to head up to the high places; something that always refreshes my spirit especially after a crazy week. Although the clouds were rolling in over the peaks, for the most part it was sunny and beautiful.

We anticipated seeing more wildlife than we did; we only found one very large herd of Elk grazing in the park. They did look a bit thinner than in the fall.

We actually thought we'd take a short hike but then the snow started to fall, we weren't equipped so decided we'd rather go have lunch. It was such a wonderful outing with hope of springtime that we are looking forward to doing lots of easy hikes this spring and summer.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Hugs, Noreen

Once again it is time to stop, count our blessings and give thanks. When a person makes this a habit, your mindset is bound to look up.
Today I am thankful for another day to love and to be loved. I am thankful for every breathe I take; each one is a gift from above. I am thankful for my beloved husband, the love of my life~his devotion, loyalty, sense of humor, artistic bents and all that makes him who is he.
I am thankful for my family, here and Rich and Sue back in California. Without them, I wouldn't be who I am today. I am thankful for 8 precious grandchildren with number nine due in April. I am thankful for the health care system here in Colorado. I am thankful for this time, this season of retirement and the ability to be more relaxed in life as well as being more available.
I am so very thankful for my dear friend Becky-the best friend a gal could have!!! Even though we've never met in person, our spirits are kindred and she gives me joy just by being who she is. I am thankful for the day we will meet. I am thankful for sisters in faith, my prayer partners and their faithfulness to me. I am thankful for their labor of love. I am thankful for my dear friends in Ca.-Cyndi and her ministry of prayer. I am thankful for all those people who bless my life continually.
I am thankful that I have a Good Shepherd, who leads me in the valley, provides for me, protects me and calls me His own.
I am thankful that no harm can befall me except that which has been filtered through His hands. We have never been promised an easy life, but I am thankful He will never leave me or forsake me.
I am thankful for computers and the ability to connect with others, some closer than family even though distance separates us.
There are so many dear ones that make my life richer~Carol, Lynn, Dineen, Lisa, Sue, Amy, Aletha, Nellie, Ella, Rose, Deb, Tiffany, Pam, Marlene, Barbara and the list goes on and on.
Today I am thankful to be alive.
Blessings to you dear friends.
Noreen

For more thankful Thursday posts, please visit Iris at http://www.eph2810.com/thankful-thursday/thankful-thursday-changes/

Well, I have to say yesterday's doctor appointment was the first one, at least that I can remember, that I enjoyed. The gal is wonderful~besides telling me I didn't need to lose weight(which I do), she said I was doing everything right. When I shared the vitamins and supplements I take to help stay healthy she said it was the list she gives her patients. How refreshing it was that she just didn't want to push more prescription medicines on me. I loved her!
One of the things that gives me great joy in life is spending time with those I love. As you know our youngest is pregnant, 7 mos to be exact and is now on a restricted activity level due to a recurring problem. So this mom and nana gets to go over in the mornings and help out with the kiddos-make lunch, prep for dinner, chores and whatever she needs. What joy for me! Just hope I don't get on her nerves. In the afternoon and evenings I am continuing to work on the quilt; I will post photos when it is done. It is nothing really fancy or complex but it is filled with love and prayers for this little girl soon to be in our family.
We've got blue skies here today and although it's cold, it is incredibly beautiful.
Have a joyful day!
Hugs,Noreen

Happy Monday to each of you. I know, I know, if you are off to work today you aren't glad it's Monday but with how short this life is, we should be thankful for every day!
I'm off to the doctors today for an annual; it's a new doctor and I'm hoping I really like her. I know that I have about 8-10 lbs to lose but yesterday I had a good amount of exercise. You see, I'm a fair weather walker and don't have equipment here at home so if it is snowing my exercise is helping my man shovel the driveway and sidewalks. So on Saturday and yesterday we went out first thing and shoveled. Now, we have a normal driveway but by the time we are done with that and both sidewalks we've worked out a bit. In the afternoon, prior to our oldest & her family getting home after three days in the mountains, we went over to shovel their driveway. Now they live out in the country and although it is a development, they have a circular driveway and it is pretty long. We only shoveled the part going into their garage, so they could drive right in to unload, but it was still about 70' or so according to my hubby. To me, it seemed liked it was closer to double that. They had been gone so had quite a bit of snow piled up but it was nice to make sure it was easier for them. So, should my doctor give me a bad time about not lifting weights etc. I plan to explain that shoveling snow is not only lifting weights but also aerobic as well~plus very cold indeed. I think it was snowing more out there and it sure seemed colder.
Got to love it though.
Today was my mother's birthday and she would have been 97. Happy Birthday Mom-sure you are having a wonderful time in glory.
Have a wonderful day and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors at some point.
Hugs, Noreen

Happy Friday dear friends, Again the week has flown by so quickly. Yesterday morning I spent with our youngest and her three girls. It was a joy to be able to watch her homeschooling and to just be an extra set of hands should she need me. Afterwards, we ran errands-it helps having two adults with three girls between the ages of 4(going on 10),2,1. In the afternoon, I made a quick trip up to our oldest girls home to help them get ready for a weekend getaway. They are in Glenwood Springs for the weekend, enjoying snow time with a group from church. Right as I left their house it began to snow and it continued to snow until sometime during the night. We had plans to head down to Denver today and attend the Home Show but the weather made us really rethink this idea, so instead we are staying home and staying warm. I think the nice weather the last couple of weeks has made me anxious for spring and as much as I like snow, I'd rather it be sunny and warm. It is early to say that though because we could have two more months of the white stuff. O.k. so maybe our vacation for two weeks in the islands will be warm and a break from the cold.
We don't have anything exciting planned for the weekend~just watching the Olympics and my continued hand quilting.
Whatever you do, enjoy it!
Hugs, Noreen

Beauty of Creation

This morning I took hubby out to our town lake to see if we could spy any Bald Eagles. The morning is cloudy and cool and the eagles were not congregating like they did yesterday but we did get some shots. Mind you, I started out with just showing four photos but if you are anything like I am, the more the better so I added two. Here is an adult sitting majestically on the lake, watching intently the activity around it.

A baby~we've been told that they will not get all their white feathers until they are mature at about 5 yrs old.

Aren't they spectacular!!

On another note, to those dear friends that have prayed for Faith's arm to heal~this morning she had an x-ray and it is doing well so she'll not need pins and will get her cast off March 10th.

Thank you from our family for keeping her in your thoughts.

Have a glorious day!

Noreen

Simply Amazing

Although this is a bit late, I wanted to share something amazing from today. I met a good friend at our town lake at noon today to walk. I really need to get out and get in shape before our vacation and it's even better when a friend will join me for a walk. When we got out of our cars, I spied a Bald Eagle on the other side of the lake. I could tell there were lots of large birds with it but when you've seen the other side of 50 yrs old, your eyesight goes a bit. Anyway, I was thrilled as I always am to see the eagle. As we got closer I remarked that I thought there were a couple of others. Turns out there were 4 on the ice; at first I thought they were fishing but my friend said maybe they were just chillin...lol. She is from South Africa and her accent always makes things funnier. I couldn't tell what the other two birds were-possibly Golden Eagles or baby eagles without the hoods. We kept walking and spotted another one in a Cottonwood tree. I am thrilled by all wildlife here and especially love this time of year when the eagles are here nesting for winter. Tomorrow morning I'm taking my hubby back, with camera, to see if they might still be there.