Beauty In Ice

While hiking on our property the other day, 

I was memorized by winter's beauty.  

 The sun was shining, the creek was flowing, 

and the ice was sparkling.

Many of the icicles were attached to the red branches 

of the dogwood that surrounds the creek. 

I love the wavy pattern of the icicles above 

and the way they are spilling over the log below.

 "If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere."

 ~ Vincent Van Gogh

Combining 2 Passions ♥

 I love digital photography!  Long gone are the days of dropping off a roll of film

and hoping and praying that the pictures turned out.  Or worse yet, accidentally 

exposing the film to light, ruining precious vacation or birthday pictures. (ouch)

It's fun to combine passions and that's just what I've been doing.

Skydiving and Knitting you ask?

Well, those are 2 of my passions, bit not the ones I wanted to tell you about.

(not sure I could combine those 2 anyway)

Nature & Photography

Now those I can enjoy simultaneously!

I recently opened an online Etsy shop as a way of sharing what I love.

Nature is definitely the main theme of my photography.... but

 since my nickname is TerBear, I just might have to slip a few Teddy Bear

photos in there as well.

Creek Side Photos

Please take a peek by clicking on the link above 
and let me know what you think. 

Act My Age?

When the snowy winter blues hit, I decided to battle them with a happy kind of blue.  Last summer I bought some fun fabrics to add to my stash.  I really didn't have any specific plans for them, but it's hard to pass up a good sale.  :-)   

When I pulled out the kitty fabric as a possibility for this blouse, 
my first thought was, 

"You're 51...... do you really think the bright kitties 
are age appropriate?"  

Fortunately this was followed by the thought,

"Life's too short to care!" 

Which brings me around to my new favorite Anne Taintor magnet.

So I'm chasing rainbows and wearing them too!

A Daily Reminder of Love

Remember the post entitled Summer in My Heart?  

I decided to make a special birthday present for my daughter.  

One that would remind her, that even though we live miles apart, 

my love is always with her.

 

My little 'Sara Smile' has grown-up to be a beautiful woman, both inside and out.  Her inner strength amazes and inspires me. She has a kind, generous, and creative soul. Her smile is sweet and her laughter contagious.  She brings joy to all those around her.  She is a nurturing Mom who shares a special bond with my wonderful grandson Issac.    

She is, and always will be, 

my sweet and precious friend.  

My Sara Smile!  ♥ 

The Real Spirit of Christmas

"Christmas is not a time nor a season,

but a state of mind.

To cherish peace and goodwill.

To be plenteous in mercy,

is to have the real spirit of Christmas."

~ Calvin Coolidge

♥

Summer in my Heart ♥

Winter has not officially arrived, but our winter weather has.  Snow is falling as I write this.  Our property looks like a magical winter wonderland.  Growing up near Sacramento I was never able to completely relate to the beautiful Currier and Ives winter scenes.  To me, winter has always brought with it rain and fog.  Winter snow is a new experience for me.  As wonderful as my new winter scene is, I miss the beautiful colors of my garden. 

I'm not one to sit idle for very long and I find it difficult to stay out in the cold for extended periods.... so.... I have been a little crazy.  Oh, and stir crazy as well.  :-)  I decided that sitting by the fire and embroidering might be a nice combination.  I initially planned on embroidering a winter scene;  perhaps a snowman or two.  While looking for a transfer pattern I came upon Sublime Stitching's "Dream Garden" and immediately knew that this was the one! 

"Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow" .... for there's Summer in my Heart!  ♥

Another First

I've done many things throughout my life, but driving a tractor wasn't one of them...... until now! 

My husband calls this his "new" farm tool.... I call it his new toy.  That being said, I didn't want to be left out of the fun, so I took it out for a spin around the property.  I'm happy to report that I didn't have any accidents.  In fact, I even learned how to use the hydraulic bucket. Come next summer I should be able to add Farmgirl to my resume.  I've already got a cute cowgirl hat, now all I need is a pair of overalls..... with hand embroidery of course.  ;-)

When Yellow Jackets Attack.... Ouch!

John and I were in the forest this afternoon gathering firewood when I heard him yelling and slapping his arm.  He said he had been stung.  I became concerned when he started grabbing at his shirt near his chest.  I began running toward him when I crossed over the source of the problem; a yellow jacket nest.  They immediately began stinging me.  I had gloves and long sleeves on but they managed to get at my wrists.  Unfortunately, John had a short sleeve shirt on and the first sting got him on the inside of his bicep.  The part that freaked me out the most was when they got into my hair.  I had it clipped up and believe me, that clip went flying somewhere deep into the Fremont National Forest. I must admit, I heard the word "Damn" coming out of my mouth a couple times as I was scrambling around slapping at my head. I must have been quite the sight. My immediate thought was for us to climb up the bank and hit the road, but John had initially been down there wrapping a chain around a dead tree and there was no way he was going to leave his chain behind or pass up the opportunity for a nicely seasoned piece of fir.   

I must say, that true to our natures, we carried on.  We both ended up with multiple stings.  As John put it, "We didn't let those stinkin' wasps keep us from getting our firewood."  I agreed!  He and I are definitely cut out of the same pioneer type of mold.
 

Tune in tomorrow for another episode of..... 

Aren't you glad you don't live on the Haven Homestead?

Open for Business

Sugar Whimsy

Hooray! 

 After many hours of sewing
my Etsy Shop is finally open.

Click on "Sugar Whimsy" above 
and take a peek at my current creations.

I am working on a few new patterns 
and hope to have those done 
by the end of next month.

If you have a chance to view the shop
please post comments 
to let me know what you think. 

♥

Snowy Hits the Slopes

While we've been busy
packing for our move,
Snowy has been playing in the backyard!

She Lives Within

A sad little girl from long, long ago

Tries to run and hide so the tears won’t show

She can’t run far for she lives deep within me

She is sad, very sad …. oh please, can’t you see

Come hold her it’s dark and it’s getting late

Neglect and despair…. have they sealed her fate

Sobbing and desperate we fall to the floor

As she whispers I can’t play this game anymore

We rock back and forth, alone she and I

And with strength from within I say we must try

There are those that love us and want us to stay

Close your eyes, hold on tight, it will soon be day

For what seems like an eternity really won’t last

And this sadness will someday be a thing of the past

As The New Year Approaches.....

I Celebrate A Beautiful New Beginning!

Pole Dancing

A few months ago it was rumored that my school's library would be reduced to 4 hours per day. This would mean a huge cut in hours and benefits for me. I was speaking with a few female co-workers who began asking me what I was going to do. I very casually replied, "I may have to return to pole dancing." They all burst into laughter. As I began to walk away, one of the new teachers said, "Did you say RETURN to pole dancing?" Keeping a very straight face I replied, "Oh.... you have no idea what I did before becoming a librarian. In fact, I could probably work that into an act. Hair pinned up, reading glasses, book in hand. Well.... maybe holding a book AND the pole might be difficult, but you get the picture." I loved the look on her face. I finally said, "You know I'm completely joking, right?" Ah..... what would life be without humor?

As many of you know, I am a daring girl in many regards. I've held spiders, snakes, lizards, mice, etc. Perhaps that comes with being a nature girl. I have also owned my own motorcycle, which I loved riding. Moving on.....I believe the most daring thing I have ever done was to jump from a plane at 13,000 feet. In fact, I would love to jump again.

Some might say that I'm a bit daring, and definitely not your "average" librarian. I agree, I am brave, but I am WAY too shy to attempt pole dancing. If there are any pole dancers reading this, I mean no disrespect to your profession. I'm just saying ~ it's not for me. My bravery obviously has its limits! ;-)

Haiku "Thoughts of Larry"

Picture "Suicide" by Joakim Back

One vivid dark day, 
my cousin ~ armed with a gun
ended his own life.

Suicide Prevention Lifeline

48 and Feelin' Great

Today calls for a little Birthday Celebration!

Old Soul or Just Plain Crazy?

I am absolutely fascinated with the history of my ancestors.
Perhaps it's because I have always felt
very drawn to the past.

I always keep a few of Issac's stuffed animals
on the back seat of my car.
The other morning as I got ready to leave for work
I noticed that the animals
were laying across the seat.
I found myself saying,
"Darn, they're scattered
hither and yon.
Hither and yon?
Did I just say hither and yon?"

Either I've been reading WAY
too many historical articles,
or I truly am an old soul!

Happy Halloween

Back From NYC

This morning I let the cats out into the backyard and noticed their water bowl was tipped over. This is usually a sign that raccoons have visited during the night. After I closed the French door, I noticed 2 muddy paw prints on the lower glass pane. Apparently a little critter was curious as to what was inside. Thank goodness I don't have a doggy door.

I was suddenly reminded of a comment Issac made a few years ago. We were having a family dinner and I had mentioned seeing a few raccoons in the yard one night. Issac asked me what I had done with them. I told him that I knew they had come into the yard to eat fruit off the ground and I just let them be. Uncle Mike asked him what he would have done. He replied, "I would have taken them to New York City!" He then burst into laughter. During the next few days I kept thinking of his comment and some silly ideas began to flow. With a bit of computer cut and paste, I came up with the above picture. That is Issac as the cabbie and a raccoon as his passenger. Needless to say, he thought this picture was hilarious. (click on the picture for a close-up of these 2 handsome creatures)

Since I was sound asleep when my late night visitor arrived, I missed the chance to hear all about his NYC travels. Perhaps next time. ;-)

Holy Ground

"Earth's crammed with heaven,

and every common bush afire with God;

and only he who sees takes off his shoes,
the rest sit round it and pluck blackberries, ..... "

I read this Elizabeth Barrett Browning poem recently and had an "aha" moment. It wasn't her reverence for nature that amazed me; it was her reference to the burning bush and the removal of shoes. I knew the burning bush was in reference to Moses.

..take off your sandals,

for the place on which you are standing

is holy ground.

(Exodus 3:5 NIV)

In re-reading the burning bush story I felt stunned.

Years ago, my grandfather had terminal cancer. We knew that he had just a few weeks to live. My normal routine was to come home from work and greet Sara and Michael, then go to visit my grandparents. On this particular day, I just felt that I needed to go straight to my grandparent's house. I had no strong thoughts that death was near, for I had seen my grandpa that morning and we shared smiles and hugs. I just sensed that I should go there first. When I arrived, my former husband Steve met me in the kitchen. He didn't say a word, nor did he have to. His face said it all. I immediately knew that my grandpa was dying. As I headed toward the bedroom, I stopped in the hallway and removed my shoes. At the time, I had no idea why I was doing this.

For years that has puzzled me. Why did I stop and remove my shoes? In reading this poem, and God's words to Moses, I suddenly had my answer. I removed my shoes because the moment I crossed the threshold, that small bedroom became a sacred place. The place that held my precious grandfather, Bopee. The man who held me right after I was born. The man who loved his family with all his heart. The man who made me laugh with his fun sense of humor. The man who taught me faith and love through example. The man who called me Sunshine.

It wasn't a coincidence that I went straight there that day. I believe it was divine intervention. Within hours, my precious grandpa passed away. It was the last time that I was able to hug him or tell him (face to face) how very much I loved him. On April 9, 1996.... I was indeed standing on holy ground.