Waiting

Enjoying the last bits of warm weather. How many more days do we get? It seems that every morning that I see the sun peeking out, I get nervous and a bit sad, but also a bit excited, knowing that snow is just around the corner. It's the weather guessing game.

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And soon, we will trade the light jackets for those snow pants and layers. And instead of warmth, breath misting out when we step into the winter.

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Ok Season of Cold.... bring it on. I'm ready.

Finally having the Fall

Enjoying this years Autumn Season (finally) in our new town. Missing it last year for some terrible weather, where the views of fall were never shown. Looking out the front windows and seeing the landscape ever changing from last bits of Summer to those colder months starting soon. Hearing the crickets at night slowly fade to silence. And loving those cool crisp morning breezes coming through an open window, every morning pushing the limits to when they will be closed for good. Boo.

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But... most importantly, finding that crafty groove again.

Mini-Vacay Day 2---Let's take a drive and get some pizza.

More pictures of a wonderful, fun wee one. Taking a few minutes of time to have smiles and drools and laughs before shopping and naps in a stroller take place. And oh! The shopping! It was so fun to find some new pieces to add to my non-existing-woman-stay-at-home-mom-only wardrobe. Seriously, some cute pieces.

After exhaustion from stores and changing rooms, wearing one of those new outfits to drive through downtown Portland and head to a different location for a hip pizza joint. I love the entrance from the freeway tunnel to downtown. It just pops up, boom.
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I remember the last time I visited during a Thanksgiving holiday and how an afternoon was spent walking the streets downtown with the Christmas decorations and holiday music just starting up. The streets were alive and bubbling with the first hours of holiday shopping.


Half way there... being stopped at a bridge to let a boat through. How exciting!!! I have always wanted to be stopped like this. Alas, though, we were a few cars too many behind to get much of a view.

On to new types of pizza and conversations with strangers. More laughter and stories of funny daily lives. A two hour dinner with memories to last a lifetime.

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Back at the house, stepping outside to drink in some fresh night air, I noticed that the landscaping takes on such a wondrous night life all its own. A little up-lighting here and there and smells of blooms still holding on pushing the limits of Summer gone by, sure can bring a nice calm breath to a tired mind and body.

And tomorrow... the beach.

The First Leaf and a Few Updates

I watched the first leaf of soon to be Autumn fall today. It floated gracefully around before hiding out of sight. So the days of beautiful green, lush, leaves are almost gone. That's okay... I'm not unhappy, as Fall is my absolute favorite season.
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The festival is this Saturday, and I have completed 48 scarves! I feel pretty good about that number as I am still working hard to get to 50, but I think I might be finishing the last one on the day of the festival. It has been a real challenge with trying to make my goal and organize a big move to a different city, while still being a Mom.
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Well, this is to be just a quick post as I need to catch some zzzz's to wake up early and drive over two hours to close on our house! Yep, the day has finally arrived! It was suppose to happen on Wednesday, but was delayed for two days. I wasn't worried, it was just challenging to re-think all of the plans that were already in place. As Fritz left with Grandma today to stay for the weekend, I reminded him that although I won't see him for a couple of days it was important for us to be apart so we could get that piece of the American Dream!

In Color

On the walk that Fritz and I took the other day, I couldn't help but notice all the wonderful colors surrounding us. I love this about the world, how in different seasons, all you have to do is take a peak to see pallets of colors swirling around. Even in the white of winter there is much to see.
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Here is a Bed and Breakfast hotel. I have always wanted to stay in one of these, and before we move away from this town I hope to give this one a go. It is listed on the National Historic Registry, and is such a darling house. I really enjoyed how much the landscaping gave privacy to this house on a busy street.

It truly thrilled and amazed me to see this tree with it's gorgeous deep red leaves. I walked upon it and smiled when I noticed these tiny green leaves mixed in. The green leaves looked lonely, as they were the only ones mixed in with the red. Makes them seem more important somehow.

I have seen this house before, and always take a moment longer to stare at the wonderful use of color that the owners have given to the outside. How brave for them to not go the traditional way. Actually, there are quite a few houses here that seem to be done like this. Across the street from my Grandparents old house, was one painted in vibrant purples. Of course my Grandfather shook his head at this, but I found it fascinating. Houses painted like this are saying to the world, I will not conform.

The Color of Green

It's here! Spring can be seen everywhere! The Hubs had to stay in town today for some appointments, so Fritz and I decided to take advantage of an extra day with him home and go for another nature walk. We took the trail that we found a week ago, and man what a difference! Not all of the trees had their leaves yet, but most did.
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It was such a perfect few hours. The day was quite warm, the sun blaring brightly and the sweet song of birds and rustling leaves in a breeze could be heard without the noise of town. I feel so lucky to live in such a beautiful place where nature is so close to us. We could be in the mountains within ten minutes and ten minutes to this new found lovely trail. There are more awesome trails around here for hiking or leisurely walks, and I plan to have us together as a family for a few more in the coming months before we move (still planning to) to the Eastern part of Montana. Eastern Montana is not as pretty but is in its own way. With vast plains of rolling hills or flat lands, Eastern Montana has a different beauty from the mountain ranges that we are use to being closer to the Rockies. It will be different to look out a window and not see peaks peeking back at me. But I truly believe that no matter where you live, if you just look closely, anything can have a sparkle of delight.
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Here are a few pics from the beautiful day we had.

Pretty leaves.

Spotting a wildflower.

Late evening thunderstorm.


After the storm sunset.

A Path Found

On Sunday, the Hubs and I decided to take Fritz on a little walk somewhere that we had not been before. We headed off to a different neighborhood about 10 minutes from our house, parked the car and thought we were just going to be walking around houses on the sidewalk. As we started I noticed a little path leading behind a house. In front of the path was a sign stating that it was an actual path for people to enjoy not just a private one. I was so excited for this. We followed the sometimes muddy trail for about twenty-five minutes and wanted to go more, but we had errands to run and it was getting cold/late. I am sure that we will be back many more times to discover more of our new discovery!
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Pictures along the way... hopefully in the coming weeks when we return there will be green to be seen!

Pretty little birdie.

One of my favorite kinds of tree.

View of the Bridger Mountains.

The Randomness of Facts

Sometimes the best way to get to know a person is through their strangeness or sometimes silly facts that make them unique and special. If you have a close personal friend, do you know every little weird thing about them that does make them so interesting and distinctive?

Here are a few of mine. Enjoy!

• I have a love affair with trees. If I see a beautiful tree I can look at it for hours. The above one I shot at my favorite park in Boise, Idaho.
• I am a true night owl. It is hard for me to go to bed before 11:30 at night and that is early for me!
• My middle name Yvonne was my Grandmother's name as well. I feel very special to have shared a beautiful name with her.
• I read at least one book a week, sometimes two.
• (another about books) I cannot help myself with new books, the way they smell is sooo delicious to me.
• I have three tattoos and plan to get more. My favorite is a Peruvian Lily with a nickname of mine and the nickname of my closest friend who lives the farthest away from me. She is in Colombia, S.A.
• I am obsessed with Reality TV.
• It is a very rare day when I write in anything other than Blue Ink. I feel if I use a different color I am cheating on my pens.
• I get embarrassed when somebody else is being embarrassed, in real life or on TV... Can't help it!
• I have a secret passion for Archeology/Anthropology especially with Meso-American cultures.

These are just a few of my quirks as I have many, many more. They are what make me me!