In the morning

Jim got us a Netflix account which I am loving. I have discovered that is is not a good thing to be trying to count on a row of lace while watching a movie though. I have a row that needs to be undone. I will do that in the morning when the light is better so I don't mess it up.

The Weight of All Things by Sandra Benitez

The Weight of All Things written by Sandra Benitez was one of the books I picked up at the library book sale last month and it was a good choice. I really don't know much about the conflicts that have happened in Central America. This book showed me some of the very human part of that through the eyes of a nine year old boy in El Salvador. Nicolas relies on his faith in the Virgin Mary and the constant love of his grandfather to get through it all.

Two New Headbands

I finally spent an afternoon with the camera taking some pictures of headbands. It always takes awhile to get pictures done. I mean, I like my headbands, I am proud of them, but really how many ways can you take a picture of them?

Next comes writing descriptions, thinking of tags, listing the size information and materials. Some times it is hard to make your items fresh and inviting. It can be tough to sell online since your potential buyer can't touch the item or try it on but I try.

Here they are and there are more to come. I have about six more styles made and ready to go. I have split the number I made between my Artfire and Zibbet shops.

Update - I have left my Artfire shop go. As of this writing o 3/5/2013 all my things are being moved to Etsy.

Featured on a Friday Julie Magers Soulen Photography

Julie Magers Soulen is a photographer I have watched for awhile now. I am a fan on Facebook and follow her blog. You can find her work in a shop on Etsy as well as one on Artfire.

From her bio page on Artfire you get hints of the type of person and photographer she is.

Since I moved to Colorado more than 20 years ago, I have been an avid outdoors enthusiast. In the late 90s we moved to a solar powered off-grid home and I love the independence. I also love being outdoors hiking in the surrounding forest with my two dogs. My love of nature is reflected in my photography. I find nature to be inspiring in all its many forms.

I was thinking about the birds around my house today. For some silly reason I love watching birds. It is something that really started when we lived in Arizona. In fact if you see me online anywhere my avatar is a bird that I took a picture of in my backyard one day. He (I think) was a bold little guy that chirped at me as I sat on the patio.

Back to Julie and why I am featuring her today. Since moving to Wyoming I got to see the beautiful and boldly colored mountain bluebird. Guess who else has seen and photographed them too? Yes, Julie. She has several different prints in her shop and I love them all. What do you think?

If you find these birds as charming as I do you may want to check out her shop (Click here.) for some full sized prints. While you are there look around and she what else she has to offer.

sun and moon

I remember a song with the line "I got the sun in the morning and the moon at night."

It's true I have exactly that. See what I mean.

Finished another book.

I signed up for an account at GoodReads. Poking around I found a 2011 Challenge. I set a goal for myself of reading 50 books this year and since I started late I am a bit behind but I think I can make my goal by the end of the year.

I just finished reading Celine Dion's autobiography, Celine Dion:My Story, My Dream. I found the story of a woman who does not do anything half way in her singing or her love of husband, son and family. I wouldn't say she is a great author but I do feel, as in all she seems to do, she wrote from the heart.

I couldn't leave this post without sharing the song so many of us link to her from one of the best movies of all time, Titanic.

A Quiet Day

Yesterday was my birthday. It was a quiet one around here but it was nice. I had a couple phone calls and some birthday wishes from family and friends on Facebook. Even though DH was on a business trip I had some company. The morning was peaceful and beautiful and I posted some pictures on it on an album on Facebook. You can see that by clicking here.

Later in the day the elk came close to the house again so I spent more time with the camera in the sunshine. There are always birds around too. I see a lot of crows and magpies. Earlier in the spring I had a lot of robins around the house hunting for worms in the bark of the flower beds and around the trees. I have seen some mountain bluebirds too but these white ones, which are new to me, were chirping at me from the roof while I sat on the deck. I don't know what they are but if you do leave a comment please as I would love to know.

As I come out of the house I try to move slow and quiet so I don't spook the animals. Getting pictures of the south end of a running elk is not what I want. Being careful I still get looked over. When I see I am getting some attention I freeze so that I don't appear to be any kind of threat.

After awhile they seem to relax and just watch me now and then while they browse or lay down wait to get hungry again. You can see fast growing antlers covered in velvet on the males. What I keep hoping to spot are babies but they either hide them so well in the grasses I have not spotted any or there are no babies in the groups around our house even though a good part of the groups are female.

I suppose at every party, not that I go to many, there is always the rowdy, fun loving guest and I had one of those too. Below you see this elk splashing in the water. He did this for a couple minutes reminding me of a little boy jumping in puddles. He stopped and jumped over the fence into the field when a pickup truck drove by.

So I am 56 now. When I was a silly teenager folks in their 50's seemed to old and I guess that is normal. But 56 don't feel so bad and I suppose there are alternatives that are not so fun to think about.

eat pray love

I am sure there are a whole lot of people who loved this book. Some parts of it probably made a great movie but I don't know since I have not seen it.

My own opinion is that by the end of it I really didn't can what she ate, who she prayed to or why or who she found to love, but as I said that is just my opinion.

What is yours?

Amusing and a Question

I find it very amusing that my husband, who has an attitude lately of so what more elk, woke me at 6 am yesterday to see two males with velvety antlers parade through our yard.

Another thought or question for tea drinkers. Do you find that the first cup from a freshly made pot of tea always tastes the best?

Once Upon A Time

Once upon a time, in the winter of 1997 actually, a young lady was born. Her parents were in a all things cowboy loving stage of life and named her after a little town in Wyoming. That town is Kaycee, Wyoming.

I had a chance to visit this little place not long ago. There is not much to it but charm. You will find a school.

There was a diner that had some great soup and sandwiches for lunch. Almost everything on main street is in an old west style with lots of wood for buildings and signs, even on the post office.

The town of Kaycee is getting ready for a big event on the 18th of June. The town will be hosting the first annual Chris LeDoux Days. This event is to celebrate the opening of a memorial park and includes some rodeo type events as well as a street dance. The park is finished and all dressed up with flowers, a wagon, and a statue.

To learn more about this little bit of Wyoming you can visit the Chamber of Commerce website.