Wallpaper Wednesday

Greetings!

 

Once again, it's snowing here in North Idaho.  Since last night, we've accumulated about 8 inches, and there are no signs of it stopping anytime soon. 

 

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.  I certainly did!

 

Getting together with Kellie's family on Christmas Eve, and having my grandparents over on Christmas Day.  Lots of fun=)

 

Now, I'm just enjoying resting and relaxing while watching some of the movies I received for Christmas - including a Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers set of 5 movies!=D - and watching the snow fall.

 

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Okay, on with today's Wallpaper Wednesday...

 

One of my favorite actresses and singers...Julie Andrews!

 

{full size image located on the Graphic Design page}

 

Julie Andrews had an incredible voice.  I love nothing better than hearing her in The Sound of Music, which is one of my favorite movies.

 

I just recently started taking voice lessons, and Julie Andrews and Judy Garland are my inspiration.

 

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Well, that's all for now folks.

 

Enjoy!

Do you remember?

Do you remember the feeling of anticipation?  When you couldn't fall asleep you were so excited? 

 

Do you remember feeling, shaking and squeezing each present under the tree, trying to guess what delights they contained?

 

Do you remember the magical feel of Christmas morning, when you slunk downstairs to stealthily filch your stocking, and then race back to your room to explore the contents?

 

Do you remember?

 

I remember.

 

I remember camping out with my brother, snuggled up in sleeping bags, in our new Christmas pajamas, eagerly anticipating the moment when we could finally open those tempting packages under the tree, far too excited to fall asleep...or so we thought;)

 

I remember trying to guess what was in my wrapped presents.  My brother and I were pretty good, especially my brother;)

 

I remember waking up super early, and sneaking downstairs to grab my stuffed stocking (we were always allowed to look in our stockings as soon as we woke up), then sneaking back upstairs to tell my brother that "Santa was here!".  Neither my brother nor I ever really believed in Santa Claus, but it was fun to pretend.  We used to build elaborate "Santa Watching Stations" out of cardboard boxes, with eye-holes cutout, to try and catch a glimpse of the elusive old fellow.  We never did, and it was really just an excuse to camp out, but oh it was fun!  Those were the days when I could sleep in a sleeping bag on the floor, comfortably;)

 

Christmas is important to me in a different way than when I was a kid.  I understand the real reason we're celebrating.  We're celebrating the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who came to save us from our sins and give us hope.  I love reading through Luke 1 & 2, and I especially love it that the shepherds were the first to see Jesus - it's one of the reasons that I enjoy raising sheep so much:)  I pray that I would be like the shepherds, glorifying and praising God for all that they had seen and heard.

 

But all the same, there are times that I wish I was a kid again...I wish I hadn't lost the magical feeling that Christmas used to bring.  I'm glad my mom video taped us on many Christmas mornings - it's so much fun to watch how excited we were, our wonder and amaze increasing every time we opened a new gift.

 

It's a special thing, being a kid.  Everything is new and wonderful.

 

Never forget the wonder of Christmas.

 

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And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Luke 2:8-20

 

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I wish you all a very merry and blessed Christmas!

Wallpaper Wednesday

I almost, almost forgot to share my latest Christmas Classics wallpaper today!

But, I didn't, and here it is...

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Presenting Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire in...Holiday Inn!

{Full size image located on the Graphic Design page}

Allow me to make a confession - I saw this movie for the first time this year.  *collective gasp*

I know - shocking isn't it?  I mean, me?  The classic movie lover?  And I saw this movie for the first time this year?!  Well, it may be shocking, but that's the brutal truth.

Anyway, I saw it for the first time, and, while it's not on my list of very favorite movies, you really can't beat Bing Crosby's singing and Fred Astaire's dancing! 

Confidentially, I couldn't stand ("And I can't stan' him!";) the character played by good ol' Light-bulb Head...er, Fred.  I know you're not really supposed to like him, but...let's just say I had to watch a different Fred Astaire movie to make me stop wondering why I ever thought he was a nice guy;)  I believe Royal Wedding fixed that...

And may I further say that some morning I am going to wake up to the ringing of my alarm clock, I am going to seize said clock, and I will throw it against the wall, and I will probably wind up in an insane asylum...just sayin'.

I won't say any more, because I don't want to give the plot away to any of my dear readers who haven't seen this movie (please tell me I'm not the only one!), but I definitely enjoyed this movie:)

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Until next time, on Wallpaper Wednesday...

"Goodbye, good luck, and may the good Lord take a likin' to ya!"

Today was a loverly day.

 

It began at 7:40 AM, driving down our country road with Alex.

 

We saw a big herd of elk...

 

This is only part of the herd - there were probably about 30 or 40.  They're so majestic.

 

After snapping a few pictures, we continued on our way.

 

We had an appointment to keep.

 

A rendezvous at the Country Boy Cafe in Athol for breakfast.

 

For a small town - the population at the last census was 676 - Athol has some good places to eat, the Country Boy being one of them.

 

We pulled up, turned off the car, and waited.

 

And we didn't have to wait long before Aubrey and Kellie pulled up in their white van.

 

Yes, today was a milestone day - Kellie, Aubrey, Alex and I all went out to breakfast together with not a parent to be seen.

 

Such fun!  I can't speak for the rest of them, but it made me feel quite grown-up, to be sure;)

 

After a hearty breakfast with plenty of talk and laughter, we all headed over to the spot where our Azure food co-op pick-up is.  That was our excuse, by the way, for going out to breakfast - somebody had to pick up our Azure orders!;)

 

Thank you Kellie for hatching the plot.  We'll have to do it again sometime:)

 

On our way home, we saw a flock of turkey's crossing the road...

 

Why did the turkey cross the road?  To get to the other side, of course!  hahahaha!  :D

 

I just love living in the country:)

 

As for the rest of my day, well it was loverly, too.

 

I got two Christmas packages boxed up, and dad and I mailed them this afternoon.  (T. Millers, you should be getting your package on Monday:)  While we were in Athol, I also was finally able to pick-up my library books, although two of the books I had requested had to be sent back.  I dislike that very much.   The librarian looked disapprovingly at me, as if it was my fault that they had to be sent back.  And I have one book that's due back in 4 days!  It's a thick book and I'm sure I won't have finished it by then.  Oh well.  I can try:)

 

Then mom and I watched part of Little Women (1994 adaptation) while I worked on my crochet.

 

Yes, I repeat - today was a loverly day.

Wallpaper Wednesday

Oh boy, I am soooo tired!  My dad and I went Christmas shopping today, and I don't know about you, but walking around stores makes my feet tired:) 

But, it was a very successful shopping expedition, and I got everything that I needed to buy before Christmas.  Now I just need to get busy crocheting a few gifts.  I do this to myself every year, why I don't know - I wait until a few weeks before Christmas to decide what to make, and then spend all of my free time feverishly crocheting or sewing or whatever it is I have to do.  

So, I've been watching Christmas movies and crocheting like crazy for the past few days.  And I'm lovin' it=)

 

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Okay, for today's Wallpaper Wednesday, I give you my absolute favorite Christmas movie...It's a Wonderful Life!

 

{Full size image located on the Graphic Design page}

 

- I have a few more wallpaper designs that I'm working on for this movie, but they aren't quite done yet...   I'm planning on posting them throughout the rest of the week -

 

It's a Wonderful Life is truly a wonderful movie.  Such a wonderful message that everyone can relate to - the Lord has a purpose for all of our lives, and we have no idea how many people we are affecting through our daily witness, even through the mundane every day stuff.   Our friends and family wouldn't be the same without us.  

 

I don't like to get emotional and cry in front of people, but when I watch this movie I can't help but tear up, and if I'm watching it by myself I just cry and cry and cry.  I always need a box of kleenex handy:)

 

But, it's not just a tear-jerker.  It's also laugh out loud funny!  And it stars Jimmy Stewart, my favorite actor!

 

I could go on and on about this wonderful movie, but everything I have to say can be summed up with this...

 

"I laughed.  I cried.  It moved me, Bob."

 

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I now have to return to my crocheting and movie watching, so I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

Wallpaper Wednesday

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

 

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Today I'm sharing the first in my Classic Christmas Wallpaper series...White Christmas!

 

 

{Full size image located on the Graphic Design page}

 

I grew up watching White Christmas every year at Christmas time, and it's one of those special movies that gets better and better each time you see it.   I can't even remember the first time I saw this wonderful movie.   Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Danny Kaye and Vera-Ellen seem like old friends to me - so comforting and familiar.

 

For those who have seen this movie, what's you're favorite line?

 

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Merry Christmas!

 

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

I spy...

 

...a cat to chase!

 

Time for some sledding!!  Really, you're never to old to go flying down a snow covered hill on your trusty toboggan:)

 

May I take this moment to apologize for my orange gloves?  Truly, they were the only gloves I could find.  Thank you.

 

Here we go...

 

Bonnie loves sledding, and usually manages to stay on about half way down the hill before she falls or jumps off.

 

 

Look out!! 

 

Incidentally, I did hit him...but I did try to swerve - really, I did - when I realized he wasn't going to get out of the way.  Too busy looking through the view finder, trying to get a close up.  Well, he got it.

 

Hehe - that's me.  I'm sorry.

 

And this is my brother...in case you didn't know. 

 

The one I hit with the sled. 

 

My favorite brother.

 

The only brother I have, actually;)

 

This is my dad.  He's just as crazy as the rest of us, believe me.  There's not a one of us that's completely normal.

 

We considered calling our farm The Loony Farm, but decided on Cedar Springs Ranch instead.  It makes us appear more normal in the eyes of others...we hope.

 

Mitts - even the cat isn't normal.  He has seven toes on each foot.

 

Trees, snow covered mountains, and sky.

 

The cats like to come on walks, too:) 

 

My dream horse - Bob - in his purple blanket.

 

Ahem, my dirty dream horse;) 

 

Bob is prone to colic, and I have to be especially careful during the winter because he tends to not drink enough water.  Silly boy.

 

"Well, what are you looking at?"

 

 

Photogenic Dewey - seriously, this horse poses for the camera.  He is such a ham.

 

Happy Trails, y'all!

My Sheep Hear My Voice

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" - John 10:27 

 

I had to lead the sheep down to their pen because the car and trailer couldn't make it through the snow.

 

Lady Jane, Esther, and Sweet Pea bringing up the rear

 

They're used to being lead to our backyard and the orchard to graze during the spring and summer, and were quite well behaved...especially since there wasn't any grass to tempt them;)

 

Back with the rest of the flock - Calvin and Ingrid - and the llamas, after visiting Earl the ram for a month.

 

I think they're happy to be home, and I'm happy to have them back.  I missed my sheepies:)

Wallpaper Wednesday

Today was a lovely day. 

Except that the temperature got a wee bit above freezing, which means the snow melted a bit, which means that when it freezes again tonight we will have ice.  Oh, joy. 

 

But, besides that, it was a lovely day. 

 

Alex and I went to the Yearbook Staff Christmas party today, and had so much fun! 

We aren't part of the yearbook staff anymore, now that we've both graduated, but we were invited anyway, which was nice:)  It was great to get out of the house, see some of my friends, eat cookies, sip cider (caramel cider - like a caramel apple - soooo good!), and play games.  We also had a white elephant gift exchange, pirate style, which is always a lot of fun;)  I got a book, a CD, and a bubble gum scented pencil.  Yeah, I know - the bubble gum scented pencil seemed a bit odd, especially since it didn't really smell like bubble gum to me, but whatever. 

 

It was a wonderful party, and I had so much fun laughing:)  I'm so thankful for laughter.

 

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This hat, by the way, makes me happy.  I wish it wasn't so expensive, because I would so buy it.  Such is life.  And yes, I do love hats.

A cute and cozy cloche...

 

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Okay, moving on to the point of this post - trust me, there is a point - this week's wallpaper!

 

Presenting Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire in...Funny Face!

 

{As usual, the full size image is located on the graphic design page}

 

This is one of my new very favorite movies. 

It makes me happy. 

It makes me want to go singing and dancing around Paris with Fred Astaire. 

I like movies that make me happy. 

And really, how could this movie not make you happy? 

After all, it's got Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire!

 

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Next week on Wallpaper Wednesday, I will begin sharing my Classic Movies Christmas Collection.

 

Any suggestions for classic Christmas movies?  I've got White Christmas and It's a Wonderful Life so far...

 

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Happy Trails y'all and Merry Christmas!