Photo-a-Day + News | January {week one}

This first week and a half of 2015 has been incredible.  If this is any indication of how the rest or the year will unfold, it's going to be a fantastic one!

The delightful and fabulous news, is that my bestie is engaged! *huge smile*  I'm so, so happy for my dearest Kellie.  Praise the Lord for bringing them together!  I rejoice in this new adventure that Kellie and Christopher are beginning together, and I'm more than  a little excited to be the Matron of Honor. *grin*

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ONE | Hank's brother came from Wisconsin for Christmas and they had fun shooting guns when he visited our house.

TWO | The Bonnie dog.

THREE | Smudge, the kitty cat.  She's supposed to be outside...but when the cats away, the mice will play!  Except, it's the cat who's playing, so that makes Hank a...oh, never mind.

FOUR | Sheepies!  The black face on the left is Ellie and the smaller one is her daughter Seven.  In the front (l-r) are Helen, Phrionnsa (pronounced "Frunsa" which is Gaelic for "princess"), and Laura.

FIVE | Ta-da!  The diffuser!

SIX | Some intense thank you note writing has been going on here.  The end is near...one way or the other!

SEVEN | We've caught this family of elk munching our hay several times!

EIGHT | This horse gets loose and comes visit the next door buffet, too.  We just lead him back home and leave him there.

NINE | Beautiful hand dyed wool yarn from my sister-in-law Molly.

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We finally got some real snow...after Christmas.  *sigh*  There was a tiny bit of snow Christmas morning, which was enough to put us in the Christmas spirit, but not real snow.  This, is real snow.

I reintroduced Hank to Psych this past week.  We watched the pilot episode while we were courting, but didn't have time for anything more.  Only a few episodes into Season 1, and Hank is wanting to watch the show every evening.  A Psych-O is born! *grin*

Originally, I thought essential oils sounded, well...silly.  At the very least, they couldn't be as amazing as so many people say they are.  That point of view was altered when I had an ear infection and my sister-in-law gave me some Lemon oil to use.  The discomfort was pretty much gone within a day.  So, we ordered a starter pack from Young Living and are learning a bit about essential oils.  We just got the diffuser, and I love it.  I'm hoping it will help with my headaches and the winter dryness that makes me stuffy.

Photo a day might be a bit sporadic until I get my new camera battery charger in the mail.  I misplaced mine (yeah, I lost it) somewhere during our honeymoon travels. *sheepish smile*

And that's all I can think of to share right now.  Hank should be home any minute now and I can't wait to give him a big hug and a kiss!

What do you think of turning this year's photo-a-day into a link-up?
Would you link-up?  I want to know!

Bowling, anyone?

Christopher, Alex, and I spontaneously decided to go bowling last Saturday.  I think the last time I was bowling was about ten years ago...wow.  Now I feel old.  What is it about rolling a large, heavy, round object and trying to knock things down that is so much fun?!  Hopefully, we can get some of our other friends to go with us next time.  Our little group was great, but the more the merrier, I say!

Oh, and I got one strike!  I was happy. *smile*

How about you?  Have you ever been bowling?  Do you enjoy it?  I want to know!

I did not realize how small my feet were compared to the guy's until I say this picture...
It's almost creepy.
*grin*

Christmas Twenty Thirteen // Formal Jazz

o u t f i t

grey shirt // thrifted {Hospice}

plum tank // thrifted {Hospice}

plum tulle skirt // Kellie Falconer Design

headband // made by me

pearl necklace // made by me

grey ribbon bow belt // just a length of ribbon

plum flower & ribbon brooch // made by me

silver nail polish // Essie

Yes, I LOVE my plum tulle skirt from Kellie's lovely Etsy shop!  I feel like I'm a little girl again, playing dress-up, only it's dress-up for grown-up ladies!  It makes a blissful swishing sound as I walk, only I don't feel like I'm walking.  I feel like I'm floating on a cloud.  

I wanted to have my bro take some photos with the snow in the background, but it was 2*F outside that day.  No thanks, I'll keep my coat and boots on, if you don't mind.  Jenny took these photos for me at the Ladies Christmas Brunch.

I also wore this ensemble to the Spokane Jazz Orchestra Christmas Concert later that evening...

The concert was FABULOUS!!  Far and above exceeding my expectations, which were high.  Well worth the 6 block walk from the car to the theater in 2*F weather while wearing dress shoes. *wink*  And the theater itself was beautiful, as you can see in the pictures.  Thanks to Kellie and Algy for the photos!

Our evening ended around 10:30 at Denny's, eating cheesy fries and hot fudge sundaes, with my bro entertaining the waitress with corny jokes.  The perfect way to end a perfect day, wouldn't you agree?

We are epic.  The end.

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Merry Christmas Eve!!
Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions that your family does every year?  I want to know!

Miscellany

Last week was crammed full of fun and business.  Kellie and I had a marvelous time at Pickin' on the Prairie.   As Kellie said everything I wanted to say in her post (and as I didn't take any pictures), you can read her post here.

David Tennant sings.  The end.

Also, I really, really, really want to see Catherine and David in Much Ado About Nothing.  They're so great together.

I went for a lovely little ride on my Bobby boy this morning.  Just hopped on him bareback and took off, with the Bonnie dog trailing along behind.  About 30 minutes later, I remembered why I don't usually ride him bareback without a bareback pad - he's got the most uncomfortable, bony back ever.  I think I'll be walking funny for a few days...but it was so worth it.

Dewey, my bro's horse, has been getting the royal treatment here lately.  He shed the frog (sole) of his hoof, and being the big, flat footed, tender foot that he is, he got sore feet.  (shedding the frog is normal, btw)  Tom, our farrier, recommended soaking his hooves twice a day for a while to prevent abscesses.  So, every morning and evening Dewey's had his front feet soaked.  15 min. per foot in warm water and epsom salts.  He's feeling very special and is definitely on the mend.

As much as I hate to admit it, it's definitely starting to feel and smell like Autumn here.  There's an unmistakable crispness in the morning and evening air.  *cringe*  Noooooo!!!  I love Autumn, it's my favorite season, but I'm not ready for summer to be over yet!  However, I am looking forward to pulling out my sweaters, scarves and hats again.  There's always a bright side:)

My brother was at the fair today selling and signing his books and playing with his Bluegrass band.  He and Christopher (one of my "extra" brothers) came home with pizza and donuts.  We ate them while watching Megamind.  The perfect way to wrap up our day.

Speaking of the fair, I'm looking forward to going this year.  I'd love to catch the rodeo, especially since I haven't gone for the past few years.  The jokes some of the clowns were telling were rather crude and vulgar last time I went, and I haven't been brave enough to go since.  But, I'm feeling brave this year.  I love a good rodeo:)

Happy Trails, y'all!

On the Farm | Cherry Picking

Cherry picking day for me began quietly in the orchard at 9:00 AM

I sat in the cool, fresh, early morning air with my Bible open in my lap.

Psalms - such an amazing book.

This year wasn't a very good year for cherries.  There were a lot on the trees, but all of the rain we got caused at least half of them to spoil and mold.  But we still had fun..and I'm still very thankful for all of the rain!

Lovely Michelle...

One of our three Matthews...

Three of the guys in our circle of friends are named Matthew - Matthew C., Matthew A., and Matthew H., respectively.

They've all been given nicknames by our group to help distinguish one from the other in conversations.

Even so, there's always some confusion.  I'm afraid if your name is Matthew, you can't be our friend - we just can't take any more! *grin*

Christopher...

Notice Bonnie looking at him adoringly?  

She just loves him...unfortunately she usually expresses her love by slobbering on his guitar or banjo when he's practicing.  He doesn't like that very much.  I can't say I blame him. ;)

You might recognize these cuties from Kellie's blog - two of her sisters, Tilda and Clara.

And the third cutie in the picture is Michelle and Matthew's family's new lab puppy, Cassie...

She and Bonnie had a grand time together.

Bonnie kept 'stealing' Cassie's squeaky duck toy, but they finally resolved their differences and took a nap together...

After we were done picking cherries, we went to the pond and Cassie got in some retrieving practice.

Bonnie loves wading in the pond, but she doesn't swim.  Boxers aren't exactly built for it.

Cassie is going to be one amazing hunting dog!

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Happy Trails y'all!