just a thought - BSM

Shot this 'lone' berry stem at Mesa Falls - it caught my eye. There it stood all by itself - no one else around (fellow berries) to support or keep it company. It only has a few days, possibly a week, left on this planet - but there it stood. Just wanted to pay it a little tribute - for trying so hard!

the lower road

This is the "lower mesa falls" in our area. The last time we were here, we ran out of sunlight so, we had to come back and capture this 'lovely'!

lower mesa falls - 'roar'


lower mesa falls - 'guardians'


lower mesa falls - 'cascade'

Updated note: Sunday, this pic was awarded the "American West Photo of the Month" award and is hanging their Hall of Fame gallery - on Flickr! This is major huge honor!

The wind was lightly blowing through the trees, temperature warm and balmy. Had the leaves not been turning crimson, you would not have known it was autumn. Soon this area will be closed off as the snow will keep travelers far and wide from viewing it's splendor until next spring - PITY!

depressed?

zoom-zoom-zooooooom-zoom

We live in a very quiet area . . . very quiet . . . until . . .



it's time to kill potato vines . . .


then, it gets really, really noisy around here - it's a 'zoom' on steroids . . .

you would think this dude was going to drive right through our kitchen - you even start ducking your head . . .


but, it's for a good cause as HARVEST is just around the corner . . . again!

must see

I'm a Netflix junky. I don't go crazy over it but I order a few videos a week or every two weeks! Some weekends, it's our date-night. When I first started, I would order all the 'current' new movies and thought it was very cool to do so. Then, as I became wise about what was going on, I began noticing that each movie was rated by the customers of Netflix with stars - 1 through 5, 5 being the best. So, awhile back I ordered a movie that was rated 5 stars (not a new/well-known release) and I was blown-away! I thought this was great and even ordered the movie because I loved it so much! So, recently, I did it again - ordered two shows that were unknown to me but had 5 stars! Not only was my time well-spent but one actually changed my life!


I
Christmas Cottage is a movie based on Thomas Kinkade's (Painter of LIght) life. The movie was cute and entertaining but the highlight was a part played by Peter O/Toole (old/famous artist coming to end of his life) - he was brilliant in his portrayal of his character. It had a wonderful message and brought the spirit of Christmas to light.

Taking Chance should be seen by ALL AMERICANS and for that matter EVERYONE! What a moving movie - it literally changed my life for the better and made me appreciate the 'fallen soldier'. Kevin Bacon was also brilliant in his starring roll. It was done with such love and dignity that everyone who watched it with me was crying and doing so unashamed! Please order this movie and be sure and bring an extra big box of tissue.

Both movies based on true stories. Even better!

things must change

We went on a little ride tonight - the sun was setting and little light was left. The 'dots' just below the grand are ducks migrating south!

Okay this isn't even funny - it's 36 degrees outside - think I'll turn the fireplace on! We're still sleeping with the window open at night - that's a good sign! How was your summer? This summer for me has gone by way too fast. I've tried everything to slow this 'time-thing' down but can't figure out how to do it. Have you got any suggestions? However, I've been struggling with this for some time. Well, I figure I've got a good 30+ years left on this planet (barring any Swine-Flu invasion), I need to pace myself - haha!

Our Sunday was eventful! After church we headed out to Shawn and Kandee's ward as Shade was advancing to a 'teacher'. Makes me feel ancient-old - he's gotten so big and mature, it's scary. We came home and crashed, with grace and form onto the couch for a little siesta before making dinner. Invited Grandma over but she had a run-in with her little toe and the bed-frame and hurt her toe - she didn't even make it to church! She resisted when I told her I was bringing her some dinner but gladly accepted some dessert - strawberry shortcake! That was a good sign.

Ty and Nicole found their way over to our computer and are planning their departure from our tranquil little town. They've sold some of their stuff and are scaling down to make their transition to Reno a little easier. They'll be leaving in late November. The excitement in their eyes helps to temper my disappointment in loosing them - leaving this area brings greater opportunity - that's for sure! I think I would want the 'best of both worlds' - have a home here and have a camper and travel these United States! Maybe someday!

And an amazing change of events - after being gone for years and years, Whitney and Schuyler are heading back to this area! They really are, they're really coming. I keep pinching myself to see if it's a dream or reality! I would think it's a BIG step for them but they seem to adapt no matter where they wander. I've always admired their sense of adventure. I'm not sure, but I think they're looking for a permanent home now that Bodin is getting bigger BUT, we'll see!

Cort and Ash will be having their new baby boy soon - in about three weeks or so. It's coming so fast (not for Ashley). We haven't seen them for sometime and I was thinking the other day how we haven't used our Skype for a long time! I miss them all. They may be getting a surprise Skype visit soon!

I've also decided that I've neglected 'the home' most of the summer. I used to be such a 'scheduled' person - bathrooms one day, kitchen on another, laundry on another - Monday through Friday I was scheduled, scheduled, scheduled. Now, Monday through Friday I (pretty much) do what I feel like doing and thus, the house is a disaster with a capital "D"! This morning was to be my BIG TURN-AROUND to get things done - but I've done exactly ZERO so far today - other than let the dogs outside 100,000,000 times! THINGS MUST CHANGE!

"Wispy Dreams" - sunset 9/21/09 - I loved the wispy clouds

born ready give-away

Go HERE for a BORN READY GIVE-AWAY! You won't be sorry!

mesa falls spendor

"a special place"


"mesa falls spendor"


"fall" - mesa falls


mesa falls - "wisdom"
This rock reminds me of the face of a wise-old-person who has knowledge and wisdom from living so long - this rock has seen many sunrises and sunsets. If you look close, you can see a face in the rock - sweet!


mesa falls - "wipeout"


mesa falls - "whimsey" -messing with shutter-speed


mesa falls - "final resting place"
I just decided you can bury me on the banks of the Mesa - see, right down there on the shoreline - just over there on the left! With Cortney and Brian's kayaking skills I think this might be possible!



mesa falls - "downstream"


mesa falls - "perspective"
To give some 'perspective' to the falls, I shot this to show the scale of the falls to the people on the observation deck (right hand side/middle). For someone who has never been here before, it gives you an idea of how massive this place is.


Note: All praise and glory go to my assistant, Bobby B! He's the 'pwo-fessional'!

our h.o.m.e. on the range

Peachy clouds slowly crawl across the sky as the sun slowly disappears in the west. The Tetons are slightly visible in the middle of the picture peeking over another mountain range.

I was a city girl when I came here thirty-seven years ago and I was young! Young enough to be on the dumb-side and hardly knew Idaho existed. I remember saying to Bob once, "Do they have running water?" and I was dead-serious!

TETONS - looking southeast from the middle Butte. "The Butte" - it's a dormant volcano - maybe I shouldn't even think that because as soon as you do, it will come back to life! This area is covered with volcanic rock. We're not far from Yellowstone and just happens to be one of the most active geo-thermal areas in the world. So, it would be logical that more volcanos existed nearby. You can hike down into the crater - it does give you an erie feeling to be there. Not too far from here - going west - you can visit Craters of the Moon national monument - talk about erie ! ! !

My town from a distance. My assistant (that would be Bobby) and I are standing on the middle Butte looking east. The sun was almost completely gone when we shot this. When I was younger, I always thought the vegetation in this valley was ugly and too 'desert' for my taste. Well, I have to apologize to the vegetation because I think it's beyond beautiful and lush in it's own special way. So, in front of 'the world', "I hear-by formally apologize vegetation, I promise to never bad-mouth you again!"

Looking north


Looking north - elk in meadow


Our town was so small when I arrived back in 1972 and it's almost doubled in size! But, you know what, we still look pretty small.

Snake River Plain - looking southeast

good-bye, mary t. - your voice will live on FOREVER!

(***PLEASE scroll to bottom of page and turn music OFF!***)



I was laying in bed this a.m. when the news came across the air-waves that Mary Travers passed away. I have to be honest, a few tears soaked my pillow before I left my little cocoon for the day. Peter, Paul and Mary were my catalyst in wanting to play and sing just like them when I was a kid. This song (above) was one of my favorites, however, not my all time favorite. This & this would be my all time favorites and I'm sure that my guitar students learn and play these in the early stages of their learning!

There is only {1} time in my life I can remember being a spoiled-brat when I was young (yes, it's true - only once - haha!) It was Christmas day and I was so excited to get a gift I wanted badly and I made sure it was on my little list. It was a dual-album of Peter, Paul and Mary - {2} vinyl records in one album! After opening my presents, I was in shock as the only thing I wanted, I didn't get! I was pretty ticked off and marched to my room, pouting! Yes, I know, this is a pretty ugly view of my younger years! Pouting. Actually, I was really good at it - had lots of practice. By afternoon, I was still in my room (can't imagine what my poor parents were thinking!), my door opened only a crack (thought my dad was bringing me bread and water) and in flew the album I was being such a spoiled-brat about! It shocked me! Where did it come from - surely I didn't miss it in all the opened scraps of paper on the floor? No! My dad, on Christmas day, went to the store and purchased the album! To this day, I have NO idea where he found it! I was so ashamed of my little tantrum that it cured me for life and I've been a saint ever since - really!

coming soon to an etsy shop near you

Heather's been a busy-little-bee. Coming to her Etsy Shop reallllllllll soon!

white, ready to harvest

"from gold to white"


"waves"


"it's a science"


"we made the cut"


"meet your maker"


'just one more row'


'there's always tomorrow'

light on a hill

"s" is for saturday

coming, i'm coming!

"nine-eleven"

old dude

Yesterday, Bob and I went driving. We found 'old dude'! Well, we didn't actually find 'him' - I found him when I was going to the triathlon a month ago. I tried avoiding all the traffic and congestion of the race so I went all the way around the lake and on my way found this wonderful old barn - just sitting there looking at me! I took a mental note to go back and capture this 'lovely'! So we did!

Journal Notes:

Coming, they're coming!

candles & fireplaces

Woke up this morning at 5:45 a.m. and it was 36 degrees of coldness! Guitar classes started again and yes, my little class showed up on time! I must confess, I love 'structure' and missed teaching - I think the 'retired' life is never going to happen for me! Anyway, as far as I can tell. Every day before lessons, I light up the candles - this morning reminded me of fall . . .BTW, this candle scent has become one of my favorites for summer.

Saturday, I was picking up around the house and grabbed the newspaper to throw it away - I totally dislike things laying around. As I reached for it I thought, "Hey, that picture looks familiar! SURPRISE . . . come to find out it was the picture I took last month on Poleline Road. Recently, I sent it in to our local newspaper and entered it into their photo contest! I had no idea they were running it in the paper! Really, I was shocked! It's the second pic on the page - it's the largest image they ran! Anyway - the photo contest are pictures of the upper valley. They are going to pick 12 of the best pictures (each person can only submit (1) and the winners will have their pictures made into a calendar! Sweet!

And . . . another 'guess-what' - I had to turn the fireplace on this morning and the heater on during lessons! It's COLD around 'these parts'! The sun is also disappearing earlier these days. We walk the dogs at night and I noticed it was getting much darker than even last week. I'm not sure I'm ready for this - fall!

picture of the week

We need a "TITLE" to this picture! Anyone want to give it a shot?



This picture absolutely makes me 'belly-laugh' out loud when ever I see it! I think it needs some explanation! Tyler (pictured with twisted face) is constantly 'teasing' Gma - incessantly! Cam (hugging) and 'twisted-faced' Tyler were teasing her and, by the way, she's used to it - I was laughing so hard I could hardly hold the camera still. Thank goodness I did because I captured the "Picture of The Week" - yes I did!

BSM - Best Shot Monday - Labor Day

I LOVE my little town! As I drive to town each day, I marvel at the activity in the fields that surround our home! It inspires me to be better, work harder, live simply and enjoy the beauty in simple things. This is one of my favorite times of year. Watching the cycle of life transpire in front of my eyes, I'm always amazed at the activity each new season brings. I LOVE my little town & the "LABORS" of our local farmers!

Journal notes:

*Funky day for me

*Golfing for some/babysitting for me

* {3} pups got a bath today - I still have hair up my nose!

*Watched a really cute DVD

*Leah and Morgie played and modge-podged

*Heather and Leah sick - ahhhh ohhhh, we're exposed!

*Standard Journal newspaper called - wants to use one of my pics for FRONT PAGE . . ."shut-up!"

summer surprise

We had a nice Sunday. We were hoping to get the family together for another celebration for Grandma. Heather is now sick with the flu (oh, man!), Shawn and Kandee didn't get home in time SO, we had the rest of us - the skeleton-crew who entertained Grandma.

Guys! I made the most amazing cake (sorry Jonna, it wasn't the German Chocolate - but I will use that one soon - just didn't have the right ingredients). I remembered gma's favorite cake - and that would be carrot cake - from scratch! The cake came out . . . well, let me just put it this way - it was the most perfect cake I've ever made . . . E.V.E.R.! It was the most time-consuming cake I've everrrrrrrr made. If anyone would like the recipe I'd be happy to share it with you - just delish. I did follow some changes in the recipe the lady who left the first comment (in the comment section) suggested - they were great changes in the recipe! Note to self: did I make any sense?

One bad side-note: I fasted all day and by the time it came to resisting this luscious stuff, I caved in and had a piece! Yikes! I can't believe I did it - I've been 100% perfect on my eating program and now I messed it all up! I feel ucky tonight. TOMORROW 'IS' another day!