AFTER THE SNOW......BIRDS AND A NEST!

We had a bit of a blizzard late yesterday afternoon and early evening...well, not technically a blizzard, since there was no wind. But there was lots and lots of huge, wet, heavy snow falling, making visibility fairly difficult and the tree branches not too happy! This morning the sun came out brightly, turning the whole landscape into that gorgeous twinkling winter wonderland that I love so much!! Snow is so invigorating, revitalizing, cleansing, and all that other stuff!! I love snow! I heard some pretty bird songs this morning, and took these shots. Enjoy!!

SOME OF MY NEWEST PATTERN RELEASES!!!!

Here are some pictures of my newest pattern releases.....all available on Patternmart in epattern form, or mailed form, too!! These are all quick and easy designs, with complete instructions, and the recipe and technique for grunging, too!! I hope you will find something that you like!! Prim Blessings, and Happy Creating to all!! Trudy

MORE FROM THE OWL AND THE CROWS........

More from the owl and the crow gathering! Enjoy!!

THE BISON NEARBY......

As anyone that follows this blog knows.......I love nature, and the animals that are so accessible to me are always a pleasure to watch. We have a large herd of bison that are kept not far away, and I LOVE to visit them! Here are some recent shots of these gorgeous animals!! Enjoy!!

Meet Mr. Owl!!

This morning the crows were going crazy. Normally I see only a pair or two around here, but this morning.....there was a crow convention. There were as many as a dozen gathered in a nearby tree, creating quite a stir. I watched them for a long time, taking a zillions shots of them. Suddenly I realized the reason for all the noise!!! AN OWL!!!! I have seen an owl on the fence a couple of times, and wonder now is this might be the same one!!? I am hoping that I now have a resident owl!!! YES!! Here are just a few of the owl pics, and I will save the crow shots for another post. Enjoy!!

NEW CREATIONS....NEW LISTINGS!!

The New Year has brought much work, many orders, lots of thinking and planning, and a few new creations!! I hope you will stop by to take a peek at my offerings......some from earlier in the month that will be changing out on the lst, and some new ones being offered at the lst of the month!! Can you believe that February is less than a week away??? GOOOODNESS!!! Time DOES fly when one is having fun!! You will find my raggedies and my prim creations at the many sites listed in the sidebar on the left!! Please stop by!!

SUPPORT THE MISSION OF HAITI RELIEF!!!!!

As I suspect many of you are and have been.....consumed by the news of the situation in Haiti, I feel like life has been moving in slow motion as I keep myself glued to the television, checking on the latest news out of Haiti. Such a tragedy for everyone involved, either directly or indirectly, and a tragedy whose affects are not going to go away quickly. Hopefully our awareness and attention will not go away quickly, either. Just as many have already said, perhaps the one good thing that might come out of this act of Mother Nature is awareness of a country that needs a great deal of help from those more fortunate.

I will never claim to be free of the fact that I often live only "in my world". I have lived all over the Western world, from Alaska to Florida to Europe. I have traveled to nearly every State of the United States, and to many foreign countries from Mexico to Austria. But.....I have never suffered nor lived in a manner that MOST of the Haitian population endures daily.....even BEFORE the earthquake shook their world to a pile of rubble. I have experienced the affects of the Great Alaskan earthquake, but the level of destruction was nothing compared to what we are seeing from the media coverage of Haiti.

As we in the US have been made well aware, there are many, many quick and easy ways for all of us to give either a large or small amount to help any number of great organizations as we reach out to our fellow mankind. Rather than share my own choices for donation, I will direct you to the CNN website for a list of safe and deserving organizations.

One of my own ways of giving is to offer the pictured set of dolls on Ebay, with 100% of the sales amount being given to UNICEF. I hope that you will consider bidding, and will also share this offer with others, and perhaps consider doing something similar yourself.

Over the last week it is wonderful to see the amount of funds that have been raised, with some folks giving only a small amount. Each penny counts. That's a fact. The simple method of texting gives a donation of $10. We can all perhaps find that within our budgets.

Thank you for listening to my rambles. Give from your heart, think of the children and the adults that you can help with any amount, and pray. Prayers work. Prayers are answered. Keep the faith, and never forget the children that need your help. Thank you, Trudy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DIMITRI!!!

Grandchildren are the best!! Tomorrow our 4th grandchild, and first grandson, turns ONE!!! How time does fly!! He is a happy little guy, and loves his new ride on toy for sure!! Happy Birthday, Dimitri!! Love, Gram and Griz

THE WARM BEFORE THE STORM!!

It's a beautiful day here at 6,000 feet, as we have some great warm weather prior to the arrival of the next Arctic front! I am so blessed to have such wonderful views from our little home here, and never does a day pass that I don't stand in wonder of the beauty of Mother Nature. I would undoubtedly get far more done if I wasn't standing gazing out the windows so much!!! HA!! Today I am sharing some mountain views from this morning.....mountain views that are ever changing, and have been shown here many times....but this morning caught my eye in particular due to the cloud formations. Enjoy!! The white peaks are Mt. Evans, one of the Colorado 14,000 foot mountains, and it's neighbors!!

***HAPPY NEW YEAR***

My, oh my!! Where did 2009 go? Every year seems to go more quickly, the older one gets, it seems to me!! I'm hoping that everyone's year ended well, and that 2010 will be better than the last! My only resolution is to be a more frequent blogger this new year....and to improve my photography skills and take MORE pictures!! Enjoy the shots of the setting blue moon, and then again this morning. Happy 2010 to all! May your blessings be many, your health be the best, and may prosperity fall upon you all!!

***MERRY CHRISTMAS***

MAY YOUR HOLIDAYS BE MERRY, YOUR BLESSINGS PLENTIFUL, AND BEST WISHES TO ALL!! LET US NOT FORGET THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!

DECEMBER ICICLES.......

We have had winter this year......early winter......here at 6,000 feet! Lots of cold, lots of snow, and then....lots of melting, too!!! I love icicles, and have always had a fascination with them. Have you ever watched the travels of a water droplet as it slides down the icicles, and then drops off the end? Pretty cool!! I know......the rest of you are busy getting productive things accomplished while I am spending time watching the change in icicles!!! heheheeeeee!!!! Here are some recent pictures that I thought you might enjoy!!!

THANKSGIVING BLESSINGS TO ALL...........

Thanksgiving......2009......already here. My goodness! Where has the year gone??? As we reflect on our blessings, let us not forget our troops and their families serving our country both at home and abroad. I hope that everyone enjoys their day, in whatever manner the celebration takes form. My day will include preparation of the traditional meal....the nice fat bird, the stuffing, the mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and on and on! I truly love preparing the grande feast!! And obviously, I enjoy eating it, too!! :) Then there is football.......and I do hope that the Broncos are able to pull off a win, to break this long spell of losses. And.....the Texas/Texas A&M game is being played at the same time, I believe.....hmmmm....that's a problem!! Travel safe, count your blessings, share with others, and enjoy the day!! Blessings to all, Trudy

VETERANS' DAY 2009

As we remember the veterans of our Armed Services, let us not forget the freedoms we have as Americans. Thank you, veterans, for your service, both at home and abroad. Thank you to you and your families as well. Let us also remember those currently serving today, as well, and their families, too!! No amount of thanks will ever be enough for the sacrifices made on behalf of all Americans.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

HALLOWEEN WISHES TO ALL THE GHOSTS AND GOBLINS!!! HAVE FUN, STAY SAFE, AND SEND ME ALL THE SNICKERS BARS!!!! HEHEHEEEEEEE!!!!

A PICTURE OF TRUE, INNOCENT LOVE......

Such sweetness.....if only our world could be filled with more of this!! Here is Big Sister Sadie sharing some love with her new BIG baby brother, Gunnar William, who is now already nearly three weeks old!! This precious picture was taken by Sadie's mommy, Jenny, and sent to Gram!! :)