Make-it Monday

This week I thought I'd show some of our Christmas ornaments as most are handmade and we put up the tree on Saturday. I LOVE handmade ornaments, no matter who makes them.

Friday Fun

For all of you out shopping on Black Friday, did anyone happen to see this? I found it on Huffington Post. Love it! I LOVE the smile on the gentleman at the end.

Thankful Thursday

We're having our turkey on Saturday so today we went for a hike with my Middle Brother. I had the mistaken memory that the Anne White Trail was the one to hike in the winter because it was sunny and the snow melted off the trail. WRONG! It's the trail to hike on in the summer because it is shaded. Oh well, it was a bit slippery in spots but worth the trouble.

We had to watch out for mountain lions but didn't see any (and we saw no deer in the trees!) We did see some huge tracks on the trail in various spots and after checking them out I'm fairly certain they were made by a mountain lion. Glad he/she was not hungry.

Some of the sights along the trail:

snow no snow
frozen waterfall

Picnic lunch

We made it all the way.

I am thankful for alternative holidays and little brothers who like to hike!

Wordless Wednesday

Make-it Monday

Seven ATCs, four with my "new colors" and three Zentangles.

And a card for a young friend.

Just keep your head above. Swim!

You gotta swim
Swim for your life
Swim for the music that saves you
When you're not so sure you'll survive

You gotta swim
And swim when it hurts
The whole world is watching
You haven't come this far
To fall off the Earth

The currents will pull you
Away from your love
Just keep your head above

I found a tidal wave
Begging to tear down the dawn
Memories like bullets
They fired at me from a gun
Cracking the armour, yeah

I swim for brighter days
Despite the absense of sun
Choking on salt water
I'm not giving in
I swim

You gotta swim
Through nights that won't end
Swim for your family, your lovers
Your sisters and brothers and friends

Yeah you gotta swim
For wars without cause
Swim for these lost politicians
Who don't see their greed is a flaw

The currents will pull us
Away from our love
Just keep your head above

I found a tidal wave
Begging to tear down the dawn
Memories like bullets
They fired at me from a gun
Cracking the armour, yeah

I swim for brighter days
Despite the absense of sun
Choking on salt water
I'm not giving in
I'm not giving in
I swim

You gotta swim
Swim in the dark
There's no shame in driftin'
Feel the tide shifting
And wait for the spark

Yeah you gotta swim
Don't let yourself sink
Just find the horizon
I promise you it's not as far as you think

The currents will drag us away from our love
Just keep your head above

Just keep your head above
Swim

Just keep your head above
Swim

Just keep your head above
Swim

I found my colors!

After much experimentation, I think I have found my colors.... the colors that seem to make me really happy when I look at what I've done. Unfortunately, I don't think this photograph REALLY shows them accurately, but it will have to do for now. Did I hear you say, "Now Bella, just what colors are they?" Quinacridone Red, Turquois (Phthalo), and Quinacridone/Nickel Azo Gold. All from Golden.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I think it's time to play... with my new colors .... while listening to my Celtic Woman station on Pandora. Ahhhh............

Friday Funny

It's good to know Boulder's not the only weird city in Colorado!

Entering the third hour of a dry City Council meeting, a person in a chicken costume surprised Durango's five councilors with an unscheduled visit Tuesday, before heading back out under the lights of East Second Avenue and into a frosty November night.

And one day later, officials at City Hall were no closer to naming a suspect.

The human-sized chicken made its bewildering appearance at council chambers just after 8:30 p.m., as Mayor Leigh Meigs was discussing the language of a recently-passed backyard hen ordinance.

Making a few characteristic chicken noises, the animal entered the room carrying a sign featuring a misspelling of "chicken" and a check mark, took a few turns, and then a seat in the otherwise-empty gallery.

The pseudo-chicken sat patiently and rocked its head while confused councilors chuckled and looked on and attempted to continue. Several minutes later, the council went into a scheduled closed session and the chicken appropriately rose from its seat to leave. On its way out, the bird approached the dais, crouched and left an egg on the floor.

"We have no idea who that was," said Councilor Doug Lyon, who denied any involvement. "None of my associates has a chicken costume."

He said fellow councilor and eat-local advocate Michael Rendon might be responsible. Lyon called the spectacle a "humorous interlude" in an otherwise business-like meeting.

Councilor Christina Thompson was relieved as well.

"I thought it was hilarious," she said. I was laughing so hard my eyes hurt, and my cheeks ... There are just so many other things for us to be serious about, it's good to take a break once in a while."

The chicken ordinance passed 3-2 at the Nov. 3 council meeting, after a year and a half of public hearings, study sessions and council meetings. Lyon and Meigs opposed the measure citing concerns about dust, odor and predators. Councilor Paul Broderick broke the tie with a vote in support but said later he wished someone had tackled that chicken.

"I want to know who that clucker was," he said.

At the time of the incident, Meigs and Lyon were asking that the term "predator-resistant" be a required term, not a recommended one, as was written in the ordinance. Meigs said she was glad to have in attendance a supporter of her argument.

"He was obviously there for safety," she said. "Sanctuary."

She, too, had no idea who the chicken was.

"Maybe Michael brought him," she said.

Rendon, who introduced the chicken ordinance over a year ago, avows no knowledge of the event, despite being spotted previously in a chicken costume at a Snowdown parade.

"That was a white chicken head," Rendon said.

The chicken Tuesday was yellow-headed.

gandrews@durangoherald.com

Thankful Thursday

It is not a lack of love,but a lack of friendship

that makes unhappy marriages.

This week I am thankful to be married to my very best friend.

Wordless Wednesday

Friday Fun

Artemis joined us at the hot tub last night. He has always loved bathrooms with all the water that is available to him, and now, late in life, has discovered the joys of hot tubbing! He can sit and steam himself but not get as soggy as when he steams in a cooped-up bathroom. He especially likes to sit next to the music. When he gets bored, though, he walks the edges, licking up any water that might have gotten splashed up. For a 76-year-old cat, it's not a bad life.

this one's for you, Mary!

Today is:

11-10-9

Make-it Monday

The current session of sewing fun for the little gals finished tonight and the girls were all so proud of what they made. Here are a couple of skirts that the girls said they would wear to school tomorrow:

The green skirt actually has a zipper in the back! Nice work, gals.

I think it's so cute when "best friends" make matching bags.

Next session begins next week. Call Common Threads for more info!

A collage I made this week, called "Lucy the Peacemaker." Had fun putting it together, trying out new things.

And this is the card I made to send to little Noah, who at 5 years old is celebrating his last Christmas -- early -- because he won't live to see December 25th this year. Remember folks, cancer kills little children, too!

Friday Fun

I'm going back in time for this week's Friday Fun. I was recently reminded of how much fun we had while unschooling our kids. I ran across a paper that one of our daughters wrote for a college class a couple years ago. She said, in part:

"Being unschooled, the number one question I was asked was, 'How do you have friends?' Ironically, this was most often asked by my friends! Usually I would laugh it off, knowing that I had all kinds of friends. Friends in the neighborhood, Girl Scout Troop, swim team, church, some from our times in Hawaii, friends I would meet on crazy family adventures, friends from my weekly volunteer work at the Food Bank. These friends, who were of all ages, would end up being the greatest teachers I could ever have had."

Here are some pictures from one of the fun times, with oodles of other kids.

We sure did have fun back in the day!

Thankful Thursday

"He (Fr. Ed Hays) reminds his readers that being a faithful disciple of Christ means much more than going to church every Sunday and challenges them to live the gospel every day of the week." (Ave Maria Press)

For several years I have been a member of a Small Catholic Community, or what we refer to as "Small Church." This is a place where we can safely discuss our faith, our thoughts on what is happening in our church, how we might best live out the Gospel. And pray together. We have a wide age range, from mid-twenties to mid-sixties, and we are open to learning from each other. We don't always agree but we rest in the assurance that God loves each one of us-- always, no matter what, and that God is present in all of our discussions.

With the hierarchy of our Church wanting to disregard so many of us today, and trying to put God into some sort of a very tiny box, our Small Church is a welcome refuge where I can say that we truly encourage each other to examine the true meaning of the Gospel – the GOOD news - and to look carefully on what Jesus would do in all situations.

And for this I am truly thankful.

What are you thankful for this week?

Wordless Wednesday

Mother Teresa

“People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; It was never between you and them anyway." ~Mother Teresa~