365 Days Of Pictures ~Day 127

Watching the trees fill in from a long Winter!

These are a few of the trees left from all the clearing that they did; when the new owners had all the bush and tree removal done in the early Spring.

It looks so sparse to me.

But am happy to see the greenery filling in.

Not the lush beauty I was use to having.

But I am happy they left these few trees.

Canopy Of Green

Do you like a lot of trees around for shade and beauty?

Thankful Thursday~

 YEA! It is Thursday once again. Time to hook up with Tara over a "Undeserving Grace". It is so much fun to read her grateful list. It is always chalk-up with wonderful things along with her daughters list. Then you have the linky to link up to and hop on over to other blogs and check out all the other thankful list. My goodness we have so much to be grateful for. Whats on your grateful list this week?

1. Airline ticket to go to Sacramento for another daughters college graduation

2. Completing the Summer Challenge over at Jen's blog "Following the Footsteps"     http://shaemata.blogspot.com/ 
3. The beautiful little gifts from Gina she has blessed me with that I need to post up. Check them out! Aren't they gorgeous? I just love them. Thank you Gina!
4. BBQ Picnic with my lovely neighbor this past weekend.
5. Movie time with hubby!
6. Having the same days off to spend some quality time together.
7. Our little road trip up the highway to Bonneville Dam to go watch the fish climb the ladder
8. My daughter Racheal passing her nursing exam and becoming an RN official this Tuesday! Way to go Racheal! Congratulation's to you mom is so proud of you! And so is dad!
9. Great neighbors!
10. Air to breathe that is clean clear and fresh
11. My bottle of Ice to drink! Love them!
12. Prayers
13. New babies that have been born at the homes I go to do hair! What beautiful gifts from heaven Welcome to both of them a little girl and a little boy.
14. Hot water
15. Hair spray to hold my hairstyle





What are you excited and grateful for this week?



http://www.undeservingrace.com/



21 Day Summer Challenge~ Day 21: Independence Day

WOW!
So today is the last day of the Summer Challenge! It has been so much fun!Thank you Jen for hosting this incredible fun challenge!It doesn't seem like we should be done yet!
But we are.Just yet another sign of how fast time flies when you are having fun!May each of you have a super blessed Summer!Looking forward to reading about all of your Summer travels and adventures.Thank you for joining me on this Summer Challenge journey.Guess I need to go make some Summer adventures and memories myself.I will be catching up with you at the fourth of July party!{SMILES}  June 30-Day 21: Independence Day  

 WOW!
Lets say they aren't as fun as when the girls where small and living at home.They are much quieter now!But still a lot of fun!Though I must say I have had some awesome 4th of July's!We have always done big bashes.Lots of crazy fire works.OH! Always fun!Watching money burn and explode!{Laughing} BB Q'S with family and friends.When I was living at my brothers and I didn't have to work I would bring some of the grandchildren up.Then it would be just like when he girls were young.Lots of family, friends, food, and fire works.But times have changed. Last year I was in Klammath Falls, Oregon.It was a great time! This year hubby actually has it off.YEA!We will BBQI actually have a friend coming in from Bend, Oregon that I went to school with in California.She will stop by and see us, spend some time visiting and catching up.I'm actually looking forward to this visit.I haven't seen her in more than ten years. I was thinking of going to my moms up in Poulsbo, Washington with my sisters niece and great nephew.But ...I think being home with hubby and enjoying the fireworks around here will be plenty.Plus seeing my girlfriend.What a wonderful time I'm sure it will be. The fourth of July is always something to celebrate around here.
We may not get as wild and crazy as we once did.But I am still married to a man that is like a little kid when it comes to the fire works.Piro comes to mind!Love him so much.So I'm sure we will have some crazy fun! Do you have big plans for the fourth of July weekend? 

Three Word Wednesday Promt~

 http://www.threewordwednesday.com/

Bump; noun: A light blow or a jolting collision; a protuberance on a level surface; verb: Knock or run into someone or something or meet by chance; move or travel with much jolting and jarring.

Knuckle; noun: A part of the finger at a joint where the bone is near the surface; verb: Rub or press (something, especially the eyes) with the knuckles.

Transfix; verb: (Usually transfixed) cause someone to become motionless with horror, wonder or

astonishment; pierce with a sharp implement or weapon. 

Transfix on the sound
Of the bump
Makes one White knuckle
~Beth~

365 Days Of Pictures ~Day 126

This lovely tree has given both hubby and I much grieve.

We love the tree and the beauty!

But it is not easy on our allergies.

It has caused us to have a lot of trouble with breathing.

Watering eyes.

Headaches.

Runny noses.

Just a gambit of misery.

The beauty so worth it!

So glad that they didn't take this tree down with all the others.



Golden Chain



Do you fight with allergies?

21 Day Summer Challenge~ Day 20: Summer Outings

June 29-Day 20: Summer Outings  I seem to do those as often as I can. Hubby and I just went on a short little one up the road this weekend to Bonneville Dam.We love going to the Dam and watch the fish on the fish ladder.All the gates where open on the dam. The water was so intense!The river is at flood stage and has been.It was very surreal to see the river so high and all the islands underwater with the tree tops poking just above the water. 

Bonneville Dam
Oregon

Love going on day hikes.Drives to little townships.Drives to surrounding lakes.Up to the mountain or the beach. The greatest thing about where I live is I can go on day trips and outings all year round and get the best of every season.I never tire of the beauty where I live.I can go in any direction and be on a mini outing day trip, weekend adventure or make it a week long vacation or... whatever.One of the beauties of the Pacific North West. You can never be without an adventure as one is always around the next bend if you are willing and able.That would be me.Spare of moment ready and willing to hit the road on an adventure. Do you like going on mini adventures for the day or weekend? 

365 Days Of Pictures ~Day 125

This is my walk way to my little world of peace and happiness.

Though most of the beauty that I loved is gone.

It now reminds me of a cement jungle.

Though now we are watching the new greenery and shrubbery grow around us in our little place in the world.

I love my neighbors and the beauty we create with our gardens.



Walk Way Of Friendship



Are you making big plans for the fourth of July weekend?

Prompt 6: Emotions & Feelings (EF) – TSUNAMI

Here is another prompt from "Acrostic Only". I really do enjoy their prompts. Lots of talent links up. So even if you don't want to join in but love to read good writing go check out their link, either way you wont be disappointed.

http://acrosticonly.blogspot.com/


Prompt 6: Emotions & Feelings (EF) – TSUNAMI

---

Toppling of life's gone
Sitting, waiting the outcome
Unknown scenes of unbelief
Nothing will seem right
Aftermath, unspeakable life turns
Multitude of life changes
Instant unknown blank feelings
~Beth~



Have you ever lived through a life changing disaster?

21 Day Summer Challenge~ Day 19: Summer Reading

June 28-Day 19: Summer Reading  

 Well can I just say that I love to read!Though I must admit since my eyes are not what they use to be. I don't read as much as I use too.
I love a good mystery.An autobiography is always fun.Love to read true crime. My favorite fictional Christian writer is Karen Kingsbury.Love love love her book's. I cannot put them down once I start reading themIt is so very hard to lay the book down. I also read business books to help me grow in my business.Self help because I can use all the help I can to be a better me. Which leads to the number one book and choice of reading the Bible.Gods road map for my life. When in doubt read the road map left for me for life.Everything I will ever need want or think I have need of is in there. Mystery,intrigue, poetry, love stories, travel, murder, history, war, anything I can think of.But all leading to the road map of my life and what I will need to know.His love letter to me from Him, who first loved me.What could be better than that? So yes!I love to read.
Do I have one thing or writer or.... no.I just love a good story. Do you have a favorite writer?  

Photo Challenge~ Playground

Marilyn over at "The ArtsyGirl Connection" is hosting another wonderful photo challenge.

This challenge is "playground".
Oh My Goodness!
I didn't realize I had so many to choose from. I was going out and taking more.

Oh No!

So I really love the time I had with my grandchildren, daughter, niece, sister when we went to visit last Summer.

So I picked this one as I think it captured the reality of the playground.

No One is ever to old!

Please go check out "ArtsyGirl" and all the other wonderful playground shots at:

http://theartsygirlconnection.blogspot.com/

At her :



Perfect Pixel Aisle Series III



Hold ON!

Never to old or to pregnant to have fun at the playground.

I have several photos that I could have picked for this one.

But I think this one says it all.

One never grows to big for the fun on the playground.

We have the young and old on-lookers to the very pregnant going down the slide.

Yes!
That is my very pregnant niece.

My granddaughter and daughter and myself on looking and cheering all the fun on.

We all went down the slide.

Including the curly slides.

Bounced on teeter totters

Got stuck in tires and swung on swings and ropes.

We balanced on the balanced beams.

We played on the rings.

Got lost in a maze.

Acted like any grown child that never grows up.

The proverbial 8 year old.

Isn't grand to know there is no age on the playground?
Nothing but laughter and fun!



Do you like going down the slide on the playground?



Prompt 5: Nature (N) - REDWOOD

Here is another prompt from "Acrostic Only". I really do enjoy their prompts. Lots of talent links up. So even if you don't want to join in but love to read good writing go check out their link, either way you wont be disappointed.

http://acrosticonly.blogspot.com/


Prompt 5: Nature (N) - REDWOOD

---

Ready for an adventure
Enticed by the weather
Driving near and far
Woodlands of vast trees
Over the top large
Onward towards the heavens
Dancing in the sky

~Beth~


Do you like looking at trees?

21 Day Summer Challenge~ Day 18: Summer Fashion

 June 27-Day 18: Summer Fashion I think I have Summer fashion down!

I love my shorts with a tank! Though as I have gotten older they seem to be more like the carpi's instead with a tank.Though I still throw on a pair of shorts with a tank.  I defiantly like to have my sun dresses.These are a must have in the Summer. Always have several pairs of sandal's and flip flops to choose from for foot attire along with fashion accessory's. I also have to have my swimsuit for the pool/beach.
Don't forget those sunglasses for the perfect addition and fashion accessory. I also like to have the fun jewelry accessories for the complete look as well. An ankle bracelet.Bracelet's.Necklace.Never leave home without earrings. Flower in the hair!Nice addition. Did I forget to mention the sunhat!Those are always lots of fun!

Need that perfect matching hand bag as well. A Summer shawl for in the evenings when there is a light breeze or it is a bit cooler than planned. What article of Summer wear can you not life without?   

365 Days Of Pictures ~Day 124

More of the little garden at the school yard.

It even has a little foot bridge.

I just love it!

I love all the natural beauty surround this little garden.

Yes!

As you see more of those nut shells.

Still haven't found out what kind of shells they are yet.

Just know that CK hates them.

I don't remember ever having a beautiful garden like this at any of the schools I attended.

Shell Path To Foot Bridge

Are you active in helping to keep your school grounds beautiful?

365 Days Of Pictures ~Day 123

This is in the school garden across and beyond the field where I walk.

A part of CK's and my walk when school isn't in.

I found this most interesting.

Those are nut shells of some sort.

I think walnut but not sure.

I want to go back and investigate this more.

But I can tell you CK wont walk on them at all.

She looks at me like I'm nuts or something.

I think they hurt her little paws.

Not sure if they put bird feed in there are not or put a bowl with water in there.

But it is a lovely little spot.

It is a beautiful little garden.

Hoping to get more photos of this area.

Bird Feeder..? Bird Bath..?

Does your school yard have flower gardens and bird feeders in it?

Prompt 4: Children's Corner (CC) – PIGGY BANK

Here is another prompt from "Acrostic Only". I really do enjoy their prompts. Lots of talent links up. So even if you don't want to join in but love to read good writing go check out their link, either way you wont be disappointed.



http://acrosticonly.blogspot.com/

Prompt 4: Children's Corner (CC) – PIGGY BANK

---

Penny's for the adventures
Investment of a life time
Giggles of the gathering
Gasping hope of more
Yippees of  more pennies

Bouncing pennies dropping through
Announcing each penny kept
Nothing gained nothing earned
Keeping each dream alive

~Beth~

Do you have piggy banks for your little ones to drop their penny's and dreams of ice cream in?

21 Day Summer Challenge~ Day 17: Summer Camp

June 26-Day 17: Summer Camp  

Goodness!
This one is going to take me way back. Maybe a bit further than one wants to go. It has been a very long time since I have been to camp.I loved camp as a kid.My mom usually had us in day camp in the Summer to keep us off the streets and out of trouble while she was at work.It was a program I think the city put on.I don't even remember.I  know at first I didn't want to go to camp at all.But they always had some wonderful outings to go on. So then I wanted to go.Besides the cute boys!{Smiles & Giggles}
I remember some of those where the best times of my life. I also remember girl scout camp after the cookie sell.Oh! That was huge!That was always a memorable event.My most favorite camp was water ski camp the year before I graduated from high school.It was a whole week at the lake learning to water ski.All I can say is it was so worth it! I almost felt as if it was coming of age camping trip for me.Such great memories.Seriously we just didn't realize how great life was then!Thanks for this small stroll down memory lane.I'm sure I could tell a whole bunch of crazy stories here... but wont!So I was wondering is there a camp for me that I can go back in my childhood and re-live, re-visist, some of my most memorable experience's?{Smilin'} Do you have a favorite camp story from when you where a kid?  

365 Days Of Pictures ~Day 122

This beautiful flower box was my neighbor's across the way.

She had to take it away from the garden as it was considered community area.

More rules and no beauty!

What is the purpose?

I ask.

So all the pretty is still slowly disappearing.

Still hoping that will change.

So glad I got a snap of these lovely flowers.

Do you have a favorite color for your garden?

21 Day Summer Challenge~ Day 16: Road Trips

 June 25-Day 16: Road Trips  I love road trips!
I especially love them in the Summer time.I like them to be unexpected! Hop on in the car and start driving.Where the wind blows we go! I actually do love road trips the best.I think those are the highlights of Summer.I like driving to the beach and the mountains.Even if it is just for the day or the weekend.Since I live so close to both I am able to do that. I have gone on some awesome road trips with friends in the past.I have traveled across the Untied States to help them.Some in car.Some by rail.Some by bus.And some in combination of all three. I think it is a great way to see this wonderful country we live in. My most recent road trip was to Sacramento to be there when my youngest daughter graduated from college.The road trip was wonderful and so beautiful!Love being with friends and family. 



Road Trip
On The Road From California



 

I have several road trips planned in my head I would like to do.

I have planned them a thousand times over and over.One day they will all come true. One of them I really want to do is drive down highway 101 from the Canadian border all the way to Mexico.I think that would be a dream trip.Take my time.Camp where I want.Hotels!Beaches!Lighthouses!Caverns!Sand!Reefs!You name it!I'm there and having the time of my life.Seeing all the beauty and sites.Maybe even some fishing on some boats in the ocean.  Do you have a dream road trip planned?  

   



Finger Print Friday~ Squirrel

Fingerprint Friday

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:
I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know its true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God
So look around you and see where YOU can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Where do you see them? Here's how to join:

1. Blog with your interpretation of God's fingerprints. Be sure to link back here so others can find the entire list of participants.
2. After you've posted your blog, head on over to Beki's blog and link up over at the "Rusted Chain" 

http://www.blog.therustedchain.com/

One of the many playful squirrels that love to tease my CK girl.

I managed to get a couple of quick snaps of him.

We have plenty of little wild life coming in the complex park where we live.

I love it!

I love the little critters.

They are so fun to watch!

I love watching them scamper around the yard looking for little nuggets of goodies.

Eager to find, collect and hide their seeds of wealth.

I think it is so funny how they know they can tease the dogs in the neighborhood.

Even my CK girl.

And get away with it!

CK in her more youthful days was very good at pinning them.

She actually has caught a few by their tails a few times.

That was funny to see!

All the fluff from the tail she really had nothing to hold onto.

But she would shake them and twirl them around and then sling them across the yard.

Which wasn't very far as she truly didn't have that great of a grip on them.

They would run up the old wooden swing and sit up their and squeal and tease her something awful.

I just find all the wild life and nature such a beautiful finger print of Gods beauty and love.

As well as His sense of humor.

I mean some of the things you see and hear in nature is so darn funny looking.

The sounds they make can be funny as well.

Just proofs to me that the Lord has a wonderful sense of humor.

Wild life and nature teach us many wonderful things for life.

How they live and never worry.

WOW!

Can you believe it?

They seem to know they will be provided for.

They enjoy life and all of their surrounding beauty.

I could fill the page today with all the nuggets one can learn in nature.

I'm sure I could find scripture after scripture to support it.

Isn't it wonderful how God has weaved lessons in nature along with His words to give to us wonderful truths and a road map for a wonderful life?

NIV

Matthew 6:25-27

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not  life ,more important than food, and the body, more important then clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" 



Neighborhood Seed Thief



Waiting His Great Escape


Do you enjoy watching the wild life in your backyard?