have {yourselves} a...

Ice is Nice

 

For the past many years, this creative and wonderful man has been partnering with his great friend Danny, to carve ice and snow in Sun Valley Resort, in Idaho.

He left last Monday and gets back this evening and I can.not wait to see him and hear all about his fun ventures.

Updates are perhaps forthcoming... =)

The year shall not be mentioned...

I had a birthday, I had lots of fun, felt very well celebrated and I LOOOVE 

my beyond generous family and friends... that is all anyone need know. 

The year shall not be mentioned. 

{wink}

But for serious... it was a simple and wonderful day. I got treated to a yummy breakfast with this dear lady and a free coffee from our fav spot together, took some fall family pics of my bro and sis in law and their sweet nieces and then my hubs, mom and I hung out in the evening, celebrating with pizza and cake and margaritas. A delightful combo and I am very grateful...

chipmunk cuddles

best ever cuddles from a creature happened right here. just walking along this wonderful trail - just a smidge out of town - and out pops this little wonder. he/she - not too certain, was most brave and gregarious and we took full advantage of his bold nature. never would have expected he/she (although we've dubbed him amigo pequeño - so we'll go with he - respectively) would have traversed up the denim clad course, up our legs and into our hearts. 

small treasures found this day.

Fall {festing}

{ i do like him ever so much }

 ... yet again, an extensive amount of admiration and acclaim were shared this past weekend, as we exhibited at Fall Fest, in our downtown area of Bend.

Each and every time people mentioned of their amazement at the craftsmanship, skill and brilliance of these incredible co-creations, this beautiful husband of mine gave such sweet honor to God, accrediting Him with the passion to pursue and the aptitude to accomplish these pieces with such expertise and with such inspiration. This of course only serves to make me live and appreciate the man he is, more and more. We were additionally grateful that our friend Jason stopped by to offer encouragement and assistance, lifting heavy stuff for tear down and the heart of the artists as well.

My mom stopped by a few times as well, being beyond generous to make and bring hot soup and warm bread, chai and love. We strolled together briefly through the various booths together and enjoyed the crisp fall air mixed the the delicious sun. She's a helper and she's my best mom.

Despite all the hard and fast work it is to have a weekend art boot, it is always terrific exposure for J, and lots of fun to interact with the folks who stop by. Fall fest 2012 - check. =)

We had an absolutely lovely time in Southern Oregon for a family wedding this last weekend. Jason's cousin Heather got married during a beautiful ceremony atop of Johns Peak - over looking the entire Rogue Valley. We got to dance and groove to some fun wedding tunes with each other and with his Papa, who might have just brought the party TO the party! ;) I ran into a friend from high school, who I hadn't seen since our 10 year reunion, which sadly, was nearly 10 years ago - haha, wow - I'm old. But seriously, it was super fun to re-connect with her and her fabulous family.

Great visits were had as well, with Jason's mom - visiting around Ashland, for a great breakfast,  then  strolls through Lithia Park, relaxing and recouping.

It was good for both mom and son - lots of love there to share...

new {home} sweet home

So... we moved. Yeah, we did. 

Super stoked to have such a wonderful place to land and super exhausted from the "flight". ;) Packing is such fun (NOT) but getting settled in really is...

{more pictures to come}

Art [centric]

What an honor and unique privilege Jason has this weekend, to be one of only 6 invited artists to participate in Lahaina galleries 36th Anniversary show & event. They've shut down the gallery as of yesterday until Sunday with a private, invitation only showing Saturday evening.

Re-opening to the public Sunday, the relationships he's already forming with other artists and art connoisseurs are wonderful and perhaps may even result in shared life time adventures.

[ Thank you God - it is ALL in your Hands ]

::Summer Sounds::

Mom is moved!!!! Fun times at Summer Concerts {Bend has lots of great outdoor venues and free events} and lots of memories ahead!

She's getting settled in all cozy - slowly but surely and we are SO grateful for the provision of SUCH a lovely and lively home!

Every{day} Oregon

 

 So each day of this season we call summer seems to provide bonus beauty and we are privileged to have days like this one to get out in it and capture sun dipped moments of togetherness.

We were on a hunt for more forest floor offerings for J's art and came back with a piece or two, and much lightness in our hearts. I revisit that feeling looking at these pictures here again. 

[We.Heart.Central.Oregon.]

  

Here's just another casual stroll in the Old Mill District near sundown, enjoying a brief walk around the river trail. Truly, Bend is a remarkable place to call home.

And this is a lovely sampling of the beauty that the Rogue Valley also has to offer. Seeing as how we both grew up there and enjoy visiting family there as often as possible, it's some of home as well. 

 

So the birthday boy gobbled up his gifts with pleasure... just recently acquiring a gas grill {courtesy of craigslist}, we had a birthday cookout, {including Blackberry Cobbler} in our backyard and celebrated J's May 13th birthday, in true Spring/Summer style. 

{happy birthday to my one and only!}

The next day - Monday, after a work meeting I had at 

Jackson's Corner, we headed out of town 1.5 hours away 

to Belknap Hot Springs - right along the McKenzie River. 

The restaurant was closed for remodeling so

we had a nearly week long vacation by "force". ;)

Who knows, family traditions could be in the making!

~ even the drive up was amazingly beautiful ~

These are the magical hot springs 

& pools at which we luxuriated... soaking up the sun & warmth, being lulled into relaxation by the gentle yet hearty flow of the adjacent McKenzie river. The brisk river spritz combined with the warmth of the pool was refreshing indeed.

This Pacific Paradise provided much needed nourishment - to just be together - without agenda nor responsibility and a very welcome state of cheer & joy.

{CAMPSITE AWESOMENESS}

So this is Belknap's hidden jewel: {The Secret Gardens}. A short and stunning bike ride from our campsite, we packed our lunch and brought it here each day we were at the Springs, and considering we were vacationing before the rush hit - we had the place nearly completely to ourselves - only to be joined by the occasional fish bobbing out of the water and the fancy serenades of bathing birds or the flutters of blue tipped butterflies. We were so privileged to enjoy a thoroughly inexpensive and truly hidden hideaway with romance & relaxation to spare!

We Are [The Waldo's]

Fun times when Brian and the Boys came to visit.  

Of course there is Waldo weirdness at Seth and Susie's. 

Bro{ther's}

Summer fun - footballin'...

Springing into Summer

Spring has arrived - the blossoms are beckoning.

Wonderful celebrations were had at McKay Cottage {one of our new favorite b-fast spots now} on April 25th, the day I headed out to visit our wonderful friends, the Anderson's for a fun Spring visit. {pictures coming soon}April 25th holds is significance as the day that J and I met, three years ago {2009} in Southern California. Obviously a life altering day in every best way, it deserves to be honored... so we did, with pancakes and breakfast burritos!

What fun it is to play... I do so enjoy that my husband too, is fascinated with little things in nature and the world around him, more so even than I. Photo cred: Mom. =) She came to visit and insisted that she snap a pic of us throwing the tree helicopters up in the air, only to watch them spiral back to the grass. Simple pleasures.

|  Exhibition Hall  |

 The Justice Conference | February 24+25, 2012 | Portland, OR. 

This was most likely one of my great privileges in my life... It's been a challenging season no doubt, but the rewarding experiences I was able to take from this event and the team efforts leading up to it were absolutely remarkable. 

I. Am. Grateful!

Couldn't. Be. Prouder

CLICK ABOVE: to see the Artist Spotlight on my wonderful husband!!

Skating on Ice

 Winter

fun for

all!

 

Ice Skating

 is the 

best 

when

enjoyed

with

Family...

especially 

around

Christmas!

J & I - with the Waldron Clan at Seventh Mountain Resort - Bend, OR