Hodge Podge

The sunrise this morning was spectacular.  The sunlight reflected off the low clouds and turned everything shades of yellow, orange and pink.

God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged.  Hebrews 6:18

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Luke flew home to Minnesota today.  Eden flies home on Sunday.  Plans for the remainder of the week include shopping for wedding dress shoes and undergarments; wedding dress fitting/alterations; and taking down Christmas decorations.

We had a lot of fun while all the kids were here.  In addition to celebrating Christmas and ringing in the New Year with horseback riding we also spent one evening in downtown Denver.

Dinner and margaritas at the Blue Bonnet.  Yummy food!  We were stuffed!

Lights!  Denver City Hall.

More lights!  Union Station.

The snow is all but gone now...and that's alright by me!  I love having snow over the holiday season, but now it can stay away until late March/early April ~ one last blizzard before spring.  Works for me!

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Today is my brother's birthday.  Happy Birthday Greg!  Hope you have a wonderful day!  Love you!

Greg and John

'Til next time ~ find your joy!
Kelly

Winter Wonderland

Over the last two days we've received about a foot of snow, with 2-4 more inches forecast for tonight.  Since our human babies have flown the coop, I have to take photos of our fur babies--and my hubby.

We were out playing in the snow and I snapped a few shots of the dogs playing in the powdery white stuff.  They had a blast...well, Luna and Libby did.  Bleu is not overly fond of the cold on her feet.  Nor does she like to pose for me and my camera.  Libby and Luna are hams.

Oh, and I'm LOVING my new camera!

Warning!  This post is photo heavy!

 Libby

 Luna

Bleu (see, look at the stern look she's giving me!)

Libby and Luna love to chase/catch snowballs.  The next few are a series of them chasing after one.

 Waiting for Jim to throw a snowball.

Luna watches it fly overhead.  Libby's on it!

 "Where'd it go?"

 "There it is!"

 "I got it!"

"I love the snow!"

 Posing for mom and her camera.

 Regal.

 Beauty.

Queen.

Hubby cleaning off the car.

I also took a couple of the snow in the trees.

Beautiful.  Peaceful.  Perfect.

Til next time ~ find your joy!

Kelly

JOY

Happy December 1st!

It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season and miss out on the joy we are supposed to be celebrating. This year, I'm striving to find joy every day, whether it's in a greeting to or from a neighbor, baking holiday treats, satisfying a client, or taking our dogs for a walk.

bokeh!

Hubby and I are trying to keep the stress at bay (or at least under control) by getting a jump start on things so we can enjoy the season. We are also traveling for daughter #1's college graduation this month and wanted to ensure we weren't running around last minute to finish before Christmas Eve. Been there, done that, not this year.

Our 10 ft. tree is up and decorated. We are almost done shopping, and there are several wrapped presents already under the tree. It's so pretty and we get to enjoy it for the whole month!

The outside lights are up and have been lighting up our street in the evenings since the day after Thanksgiving. And, every night there seems to be another house in our development that has decked the halls.  So far our street has the most lights--love it!

If all this wasn't enough to find joy on this first day of December, we woke up to a beautiful blanket of snow!

I hope you're doing what you can to minimize the stress and find joy this Christmas season.

Cheers!

Til next time ~ find your joy!
Kelly

Snowed In

Snow.

The fluffy white stuff.

Eighteen inches of the fluffy white stuff.

Daughter #2 and I flew in to Minnesota for the weekend to attend a bridal show with daughter #1 and her future mom-in-law, Ann.

It was supposed to be a quick in and out.

We are still here, snowed in by a record snow fall in a 24 hour period.  770+ flights were canceled with flights overbooked for the next 3 days.

Oy.

Vey.

While I miss these types of snow storms, I really want and need to get home to Colorado!  I almost didn't bring my computer.  If I hadn't, I would have been up a creek without a paddle.  At least I can work remotely.

I'm sleeping in daughter #1's bed, which is a mattress on the floor.  She's sleeping on the couch.  There is no food in this college apartment.  I'm out of clean clothes.  I did not pack boots.  Or gloves.

But, it's not all bad.  Tonight I made these starving college girls broccoli smashed potatoes and served them with a rotisserie chicken.  Speaks to my need to nurture.

They have cable, so I'm getting my fill of Food Network.  Speaks to my food obsession.

I love to hear these young women laugh, and they include daughter #2 like she belongs.  Speaks to my heart.

Such is life.  I hope you're finding the silver lining in your daily challenges.  When life gives you lemons, listen, laugh and make a margarita.

'til next time,
Kelly

Peace on Earth

A winter wonderland.  Located at Baseline Road and Mallard Pond Drive, Boulder, CO.

I hope you are enjoying the beauty of the season. :)

Kelly

stopitoff.blogspot.com

Gentle Snow

You can certainly tell it's the beginning of the snowy season as I can't help but take pictures of the fluffy white stuff and share them.

My fear is that we'll get these early season snowstorms and then not have any snow for Christmas. We are two for two on having snow on Christmas since we've moved to Colorado.  Gotta keep the streak going!  Here's a picture from last night.

2009 First Snow

Just a dusting, but made for a beautifully peaceful picture this morning.