Vintage Christmas

No matter what the season, I adore the look of vintage cards.  Here are a few vintage holiday cards that I love.

"Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love!" 

~Hamilton Wright Mabie

Tea-rrific

This tea is amAHHzing.  With ingredients like cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, black pepper, cloves and nutmeg, your senses will transport you to a spice market in a far off land. I feel it is quite perfect sans addition sweetening.  Get your tea on!

Two Peas in a Pod

My best friend, Chelsie is engaged!  

I am beyond happy for her and Jon and so ever 

excited for their June wedding.  I am honored to be 

a bridesmaid and can't wait to re-visit NoDak.


I am having too much fun looking  at colors and 
songs and themes and dresses...I want more friends
to get married!

                      "All you need is love"

                              - The Beatles

The Starfish Story

It is funny how the smallest things can sometimes make the biggest impact. I love life's "little things". In the last month, I have crossed paths with so many amazing people who have shared some inspiring stories and mantras. Here is a more recent one that really resonated with me...

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed 
a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.

Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?”

The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. 
The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”

“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? 
You can’t make a difference!”

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, 
and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said…”
I made a difference for that one.”

Don't underestimate your power or undermine what influence you have over every moment here after. You make a difference...choose to do so.

Jackie O

I came along this quote a few days ago, and felt like sharing. Well said Jackie, well said.

"I have been through a lot and have suffered a great deal. But I have had lots of happy moments, as well. Every moment one lives is different from the other. The good, the bad, hardship, the joy, the tragedy, love, and happiness are all interwoven into one single, indescribable whole that is called life. You cannot separate the good from the bad. And perhaps there is no need to do so, either."

~ Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

Somersault

Woke up to a fluffy abundance of snow this morning. Steamy coffee tendrils are slowly persuading me into today. My pilates mat is down. Here is a song I just heard by Decoder Ring...

I see your breath hanging there
Like snow clouds
Like snow clouds
Across the valley
The snow falls down
Onto my skin...

In my heart, you'll stay
In my heart, with me
In my heart, you'll stay
In my heart, in my heart.

I miss you when the
Air is still
And i can hardly feel
But with one breath
You are here

You are here
(in my heart, you'll stay)
You are here, with me
In my heart, you'll stay
In my heart, in my heart...

Out of all the breath in me
I keep yours in my heart
Out of all the breath in me
I keep yours in my heart

Now you will always be with me
In my heart
Now you will always be with me

Last Days in Whitehorse

I was asked to stay another day before departing for Whistler -- my wonderful friends threw a bon voyage party for me. It was a feast for a King (or Queen). White coho salmon, champagne, salads and lots o' lots of pie!! All in all it was a wonderful day. Anne, Harvey and I began the day on snow shoes. We took Kramer and Buddy for a last walk before my departure, down by wolf creek past the beaver dam and back up through the aspen trees.

I couldn't have asked for a nicer evening. I am constantly finding myself thankful for all the wonderful people in my life. Leaving Whitehorse was definitely bittersweet. I had re-kindled some amazing friendships and will miss everyone so...but can't wait for all that lies ahead. The Yukon will always be home, and I know I will be returning soon.

Last walk (snowshoe) with Anne, Harvey, Kramer, & Buddy

The gang!

JD apple pie (thank you LJ)

Champagne Toast

"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending."

~ Maria Robinson

Quarter Century

THE PLAN: Spend my birthday in Vegas and PHX with loved ones and see anyone and all I possibly could. Possibly squeeze in some NAU homecoming...and LOTS OF SUN.

I am happy to say this was all accomplished.

I departed Whitehorse on October 16 at 8 a.m. There is something magical about watching the sunrise at 40,000 ft. I landed in Vancouver and had a seven hour layover before my connecting flight to Las Vegas.

Here is a word web and some photos of the 10 days that followed...

Sunrise . Carry on . Turbulence . Clinique . Dad . Vancouver . Chelsie . Maggie . Beattles LOVE . Revolution . UVA . UVB . Marco . Saguaro . Mom . PCL . Beth . Beyowulf . Emily . Flagstaff . NAU . Tequila Sunrise . Tire Pressure . Interviews . Baklava . Jon . Christian Louboutin . Kaleb & Dustin . Flip Flops . Pool Adventure . 25 . Sushi . Shopping . Bananagrams . Layover . Lunarglides . Eric . Verizon . Mirage . Whistler . Lance . Scarf . Sephora . Apple . Supper Club . VB . Pat . Sunset

“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art.... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.”

~ C.S. Lewis

Giving Thanks

Today is Thanksgiving in Canada. Sitting here at the kitchen table, I am presently thankful for the bright sunlight bursting through the trees on this clear and cold -8* c (17.6* f) morning. The glow is a wonderful sign of a much 'warmer' afternoon.

Thanksgiving is not as big in Canada as it is in the lower 49. I was invited to and attended a couple of dinners over the weekend, and am reminded of how thankful I am for a plate full of turkey, stuffing, and the rest. I made and brought a pecan pie to both suppers, which I found out is a very American tradition.

It has been over 10 years since I was here for this holiday. No matter the amount of time that passes or my proximity, I find there are a few things I am consistently thankful for; my family, friends and good health.

I am one very lucky girl, who knows that luck has little to do with it. You can't win loving parents by playing scratchers at the Seven Eleven or throw a healthy heart in craps. For this, I try not to take them for granted and remember that unlike poker, my family, friends and health are things I am not willing to gamble.

“Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough.”

~ Oprah Winfrey

Turkey

I went to dinner on Sunday (the night before Canadian Thanksgiving) at a friends house. It was so delicious and I had such a great time that I had to share some photos. Amazing turkey, homemade eggnog, battle of the blades....so thankful.

Carpe Diem

"Courage is not the absence of fear , but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear. "

~ Ambrose Redmoon