{ Picturesque Pine, Idaho }

First, I want to start by thanking you all for the birthday wishes, those that left comments here and those that sent me emails.  I want you to know that I am ever so thankful of the friends I have and I appreciate every one of you :)

We had decided that we were going to Boise, and then out to dinner with the family, but Saturday night we changed our plans.  Instead, we chose to head out to beautiful Pine for the day.

We had lunch at a very cute little cafe, delicious food in such a pretty setting, and then drove around a little, stopped at the hot springs and enjoyed the fresh air.

I honestly couldn't have asked for a better way to spend my birthday.  I am not into big settings, and busy things, and huge parties, it's just not what I am comfortable in, and to tell you the truth, I would rather spend my birthdays with family doing nothing, than going out or partying.

Jasmine took this picture of me.

When I first looked at it, I wasn't too happy, I didn't like it very much, and mostly because I can see my age written all over my face.  Maybe it's the fact that a few days ago I was going through old photos and smiled at how young I looked, and this one really signifies 40 for me.

But the more I looked at it, the more I started loving it.  This is me now, this is the 40 year old woman, the woman who has lost two babies to miscarriage, has two teenage children, a retired husband, two aging pugs and has gone through so much in her life, but I've persevered, and now every single line, every wrinkle, every imperfection has a story to tell.

Anyway, let me show you where we spent my birthday, it was so beautiful, and so many times we caught ourselves saying "it looks just like a postcard".  It did!

My gorgeous daughter has grown into such a beautiful young lady.

My handsome son is also quickly growing, unfortunately he is at the age where he doesn't like me to take photos of him. I will keep trying though.

This is the Hayhurst Bed and Breakfast. They offer free tours and we went by to find out rates etc. It is absolutely gorgeous, I was in love. The rooms were beautiful, the decks oversee the water and it is just a dream setting.

I didn't want to leave.  I could have just stayed there overnight, but it is out of our budget at the moment, just something we would have to really save up for.  One day.

The kids had a blast splashing in the river, playing with the mud and were very interested in the hot springs. Natural hot springs.

Let me tell you, we all tried to touch the water and it was SO hot, goodness. You could see some bubbles coming up in different spots, and in the winter you can see the steam. I would love to go back and see that.

The next area we will visit will be Featherville, which is not too far from Pine, but there is an old ghost town nearby, and you know I can't pass one of those up.

I just love day trips like these, they are inexpensive, you pack a picnic, grab some quilts and head out to nature for the day.  Truly nothing better than being out in the fresh mountain air enjoying earth's natural beauty.

If you're ever in the area, do be sure to visit Pine, you will absolutely fall in love with it.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!!

Well finally, we got our first real snow of the year.  We got a little dusting a few weeks back but nothing that would even stick around.

This morning, however, we woke up to a beautiful white winter wonderland and huge big flakes coming down.  It stayed this way for the whole day, and just now stopped.

I know it's cold, but I do love a good snow and seeing the earth blanked in beautiful white flakes.

I love it, the kids love it, the quails love it.....

My pugs however, not so much.

Especially Miss Lola who really really really and I mean reallyyyyyy hates it LOL

She just refuses to go out in that cold, even if we go out with her and stand there and try to coax her. Nope, not having it.

Miss Bella is not so bad, she'll go out, she'll walk around, do her business and quickly run back in.

We had to make a quick trip to Walmart for some snow boots for the kids and some thermal wear, because when it comes to winter clothes, we have none.  When we left to Arizona 7 years ago we got rid of them never thinking we would be heading back this way, but now I'm really regretting that decision because goodness, we are not equipped for this cold weather at all.

You know it's so funny in a way, being back here where the kids were born, and seeing things and experiencing things as if for the first time. They've grown so much since then, so it's exciting reliving it all through their eyes.

Humbling in a way, sad in another, but always exciting.

Well, I best get on out of here. I have a chicken pot pie in the oven, my fire is going, everyone is walking around with thick socks and hats and whatnot, snuggling under blankets and watching movies and playing games etc.

I am going to run and check on dinner, get the table set, eat, and then I'm thinking a hot shower, some comfy pj's and relaxing either with a good book or a Christmas movie with the family.

God Bless,
Sandra
xoxoxo

Morning at the lake

The best decision we have ever made, has been to leave Arizona in the dust, and come back home to Idaho.  Is there anything like the Northwest???

The levels of stress that we felt for the past 7 years seem to have melted away, and you know that feeling you get when you are where you belong?  That content happy joy deep down in your soul, feeling?  It's been replaced by that.

I feel lighter, I feel younger, I feel happier.

Surrounded by nothing but city and brown and dust for so many years, being back where everything is green and there are cows and horses and water no matter where you look, is so very good for the soul.  I was definitely born to live in the country.  City life is NOT for this gal.

This morning we headed to one of our favorite spots, a place we used to go quite often when I was pregnant with both kids, and even took my mother in law and brother in law when they were visiting.

It felt good to once again drive down these roads, to see that everything remained the same even though years had passed and lessons had been learned.

Our old beloved pet Misty is buried somewhere along this road, we can't remember exactly where, but driving out this way brought tears to our eyes. We do miss our old girl, she was such a huge part of our lives.

Everything we do in life, everywhere we go and have been, leaves an imprint.  Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad but together they make the fabric of who we are and I honestly wouldn't change anything in my life, not the good and not the bad, they all have their place in my heart.

The kids so loved the ride, they are not used to greenery and even though they've been out here before, they were so little that they don't remember any of it, so it's fun to bring them back and reintroduce them to everything again.

Gorgeous day, 80 degrees, a beautiful breeze and fresh air, nothing but fresh unpolluted air.  *sigh*

We brought along a very simple picnic, some sandwiches, some fruit, water, tea and some chips.  Sat under beautiful big trees, enjoyed the shade, ate while we chatted, butterflies and dragonflies flew by and watched the other lake goers having fun.

The kids were so happy.  They remind me a lot of myself at this age, I would also collect rocks and shells, so they spent a bit of time just hanging out by the waters edge.

So far, military retired life is the best feeling in the world. The stress these guys are under seems to melt the minute they sign that paper releasing them from Active Duty. We are all smiles, all about joy and all about relaxing.

She's at that age where hugging mom in public is embarrassing LOL So I don't get many of these, they're becoming a rare commodity that I treasure anytime it rears it's head.

And of course mama's boy.  This boy loves being with me and I love being with him :)

Of course the girls went along for the day and boy did they enjoy it. Miss Lola LOVES water as you all know, so while hubby walked along the lake edge she just went right in LOL

What is it with the little ones always wanting to go in the water?

On the way back home we encountered SO many horses.  I have loved horses my whole life and have always dreamed of living in an area where I am surrounded by horse pastures, now I can say I'm living that dream.

I could sit and watch them for hours....

We pulled up near the fence and they were all looking away from us, all I said was "Hey loves" and they ALL turned towards the car.  The kids thought it was hilarious.

Do love the baby calf don't you?

We headed home filled with fresh air and contentment. 

Finished off the day with a grilled steak and baked potato dinner out on the deck.  Perfection.

Now I'm going to continue on with more dishcloths. 

Some of you have asked about the Etsy store, it is not yet open as I don't have any items available for sale yet, but I'm hoping by next week I can give you the link to my little store.

Hope you've all had a lovely Saturday and enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Plodding along....

I do like the thought of decorating a house from scratch, and I think it's the only thing about moving I ever look forward to.  But quite frankly, it's all more glamorous in your imagination than it is in reality.

I can't tell you how sick of boxes I am, and I would show you all my bruised legs and arms from carrying, bumping, hitting said boxes, but I wouldn't do that to you.  Bad visuals and all LOL

I could just leave things as they are for the moment, or go slower, but I'm weird, once I get into a house I want it all set up and things put away.  Living out of boxes gives me hives.

Spent this morning organizing and unpacking a little more, I do hope I'm not boring you all with the pictures.

Here is the laundry room.  I love my kitchen but it doesn't have a pantry so I've had to come up with some ways to maximize the space in the laundry room to accommodate for a pantry too.

Used an empty book shelf I had, hung up a little curtain and now I have storage but it doesn't look so ugly with everything showing.  Have had the can storage above the shelf, for many years but couldn't use it back in Arizona as it didn't fit anywhere....now it fits perfectly above the shelf :)

Curtains aren't quite long enough and any other time I would have been really bothered by it, but I think I'm so tired at this point that I could care less LOL

Another extra shelf I had gives me  more storage. 

The can organizer I was referring to, bought it at Costco many years ago and it's great for can storage.

And now the bedroom, this is one of the corners of my room, just perfect for sitting under the window and crocheting, and I think it will be the best place to sit during the snowy winter months :)

The other corner of the room.  I can't even tell you how I smile when I look at this shelf, it just makes me so incredibly happy.

And yet it always feels like I never have the right color for the project I'm working on.  I think it's a crocheters and knitters thing though right?

I'm determined to get through all of this yarn and whip up some items for my Etsy shop.  I haven't crocheted in many weeks now and I'm just itching to get back into it.

Aside from this house stuff, I've done the dishes, I've got laundry going, I have kids wanting to swim this afternoon and a husband who is at the base right now doing retirement things.

Life just keeps on going, no matter what is happening, and I'm quite happy to just go along with the flow.