First Snow

We had our first measurable snow fall this morning.  On Monday, October 26th we had a little teaser that melted before the measuring sticks could come out and measure the dusting, but this morning everyone was looking for their window scrapers and ice melt.

 I'm always excited about the first snow fall.  I think it is beautiful, the air feels different and there is a quiet calm as the city wakes up and discovers the beauty.  You have to catch that moment at just the right time because before long scrappers are grinding against the windows of cars and horns are honking because commuters forget how to drive cautiously when we have 2 or 3 inches of snow on the ground.

 But the beauty of those first ice cycles and dainty snow flakes clinging to the branches of the trees which have just barely dropped their leaves is something to behold.  Trees are heavy with snow and they bend to the ground just waiting for the sunshine to push through the cloud cover to warm their branches and relieve them of the heaviness of moisture.

Take a moment to look into the frosted window ice patterns that form because of the crisp coldness on the outside and the warmth of the house come together and create the magical labyrinth.  I loose myself in the wonder of it all.

My Guilty Pleasure

I'm a little sad today.  My Marlboro Man is going away.

Some time ago (see post dated January 27, 2010) a gorgeous man drove into my life.  I have a window at my desk at work and I watched this beautiful man drive in on his motorcycle, leather jacket and all and casually but ruggedly step off his bike and walk into the office across the parking lot.  He wasn't in there very long, but of course I watched as he left.  It wasn't long before I noticed that day after day he kept coming back.  I nicknamed him Marlboro Man - not because he smoked cigarettes but because he is smokin' hot!  I got up the nerve to talk with him and I told him how we all enjoyed watching him each morning.  He said he liked that and that he would make a point to wave hello.  He kept his word.

Friday he told me he is no longer cleaning the building across the parking lot.  My "start off the morning" guilty pleasure has driven into the sunset one last time - leather jacket and all.  But before he left, he asked me to come outside so he could say his proper good bye.  He told me how he would miss the waves, our smiles and he gave me a hug!  Oh yummy!  It was nice. Good bye my Marlboro Man - I'll see you in my dreams.

Oatmeal

As a young girl hot Oatmeal and Cream of Wheat were a staple when it came to breakfast in the Price home.  I did not like either one (my daughter says it must be a texture thing in my mouth) so I would barter chores or responsibilities with my siblings so I wouldn't have to eat "the stuff".  You know how that goes, I will do your dishes or I will clean your bathroom if you will eat my bowl of "the stuff".  I felt like it was a good trade! 

I haven't eaten "the stuff" for years - until now!  My sister filled my pantry shelves not long ago and one of the items was a box of Cinnamon Roll Oatmeal.  I kept moving this box around, but the shelves have emptied and I was in a quandary about what to have for breakfast.  The box of "the stuff" jumped out at me and said 'take me!  take me'!

I took a package to work and prepared my bowl of hot Cinnamon Roll Oatmeal and ate it!  All gone!  And as I was finishing my breakfast I remember my mother telling me as a teenager when I wouldn't eat "the stuff", "its a grown up taste dear, when you grow up I think you will like it ".

Does it count that I threw a handful of semi sweet chocolate chips into the bowl?  Am I a grown up with grown up taste?  I don't think it matters because I ate "the stuff" and it was good!  I have actually had it almost every morning since (because there were quite a few packets in the box).

I am going to consider myself a grown up and call this delightful find exactly what it is!  Hot Oatmeal.  I think I might graduate to trying Cream-of-Wheat!  Yikes!  I have grown up!

A pocket full of SUNSHINE

During the last few weeks I have had a pocket full of SUNSHINE! 

There have been so many activities and events happening that I wake up every day with a smile.  My sister and her family were here visiting and family gathered - a ray of sunshine!  We went on an adventure to Albion Basin in Little Cottonwood Canyon - the day was cool, beautiful and hardly a cloud in the sky - a ray of sunshine!

Many met to sit around a table at Mimi's Cafe and have breakfast together - another ray of sunshine!  There were many birthday's and a couple anniversaries to remember - many sprinkles of sunshine!  The birth of a new baby and the marriage of an adorable couple - bursts of sunshine!

I took a few days of vacation and celebrated my daughter's birthday - buckets of sunshine!  My Uncle and cousins visited from California and brought sunshine with them!

The days are getting cooler and the leaves are changing on the trees and our glorious mountains are a vision of an artists paintbrush stroke of autumn colors.  The sunshine of my soul is bursting!

SCATTER SUNSHINE!!

Angels

Are their angels among us?

I SHOUT YES!

I have a saying that I have quoted over the years - Its the little things that matter, and over the past several months I have seen this come to life.  I have many, many angels in my life!  And each have performed so many little things lately and have meant the world to me that I must say a collective THANK YOU!

So - - to all my angels out there I thank you for the fresh vegetables from the garden, the gift cards to buy groceries, the overwhelming response to "Janet's Garage Sale", the filled pantry shelves with groceries, the encouraging phone calls, the tin of cinnamon rolls to heat for breakfast, the format and photo's that helped to make an incredible "for sale" flyer on my home, the fix-it jobs in my home that are done with such love, the numerous invites to lunch or dinner, the very special delivery to my work of lunch on a tray and flowers, to a container of home made beans sent home after visiting- they were yummy!  So many gifts.  But what makes all this even more special is the heart felt love behind each action.  I have gratitude in my heart for each of you and each gift of love.  My cup runneth over.

Happy Birthday to Mom

My Mother is an angel!  As a young girl I always thought she was superwoman (and I still do!).  My mom could do anything and at times she juggled phone calls, kids, baking bread and laundry all at the same time!  There are 9 children who call her Mother, but we share our mom with many others.  Growing up we all had friends who called our mom for advice, the need one of her famous hugs, help with a project or just to hang out in our kitchen to be close to mom and "feel" of her love and comfort.  Our home was the meeting place for everything and everyone.  I'm sure everyone wanted to be in our home because of the feeling of love and harmony.

My beautiful Mother - Marcine C. Price

Mom making the Wedding dress for

her Granddaughter Ashely Price

My mother is beautiful, creative, a mother hen, industrious, a fabulous cook and a sought after seamstress!  Her sewing skills are impeccable!  She has hemmed pants for golf pros to creating a wedding dress and brides maid dresses for the full wedding party.  Mom made the song leader dresses for Jordan High School one year.  Mom gives the best gifts because they have been "homemade by Marcine"!  They are treasures!  I feel that mom is very happy when she is creating for her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She has a twinkle in her beautiful brown eyes as they open their gifts with wonder.

Dad and Mom- walking home from church services-

always hand in hand

My mom has a jest for life!  She loves her husband, her children, grand children and great grandchildren.  She has friends far and near.  She has a heart of gold and a peaceful nature.  My Dad always says he fell in love with her beautiful deep brown eyes and they are the windows to her soul.  My mom's eyes twinkle when she laughs and smiles.  Mom loves the Lord and is happiest when she is in the service of her Father in Heaven.  She loves life and lives the life she loves.

Dad and Mom - Eternal Sweethearts

My mom is queen, sweetheart, partner, lover and best friend to my Dad.  They love each other today as much as they did when they met.  They will celebrate their love affair of 60 years in October 2010.  They are the perfect example of true love!

I love my mom with all my heart.  She is my best friend, my example, my confidant, my rock.  She continues to lead, guide and direct me so I can become the woman she knows I can become.  She is patient and kind.  I love being in her presence.  I know and feel of the love she has for me.  Happy Birthday Mom!

Trees

I have had a secret crush on trees my whole life.  I love how beautiful they are - regardless of the season, there is always something beautiful about trees.  I love the fresh smell of pine as I drive along the roads in Oregon and the dense forest with moss hanging from the branches.  I love the shade they provide.  I love the tree outside my bedroom window which provides shade to the north east corner of my home.  I have watched this tree grow over the years.  My tree and I began our growth at this address about the same time.  My tree was young and newly planted and I was starting out in my new home - new adventures for both of us ~ ~  and look how we have grown!

Janet's Tree - front yard

I love springtime when trees take on their brand new growth and beginning.  I love that they resemble "popcorn popping", and I sing the song every year when my tree blossoms with full blooms.

I looked out the window and what did I see

popcorn popping on the apricot tree .  .  .

I love the change of season and with this change comes my favorite time of year.  Fall!  I take myself  for a drive into the mountains to see the changes and smell the change in the air.  I love to walk along a path and feel the crunch under foot.  The colors are beautiful to my eyes!

I love the first dusting of snow and the excitement of winter fast approaching.  I feel like I am in a winter wonderland when the air is so cold and the ice hangs onto each branch as a fragile piece of glass.

Trees are so beautiful as they sway in the wind - I could swear they filter secrets and whispers through the branches and leaves, the sounds muted just enough so the whispers thrown to the wind are still safe.

Am I like a tree?  Do I change with the seasons of my life?  Is my foundation (trunk) strong and does my core center stand firm?  Do my branches get heavy as I take on worries and burdens but hold fast as I sway with resolve?  Am I a chameleon and change with the seasons of bright and colorful to bland and barren as my moods change?  Does my shade give comfort and relief along life's path, not only for me but others? 

This I know for sure!  My roots are solid, my roots are firmly planted.  If I am to be compared to a tree I know for sure that my family tree is noble and wonderful and I thank my mother and father and so many grandfathers and grandmothers for their courage so many years ago for being a part in molding me into who I am and will yet become.  Our family tree may shake at times, but I know we are firmly planted!