The Best Ever 2009 to You

Am hoping that this will be a much better year for so many among us, in every way.

This little guy embodied new beginnings to me, and of course, if there would be a way to bring a horse into my New Year's well wishes to you, I'd find it. ;-) The darling photo was taken by Karen Barefoot, and shared as a stock photo.

Am just beginning to feel better, after having a bug for most of the holidays, so now I am wishing you the best in 2009, and am looking forward to reconnecting with you!

Hugs :-)

Simple Christmas Greetings

Greetings dear fellow bloggers, and visitors. Hope this finds you having a great day with your friends or family, wherever you are!

Thanks so much for the sweet comments about Betty Jo and her dear husband, in my previous post. Some men talk their whole lives and say little. BJ's DH said far less while on this earth, and yet, we could all spend a lifetime writing or sharing about the depth of his life and legacy. Thanks also, for all of your well wishes. Much appreciated!

In the name of keeping this time of year, my blog, and the holiday simple, I finally discovered the joy of using stock photos. LOL, not a new thing to most of you, but I figure it's never too late to land among those treaures taken by others! So, my thanks to Benjamin and Michelle Earwicker, of Garrison Photography, for allowing the use of the awesome "Christmas in the Mountains", photo, in the middle of my new banner. And my thanks, also, to Migule Ugalde, who took this gorgeous photo of the blue sky and snow on the trees, in Spain! I love snow covered mountains, wherever they are. ;-)

And finally, many, many thanks to Betty Jo, (Digi Scribbles), for taking those two photos, and creating this beautiful banner for me, today! OMGosh, one minute I was looking for some pretty photos to post with, and next thing I knew, I had a winter banner! Is this woman an artist, or what?!! Am tickled, and it sure helps in re-entering blogland, too. :-) So, thanks moocho, BJ! I love it!!!!

Oops! I almost forgot to thank George Bosella, who also posted the beautiful poinstettia above, as a stock photo, so the rest of us could enjoy it, too.

I know that there are many in the U.S. right now, who are surrounded by piles of snow, and the scene might not be this serene. But am hoping that this finds you inside, warm and toasty, and maybe even with some hot chocolate in hand!

It seems that so many things keep appearing to be taken care of lately, unrelated to this time of year, that I just decided that today, I would post, no matter what. Simple. I miss visiting so many of you, and look forward to doing so in the coming months.

I wish all of you just the best ever Christmas, or holiday time, and hope that you are spontaneously treasuring every moment with your families and friends.

Oh, and if you haven't heard Betty Jo's daughter-in-love's angelic voice singing, do go click on BJ's link, (Digi Scribbles), and sit back and enjoy the sounds of Christmas with Jen's soothing, soothing, voice. It's a treat!

Warm hugs! :-)

Wonderful Couple, Wonderful Man, Wonderful Friends

It has taken me almost two months since Betty Jo's dear husband's passing . . . . . to put into words, the stirrings of my heart about her DH, and them.

Betty Jo's (Digi Scribbles) wonderful husband, was a man of the highest integrity, humility, wisdom, love, and gentleness. He loved and adored his wife and family more than words could express. I cannot imagine a man more deeply committed to his family. He lived simply, and amazingly productively. I believe most any employer he had over the years, either said, or would agree, that he was an outstanding worker, and among their best.

Totally unconcerned about what others thought, he lived his life with God as his audience and strength, and worked and loved with the freedom that this focus brought.

To see him play with his precious granddaughters was a delight. He allowed them to do fun things like put baskets on his head, and he played with them and related to them in ways that they know that they are totally accepted, and loved. He related with a gentleness that will no doubt help pave the way for them to relate in a healthy manner to men in years to come.

He became his son's best friend, and cultivated a deep, loving, and lasting relationship that will go on forever. And his son's dear wife became a dear daughter to him.

There are few couples in this world, that are so in love, and committed to each other, that others can easily be around them, knowing that they are one. Betty Jo and her DH have been one of those rare couples. To speak to one of them, was to speak to the other. They evidenced the fruit of years of faithfulness, deep partnership, and abiding love. There is a safe, comfortableness in being around couples like this, that brings joy and hope to anyone blessed to share with them in any way. For BJ to fix dinner for her honey, was one of her greatest joys, and any and every minute that they shared, was their highest, and well guarded priority. Simple, nearby outings together would be divinely led treasures for them, and their shared appreciation for all of the out of doors, afforded them countless adventures, and times of shared amazement at everything from an ocean scene, to the mountains, to sunsets and sunrises, to the enjoyment of the beauty of flowering weed. They were always scouting for new places to explore.

They shared just about everything, and made a point of living in, and enjoying the present moments together, while he lived on this earth. I cannot imagine what this is truely like for her, now, and will be, in the years to come. One moment at a time . . . . . . . . .


The outpouring of so many on her blog has been heartwarming. And the love, and presence of her family, hugs and all, as she said, are helping immensely.

Simple Beauty

Lately, I am gratefully taking what I am given . . . . with photos, and most everything in life, and wow, things are going so much more smoothly!

So, as skies seem to be the photo-ops that I have been given recently, am passing this one on to you, so that you can also enjoy the view. This was the scene that greeted me one evening, as I looked out the back door. To me, it's saying, "all is well". If it seems to speak something to your heart, do share it with us.


I'm so loving the wonder of letting go, and going with the flow. LOL, maybe that is why I keep seeing such great skies! ;-)


Hope you all are having a great day, too.


Hugs :-)