I am still amazed at the snow here.

Yesterday…the snow completely melted.

Then…

I woke up this morning to a beautiful white landscape.  It is so breathtaking to behold.  My California bones are still a little in shock by the Idaho cold but I can not complain while everything around me is so peaceful…quiet.

It made me smile to see our pumpkins (safely under the eaves) grow white hair during the night.

I hurried off to work this morning…It’s amazing how a Lighting Store shines brighter when the weather is cold out.  It’s so heart-warming to be surrounded by the soft glow of a hundred chandeliers.

The Crystal is my favorite.  I am always enamored by the crystal ball hanging on the bottom of one of the Schonbek Chandeliers.

And then to walk by my favorite flowers…

Today is shaping up to be a fantastic day!

Do you ever wake up and just know it’s going to be a good day?

Poor, poor Parsnip Pete:

At least we don’t have to feel guilty about eating him.

Happy Easter!

Thank you so much for stopping by.  I do appreciate that you take the time to see what I’ve been up to over here in my little corner of the blogsphere.

I have not been posting much lately, only because I’ve been caught up in the day-to-day…Trying to stay positive while juggling, skipping and dancing through a busy time in my life.

Don’t you fret for me, I’ve had some fun these past few weeks too!

For instance…I took my kids out to my good friend Barbara’s Property to see her new lambs.

We took off towards here home after I picked the kids up from school one afternoon last week.

As I drove, I watched the city melt into green pastures. There were beautiful wild flowers blooming everywhere.

Who knew this beautiful countryside was merely miles from my front door.

When we arrived at Barbara’s the kids had to see the the lambs first.

What better way to get the Mommy sheep close than to offer them yummy treats?

Barbara has three new babies.  They’re adorable.  Izabelle was so excited to get to hold one.

We went for a long walk around Barbara’s 40 acres.  It was so wonderful  to spend the afternoon walking in the wildflowers.  It’s amazing what a bit of nature can do for your soul.

Parker was collecting rocks along the way.  Check out this fun rock he found with a smiley face (and yes, those are yellow wild flowers all over the ground – gorgeous).

Barbara has four beautiful dogs (Black New Finland).  Three of them walked the property with us.  I shot a photo of Barb with her dogs next to the beautiful rock wall that runs along one side of her land.

The oldest and most noble of the bunch, Rigel:

Barbara has chickens and turkeys too.  Izabelle loved feeding the chickens.

It’s hard to describe how it felt to visit Barb that day.  A long walk is just what I needed.  My time walking and talking with Barbara renewed my appreciation for friendship and for nature.

For the first time in a long while, I lost track of time.  It felt so good…no, it felt wonderful!  It was so nice to slow down and take a break from my fast-paced life.

I will definitely be slowing down more, especially now that I’ve discovered how nice it is.

The laundry, the dishes, the deadlines…they can wait an hour or two while I take a long walk.

I highly recommend you do the same.

I’m having so much fun with the Sassafras Papers!  I created this layout using photos that my Mom took of my sweet little niece, Kayla.  I couldn’t resist…you will see why.

There was a little girl with a sweet little curl.

I used a lot of pop-dots in this layout to try to give it more dimension.

The Layout:

Kayla is so darn  sweet, one can’t help but take a photos of her.  I do.  All. the. time.  Although, I can’t take credit for the photos in my layout.

Here some that I took just last week:

See what I mean?  So CUTE!  Love that girl!

Thank you for stopping by my blog, have a fantastic day!

Thank you for your recent comments!

I came home today to find out (because of your comments) that Teresa Collins posted about the I LOVE YOU book that I created using her CRUSH paper!

I’m beyond excited because not only do I love her products but I am a huge fan!  Not to mention, one of my blog readers randomly submitted my work to her.  Thank you, whomever you are!

Teresa Collins is the very first scrapbooking blog that I followed before (and after) I started my own blog.  I feel honored that she posted my work!  Be sure to stop by her blog and check out her projects.  You can see her product here.

And another special thank you to Karen at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique for providing all the very best Paper and Product!  I feel a creative rush whenever I walk through the doors of your store!  I did purchase the Teresa Collins product and create the book while cropping at Karen’s store!

Thanks to all of you for providing inspiration on your own blogs.  I hope I can return the favor!

Check back for my GIVEAWAY…only a few hours away!

Apparently there’s not very much snow left from the Christmas Storm here in Idaho.  But I can say there’s A LOT more snow here in Idaho than there was in California when I left.

We’ve had no snow in my hometown.  None. Zero. Zip. Zilch.

I can say that my kids are going to be pretty jealous when they see the above photo.

Sorry kids.

Before I left on this trip to Idaho, my good friend Barbara stopped by, she gave me this fabulous handmade gift:

Barbara is SO VERY talented, wouldn’t you agree?

Here’s a shot of me sporting my new scarf:

I have lots of projects and recipes to share this week!  Stay tuned!

I feel so fortunate to have had such an amazing Christmas.  During a time when so many are struggling, my husband and I have been able to watch our children unwrap gifts under the tree, stuff our bellies with amazingly rich, calorie filled food and have a warm safe roof over our heads.  To not feel blessed would be very difficult indeed.

You may have noticed that I have not blogged much lately, I’ve been caught up in making memories with my family. So many memories for that matter, that I’m sure I could fill up several posts regaling all the details of my family’s happenings over the past couple of weeks.  I won’t take the time to do that now, although I do reserve the right to re-cap in some of my up-coming posts.

I’ve completed (and photographed most of) my Christmas projects, although it seems silly to post them now, I may share a few photos soon.

I’m working with a new computer and in the middle of transferring all my photos and files over from the old one.  It may take me a couple more days to ease back into regular posting.   I’m looking forward to catching up on your blogs too!  I promise to lavish all of you in comments soon.

I hope that all of you also enjoyed a blessed Christmas.

xoxo, Christie

For me, Christmas is all about Family.  Celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Coming together, spreading cheer, giving love, and feeling peace.

I’ve spent days making handmade gifts for my family and friends.  This year I want to give a piece of myself to my loved ones.  Something handmade, with love.

Although I have purchased gifts for my kids, I’m trying to give them the gift of time.  My time.

Time usually spend during the hustle and bustle of Christmas.  Instead I am making time for cookie baking and gingerbread house decorating.  Time for Christmas Carol singing and bundled up drives to look at Christmas lights.

Which leaves very little time for blogging – sorry about that.

I hope that you are able to take the time this Christmas to keep the season bright by spending time with your loved ones creating memories that you (and they) will treasure always.

It’s late at night.  All is dark.  The house is quiet.  The only sounds are my fingers across the keyboard and my husband’s gentle breathing on the bed next to me.

A candle burns on my desk.  Warmth fills my heart.  I am so thankful for the peace I feel…my children tucked safely in their beds, a roof safe over my head, warm blankets wrapped around me and my husband, tender and sweet lying next to me.

Late at night, when everything slows down and comes to a halt, and the world seems silenced after a busy day; it’s my time to whisper my prayer of gratitude for all that I have, all the blessings in this life that have been graciously bestowed upon me.

So often when the hours are busy and seem to go by faster, I feel the stress of my day to day tasks. I start to feel that my share of the family’s load is difficult to bear.

At night when the house is quite, time seems to stand still. It is in this place that I reflect on my day. In the quite I am reminded of just how blessed I am.  I am happy to spend another day doing busy work, driving to and fro, cooking, cleaning, working, and playing…I am thankful for all of it.   I am also thankful for my trials for they have made me stronger.

I have had my fair share of trials and I feel blessed to be at a place in my life without many hardships.  Not that I am waiting for the hammer to fall, quite the opposite, I am overjoyed to be living the life I am.

When asked by a dear friend how I was doing.  I replied, “Wonderful, actually!”

My sweet friend then said, “Well, someone has to feel good enough to bake a cake for the friend in need.”

So true.  There is always someone in everyone’s life, a friend who is in need of a loving gesture. Maybe there  is a reason for this: while some are going through trials, others are there with a lesser load to bear, so that they may help carry their friend’s burden.

I have experienced both sides.  I have had trials in my life that seemed unbearable and then reaped the blessing of friends and family all who have been willing to help during those trials.  On the other hand, my burden has also been light and I have been able and willing to lend a helping hand to others in need of it.  It’s amazing the feeling I get from helping others.  It’s a happiness that there are no words for. I truly love to feel helpful.

For now, I am enjoying the lighter load and am so grateful for the opportunity to help others.

Tonight, in the quiet of my home, safe and sound; lying down in my comfortable bed. I feel grateful.

I feel very, very grateful.

This is why I love the city I live in.  The trees.  There is rarely a street that is not completely lined with trees.  Trees, trees, everywhere.  Every shape and size.  I love living in this City.

I miss the trees when I go away…there are always here to welcome me back.  You can tell every season just by looking at the trees.

Fall is my favorite season, I’m sure because of this city and the gorgeous colors the trees produce.  The trees here define my hometown, they are glorious!

Go Check out CANDID CARRIE for more great Friday Photos posts!