The Thing Is

...we are mountain people. It's who we are. When fall's last leaves are scattering gracefully from drowsy trees we can nearly hear the snow approaching. We wax our skis in anticipation and wait impatiently.

Shortly after the tragedy, I couldn't imagine that we would ever be able to play in our winter mountains again. And look at us now...we not only play there, but we laugh and feel light-hearted joy. These days I can't imagine what winter would be like if we were not able to play in those same mountains.

Mountain frolicking, there is nothing quite like it. Whether it is fast groomers of corduroy,  fresh deep Utah powder, or a sweet line of intense moguls.

Dropping everything and everyone, the teenager will even wake up early to come play with us in the mountains.

The Zen Master of skiing has been helping the Teenager to work on his 180's and 360's. I gifted the Zen Master a new bright orange coat for his birthday. Now when he is speeding his way down the mountain we can spot him anywhere.

 Cheeseburger for lunch anyone?

 Mountain friends...they come in all colors and sizes...we love them all.

This mountain friend thinks he is a rock star. He should keep his day job.

62 Quilt Blocks

Quilters are some of the kindest people I know. I belong to the quilt guild Needles & Friends. This year my friend Debi and I are in charge of the friendship blocks. We chose a spool block pattern, which 62 of us will be making and sharing with each other. Unfortunately one of our members has been recently diagnosed with cancer and asked to be excused from the project. Well, that just won't do. Secretly we gathered together this week to sew 62 spool blocks for her. Shhh don't tell it's a surprise!

Debi and I chose pink to be used in her block, since she is fighting breast cancer.

Jill is always doing sweet things for others. She just helped finish a project for a dear boy in our neighborhood who is having a life-threatening struggle of his own.

Debi is one of those people you dream about being...everything she touches is magically perfect. We decided to have a light lunch for our group, so we could keep them sewing...clever girls aren't we? It was supposed to be a simple bowl of soup and a slice of bread.

Surprise...Debi of course had something else in mind. She set a beautiful Valentine table with dreamy coconut macaroons filled with cranberries and dipped in chocolate. Knowing how to always add that special Debi touch, she also had a Valentine pin cushion for us each to take home. I know...you want to be friends with her too.

Tammy and Nancy also devoted the day to stitching with us. We learned some very fun things about these  two close friends, like they have been painting buddies for 25 years. Tammy's beautiful mother passed away from breast cancer, and she was eager to be involved.

Tammy is also a photographer. She knew how to use my new Nikon and sneaked this picture when I wasn't watching.   

We laughed and we giggled and we made too many pieces of one section and had to do some unpicking. It took us most of the day, but we finished all 62 blocks and they look wonderful. I can't wait to see the look on this sweet quilter's face.

The journey through life for most of us, will likely have some difficult steps causing us to stumble. I know I'm profoundly grateful for friends who came along to support me during those stumbling steps. 

And here is a funny thing...

Which bobbin container do you think belongs to Debi and which bobbin container do you think is mine?

I'll give you a hint...here is Debi's ribbon cabinet. Isn't that incredible? I must have Debi come live at my house for about a month and organize my home...on second thought, I think she'd pass out when she saw all my disorganization.

Adorable January

A few things to adore about the month of January.

• Snowflakes...each and every one of them. They make my heart pound faster and always bring a smile to my face. 
• My hubby...The look on his face when he made his first Internet jiggystick sale...adorable! You could say he was gettin' Jiggy with it! 
• Satellite radio...Listening to long lost songs whose lyrics lie completely dormant in your mind somewhere. Do you remember Raper's Delight by Sugarhill Gang? Suddenly I do, "i said a hip hop the hippie the hippie to the hip hip hop, a you don't stop" 

• The boys...friends of the teenager. Apparently they text him days in advance to reserve an invitation to hang at our house on Friday nights. We seem to be the Kool-Aid house. It's probably my own fault, I always have freshly baked cookies ready as they walk in the door. They are great kids!
• White Chocolate Toffee Caramel Popcorn...available at a Kiosk in the mall...it's divine!
• The Backside...A secret paradise of fresh deep powder at Beaver Mountain.
• Antibiotics...they rock!

• Snow Removal...He's finally old enough to take over when Dad is away on business. When Spring comes, I'll have tons of projects just for him.
• Road trip...Cherry Creek Mall in Denver while the boys attend the Broncos/Chargers game. I win!
• Photography...details of the joyful moments in the day.
• Olivia...the chubby pink one.
• Friends...all of them...ever so grateful for their presence in my life.
• My heart...it's healing.

Play Date

Hey Nana...

Mommy and Daddy had some boring adult things to do and left me in charge...do you want to come and play with me this afternoon.

 I have lots of new tricks I need to show you.

 Watch this...I can shove my whole fist in my mouth!

 So Nana...let me read you a story, how about Chicka Chicka abc?

 A told b and b told c, I'll meet you at the top of the coconut tree.

 Chicka chicka boom boom...will there be enough room?

Nana...the plot in this book is awesome, we should tell Uncle Chet about it.

By the way, what is that black box you have up to your eye all the time?

 Look Nana, look at me. I can touch my toes.

 I'll bet you can't do that Nana!

So...everyone is telling me I look like the Gerber baby...what do you think Nana?

I know you and I are going to be great friends Nana. Now let's talk about when we're going to have those brownies for breakfast that you promised.

xoxo Livvy

Baby Steps

Something big happened over the holidays that I've been meaning to tell you. Baby Steps were taken...quite literally led by the grand baby herself. On Christmas Eve, Olivia came to stay the night with us. While I was out finishing last minute details, Papa Dean had the task of setting up the crib in a spare bedroom. Upon my return, he announced that he had set it up in Jocie's room.

No discussion...just did it...stating that's where it belongs.

I believe the word would be stunned! No one has slept in my angel Jocie's room since she stumbled out of bed and dressed in her ski clothes that dreadful March morning...everything being just as she left it. Everything!

Papa Dean and his wisdom...knowing it is time to push forward with this next step. Ever so gently we chip away at scars that have settled on fragile parents. Taking turns, we nudge each other closer to joy and healing.

Later on that evening, we all swaddled that beautiful babe and put her to sleep in Aunt Jocie's room. The tears flowed easily as I walked away. Baby steps for certain, but monumental to say the least. And it was as it should be. I have been formulating plans for Aunt Jocie's room, and now I believe Olivia will be able to help me carry them through...more baby steps! We'll keep you posted.