This last photo is taken from a location out in Summer Lake Wildlife Refuge. This is the Fremont Rim. Named after an important military expedition back in the 1800's. These are the last of the natural forest trees, because the landscape turns into the Great Basin High Desert that goes east to the Rocky Mountains. Yes, I giving everybody an ecology/botany lesson about the vegetation in this part of Oregon.

Winter Drive II

Here are two more photos I took. The top one is of the very old one room school in Summer Lake. It is privately owned so I had to stand at the fence to get the photo. I could imagine the building being used as a wedding location, or a small house. Well, at least the owners are keeping the building well maintained. The bottom photo is of an original settlers house, or maybe the cowboy's bunkhouse. It has a metal chimney, so I thought that humans had used it at one time.

Notice the snow up above the school, it is January after all.

Winter Drive

I wanted to share two photos that I took this week. Hubby and I went on a day trip with a picnic lunch. The unusual warm days enticed us to go to Christmas Valley and Summer Lake. I caught these photos at two properties. Someone had put these rusty things and auto plates on the side of their shed. Kind of funky!

The top photo is of someones small building that they have put some fun, found stuff around, they also had an old windmill near the driveway. I love windmills, if I came across one that I could move to my home....I would love it!

There were some wildlife along the drive that day, Golden Eagles, Mule Deer, and Antelope. It looks very bleak in the photos..but it was 56 degrees and no wind...very pleasant.

Excited for My Birthday Party!

I am really excited! I am going to have a Birthday Party. Sunday, January 30th my family are going to gather at my sister's home for a potluck lunch. I am going to bring an ice cream cake from Dairy Queen. Turning 59 isn't so bad, I feel great and am looking forward to my next year.

I have goals, plans, and dream to accomplish in my future. To live life in my way, and feel great about it.

Hidden Treasures

Girl Scouting and Me

I have been working on the Brave Girls Club Class that I started. I realized that Girl Scouting was an immensely important life experience for me. I started Scouting as a very young child, as a Brownie. The experience helped me to have a much better childhood, it gave me leadership skills, and skills for life. I was very well prepared for life through the lessons of Girl Scouting. I still have my sash, and all the important symbols from that time. I would not have any reason to look for the collectibles from this book...I have what is important to me. I am so happy that I kept those things, I have many wonderful memories of those times. Be Prepared. On my honor............

Hi Girlfriends! To My Sigma Kappa Sisters!

Do you long to be with your friends? This photo is so fun, I wish that I has in it.

Little pieces of random and beautiful happiness

Winter Blues

I think that we have had about 5 inches of rain the last few days. That means the sky has opened up and down poured for 4 days now. It is dark, foggy, and miserable. There are flood warnings because it is warm also, and much of the mountain snow is melting. I went on a drive today to see the local streams, and rivers. Wow, the water is extremely high, muddy and wild. This pretty photo is a great contrast to the current weather.

I have been working on the online art class I am taking. I finished this weeks' assignment, and have prepped some items for the future. This time of year is perfect to stay inside and do a class.

The Best You Can

Vintage Fashions

Oh, for those glamour days of old. Really...it looks great from this picture, but to actually wear this clothing wasn't that great. The choices that we have today are soooo...much better. Out here in rural Oregon, we don't have much need to dress-up. Only for rare events. So rare, that a shopping trip is normally needed.

Today's Brave Girl Message

Another Wonderful Art Journal

I am getting very inspired by these

wonderful artworks.

This is such a fun and creative way to share the

thoughts and experiences in Life.

One Day to Go

The Excitement is Here.

The pens, pencils, and glue are ready.

Do I have everything I need?

Maybe I should get some more.

Or Not.

One Day Left.

Time to Craft Coming in 3 Days

Look at this wonderful creation. I am looking forward to doing this the next 2 months. I am pretty art'zzee, an this is going to be soon fun! Deana and Lauren are in the Brave Girls class also. I am looking for a friend who has an old working manual typewriter that I can borrow. Do you have one?

The Beauty of an Old Pitcher

Take a deep breath and relax.

It is only 4 days until my online class starts.

I am excited to get started.

Brave Girls.

Dreams Come

It is time to dream. To restore, to live a better life, to love yourself.

My Dutch Oven Cookbook

What is new? I am creating a cookbook on Dutch Oven Recipes. It will feature the favorite recipes that Hubby and I have discovered while enjoying our hobby. I think that it will be easier for us to have 1 book to go to for our favorite recipes (rather then needing several books, and a binder all the time). I found a website, CreateMyCookbook.com that I am using. I am creating my cookbook online, with the website's designer. Adding my own photos, sections, cover, and can have 100 pages. I can select a hardcover, or a spiral style. I have been working on it for about a week, and I am already up to 60 pages. The publisher doesn't have a large order requirement. I can just get one, and order more as I wish.

Playing in the Snow

Bryan took this photo on New Years Day. Radar (our 2 yr old black lab) and his dog Cappie (the 5 month old cutie Pommie) loved going out in the snow and running around. This is their second time together, they don't usually have a dog buddy to play with. They seem to have bonded. The 3 cats are not very happy to have another dog in the house. It was fun to watch the dogs together!

A Lazy Sunday at Home

Happy New Year 2011

It is a pretty snowy day here on the farm. I welcome the new year and am looking forward to the Brave Girls Club online class. Here is a quote from their online email. I have been doing my best to do this myself.

.

DO IT ANYWAY.

DREAM anyway.

Fly anyway. OK?

No more waiting.

Do it anyway.

.

2010 was part of my journey to live my life the way I want, and I think this path will continue for me. I don't want to do anything terrible... I am tired of the way things are, kind of like having the same flavor of ice cream every time...I have power over me. I have been successful, and I am happy.

What am I waiting for anyway? DO it anyway.

This blog has been important part of my inner changes. I have been expressing myself, and am experiencing subtle and transformative changes. I am a Brave Girl, a Farmgirl, and have found a beautiful, wonderful woman under an armor of old beliefs. I can have and wear nice clothes, jewelry, hair, etc. Why shouldn't I? I am making decisions for myself to be happy, fulfilled, and joyous. It is great!