Camping in the Sawtooth Mountain Wilderness

We have been enjoying a little break from the normal
this week.

We have a very dear friend visiting us
...all the way from Germany.

Andreas ready to go!

Andreas has been an adopted family member from early on in my husband's life. He was a foreign exchange student many years ago in the home of my husband... and they became fast friends for life. I met him the week before my husband and I were to be married, 20 years ago, and he has been a very dear companion to us all of these years.

He and my husband enjoy a lot in common.

A lazy afternoon by Redfish Lake

Mostly, it is their enthusiasm for adventure and exploration through travel...gravel roads... and paths that lead to unpredictable and foreign places.

The difference, Andreas has a bit more "rustic style" running through his veins still... whereas my man has had to forgo the rustic, and adopt a more civilized approach to travel, in order to encourage his bride to travel along side of him.

A Butterfly we found on our Journey

This week, because of my love for Andreas and my husband, I agreed to endure a rustic adventure, in the wilds of the Idaho mountains... tent camping.

Our deluxe three room travel lodge!

My men chopping wood for the fire!

Sarah and Andreas tending the camp fire...

Lucky after our 4 mile hike!

Lumberjack Thomas keeping busy

We enjoyed the beauty of the great outdoors, the smell of cooked bacon and eggs by the camp fire, smores before bed, freezing temperatures and thunderstorms at night.

Our first day was spectacular!

We hiked near Alturas Lake and into the alpine meadows.

Hiking in the forest around Alturas Lake, Idaho

Sarah working on her Nature Notebook

We drove over to Stanley the next day and toured a bit of Red Fish Lake as well.

Stanley, Idaho

Redfish Lake
A penny for his thoughts...

Resting by Redfish Lake

What ended up to be our final night, we found ourselves in a terrifying thunderstorm that would not end for over four hours... lightening showered the valley all around us, thunder boomed and echoed against the mountains, sleet, peas sized hail, high winds and torrential downpours pummeled our tent ...yet, through a lot of prayer and laughter, we survived the night none worse for wear.

As we packed up our soggy tent in the rain, we all looked forward to returning to civilization and warmth.

Today my husband and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary... it began early in the morning adjusting tarps over our tent together to insure the dryness and safety of our family... and ended dining by candlelight, just the two of us, in a lovely Italian restaurant.

We reminisced over all the adventures our life has afforded thus far and looking forward to many more to come!

Me and my best friend...my love...and fellow adventurer, in the journey of life.

Big News!

Sarah can ride a bike now...

We are so excited for her.

She finally plucked up enough courage last night, with the gentle prompting of her Grandma Coose, and peddled herself down the road!

Hurray for Sarah! Thank you Grandma!

Spring Cleaning

We have been busy around here... spring cleaning and preparing for the warmer months ahead.

My Family gave me a lovely Mother's Day gift...

We even did a bit of yard renovation!

We have added a couple of trees to the garden and added rock around the raised beds.



The Kitchen garden is planted!

Thus far we have planted:

Corn
Potatoes
Beans
Peppers
Carrots
Arugula
Lettuce
Spinach
Garlic
Shallots
Onion
Tomatoes
Cucumbers
Zucchini
Yellow Squash
Swiss Chard
Strawberries
Thyme
Oregano
Basil
Rosemary
Chives

Seat-work is winding slowly to a close as we fill our days with more hands-on pursuits and lots of reading and imaginative play...


I simply love this time of year.

Sheep Shearing 101

Today the children were able to enjoy a bit of farm life!

We joined a small crowd of young ones eager to learn about sheep and their wool.


We apprehensively witnessed how the farmer clips off the sheep's thick coat...Sarah and I felt a bit sad for the poor old sheep... she went from being warm and cozy to naked in just a few short minutes!

The dog was ready to keep that sheep in line if necessary!

After the sheep was sheared, we learned about the process of cleaning, combing and spinning the wool into yarn.

Of course we had to hold a few baby lambs...

They were adorable...

Glimpses of Beauty

As I was rushing my children out the door, I looked out the window and was stopped dead in my tracks by a whisper of beauty...the light of the morning sun was filling our front porch.

I breathed a sigh of thankfulness.

It is in the simple quiet moments
that I see and feel God in my day...

His glimpses of beauty to behold...
if only we will be still and see.

Spring Is In The Air

Spring has finally come to Idaho...

We spent part of our weekend wandering the country side
looking for orchards in bloom.

There was a nice stop at a local winery for a tasting
and we all relaxed for a while...
enjoying the sun and breathing the fresh air...

The Tasting Room at Ste Chapelle Vineyard

Sarah found a thoughtful spot to write poetry

The view from the vineyard...

Thomas enjoyed climbing trees...

Spring is here!

An Unexpected Visitor

This morning I was gazing out of the window, sipping my coffee, and enjoying the beautiful spring morning. As I took in the scene, I saw a strange lizard like creature slowly creeping out of the grass onto our street.


I called out to Sarah and we quickly ran outside to take a closer look at this interesting creature. Sarah just finished studying amphibians and was fascinated at the specimen just outside her door.


She quickly determined it was a salamander, and would not be of harm, and collected her specimen for further inspection in a handy glass jar. She gave her new friend a bit of water and it seemed happy that she did.


We then snapped a few photos and after a bit of discussion about keeping it, taking it to the herpetology lab at NNU, or letting it free where it could live it's days in its natural environment... we decided the best thing was to release it back.



And so, we walked down our path to our lovely pond with plenty of rocks, water and bugs and set it free...

I told Sarah, "God used us today to save this Salamander's life..." he was destined for disaster on the path he was heading.

Thankful

I am thankful for the piles of laundry and ironing
because it means my loved ones are nearby.
~Nancie J. Carmody

Spring Tea

Today we had a lovely birthday tea with some of Sarah's
closest of friends...

It has been a blessing to share and grow along side these precious young ladies.

We decided to get creative with our Spring Theme ...

we "planted" Cakes!

They turned out lovely!

and tasted wonderful too!

Sarah's 11th Birthday

Sarah turned 11 years old this week...

She grows more in beauty both inside and out every year...

All the grandparent's were here to help us celebrate!

Happy Birthday!

Easter Memories

April arrived and we did not even notice it until just a few short days ago...

The month of March has been a whirlwind. Our dear Sarah suffered an allergic reaction to medication she was taking after her surgery. We have been very concerned for her as she has developed serum sickness.


She has experienced swelling, hives and pain... it has been debilitating at times... things have stabilized for now and today she is back to her vibrant, happy self.

It always amazes me how resilient young children are.

Our Beautiful Daughter,
Easter Sunday

Easter came a bit quickly upon us, as we were focused on Sarah's health issues, but we did not let this distract us from the reflection of the cost paid ...

The death of Christ on a Cross... his blood shed for our sins.

But he was wounded for our transgressions,
he was bruised for our iniquities:
the chastisement of our peace was upon him;
and with his stripes we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is
eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 6:23

Sunday came and we rejoiced in the truth that Christ conquered the grave...

My son greeted me in the morning with one of
his favorite hymns,
"Up! From the Grave, He Arose!"

The Children Singing in Church

Grandma and Grandpa
Here Visiting all the way from California!

The children painted eggs, a symbol of the fragility of life and the beautiful gift that it is...

and enjoyed the hunt for these tiny eggs around the house!

Thomas and Sarah on the hunt for hidden treasures in the garden!

We rejoiced together with family as we enjoyed a wonderfully tender leg of lamb, in honor of the Lamb of God, and we rejoiced together in the blessings and bounty that we have in Christ Jesus.

I am so thankful beyond words...

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:
While we were still sinners,
Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

Amen