Good friends, good times and loads of inspiration in Coeur d’Alene, IDAHO. Look at this amazing photo of the lake. This is the view we had from our cropping space! Wowwie Kazowie! Were we lucky girls or what?

Denise & I are wearing our cute professor aprons that Tresa made us. (I love you too Denise!) I LURVE my apron! Thanks Tresa for your work of heart! The necklaces from my class were a huge hit too!

Here is the stinkin cute wall hanging Denise designed that we all made! And that’s her new grandson, Noah’s baby feet!

I participated in a rockin’ fun charm swap! They all turned out beautiful!

Here is Tresa sporting her New Sock Monkey hat I gifted her-She was so admiring it, I just new it had to go home with her! A big thank you to Tresa Black for sponsering this event!
AND congratulations on winning the CTMH contest for your Stamp WOW video! Wahoo!!!

Here is our group shot…a couple of our gals were missing though…wahhhhhh

My roomies: Denise, Me, Connie, Donna, Nona, and Jenn…what a fun group. Many stories to tell!

It was such a treat to spend time with my pal for years, Connie. The winner of the bubble gum contest!

Party on!
I will be posting more inspiration from this trip later, so check back soon!

May this day be filled with all the love of a happy heart.
May you know the preciousness of life’s beauty.
May you be surrounded by Grace.
From my heart to yours,
bren

I am hoping to make it to CHA (The Craft & Hobby Association) this weekend, it is raining cats and dogs here in suny san diego. The plants are singing. I am anxious to give my kindred spirits a hug. Stacy Julian, Lisa Pace and Katie Watson to name a few. Stacy is a longtime inspiration from her days with DOTS (Dozens of Terrific Stamps, now known as Close To My Heart, where I have been a consultant for over 18 years!) We used to laugh over the silly Frank (as in Frankenstien; Frank-n-berry Tea, Frank n’ beans, you can imagine) cards Connie and I made! Remember Stacy? Lisa will have her new book, Delight in the Details, and I wish her the best with it. Katie is a local here and has taught at many local stores and I have fallen in love with her style. Her work will also be featured at CHA. I lurve these ladies.

Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending. ~Author Unknown

photo by Janois from Flickr

I enter the New Year with the understanding that I am making a fresh start. I begin by discarding thoughts, attitudes, and habits that are not compatible with an excellent life. I let go of whatever caused past discouragement, disappointment, or disagreement. I know that seemingly negative outcomes are desires or goals that are yet to be fulfilled. I am open and receptive to new ideas, activities and relationships.
Each day, I can follow a fresh plan of fulfillment. I act on divine ideas that I receive in moments of prayer and inspiration. These ideas flow through wholesome, positive thoughts. As I use creative thinking to build upon divine ideas, my activities become more dynamic and my abilities are enhanced. Therefore, I enter this New Year with optimism, joy and enthusiasm.
www.appleseeds.org/New-Year_2010.htmdance.

I love being Mimi!
•*¨*•♫♪We Wish You a Merry♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Christmas♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪We Wish You a Merry ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪Christmas ♥ ♥ ♥We Wish You A Merry ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪Christmas ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪…And A Happy New Year!♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪…

Just wanted to share our first bounty! We have radishes!!!

This first little radish was enjoyed sliced up in a salad!

The joys of growing it yourself are very rewarding and good for you too!

According to the website: "Peace Day should be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples…This day will serve as a reminder to all peoples that our organization, with all its limitations, is a living instrument in the service of peace and should serve all of us here within the organization as a constantly pealing bell reminding us that our permanent commitment, above all interests or differences of any kind, is to peace."

☮Peace was on my mind all day today.  For me it was about inner Peace.  How can we have world Peace without inner Peace? 

Victory Gardens is here!

We planted a garen today!!!  It was so cool…Heather and Ian made a generous donation.  We had a dozen volunteers.  My Mom, cousin Lori, Aunt Pat, Danielle and Jada came too. Heather and Ian made an awesome yummy breakfast and lunch for everyone too. Of course it was all organic, fair trade, local yummy stuff.

I can’t wait to reap the bounty!

We did raised beds

Even Miss Jada came to watch!

One of the two beds installed

It was a fun, exciting day!

Since I call myself a "Card-i-ologist"  I had to laugh…