My Idaho - a compilation of people, places and things

Craig and I enjoying a after Thanksgiving feast walk along the backroads of Ririe, Idaho



My pretty terrific cousin, John and his lovely, wonderful wife, Diane



Uncle Bob and me - when he asked who are you and I said Ellen your niece, he patted his knees - that is the Uncle Bob I remember



Mom and I on a brisk, walk through her neighborhood in Ammon, Idaho




Craig and my rosy faces after that brisk walk, the wind was proving itself



Aunt Verna and me

My mom, Karma, and Aunt Verna - can you tell they are sisters

A very cute munchkin



Heather, Todd and family - more cute munchkins



We were lucky to eat a delicious meal with Heather and Todd and be entertained by their adorable kids 

Idaho, a view north of Malad pass

Harvested wheat field in Ririe, Idaho

An awesome wheat silo

A canal runs through it

Idaho goes on



Amazing how they can get straight rows - an overview of a harvested wheat field



Rexburg Temple



Idaho Falls Temple - Craig and I were sealed here 30 1/2 years ago



Do you know what that is - a spud cellar

cool stuff

Potatoe trucks all in a row

I love this picture, water pipes

An overgrown apple tree with a little left - Craig said it was a weed because someone probably threw their apple core out the window and this tree came from it

Idaho barn



Don't you think this picture is cool



Sun over beautiful Idaho

Rolls and rolls of hay



My fun loving husband



Difference

The first person who can tell me correctly the one difference in these 2 pictures will win a fantastic prize.

Just leave a comment below.

Congratulations to Katherine and Claire.  They got it right.

Claire email me with your address so I can send you your prize.

  I got new glasses.  I like my new ones but I am trying to get used to them.  They are bifocals, progressive.  I like being able to read without taking my glasses off, but it is hard to get used to the transition.  The keyboard or other flat objects have a tenancy to be curved.  The first day the sidewalks were wobbly.

  I am getting there.

Simple Pleasures

I think it is great to have amazing wonderful things happening in your life, but I love to find joy in simple, basic things too.  Here are a few to share that bring a smile to my face.



I love to look out my kitchen window and see my bird feeders with a cute little bird feasting there.  I have 7 bird feeders in all; the favorite of the birds is the thistle seed, 2nd best is the sunflower seeds and finally enjoyed is the regular mix.  Craig and I had left town for 2 weeks in October and the feeders were empty during that time.  I refilled them when we got home, but it took another couple of weeks for the birds to come back and trust me again (I guess).  I am thrilled to have them again.  Craig knows because the moment I saw them  I texted him so. 

I love the fall season.  I love the crisp feel in the air, especially if it means I can break out my sweaters.  I love the colors of fall on the trees; the brilliant reds, yellows and oranges.  When we first moved to California, I missed the fall so much.  Craig was aware of this and the first trees he planted for me were liquid ambers.  What a sweetie! They change their colors in the fall, even if I have to wait until November to see it in California.  I was inspired by a little note card I saw to make this decoration.  I picked up the plate awhile back to use for decorating and this is the first time.  The vase was something I had, but the leaves are from the liquid amber tree and the berries from my heavenly bamboo bush.  The heavenly bamboo bush is a perfect one;  it blossoms with white flowers in the spring,  produces reddish/orange berries in the fall and the green leaves change colors too.



I am pretty sure most who know me, know I adore my family.  I love being with them so much and I don't really care what we are doing as long as it is together.  We currently live states apart and I miss them, but I really enjoy seeing their faces in pictures daily.  I put together this little photo gallery in a corner of my home.  It is on the wall when I first walk in and it is one of the first things I see.  I love looking at it.  My family is so gorgeous, see those silly faces that Anthony, Jana and Aimee are making.  

What are some of your simple pleasures?

It rained last night

It rained last night
I awoke to the sound of it knocking on our windows and roof around 5:30 am
It rained last night
It was not raining this morning when I looked out the window and spied a very sad dog
Natasha with her tail between her legs, her ears layed back and drooping eyes
It rained last night
and I was not sure I wanted to go for a walk this morning but that sad dog convinced me
It rained last night
the crows were cawing, the birds chirping and tweeting and the rooster crowing about it
It rained last night
and I noticed about 20 shades of green as brilliant as possible
It rained last night
and the reds, oranges and yellows were vivid in the leaves
It rained last night
and the dirt smelled clean
It rained last night
and started to share a few droplets in the last 5 minutes of our walk
It rained last night
and the droplets sent ripples through the puddles
It rained last night
and the crisp air touched my skin and I felt energized
It rained last night
and the world felt better
It rained last night
and I loved it
It rained last night

The Great Smokey Mountains National Park and all its glory

The Great Smokey Mountains National Park.




We were able to time this sunset just right.  I still can't believe all the mountain ranges. 

 I understand why they are called the Smokey Mountains.

 

There were so many waterfalls.  We hiked to 2 different ones.

We saw 3 or 4 other ones just off the road, this one included.
 

Wild turkeys, elk, deer and black bears were present for our view pleasure. 

The momma black bear and her 3 cubs, we lucked out to see from the side of the road.

She was just walking through the forest, it was amazing.

There were so many streams to watch and listen to the water rushing by.

I have seen beautiful mountainsides covered in color,

but I couldn't believe how we were surrounded with so much color.

Biltmore Home built by the Vanderbilts. 

The home had 105 bedrooms, a library the size of my house.

Acres and acres of land with its own fishing lake.




This was a true serendipity picture.
 I was taking it of the lily pads and all got all this.

Life in Tennessee in the late 1800's. 
Baptist churches, log cabins,
grain mills, barns, graveyards.
Capes Cove loop of the Smokey Mountain National Park.




The best person I could imagine being with.




I love this picture.
 I love the old mill, the colors, us and the crisp air I feel when I look at this picture.

Dollywood, Bushs Baked Beans Factory - Silly amazing things.

We did not get the secret recipe from Duke, but we got some samples.

Dollywood and the Gospel Harvest Festival, look at all those gourds.

Adventure Mountain, the coolest "ride" I have ever done in my life.

I really enjoyed the colors.

Look at each different leaf or flower.

So many creations.

Doesn't it look like the tree is growing sideways.

I love the brilliant red.

 

The best part of the whole trip was the company.

We did not color coordinate on purpose.

What a wonderful week with Gene and Norine.

How blessed we were to spend this time with them

in this beautiful place.