Sending Smiles Across Miles

Seriously, it is.  Termination dust on the mountains.  A really good frost last night.  Moose season has started as well as grouse season.  Gotta dig up the potatoes today, as well as bring in the last veggies from the greenhouse.  The tourists are heading back to the lower forty-eight.  First fire in the fireplace.  So what to do in a small town, in the middle of no-where, during the winter months?  Bake, can, craft, write, read?  I guess the one thing I do miss is my country music.  Yes, I could buy CD's and I do have a few, but you memorize them and always know which song comes next.  I don't have radio reception at the house.  During the summer months we do alot more traveling and I can listen in the car.  But at home, no.  Well, enough camplaining.  I will get more cards made and plan to do some scrapbooking.  This summer I got the house more together, so that housecleaning will be faster and I can pl...

What do you think of when you think of Paradise.  The blue waters, sandy beaches and nice breezes of Hawaii, the Bahamas or some other tropical place?  For me, It is where I live.  Not just Alaska, but my home, the property where my family lives.  So much so that when my husband asks where I would like to vacation, my answer is always, where would we go, you bought me paradise. Why here, you may ask?  Oh, why not?  On Sunday, the mountains were gorgeous.  The sun was shining, the wind a little cooler than the day before.  Monday, I could not see the mountains, they had their heads in the clouds, it was pouring rain.  A new canvas, still just as awe inspiring as the day before.  Then today,  I wake up and look out it is still raining, the clouds have lifted and we have had the first snowfall of the season.  Today, my favorite!  God paints me a new canvas almost daily.  There is no way to put into words how spectacula...

I am often asked about the daylight and darkness in Alaska.  Does it really stay dark all year round?  Do you get depressed from the darkness?  And so many more. So, to the first question, no it is not dark year round.  Darkness is happening now.  When it is dark it is pitch black, we have no street lights.  The kids will eventually go to school in the dark and come home in the dark.  The school takes advantage when they can to see to it that the kids go out to play.  One of the teachers even wrote a book Recess at 20 Below.  Yes, the kids really do go out at 20 below.  They love sledding, the static the dryness puts in their hair, and even eyelashes that freeze to crystals.  Do I get depressed?  Not usually in the winter, but I did last year.  I always look forward to winter.  Alaska is beautiful year round, but winter has captured my heart.  Makes me feel like God has wrapped the earth in a beautiful blanke...

I made this card from Stampin' Up's Happy Hour Stamp Set.  It was so much fun.  It fell right out of my head onto the cardstock. Creating cards is a wonderfully relaxing experience for me.  I love getting my creative energies flowing and see what comes out.  Hope you enjoyed this card.  As Rush Limbaugh would say, "Talent on loan from God". My Aunt and I talk for hours on the phone, so I made this card for her bithday. Take time to love what you do.  Smiles from Alaska!

You may be asking yourself, "Does this lady really make cards, I never see any on here?"  Yes, I do and love what I do.  I finished 50 birth announcements today.  But why am I so behind on posting, when this is a Stamping Out SAD blog?  I have been in the process of making a craft room that is efficient.  I am finally getting close to achievement.  I am truly getting excited about making cards again and being able to find what I need to make what is overflowing in my head.  People ask, "How long does it take you to make a card?".  I always laugh at this question, because I really don't know.  Some cards are in my head for weeks before they end up on card stock.  I do apologize if you have come by to see a card and can't find a new one.  I promise there will be new ones coming soon.  I am always open for new ideas, so if there is something you would like to see, please let me know.  I will rattle my brain tomorrow and...

Is it really August?  And it is half over?  Sounds strange for all of you, I'm sure.  But for me, what a hurdle.  I made it through July.  Seasonal Affective Disorder really hits home for me and July is usually my worst month, and I just realized I made it through.  I had many hurdles during the month of July this year and I made it through.  I am so excited!  A couple of years ago I had told my doctor my life would be so much easier if we could just wipe July off my calendar.  Come to find out I have reversed Seasonal Affective Disorder.  The summers too much day light affects me.  Last year I started going down in July and by November found myself so depressed, yes, I wanted to leave this beautful place, didn't know how, just wanted to leave.  My doctor then prescribed me Cymbalta.  I feel refreshed and new.  How amazing is that?   I am able to live my life without wanting to stay in bed.  I am...

Have you ever thought, "There is not enough time in the day?".  I know, I have many times.  Today, I decided that I am making more time in my life.  I deleted my FACEBOOK!!!!!!! I am very excited about my new life.  I went out on the Ranger (6 wheeler) for 2 hours with friends and my kids, then went berry picking with them and we picked over a gallon of raspberries.  I believe my life will be happier, more fulfilling and full of life with my loved ones.  I will keep you updated on how it is going.  Love to all

...Love Follows Bad things happen to us all.  Whether is comes in the shape of a death, a financial crisis, personal or family health, bad decisions, car accidents, what ever the case maybe, we have all been there.  No one can truly tell us why.  But we can say, that after a bad time happens, it brings us closer to the ones we love.  So, the next time, life happens, focus on the love that is coming, rather than the saddness you feel.  I know it is hard.  I know it all too well.  And no I haven't always focused on the love surrounding the crisis, but in hindsight, I totally see it.  If you have someone in your life that you wonder, do they really care?  Think about the last crisis, where were they in your life at that time?  Whether they were by your side or praying from a distance (and you may not have even known it) the love was there.  Give them a chance now in your life...Show them the love you want to feel...Don't wait...

Let's face it, we all have it.  It is part of life.  We don't like others to see it.  If you hang it out, you don't like others to see your families personal items, especially when they are well worn.  If you have someone come help you clean, you wash your families personal items yourself.  We are uncomfortable folding others clean personal items. So what is my point?  We are more protective of our families dirty clothes than we are of our families lives. As with our laundry, there are things in our families lives that are considered dirty laundry.  It makes others uncomfortable.  It hurts the people involved when it is shown.  But yet, we get on Facebook, our phones, face to face, and let the world see. I ask you today to make a change.  Care as much for your families wounds as you do their personal laundry items.  Be supportive.  Pray for them and for yourselves to contain yourself when you feel the need to air things ot...

Do you spend your days, like something is missing, like you are not feeling your life is being fulfilled?  Hunger pains are not comfortable.  They can make you miserable and grumpy because you are missing something.  Like your stomach, your life needs to be fulfilled with Christ.  You need your daily prayers and vocations to fulfill the hunger.  Daily prayer takes worry off your plate and into God's hands, where they should be.  Daily prayer of thanks puts food back in your plate and keeps you full.  So why do you go around hungry?  Afraid others will look at you or talk behind your back?  Pray for them, that is their sin, don't make it yours.  Take it off your plate, for a healthier relationship with God. So start this week off with a full healthy plate.  You will be glad you did.  Keep it going daily.  You can only control YOU, give the rest to God. Love, hugs and smiles Have a very blessed week

Yes, life changes.  We don't always know when or why, but it does constantly change.  Not always for the good and not always for the bad, but still guaranteed to change.  This was sent to my by a dear friend, and like most, I knew the beginning and didn't realize there was more to it than that.  I pray for you that this Serenity Prayer will help guide you throughout your life.  That you will daily remember that God is in control, when we remember to give him the wheel.  He is here to help us through and although He prefers to not see us fall, He will allow us to fall so that we learn.  Keep Smilin'.  Find reasons to love your life and yes, accept hardships as the pathway to peace.  Love and Hugs to all!