Last Week's To-Do List

Name new business "A Joyful Cottage" - check

Meet with attorney and CPA  - check

 Sign Lease - check

Transfer utilities - check

Get application for business license - check

Measure and create floor plan - check

Choose new colors and get paint samples - check

Get quotes for credit card processing - check

Call sign companies for quotes - check

Pose & have husband take shop "before" photo for blog - check

Linking up with Blue Monday.

Morning Comfort

When I looked out the window this morning, I saw a sky washed in blue with hints of pink. Very soft and soothing; like a pretty down comforter. This sky shot is quite a contrast to the vibrant colors of yesterday's photo. But it just goes to show that each morning is new and different. We don't know what the day will bring, 

but we can choose to enter it with joyful expectancy. 

"The moment when you first wake up in the morning is the most wonderful of the twenty-four hours.  No matter how weary or dreary you may feel, you possess the certainty that, during the day that lies before you, absolutely anything may happen.  And the fact that it practically always doesn't, matters not a jot.  

The possibility is always there."  

~Monica Baldwin

 "The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, 

For His compassions never fail. 

They are new every morning; 

Great is Your faithfulness." 

Lamentations 3:22-23

Blessings,

Nancy

Today I'm Joining:

Visit this site for more Blue Monday joy.

Love Is

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; 

love does not brag and is not arrogant,

does not act unbecomingly; 

it does not seek its own, 

is not provoked, 

does not take into account a wrong suffered, 

does not rejoice in unrighteousness, 

but rejoices with the truth; 

bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, 

endures all things.

1 Corinthians 13:4

May love fill your heart today.

Nancy

Today I'm Joining:

Thursday Challenge

Visit these sites to see the work of wonderful bloggers and photographers.

Cabin Fever

"A cabin with plenty of food is better than a hungry castle." -- Irish Saying

We just arrived home from what is quickly becoming our after-church-on-Sunday tradition: a drive to Allenspark and brunch at the charming Meadow Mountain Cafe. I've written here in the past about the cafe, and I've got some interior shots I'll post sometime, but today I want to show you the Allenspark cabins I photographed after we ate.  I guess you won't be surprised if I tell you I love cabins, since I live in one. 


(Disclaimer: No cabins were harmed in the shooting of this photo blog. I never, ever step on private property -- shoot from the street only unless I have permission. If you're home is photographed here and you want it removed, please let me know. I respect your privacy.)

Love the snowshoes flanking the cabin door and the snow-covered welcome sign.

Don't let all the snow fool you. It was a beautiful day today. Lots of sunshine, which made the temperature very nice. In many spots the snow was already melting.

Weathered logs, red trim. Delightful.

I literally had to stretch to get this shot. The cabin is almost hidden behind the snow and pines.

Allenspark's elevation is 8,520 feet (about 1,000 feet higher than our homestead). 

A cabin with outbuildings is a rare treat.

Oh those old rustic logs!

This has a Hansel & Gretel feel, don't you think?

Those little specks you see in the photo are snow falling from the trees.

What is under all that white stuff?

Beautiful setting for a cabin.

Look at that blue sky. This is one of the reasons I love Colorado. 300+ sunny days a year.

These are all older, small cabins like ours. Which is what I prefer. But for those of you who like new victorian style homes, this one's for you. It's for sale. $395,000 and it's yours.

Click here for the virtual tour.

Hope you had fun tasting my cabin eye candy today. Have a great week.

Nancy

Thank you for visiting.  Today I'm joining these Memes:

What's to Love About Raymond

"Let us love winter, for it is the spring of genius." -- Pietro Aretino

Several Sundays ago Dennis and I took a drive from Allenspark to Lyons along the St. Vrain River. This route took us through Raymond, which is called a town but is really just a small roadside country store and several miles of private cabins and ranches. In my humble opinion Raymond is a hamlet -- not a town. Besides I like to use the word "hamlet". It sounds so. . . quaint.


The sky was clear and the temperature mild, making it a great day to take photos.

This ranch gate caught my eye. Look at that shocking blue sky.

Beyond the ranch entrance. (I wonder. . . what's behind the trees?)

Red berries framed by a rustic fence. Charming, no?

I see this cabin and imagine a roaring fire, hot chocolate and a good book.

I'd like to have a wagon like this one on our homestead.

And maybe an old truck, too.

Dried flowers in the snow fascinate me.

I love this scene. So serene.

"Out of the south comes the storm, And out of the north the cold. 

From the breath of God ice is made,

And the expanse of the waters is frozen."

 Job 37:9-10 

Nancy

Thank you for visiting.  Today I'm joining these Memes:

God Still Performs Miracles

When God performs a miracle, it needs to be shared. A friend of mine posted a story on his Facebook page today regarding a newborn in our church. We have been praying for David Jedediah and his family.


"Dear friends, last week I asked you all to pray for my friend's new born child. David had inhaled meconium during his birth. He suffered greatly from a lack of oxygen and the prognosis was pretty grim. David's chances were not good. The doctors decided that it would be better if David were airlifted to Denver's Children's Hospital. On arrival David went straight to the neonatal intensive care unit, he was fitted with a "chill cap" to slow the advancing brain damage. Unable to breath on his own, he was on full life support. Doctors were very concerned that should he live, it seemed likely he would have very serious brain injury.


"Well, let me tell you what your prayers and God has done. After David's parents were told David was too unstable to even do an MRI, the next day an MRI was done. The serious brain damage the doctors were sure David had sustained has been shown to not be deep or terribly significant. In fact the doctors now say that given the area affected it is quite possible the brain can compensate for the damage. Did I thank you all for your prayers? Did I tell you how great God is, because He is truly great. He is even working on the financial issues. David's parents say that David is dropping machines and meds like a champion. He is breathing on his own, his cooling cap is gone. As his dad says he is pooping and farting like a real boy. Thank you God! All glory to God!"



Amen. We prayed for a miracle and God answered our prayers by His mighty power. All praise, honor and glory to the God of Life. The Miracle Worker is still performing miracles today. 

"Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving 

And pay your vows to the Most High; 

Call upon Me in the day of trouble; 

I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me.”

Psalm 50:14-15

Nancy

Blue Monday

I love to see what other bloggers are up to. Smiling Sally says, "My favorite color is blue, so I thought, 'Why not have a Blue Monday?' Every Monday, I'll have a blue post, and I'd like to invite you to participate."


Well, since blue is my favorite color, too, I'm on it. This old blue chest has traveled all the way from Ohio to Colorado, and now sits under the windows in our living room. I use it to store tablecloths, candles and DVD's. I LOVE this piece.