Happy Easter! He Is Risen!

He is Risen!

~Mathew 28:6

Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus,
  who was crucified. He is not here.
He is Risen, just as he said.

~Mathew 28: 5-6

This is one of my favorite childhood songs from church.

Because he lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because he lives, all fear is gone.
Because I know, he holds the future,
Christ is worth the living, just because he lives.

Happy Easter!!!

Colorful Quotes: A Photo of a Bear and a Nature Quote From Albert Einstein

There's a Bear! Where? Over there!

This happened to us last summer. We were on our annual family vacation in Northern Wisconsin where there are lots and lots of bears (and mosquitos!!!!) We all long to see a bear and sometimes we do, but not every time, and not this up-close and personal. And we were safely seated in our car, so we could snap as many pictures as we needed. It was the best!!!

So I created this image with a nature quote by Albert Einstein that I love.

Look deep into nature,

and then you will understand 

everything better.

~Albert Einstein

For more pics of this beautiful creature and and her cubs, please see my post from last summer: There's a Bear!

I love bears so much I even created a Pinterest board for them.

There's a Bear!

There's a Bear! Where? Over there!

I took these photos while on vacation this summer in Hayward, Wisconsin. We make the journey from Washington State to the North Woods of Wisconsin every year. It's a family thing! My husband's family has been doing it since before my husband was born. His entire family carries on the tradition. Seeing a bear is a highlight that we always hope for. Sometimes it doesn't happen.

This year we were blessed with this beautiful mama bear. We knew she was a mama because there were babies up this tree!!

She was beautiful and such a good mom. Thankfully, I took these pics from the safety of our car, which also allowed us time to really observe her and her babies.

For a digital image with a quote that I created using this mama bear, please go here! 

I love bears so much that I created a Pinterest board just for them. Please come peruse it.

Remembering Always, 9/11/2001 - God Bless America

In homes, schools, work places, and more, we pause to remember what we can never forget. 911 forever changed us. As we remember the day our world came crashing down in chaotic horror, we grieve for the loss of each life, the shattering of our perception of safety on American soil, and for the loved-ones of the lost who must endure the memory every day. And, we pray...

Follow Debbie's board Sweet Land of Liberty on Pinterest.

Be Still - Divine Messages

I find heart rocks and other hearts in nature. For me, they are signs from God; answered prayer and also validation that my prayers are heard. I only find or see them while praying or after praying about a particular subject. I have hundreds of heart rocks, many of which I paint. If I am praying for another person and I find a heart rock on their behalf I will often paint it and give it to them as a gift. 

During difficult times I may find as many as twenty all on one 30 minute walk. It's AMAZING!!! Soon I will do an entire post on just the subject of heart rocks! They are very special to me.

In addition to heart-shaped rocks, I often will see a heart in another form, either a piece of moss, a knot on a tree trunk, a patch of little weeds in the pavement, and even in the clouds.

This was the view from where we stopped and parked
 to finish up our long visit.

Recently, a good friend and I decided we needed to have some special girlfriend time to catch up, bond, and give each other support in some areas of our lives in which we have been struggling. We met at Starbuck's and got yummy coffees and then climbed into my car and went for a drive in the country, near my home. It's a drive that I have done many times in the last few years when I need thinking time, praying time, or even when I just want to feel gratitude for the area in which I live. I have shared it with my wonderful daughter, who is in her first year of college. It's still one of our favorite things to do when she comes home for a visit.

We talked about some pretty serious stuff; things that I have been going through and her, as well. I prayed about our meeting before we got together and felt that we were doing exactly what we needed to be doing. I left our visit feeling even more confident of success in my current journey/issue/path and that she was going to be great and successful too. It was a special day with my special friend.

Today, I was uploading photos from my camera and came across the only two photos I had quickly snapped while we chatted and enjoyed the view; a scenic shot of the valley below us (as shown above) and a picture of the beautiful clouds. And just look at the message waiting for me in the photo of the clouds. 

My heavenly sign, a sweet little heart

I created something with it that I can share with others. If you're needing a little boost, a sign from heaven that God's got your back, please enjoy and be comforted. 

Be Still

and know that I am God.

Psalm 45:70

Follow Debbie's board Heart Love on Pinterest.

A Sunny, Late Winter Day and a Happy Little Bird

Our weather here in the Inland Northwest, (Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho) has been unseasonably warm. We've had a very mild winter, which has made many people in our area super happy and many creatures, as well! Our lake did freeze solid for a few weeks, and we had a few fairly light snow dumps, but all in all, winter has been easy.

A couple of days ago I was drawn to the warmth of the early morning sunshine. I grabbed my camera and headed out to my little yard to do a bit of sun-soaking and bird-whispering. I have a favorite place to sit in the early morning during the warmer months. It's a little rock garden, looking out on the lake and down on a lower level. A sweet little bird bath is situated on the lower level, perfect for viewing from above. It was full of leaves, but did have a tiny bit of water in it. As I sat quietly a little Nuthatch came chirping and bopping up really close to me. I love these birds! They seem very curious and even friendly. If I chirp at them they will chirp back and come in for a closer look. Adorable!!!








This little guy got down in the bird bath and took a couple of drinks and let me get a few pictures. Isn't he cute? I decided he needed fresh water so I hosed out the leaves and filled it with fresh water.

After a few minutes, he got curious again and sat on the edge of the bird bath, as if peering at his own reflection.

And then he jumped in!!!

It's like I gave him the greatest gift.


I watched as he chirped and splashed and ducked his head under the clean water with pure joy! It was perfect. I'm filled with gratitude that he let me share in his joy.

Follow Debbie's board Feathered Friends on Pinterest.

A Peak at My Valentine's Day Decor

Do you decorate for Valentine's Day? I go all out with Fall and Christmas decorating. And, by the time Christmas is over I am yearning for a bit more simplicity and a lot less clutter. However, I do love to be festive and also to use some of my beloved treasures. For Valentine's Day, I just add a few hints here and there to remind my family and our guests of the month of  LOVE.

A fun and festive wreath in my dining room

A similar garland to brighten up my vintage-window-pot rack.

Hints of red and love and a vintage candy dish.

Red hot candies in my Ball Jar lamp. I love them so much I keep them in there year round.

Hugs and Kisses on the bathroom door. 

Even a little something to brighten the black and white bathroom.

I love this rose-colored decanter and sweet little glasses,  especially since it once belonged to my sweet Great Aunt Elsie. 

This wonderful, tiny, vintage cup belonged to my husband's Grandma. So perfect for Valentine's Day.

It sits on my piano with a red candle vase and a little framed photo of my kids when they were tiny.

Janie is the cutest photo bomber ever!

I stuck the camera behind the curtain. It looks like she might be stalking birds. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Follow Debbie's board Around Home on Pinterest.

Blogging Break?

Wow! I guess a took a bit of a blogging break. I didn't intend to. Sometimes life just happens and plans change and you can't do everything any more.

As most mothers with kids in school do, I tend to think of my year in terms of summer vacation and the school year. This last school year was my daughter's last year of high school. It was awesome and full. I was determined to do anything in my power to make it be the best year ever for her. I think in most ways, it was! But it was kind of wonderful and kind of sad. I cherished each moment of each day. However, there were so many "lasts." Last homecoming dance, last football game, last track meet, last basketball game, last (and first) Senior Prom, last, last, last. And even though I celebrate her and her beautiful future, I grieved every "last." I just couldn't stop it. It hit me hard!!!! I have two children, a boy and a girl. My boy, Joey graduated from high school five years before his sister. I grieved that too, but consoled myself with, "Well, at least I have five more years with Sammy." How can those five years already be gone?

I must admit that I have done this a bit with every phase and every school year with both of my children, but I always knew there were so many more beginnings. I love beginnings - the beginning of vacation, the beginning of the Christmas season, the beginning of summer, the beginning of the school year. I know there are more beginnings, but not childhood beginnings... and so... I got sad, really sad. I smiled and celebrated and functioned, and said prayers of gratitude, and meant it, but in between the track meets and my own work, and keeping up the house and being a proper friend, and wife, and hiding my sadness from her and my family, I cried - a lot - and slept - a lot. I suffered...

I'm better now and facing this next phase of her life and mine, as an "empty nester" with my usual optimism and cheerful attitude, always propelled by faith and gratitude. And so I prepare for the next beginning.

Perhaps that is where our choice lies -in determining how we will meet

the inevitable end of things,

and how we will greet each new beginning.

~Alana K. Arnold

Follow Debbie's board Words of Inspiration on Pinterest.

Furry Little Helpers & My Miniature Christmas Tree

It was time to decorate this little miniature tree that I have in my kitchen. It is special to me because when I first got married, my mother-in-law gave it to me and started buying me a tiny ornament each year. When I would visit her in Wisconsin, she would often give me one of hers. She had so many. This tree was fun and perfect for the collector in me! Each ornament has a special meaning. I love that about Christmas...

My cat and dog want to be involved in everything I do! When I brought in each box or bin with Christmas decorations they both acted like it was, well... Christmas!

Janie loves boxes. It is so funny how cats love boxes. I am constantly pinning pictures of cats in boxes on Pinterest. I took the lid off of my box of miniature Christmas tree ornaments and she popped right in! No matter how small a box might be, Janie is sure it will work. No body-image issues there!

Bear was intrigued and kinda sad that Janie could jump right up on the kitchen counter (and stove top) to explore.

So, I brought him a chair for a closer look! He looks so innocent...

Janie was so happy and cozy. She started rolling around.

They were both so cute, but such a distraction!!! Decorating this little tree took me twice as long because I just had to snap all of these cute pictures!

Janie finally settled in and slept just when I was finished and wanted the lid to the box back.

My little next door neighbors, who are now adults with children of their own, made this little heart and the red bird. I love them. Above it is a vintage angel ornament given to me by my mother-in-law, whom I miss very much...

I used to have pet ducks. I loved them so much. I have two of these glass duck ornaments to remind me of them. My daughter drew me the Rudolf ornament when she was about seven or eight. She is 17 now. The little red candles were a gift from my friend Janet, who was the nanny for the neighbor kids. She helped them make the ornaments in the photo above.

Merry Christmas!!!

 Follow Debbie's board A Comfy Cozy Christmas on Pinterest.

I Believe!

I was six-years-old and completely in awe of the magic of Christmas. The month or so after Thanksgiving and leading up to the big day was full of preparation and anticipation that was both glorious and painful! I learned the words and sung every Christmas carol I could. I watched every television Christmas special and the commercials showing the toys just about put me over the edge! I went to bed each night with visions of Tubsy, the doll that I wanted more than anything else! I could hardly stand the wait. My list for Santa had been meticulously made and remade, with Tubsy at the top of the list, along with roller skates, a doll house, and more. Tubsy had short brown hair, a big smile with two bottom teeth. She came with a pink bathtub, a pink bathrobe, and a toy that she held in one hand. When you put Tubsy in her bath of water, she would splash! She seemed so real.

Debbie and brother John, December 1968 

My mom, Grandma Ellen, Grandma Mila, and my Great Aunt Elsie all baked and baked and I ate and ate, loving every single baked good with the exception of fruit cake and anything with raisins. Yuck! I loved the frosted sugar cookies in the shapes of Christmas things the best! My mom, being of Norwegian descent, made these amazing Scandinavian, deep fried confections called Rosettes. They were fairly fragile and she would let me eat any that broke. I also adored Spritz cookies. They were so buttery and rich and fun to squeeze through the special little cookie press that formed their flower and star-like shapes. My Grandma Mila lived just up the street a couple of blocks and she invited my brother and me over to decorate cookies with her. I still remember it like it was yesterday. She had a giant, round, glass biscuit jar that she filled to the top with cookies. She laid out bowls of icing and all those wonderful little sprinkles, red hots, and silver balls. I was even allowed to play with her special, breakable doll that Grandpa had given her for a wedding present.

Debbie and John baking cookies
 at Grandma's the following year, 1969 

Driving to the tree lot to pick our Christmas tree was an adventure in the snow and I took the choosing of it seriously. Oh, the memory of being warm and cozy; all bundled up, snuggled in the back seat of our gold station wagon with my brother and hearing the click, click of the windshield wipers as we made our way to the tree lot. I love remembering that time. Dad always let us have the final say and of course, we chose the best tree they had! Decorating the tree was a fun, cozy family time with Christmas carols playing on the record player. Each ornament was special and already familiar to me from the past couple of years. I adored the stories and memories associated with all of them.

It was the winter of 1968, a winter that went down in history (until four winters ago) as the most snow that Spokane, Washington had ever seen. On this particular Christmas, I believed with all my heart that Santa was coming to leave presents under the tree for me and my brother, John. I had watched Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer, and was completely confident that Santa would make it through the storm with Rudolf leading his team of reindeer. I went to bed on that stormy Christmas Eve bubbling with excitement. I could not sleep, as I lay there in my little upstairs bedroom with snow falling outside my window. There was a beautiful, colorful glow from the Christmas lights around my window. It was magical. As I finally drifted off to sleep... I heard it! I know I did! It was Santa! I could hear the jingling of his sleigh bells! It was loud and magical and wonderful and I believed...

Everything on the list! Roller skates! 

And see the pink tub in the background?

That was Tubsy's bathtub.

Debbie and her beautiful mom

Brother John was thrilled with his Fisher Price Barn.

Look at the house in the background.

The poodle was Debbie's first dog. Her name was Shelley! 

It wasn't until many years later (even after Bruce Boepple told me at 10 years old that Santa was really my mom and dad) that I heard the sound of a big snow plow, jingling through the streets one snowy winter night.

The sound was oh…so… familiar. Ah ha! Mystery finally solved!

It's okay, I still believe...

And yes, Santa came through for me. I snuck downstairs too early and mom and dad told me to go back to bed. It wasn't time. I couldn't resist that closed, swinging door. I thought if I just bumped it a little, I just might happen to see something. Wow! The room had been magically transformed. There were stacks of presents, stockings overflowing, and in the middle of it all sat a smiling doll in a pink bathtub!

I recently shared this special Christmas memory on Mermaids of the Lake, the online women's magazine that I publish with with my BFF, Shelley Hepler.