michelle my belle

Weekend of Skiing

Our girls both had races this weekend at Mt. Hood SkiBowl. Before the races started on Sunday, Tanya, MaryAnn and I hiked up the course a bit to get some exercise and couldn't help but take advantage of this great shot! Crisp, clean mountain air... there's nothing like it.

With the scattering of ski gear this quaint lodge looks like a colorful battlefield.

If only all race days were this beautiful! This picture does not do the course justice by any means. It is actually quite steep, fast and the snow is icy hard this morning. The coaches have their groups out inspecting the course here.

Here's Jess crying cause she straddled a gate and ended up disqualified.

All better and now irritated at me for taking pictures! For those of you who have blogs, have you noticed how many more pictures you tend to take? It's great accountability. Hopefully my kids will thank me later... or maybe it's one of the things they'll be in therapy over.

Alexis and her friends. Glad the stress of racing is over. All in all a good weekend. I hope yours was also good and if you're here in the NW that you enjoyed our sunny weather!

Surprise Gift from "Cupid"!

Look what my mail lady dropped off yesterday! My friend April is so thoughtful and giving! Thank you April! You made my day. If "make time count" is my motto then sending out some surprise gifts should be on my goal list.

I didn't take pictures of the goodies unwrapped cause I thought I'd be able to find it all on her website but the only thing I was able to find was this little love bug.

She even made these cute felt fortune cookies. Here is the link to her tutorial on her blog to do some yourself.

She has some darling things on her website. I especially love the Brag Boards they make! How perfect for your little arteest!

"Some friendships do not last, but some friends are more loyal than brothers."
Proverbs 18:24

Love is in the Air!

(one of our new designs this season)

Happy Valentines Day! One of the major ways to "Make Time Count" is spending time with family and friends. I think this should be my motto for the year, Make Time Count. I've really been reflecting on this, being 35 years old and all you know.

Alexis practiced her culinary arts by making her class these beautiful and delicious (i'm guessing since I was able to refrain and not have even one!) cupcakes.

My wonderful husband gave the girls each a box of chocolates and a card and he gave me some yummy perfume and took me to a great Indian Restaurant over in Portland. This is one of the few Valentine's Days that we've actually spent together. I'm usually at the BMAC show in Philadelphia this time of year. Another thing to be thankful for... I'm not in Philly!!

NYC

I've been home for a few days but having a hard time plunging back into blogging. I think I'm overwhelmed, not knowing where to start, which pictures to use and as always... not knowing what to write. So I figure I'll throw a few out there and try again tomorrow!

This is on the shoreline of Manhattan. Katy and I flew straight from SF to NY and set up quickly (5 hours ending at 9pm) so that we'd have the entire next day to meander through NY. And what an amazingly beautiful day it was! Thanks God!

We finished the day off with a Broadway show. Legally Blonde! It was light, funny and we both walked out smiling. I just sit in awe at the sheer talent, I've always wished I could sing, act or play an instrument. I guess having a hard time carrying a beat, tone deaf and bashful in front of a group of 3 or more has always stopped me from pursuing that dream! lol!

Traveling with Katy was full of laughs and messing around. These will be some good memories.

ps... if you have an email in with me, I'm planning on getting to the last 63 of them tomorrow! : )

San Francisco to New York

I have many pictures and lots of catch up for the past few weeks. We'll see if I get to it or not. But for starters...

We made some new wonderful friends. This is Brian and Christa from the Green Glass Co. We're looking at their work displayed and for sale here in the SF Barney's.

It made the show so much more fun having them as neighbors! Their glasses are amazing and all made from recycled wine bottles that they have shipped in from all over the country.

Miss Katy hammin' it up with one of the Barney's displays!

Another cool creator that we met was Kate from Kate Grenier Designs. She has a collection of magnets, clocks and other wonderful creations and she's from Portland!

I'm sorry for the lack of excitement. Long days in convention centers doing shows... I'm so thankful to be nearing the end!