This is totally natural Crystal showing her magnificent colors naturally – visible from our garden, my writing nook, our front deck – nothing was done to enhance any of my Crystal Peak photographs – we get to live with this view and we don’t take it for granted.
Author: Julie A R Stephens
Are You Ok?
Elsa and Joy – my little charge and my dog. I’ve been Elsa’s nanny / tutor since she was two-years-old, almost seven years now. Joy has always watched over Elsa. What we pass on to a child – that’s what matters.
Happiness Is A Choice
What’s Good Going On With You?
Little things delight me: a walk in nature, an unexpected snowfall, a good book, fresh flowers, a tasty meal, happiness is a choice…
We live here! This still amazes and delights me! My husband and I took our border collie Hope on this stunning, Saturday morning, walk in the mountains.
Our Canine Companions
A Good Dog Story
Dogs are great companions. Dogs make us happy. Dogs make us laugh. We love our dogs. A good dog story is an uplifting treasure. When I heard that my friend Taffy had found aid for her elderly dog to walk again, I had to investigate.
We Still Love Lucy
When Lucille Ball died, my brother called to see if I was okay. Like many people, I grew up with reruns of I Love Lucy. Perhaps being a baby boomer with parents who were just happy to have their kids quiet and occupied, regular television watching was a consistent part of our childhood.
Parenting Teaching Gratitude
We were Catholic not Jewish but I’m thinking the guilt is very similar.
For my 8th grade graduation a cousin sent me a package of note cards. When she did not receive a thank you note she ‘innocently’ asked my mother if I had received her gift.
New Year’s Day 2022
WORKING AT LIFE
New Year’s Day 2022 this is my view in our tiny mountain village at 9,000 feet. Most people just want to visit in the summer. So this peacefulness is blessed.
What’s MOST IMPORTANT to me:
Continually:
Connecting with my husband
Staying healthy – physically, mentally, spiritually
Publishing my work & connecting with my readers
I don’t know if I can keep up this pace but my goal is to keep at it:
Christmas Eve service with husband
New Year’s Eve dinner with husband – shared my gratitude jar entries for 2021 and we laughed, remembered and were thankful
We shared dessert – I took 1 bite of each
Husband & I are continually working at us.
We Get By With A Little Help From Our Friends
I live with my husband and our dogs at 9,000 feet in a tiny mountain village, in the Colorado Rockies. Life here isn’t easy but those of us who live here do so because we really like it.
Before COVID , (we are always going to be saying that) a gathering of us girlfriends was a regular occurrence.
A Little Lake City Miracle
Thursday Matt, our regular UPS driver brings packages to the house. I hold open the garden gate and thank him for putting the boxes on the little sunroom table – saving my back.
“What great timing! I needed boxes for packing some Halloween gifts to my grandchildren.”… Read the rest
The Secret
The Secret
To a Long & Happy Marriage
My husband and I created a simple, romantic anniversary celebration at home. Thoughtfulness is everything.
He gave me red roses. We exchange cards with love notes. We took our border collie on a hike.