Bridge over calm water

Winchester Lake is about 60 miles south of Moscow on Highway 95. It's one of our favorite fishing spots...bass and trout for the most part, though I have seen some monster catfish come out of the lake! This bridge is part of a hiking trail that meanders around the lake and off into the mountains.

Soccer Practice

These UI girls were out practicing their soccer a few weeks ago when I snapped this photo. They looked like they were having a good time and it was one of the last warm fall days.

Fully loaded

This past summer we went out to our friends' orchard in Troy and picked our weight in cherries. About this time of year, I start missing the warm sunny days...especially when we have snow predicted for later this week. These cherries remind me that winter can't last forever!

Winter Skeleton

Everything is put away in preparation for winter snow, including this huge umbrella at the local pool. The canopy has been removed and the bottoms have been tied with twine in an effort to prevent them from blowing open in our frequent gusty winds this time of year.

Autumn trio

The leaves have all nearly fallen now, but last week before our huge wind and rain storms, I took a final photo of the scene outside my sewing room window. I am fortunate to have such beauty around me. Now, I just wait for white to cover the barren branches!

Palouse Sunset

Last night on our way to meet some friends for dinner, we turned west and stumbled upon this stunning sunset. Fortunately I had my camera with me (a habit I need to really get into) and was able to take this photo. Sadly, the scene was gone far to quickly...in fact within 5 minutes, the sun was down far enough that the clouds were just an ugly gray mass. It was beautiful while it lasted though!

Prickly little nuts

During a recent walk I spied this chestnut tree and it's fallen fruit littering the ground underneath. My boys decided it would be a good idea to pick up the spiny orbs and see if they could get them open to fish out the nuts inside. No luck there, but they did have fun looking at them!

Mmmmmm...Mexican food!

My favorite kind of food is Mexican! Having grown up in Arizona, I guess it's pretty natural. Here in northern Idaho, there isn't much in the way of authentic Mexican food...but wait...there's Patty's! Patty's Mexican Kitchen sits right off 6th Street and Deakin and has grown from a tiny shop with no seating into an extended outdoor seating area complete with lawn and bbq pit, as well as the miniature Patty Dome with indoor seating and a bar...very handy this time of year.

The food is the best around. Really. Normally I would have snapped a shot of Trini behind the grill, but I was there to pick her up for Girl's Night Out and take her to dinner elsewhere...she gets tired of Mexican food since she cooks it all day, everyday. Imagine that! Billy is in the photo above and said to say "Hello!" to all my blog readers. :)

Empty track

A photo of the UI track and field venue a few weeks ago. This track sits just outside the Kibbie Dome and the two share a common parking area.

Sacrifice, but not in vain - Veterans Day 2008

The Armistice treaty between the Germans and the Allied Forces went into effect at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month to effectively end fighting on the Western Front during World War I. While fighting still continued in other areas, this date was commonly referred to as the end of the war. After World War II the name here in America was changed from Armistice Day to Veterans Day to honor all military veterans.

I believe the best way to honor those who have served the cause of freedom and justice is to show them that their sacrifices have not been made in vain. We need to remember all that they have fought and bled for so that we could know freedom. To my grandfathers who served in the military during World War II...my grandpa Pete US Arny) who died when I was a young girl, and my grandpa Charlie (US Navy) who is about to celebrate his 94th birthday, thank you for all you have done to defend our country and give us the liberties we enjoy today. I love you.

The photo above is the United States Marine Corps uniform of a friend of ours who has served several tours of duty overseas. The Marine Corps just celebrated their 233rd birthday yesterday and he and his wife were on their way to the Birthday Ball when I took this photo. Thank you for your committment to our country, the sacrifices you have made, and your friendship which we treasure.