Reflection

Greetings

It is hard for me to believe that 2013 is coming to an end.  It has been a year of change, hard work, laughter and contentment.  If I'd have won the lottery it would have been perfect.  I'm just kidding - you can't win if you don't play.

A friend said to me "remember a year ago how you were so out of sorts?  Now look at you!"  She was so right.  I was out of sorts.  Moving is a big deal.  Much bigger than I ever wanted to admit.  Since I'd not really done it on my own I didn't know what to expect.  It was, in my opinion, a leap of faith.

Morley Church

Truly moving has turned out much better than I expected. There are many people that I miss terribly - you know who you are (yes Art that includes you) but I have to admit, that aside, I am content, happy, relaxed and healthy.  What more could a girl ask for, except maybe the Marlboro Man, but that's a whole different post.

My job is still helping the Arizona group with keeping money straight but I have added to that the task of helping people find their dream homes in southern Colorado.  And most recently taken on the task of renovating a home here in my community so that someone will have their dream home in the forest.

The new year will be a busy one but if you know me you know that's when I'm at my best and happy.  I look forward to continuing to nurture new friendships, loving the old friendships, working to make client's dreams come true, keeping the Arizona group on track, loving my family both near and far, keeping the humor with the pups and continuing to be healthy- physically, mentally and emotionally.  And I so appreciate the opportunity to share Another Day in the Forest with you.  Thank you and happy new year!!

Love and Cheers to the New Year-
Lanae

Knocking on Christmas' Door

Greetings from the forest

Well here we are just days away from Christmas.  Plans are made, food in the fridge and presents under the tree.  To top it off we got a dusting of snow last night.  Made it feel very festive.  One of this weeks highlights was Galianos Italian Market and Deli.  Established in 1921 it was this old, tiny authentic market and I was in heaven.  It was in Pueblo and certainly was a great experience and I brought home lots of yummy food for Christmas dinner.  Thank Carolynn for telling me about it.  

Here are a few pictures for this week -

Why yes those are Max's keys

Sometimes you're just too tired to smile

Traffic jam

Christmas wreath with actual snow

Sunrise this morning

Yup there is snow outside

The forecast is clear until after Christmas which will make it much easier for company to get to the house on the holiday.  

So, I will end this blog by saying I wish each and every one of you a Christmas filled with blessings, love and laughter.  I hope you are surrounded by those you love and that those who are far from me know that I miss and love you terribly, especially during the holidays.

Love and Christmas wishes -

Lanae

First Snow

Greetings from a snowy forest

Our first snow arrived the end of last week and lasted until Monday of this week.  We got about 15" of snow but with the wind the drifts were some 18-24".  Did you know shoveling snow for 30 minutes I burned some 350+ calories.  My fabulous neighbor, Rick, plowed my driveway twice!  Not once, but twice.  Very nice of him and if he hadn't plowed I would not have been able to get out on Tuesday to get to the office.

I love the snow.  Yes its cold, yes its messy, yes the dogs get all wet and snowy but it is so beautiful and so peaceful.  Maybe someday in years to come I'll get tired of it but for now I look forward to the next time it snows!

Here are a bunch of pictures I wanted to share with you -

Max watching it snow

Rick plowing.  He is just the best!

Happy hour on the deck?  You get the chaise.

Heading to the office and hoping I can get down the driveway.  

Watching something?

Oliver is not the happiest.

When it grows up it can be a Christmas Tree

Trinidad Lake

Max loves the snow!

So I was gathering my thoughts as tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I wanted to share what I am thankful for-

I am thankful for my family, my friends (both old and new), for my good health, my home in the forest, my puppy dogs and for the laughter and love that is so plentiful in my life.

Love and Happy Thanksgiving!
Lanae

The Animal's Lesson

Greetings from the snowy forest,

So my last blog, I was told, seems disjointed.  Busted.  Shouldn't write when I'm in a rush.  Thank you friend for being honest and telling me my haste showed! lol.  Hopefully I'll do better today...

I was given a book as a gift many years ago.  Medicine Cards is a book that comes with animal cards that you can draw daily or do a look into your future by picking cards.  The cards correlate to a lesson relating to that particular animal.  The book describes the concept of animal medicine in the Native American way as our fellow creatures, the animals, exhibit habit patterns that will relay a message of healing to anyone.  Rather than pull a card, I have found it interesting to look up the animals lessons as I see them in the forest.

Today I thought I would share the message from a couple of the animals I've seen this week.

The Deer.  According to the Medicine Cards, the deer's message is to find the gentleness of spirit that heals all wounds.  Stop pushing so hard to get others to change, and love them the way they are.  Apply gentleness to your present situation and become like the summer breeze; warm and caring.  This is your tool for solving the present dilemma you are facing.

Just as a side note, I always seem to see the deer when I'm racing to somewhere and I try to always stop to take a photo and remember the message from the deer.

The other animal I saw, yesterday actually, was the Horse.  Native American medicine says the horse was the first animal medicine of civilization.  Humanity owes an incalculable debt to Horse.  When humans first climbed on the horse's back they were free as the wind.  Today we measure the capacity of engines with the term "horsepower", a reminder of days when Horse was an honored and highly prized partner with humanity.

Medicine Cards say that understanding the power of the Horse you may see how to strive for balance. True power is wisdom found in remembering your total journey.  Wisdom comes from remembering pathways you have walked.  Compassion, caring, teaching, loving and sharing your gifts, talents, and abilities are the gateways to power and balance.

And finally, the Dog. (You knew I had to do this, right?)  Dog represents loyalty and service. Dog's message is that you must delve deeply into your sense of service to others and look at how ready your sense of loyalty is.

I so hope I haven't bored you with this blog.  I find it fascinating because it seems to hit home with the message when I see certain animals.  Thank you for letting me share.

Love and footprints in the snow,
Lanae

The forest is brown and green

Greetings from the forest

Gone are the golden leaves of fall.  Replaced with brown bushes or bare trees.  I never really understood the fascination with the approach of spring but the other day driving down the road I got it.  Everything is brown.  Ok the pine trees are still green as are the junipers and pinions but the oak brush is brown giving everything else a drab look.  So, we (ok maybe just me) look forward to winter snows because then its not brown, its white and the green of the trees look so much better with white than with brown.  Then we wait for spring.  But for now, I wait for snow.  Don't get me wrong, brown or not, it is still a beautiful place to live.  Quiet, crisp, the wind rustling the trees and the peacefulness.



Life in the forest has been busy and the past few weeks included at trip to Arizona.  Always good to see friends and family and even better that it wasn't 110!  A little work, a little chemo, a few friends, my sister and her husband, and a great time, albeit a short visit.  And thank you sister Deb for taking good care of my boys.  Why yes, they did miss me.

Oliver looks like a little old man after grooming

Max looks handsome and goofy

Waiting for someone, anyone to come down the drive

The real estate business hasn't been bad here in Trinidad.  Considering I'm a newby I'm pleased. Can't complain.

Going to go to a ladies brunch this coming week and yes I'm very excited.  I was assigned muffins, which most of you know is not my forte, baking, but I'm going to take a fabulous (oh I so hope they turn out) muffin and will post the recipe next time along with photos. I figure if the muffins don't turn out good then next time I'll be asked not to bake. lol.

Can you believe Christmas is right around the corner.  Boy oh boy I must get busy.  Have some fun events to attend and some serious gift making to do! I'd best get busy.

A couple of pictures of my friendly deer neighbors.

This little guy didn't move while I rolled down the window and took his photo

Thats all for now.  Thanks for letting me share - another day in the forest.

Love and muffin tops,

Lanae

Fall is my Favorite!

Greetings from the forest

Fall has always been my favorite time of year.  In Arizona it meant temps below 100.  Here in Colorado it means an explosion of color and temps below 60.  It means cold, crisp mornings and a time for soup. It means being thankful and I have so many blessings to be thankful for.  I love fall!

For the last two weekends I've embarked on a drive to see the change in the Aspens and have not been disappointed.  Here are a bunch of pictures.  They are pretty but this dirt road we took was so amazing - the trees, the stream, the quiet hugging you.  The only noise was the rustling of the leaves and the water flowing over the rocks.  Talk about a perfect couple of days!

Do you see the chili pepper in the rock?

This is the little town of Stonewall

Fall with the promise of winter down the road

This old pump was at a campsite

Yes we have an appointment with the groomer

So that's it for this week friends.  Just a photo blog to share fall in the forest.

Love and quaking Aspen leaves,
Lanae