Take A Walk With Me...

The weather (until today) has just been beautiful in Iowa and I have been getting in a Komen 3-Day training walk with Miss Schatzi every single morning. Schatzi, our all-black German Shepherd, is already doing 6+ miles with me every day. We are blessed to be very close to some fabulous Central Iowa Trails...we are exactly one mile from a Jordan Creek Trail entrance, and from there, an abundance of walking choices await us each daybreak. Today, I thought I would take you along on a 6.3 mile journey with us and show you the scenery on one of our favorite walks...

At the entrance to the Jordan Creek Trail...

Along the trail, we come to my very favorite tree...full of life and character...

Then, off to the left, we often see deer in the tall grass...

The trail then leads out to the sidewalk on Mills Civic Parkway, where
we pass Valley Stadium (this is a great incline for training)...then we turn
on Fuller Road and pass the Bennett School. Built in
1926/1927, the Bennett School was one of the last one room schools
 to be built in West Des Moines and was in use until at least 1941.

From there, we come back down the hill and take the path around
the West Des Moines City/School Campus pond and fountain...the
building in the background next to the weeping willow tree is the
West Des Moines Public Library...

Cattails on the edge of the campus pond...

Next, we continue on the path across the street to Southwoods Park,
and you will be amazed at what is coming up on the path...

...a HUGE field of incredible native wild flowers...it is breathtaking...and so
very peaceful...it is one of my favorite places on earth...

...more native wild flowers...

...wild flowers as far as the eye can see...

Here is Schatzi, VERY intrigued by a dragonfly in the flowers...

After viewing all the gorgeous scenery, I am completely inspired and ready to start my day. We continue back on the trail, past the field where we saw the deer and my favorite tree...back to the trail entrance...and then make the mile walk back to our house...it truly is the perfect way to begin any day!

So I am feeling good - training is going great - and I am feeling prepared for Dallas in November...yes, I am ready for my Komen 3-Day 60-mile journey...and I can't wait to see my AMAZING Twinkle Toes teammates!

If you would like to see my daily 3-Day training photos, simply follow me on Instagram...or check out my Instagram profile page...I have been posting the beautiful images I see on my walks. And, if you have a fitbit, please send me a friend request (e-mail is in my profile)...an angel surprised me with one about a week ago and I have been having fun keeping track of my daily steps...and being cheered on and taunted by my fitbit friends!

Finally, I am so close to posting my special Komen 3-Day needlework design...it is in the final finishing stages and I will be sharing it within the next few days...I can't wait...look for details very soon!!

Yosemite National Park

Here it is Wednesday afternoon, and I am still suffering from the "California plague" (yes, my diagnosis has been changed from "California flu" to "California plague", which is much more accurate). I have started to feel a wee bit better and I am finally somewhat functional...my temperature has lowered and I almost able to breathe through my nose again, both of which are good signs...I am hoping to be back to normal in the next day or two...fingers crossed.

Today, I will once again let my photos do most of the talking...these gorgeous pictures are from Yosemite National Park. Last week during my trip to California, I was beyond blessed to stay with Lois and Mr. Bear for a few extra days to do some sightseeing...and Mr. Bear was kind enough to drive us to Yosemite for a day. He really had no idea what he was getting himself into, as this Iowa girl likes to stop at every single landmark for photos...he started out by giving me a time limit for each stop and by the end of the day, I was made aware I had reached my quota - no more stops...luckily by then I had a gazillion photos (and really, how many photos can you take of mountains, trees, and water??...it is really something you just have to experience in person). It was another breathtaking day filled with marvelous views and memories...and big, BIG trees (I am in a couple of the photos to show you just how BIG)...

Bridalveil Creek

Bridalveil Fall

Ribbon Fall

The Ahwahnee Hotel

Inside the Ahwahnee Hotel

Tunnel View

Horse Tail Fall

Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
Bachelor and Three Graces

Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
Fallen Tree

Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
Grizzly Giant

Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
California Tunnel Tree
(cut in 1895 to allow horse-drawn stages to pass through)

And for my faithful readers...yes, it is still all "about the squirrel"...and the bird...and the lizard...

 I hope you enjoyed seeing Yosemite National Park through my camera lens....it was truly incredible...

It was an AMAZING trip to California - I can hardly wait to go back in November! A huge thank you to all the attendees at the Elegant Stitch Workshop - I am so glad you requested to have me return - I enjoyed my time with each and everyone of you!! ...and to Lois and Mr. Bear - you know how dear you are to me - thank you for your hospitality, your love, and your friendship - you hold a very special place in my heart...

Winter Inspiration

I have been on work overload the last week...playing catch-up after being gone most of the month of October for teaching events. Yesterday, I finally got my desk under control and the to-do list is almost manageable. Late last night, I was able to sit down and work on some long overdue model stitching...I actually got quite a bit accomplished (which was encouraging). Before heading to bed, I decided to sneak a peek outside to see if the snow had started yet...and sure enough, the ground was covered with big white flakes...with it being late at night (well, actually early morning at 1:48 AM) and our first snow of the season, I quickly grabbed my camera and got several beautiful shots from our front steps. The snow was so peaceful with the night sky...and the big fluffy flakes seamed to float through the air...I just had to share these whimsical photographs with you...

Later today, I am expecting a package from California...you know, the one with all my stash purchases and goodies (all the great stuff that I couldn't fit in my suitcase)...so, hopefully I will be back soon with some fun, creative things to share with you! ...and if I am really lucky, I will find some time in my hectic schedule to do a little sewing and/or machine embroidery today - the holidays are approaching quickly and I have so many gifts to prepare....