One of the most amazing places I have been!

This is the 14th year our church has come to Esperanza on the West Coast of Vancouver island for a missions work week.  We build, paint, cook, clean, and repair...on the outside.  Last night we learned that the history of this place goes on beyond Esperanza and was referred to in the native languages by a word that meant "liver".  The cleansing of the body occurs in the liver and this is truly a cleansing place, for those who come just to work for a week and those who come to find respite and healing from family tragedies during the counseling weeks.  How can you not find cleansing when you look out and see this as far as you can see? 

Where is Michele now?

Well, I am still on the East Coast and attending the CTMH convention which was the catalyst for this entire trip.  The family trip has been great but the energy from convention is amazing.  I will have so many new and exciting things to share, I will be bursting...as will this blog.

But, since tomorrow is the create and take time, you will have to wait, as patientily as, possible for artwork.  So take some time to do a blog hop starting here and enjoy the July SOTM creations made by many of the consultants who are here with me!  If you want to play with this cute hedgehog guy, then you will want to attend my workshops July 30th and 31st. 

Good bye New York City

Alli keeps reminding me that this place is known as the city that never sleeps and that is why there is a Starbucks on every corner.  Well, we did as much as we could do for three full days and nights in NYC.  Yesterday was our "shopping" day.  Bloomingdales, FAO Schwartz, Dylan's Candy Bar, and then a run through the water play area in Central Park. 

As I have heard from my facebook friends, it has continued to be cool in Seattle but we have experienced temperatures in the 90's here.  I am not complaining.  It helps that there are ice cream trucks on every corner.

Last night we did once in a lifetime (for me anyway) NYC fireworks.  We began our journey walking toward the Hudson River and then got a bicycle "cab" which took us to 34th St.  We then walked with the crowd toward the waterfront.  We never saw water.  Probably about 7 blocks away, shoulder to shoulder with people, in the middle of a heat emanating street from the day's heat, we stopped.  We could have moved forward a few more inches but there was a family who had planted their four children with chairs and because it took up a little more space, I felt a little less claustrophobic so I insisted we stop there.  As we stood for 30 minutes, waiting for the fireworks to start, listening to the New York accents, feeling the heat from the pavement through our shoes, I reminded myself, this was on my "bucket list" of things to do. 

In the end, the fireworks were spectacular.  Five barges (we couldn't see them) shooting fireworks in the sky in different shapes (including a smiley face) and colors for over 30 minutes.  When it was over, the masses turned and moved in the opposite direction, to disperse to their respective homes, hotels, and other habitats.  It was truly amazing...the fireworks and the crowd.

Happy 4th of July!

It is hard to believe how the month of June flew by.  July brings my family and I to New York City, Philadelphia and then Washington DC.  Some highlights include the Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero, Times Square and Central Park.  Luckily the convenience of the subway has allowed us to follow the whims of the girls. Hope you and your families have a great celebration. 

Merry Christmas to all!

I wish you all a blessed Christmas with your family and friends. 

August Recap

I intended to blog through out the month of August but here we are, September 1st and I am returning after 3 weeks! Well, those three weeks were filled with lots of fun: new stamp sets, Close to My Heart open house, two vacations, meetings with downline, a vendor fair, and painting my daughter's room. Phew!


These are the two places we visited this month. Absolutely beautiful!

Fish Lake, near Lake Wenatchee.

Nootka Inlet, Vancouver Island, British Columbia

We are home now, getting ready for school to start, attending to the home fires, and enjoying some great memories made this summer.