road trip!

Last week we decided to go on one more mini-vacation before the end of the summer season. Dennis's cousin Janet had mentioned they were going up to Banff, Canada and suggested we meet up with them - we also had been talking about camping in Clark Fork, Idaho (near Sandpoint). We have a good friend who was recently asked to pastor a tiny church up there and wouldn't it be fun to surprise him on a Sunday morning?! So we loaded up the trailer with provisions for the week and headed north...

First stop Clark Fork, Idaho....

a room with a view....

we rode bikes through farm land...
Clark Fork Lutheran Church where we surprised our friend - there was a slight bump in the attendance that Sunday!
our friends Pastor Dick and his beautiful wife Pat - with adorable grandsons Callen and Francis(who were staying with them for the week)
I have to say, Pastor Dick Matson rocked the house - it was just what we needed before heading north for the rest of the week...

Next stop....
Lake Louise, AB, Canada in Banff National Park



Here we are at the USA/Canadian border where there is a definite "line" cut through the trees....

on to Lake Louise...

the color of the lake is unreal - the most beautiful turquoise (apparently from the glacial silt.)

Fairmont Chateau on Lake Louise

Inside the Fairmont - beautiful chandeliers with ceilings painted to match the color of the lake...

above every window were lovely trompe l'oeil...

a killer view of the lake from the Chateau restaurant...

Hiking through the park...

We were told to watch out for grizzlies.

They weren't kidding - the tent campground had an electric fence surrounding it!




beautiful wildlife...

We took a hike along the lake...

Then we took a drive to see some other natural wonders nearby...
a natural bridge formed by the limestone in the moving water - this used to be a waterfall and one day in the future it will be a gorge....

Takakkaw Falls...takakkaw is a Cree word meaning "magnificent" - and it was!

Pictures do not do this place justice -this is actually a postcard of the Fairmont Chateau and Lake Louise and it comes close to capturing the unusual colors we were surrounded by.

It is amazing to think that this incredible place is a mere 6+ hours from our front door - it had a very European feel - so many different languages surrounding us everywhere we went. It is definitely a place we will go back and visit and I encourage all of you to go....

Now back to work...Vintage Barn Show is right around the corner!

Au revoir!

Pammy

cones, crowns & candles!

Here is a sneak peek into my world these days - I have been having Too Much Fun folding and cutting and gluing - I feel as if I am in kindergarten again! In between jewelry orders I am always trying to come up with something you Just-Can't-Live-Without. They usually serve little purpose, but when has that ever stopped me/you from buying something cute?

Remember that old cone I told you about? Well I've tweaked it and embellished it. I also created 2 different sizes for you. Oh yeah, and remember my paper dolls? I now have 20+ dog breeds plus a few cats!

How about my crown...remember those???
I had a die made to make cutting easier, and started making them out of antique sheet music (and some other fun papers) and German glass glitter - and decided to stick them on top of a cake! With 2 styles to choose from - what a great way to celebrate a birthday, anniversary,

wedding or baby shower...

sweet girl-y papers to celebrate the new arrival...

...then my neighbor's daughter Heather saw one of them, and said, "could they fit around one of those big pillar candles? Could they...? Way to go Heather! Now the bride-to-be (or whoever is the guest of honor) can take that cute cake topper home and stick a candle in the center to put on her dressing table - what a fabulous way to remember her special day.

Just a peek is all you get...next stop:
Vintage Barn Show
Rathdrum, Idaho
Saturday
September 12, 2009

Keep checking in...I'm always up in the attic cookin' up something new...

Cheers!

Pammy

fun with chicken...

Have you ever heard of Beer-in-the-Rear Chicken??? It's easy, delicious, cheap, and a really fun recipe to do! Here's what you do....

one whole chicken (with the "stuff" taken out) clean and pat dry

one can of beer (in a can...your favorite brew) 1/2 poured out (to be enjoyed later, of course!)

3 cloves garlic and 1/2 onion-chopped and put into remaining beer in can

salt and pepper

before...

Open can of beer, pour out half, and add the chopped garlic and onions into the remaining can of beer. Insert can into rear of the bird (don't push to hard-you could collapse the can!)and stand it up in some kind of a caserole dish (to catch drippings). Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake @ 450 for 10 minutes, then turn down to 350 and bake for an hour more. Take out, let rest for 10 minutes, remove can of beer, and enjoy!

ta-da....!

The first time we had this was at the Hartman's next door and they cooked these gals in their gas grill outside - delicious!

Now I am off to enjoy this fine summer day...

Pammy

befores & afters....

As promised, here is a link to the Brannum project:

http://gallery.me.com/downstairsdesign/100136

As you look at these images, be reminded of the difference we can all make in someone's life - even if it isn't on this grand scale. A kind word...a smile...a prayer.

Blessings from the attic,

Pammy

Kailanii II

Well, the Brighten a Corner event was a smashing success! Robin and her crew of thousands (volunteers, every one of them) spent the week turning Deb's house into a retreat. There was a plan at one point to do a "move that bus!" reveal, but it ended up being a more private experience, which was probably better for everyone....Deb and her daughter Tash - overwhelmed.

Robin (the wonder girl) and Deb - exhausted.

I will post all the *Befores* and *Afters* soon - until then, as promised, my wee contribution sent from Idaho with loads of love....

a necklace for Deb...Kailanii's adorable face on the front - "until we meet again"...

...and on the back (sorry about the lousy photo) - Jeremiah 29: 11-13 - this was a key scripture at Kailanii's service.

and an ornament for each of Kailanii's brothers and sisters....

It was frustrating watching this project unfold from so far away, but a privilege to hear about so many of you who poured your blood, sweat, tears, time and money into another person's life.
I am proud to know you.
With love from the attic....
Pammy

they grow up so fast....

Remember this???? I took this on July 19 and promised that I would give you an update. Well....

July 23: we handed out cigars...

July28: they looked like a little pot of tulips!

August 5: Luciano, Placido and Jose - The Three Tenors (sadly, we lost one)

August 6: how come it is that whenever children leave the nest you are the one left to clean up their room...?

they grow up so fast, don't they...?

better go clean up their mess...*sigh*....

Pammy

mi familia on 8mm....

My friend Arlene over at HeartRocksHome shared her photo album on 8mm. I thought it was so cool, and decided to try it too. It was so easy and best of all...it's free! Check it out:

Isn't this fun?! Thanks for visitng....
Pammy

Brighten a Corner

Several years ago my friend Robin Lee started an organization that was designed to help people who are facing extraordinary or overwhelming circumstances in practical and tangible ways. She named it Brighten a Corner It has completed many projects, serving dozens of people with hundreds of volunteers and a total value of service estimated at over $100,000. They have thrown birthday parties for children whose mother was battling terminal cancer, redecorated bedrooms for children who were victims of sexual abuse, helped crisis pregnancy centers create a warmer environment for their clients, helped create a manageable environment for a busy family with a blind son, and many other hands-on projects designed to meet the needs of those who might not get help somewhere else.

They are now getting ready for the largest project they have ever taken on. It is for the Brannum family in Arroyo Grande, California. Nine year old, Kailanii Brannum disappeared while camping with his best friend's family last April - he was swept out to sea while exploring tide pools near Point Sal, Ca. Moved to action by the grace and compassion of a family in grief,

Brighten a Corner will be fixing a long list of undone projects and beautifying their home from top to bottom, inside and out. I have seen this group in action and they are an impressive bunch. I worked on a Brighten a Corner project or two a few years ago when I lived in California and believe me, Robin is an organized and energetic woman who knows how to delegate and surround herself with dedicated people.

Kailanii Brannum

All of this begins next week, so I wanted to share this amazing endeavor with all of you. I hope this group inspires you to action - whether it is on this project or for someone in your own corner. In a later post I will share what I created for my friend Debbie Jicay Brannum and her family as my small contribution - but for now I will leave you with a line from the poem by Helen Steiner Rice that inspired Robin, so many years and projects ago....

"This dark old world would very soon

eclipse the morning star.

If everybody brightened up

the corner where they are!"

Thanks for brightening my little corner of the world...

Pammy