a week at the ranch

While the cookies finish baking I run back upstairs to grab some extra jackets in anticipation of some chilly September evening bike rides. Salads, biscuits and gravy

and appetizers that were made earlier in the morning fill the cooler and some warm apple bars sit on top waiting to be packed in the car. The check list is marked off and the happy sound of the buzzer means it is finally time to go.

The traffic disappears as we turn and head up the long and familiar road to the mountain. We roll down the windows to let in the fresh pine scented air and drive a bit slower to enjoy the quiet little towns, big dams and natures abundant playground while sharing and reminiscing along the way.

We arrive,

unpack, unplug and unwind.

It's a week of family time, 

walks, bike rides, swimming, games, cooking together, exploring, reading, shopping, hiking, talking, laughing, reminiscing and getting together with friends.

Each day a thin blanket of morning fog covers the top of the grassy meadow until the warm sun reaches over the trees and burns it away 

while a brief but loud evening thunder storm followed by a short little rain shower are blown away by the wind. 

Cows and horses and deer...

oh my!

A visit to our favorite river followed by a bug hunt!

You know from experience you must take hikes in the morning before it gets too hot so we head out to the wilderness early to explore a new trail. 

This is a place that can fill my list of one thousand gifts in a week. A place to go slow, be God~struck and give thanks for so many blessings. 

and I think to  myself

What A Wonderful World!

from my list of one thousand gifts

:: mom & dad's invitation :: long early morning walks :: sister talks :: family talks :: hiking :: laughing :: story telling :: reminiscing :: wild flowers :: bike rides :: getting together with friends ::  mother/daughter time :: QT with mr. wonderful :: majestic mountains :: beautiful flowers :: fish :: deer :: cows :: horses :: bugs :: squirrels :: frogs :: pine cones :: safe travel :: warm weather :: time to read :: blue skies :: fog ::

:: 32 years + one day of marriage to my best friend! ::