Thanks woodsfairy and dragonfly. I hope you do save the stone walls on your property. So many of them are being lost to develpment or just torn down and used for other things. 100 years from now I would be really sad if someone tore my walls up (since I will be dead by then I would have to come back and haunt them! :0 ) I think they're an art form, really, as well as being something practical. Just an update - the pergola came in and we're staining it ebony. Needs another coat, but I've included a few shots. The last of the rock is in as well, so Jesse will be working on the wall this week now that school is out. I found an awesome book on dry-laid stone walls called , "In the Company of Stone", by Dan Snow. Very creative and beautiful stuff. I got a lot of ideas for the Ruined wall from it. DV Pics of Pergola, and the pond area is now cleared out - just need to burn the brush pile. Making progress.... Pergola & Pond

I knew what I was getting but I Love it even more then a surprise! I got Nordic walking poles, and we actually got enough snow to make it look Christmassy outside! That has only happened on about 3 Christmases I remember in the Pacific Northwest! Perfect snow as it is not cold enough to freeze on the street. But I was able to go out for a walk in the blowing snow with my nordik poles and man, are they great! They take the pressure off of knees and hips and redistribute it through the upper arms. I walked about twice as far as I usually can and enjoyed every minutes of it! We have our youngest 3 kids home for Christmas. This is the first time in a year our autistic daughter has been able to come home, but she is doing well, compared with some of the past years. I think we will even be able to make it into an overnight stay so papa does not have to spend 3 hours driving her home and coming back in the dark! Little sister is so excited...she is signing on her first condo on New Years Eve day, and sorting out the things in her bedroom so that I will get it for a sewing room/guest room. Our youngest son is enjoying having the girls around but still being able to to what he likes, sleeping at the moment I think. Papa Bear is playing on his computer that we got a month ago when he needed it so he did not have to wait for it today...it is all set up and he can play with his programs. Our oldest son is spending the day with his fiance and step daughter to be, and their friends. And we will call our daughter in Maine soon. THis is about as low stress as a holiday gets around here...I like it! Today I am still enjoying and totally enchanted with Pink Surprise. What a lovely big frilly flower and ever day it just gets better! Soon the second stalk will be opening. I also have 2 Faro's and 2 Exoticas opening. And those prescious dark red varieties are shooting buds up tall, so I may have some of them by the end of the week. Most fun gift besides my Nordic poles was from my youngest daughter, who is an interior designer, bringing her color sample box and helping me choose new colors for my study. We ended up with nice desert sandstone colors called Emberglow and Peppery. Now if she just offered to paint it for me :-/...It will look terrifics with Apricot Sensation, or Faro or.....blooming!

Hi Brycesmommy, It's such a sad date to have to even acknowledge, but I know how you feel. I was the same on my birthday, April 2, since that was the last time I saw Erica alive, and her birthday was May 14, and then her 1 year anniversary is coming up soon, close to Bryce's, June 4th. I will be thinking of you on June 10th. Erica would have been 19 this year. I'm sure she's looking over Bryce, as she always small children. Bryce will always remain alive in your hearts, and I am glad you talk to the twins about him. With twins, I wouldn't expect you to be online a whole lot, but it's good to hear from you, and that the twins are doing well. I know what you mean about forgetting little things, and that worries me. I hate it. But I'll never forget her love, as you will never forget Bryce's. Their footprints are forever on our hearts. Hugs... Emma in PA

Oh man, that is gorgeous! I have always wanted to go there, I can't believe I haven't yet. My 4th G. grandfather was Ebenezer Bryce, the founder of the canyon. He always said it was a hell of a place to lose a cow. LOL After seeing that pic.... uh, I can see why! Beautiful!