A Night In With Good Friends....

Flashback to January 17, 2015

Sometimes the friends you work with are the friends that understand you the most.  My two friends, Jodi and Christina are also my co-workers and I have discovered that we have a blast together!  On this day, we went for some delicious Mexican food and then back to Jodi's house for a night of chit chat and painting mugs!!  It's nights like these that I love and that are absolutely necessary!!

Jodi is the friend that wears her heart on her sleeve.  She is who she is and I LOVE THAT!  There's no hidden agenda with Jodi and she's one of the most kind-hearted, honest, loving people I have come across in my life.  She is always laughing and has the best sense of humor.  She's sensitive, emotional, artistic and passionate.  We share so many guilty pleasure interests and she's always someone I can talk to.  Her personality is unique and quirky and I absolutely adore her.  

Christina's personality is so different than Jodi....but at the same time, she shares so many of the same ethics and morals.  She is super laid back, relaxed and calm all the time.  It's very refreshing.  She's a loyal friend and has such a generous heart.  I love that she's a wise-ass and has an amazing sense of humor.  It's so fun!  Her and I have a lot in common, as I believe in some ways, we are both old souls.  I've gotten to know her so much more this year and I have to say that I'm very thankful to have her as a friend.  

Both of these women are stronger than they give themselves credit for.  They have both been through a lot and both remain humble and grounded.  I'm blessed to call them friends. 

The three of us have such fun together.  We understand each other and laugh ALL THE TIME!  I want more nights like this!

Here are the artsy mugs we made using oil based sharpies and plain white mugs!  So fun!!

Mine...

Jodi's....

Christina's....

Christina made two.. :)

Birthday Lunch for a Special Lady...

Flashback to January 10, 2015

Sally is our wonderful "step" Grandma.  She has been with my Grandpa for several years and we absolutely adore her.  She is always so humble and kind and never wants any attention for herself.  We love to make her feel special and like part of the family, because she absolutely is!  

We decided to take her out for a "girls only" lunch for her birthday!  We went to the Country House and had a wonderful time.  She blushed and enjoyed every minute of it.  We love Sally and are so glad she is in our lives!

  

Before Your Time....

Life isn't perfect and it isn't always fair.  Although there are so many blessings around all of us everyday, I do often wonder why some things happen.  I wouldn't want to miss an ounce of this life and what a shame it would be to grow old before your time.  Sometimes I feel like it's happening to my husband...and I wish it wouldn't.   I believe that a lot of it is out of his control, but even after all that's happened and that continues to go on....I want him to believe that he deserves to be happy and healthy...and live every moment as they happen and not as if it's a moment closer to the end. 

___________________________________________________________________

When I was a younger man looking for my pot of gold...
Everywhere I turned the doors were closing.
It took every ounce of faith I had to keep on keeping on...
And still I felt like I was only losing.

I refused then like I do now, to let anybody tie me down...
And I lost a few good friends along the way.
Looking back, I see a kid who was just afraid.
Hungry....and old before his time.

Through the years I've known my share of broken hearted fools...
And those who couldn't choose a path worth taking.
There's nothing in the world so sad as talking to a man...
Who never knew his life was his for making.

Ain't it about time you realize... it's not worth keeping score?
You win some, you lose some and you let it go.
What's the use of stacking on every failure...another stone?
Until you find you've spent your whole damn life building walls.
Lonely.....and old before your time.

It took so long to see that truth was all around me.
Now the wren has gone to roost and the sky is turning gold...
And like the sky my soul is also turning.
Turning from the past, at last and all I've left behind.
Could it be that I am finally learning?
Learning I'm deserving of love and the peaceful heart.
I won't tear myself apart no more for trying.
I'm tired of lying to myself, trying to buy what can't be bought.
It's not living that you're doing if it feels like dying.
Crying.... growing old before your time.

Dreams and Inspiration.....

Aren't my sisters the cutest??!!

My little sisters are too cute.  :)

Brianna and Ginger

2015 has arrived...

Flash back to New Years Day 2015

Just a few miles south and up a winding road is a place I fall in love with every New Years day.  It's the Arizona Folklore Preserve off of Ramsey Canyon in Hereford, Arizona.  We drive out there every New Years day and hope to see a little snow on the ground, while we breathe in the fresh mountain air.  This year, I captured some beautiful pictures of the lovely preserve and we even explored further up the canyon to discover some snowy trails and a charming little bed and breakfast that I would love to stay at someday.  The air was so crisp, the stream was trickling along and the sounds were so peaceful.   

Afterwards, we went to breakfast at a neighborhood cafe, The Country House.  We had coffee, orange juice and fresh biscuits with gravy.  It was a wonderful day and a beautiful start to 2015.

A Family Tradition at the Beaman's....

Flashback to New Year's Eve 2014

I love my sister and brother-in-law....yeah, yeah, for the obvious reasons, but on New Year's Eve my love overflows for them!  It's the BEST-EVER food day of the year!!!  My brother-in-law Kevin is the mastermind, well actually the masterCHEF, behind the delicious end to my year.   He prepares a full-blown Thanksgiving dinner for all of us every year as our family New Year's tradition!  Ginger and Kevin not only host this fantastic party..but they take that "the holidays are over blues" out of the equation by allowing us to look forward to this fun night every year.  

The boys are always so excited for this party, too, because it's a their house and they are like mini-hosts.  We play games, eat delicious food and toast at midnight!  And our favorite part of the evening (besides the food of course) is our White Elephant gift swap...it's seriously so fun! 

It's one of my favorite days of the year.  I'm going to share our menu with you...just to make you jealous...and hungry! :)

Baked ham (moist and delish!)

Mashed potatoes and gravy (soooo creamy!)

Mashed butternut squash (best thing ever!)

Corn casserole (you NEED to try this!)

Green bean casserole (yumm)

Fresh rolls (hot bunnns!)

Stuffing (duh...of course!)

For dessert:

Pumpkin bars (from scratch!!!)  

I can't wait for our next December 31st......