Post Valentine Briefing

Hubby sent me these beautiful roses. Speaking of flowers, I have noticed a disturbing trend--an idea that sending flowers is old fashioned or un-fashionable--that being romantic is out of date. I disagree. No, I don't get flowers every year, and I don't have to, to know that he loves me. At the same time, I think a true gentleman will (at least occasionally) go out of his way to express to his lady her value to him.
We humans are so strange. Too often we wait until it's "too late". Personally, I don't see the point of flowers covering my casket, if they were trivial or too expensive while I was alive.
I LOVE the vase he chose. Believe me, it will come out of storage every year to join my valentine decor.

Having girls is so much fun! Here we were having a bit of fun with our hair.
We really came up with some doozey's! :)

These little sweeties rank right up there with the best of my valentines ever! I made Kammy's little valentine t-shirt dress. You know it had to be horses!

I saw this quote the other day and loved it, so I added it to a picture including my valentine vase.

16 years ago, I got roses from the same man. He was a lot younger then, but I guess I was too. Actually, I don't really find it fair. Men seem to age so gracefully. The gray streaks in their hair looks distinguised and the wrinkles speak of maturity and wisdom. :)

Maybe you remember my thrift store treasure frame? I'm waiting until after our trip to Europe for something permanant, but I did add a few lovey-dovies for the time being.

I thought this 'pencil sketch' of my babycakes was pretty cute.

"Oh love of God! How rich and pure! How measureless, and strong! It shall forever more endure, the saints and angel's song!"

We had a special valentine banquet at home last night, with the kids! I made beef roast with mashed potatoes and gravy. We also had steamed veggies and fresh hot rolls. For dessert, I made the hubbies fav. Coffee & cream brownies!

Silver City, Idaho

Silver City is a ghost town in Owyhee county Idaho. At the height in the 1800's it was a gold and silver mining town with a population of around 2500. It was here that the first daily newspaper in Idaho territory was printed. The mines began to play out around the time Idaho became a state in 1890. Most veins are believed to have 'played out' but some mining has continued over the years and recently even more is being done in the area. Silver City is quite remote. It is 25 miles southwest of Murphy (a small lonely town itself) on a steep, winding, dirt road. I LOVE the church, and was so thrilled with the picture I got of it!
The cemetary is chocked full of history. It is so sweet/sad to imagine the lives of these pioneers. My heart breaks for them reading the many tombstones of mothers and young children.
From above the city looking down. There are probably 75 buildings including both houses and businesses. The old hotel is still operating and some of the houses serve as 'summer homes.'

Rick and I drove up on Labor Day and explored the town and surrounding area on his 'new' 4-wheeler. We also enjoyed a picnic lunch on the banks of Jordan Creek.

I love this sweet little home!

An old mine shaft.

You can't see it in this picture, but the sign at the top of the outhouse says, "Shown by appointment only!"

The area is high desert. 6,200ft. elevation in the city and the surrounding mountains up to 8,000ft.

If you listen close, you can almost hear the land and houses speak the history they hold.

And finally...here is the long-awaited photo of the 4-wheeler. This is the one that I painted all the metal parts on. Rick replaced many of the plastic parts and I made a new seat for it! It's a little dirty here, since we had been riding all day. Rick got a great deal on it, and even with all the work we put in to it, we are far ahead of brand new price!

Going Downtown

Ever notice that when you live somewhere, you go somewhere else for fun? For vacation? For date night? Even for dining out? I guess it's the old, "grass is always greener on the other side" adage. Last night, we needed to do some 'secret mission' errands without the kids and who's going to pass up the opportunity to make it a date?

Not me.

I love downtown Nampa. The place is just loaded with history and old romantic charm. I love old train depots, and this one has even more character than most. They say that back in the day, men used to arrive in Nampa, deboard the train here and literally fall under conviction. This was due to the strong influence of the early Nazarene church in this area. The architecture is amazing!
Check out the columns and carvings on 'my' post office...

...and here we are in front of the depot. The poor lady driving by didn't notice the little camera on the wall and I think she thought we were a little nutty for posing in front of the building with no one else around. Hubby especially likes the luggage doors...they are the big green ones behind that little old lady on the bench there.

Can't you just see the old Wells Fargo stage arriving here with the lastest silver shipment from Silver City, Idaho? Or maybe a hold-up? (Hope they caught the bad guys!)

There are antique shops galore (with prices you WON'T adore) and the most awesome little coffee shop, which isn't little at all. Flying M Coffee Garage is an old firestone tire shop which I'm pretty sure my Grammies frequented years ago. The decor is beyond Shabby Chic...it's Shabby Hick. But they have the bestest coffee!

See the old FIRESTONE sign? This couple was so cute, that I asked if I could take their picture for my blog.

(Just kidding people!)Watch roasting in action here Monday, Wednesday & Friday.

This is where I recommend you end your downtown Nampa tour.

Their motto: Roast like a butterfly; sting like caffeine.