Want to get in on a new Sprucelands project?

You are my gift. You make every day of the year special.

Another celebration for me is the fact that I think I'm getting ready to market my greeting cards. I've come up with about 70 cards to start off my little business. That's really exciting. I've been working at this idea for years and finally I'm hoping it will finally come to be.

Congratulations on your success! The journey ahead looks inviting.

Of course that means I either have to find a publisher or publish and sell the cards myself. Right now I'm making them on my own. It's quite an adventure and it's satisfying to see which cards are just right.

In this post, I'm including several for you to look at. Many of the photos I have taken on little vacation trips that have been fun and special for me. More and more, I'm wanting to go places where I can capture pictures that will help another of my little phrases come to life. 

You warm my heart. Thanks for being my friend.

You will have to give me feedback on what you see. Would you purchase a card like this? Is this something that would be perfect to send a friend? I know so often I go to a card store and look and look for a card that strikes me as something special. Like in a few words the card says exactly what I want to communicate to a family member or friend. There aren't many cards like that out there.

You saved me. I am so grateful.

I am also working to make my cards frameable. In other words, if you choose to do so they can easily be matted and framed. I've done that with a few and they are really nice looking pictures to hang on the wall.

What I encourage you to do is let me know what you would like to see in a card. Maybe we can get everyone in on the act. You might be looking for a personable phrase with a warm photo that would meet your needs for a unique occasion or special friend.

I know lots of you teenagers probably don't send many cards. On the other hand, maybe you do. If your moms and dads have ideas to share, send them along. We can build this business together. It actually benefits Sprucelands. I know already I am thinking about cards we might sell in our camp store next summer. What do you think?

It has been too long. Let's get together soon and catch up.

I'm thinking I may create a page for either the blog or the website that will include what cards I've made. That way if you want to purchase one, then I'm just a click away.

The cards sell for $3.50, pretty reasonable as cards go, and they are made from eco-conscious paper that comes from sustainably managed forests. Fact is, I like how they feel in my hand. Really nice. You will too. Sometimes liking the feel of the paper inspires you to write. I know it does me. All of a sudden the words are there and they make the card all that more genuine. 

You are a gem. I love you more and more everyday.

Well, on to the day. Lots to do to get ready for Christmas. Of course, many of my family will get cards and framed photos this year. They are my best customers!

Comments from you or ideas for heartfelt phrases are very welcome. Maybe you even have a different idea for a photo that you see. Go for it! Let me know what you are thinking.

Kalayne and Toby are an item at Sprucelands.

Aw Toby. I love you too.

I have several posts I would like to make available to you. The first is one of celebration. Kalayne is celebrating that Toby is her very own horse. As a combined birthday and Christmas present, Toby officially became Kalayne's horse to love and cherish. They have been together for two weeks now.

Toby and Kalayne are a perfect match because they take care of each other. Kalayne meets Toby's every need. He gets the grooming of a lifetime every single time she grooms him. And her mom adds a little to the Toby spa time by giving him a massage. Every muscle, every wrinkle, every joint gets such kneading that Toby is relaxed and mellow at the start of each ride.

It makes me smile to see Kalayne and her mom partnering together in this Toby experience. I can tell that both are benefiting from Toby becoming part of the family. It is shared, quality time, and my guess is that Kalayne and her mom will end up with tons of stories to tell.


You make my life just short of wonderful.

I of course love snapping Kalayne's photo. She is so connected with Toby that her moments on him and with him on the ground are priceless. They talk and nuzzle and laugh. You can see from the pictures that these two have chemistry, the kind of chemistry that each one of us wish for as we look for the horse of our dreams.

Courtney and Kalayne came to ride yesterday and today. The two girls with their horses are fun to watch. They chitter-chatter together as they tack up. Their conversations are at the least entertaining. Courtney dresses Indigo in all things purple. Kalayne is leaning more toward lime green.

Both girls are becoming great friends. In the process, they are building their confidence, trying new things, and experimenting with riding skills. I know each one of us look for experiences that will strengthen and expand our self confidence. That's what Indigo and Toby are doing for these girls.


That was the best ride. I'm so lucky.

While Indigo and Toby are getting all kinds of love and care, they are gifting the girls with a relationship like none other. I remember my first horse. He was a gem. He taught me so much about riding, horse care, and what is important in life, lessons that changed my life. He is one reason I am at Sprucelands today. So these girls are immersed in a similar experience. I guarantee in one way or another, it will be life changing.

I suggested that Kalayne begin a Toby journal. Some might call it a diary. She tells me that she occasionally feels bored. Fact is, writing is a terrific way to avoid boredom. There will come a day when Kalayne will enjoy reading back over her feelings, apprehensions, successes and accomplishments.

Her journal can be a timeline about how her magical experience plays out. All the funny stories, jump lesson scares, and trail ride joys will become history. She may make herself a gift that someday will be a treasured read on her bookshelf. Who knows? Maybe her friendship with Toby will open new doors to adventures Kalayne never dreamed possible. This after all is only chapter one.

Post a comment. Make Kalayne's day with something bright and uplifting that she might enter into her journal.

New Sprucelands calendar for 2011 is ready to order!

The cover photo shares a beautiful winter scene of the camp lodge.

This morning's quick post is to let you know that we have a 2011 calendar and with a different twist. This is a desk calendar that instead of hanging up you can fold so it sets on a table, kitchen counter or desk. Just think. When you are doing your homework, faces and positive messages from camp will be there with you cheering you on.

I've included a few photos on this blog post that give you an introduction to pictures inside. A few weeks ago, one of our camp families suggested you might want access to pictures of camp in winter as well as summer. So I started the calendar with a snowy picture of the lodge from last January. 

What can I say? I am head over heels in love!

The calendar runs from January 2011 to December 2011. All you need to do is flip over the next month and - ta-dah - there you are. Filled with faces of campers and staff, this calendar took me back to moments and friends from the summer that were totally fun. It also inspires us all to look forward to summer 2011.

I hope you will want to purchase one of these calendars. Yesterday I ordered six of them so I have a few in stock. They should be here in about five days. If you are interested, let me know. The cost is $15.00. That is a much more reasonable price than last year's calendar creation. 

Wonderful faces of camp friends warm my heart.

When I received the first finished calendar in the mail yesterday, I was quite amazed. It is printed on firm paper and measures 12 inches in width. Substantial, sturdy, and complete with our camp logo, this calendar gives you another positive memory from Sprucelands. I think you will be impressed. Order soon and you might be lucky enough to have this for Christmas.

Comments make my day bright.

Christmas Reunion 2010 is like none other.

With smiles and giggles, we celebrate each other.

It's time to share my warm feelings from this year's Christmas Reunion. Where to begin? I guess I need to start by saying that I'm in a different place this year. "Why is that," you ask?

My response is to say that I survived 2010. Sprucelands survived 2010. It was rough financially in this economy. It still is, but somehow I've taken on a new attitude along the way. I've decided it doesn't make sense to worry myself sick. Things work out.

Best of all and most important, my camp family continues to grow and be supportive. Word about Sprucelands unique and caring program continues to spread. We are a camp that has enough heart to survive even the most difficult of times. So far, so good.

Where should I put this ornament, Hope?

I went into the Reunion committed to a good time. This year I made schedule changes that would enable me to be more involved. In the past, I spent much of my Saturday at the barn doing lessons. This year I vowed to spread things out so I would be a tad more rested and a lot more in the moment. Because of my decisions, I had so much more fun. What a blast!

Instead of decorating the tree on Sunday morning, for example, we did our decorating and Red Ribbon Ceremony on Saturday evening after a marvelous dinner buffet. That meant I taught only one riding lesson on Saturday, was around for soup and sandwiches, cookie decorating and sledding. I cooked more and baked more, laughed more and celebrated my relationships with this wonderful bunch of young people. The rest of the lessons happened on Sunday morning. Worked out great!

Hill Moms Lisa and AnnMarie were here to keep our spirits warm and cozy. They always bring a genuine caring with them that nurtures our souls. I love them and the optimism they generate. We laugh and tell stories, play games and recall camp fun. The three of us were quite a team this weekend. Thanks for being so you, Lisa and AnnMarie, and supporting my domestic efforts!

Yup! That's Daley, Miranda, Kate and Hannah!

I had a chance to see the kids do their sledding adventures on the hill between my house and the lodge. We didn't have three feet of snow like Buffalo got, thankfully. It was more like 4-6 inches of frozen slippery stuff that was great for sledding. You can see how the kids piled themselves high and then attempted a trip down the hill. Laugh? You bet. I especially marveled at Dylan's attempt at snowboarding on a sled. Yup! He's still okay. Didn't break anything. LOL

We ate breakfasts of country brunch and homemade sweet rolls, with juice and hot chocolate and giggles. There were toasted cheese sandwiches and homemade soup for lunch. The kids helped around the barn, led Christmas games, and as part of the lesson, went on a short trail ride in the snow, sharing our camp cheer with enthusiasm in a snowy parking lot: Sprucelands Forever! Yes! Yes! Yes!

On Saturday afternoon, we all enjoyed participating with Kalayne in a surprise. Her beloved Toby was delivered to the barn. She knew nothing about him coming. Her mom purchased Toby as a combined Christmas/birthday gift, and so now we have one very, very happy Kalayne and one very pampered Toby.

Oh Toby! I love you!

Putting up the Christmas tree was memorable. Many hands make the whole Christmas tree raising an adventure. Lisa, AnnMarie and I managed to get the tree into the stand and standing. You would be proud of us. We didn't even have to tie the tree up this time around. That's a miracle. Straight trees make such a difference, and because we get a Concolor tree, the room has a soft, delicate aroma of tangerines.

Kate and Miranda helped Hope grow dramatically taller so that she could top the tree with our angel. How appropriate that Hope place the angel in her peaceful place.

Our Red Ribbon Ceremony put the finishing touches on the Christmas tree. Everyone has access to red ribbons. With each red ribbon tied to a tree branch, we say thanks to each other and honor those who made a difference to us during 2010. There was laughter, tears, stories, and hugs as we told our meaningful tales of celebration.

Sprucelands Forever! Yes! Yes! Yes!

I can't let this post close without a few thank yous. To Tarrah I am eternally grateful for finding a way to fit the Reunion into your schedule. Joining us for the Saturday evening festivities made the whole event extra special. You gave us the gift of you, and I am grateful. Thank you, Tarrah. I love you.

To all clinic helpers: thanks a million times over for your gifts. The notebook you put together paying tribute to Sprucelands and me is totally awesome. I read and re-read your letters appreciative that you shared from your heart. I treasure your generosity and sincerity, totally grateful for the tie that binds us together. May we value our Sprucelands spirit for years and years.

This 2010 Christmas Reunion was like none other. It was a two day escape from normal routines; a connection with what is truly important: you. I am going to nurture memories from this weekend all December, and on Christmas Eve, I will light my candle and think of you lighting yours.

Comments welcome as always.