Hannah's gone to camp

Yesterday we dropped Hannah off at Camp Harrison for a week of fun and new friends.  At least I hope so.

It's a camp run by the YMCA and it is beautiful!  Here's a few pics I took when we drove around and took a tour.  We only took a few pictures, the camp was so large.  I wanted to get photos of the teepees, but we could not get to it in our car, and Chuck's leg was bothering him so we didn't want to walk.

This is part of the lake...it was hugh!  Hannah loves to swim and when she saw that slide, she got a big smile on her face.  

This is the chapel.  It sits at the top of a hill overlooking the lake, very beautiful and very serene.  It's open inside, and looks like a wonderful place to commune with God.

This is the challenge course that Hannah signed up for....it looks like something out of a military boot camp. LOL.  Hannah got excited when she first saw it, then she got a little scared when she saw just how big and high it is.  And her Dad took one look and was ready to lock her back into the car and take her home to protect her. hahaha.

Look at those dark clouds that started to move in....it's suppose to rain most of the week, so she will quickly learn what a wet horse smells like.  I'm praying for more sunny days.  There is just so much there for them to do, I don't want her to miss a thing.

When it was time to leave we drove her back to her cabin.  She started to cry and held onto me so tightly...and it felt good.  If you have ever had to live with a child that was neglected as a baby, and thereby developed attachment issues, you would know what a big deal that hug was to me. :-)

Here's the official camp video...yeah, she's not that excited about mucking stalls, but she loved shopping for new boots and a cool cowgirl hat.

I've discovered on the camp website, where I can get pictures everyday...

so I'll keep you updated on the fun.

Have you ever gone to camp?  Or sent your kids to camp?  Share a story in the comments and we'll pretend we're all sitting around the campfire together. :-)

Be blessed,

Debbi

my dream vacations...

In the Handmade Artists blog ring, we have been sharing items with the theme vacation.  So I thought I would share what my personal dream vacation ideas have been...

a dude ranch!  While we have had horses, and I've loved horses since I was a kid, the idea of a midwest dude ranch has always piqued my interest.  The whole idea of following a mountain trail on the back of a horse, camping under the stars, and eating beans from a can...don't laugh, that IS my idea of fun.  And that's why I wanted to show you this amazing painting on slate of horses and mountains from bjsgourdartetc.

You all may also remember that I have a fondness for the beach...most any beach as long as it's not too crowded.  I think that's why we keep going back to the Outer Banks here in NC.  And with any vacation, one of the nice parts is NO COOKING.  No, I do not look for hotels with kitchens, hahaha.  So this sweet beachcomber soft wallet would work great when we're walking the boardwalk looking for souvenirs or dinner.  I found this in the shop of Excess Bags N More.

And of course, the place we vacation the most is back home in New York...mostly for family weddings.  For my last 2 nieces weddings, I painted for them wedding banners for their cars and/or head tables.  The one on the left was for Jennifer and John and was based on their own invitation, and the one on the right was for Janine and Matt and incorporated the art work of my late mother.  They were both big hits.

This last one is an original design I did for our niece on my husbands side...these banners are painted on vinyl and sealed against the weather (just don't leave them out in a down pour), and they will become a great keepsake of the special day.  You can order a banner for your special day, or special couple, by just visiting my shop at Handmade Artists.  

Enjoy your summer, and your own special family vacations.

Be blessed,

Debbi