International Picture of the Year

International Picture of the Year.

Here are two very touching photos honored.

First Place :

First Place
Todd Heisler The Rocky Mountain News
When 2nd Lt. James Cathey's body arrived at the Reno Airport, Marines climbed into the cargo hold of the plane and draped the flag over his casket as passengers watched the family gather on the tarmac.
During the arrival of another Marine's casket last year at Denver International Airport, Major Steve Beck described the scene as so powerful: 'See the people in the windows? They sat right there in the plane, watching those Marines. You gotta wonder what's going through their minds, knowing that they're on the plane that brought him home,' he said 'They will remember being on that plane for the rest of their lives. They're going to remember bringing that Marine home. And they should.'

Second Place


Second Place
Todd Heisler The Rocky Mountain News
The night before the burial of her husband's body, Katherine Cathey refused to leave the casket, asking to sleep next to his body for the last time. The Marines made a bed for her, tucking in the sheets below the flag. Before she fell asleep, she opened her laptop computer and played songs that reminded her of 'Cat,' and one of the Marines asked if she wanted them to continue standing watch as she slept. 'I think it would be kind of nice if you kept doing it,' she said. 'I think that's what he would have wanted'

No Plant is Safe

A squirrel has made it's winter den in my garden barrel! After returning from a weekend of great photography at the Pendelton Roundup's 100th Anniversary... I have come home to find my roses and hydrangea bushes nibbled to bits by deer, and the squirrel that had been hanging out on our new patio furniture has now dug it's way into a lettuce planter barrel. I saw his hole the other day and the fresh dirt flung on our patio cement... looking closer the packed dirt was heaving slightly up and down... he must be sleeping under there! Is it hibernation time already? Has it ever been hibernation time on my front door? I guess it is now.

The Bear is Back!

This past month we've had a visiting black bear in our yard. The first time he ransacked my beautiful birdfeeders, even tearing apart a dragonfly solarlight that held up my roses, as well as the blooms! Obviously he is missing his usual huckleberry delights that normally grace the edge of our yard. Not this year though! Sadly I've only found them at the top of Sundance Mountain on Labor Day: the low, bright red bush of sweet, dark redish-purplish huckleberry. (Note: I also was able to capture amazing light on three dumbfounded grouse at the peak of the mountain.) Anyway... the bear is back as of two nights ago. This time all four of the birdfeeders that I had repaired are now trashed. Even the ones we received as wedding gifts this last May. Not only that, but it's funny that I haven't even seen him yet or been able to photograph him. He stealthily shows up in the night, leaving a huge pile of you-know-what on the grass just outside our door! Abby, our little blue heeler sleeps through it all! Or pretends anyway. Late last night on my way back home from Coolin, I thought I might suprise him. Instead, I almost ran over a small coyote at the 23 mile marker... eyes shining at me, so glad he missed my tire, I mean I'm glad I missed his tail.

"Laboring Artists" SALE

Labor Day weekend we will be having our "Laboring Artists" sale Saturday, Sunday & Montday, September 4th-6th, 10am-6pm. Huckleberry Soaps %10 OFF. All matted photographic prints on sale. Canvas Gallery Wraps over 50% OFF. ORDER YOUR CUSTOM PHOTO OR FAVORITE LAKE SCENE NOW!

Fall is on its way!

Definitely smells like fall this afternoon... crisp air, still sunny, but a difference in the temperature. It was 61 on my way to work yesterday! This morning a fast moving squirrel was collecting pinecones from a tree off our deck. Very interesting to watch. He must feel the urge to scavange and store up for winter. Also this morning found large bear droppings IN OUR GRASS! First time that has happened...very scary. He's been off and on the last two weeks. I still haven't seen him. The neighbor boys say it is a black bear. He trashed all my birdfeeders that we received for our wedding... and did it while we were away camping on Kalispell Island. Of course the wildlife know just when to show up! Yesterday at 4pm saw one large 3 point buck, very nice and healthy looking crossing right in front of me on Hwy 57 by the Tamarak. He gently took his time, not caring that I had to stop my vehicle in the road! Wish I would've had my camera! I usually do, but of course I see all the worthy subjects when I'm not prepared!

Congratulations Debbie Kerr!

Congratulations to Debbie Kerr!!! Winner of our matted 8x10 photo print drawing from the Artist's In Motion Weekend.

Come Support Local Artist Debbie Weishaar

Debbie hand spins her Icelandic Sheep and llama wool into beautiful hats and purses. Come Christmas shop early this year with 15% OFF ALL of her creations. ALL profits will go directly to her.
Debbie planned to be spinning wool at Autumn's Loft this August 13-15th weekend during our Featured Artist's days. On July 16, 2010 her and husband Tom were in an auto accident at Priest Lake. She is still recovering at St. Luke's Rehabilitation Center. Stop by and sign her get-well card and let her know what you think of her designs! P.S. She also weaves tiny beaded amulet purses... a must see!

Artist's In Motion August 13-15 Weekend

Join our mailing list and get entered to win an 8x10 matted photography print (of your choice). Plus... Pick out your FREE Priest Lake postcard FREE with any purchase!

Nancy Owens Barnes book signing Friday... Check out her Moose for Breakfast and true compelling story, South To Alaska.

Oscar's Tree Farm will be demonstrating hand hewn coat trees on saturday.

Sunday, I will be signing my handmade Priest Lake photography cards.

Huckleberry Give-Away Winner

Congratulations to Teli Hanson from Spokane, Washington... on winning our July Huckleberry Basket of goodies! You can enter to win our next contest by visiting Autumn's Loft 10-6pm August 13th & 14th during our Guest Artists in Motion weekend. Stop by to see our new creations! Open daily!

Rest In Peace Shoe Tree

Last night the Shoe Tree at the Stagger Inn, Granite Pass, of Priest Lake burned down. I literally cried. I guess for the nostalgia of it all. Vicki.... I'm sorry to lose this piece of history that represented our logging ancestry (and childhood). Come home and we'll start a new one!

Baby Robin

A little bright red Robin fell from it's nest yesterday while learning to fly. My daughters followed it around as it searched for food. I captured some awesome upclose picts of it. It must have flew into the window earlier in the day... because the lower beak was very crooked. Thinking that we may have to care for it until the robin could manage on it's own, I started to wonder what my mom would do. She tracks birds, knows their calls, and documents new bird species in the area. Certainly she would say to let it rest for now. Thank God we did. A few hours later, after it awoke from a nap on our lawn, it began to flutter around and lift it's wings off the grown in short spurts. Yayyyy! Side note: something very interesting... a little brown chickadee kept following the baby robin when we first found it. It appeared that the chickadee was trying to show the baby how to flap it's wings. I have never witnessed such a thing! As we were following the baby around, a few of the other little chickadees were sounding off the alarm. It was like they were all watching out for each other... and deeply concerned about this baby. I wish the dvd recorder could've captured this behavior. I'll post picts of the robin later.

Happy Fourth of July Weekend!

Want to wish everyone a happy, healthy, and safe Independence Day Celebration. I'm excited to get to spend the day with my family and my brother & sister-n-law.... watching fireworks from the water out in Luby Bay. Very fun! Don't miss the free ice cream social at the Coolin Civic Center 5pm - 7pm... sunday the fourth. Super sweet huckleberry ice cream with chocolate drizzles on it (that was what I had last year!) Enjoy! And THANKYOU to EVERYONE who serves in the military and stands up for freedom. Especially my friend, Jarrod Mohr, who just returned oversees to serve AGAIN! Our thoughts are with you and your family!

2010 Lavender Festival Artist

This year I am honored to be highlighted as the 2010 Pend Oreille Lavender Festival Artist, Saturday July 10th, 9am-7pm and Sunday July 11th, 10am-4pm. Come visit my featured booth and be the first to see my many new photography creations... bookmarks, mugs, t-shirts, canvas, photocards, DVDs, and much more! Specials and giveaways!!! http://www.povlavenderfestival.com/

FATHER'S DAY SALE

SALE AT AUTUMN'S LOFT on functional art straight out of the workshop!!!

Don't miss out on our 10% OFF OSCAR'S TREE FARM

BENCHES

KNOTTY STOOLS

TREE FRAMES

COAT TREES

BOOKCASES



10% OFF NEW "OLDTIMER'S" GUN RACKS

AND 20% OFF CEDAR POST GARDEN BENCHES



Sale ends June 21, 2010

Be an Artist!!!! Cool Sites to Checkout

www.jacksonpollock.org
www.stephen.com/mondrimat
www.haringkids.com coloring for kids online

Autumn's Loft Now Open Daily 10-6pm... We've Moved Again!

Join us at our new Autumn's Loft location on Hwy 57, just past mile 28. We have just moved next door to our previous shop! A little bigger area... and much more work room for our custom framing and photography workspace! Come check us out! We have many new items... Uncle Joe's Candles (super scented, especially the huckleberry)... new Huckleberry soap limited edition from Soaps by Bonnie. Rustic stick easles for tabletop photos. New heavy duty benches from Oscar's Tree Farm... Local book selections from Northwest authors... also free 2 year pocket calendars with any purchase!

We're Moving... Well Kinda

Autumn's Loft is moving next door! Actually just to the suite on the other side of the wall! So we will still be at 28392 Hwy 2, Priest Lake, Idaho just past mile marker 28 at the Priest Lake Service Center / Little Store. We will be opening weekends in April as soon as we are settled in. We have some FANTASTIC new products... local authored books, master crafted kitchen tables, stools, and bookcases! Visit us daily, in May 10-6!