Sunday, June 30, 2013

Oh Mama!

We have a new letter at the Craft Barn Alpha Challenge.
The letter is 'B' and I have chosen the word bear.  Now bear with me while I tell you this story and I will try just to write the bear facts.


This is no ordinary picture of a black bear.  My husband took this picture from one of our bedroom windows.  She was probably 10 feet away and weighed around 400 pounds.  No, I did not get close enough to sex this bear myself.  So how did I know it was a female?  Because she brought two cubs with her.  The amazing thing was that this family stayed with us most of the summer.  We would chase her away and she would come right back and many nights slept under the bedroom window.   The lesson I learned this particular summer?  Do not feed the deer - they bring their friends!


This was our last up close and personal encounter with a bear.  A young one,  old enough to leave its mom and young enough to be a real nuisance .   This picture was taken from my craft room window . She was as startled to see me as I was to see her and no, she is not pole dancing.  She just tried to climb my bird feeder pole and oops over it went!

So that's my story and now you know when you visit me,  just don't be surprised if you come face to face with a bear.  And whatever you do - don't feed them!!

Thanks for your visit and all your nice comments.
Sandy

110 comments:

christiene said...

Ha Sandy wat een mooi verhaal
jij woond daar wel erg mooi als de beer bij jou op bezoek komt.
dan hou zeker je ramen dicht
je boek is prachtig geworden en misschien wel dank zei de beer.
Sandy groetjes aan de beer.
liefs zonne groetjes
Christiene.

Valerie-Jael said...

Well, you have laid the bear facts bare! I think I would run a mile if there was one outside my window - we don't have any over here! Great photos, though, and a wonderful page for the 'b' challenge! Hugs to you. Valerie

Netty said...

Terrific post and pages Sandy, love your humour girlfriend, hugs Annette x

Christina C. said...

He sure looks like he is pole dancing....hahahaha! Love the pictures!!! Also love your awesome dictionary pages.....you will have such a treasure when you are finished with this project!

Marilyn said...

Another fab page Sandy and I like how you've tied it in with your bear story. Geez... a bear right in the yard would scare me good!
That is really neat how you've shadowed the 'bear' in the dictionary and this is a great page. Watch those bears around Flip and Flop!

cuilliesocks said...

Fab page Sandy and what a wonderful story. I love to see a bear as long as I was inside and it was outside. Kate x

Lau W said...

Hahah !
you did the pole dance in your bedroom and he wanted to do like you :-)))
Well...it's a fab page with a fab memory of this moment ! Very nice idea to choose this for the B letter !
Big kisses my sweet friend !
xxx

ann @ studiohyde said...

Oh my goodness! I cannot IMAGINE having a bear sleeping outside my window...somehow I think I would definitely keep the windows shut!! lol. Altogether though a beautiful animal and how wonderful to get to share nature to this extent, lucky you.

Annie said...

You are lucky they didn't try to come INSIDE! Fantastic pages you made for your adventurous memorable summer! What an awesome fun time it will be to look back through this book when it's done!

Dawn said...

Awe Sandy what a wonderfully beautiful and personal page for your book. I love the pics and the story behind it, this just makes it all the more special.
Huge hugs x

toni said...

Wow how amazing! We just get the odd squirrel here, it must have been wonderful to see the mother and her cubs. Great work on the dictionary challenge! X

Silvia(Barnie) said...

A very interesting blog post, Sandy. I can't image to sleep with a bear under my window... very terrific. Your pages are wonderful.

Danielle Champagne said...

Hello Sandy, I love bears!your page is wonderful. love the story too. ouf.. no bears around Montreal. Hugs.

Julie Lee said...

This is so interesting! A mother and cubs - amazing! I love your page too. Squirrels and foxes are all the wild life that visit our garden - oh and bats and hedgehogs sometimes. Julie Ann xx

May said...

Fabulous page Sandy, Great post too... I bet she was a right wee pest by the sight of your pole dance pole....sorry I mean bird feeder...You are so lucky she did'nt try to come into your home... keep safe this season... Hugs May x x x

Words and Pictures said...

Oh, I'm so envious!! They are extraordinarily beautiful creatures - and to have the chance to get up close and personal with one of the wild's great predators, and stay safe - what a privilege.

Lovely pages too... and wonderful that they're inspired by such a personal encounter!
Alison x

Linda Palmer said...

Darling addition to your book and what a fun and scary story. I love bears and bear stories. Your page is fabulous and the story is great. Love the background. The little fellow is to cute. I know they are dangerous so glad they haven't harmed your goats. I guess feeding the deer is no longer an option since the bears were looking for food. Take care of yourselves and enjoy your little farm and wild animal zoo.

BJ said...

Love the bear story and no sorry forgot the marshmallows. Thanks for visiting me. BJ

BJ said...

Oops forgot to say I love your page too. BJ

Lori said...

Please bear with me while I praise your journal pages. Love how you used big bold words for your description. Love that background you created for the bear to stand in front of -it's fabulous! Enjoyed your bear story...

cathylynn said...

What an appropriate page for you to create. That bear on your patio looks like he is doing the funky chicken. LOL!! Your dictionary page is wonderful and when you complete this challenge you will definitely have a of book of wonderful memories and talent!
Hugs, Cathy

chrissie said...

Wonderful page and a great choice of the word and the terrific images.

Love Chrissie x

Cat's sCrap said...

Wonderful project. I like the graphic effect on the right page. Beautiful images. Bravo ! It's successful !

Hugs from France.
Catherine.

Redanne said...

Oh the wonderful bear! That took me back to my childhood in the wilds of Canada - we were not afraid then but I would be now. How lovely to see them from the safety of your home. Great pages Sandy, as ever. Hugs, Anne x

Unknown said...

They are so gorgeous - too bad they can scratch your eyes out! When we lived north of 60, We often had a visitor who would clime the tree outside the kitchen window. Liked to watch me work - I'm sure she went home and did the same things! Great post Sandy - love the little bird feeder climber. Looks so surprised. xoDonna

Karen said...

Oh Sandy! This an unbearleivably fabulous page! Love your story and still wish I lived at your place :D xxx

Ruth Ann Hunter said...

Sandy what a wonderful story and you made the perfect page to make it complete. You couldn't have used the letter B any better and to have pictures to go with it is great. Our bears don't get that friendly till the berries and apples are ripe. hugs, Ruth Ann

Paper Creations by Shirley said...

Awesome page for 'B'. Wow what a story about the Bear hanging out at your place for the summer. Could be dangerous with a mama & cubs I think? I was walking alone (silly me) in a wooded area one summer at a friends northern retreat. I came across a Bear, I was terrified. I slowly backed away and the Bear turned around away from me thank heavens and eventually I ran as hard as I could (up hill) back to the place where we were staying. Sorry for the rambling, but your story brought back memories, I can't imagine having them hanging out in the backyard. You sure live in nature. We are in the country but haven't seen any deer or bears :) Cheers, Shirleyx

Myrna said...

Love your bear pages Sandy! Awesome job on your background art!

Maisie Moonshine said...

Great bear pages and especially as they are so personal to you. I think that as your Mama Bear weighs in at 400lbs I'm glad the biggest wild life we have to worry about right now are moles! MMx

Mrs A. said...

I think if I came face to face with a bear I would probably be the feed!! Great B. page for the challenge. Still mulling over my choice. Hugs Mrs a.

Candy C said...

Your Craft Barn Alpha Challenge piece is darling! Talk about lots of "Bs"! Your page is darling and considering that you've had some "up close and personal" experiences with bears, I totally understand where you get the inspiration for your project. haha <3 Candy

Stamps and Paper said...

Great pages for this weeks challenge and what amazing photos.....how fabulous to have wild life in your back yard...

Anne x

Craftin Suzie (Susan Wykes) said...

This is fabulous Sandy! I love your journaling and that you have chosen bears! I know when you live with them they are a nuisance but I just love to see them! About 5 years ago my son did an Ironman in Lake Placid and we went over to watch him and for a holiday. We rented a cabin/house in the middle of a woods and loved it! Canoeing every day loads of wild life and my husband went bear hunting every night not to shoot one just to see one! Also I grew up in Canada and we spent many happy family holidays in the Rockies and bears were a big part of our holiday! So I just love this!

I used a Versamark clear stamp pad to make the Frantage stick to the metal. Hugs Susan xxx

Patricia St Martin said...

Sandy, Wonderful job with these pages. I would not be too happy to see a bear outside my window knowing what they can do. Hubby got a wonderful picture. Your scene you created for the bear is awesome and love how many "B" you highlighted. Super job....
Hugs, Patricia

Mary H. said...

Loved your subject for B, but I could do without the REAL ones! You really do live in the mountain wilderness, it sounds like. No thank you to the critters, but I did enjoy your story & your pictures, and loved your pages that you did. I'm guessing you keep your babies safely inside a shelter, right???(your baby goats I mean!). TFS

Anonymous said...

amazing bear photo and story! SO cool!

They look such amazing creatures!

Patricia Garcia said...

There went my trip to your house lol, I am even afraid of flys imagine a huge bear. Love the B page but not with the real bear! Stay safe Sandy,

Hugs,
Patricia

Pat said...

Great page, as always Sandy. Photo's are super but I would rather see the bear in the photo not in real life. I don't know how you slept with a bear outside your window. I think I will stick to cuddly dogs and rabbits!!!! I'm a little late getting around as I have been looking after one of my granddaughters for the last two days as she has Chicken Pox. Have a good week.

Pat xx

Astrid Maclean said...

Wow, an amazing LO and what an adventure! Great photos too! I have been to bear country a few times but never seen one that close up, incredible!!

Beverley Baird said...

Great choice for B. What great photos of the bears - a bit scary when they are so close to home.

carolfromkiwiland said...

Love the bear pages and the bear story.I bet retelling the story is more fun than being up close and personal with a mamma bear and her cubs!Great background you have done for mamma bear.

Shelby said...

Great pics of this mama bear! Deer are for eating don't you know:)
I personally don't like venison, but it would help with the bear visits!!

Shelby

Stamping With Bibiana said...

OMG I will be so afraid...the page is so very nice though. thanks for sharing!...
Remember: memory box blitz at my spanish and french blogs going now to have the chance to win a new die from the new collection!
keep in touch
bibiana

lena-dailyscrap said...

Lovely, lovely! In Sweden we hace the elks(moose) comming to close some times and once in a while a brown bear will walk to far south and get into trouble. I do love the wild life and nature so be better take care of what we've got:-)

Elaine said...

Wow - what a brilliant story and great photo!

Maggie said...

OMG! Sandy think I would be very scared to see a bear outside my window thank goodness no bears here only the cuddly kind and all the wildlife I see out my window are birds and pheasants and maybe a fox.... great pages "bear" the way....sorry lol!

MaggieH

Janny Jager said...

A great story Sandy and the pages and photo are beautiful.
Greetings Janny

Terry said...

Love the story, Sandy! We don't encounter bears here, so I can only imagine! Love the "B" page! Enjoy the day and thank you so much for visiting my blog!

Karen said...

Love your page! Perfect for your story.... They do like that bird seed!

Karen

Maisie Moonshine said...

Hi Sandy, thanks for your visit today - I'm not an expert at this Bloglovin thing and I haven't done anything to register my blog but I think you can follow if you go here http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/5078395/maisie-moonshines - Hope this helps/works! MMx

Kelly said...

Your bearly special to allow me to be late!! Thank you bearly much forgiving me!!! I love this page and your bears are adorable although no playing with them. Your story and humor is always the best part of visiting your blog!
Bug Bear Hugs,
Kelly

Laura said...

Wow, lovely page.
I'd be so excited to see a bear - but on second thoughts probably not just out side of my window... a little too close for comfort.
Thanks for sharing,
Laura

Sylvia said...

Fantastic photographs and background on your bear pages,she certainly was big, bold and beautiful.

Sylv xx

Chris said...

Ha ha, a perfect story and a perfect layout in your dictionary, I love that bear!!! I must do some letters in my dictionary as I'm not guesting at the CB at the moment I'm missing out on it. Hope you're well sweetness and enjoying the summer. Chris :)

toni said...

Hi Sandy , you do make me laugh with your comments! Keep'em coming, go for it with the corrugated card, have fun Toni xx

Anonymous said...

As if you don't have enough to do....we need a tutorial on how you do your awesome pages!! I LOVE this bear one...spectular!!!!! Thanks for sharing the story!! happy 4th!

Jenny Marples said...

What a personal way of tackling the challenge this time Sandy. Love the way you've really made the photo come to life on these pages. Great work. Hugs, Jenny x

Annie Claxton said...

Wow! what amazing photos - the biggest mammal we've seen from our window is a muntjack deer, but it's mostly just squirrels - we love to watch them climb the bird feeder, but I can't imagine having a BABY BEAR climb your bird feeder.
REally LOVE your altered book too - just the kidn of thing I want to have a go at.
Annie C :o)xxx

sam21ski said...

Wow what a lovely story!!

Perfect choice of your B word too, it couldn't really be anything else could it!!

Sam xxx

Marjie Kemper said...

Oh my goodness! That's one visit from wildlife that would put my heart pounding. And a whole summer of them? Yikes!!

Michelle said...

Amazing! I can't imagine having a family of bears sleeping outside my window! I have never seen a bear in the wild (I'm in Australia) and it seems to me it would be a little scary!

scrappymo! said...

I used to live in Grizzly country but only actually ever saw black or brown bears...that is scary enough for me.
When they have their cubs it is so dangerous too...what a summer full of adventure for you!
Take care!

That house would have to come with a maid wouldn't it...I think it would be well over a million as there is a smaller one in the marina with no lake frontage and neighbours on both sides for sale right now...and it is $650,000.
And that is actually not a bad price...anything with water access is a fortune in B.C and anything where I live in the Lower Mainland of B.C. starts out at well over $500,000. for a really small starter home!!!

Sally H said...

What a stunning page and a fabulous photo too. Gorgeous! Thanks for your lovely comment on my blog. Google friend connect is still working for anyone on blogger x

Karin said...

wow love your page and the bear story, we have no bears around overhere and i'm very pleased with that, haha! Have a great weekend!
Groetjes karin

Julia S-W said...

Great Bear pages Sandy! Your story which goes with them is amazing! That the bear was known 'personally' to you makes this even more special. Not sure I'd feel entirely safe with a bear sleeping under my window though!
Juliax

Lesley said...

Great pages and a lot of B's there! xx

Sandra said...

Wow such wonderful pages. and i love the story behind it! Really amazing to see those beautiful creatures in real life and better in the wild where they belong. Well maybe not so much in your backyard... Hugs, Sandra

Shilpa Nagaonkar said...

Liked your story!your other posts are also too good!I loved your enthusiasm! thanks for visiting my blog and those beautiful words you had left behind. Here, in India, We treasure our blessings particularly when we get them from senior citizen. thanks...

Exclusively by Mel said...

Oh wow how amazing!! I love reading your posts, and I love your pages!
Mel. xxx

Anonymous said...

Love your story and page!!
Thanks for playing with us at the Craft Barn
Izzy

koala said...

OMG ----------------- , now I remember you live in the BEAUTIFUL mountain !!! And I am super surprised black bears are neighbors ??? (@o@;)""" That close ???
Wow,wow, wow, sounds like a special zoo tour, but are you ok ??? Not scare them ? (^.^;)"""
Our house in Whidbey Island, WA also have friendly squirrel , rabbit , and deer .... around my house though, ,,,, but we do not have bear in the island. (^.^;)"""
Wow, thank you for sharing amazing pictures and i really LOVE this precious page !!! (^o^)v"""

Maria said...

Wow, Sandy! What a bear story! LOL at the pole dancing! You got an amazing photo here! Fab bear page that you created, too! Take care and have a wonderful weekend, hugs!

Kelly said...

Hey go look at the challenge, you are on their wall of fame!!!!!
Congrats girl!!!
Kelly

Annie said...

wow Sandy.......this is amazing.............lovely to see bears so close but pretty scary too.

Love your page and I also wanted to thank you for visiting my blog and leaving such a kind comment

Crafty Hugs

Annie x ( your newest follower)

Alicia said...

Sandy what a Beary cute story but I don't think I will be visiting anytime soon I don't like the company you keep LOL!!!

Mrs.B said...

Hi Sandy, just catching up - and what fab photos of the bears - love how your have used them in your journal page.
Love the photo of your grand children, they do look a happy bunch.
Hope Flip & Flop are both healthy.
Hugs,
Avril x

Tan's Hobbies said...

Aw, Sandy, love the page so much. It is so amazing. I still can’t imagine my reaction if I see a 'REAL' bear just in front of my house. hahahahaha

Unknown said...

Wow it's been such a long time my friend!!!!!! Wow love love that gorgeous black bear!!!!! What an interesting life you lead!!!!! Hope your doing well!!!!!

Hugs

Linda

Rosmarie said...

What a stunning page again! And what a great story! Wasn't you afraid of the bears?
When you'll finished your dictionary, it will be amazing and like no other!
I saw a young black bear (which was already very impressive) when we went to Yellowstone National Park in 1999, but it's been a very long time now! We visited many major parks in the west for 3 weeks ..... it was fabulous and I would go back now if it was not so far away!
I really enjoyed this trip and all the people we meet!
Hugs Rosi

~*~Patty S said...

Your Bear pages are wonderful and that is quite some up close and personal inspiration you had!

I would have been VERY excited snapping photos left and right and then looking over my shoulder each time I went outside ;)

Happy July
oxo

Arnoldo L. Romero, MLA said...

Beautiful! That's what I call finding inspiration in fear. We have had deer, skunks, hawks, owls, snakes, Monarch butterflies, and a wide variety of birds in our yard, but have never had a bear. They're very sweet looking, but I know they can be very dangerous. Blessings!

Arnoldo L. Romero, MLA said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
*Vicki* said...

Oh my gosh! That would scare the daylights out of me!! LOL!! Love your fun bear book design!!

Hope you are doing well! I saw you out in blog land and wanted you to know that I had deleted my old blog and have a new one up and running! I'm following along with you on Feedly now!! Enjoy your summer my friend...without bears!! LOL!! HUGS

Julie Lee said...

I just wanted to say 'Thank you' Sandy for the lovely comment on my 'T' entry for the A/D challenge. I wish I was clever enough to do videos because I do find describing how I do things in words quite difficult, actually! Do you know Monique's work? She does amazing videos. I think her blog is 'Morgan le Fay's Trinkets'. I will research filming and who knows, I might crack it! I am pretty technically challenged, though. Hugs Julie Ann xx

Ann Marie Governale said...

Oh Sandy, so sorry to hear about your hip.. prayers that you feel better soon!! This stamp will be available for sale at the Little Darlings Rubber Stamp store (online) in September. She is so adorable!! Feel better and thank you for leaving such a kind comment! xxx Ann Marie

dpkennedy said...

Your book page is beautiful! Love the bear pics! Great story too :)

Kathya said...

Wow, this is an awesome page book Sandy! I love the texture, how a particular area if text looks elevated. And the bear, great technique.

Hugs,
Kathya

Caroline said...

WOWSERS the most exciting thing I have seen out of my window is a seagull!!! xxx

MaryH said...

Thanks for the sweet comment today. Sure hope the hip is behaving and you're not in too much distress with it. Miss seeing your work, but you get all healed up fast as can be, and blogland will be waiting for you then. Hugs & stay cool.

scrappymo! said...

Sandy...just wanted to pop over and say I hope all is well with you...I havenèt seen a new post so was a bit worried...hope you are just busy with the farm and the grandkids and having a wonderful summer...but finding some time to have fun and create too.

I am off to England for a month without a laptop (on purpose) so will not be visiting again till fall...see ya then and hopefully the bears have left by now!!!

scrappymo! said...

Oh Sandy...I just knew something was wrong...so not like you to stop posting out of the blue.

My heart goes out to you...before my back surgery, iused to fall really easily...I broke both ankles, both wrists, both collar bones, an arm, and always worried about a hip!

I know you have a tough row to hoe, to recover from that...I will keep you in my prayers.

Take care Sandy and take it easy...let your body heal and get lots of rest.
Crafty hugs
Maureen

Lisa Minckler said...

Good golly oh mighty....that would rattle my cage for sure! Poor little rascal looks terrified. I love the images outside your home...such beautiful trees!!
I do feed the squirrel here that bring the deer but as of yet no bears. I'm fine living vicariously through your photos. My gosh, there must not be one boring moment at your house. I can't even imagine sleeping in bed knowing a 400lb black bear is nuzzled up on the other side of the wall....GACK!! Ah well, at least it's not the Yeti...yet! ;)
hugs to you and happy weekend and take care of that hip of yours. I miss your projects!! And yes, I'm still looking at the dictionary I bought with you in mind. :D
Lisa xx

coldwaters2 said...

Hi Sandy I wanted to thank you for all the lovely comments that you have left for me on my blog I really appreciate them. Sandy this is AWEsome, I am a big lover of all animals and bears are one of them, that picture is ACE, the pages are just stupendous I love how you have done the design it is amazing.
hugs
lorraine x

maria's knutselplezier said...

What a great world you are living in, wonderful but dangerous I think, I really love it, but I don't think I could live in it, I'm a country girl but now live in a city, with a very small gardon, I love your neighberhood, but with a bear in it I would be very afraid!! Nevertheless I love your beautiful ART an d I became your follower, and your life seems much more exiting then mine, so I'll put you on my side-board to follow your adventure and your art!! Thanks for following me!!!

Greetings from Belgium
Maria

HeARTworks said...

Oh my, Sandy! I would be terrified to come that close to a bear! Patsy from
HeARTworks

Words and Pictures said...

Huge congrats on making the Wall of Fame - so well deserved with this brilliant spread.

Hope all is well with goats and country life... Have a lovely Sunday!
Alison xx

Debi said...

oh my GOSH! a bear sleeping under your bedroom window, not sure if that is cool or scary :-) a bit of both I guess. Thank you for your very kind words you've left on my blog and for following me, I'm going to cruise around your blog now too :-)
love the bear pages
Debi x

MaryH said...

Hang in there Miz Sandy. Time will pass. You'll get out of the chair, and be all ready to get frisky again. In the meantime, just sit, rest - enjoy your laptop, watch tv, read, nap, and stay inside in the cool. And heal! Hugs & thanks for visitin'.

Kimberly Zimmerman @Online PhD in Law said...

Oh my, I think that was really scary having a bear sleeping at your window. Whew! Good thing she was not that bad and naughty for a bear. Anyway, thanks a whole bunch for sharing your adventure. That was really exciting and a memorable one! Hope you’re having a nice day!


http://online-phd-uk.co.uk/

Lori said...

I'm dropping to say "Hi!" Hope everything is wonderful with you!

Patricia said...

Hello and thank you for your lovely comments on my Blog.
I am not very good on the computer and although I have tried to get the Bloglovin thing to register unfortunately I have failed miserably.
I might just remove the Icon till I can work it all out
Have a great day
Hugs

Patricia xx

Lau W said...

A little hello my dear friend ! big kisses !
xxx

Dee's Craft Room said...

Hi Sandy

You have just made me laugh out load. It was as if you had read my mind. I was thinking 'oh another comment from Sandy, I wonder if she has started following me?' and I read your comment which said 'Yes, I am following you'.

Thank you for following me and for the wonderful comments you have been leaving on my blog, you have no idea how happy you have been making me - it is so nice when someone says something nice.

I have been looking at your blog and I find your journalling fascinating and I love the things you write about and thy way you tell a tale.

Dionne

Scrap Affair said...

Yeah, we live in a VERY interesting places =)) but, at least I haven't seen any bears around here yet, they said that the wolves are back, and I only heard of mountain lions eating neighbors cat. My self I only seen deers in our own backyard, raccoons-steal grapes every summer! And something that looks like a GIANT rat 8-0
(possum???) I don't know. But, I do LOVE your new pages! Sandy they are magnificent.
Hugs,
Nadia

Erum Tasneem said...

nice story!gonna have a look around your blog now :)

May said...

Hi Sandy, I wanted to send you big hugs for the kind comments you leave me....You are one special lady... Hugs May x x x

MRS DUCK said...

My goodness Sandy. Is that what they mean by a bear behind lol!
We have squirrels, hedgehogs, frogs, foxes in the area but that's as wild as it gets. . .apart from if a neighbour has a party hahaha!
Thank you for your kind comments and look forward to seeing more of work and pics.
Ang x

Anonymous said...

Hello Sandy
Thank you so much for visiting my Blog, Adorn.
Oh how fabulous and slightly scary at the same time! He is rather adorable.
So wonderful you created your pages inspired by the bear.
Wishes
Lynne

Anonymous said...

Wowza, being a city girl all my life, I would have been totally awed by this experience ... just seeing the photos gets me excited ... you dictionary entry is fab!!!

Sandy I wanted to thank you for all the lovely comments that you have been leaving on my blog ... they always make me smile!!!