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1,000 Smiles | Friendship | Day 16 | Deborah Peters

Deborah — Fri, 18 May 2012 14:00:33 +0000

Smile.

Smile. Friendship. You know the kind where that person totally understands you? The person you share your dreams with, work with, hang out with? Smile. The one that sees your successes and failures? They have your back but also push you to excel? As close as a sister/brother or closer, but more so? After all, you can’t choose your family – that can be a good or bad thing, depending upon the situation – lol! But you can choose your friends.

And the best ones’ see you inside and out – and you’re “home”. Smile.

The older I get, the more I see how valuable it is to have such quality people in our lives. Our company and who we are comfortable with reflects a solid understanding of who we are. A few years ago I decided people who were in my life that did not have my best interest at heart – did not deserve to be in my life. It is amazing how when one adopts this attitude – how things take a major shift.

You begin attracting people into your world and find the most genuine of souls. Smile.

Absolutely everyone breathing on this planet deserves at least one person in their life that fits this description. Today’s smile #16 is dedicated to the best of friends, and honest friendship.

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1,000 Smiles | Day 15 | Wedding Dress | Deborah Peters

Deborah — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:00:02 +0000

Wedding Dress. A bride to be….Smile.

The moment a bride finds “The Wedding Dress”.

Not that Pre-Madonna reality TV show either! This is just an all American girl next door finding her way in the world and entering the next chapter of her life. The one that involves vows and committing to another.

So many emotions on this day….happy, relief, a little stress but much relieved just finding the right wedding dress.

The dress is so important because it reflects the personality of the new bride…this vintage wedding dress is elegant and soft, more of a classic, timeless look…such a load is lifted once the dress falls into place….time to check off one pre-wedding jitter; Smile.

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1,000 Smiles | Day 14 | Oliver the cat! | Deborah Peters

Deborah — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:00:47 +0000

Meet Oliver! LOL. I think the picture says it all for smiles. Smile. Such a character….these delightful and funny companions I share my life with…such personality from only a leg and blanket! He has nothing more to say at this time but will be popping in frequently, lol. Smile.

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1,000 Smiles | Day 13 | Mayday – Horse Rescue | Deborah Peters

Deborah — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:00:55 +0000

Mayday. Isn’t she beautiful? Smile

Meet “Mayday”; such an appropriate name for her. Mayday was my friend Jerry’s rescue horse.

She’s about a year old…her story isn’t a smile..well, didn’t start out as one. This horse rescue came from one of those owners that truly didn’t have the funds or ability to take care of the many horses she owned…but she believed she was their protector and guardian. I don’t understand how one’s obsession for this kind of possession could override their common sense. So when Jerry discovered 30 some horses on the acre she lived on…

the horses were so neglected in care, only the young ones could be saved in the horse rescue – Mayday was one of them, Jerry named her that.

For the first months of her life, Mayday was kept in a stall, unable to move or run free. Starving, and in need of vet care – her feet needed trimming and horse shoes – they were so overgrown she couldn’t stand so her back quarters never developed properly. It makes me angry. Not smiley.

So on to the smiles! Jerry brought Mayday home and immediately attended to all her needs. Our first meeting was love at first sight. Maybe she liked that I was a female or the sound of my voice…but all I know is every time I came to see her, Mayday would find the strength to stand up and walk to me. Daily I’d visit and talk to her, she’d fall into a slumber just getting her head and mane stroked. Before I knew it, I was bringing apples and soon learned horses LOVE Fig Newtons too! She was and is an absolute sweetheart. I get a lump in my throat thinking back to her.

Where is Mayday now? Jerry eventually found a home with a young little girl who could give her the attention and love she needed – more than he even could. The family understood she’d never be able to ride but that was more than ok, Mayday was loved and found a “forever home” with devoted love and attention. I miss her greatly, if I’d had the means – I would have taken her myself. Jerry sent me this photo recently, he knows I love to paint horses. What do you think, I see a great future painting? Had to share this memorable smile with you. Now Mayday can run with her heart lifted. Smile.

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1,000 Smiles | Botanical | Day 12 | Deborah Peters

Deborah — Mon, 14 May 2012 17:08:48 +0000

Botanicals.

Day 12 of 1,000 smiles. Full Blooms. I think this is appropriate following Mother’s Day, don’t you?

It’s so uplifting to see blooming roses and botanicals like this.

They really perk your day up, no matter what kind you’re having. I don’t know how anyone could ever be in a bad mood if they’re surrounded by such uplifting botanical beauty. Now that I think of it – I believe botanicals were designed for us in this way, truly. I’ve ever seen an ugly or depressing flower. Even some weeds have blooms that mirror true flowers and some are even referred to as wild flowers!

Knowing the care involved for such botanicals, when I see a bursting botanical plant like this, it really reflects the owner. Love, care and the right light bring this.

Smile. They can greet someone at a front door or uplift an outdoor patio. One recent botanical bush I saw in my neighborhood was so mature, the roses were reaching over a 6 foot wall! Now that’s my kind of backyard. Of course red botanicals like this will always be romantic and rich, energy – like life’s color. Enjoy today’s Monday’s Botanical Smile, they’re to lift you up!

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1,000 Smiles | Day 11 | Chuckwalla | Deborah Peters

Deborah — Sun, 13 May 2012 17:51:50 +0000

Chuckwalla. Wildlife will always be a Smile Smiley post! I know this is 2 days in a row, but can ya blame me? The temperatures are heating up out here in Arizona…if one wishes to enjoy the outdoors at all – you have to be out around 6-7 am; the cutoff is definitely 7:30. So, get all the good stuff outdoors done if it involves anything other than cruising on the lake with refreshing jumps in it here and there!

Something about the sun drifting in through your windows early makes you want to get up and be out anyhow. And we’re getting lots of hikes in…fully out of winter hibernation…even if it did take a few months, lol. Which brings me to our main focus of this smile post: the little buddy we met that day on the hike.

Meet Mr. Chuck Walla. Ok, he’s a chuckwalla – isn’t he cute?!

Didn’t see this chuckwalla at first, then came down off the mountain around the ledge you see here and some fellow hikers had stopped, were looking at something fun. Chuckwalla‘s are a rare find out here. Now, here’s the thing, I have been living here since 1993 and have hiked all over this desert and mountains…have never seen a chuckwalla in person.

I love how they look at you. This chuckwalla was quite healthy, and I couldn’t get over how camouflaged he was.

No wonder I never saw him before! It’s so neat when you hike out here and go for miles not seeing any wildlife at all, and then turn a corner and at that moment, they just “happen” to let you know they’re there; this chuckwalla was sharing a glimpse of his world with us….we’re visiting his world today…Smile. Every time I go, I always come back with more Smiles.

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Artist | Oil Painter | Brand Consultant | Deborah Peters

Deborah — Sun, 13 May 2012 16:19:24 +0000

Life size paintings and larger are so glorious in life! Meet “Heartbeat of the West”. Each horse has their own unique story, I especially love the black one looking off into the distance, the wind rustling his mane. So many colors in black!! There is something so special about wild horses in an open field….this day was overcast..a fun experiment for I was always taught to photograph in the sunlight for great highlights and shadows.

As nature would have it, and I’d not have it any other way – the story shifted. Clouds rolled in and rain poured down – and if it hadn’t – I’d have never seen what happens to colors otherwise. Sometimes the best education comes by surprise, doesn’t it? So my photos didn’t have the high contrast for lights and darks; but I enjoyed it just as much if not more because now the colors came alive! They’re rich, subtle, and the weather shift truly changes the mood of the story. Enjoy the video of this painting, start to finish! I’d love your comments below, let’s connect.

1,000 Smiles | Day 10 | Decorah’s Eagles | Deborah Peters

Deborah — Sat, 12 May 2012 20:11:47 +0000

Decorah’s Eagles. Oh my!! SMILE! Today has been a real treat; an unexpected one too. This Saturday morning I went to my friend and chiropractor, Evelyn Guilford. You know those friends’ in professions that just go beyond a doctor? She’s one of those! Back to our Decorah’s Eagles’ SMILE, after getting adjusted I look up and notice something moving on her monitor! And it had sound…looked live….startled, I ask: “What is that?!”

And she responds:

“Oh, Decorah’s eagles? you don’t know about this? I should’ve sent it to you, it’s so cool!!”

So now I’m completely in shock and awe….to discover this beautiful website of LIVE footage of wildlife; these are Decorah’s Eagles, you can find them on the website:

Decorah’s Eagles

This really, really made my day, it’s like a week’s worth of smile posts! Seeing this really touches my heart, as you may know by now I love painting animals and seeing them in their natural environment – LIVE – is such a blessing.

I will be GLUED to the “Decorah’s Eagles’ channel and streaming, such an amazing inspiration for new paintings!

Evelyn shared something I did not know: 1) it’s unusual for a bald eagle to have 3 babies; they usually have 1-2. 2) They will stay dark in color till they’re 3 years old…the beautiful white regal feathers on their head come in at that point. Many, many smiles today and more to come! Enjoy and have a wonderful Saturday Smile.

Streaming video by Ustream

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1,000 Smiles | Woody Travel Trailer | Day 9 | Deborah Peters

Deborah — Fri, 11 May 2012 14:00:37 +0000

Travel Trailer. Day 10: A Woody Travel Trailer. Smile.

While out one day on the road this retired fella in a truck pulling this travel trailer met us at a red light.

Isn’t it cute? Retro cool, have never seen one this year and in this great of shape. Someone or many, poured a lot of love into this little guy. Beautiful wood work, pristine cream paint job with fun accents and details. Even the couple’s name has been an additional wood carved accent over the door, mounted. Adorable and ready to take them anywhere on life’s many adventures. The little sign hanging at the door under the mini-lantern says: (of course) “If this travel trailer is rockin – don’t come a knockin!” LOL.

Can’t help but smile, even their golden years never set foot a day beyond the honeymoon; they haven’t aged at all in heart and embracing life. I imagine this couple as glass half-full kinda types.

Just their travel trailer alone proves a perspective of fun, vicarious people – who enjoyed life, & still enjoy life while never looking back….unless it’s looking on appreciation of how they lived: a life of blessing keeping them in the state of eternal youth.

These moments cause one to stop and take note of their own path, where they’re going – that look on life is contagious! Smile.

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1,000 Smiles | Poor Starbucks | Day 8 | Deborah Peters

Deborah — Thu, 10 May 2012 14:00:59 +0000

Starbucks. This hike started out quite funny! It’s a quick burn in the legs starting out due to the steep incline starting right at the base. And it continues…feels like you’re climbing stairs non-stop for several minutes.

Just as the burn is kicking in full force with no mercy, down to the right is a lonely familiar friend: Starbucks. Smile.

Poor discarded, and hardly started Venti Starbucks….looks like a beloved caramel macchiato…melted. It’s owner couldn’t enjoy beyond the first few sips.

I imagine a rugged, western outlaw type named “Water” staring down our pitiful, weak “Starbucks” saying: “Boy, your kind don’t survive out here, you best get back to the city!” LOL!

One can only imagine the poor soul that invested $5 for their favorite refreshing coffee drink, anticipating a beautiful leisure hike in the desert; amidst the city. NOT TODAY!! Not this hike. 20 steps in and suddenly the sugar IV was abandoned for the only desire one has here at North Mountain: Water!

North Mountain Park
(Trail Guide)
At 2,104 feet, North Mountain is a landmark Phoenix peak in its own right. The North Mountain area offers more than summit climbs; an array of trails of all levels of difficulty offers something for everybody.

That puts it lightly. They should warn visitors that even the paved climb is equivalent to several flights of stairs…many future Starbucks’ could be saved…Smile.

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