I was so happy to catch an incredible show last night on PBS about my favorite animals, elephants. I have posted once before about this elephant sanctuary in Kenya, and through this program I learned so much more about the origins of the elephant nursery that has saved over 150 elephant orphans. Don’t miss the […]

I couldn’t be happier! My hubby is home for the weekend, we’re playing board games and I’m really just feeling grateful for today. This is from a Chinese fortune cookie that I opened ages ago, but somehow it kept kicking around and now I have it on a picture frame to remind me of what’s important. […]

It’s been a really great day and I’m so proud today because I have new readers in India, Italy, and Germany. I feel so very happy and want to thank readers for taking a chance on Mabel Hartley….you will not be disappointed! I have such a feeling of hope that my little stories are finding their way […]

Oh, we are so lucky to have such wonderful family that inspires us to reach for new heights. I’m talking of course about my brother and sister in law, (my hubby’s side) who hosted our family at their holiday home this weekend. We had an incredibly relaxing, fun time and I was so inspired by […]

The day started with a great bike ride, banana bread with my new mixer and then a trip with friends to the beach. My daughter always inspires me with all the things she does, and today was no different, digging her way from our towels down to the water. Eagles are circling now, as a […]

So when I’m having a day that I’m struggling to get through it helps me a lot to think about being in the moment. Things like my children saying goodnight to their Dad, my hubby coming home from work to me, and the light on the mountains all keep me going in the right direction. […]

Here’s the birthday girl (me) in my sequin dress, which has become a birthday tradition for me. But the best part was the cake. I was pretty tickled when one of my best gals pals came to my door with a Scrabble cake. That is the letters of my name spelled out in cake. See below. I love celebrating […]

I wake up and think soccer. Who’s on? How long will it take the first team to score? Can a team down by 3 come back to win? Now the kids are on board too and it’s awesome to share this game with them. I absolutely love how many fans are cheering, how many teams […]

Let me introduce you to Dixie, our 15 year old black lab. She’s pictured here with her buddy Blackie, who is a very friendly 1 year old lab (Blackie is in the foreground). We found Dixie years ago at an SPCA and have loved her ever since. She came to us before our children, so […]

Baking really is one of my favorite things to do. Pictured here is my new mixer, that my family gave me for my bday. I have to say I’m a little intimidated by it, being so heavy and not wanting to break the parts before I’ve even begun, but whipping up this little cake helped […]