Monday, October 15, 2012

Anyone reading this blog?

Hi Everyone,
Just wondering if anyone really reads my blogs??
Please write me at: jillsheeleybooks@gmail.com if you are. I'd love to hear from internet space!!

Monday, October 8, 2012

Maroon Bells with Ranger

This has been an incredibly gorgeous fall. We drove up to the Maroon Bells at least 9 times since the colors started changing.

Here is Courtney and Ranger on the trail going up around the lake.

We always take a picnic and it's definitely a slice of heaven

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Ranger's First Jeep Trip

Ranger is getting so big. We decided to jeep up Aspen Mountain on our 33rd anniversary. Here's Ranger enjoying the fresh air.

It was a beautiful summer day in late August and coincided with the mountain bike race that went up all four mountains. Lance Armstrong got second. We passed some of the last ones and cheered them on. What a feat!

Ranger can't wait for his next jeep trip.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Ranger is Patiently Waiting for the Cyclists

Last week, we had the pleasure of hosting the USA Pro Challenge Bike Race that not only finished in Aspen but then went out of Aspen the next day.

It was so much fun seeing all the best cyclists in the world off the Tour de France.

The streets in Aspen were blocked off, so it was like a 2-day street party.

Lots of great energy.

Ranger is looking forward to his next cool event.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Kia meets Little Ranger

Ranger has his daily walks around town. Socializing is a good thing for puppies.

Here, he's just met Kia and thinks he's just like a big Teddy Bear.

Speaking of bears, we have two bears in our neighborhood. They're all over town, too.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Ranger loves Sammy

Sammy is the office dog at my daughter, Courtney's office at the Blues Jeans Bar.

As you can see, he's huge.

Ranger loves to play with Sammy and thinks they're about the same size!

Sammy is quite the sport and lets Ranger bite his ears (among other antics).

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Summer is passing Quickly

Yes, time is passing by ever so quickly.

Don bought this cookoo clock in Switzerland this spring and it not only cookoos but all the little people move around.

The good news is that it goes to sleep in the dark so we're not awakened by the sound!

Friday, August 10, 2012

Ranger chilllin on the Gondola up Aspen Mt

Ranger and I have been going up Aspen Mountain for storytelling. Here he is chillin' on the Gondola going up Aspen Mt.

He has a great nap on the way up and gets off just fine but so far, we've been challenged getting him to "load up" at the bottom and top. Not even does he get coaxed by a cookie treat.

The story time has gone very well with wonderful families. Ranger behaves as well as 4 month-old can!!

Monday, August 6, 2012

Girls and Ranger

How darling are these girls with Ranger? After writing all morning and working on their books, we took a break in our week-long writing class to have fun in the playground.

Ranger came along to entertain the group--or was it the opposite situation? Loved this photo of 3 of the girls having a blast with Ranger. I don't know who tired whom out first!!

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Kids Writing at the Bells


                                                           Loved this photo of the kids!

Teaching a Writing Camp

I had the best week teaching a writing and illustration camp for 9-11 year olds for the Aspen Art Museum.

Here is just one of the photos of our terrific week. The kids were so fun and spent the week writing and illustrating their books, playing and going on excursions.

We are off the Saltspring Island for a week of relaxation and kayaking!!

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Farmer's Market, Aspen

We had a booth last Saturday at the Farmer's Market. We met a ton of fun kids and parents.

Ranger, Son of Fraser made a 2-hour appearance and played with over 50 doggies and loved every minute of it until he couldn't keep his eyes open for one more second.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Puppy Love

Ranger is so much fun. Watch out for his upcoming U Tube video.

He's bigger, stronger, more curious, eats more, stays awake longer....

However, this heat makes him sleep and sleep....

How we love our puppies.

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Ranger the Bold

Ranger is getting bolder by the day. He can now walk up and down our steep stairs and he sure knows where his food is kept.

We will be at the Farmer's Market in Aspen next Saturday, June 30th. Stop by.

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Ranger is growing by the Second!

Ranger is now 10 weeks old but now thinks he's a teenager. He no longer listens. And he chews on everything so yesterday, I had to spray the entire house with Bitter Apple!!

He's such a dear and we love him. He no longer takes long naps so that I can read a few chapters of my novel.... He needs a lot more exercise.

I put a bell around his neck because he keeps disappearing!

More later....

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Ranger, Son of Fraser


We picked up our new baby, Ranger.

He is not only adorable, but well behaved, has tons of energy and then crashes big time.

We've been introducing him around town and he's very social.

Keep posted for Ranger's developments.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Second Grade School Visit

Had a great visit at the Aspen Elementary School on Friday. I love teaching kids about writing and publishing books.

Here are two girls who stayed and chatted with me about publishing!

Off to Europe so .....

Friday, April 20, 2012

Easter


I love holidays and even though Easter was a couple of weeks ago, here is my cute little place setting. We had some good friends over for dinner that night with a honey baked ham, yummy potatoes, salad, grilled asparagus and homemade cookies for dessert.

Let's see--since the end of ski season last weekend, it has snowed, rained, hailed, sleeted and lo and behold, the sun is shining again today.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Career Day


I have the honor each year (along with many other wonderful women in town), to participate in the 8th grade Women to Girls Career Day.

This year the event was held at The Gant and we had about 70 girls participating. I love this event and wish we had had something similar when I was growing up. It really introduces these young adults to so many different careers and opportunities.

My girls were polite, enthusiastic and I enjoyed their questions.

Friday, April 13, 2012

Room To Read Event


Room to Read is a wonderful organization and I'm proud to be a part of the Aspen branch.

Last Saturday, we had the apres-ski event at the Limelight Lodge in Aspen and it was a big success!

I love this photo.

The $ raised helps to build libraries in different countries. Vietnam and Cambodia were the countries selected for this year.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

2012 Shining Stars in Aspen


One of my most favorite things to do regarding my books is to attend the Shining Stars lunch in March and do a book give away to these wonderful, courageous kids.

Here I am this year with a couple of happy skiers; two shining stars.

Kathy Gingery is the leader and I love her courage as well!

Thursday, April 5, 2012

My First Dedication!


OK, this is a first!! Seven-year old Ryan Falendar wrote and published a book at school this year. Not to brag, he really likes my Fraser books and I guess this led him to dedicate his first book to me. Well, I'm very honored.

He was in town last week visiting his grandparents and asked if I'd come over and he could read his book to me. Wow, how can a person feel better? I was very proud of his work, plus he illustrated his book and I can't draw a stick figure!!

Good luck, Ryan on your future books. Maybe you'll publish a best-seller when you get to be 16!!

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Visiting Belize


My husband and I just returned from beautiful Ambergis Caye for a vacation. While visiting back in 2004, I met some children who asked me to come visit their school and talk to them about my career writing and publishing books.

I didn't even bring books with me but the kids didn't care--they just wanted to listen and ask questions. We had a wonderful time together.

Now it's 2012 and a whole new crop of kids at the beautiful Island Academy located right on the beach overlooking the ocean. So, I went back again this time with my actual books and did another presentation to once again, a very appreciative group of students and teachers.

Friday, March 16, 2012

Shining Stars Inspire Me


The Shining Stars are here again from all around the country and bring such light and joy to our valley.

Life with cancer as a child is unfair, but you'd never know it by chatting with these outstanding children.

I'm just so happy that they had such a gorgeous week here in Aspen.

Kathy--thanks for all you do to make this week so special for the children, the volunteers and the town.

Monday, March 12, 2012

How can Two Years Have Passed?


Isn't it amazing sometimes when you realize how quickly times passes? We just turned the clocks forward and it's now springtime with a whole extra hour of light in the afternoons!

I was going through photos and found this one of a fabulous drawing by a child in Sand Point, Idaho. I was the guest author -- yes, two years ago. What a great day of writing workshops as well as art projects all arranged by the school's wonderful librarian. The days up in Sand Point are even longer than down here in Colorado!!

Happy Spring.

Friday, March 9, 2012

My Kenyan Pen Pal


I thought it would be fun to share with you my wonderful penpal from Kenya. His name is Nimrod and it's a great story. In 2000, our family had the amazing opportunity to travel to Kenya. We spent 2 weeks and our favorite place was the Masa Mara where we went on safari and saw the most incredible wildlife. We fell in love with the landscape, the animals and the people.

I gave the Snowmass Fraser book to our guide, Wesley. Several years later, I received in the mail a letter with a photograph. In the letter, I found out that Wesley had given the book to his son, Nimrod. Nimrod was writing me to tell me how much he had enjoyed my book and that he had learned to ski in his mind. He asked if Courtney could be his pen pal. Courtney at the time was so busy in school, that I knew she would not be able to write on a consistent basis, so, I jumped in.

Over the years, Nimrod and I have stayed in touch. Then, when Courtney graduated from college in 2008, we went back to Kenya. I wrote our guide to see if it was possible to locate Wesley and to be able to meet Nimrod. She told me she had lost track of Wesley and no, it was not really possible. Long story, but when we were in the Masa Mara for our second time, I came to the lodge for cocktails and dinner. I walked in and everyone looked at me at once. Because the sun was behind them, I couldn't really see right away. But then, I was astounded to see Wesley sitting on a couch with 2 kids by his side.

It was such a wonderful reunion and fantastic to finally meet Nimrod and his beautiful sister, Miriam. This photo is Nimrod and myself. I had brought some gifts, just in case. Here, Nimrod has on a T-shirt from the US! My gift from them was their presence!

They even saw us off from the tiny air strip the next day. Nimrod and I continue to stay in touch. I miss his beautiful letters, but now we email!

Monday, February 27, 2012

We're Halfway Through the Winter!


What a crazy winter it has been. As I look out my big picture window, I'm reminded, about this time of year, even though we have lots of snow and it's beautiful, it's time to start thinking of spring.

Have you noticed that the days are so much longer? The extra daylight is wonderful and I can get more projects done! It's supposed to snow again tomorrow and winter will be back but for at least today, spring is in the air. We've been so lucky that the skiing remains delightful. Enjoy your day.

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Maggie joins Fraser in Doggie Heaven


Maggie--sweet, loyal, devoted. Maggie lived to a ripe age of 13. She was one of the best dogs we've ever had the privilege of having in our family. Not only was she Fraser's best friend for 10 years, we loved her so much words just can't describe.

Maggie was not only one of the stars of my series of children's books, but visited schools, helped me with the Fraser Writing Contest, came with me to a zillion book signings, was a pet therapy dog for our local hospital and senior center. She made many a person smile who had just undergone surgery or only had hours left to live. Just her presence was so comforting to so many. The staff at the hospital misses her.

You've seen photos on my blog of kids meeting Maggie and the joy they got from meeting the "real" dog in the books!!

Maggie--you will be missed but we're so happy you're with Fraser and our other dogs who have passed into another world of rainbows and 24-hours of fun, dog bones and love.

Monday, January 9, 2012

More Holiday Fun


Maggie really enjoyed her time at the Silvertree Hotel over the holidays.

Thanks to all the children and parents who joined us at the Silvertree and the Hotel Jerome. Reading the Fraser books to children is a real joy for me.

I wish you all a very Happy and Snowy New Year!!

For those of you who have left the mountains, we finally got a lovely, well-needed snow storm on Saturday. This gives us all a big lift for January.

Winterskol is right around the corner.