Fall favorites

Happy Friday everyone! This week just flew by. I went to Wisconsin last weekend for a quick visit and came home on Tuesday morning. I could make a long list of blessings this week, but here are just five.

Seeing my son and his wife and family. I wrote about it in my last post, but basically I went for a quick weekend by myself -- I couldn't wait until Thanksgiving to see the baby again!

On Tuesday evening, a friend from high school was in town, so a few of us got together for dinner. I treasure these lifelong friendships. As the years go by, it takes all of us to remember what happened 40 plus years ago. And even then, the record is a bit fuzzy! LOL!

For years, I've been starting my day with reading devotionals. I have a favorite that a friend gifts me with each year, and then there are usually one or two others that I find along the way, all from different denominations and spiritual beliefs. This is one I came across a couple of months ago, and I just love it. I like that it begins the day with a scripture reference, then a reflection written by different authors each day. Then, a suggestion for the day.

Fall candles are my favorites. I found this one at a little shop last weekend, and it smells so delicious! When I light it I think about the day I spent with my son and daughter-in-law and grandkids.

I spent some time cleaning up garden pots yesterday, replacing the bedraggled summer flowers with mums. Today, I'm going to do more of the same, attacking the vegetable garden and clearing out dried up vines and plants. It's a good start to fall cleaning, something else on my list.

Do you have some favorite moments from this week?

Up north

This past weekend I took a quick trip up north to see my Wisconsin baby. And his babies.

I flew up on Saturday at the crack of dawn. And flew home this morning, also at the crack of dawn. I can't remember seeing that many sunrises in. . . well, I don't know when I last saw a sunrise. But they were sure pretty.

It was a wonderful weekend of just being with the kids (the little ones and the big ones) and joining them in their everyday routines. Holding Ivy and reading stories to Siefer and Sawyer. Seeing Siefer's kindergarten classroom and meeting her teacher. Having some of my daughter-in-law's fabulous green chile. Taking car rides to nearby towns and having them point out places they like and where they spend their days. And visiting a favorite store where all of the fall candles and decorations are out, and browsing with Miranda.

It felt like fall up there, cool and overcast. And that took a little bit of the sting away of having to leave, knowing I get to come home and decorate for fall. And get ready for their visit at Thanksgiving:)

I'm so glad I got to sneak in a little visit. Ivy is three months old already, and I just.could.not wait another two and a half months to see her. She is doing so many wonderful things! Laughing, and cooing and chewing on her fingers. Holding her hands together, like a proper little lady. And in the three months since I last saw Siefer and Sawyer, there have been changes in them, too. Siefer is loving kindergarten. Sawyer suddenly seems more grown up when he is 'the oldest' at home during the weekdays. He has become quite the conversationalist at three-going-on-four.

I don't want them to grow up too fast. But, I'm already counting the weeks until Thanksgiving.

Happy Tuesday.

Ordinary moments

This morning as we were finishing up our session at water aerobics, I was thinking about my five moments of grace from this week. Sometimes it's hard to zero in on just the little ordinary things for Friday Fave Five, but as I was relaxing into the final ten minutes of stretching, I realized I could count two in that very moment.

One, the feel of the water when it is calm at the end of class, all of us stretching out our muscles, the weightlessness of floating. Water is so miraculous, no wonder the call to the ocean is so strong for some people.

While stretching we listened to the theme song from Titanic. (The instructor admitted it might be a little weird, but assured us that we would all make it out of the pool). It's my favorite part of class, feeling thankful for healthy muscles, and the satisfaction that comes from knowing I did something good and the day is just beginning.

Other moments from the week -- the smell of spaghetti sauce cooking on the stove yesterday afternoon. I love cooking on the grill during the summer, it's an opportunity to change up menus for the season, and take a break from the usual cooking. And it's nice to come back to favorite recipes in the fall. When Brooklynn and Bentley came for supper last week, I asked them what they would like. Hot dogs or spaghetti.? They chose hot dogs. And as they were leaving, Brooklynn said, "So, when are we having spaghetti?" So, last night they came over and we had spaghetti.

After supper, Dan and Marcus were working downstairs. ("We" are finishing our basement this fall.) The kids and I were outside in the backyard. I gave them each a little battery-powered lantern and they ran around the yard, casting shadows and and I soaked up the sight of them, light illuminating their happy faces.

Later, we had those push-up popsicles and there was much discussion about favorite flavors. They both opted for grape and I chose cherry. All of us crowded together on the porch swing, me ignoring the melting popsicles that dripped all over faces and chubby hands and my cushions. That cherry popsicle tasted so good.

I hope you found joy in your ordinary moments this week.

Happy Friday.

What is a week-end?

I'm counting the days until the new Downton Abbey movie comes out on September 20th. For those of you who are fans, the title of this post needs no explanation.

 Since Dan started his part-time job at our local big box home improvement store, our days have taken on minds of their own. Up until January, for the 35 years we've been married, his job was 8 to 5 Monday through Friday, and much of that involved travel. Now, he most often works on the weekends, and I work three days in the middle of the week. Which is why, this past Monday, it was almost noon when I realized that it was not Saturday, as he had worked the two days before.

I kind of like this new haphazard routine, though it does take some getting used to. We are able to go places during the week when it's less crowded and it feels like a guilty pleasure to be playing on a weekday.

D is working long days today and tomorrow, and then we'll enjoy Monday together. My goals for the weekend are to give the house a quick cleaning and then tidy up the potted plants outside. I'm going to harvest the last of the squash and pull out the vines, then add some fresh soil from the compost pile, which is nice and black and rich and well-aged. Mow the front yard. Get some mums to replace the withering petunias on the front step.

This afternoon calls for some porch time and a good book. I'm reading Maeve Binchey's Echoes. And I have a little sewing project that I'd like to finish up, a table runner for fall.

Here's a chuckle: Brooklynn and Bentley were here for supper on Thursday. Grilled hot dogs -- their choice -- along with chips and fruit. I had bought a few new fall outfits for each of them, and included new packs of panties for Brooklynn, with her favorite cartoon characters. She hugged them to her chest and was so delighted. "I'm going to take them for show-and-tell!" she exclaimed. I guess when you're four, not much is off limits for show-and-tell, but we did convince her that her favorite toy might be a better choice!

I hope you all enjoy the holiday weekend.

Happy Saturday,

Farewell, August

Lots of favorite moments this week, as August wraps up and we head into September! I'm linking up with Friday's Fave Five to share some late summer faves.

Dan and I went to a community gathering last weekend, a fundraiser for our town's Open Space Foundation. Local brewers came to share their wares, along with food trucks. There were educational booths that featured information on wildlife in the area, and some hands-on activities for the kids along with root beer floats. It was a gorgeous evening and the whole affair was located within walking distance of our house.

On Sunday, we took the grandkids to the Butterfly Pavilion, which is a zoo for invertebrates. They got to hold Rosie the tarantula and each earned a sticker for being so brave! They petted starfish and played with grubs (eeew!) and then we went into the botanical area where hundreds of butterflies flitted around. As gorgeous as the butterflies were -- and there were dozens of different kinds -- the kids were most impressed with the turtle in this area. 

Dan and I spent Monday doing a lot of chores around the house. With his work schedule, our weekdays often feel like weekends. We decided to have our big meal at noon, and I went to our favorite deli and picked up sandwiches and cream sodas, which we enjoyed outside on the deck, under the table umbrella. It is already feeling like September and the day was sunny but just cool enough to enjoy the outdoors.

This is the last full week of outdoor water aerobics. This morning we had a breakfast potluck after class, and the lifeguard turned on the water slides for those who wanted to 'play.' Some of us had races to see who could go down the slides the fastest. Such a fun way to wrap up one of my favorite summer activies.  

Soooo grateful to hubby for taking on one of my least favorite chores. Taking Lilly to the vet for her annual appointment! Poor Lilly gets so nervous, even though our vet is the kindest, gentlest man. It's always an ordeal for me (and Lilly), so I was glad to turn it over to Dan this year.

Happy Friday to all!

August favorites

I just can't believe how fast this week has gone by! Thinking back, beginning with today, I found five things to be thankful for right away.

Extra pool time ~ This morning's water aerobics class was so relaxing, ending with some yoga moves that made it hard to want to leave the water. It is the last week that the pool will stay open during the day. Usually, by the time our class is over, there is a long line of families waiting to come in and swim for the day. This week, since most of the kids have gone back to school, there are only a handful. So, a friend and I hung out after class, caught some extra sun and pool time. It was heavenly. I think this duck appreciated the peace and quiet, too.

Zucchini bread baking ~ It is 'cool' enough today (only low 80s) that I didn't mind turning the oven on to bake some chocolate chip zucchini bread. It is my recipe from college and there isn't one healthy thing about it, except for a few shreds of zucchini. The house smells soooo good!

I have a really cool blender that somehow I lost the blade piece for. Truth be told, I think I might have been overzealous in cleaning out the pantry one day, and thought it belonged to another blender that I gave to ARC. My bad. Yesterday, I called the manufacturer for a replacement part. When the woman first quoted the price -- that included shipping, my heart sank. I commented that I might as well buy a new blender. She was very nice and said she would wave the shipping and give me the blade piece for a very discounted price. I really don't even need this particular blender, but hated the idea of having to throw it into a landfill because of my mistake.

Earlier this week, I was walking from my car to the entrance of the garden store. I could almost feel that exact moment between summer and fall. The heat of the pavement rose up, but simultaneously there was a cool breeze and the sky was that blue with that hint of purple that I only see in September.

I'm happy to have new garden gloves to replace the pair that have a hole in just one finger, but all the dirt manages to seep in that one spot;)

Happy Friday,

Karen

August Daybook

For Today . . . Monday, August 19th, 2019

Looking out my window . . . it is just about dusk and the sun is peeking through a bank of clouds hovering over the mountains. The colors are so pretty -- peach, purple and gold.

I am thinking . . . that I don't have a lot of pictures to put in this post!

I am thankful . . . for a beautiful, sunny morning and my favorite water aerobics instructor at the pool this morning.

One of my favorite things . . . stationery, post it notes, pens, "school supplies."

I am creating . . . a new blouse in the sewing room.

I am wearing . . . shorts, tank top, sandals.

I am just finished reading . . . The Salt Path by Raynor Winn. It's a beautifully written memoir about a couple in their 50s who become homeless just as they learn that the husband has a life threatening illness. They make the decision to walk the South West Coast Path, 630 miles through Devon and Cornwall. They learn much about themselves and what 'home' really means. It is a thought-provoking book and made me wonder what I would consider the "necessities" in my life.

I am watching . . . Designated Survivor on Netflix with Dan. It's soooo good! The series stars Kiefer Sutherland who unexpectedly becomes the President of the United States when almost the entire U.S. government is killed in an explosion. Kiefer has to rebuild the government and discovers enemies and allies along the way.  

I am hoping . . . to get an appointment with Geek Squad this week, so I can take my camera in and start taking pictures again.

I am learning . . . that I have to say 'no' to some things -- things that I might really want to do, so that I can allow time for the REALLY important things I want to do. There isn't time to do everything.

In my garden . . . cucumbers galore!!

In my kitchen . . . refrigerator pickles (see above).

{share your kitchen adventures, weekly menu, as well as recipes}

From my Pinterest board. . . I love anything sewing related, and this little sewing cabinet that is re-purposed for a planter just speaks to me. I love the yellow. I don't think I could put it outdoors though. It's just too adorable.

(Credit for this pin was not given).

Shared Quote . . . 

I must write it all out, at any cost. Writing is thinking. It is more than living, for it is being conscious of living. 
Anne Morrow Lindbergh

A moment from my day . . . when we Facetime with our Wisconsin grandkids, Ivy smiles at the camera!  I love it and I LOVE her!

If you would like to create your own Daybook, here is the link.

Happy Monday,

Karen

Friday Favorites

It's Friday, and that means it's time for Friday's Fave Five, where we look back at the week and remember the grace points. I love this practice that helps me keep what's important front and center.

A day trip ~ On Monday, my aunt and I drove up to the little mountain town of Grand Lake to meet my sister-in-law for lunch and a bit of shopping. A string of three large lakes leads to the town that is nestled in the valley near the base of Rocky Mountain National Park. We had lunch at the Grand Lake Lodge where the view is spectacular. Sailboats and watercraft were mere dots on the water.

Ice Cream ~ On the way home from Grand Lake, we stopped in the town of Empire where there is an ice cream stand that is sort of a landmark. We each had a double dip ice cream cone, and that was our supper:)

Model boats ~ Speaking of boats, there is a group that regularly meets on weekends to sail model boats on our community pond next to the library.  I always think of Stuart Little (remember the chapter where he sails the yacht?)  It looks like such a peaceful, relaxing past time. I've hinted to Dan that he should take it up. So that I can sit in a lawn chair and watch the boats. So far, he hasn't taken me up on the idea.

Farmer's market and a used book store ~ My niece and I met for coffee earlier in the week. Afterward we went to a farmer's market and then came across a used bookstore. It was lovely browsing through stacks of books in companionable silence with another book lover, every so often sharing a favorite read or author with the other person.

 Clouds ~ Late afternoon thunderstorms have given us the most spectacular evening skies this week. This was our view from the back porch last night, although the picture doesn't do it justice. It struck me that it is a view that unites us all, whether just hanging in the backyard, driving home, or spending time at a game or some outdoor venue, many are pausing to take in the same beautiful view.

Happy Friday,

Karen

Friday's Fave Five

Blogging has been hit or miss for me this summer, so it's been a while since I joined the Friday's Fave Five crowd. Writing FFF posts gives me the opportunity to illuminate the positive parts of the week. It is a touchstone of sorts, especially when the week has been as dark as this one with multiple horrific events. I'm not turning my back on what's been happening. I am stepping up my involvement in groups that demand reasonable, sensible, serious gun control. However, the key to contributing to a peaceful existence -- and that is something I can do -- is to stay centered in God's grace as much as possible.  Here are some moments that stood out this week.

Evening porch time with Lilly ~ One evening, I had settled in my favorite chair in the living room with a book, and Lilly came in from the back porch, obviously wanting me to go outside. I wondered what she had found, and if she could talk she would have been saying, "C'mon! Let's go!!"  Out on the deck, she danced around the porch swing, and with my book in hand I sat down. She jumped up beside me -- unusual for her -- and rolled on her back for a belly rub. It was a perfectly gorgeous evening, and she obviously wanted me outside. I read for an hour while she stretched at the end of the patio to oversee the long shadows on the lawn and the last light of day peeking through the trees.

Water aerobics with the Beatles ~ On Wednesday, our class exercised under a clear blue sky, splashing in the pool to a Beatles play list. It was a great way to start the day. I felt like I was 20 years old wearing a bikini again, although the reality was quite different!

Mornings with Dan ~ For years, my summer mornings have meant coffee and reading devotionals on the back porch. This is the first summer that Dan joins me out there every morning, a time that I've longed to share with him.

Enough ~ The feeling that what we have - our small house, all the necessities, a simple life - is enough.

A new calendar ~ I start with a new planner every September. It's a throwback to the time when the academic year was my "new year." I can't seem to get that out of my system, and I really don't want to. September is a beautiful month for beginnings.

Wishing you peace, and eyes to see your moments of grace,

Karen

DIY retreat

Dan was away this weekend, spending time with friends at a cabin in the mountains and cutting down trees. This is the group that he used to camp and go rafting with every summer. In the past couple of years, they're taken to activities with softer beds and amenities such as plumbing and electricity to retire to at the end of the day:)

On Saturday, I had a DIY writing retreat right here at home, with just me and Lilly. In addition to this blog, I'm contributing to my sister-in-law's blog for her winery (which you can find here). And, in addition to journaling, there's always the hope of someday finishing a book. So, with a new planner in hand -- and some 'school supplies' from Target;) -- I set up a schedule and got organized.

I've long been intrigued by the idea of an at-home retreat. One of the women in my writers' group shared her ideas, so along with those and some Googling, this is what I came up with.

In preparation, earlier in the week I marked the day on my calendar and cleared it of any obligations, which included declining a lunch invitation that I knew would throw me completely off course. When I went to the grocery store on Friday, I picked up some favorite snacks and drinks. I even did a quick tidy-up of the house on Friday, so as not to get distracted. Most importantly, I set up a loose structure for my retreat day along with this list of things I would not do:

     * pressure myself to write X many words or pages
     * go online
     * do chores
     * get distracted by suddenly needing to organize the bookcase or files or office
     * do research (this is a big one for me, because once I go down that rabbit hole, there's no telling how long I can be gone)

I segmented the day into early morning, late morning, early afternoon, etc., and wrote out a general plan for what I wanted to work. I included plenty of non-writing activities such as a walk with Lilly, listening to a podcast, reading some writing-related articles, and even a few minutes in the garden.

The day was a success! I wrote a blog post, made a plan for more posts, plotted an outline and did a little free-writing. Full disclosure, by 3:00 I was kinda done. I read a few chapters from a novel and then took a nap!

The nice thing is that while I accomplished a few projects, I also know exactly where to start the next time I have some free time. I think my next DIY retreat will be working on my photo albums. Or I could do a day of catching up on sewing and knitting projects and organizing the sewing closet. Now that I have an idea of how to set it up, it really wasn't hard to make it happen.

Dog Days of Summer

We're in the dog days summer here on the front range in Colorado. I've always thought that this expression was a bit insulting to dogs, thinking that it has something to do with being so hot that it even makes dogs lazy and useless.

However. Upon Googling it, the expression is from the ancient Romans who associated the hottest days of summer with the star Sirius, or the "dog star." It was the largest star in the constellation Canis Major (Large Dog).

So, the fact that the dog days are hot and humid and make the rest of us feel lazy isn't necessarily dissing dogs!

I, for one, have been been doing a lot of sittin' and reading this summer. I've got a couple of big volumes going, which is something I don't usually do, reading more than one book at a time. One is a biography and the other is an old favorite that I've read a few times, so I don't have to concentrate on the story line, I'm just enjoying the writing.

Here's my list:

The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton ~ I really love this author, but this wasn't one of my favorites. I loved the story and I wanted to love the book. It's one of those multi-generation sagas that takes you through the mystery story of a wonderful old house in England. But, I think she tried to cram too many plots into this one, and I had to keep flipping back pages to keep track of the characters.

The Valley of Decision by Marcia Davenport ~ This is a book that I've re-read a couple of times. It, too, is one of those multi-generational sagas, about a family in Pittsburgh whose fortune is made in the steel industry, and the servant and family member who fall in love despite the class boundaries of the time. It was written in 1942, and was made into a movie starring Gregory Peck and Greer Garson.

Hoover; An Extraordinary Life in Extraordinary Times by Kenneth Whyte ~ A biography of President Herbert Hoover, I'm working my way through this a few chapters at a time, as I'm reading it at the same time as Valley of Decision. I enjoy books about American history when told through a personal story. Hoover was a man who came from humble beginnings, and through the strength of his character and determination accomplished great things for himself and for the country.

The remaining books on the stack are what's up next. I think I'll go for the Danielle Steele next, as it will be nice to have a quick read after the previous two 'door stoppers.'

What are you reading this summer?

A very hungry caterpillar

 I found this little guy munching away on one of the butterfly bushes in the backyard.

Do you remember the story The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle? It was one of my favorites to read with my kids, and now my grandkids love it, too.

This little guy will soon be wrapping up in a cocoon and resting up for bigger things. 

I'm going to take a little break as well. Lots to do in the backyard, so I won't be posting as often.

Til next time,

Karen

Thoughts on a Sunday

This is the view this morning, looking out our bedroom window into the backyard. It's a cool 54 degrees outside, overcast with rain in the forecast for much of the day. A perfect day to work at my desk and bake some cookies later on. The rest of the week promises hot summer weather moving in. Maybe I'll get to the pool this week?

Things I love about summer ~~

~~ Coffee and journaling in the morning out on the back deck

~~ Dan's G&T's in the evenings

~~ the library reading program

~~ visiting museums where it's cool and air conditioned

~~ watching the grandkids play on the slip-n-slide in the backyard

~~ pedicures with bright colors

~~ the Boulder Farmer's Market

~~ seeing butterflies

~~ fresh herbs

~~ naps on the porch swing

~~ light, fruity, dry wines

~~ grilling and eating outdoors

~~ driving to the mountains to find cooler weather

~~ fires in the fire pit and s'mores

~~ longer days with more sunlight

~~ water aerobics

~~ baseball and golf

What do you love about summer?

Happy Sunday,

Karen

A glimpse into my day

Outside . . . blue skies, hot, first day of summer

I'm listening to . . . What a Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong)

Feeling. . . creative

Thinkin' about . . . how precious and fleeting life is. I had a good conversation on the phone yesterday with my BFF. We talked about seizing this stage of our lives and finding purpose. After I hung up, another friend had texted that her sister just passed this morning, a poignant reminder that none of us really know the number of days we have left on this beautiful earth.

Loving. . .  homemade iced tea with fresh lemon.

On the nightstand . . . The Diplomat's Daughter  by Karin Tanabe, and a biography of Herbert Hoover.

Looking ahead . . . to dinner with friends this weekend and to seeing live TedTalks in Denver this Saturday.

Lessons learned/in progress . . . I can't change people, but I can "meet them where they are."

In the kitchen . . . keeping a special section in my recipe box for summer recipes. They are easy to prepare, and include a variety of side dishes for grilled meats and chicken and fish. It simplifies the menu planning process, which is what I look for in the summer, eliminating too many options.  

In the garden . . . herbs, roses, lupine, pansies, peonies, poppies in bloom. Next up: lilies and coneflowers.

Words to share . . .

"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me."

Erma Bombeck

Through my lens . . . thunderstorms last week made for some spectacular sunsets.

Wisconsin trip, part 2

Before it becomes a distant memory, I want to share some photos of our trip home from Wisconsin.

I think every state in the union has something of beauty to see. When I hear people groan about driving through Kansas or Nebraska, my thought is that they just need to get off the interstate. Iowa is another state that often gets a bad rap, but it is filled with scenic byways and interesting history.

We hoped to follow the Great River Road along the Mississippi River and see some of the area's quaint old towns and scenic bluffs. However, due to all the flooding in the eastern and western parts of Iowa, there were a lot of road closures. So, instead we opted to wind our way through the central part, and it landed us at the Hoover Presidential Library and Museum.

One of the items on my "learn something new" bucket list is to visit all of the nation's Presidential Libraries. So far, we've been to three, including Eisenhower's and Truman's. It's so interesting to learn about the presidents in the their capacity as Commander in Chief and how they came to office and their mostly humble beginnings. And it's a great way to see what was happening in America during the time of their administration.

This is the two-bedroom home where Herbert C. Hoover was born, the second child of Quaker parents. He and his two siblings were orphaned when he was just nine-years-old. They were all farmed out to relatives, Herbert eventually ending up in Oregon with an uncle and aunt.

The grounds have been developed into a little street reminiscent of the West Branch, Iowa, at the time of "Bertie's" childhood, with original buildings that include his father's blacksmith shop.

The library and museum contain artifacts from his personal life with his wife, Lou Henry Hoover, and his administration.

Also on the grounds is the final resting place of the couple, nestled next to a prairie reserve.

From the grave site, there is a view of Hoover's childhood home. The library also houses the papers of Laura Ingalls Wilder and her daughter, Rose Wilder Lane. Lane and Hoover became close friends after she was commissioned to write a biography of his life.

Naturally, I came away with a book in hand, one that Dan is interested in reading, too. It's Kenneth Whyte's Hoover: An Extraordinary Life in Extraordinary Times, a fair-minded, easy to read epic story of a president who suffered failures and also achieved greatness during his life.

We haven't made plans yet for our next museum trip, but on my list is the LBJ library in Texas.

Friday Favorites

It's been a few weeks since I've joined the Friday's Fave Five crowd and it feels good to be back! It's been a crazy, full week after returning home from our 10-day trip to Wisconsin. So good to be home!

Ivy Rose ~~ I miss her and her big sister and brother every day! She was born May 31st while Dan and I were driving up to see them. (I wrote all about our trip here.)  I "met" her for the first time on FaceTime and took a screen shot to save the moment!

Daily photos of Ivy and the kids ~~ Miranda sends us pictures every day. Oh, how I miss them! I'm already looking at flights for later in the summer. In fact, don't tell Dan, but I might even go tomorrow;)

Coming home to gorgeous weather ~~  Summer is late in arriving here, and that is okay with me. I'm not looking forward to the heat. We are due for some thunderstorms in the days ahead, so I'll have to be watchful for hailstorms and pull some of the potted flowers under the eaves if that's the case.

Rockies games and hot dogs ~~ summer doesn't get much better than that. Dan and I went to our first game of the season. The Cubbies beat our Rockies, but the day was gorgeous.

Spring golf ~~  I'm playing in a spring league. It's very casual, just a Par 3 league and most of us are beginners. I've met some of the nicest women of all ages.

Happy Friday to all,

Karen

The Garden

I still plan to write a second post about our Wisconsin trip, in particular the ride home, but the weather has been so glorious this week, that I'm having a hard time staying indoors. Aside from the days at work which are longer than usual while I try to catch up, I've been out in the garden, playing golf and just doing some back porch sitting and reading.

According to house sitters Joe and Sam, we had a lot of rain here while Dan and I were gone, and there was proof of that in the garden. In just those 10 days it came to life! And the lawn needed to be mowed twice to get it down to size.

On Monday, between laundry and unpacking and getting the house in order (I said they were house sitters, not house keepers -- groan), I snuck away to the the garden shop to buy some more pansies. The pots I planted a few weeks ago are so full and gorgeous, so I added some more colors -- peach and deep orange and white.

Lupine is one of my favorites, and I plan to add more colors. These have been encroached upon by Sweet Woodruff, so I'll need to thin that out a bit first.

Blue Columbine is the Colorado state flower. I'm always so happy to see it return each year.

The herb garden is a bit of a mess, because the chives have taken to wandering. I keep culling them out, leaving just this huge plant that the bees just love.

A couple of years ago, one of our neighbors thinned out his iris beds. I think this will be the year that all six colors he gave me will bloom -- the buds are there. The peach was the first to blossom.

Poppies are such a wonder to me, so papery and translucent, I love the way they catch the light.

The peonies are just starting to open. There are just a couple of flowers, mostly those tight little buds.

When I took these photos a couple days ago, this was the only rose in bloom. Now, the bushes in the front are bursting with color.

I'm off to work another long day.

Happy Thursday everyone.

Karen

Wisconsin 2019

A couple of more photos, as promised. There must be an easier way to upload, I just need to spend some time with it. Sawyer was not in the mood for pictures, so we all humored him and this is the best shot!

Ivy is always very cooperative for photo sessions:)

A little about our travels . . . On Friday, we left Colorado and stopped for the requisite coffee to go. We decided to head north a bit to avoid some road closures due to flooding in Iowa. This resulted in heading east through some of Nebraska, then 'stair-stepping' up to the southeast corner of South Dakota. It's nice taking the back roads, seeing all the little towns and getting a feel for the country off the interstate.

We did encounter some flooding along the way which resulted in a 30-minute detour. 

We spent the night in Sioux Falls, but about an hour before we got there decided to have dinner in Yankton, South Dakota. It sits on the Missouri River and at one time was the leading port for riverboats servicing frontier villages, Indian agencies, and military forts. We had a light supper at a restaurant overlooking the river.

The next day, we drove the second half of the 1,100-mile trip to Wisconsin. On the way, I found a coffee shop in a little town in Minnesota that looked like it would be a fun place to stop. However, the town was having a parade and all the shops on Main Street closed to go see it! So, we watched for a little while, then headed off and found another coffee place down the road a bit.

As eager as we were to arrive, driving through Wisconsin is so relaxing and enjoyable. Spring is a beautiful season in most places, and here it means lots of babies -- calves, lambs and foals! The colts were plentiful, all leggy and sweetly nestled against their moms.

At last, we reached our destination. For the next seven days we were able to soak up Luke and Miranda and the kids. We went out a few times, but mainly stayed close to home. Luke used the time off and Dan's help to do a few things around the house. Siefer and I planted flowers. Luke grilled for supper several nights and we enjoyed time around the fire pit afterward. We saw one of Siefer's t-ball games, and we got to celebrate Miranda's birthday with her family. We all went out for Mexican food for lunch one day, and the older kids got a much-promised trip to their favorite pizza and game venue, where Dan and Luke got into a competition at the basketball hoops. Siefer and Sawyer got a slip-n-slide, and with a new puppy, there were plenty of things to entertain us.

The time went much too quickly, but we squeezed in trips for ice cream, favorite movies on t.v. and made lots of memories.

Dan and I took a different route home, which I'll write about in my next post.