Colorado getaway

We recently stole away with my parents to a 

vacation house near Fairplay, CO. 

It was wonderful!

Colorado summer

Since we've been back in Colorado

after our Cali & Chicago trips, 

we've had plenty of summertime

going on.

Like racing,

Fireworks with friends at the lake,

mountain biking,

hiking,

and enjoying some time with family!

April Snow Showers

After a very dry, hot March, 

we finally got a bit more snow this week.

Not much, but every drop of moisture

is needed, even it if does mean 

pulling our winter coats back out of the closet.

Today it's warming back up,

with lots of sunshine, 

and gorgeous Spring blooming everywhere!

How was your day?

Two days ago Z & I were out riding our bicycles 

on a sunny, 75 degree afternoon.

Today we awoke to snow, snow, and more snow.

We both had to work

(I can't complain too much about having to work, though), 

but I snapped a few photos when I got home this afternoon.

Mr. W really loves snow...he just leaps right into it!

The tree right by our deck.

Some of the major tree damage on our block.

Our deck.

And as a little contrast, 

some gorgeous flowers leftover from

Z's installation on Sunday.

And finally, getting mail always brightens my day.

So I was thrilled to find a little package

from my friend Kerri...

It was a teensy-tiny Kleenex box!

So there's my day.

What did your day look like?

A little surprise

These little beauties popped up

seemingly overnight.

I had no idea that these particular plants

would produce blooms, 

so it was definitely a fun little surprise!

In other news, I have been having some 

difficulty with my camera lately,

so that's why there have been fewer posts.

I'm working on it, so please keep checking back!

Birthday Blast

A couple of weeks ago I celebrated my birthday.

We really didn't have any major plans

Z took me out to dinner the night before my big day, 

gave me a new pair of Toms shoes, 

& then surprised me with a set of 3 pasta attachments

for my Kitchen Aid.

The reason we didn't make any big plans

for my actual birthday is that we were already

committed to working at a fundraiser for

an organization with which Z is involved.

The event? Oh, it was a clay shoot.

I am not a gun person by any stretch,

but the event did raise quite

a bit of money for a very good cause, 

and it was a really interesting and new experience, for sure.

It was a cloudy day, but the landscape was

scenic & peaceful,

 at least until the shooting began.

We were both cold & tired after the morning's events, 

but finding this lovely package in the mail

from friends Matt & Chris was the best surprise!

I decided that I couldn't wait to try my hand

at pasta making, so I took a trip

to Trader Joe's (of course)

to pick up the necessary ingredients

& a bottle of wine.

At the check out, the cashier found out it was

my birthday & gave me a beautiful bouquet of flowers!

It was definitely a birthday of firsts, 

but a very good day, indeed.

(oh & the pasta was divine!)

More of the same?

So I realized that

I've been posting a lot
of pictures of flowers
and our backyard.

I suppose this is mostly
because I am at home
almost all the time
so that is what I see when
I have my camera handy.

I am going to try to
take some photos of
other subject matter
and welcome suggestions
and/or
requests from all of you.

In the meantime,

Here is a view of our living room
with some flowers Z brought me last week.

A couple of shots from one of our
three rose bushes.

Roses are nice enough to look at
(although certainly not my favorite flower)
but, being in charge of trimming them,
I must say that I have a certain
amount of disdain
for rose bushes
and their rather painful thorns.

And, of course,
our Mr. Wilson,
who, when we let him outside
to 'do his business',
finds a sunny spot and sleeps, instead.

(but notice he is currently cone-free!)

On another note,
at the end of the week
I will be heading back East
to take the comprehensive exam
for my graduate program.

I am excited to see family & friends
(and take some good photos along the way)
but also pretty stressed/anxious about the test.
So please keep me in your thoughts
& send me some good vibes on October 29.

Finally, please leave photo suggestions/requests
in the comments! Do you want to see more of
our house, food, random machinery?
Let me know...I think it will be fun
for me to work with a theme in mind!

Every little drop

A little rain goes a long way here.