RMNP

We're retired, have our national park passes and hadn't been to Rocky Mt. NP in a few years so we took a day road trip in Oct.  It was a chilly day and we thought that it wouldn't be crowded.............it was!  We hiked around Bear Lake (.6 mi loop) and drove around the park.  Trail Ridge Rd was already closed for the season.  We also checked out Estes Park, ate breakfast in town, and didn't see one elk in the park or in town.  We missed the elk rut by a few weeks.

She's Here!!!! 11/13/2017

Waiting at home for a new sister!

Laboring away!

Welcome Delilah June............we are so excited to meet you!!

Growing........................late October

Gma feeling the baby move

Butterfly Migration - late September

The butterflies sure do enjoy our butterfly bushes and we plan to plant some other colors in the spring!  Painted lady butterflies migrate 9,000 miles from California to Mexico each year and come thru Colorado.  The orange butterflies, which are commonly mistaken for monarchs, are headed to Arizona, New Mexico, and northern Mexico for the winter.  They enjoy a variety of flowers, especially asters, which are in bloom right now.    The butterflies will also pass through on their way back north in April and May.

Gma makes a BIG move !

Grandma move to an assisted living apartment in Monument the end of Sept.  She is doing well and likes it for the most part.  I help her as much as possible to keep her independent.  It's a new place, all on one level with only 60 apt.  It frees up Arn and I a little and I think it's  a good change.

So long CSHP.............Unemployed! 9/1/2017

The company I have worked for was purchased by another company and decided to make some changes.  The Infusion Lab closed in March of this past year and the GI Lab/Surgery Center was closed on Sept. 1st.  It was a sad day for all of us.  I had worked at this job since 2006.  Most of  my coworkers moved on to other positions.  I'm on the lookout for the perfect job!  It was a fun job and I will really miss  working with everyone.

Mt. Muscoco Hike

Muscoco Mountain (8020 ft / 2444 m) is a prominent peak in the Cheyenne Canyon, situated on the ridge west of Mt.Cutler.  It is a 3.6 mi. round trip trail and has wonderful views. We started a little late so it made for a warm hike.  We would definitely do it again but start much earlier, take more water, and a snack that doesn't melt!

Salsa Time

For the last couple of years Valerie and I have made salsa in the early fall.  We make a double batch and it gives us enough for the both of us for the year.  We put Gma to work chopping veggies too.  This year we entered a jar in the Ace Hardware canning contest but sadly we didn't win.

Melanie, Melanie how does your garden grow?

We moved my garden last year and it was a discovery year.  A lot of things were eaten by animals but I did have some things make it. Next year I'm trying liquid fence.............
The arugula survived and we loved it, baby tricolor carrots were sweet and tasty, rhubarb made it, marigolds thrived, nastursiums thrived (made pesto from the leaves, never got around to stuffing the blossoms).

Deer , squirrels, and rabbits love sunflowers, zinnias, peas, spinach...............

Herbs - basil did poorly, cilantro did well, and parsley did well in a pot except for 1 attack by some odd worm. 

38 Years! Sept. 1, 1979

38 Years of Wedded Bliss for us..............and right now I can't remember what we did to celebrate.........watch for an update?

Happy Birthday Tyler! 8/28/2017

Tyler also turned 31 the end of August!  Happy Birthday!

Finished Project / Halloween 2017

I've been saving Halloween fabric for years and finally finished up a quilt as you go strip table runner.  Wow, can you say procrastination!  Halloween was quiet this year  We again only had the 5 kids who live behind us come to the door.  The senior center had a party for the seniors so Gma and I dressed up.  They had lunch, door prizes, and lots of games.