Sunrise/Sunset

It seems that we have had some extraordinary sunrises and sunsets this fall. Here are a few photos I have snapped with my phone. None have been cleaned up or edited in anyway.

This morning

Sunset Nov 24th- North sky

Sunset Nov 24th- South sky

Sunset Oct 15th

Yard update

We have been finally getting around to working in the yard the last few weekends.
New mulch, working on the flagstone patio, bought seeds to plant, lawn mowing- all the good stuff.

In other news, I now have a phone that supports instagram and have been having a great time photographing flowers in the yard. Here are a few:

Color

I'm pretty excited to see the explosion of color in fashion this spring. Its been slowly trickling back after several years of black/ gray/ tan/ white pallets.
It seems as though we are collectively saying "fuck this depression. I'm tired of this shit. Its time to have some fun."

Lets hope. Seem slike a change of attitude- collectively, is what we need.

Tree

Finally got my xmas tree up this weekend.  It is a cute little tree, and I only had to move 1 chair. ha. :)

Put up lit garlands on the other side of the room, over the pass through. Looking very festive now.  Falkor has decided that he really likes the pine flavored water. Maybe because it doesn't have Kabuki cooties.

Cheers!

Pumpkins!

I only got 3 of 6 pumpkins carved this year. Maybe I will cook the others down for food stuffs- even though they are the wrong kind.

Dia De Los Muetros

A storm is rolling in. We are supposed to see up to 6" of snow in Denver tomorrow. The fall colors are really vibrant right now as the gray clouds roll in. I wish I were spending tomorrow carving my giant pumpkins, but instead I am spending it writing.  Maybe I can get them moved inside anyway.
 Not sure what I want to carve this year. I didn't do any last year, due to the neighbor kids breaking them before i could do anything with them.

As an adult I find myself looking forward to Dia De Los Muetros more than Halloween. Why? I don't know, I don't really celebrate it. Some years I make a small shrine, but at this point in life I don't have many old photos- they still reside with my parents. I think, I just really like the symbolism of the holiday and the celebration. Don't get me wrong, I freakin love Halloween, but this is bigger somehow.

As I said, we have a snow storm moving in. One of my giant marigolds was quite successful this year and is- or was, still blooming away out there. This afternoon I cut all the flowers and strung them into a garland, adding in pretty pink roses. I made a little shrine in the living room. I may only have 2 photos to add to it, but when I look at it, I think about all of the friends and relatives who touched my life in one way or another and are no longer with us.

Pumpkins. I actually have 6. One is out of the shot. Should I do a series? Ideas? Anyone desperately want a giant pumpkin of their own?

RIP Uncle Bill

William Chilvers 1921- 2011

da yard 2011

Every year I like to take spring and fall photos of my yard. Usually in May and September.

2011:

 Spring! I spent a couple weeks cleaning out my garden. I prefer to let the vegetation sit and rot er... compost... through the winter. Two reasons, 1. I am lazy, and tired of working on the yard by late fall. and 2. It it is natural composting for the soil, and gives me something to do in the spring when I am ready to get going and excited about working in the garden again.

 All cleaned out. Old fire pit. Added doors found in the alley and fencing, that I hoped would work as a climbing trellis.

 Shade garden. Added some $1 plants [hosta's, shown here] from the local green house, hopefully I can keep them wet enough.

 Perennial geraniums and quince. unfortunately right behind them is a viscous, invasive shrub, that I am trying desperately to kill. So for now there is a bare patch where I cant plant anything.

 Tulips looking good, before the lavender gets big. Love my evergreen Yugo Pine [below]

 Shade garden is... still alive [above]. New fire pit going in... slowly, and everything up front is looking great. Can you believe this is only the second year for the plants in the front yard? Plants in the back are all from seed.

 September! I always feel that our gardens look best  July through early October, here in Denver.

 Giant pumpkins. A love from childhood. I have 5 out there this year. trying to decided what to carve and if i should give a few away.

The cosmos are a great burst of  end of the year color. They have appeared in light pink, dark pink and white.

Next up:
I am planting purple and pink tulips. I picked up a bag of 50 at  [I am ashamed to say] Home Depot. Money is tight, so that is what I can afford to do right now. I am hoping to add a little bit more spring color to the front garden.
Also, mulching the shade garden for winter. Hopefully the leaves falling off of my giant snowball bush will do it for me.

Salida, CO

Last weekend I headed down to Salida with some Roller Derby folks, to ref a bout between RMRG Kill Scouts and Ark Vally.
It was both a fun and horrible trip. Coming off of a cold, I found that congestion + altitude change = complete deafness. it was a bit scary, and I was with a group of quiet talkers who just didn't really "get it." I also suffered my first ever migraine following the bout. My friend Amy came to the rescue with Excedrin and good company. But I had fun sardined into a car with 4 other people for the road trip, meeting new people and having some amazing green chili at the Boat House in Salida.

Looking South over Salida from the "S"

Looking West over Salida from the "S"

A cute blue house with a yellow roof

Stiff Peg Pete with with a Party Boat sized drink

A pretty window box, still in full bloom outside Amica's Wood Fired Pizza

hello fall!

Its been a hot summer here in Denver. September 2nd the temp dropped to the 70s and its been heavenly ever since. Today we had some of my absolute favorite weather- 55, cloudy and rain. I'm spending the evening snuggled on the couch with my kitties, laptop and watching You've Got Mail.
I'm so happy my favorite season is here!

WANT aka: New from Wacom aka fucking amazing

Coming mid-September
Inkling by Wacom
$200



 I am thinking this might be a really cool thing to carry in the art store. I am not otherwise planning to carry software.

Sylvan Lake Campground

Some photos from our trip to Sylvan Lake Campground, and hike near Fulford Cave.

Gypsy Bowtop Caravans

Someone posted this on FB this morning, and my heat went pitter patter.

Greg's Gypsy Bowtop Caravans are beautiful, to say the least. Screw the tear drop camper, I want one of these!

Apparently they can be rented or bought in Europe.... now I search for an American version.

Found a page with numerous links showing home made and commercial made and for sale caravans. Check it out!

Goat and Bee

Goat and Bee has been reactivated.
Do you need a woodland crown for Renaissance Festival, or another summer event? Stop by and take a look.