Easter Week in Colorado

We've had a much needed snowstorm this past weekend....remnants of the snow still remain as the winds blew fiercely and piled snow in drifts along fences and on the north sides of buildings. 

The Rockies got a fresh dusting of powdered sugar, the roads took on an icy edge...

And the dry landscape took on a more snowy look.

The rivers are melting, but it is very obvious their levels are quite low.

The grasslands are harshly under-watered and are quick to catch fire

And a week before Easter, here's how the sleepy town of Estes Park looks

The winding roads got a bit more treacherous

The animals were lured closer to the roadways to find tidbits to eat

And the elk came out of the forests to bask in the sunshine with their friends.  If you look closely, you can see a bird approaching this one in the middle.....

It is no longer safe to walk across ponds and streams

And even the elk (look closely in the background) are beginning to look for a picnic site!

Lovely Easter cards have arrived in the mail from faraway friends who make me smile

Moss is beginning to appear on the rock outcroppings

And the feeders are emptying faster and faster as nests are beginning to appear in the pines

I'm working on table settings for the upcoming wedding and seeing how our mismatched plates and silverware will all go together

And the Easter decorations have graced my bookshelves

There are bunnies and eggs everywhere!!

But most of all, there is the hope of Spring!!

The joy of rebirth

The promise of life and love and renewal

May you each be blessed with a joyous Easter and my the bunny bring you a basket filled with fun!

xoxo

No One Will Do but YOU

My middle daughter is getting married....

It took awhile for her to find the one

But now it looks like I have a new son!

They got engaged on Dec. 27, 2012 after knowing each other for a little more than a year and a half. 

Kris came to ask for her hand in marriage one Tuesday night before Christmas when she didn't know about it.  We talked for a few hours and he shared how much she has changed his life and how he wanted to make a wonderful life for her....

Here's their engagement picture in the moment....He took her up for a sleigh ride in the mountains....

So, people always want to know, 'How did they meet?'  Well, she works with his twin brother....

Kile is on the left in the solid blue shirt....Kris, with the BIG smile, on the right.  Kile is married and expecting their first child in June....

Kile introduced Cadie to his brother Kris

Kris has a golden retriever named Ender....I found this picture and thought he might look cute dressed up for the wedding like this!!

They are going to have a vintage backyard wedding in August....

They both have cruiser bikes, so we'll probably use them for decoration.

They make a really sweet couple together

I'm VERY excited making wedding plans!

I did a lot of the planning for my youngest daughter's wedding two and a half years ago.... Here she is:

Oldest daughter on far left, youngest daughter (the bride), middle daughter, best friend Lindsey

I made the bouquets for the girls and also their necklaces....I should be a wedding planner, I like it so much!

The 'save the dates' just were sent out

Amanda's colors were chocolate brown with tiffany blue....

Her bouquet, however, was the 'pop' of color that was unlike any of the other colors for the wedding.

I walked Amanda down the aisle; I will be doing the same for Cadie....
But I need a new dress, too!!  

Lots to do....and I'll have lots of D I Y projects on here as we progress....but I'm so blessed and so very happy that she is happy.

It's so wonderful when love is true

and you can honestly say, "No one will do but You!"

A little Summer and then back to Winter

I try to get to my Mom's every year around her birthday, which is the 9th of March.  This year, we were able to find some good priced tickets the weekend before, so off we went.  She saves up jobs for us to do; taking care of their home has become far too much work, so here we are in the yard pulling weeds from the rocks.... sorry, Arizona, I really do NOT like rock yards.  Not fun.  

We were there for three nights; the first night, we had Mom's homemade soup at home, but the second night, we went to a fantastic new restaurant called the Wild Garlic Grill  

My mom had the Garlic Grilled Shrimp with Goat Cheese

Sweetie had the Cioppino with a Taro Root Garnish...so delish!

They don't get out much, so I took my mom shopping and got her two new tops for her birthday.  Here she is carrying her goodies...I left the receipts with her, as she has a tendency to 'change her mind,' but she certainly had fun shopping!!

Yes, flowers were blooming everywhere!!

Another scrumptious meal of garlic mashed potatoes, grilled chicken and mixed vegetables with bok choy, etc.  It was so good that I forgot to get a picture of it before I started to gobble it all down!

Then we went to Wildflower....  You can click on the link to learn more. 

Wildflower had gorgeous pots of herbs and flowers everywhere!  My Mom and I both had the 'chicken two ways'.... delicious!!

Here's the restaurant from the front and outdoor seating

Getting back into the car...

The mountain view across from the restaurant

It was a really short trip...had to get back to work and back to everything else.... and what a welcome home it was...it had snowed, so we went from nearly 80 degrees and sunshine.....

 To 27 degrees and brrrrrr.....

 Our mountains are white again, but we're still WAY below our needed moisture.  Water restrictions begin April 1....We still need more snow, so I am not complaining.....bring it on Mother Nature!

Happy Birthday Mom....

Now to get back to Winter! 

xoxo