Mud Hole

A funeral can bring family together to share memories, food and even play for the kids. I was the only adult in the pond with the kids making me the "coolest" aunt around. Really, I had to jump in in my clothes (and my good hat) to rescue my dog and then a three year old who fell off into the deep end -- a couple times. While a steep embankment made for the perfect mud slipper slide. Good times.

Uncle Larry

Larry Joe Fetty 8/14/51 - 5/23/12
Rest in Peace, Uncle Larry. You were sick for so long but that had a way of bringing our family together. Now I take comfort in knowing you are going home to be with Grandma and Grandpa. God be with you.

Green Valley

As we started a day of shoppping, Karen knew exactly where to take me. A short ride from Manitou Springs to Green Valley Weavers & Knitters in Colorado Springs, CO. A real fiber shop filled with spinning wheels, weaving looms and yarn. I was on the search for a special souvenir project and found it in a sample Shipwreck shawl (free Ravelry pattern) from locally hand painted superfine alpaca by Spruce Dragon, LLC in deep woods. The perfect shade of green turquiose.

Goodbye Colorado

Day 4: Time Flys:So much fun:Laughed:Cried:Thankful friendships:Road travel prayer:Goodbye Colorado:Hello Kansas:Small town tavern:Chicken fried steak sandwich:Icy cold beer:Love You:Karen:Melanie

To the Top

Day 3:Rise early:Coffee:Knitting:Spice of Life:Rocky Mountains:Mineral spring fountains:Rain:Hail:Sun:Cog Train:Top of Pikes Peak:14,110 elevation:24 degrees:Snow:Twin Spring fountain favorite:Hell's Kitchen pizza:Last night in Manitou

Shop Til Ya Drop

Day 2:Early morning:Coffee:Scones:Colorado Springs Yarn:Chocolate:Shop:Shop:Shop in Manitou Springs:Amber:Turquoise:Shirts:Handbag:Butterfly belt buckle:Poppies:Lupines:Roses:Dinner walk:Chips and Salsa:Corona Margarita:Hot tub

Girl Moto Posse in Colorado

Day 1:Girl Moto Posse together again:Two days off work:Sun on backs:Gas stop questions:Where ya'll heading:West:Scenic CO Hwy 94 to mountains:Creekside suite:Two patios:Lock up bikes:Short walk to Manitou Springs:Fish tacos:Margaritas

Personal Threads Boutique

After a meeting in Omaha, NE, I stopped into a totally different yarn shop, Personal Threads Boutique. The first floor is an art gallery run by a wife and the second floor is the yarn shop run by her husband - and what interesting, artistic people they were. It was an absoulte joy to chat with both of them. I've never seen a wall of Koigu yarn before and too many chioces made my head spin and I couldn't even think of a single pattern idea to make a purchase - that I will regret. I wish I had more time to give it some thought but I did grab a couple large skeins of Mountain Colors, some sock yarn and a couple festive Chic-a project bags.

Happy Lake Dogs

Sheba has cancer so the time we have with her is precious. She loves to swim and fetch and I wanted to get her out to the lake to enjoy herself. This was Molly's first experience with water and Sheba showed her how to have fun. They both had a blast and I enjoyed seeing them so happy. Mom even surprised us with a visit for several hours into dinner time.