BABY ARRIVES....PLANS CHANGE...VETERANS REMEMBERED.....

As we all awaited the arrival of little Mackenzie, some plans had to be put aside, of course!! That's always the way it is!! Babies just don't ask before they make their plans, do they??!!!! We are all very proud of Madison and Mackenzie's daddy, Tom, who served 5 years in the US Navy. Part of his service time was aboard the USS Constellation. As a member of the USS Constellation Association, please use this link to see what Tom had to say about the arrival of his second precious daughter!!

MORE SCENES FROM COLORFUL COLORADO!!!

While sorting some pictures on my camera card, I found these shots from a not-so-recent trip over in the Monarch Pass area, and thought I would post them for your enjoyment!! Colorado is so diverse, so scenic, with soooo much to see and do, I feel like I will never find time to see and do it all!! Nor will I find the time to post all the posts that I think of posting!! Story of my life!! I am so blessed to reside in such a beautiful area, with so much nature at my back door. Enjoy the pics!!

A NEW BABY TO LOVE!!!

Madison has greeted her new baby sister, Mackenzie!! All is well with mom, baby, Madison, and daddy, too!! Mackenzie weighed in at 8 pounds, 1 ounce, and was 20.5 inches long!! She arrived early on Sunday morning, one day before the supposed due date!! We are so proud to welcome another granddaughter to the family!!

VETERANS REMEMBERED.......

Today and every day we shall remember those that have served to preserve the freedoms that we all enjoy! Happy Veterans' Day!! Thank you, veterans!! I hope that in some manner each of us will be able to participate in some of the local celebrations, display our flags at our homes, or do something special for a friend or family member that has served in the military, or is still serving!!

PRIM AND PROPER GIVE-AWAY!!!!

Come one!! Come all!!! Hop on over to visit Susan at Prim and Proper Folks for a chance on a most WONDERFUL holiday give-away!! Such a deal!! Take note of the grand new banner that she created for herself, too!! Way to go, Susan!!

ROCK STAR....OR PRINCESS????!!!

On a recent visit to spend the night with Gram and Griz (me and Mike!!), Sadie and Griz had a grand time upon rising, and before hair styling (ha!!), making music!! Sadie got her own real guitar for her September birthday, and is very anxious to be able to play just like her Griz. She's a little impatient with the time it is taking to make that progress, I might add!! So......is she wanting to be a rock star....or maybe a princess??? 5 year olds are such fun!!

HAPPY ELECTION DAY!! HAPPY SHOPPING!! :)

I would like to invite everyone to venture over to Lemon Poppy Seeds to my two shoppes, and do some browsing and shopping!! You will find me at Annabelle's Attic and Crows in the Attic Primitives over on LPS!! I have a new venue, as well....Country Fried Primitives!! Sadly, Dandelion Darlings is no more...but has been merged with Country Fried Primitives, so take a peek at what I have to offer there on CFP!! THANKS!!! A special little gift will be included for anyone that makes a purchase in one of my shoppes on Lemon Poppy Seeds or Country Fried Primitives and says that they have visited me here on my blog!! My shoppes on LPS update each month on the 1st and the 15th (and sometimes before), and the CFP shoppe will update on or before the 15th!! Thanks so much for stopping by!! Hope your day is super wonderful!!! Hugs, Trudy

NOVEMBER INDIAN SUMMER!!!

Happy November!! I don't seem to remember from one year to the next....but I just don't believe that I normally am mowing the grass in 75 degree weather in November here at 6,000 feet in the Rocky Mountain Foothills of Colorado!!!! But .... I am not complaining!! We have had the most gorgeous weather, and the most beautiful displays of color, although not enough precipitation to make things happy. I hear we are having another cold front come through early in the week, though, with a chance of a rain shower or two.....but not a snowfall!! It seems strange to have so many flowers still showing their pretty faces, too!! But I love it!! Reminds me of living in Austin!! Precious likes the warm days, too, and must take her daily stroll to check on things in the yard and chew a few blades of grass. Hope all is well in your part of the wonderful world!! Stop by and say hello here in blogland!! Hugs, Trudy

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!! HAPPY HAUNTING!!!

Halloween is here!!! The ghosts and goblins, witches and pirates, clowns and rock stars, princes and princesses, kings and queens....they are everywhere!!! What fun!! Hopefully everyone will enjoy a safe and happy day and evening as we pass from October into November 2008!! Goodness!! Where has the year gone?!! And.......the time change. argh. Not sure I like the time change........I have shared some pictures to help set the mood for the day!! The white house is home to granddaughter Sadie here in Colorado, and is shown a week or so ago in the early stages of decorating. The other pictures are from a nearby home that goes all out decorating for the season!! And.....the precious pirate is a picture sent this morning of granddaughter Madison, dressed for her "school" party yesterday!! Happy Haunting!! Happy Halloween!!

CRESTED BUTTE IN AUTUMN........

One of my favorite places in Colorado is the area north of Gunnison, and the small community of Crested Butte. The entire area is filled with history, pastoral and mountain scenery, rivers, streams, cows, and so many more things that I love!! About a month ago we ventured over that direction to attend the Colorado Djangofest up in Mt. Crested Butte, the ski area up above the fabulous little village of Crested Butte. This was the first year for the festival, and was a SUPERB success!! Some of the name gypsy jazz players performed, the concerts were superior, and much fun was had by all!! Mike took a couple of workshops to broaden his skills in this particular music style, and I took tons of pictures!! Other than the music, one of the highlights for me was dinner two nights at a new little "small plates" restaurant, which just happens to be named Django's!! How opportune! You can see the restaurant sign in the picture of the lodge where we were staying. If you should ever happen to be in the area, please eat at Django's!! You will not be disappointed!! Today I have shared some pictures of the area, the Mt. CB side of the actual Mt. Crested Butte, and some shots of the changing aspens. Enjoy!!!

OUR TEXAS TREASURE!!!

Oh, how they grow up sooo quickly!! Our little Madison will be 3 on Valentine's Day...and she is such a delight!! Hopefully she will remain that way after the arrival of her baby sister in a few weeks!! :)

CONTRAST OF OLD AND NEW........

Wind farms have cropped up all over the country, and many are located throughout Eastern Colorado and the panhandle of Texas. I am always amazed at their massive size....not only of the farms themselves, but of each individual turbine, the blades, etc. It reminds me of something alien-like!! At night many of the ones I have seen have red lights that blink as the blades turn. Pretty spooky, but cool!! I was fortunate on our recent trip to get a shot that contrasts the older windmill with the modern wind turbine. If you are interested in this focus on wind power, former Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens is working toward the development of wind power, and many resources for information can be found on the internet. Enjoy reading!! This is definitely the power of the future, and an answer to ending our dependence on foreign oil, perhaps.