The most fortunate are those who have a wonderful capacity to appreciate again and again, freshly and naively, the basic goods of life, with awe, pleasure, wonder and even ecstasy.
Abraham Maslow
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Hello, and how do you do? We’ve been busy and occasionally lazy with the usual sorts. Greg planted a pepper and tomato garden again this year, and these are the gorgeous fruits of his labor. They are a super drought tolerant variety called Cosmonaut. Yuri Gagarin would be most proud. They are as delicious as they look and especially fine in salsa! We used both home grown jalapenos (seen below) and green chiles (fresh and roasted) for a mouthful of magic.
As it is peak season, I also did some canning: apple butter that Grandpa would be delighted to eat, strawberry jam, a few jars of salsa, and I candied our jalapeno (on top of the burger), which turned out ridiculously spicy.
This Wilson’s Warbler has been tweeting up a storm in the back garden.
I like old fire trucks.
Another change in the living room – new art. The paintings are by Carolyn Dailey. We bought the Cowboy and Cowgirl in Nashville at Hatch Show Print, and the others are a random assortment of lovely finds. I love how it looks! Also, Juniper sunbathing.
Juniper sunbathing again.
We had a fun visit with my parents about a month ago. In addition to our usual game play, we introduced them to the wonders of Dungeons & Dragons with a little Legends of Drizzt. Now they know.
And finally, a little trip to one of our favorite local spots – Juniper Valley Ranch. Open since 1951, with hardly a menu change. It is always worth the trip!
Happy Fall…
Unless the weather is wretched with cold or wind, we walk Juniper, and stroll the high path, with the best views of Pike’s Peak. Nature’s balm and wonder, we never never ever tire of the majestic beauty. These are a weekday’s walk worth at nearly the same time. I love how the sky changes!
Hey all! Will you take a look at this mahvelously organized laundry room?! After having “a mad as hell (*not technically) and I’m not going to take it anymore” moment at the sheer mess of it, Greg and I spent four hours the other weekend, taking everything off of every shelf, wiping the dust and debris, purging necessary items, and then putting it all back together.
I am also including what it looks like with actual laundry. Because, let’s get real, there’s nearly always something hanging up. We are definitely not the go-getters who take everything down and fold it neatly the moment it dries. More often, it is an I’m out of something, so I better get to it occasion.
Also, if you would like to have the crazy-awesome hanging racks (at left) that also can be placed flat against the wall when not in use, you are out of luck. IKEA discontinued them, much to the chagrin of many a shopper. As a result, whenever the magic moment arrives for us to move to Taos, we are taking them with us. Indeed.
- Joy at having a tidy laundry room in my super, extra-puffy coat.
- Fur is faux.
- Glasses help prevent migraines from crazy-bright light.
- Peace out…
Hello Dear Reader! Happy 2024!
It is full winter: ice and frost and snow. The most beautiful time of the season. The birds and animals flit cheerily about before being chased of by the clap of our hands – a dog interaction is imminent! Save yourselves! Then Juniper joyfully romps and gathers every scent she can muster into her sniffer catalog. A fine howdy-do!
We’ve been treated to many frosty Pike’s Peak days, as beautiful as ever.
This little hawk, fluffed against the cold, was none too pleased with me disturbing his or her breakfast lookabout. Humans…
Greg took a few days off for Christmas and New Year’s, making each a gloriously long weekend. This was New Year’s lunch, with a decidedly happy hubster getting one of his most favorite treats: DUCK! It was wonderful and delicious and I got to use Grandpa’s jazzy metal dishes for serving, which always makes my heart happy.
In between our holidays, my cousin Stephanie came for a wee visit, which was lots of fun. We ate at one of our favorite downtown places and puzzled, too – a very difficult painting of very cool cars. No photo of her, as she hates having it taken, or the puzzle. It’s all good.
I made pizza for Christmas, but the picture is on Greg’s phone, and I am too lazy to get it at the moment. Fear not! Imagine a most symmetrical pizza, kind of like a kaleidoscope of mushrooms dancing about in a circle, and you’ve got it! It was also delicious.
Perfectly balanced.
Of course, there was puzzling, this one a dandy from Galison, and jewelry from New Mexico, which pleased me so.
Oatmeal scone and a nearly scalding latte. I decided I don’t care about latte art because I can’t make my coffee hot enough with it. So, boring tan foam it is.
Also, Katie, are you there? I bought the mug with you from the man whose adobe house you helped build. Dancing about on it are horses and space ships. I still LOVE it!
Our final puzzle of 2023. So very tall and fun from Genuine Fred (temporarily sold out, methinks). We have been to every place on it! Where have you been? Here or there or anywhere? Hopefully on happy journeys with those you love, especially as of late. A very merry new year to you and yours. Thank you for stopping by…
