Oscar and Dixie'so big adventure day four

Today we went over the Independence Pass. It was very cold and windy. Dad had to break the ice so we could get a drink. Then we stopped and hiked through some large rocks. Mom and Dad had been here before. Most of the trees are yellow aspens. We got to see another waterfall.

Oscars and Dixie'so big adventure day three

Today we saw even more snow. Dad drove to a place called Rifle and we stayed at another motel. Mom was impressed that Oscar remembered which room was ours after dinner. There were about twenty of them in a row and they all looked alike, but he stopped at our door. However, Dad was not happy with us when we
barked at the drunk people stumbling in around one am. We saw a flock of turkeys and a bald eagle too.

Oscar and Dixie's big adventure day two

Today we went to breakfast at the Buffalo Lodge and the hotel people let us inside while Mommy and Daddy drank their coffee. Then, the Moore family came over and we all went to the Garden of the Gods.  We saw the kissing camel rocks and the balancing rock. Then we went to Helen Hunt Falls where we drank really cold water. We also got to play in the snow.

Oscars and Dixie'so Big adventure Day one

We left Mom's work at 4:30 in the morning and drove through Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, and made it into Colorado. Mom got us a cheese burger on the way and we got to spend a lot of time in her lap. We checked into a really nice motel called the Buffalo Lodge and the nice lady at the desk invited us to breakfast. When we got to our room, it had wooden floors with a mat for our feed dish and water bowl. There was a hook for our leash and when Dad took us for a walk-wow. There were great big trees and the area was all lit up. Then we got to meet the Moore family and kiss some kids.

Vacationitist

Vacationitist is the limbo period  just before a trip. It's when you can't sleep more than five hours at a time. You unpack and repack your suitcase to make sure you have enough underwear and socks. There's probably a to do list in every room of the house. Ok, maybe not a complete list of things to do in every room, but definitely a sticky note of some kind. I'd like to give you a preview of where we're going, but to be honest every dang time we make specific plans lately-some thing happens. Going to a party to see friends you haven't seen in several months-stomach virus appears. Planning on going to the river? Rain will come out of nowhere. It's a fact. I have sandals, shorts, tee shirts, and clothes warm enough for snow packed in one suitcase.
I don't really care where we go. That sounds pretty terrible, but I want to relax. Maybe see some pretty scenery. Do something I haven't done before and make some memories.
Wish me luck.

Little moments

Today I went to Abbygale's first birthday party. Before the party really got started, I was talking to her Great Grandmother who had given Abbygale a horse to play with. She loved it and immediately said horse. I looked at her Great Grandmother and asked what she said. I thought maybe my imagination was playing with me. Grandmother confirmed that she said horse.  Then, Abbygale very plainly said horse. There was no doubt about it.

Which is really a good thing, because that's what she got for her birthday and she loved it!

Balloon Festival

Every year the first or second of weekend of September, Harrison hosts a balloon festival. I've gone into Harrison at least three times to see the games being played and the races, but the most I've seen at one time is two or three balloons. It's much more fun to go at night when they do the balloon glow, I might not get the perfect picture of all the balloons lit up at once, but seeing them all at one time is amazing.

More adventures in the kitchen

Facebook has this wonderful feed that sponsors little recipes. My youngest thought one would be a good idea and the hubster agreed so "Bacon Wrapped Pickles" were a go.
First step is buying dill pickles. Did you know that there are Kosher Dill? German Dill? Polish Dill? Hungarian Dill?
I settled on Kosher Dill and went with it.
It's pretty easy-take one strip of bacon and wrap it around one spear. Place on a pan lined with parchment paper and bake at 425 for 25 minutes.
The recipe needs a little tweaking.
I would have much rather put them on a baking rack where the juices could drain off a little bit. I also like bacon to be done. Really done. So I cooked ours a little longer than 25 minutes-more like 45. All in all, pretty interesting stuff. I think the vinegar in the pickles ate the bacon fat.

Hey look Mom

Last night was crazy for me. I couldn't understand why my mom was so much on my mind-it's not May and it's not her birthday and there's no real holiday here in the last part of August. Then this morning it hit me-it's fair time. I won't be able to call her and tell her how I did this year, but I know she knows. And it's not just me...

Happy Anniversary Dwight

Seven years! It seems like yesterday and a whirl wind of dreams-places we've been, things we've been through, things we've done together. I'd do it all again if it meant seeing you smile.
Words can't express my gratitude to you for being you. You've seen me at my worst-and held me until things got better. When you're near, I'm not afraid of anything-I know you've got me. I never set out to marry my best friend but what a blessing you've been.
Thank you for all you've done, continue to do...every day.
I love you
and thank God for you daily.
Hope we get to dance at our 25th.