The Chukani Tribe

Thank YOU Veterans

2009-11-11T08:07:00.003-07:00

Thank A Veteran

Some veterans bear visible signs of their service: a missing limb, a Jagged scar, a certain look in the eye.

Others may carry the evidence inside them: a pin holding a bone together, A piece of shrapnel in the leg or perhaps another sort of inner steel: The soul's ally forged in the refinery of adversity.

Except in parades, however, the men and women who have kept America safe Wear no badge or emblem. You can't tell a vet just by looking.

What is a vet?

He is the cop on the beat who spent six months in Saudi Arabia sweating two gallons a day making sure the armored personnel carriers didn't run out of fuel.

He is the barroom loudmouth, dumber than five wooden planks, whose overgrown frat-boy behavior is outweighed a hundred times in the cosmic scales by four hours of exquisite bravery near the 38th parallel.

She or he is the nurse who fought against futility and went to sleep sobbing every night for two solid years in Danang.

He is the POW who went away one person and came back another or didn't come back AT ALL.

He is the Quantico drill instructor who has never seen combat but has saved countless lives by turning slouchy, no-account rednecks and gang members into Marines, and teaching them to watch each other's backs.

He is the parade riding Legionnaire who pins on his ribbons and medals with a prosthetic hand.

He is the career quartermaster who watches the ribbons and medals pass him by.

He is the three anonymous heroes in The Tomb Of The Unknowns, whose presence at the Arlington National Cemetery must forever preserve the memory of all the anonymous heroes whose valor remains unrecognized with them on the battlefield or in the ocean's sunless deep.

He is the old guy bagging groceries at the supermarket, aggravatingly slow, who helped liberate a Nazi death camp and who wishes all day long that his wife were still alive to hold him when the nightmares come.

He is an ordinary and yet an extraordinary human being a person who offered some of his life's most vital years in the service of his country, and who sacrificed his ambitions so others would not have to sacrifice theirs.

He is a Soldier, Marine, Sailor or Airman, and also a savior and a sword against the darkness, and he is nothing more than the finest, greatest testimony on behalf of the finest, greatest nation ever known.

So remember each time you see someone who has served our country. When you see one just lean over and say Thank You.

That's all most people need, and in most cases it will mean more than any medals they could have been awarded or were awarded.

Two little words that mean a lot, "THANK YOU".

God Bless Our Veterans!

I originally had a great idea to get photos and years of service for a big elaborate post thanking all of my family and friends that have served in uniform on behalf of our country. However I soon realized that I couldn't do everyone justice as well as how comfortable some might be with me sharing their photos over a public blog like ours. So as the "Thank A Veteran" suggests I will just use those two little words that mean a lot.

So I just want to say thank you Dad, Jeff, Todd, David, Jim, Dale, Clay, Orson, Paul, Sam, Dirk, Andrew, Bill Sr., Bill Jr., Wes and many more I'm sure I've forgotten to add.

Thank you all for serving our country.

Summer Road Trip, pt 5

2009-10-23T20:30:00.002-06:00

Welcome back to the vacation pics! We spent the afternoon exploring the south rim of the Grand Canyon, and it was such a wonderful afternoon. We wanted to watch the sunset, so we drove to an overlook that wasn't too crowded.

We wanted to go a bit off the beaten path, so I explored a bit while Chuck was switching batteries in the camera, and we found a path that led to a nice spot (kind of on the edge, below the paved "tourist area") with room to relax on the rocks and have a great view of both the setting sun and the colors against the far rim of the canyon.

As the sun dropped in the sky and the shadows lengthened, it brought more detail out in the canyon below. I loved being able to turn west and watch the colors in the pink and orange sky, and then turn east and see the waning sunlight paint the canyon with pinks and orange as well.

This was an unforgettable evening.

After sunset we headed back to the hotel. There was a forest fire nearby (it had been set by lightning several days earlier and the Forest Service was letting it burn itself out, controlling the direction of the burn) so the little town was smoked out, you could barely see across the street. We had intended on walking around, picking a restaurant for dinner and shopping, etc. Instead, we ate at an Italian restaurant (cutely named "Spaghetti Western"!) and then headed for the hotel and clean air.

Luckily, the smoke wasn't affecting the views at the canyon, so it was more of an inconvenience

Next up- we travel north to Utah and visit several more National Parks. Stay tuned!

Summer Road Trip, pt 4

2009-10-20T19:37:00.036-06:00

Welcome back to the road trip series. Sorry for the short delay in posting, I had the flu last week and wasn't feeling up to anything but sleep (and re-reading the entire Twilight series in 4 days, but that's an entirely different subject!). I'm feeling much better, and ready to share more pictures with you.

After a fun weekend in Havasu, Chukani headed for Phoenix to spend an evening with our friend Donna's parents. We needed to pick up a toddler bed for Bill and Donna, and her parents offered to host us for the evening, so it was win-win all the way around.

What a fun time we had hanging out over there! Chukani went for a long swim in their pool after Joy made us a delicious lasagna dinner that evening, and Dan-Dad even served us a yummy breakfast the next morning before sending us on our way.

As we traveled back across Arizona and then up to the Grand Canyon the next day, we experienced the stark desert beauty that Arizona has to offer. The Saguaro cactus are amazing. We drove through a whole forest of them one afternoon.

And you get a real sense of how far in the distance you can see with no mountains in the way... the pic above with the gorgeous thunderhead cloud developing looks deceivingly close. But when you can see for 50+ miles, everything looked closer.

We visited Montezuma's Castle and enjoyed the trail around the monument as a chance to stretch our legs. The cliff dwelling ruins were great, the trail takes you right up to them.

And the first of many self-photos. This became a tradition over the week's adventures. In every National Park, we had to take at least one of these photos with some cool scene behind us. Silly, I know.

We left the monument and drove through Sedona on our way to the Canyon. I wish we had been able to spend more time in the Sedona area, it was breathtakingly beautiful. We took a Forest Ranger's advice and drove up to the Airport overlook for wonderful views of the city and red rocks.

The sky was so blue against the magenta-red of the sand sculptures.

Our destination that afternoon was the Grand Canyon... my first visit! We stopped in at our hotel to check-in, and then headed for the south rim to catch sunset on the canyon's edge. It was amazing... cooler temps at the higher altitude, and the view was perfect. Words cannot describe the Grand Canyon, pictures cannot truly capture the immensity and beauty. You just have to go see it for yourself! But don't worry- we took lots of pictures, so we'll share some with you anyway.

Chuck's Aunts and Uncles have a long-standing tradition of calling each other from crazy places and saying... "guess where I am?" Here's Chuck calling his Aunt Nancy to include her in the fun.

There was a rainstorm travelling across the canyon, this is looking towards the distant north-eastern rim.

See... here's another self-pic. We made good use of Chuck's long arms to capture the photos. :)

I have another post set to go later this week, so stay tuned for more pictures of the Canyon.
Thanks for visiting!

Summer Road Trip, pt 3

2009-10-10T08:38:00.022-06:00

After driving across the lovely (and HOT) state of Arizona, we finally made it to our weekend destination- My Aunt & Uncle's house in Lake Havasu.

There we got to meet my cousin Jason and Lori's newest addition to the family, baby Luke. He is so precious!

My parents were in town (from Cali) and my brother and his family too. My grandpa Mac hung out with us, along with my Aunt Phyllis and her family. It became an impromptu Mansfield Family reunion.

I don't have as big of a family as on Chuck's side- that's for sure. I think there was only 22 of us at the most. (Chuck has like 30 first cousins or something like that.) We were missing my Aunt Cindy and her family, so it wasn't quite the whole gang. But what we lack for in numbers, we make up for in fun! :)

We all gathered at my Aunt Sharon and Uncle Dave's house. Lots of bbq's, hanging out, catching up and reminiscing about the old days. The little cousins all had fun playing together too, which was great to see.

This pic is my Grandpa, Uncle Dave, Aunt Phyllis, her kids Sean and Katie, and her hubby, my Uncle Dan. I think this is after the great "Quillo" debate, lol!

We got some nice group photos- below is my parents, bro and sis-in-law, niece and nephew and Chukani, with Grandpa Mac in the middle.

I was kinda worried vacationing in Arizona Mid-August. Hot doesn't begin to describe the desert heat out there, especially late summer! But the weekend we were in town it rained nearly every day, so the blistering heat was held at bay, much to my delight.

That's not to say it wasn't HOT, mind you! :) Here's a great pic of Todd and Randi hanging out in the dining room. Coolest spot in the house- right under the a/c vent. This was prime seating!

That evening after dinner we all sat outside on the patio and watched the sunset. You can't see the lake in this shot for the housetops, but it's out there, and the mountains on the other side are actually California.

I think I took more sunset photos this trip than ever before. Every single night was different, and each sunset better than the one before.

goodbye, sun.

Typical summer evening in Havasu- twilight, and still above 90 degrees. It was, however under the century mark, so we decided it was "cool enough" to go for a walk.

My little niece Shae got tired pretty quickly, so I volunteered Uncle Chuck to give her a piggy back ride. Oh so cute!

The next day we decided to go out on the river in Jason's pontoon boat. We toured around a bit, then found a nice beach to hang out and swim for a while.

Hanging out at the river brought back tons of memories for me. When I was growing up, our families spent nearly every summer camping at the river for weeks on end. I remember wading in an inner tube for most of the day, even sleeping in the boat at night. I loved camping at the river.

We'd all get up really early to water ski when the water was smooth and still, like glass. In the cool of the morning, it was amazing to be out there. I was flag-girl the times I didn't ski, I really used any excuse to be in the ski boats. I'd sit up in the bow with the wind in my face for hours. Great memories.

After a while, we packed it up and headed back for the marina. Jason took us on the scenic tour, and the little ones had a blast watching all the speed boats zoom past us in our leisurely pontoon.

Havasu is famous for its London Bridge, so we had to be real tourists and boat underneath it. There are lots of shops and restaurants in the area, but I've been to them all zillions of times, so we skipped that tourist destination this time.

Later that evening, another storm rolled into town.

It was amazing to watch the storm develop. And that's just what we did- we all sat out on the patio and watched the storm move closer. You'd think none of us had ever seen rain before, it was pretty funny.

We finally got some rain, and the cooler, humid evening to follow. The sunset that night was particularly gorgeous with the clouds and glowing colors.

Ok, next up- Chukani head for Phoenix, and then the Grand Canyon. Part 4 in a few days.

Summer Road Trip, pt 2

2009-10-07T20:53:00.013-06:00

Welcome back to the Road Trip series... After we left the petroglyphs and Albuquerque, Chuck and I drove across Arizona. The road was long, but not so winding, as you can see by this photo:

We made a few stops along the way, the best one was our visit to the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert. It was a beautiful day for sightseeing... even though it got hotter and hotter as the afternoon progressed. Thank goodness Chuck had loaded an ice-chest with water and gatorade for us, we definitely needed to stay hydrated walking around in that heat. Phew!

Once in the park, we came to the Painted Desert first, and we walked along several easy trails. Amazing colors... it was true to the name. I love this shot with the blue sky and green scrub brushes framing the reds and violets of the canyon below.

We had a picnic lunch from eats in the cooler, (yes, we ate in the truck with the a/c on. It was over 100 degrees out!) and then drove along to the Petrified Forest.

Along the way there were some nice vistas and geography... these are some of the "teepees" that eroded eons ago.

It was eerily quiet and still out there. We were practically the only living things moving around in the heat of the afternoon. And the landscape seemed almost alien after a while. So incredibly different from the forests I'm used to in the Colorado mountains.

The petrified logs dotting the landscape were very cool. Until you walk right up to one and inspect it, it looks completely like an old, fallen tree trunk. And then as you get close, you all of a sudden realize that it's actually a big 'ol rock now. Completely mineralized. Fascinating.

After our side tours, we headed west, eventually meeting the setting sun.

After sunset, we finally made it to Lake Havasu City, to spend a fun weekend with nearly my entire family.

Ok, that's it for now... Stay tuned for part 3, the Mansfield Family Reunion.

Summer Road Trip, pt 1

2009-10-05T06:44:00.004-06:00

I've been meaning to post some pictures from the road trip vacation Chukani took back in August... but honestly we took so many pictures it's been an overwhelming task. So how about a string of posts with stories and photos?

We took 11 days late August to go visit my side of the family in Arizona. We drove through New Mexico, Arizona and Utah, coming back across Colorado. It was a wonderful vacation, great to see family, and fun traveling through so many beautiful places.

The first day we drove south through Colorado and into New Mexico. My friend Jen lives in Albuquerque and offered to let us stay the night.

In front of Jen's house she had some huge flowering bushes, and the bees were busy at work all afternoon.

Jen's house is on the outskirts of town, in a quiet neighborhood of newer developments... with an amazing view of the setting sun. In the opposite direction, the lights from the city were a wonderful backdrop to the evening sky, as we hung out in her back yard for a bit.

The next morning we went to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center to have breakfast. Unfortunately, the address on their website was missing a digit, so it took us about an hour to find the center! We drove around Albuquerque for awhile until Jen made a few phone calls and solved the conundrum of why Chuck's GPS was leading us through residential neighborhoods.

The center is a museum, theatre, restaurant and gathering place for Native Americans from all over the region. And the restaurant served delicious New Mexican food, it was worth the extra long trip to find it.

After breakfast, Chukani headed out of town, stopping at the first of MANY visits to National Parks and Monuments. In fact, we dubbed our road trip "National Park-a-palooza" and counted up nearly a dozen parks by the time we made it back to Colorado!

We took a few light trails around the park and got to see the petroglyphs up close... amazing to think how many centuries these markings have been on the basalt rocks.

The remainder of the day was spent driving through New Mexico and onto Arizona. I'll save that for the next post... check back for more in a few days.

Keena's Couch

2009-09-28T09:00:00.004-06:00

When she's not outside, our Siberian Husky Keena hangs out in our back room. It's a cozy room, with her crate and favorite blanket for napping, and of course lots of rawhide toys for chewing on.

This is also where Chukani usually spend time tv/movie watching, so we hang out with her back there quite often. However, when we aren't out there... she sometimes pouts and decides that lounging on the couch will get our attention.

Keena also thinks of herself as a lap-dog, so if you sit on "her" couch, she is likely to join you for a cuddle.

What a silly dog!

Palisade Peaches

2009-09-25T09:09:00.007-06:00

I bought a case of peaches last month, from the West Slope of the Colorado Rockies in a little town called Palisade. Around these parts, peaches from Palisade have quite a good reputation for being juicy and oh-so-delicious.

That same weekend, I made a batch of peach jam (you see those cooling off in the foreground) and 12 quarts of peach halves in light syrup. I really enjoy canning and preserving the harvest, a skill my mother-in-law taught me. She learned from her mom, so it's in honor of Grandma Mary Keller that I used her tools to put up another year's worth of peaches... something she did every summer.

I've also canned tomatoes from my garden, and even made concord grape jelly last fall. (and I heard through the grapevine (pun intended!) that I might be getting another box of grapes in the next week or two. )

In the dead of winter, when the snow is blowing and everything is bleak and dark... it is such a JOY to bring up a jar of peaches from the basement. It's summer all over again- the sweet aroma of peaches fills your nose and you taste pure sunshine in every peachy bite.

Nothing beats hot, fresh from the oven peach cobbler in January, right? I'm looking forward to it.

Early Autumn at the Cabin

2009-09-22T20:21:00.006-06:00

Chukani left for the cabin last Thursday night, to spend a few days up there for my birthday. The weather was cool and we enjoyed the warmth of the crackling fireplace in the evenings.

We also took advantage of the the clear skies and new moon at night for some good star-gazing. The milky-way was so bright and sparkly! With a couple lawn chairs and blankets out in the front meadow, and all the lights off in the cabin it was a prime shooting-star viewpoint.

As you can see in these pics, the Aspens are in the process of turning from bright green to that beautifully glowing gold. We took an early morning walk with Keena and enjoyed the sunrise among the changing leaves. It was a very nice Birthday I have to say.

Notice the mountainside in the background, and you can see the patchwork of light green, gold and dark green as the trees welcome autumn.

We are expecting SNOW in the Denver metro area this week. Seriously!! If it happens, I'll definitely have my camera handy...

2009 Harvest

2009-09-20T16:03:00.003-06:00

Today I decided to see what the garden had been working so hard on all season.

We only got one pumpkin, the darn squirrels (or a skunk?) got to the other 2 and ate them right off the vine a couple months ago. The carrots were a surprise- I'd forgotton how many seeds we had planted. Somehow I thought it was just a couple squares' worth.

The potatoes were so much fun to dig up! They didn't get very big, but for the first time ever growing spuds I am delighted. Can hardly wait to see how they taste. yum.

I went ahead and picked all the tomatoes since the weather folks have been threatening snow sometime soon. (gasp! snow??) Only a few greenies left, and the rest will ripen pretty quickly I'll bet.

And the beets! yeah for beets. I am planning to can these tonight (or maybe in a couple days if I run short on time...) into pickled beets. This will be a new one for me, I've never tried to can beets before. wish me luck!

July's garden update

2009-07-20T07:08:00.013-06:00

Sorry I haven't been posting to the blog much lately, I've been outside tending to my garden nearly every day! It's so nice to have all the hard work of Springtime done, now I can enjoy being in the garden a lot without having to work so hard. Watering is still a necessary chore, and spot weeding here and there. But overall I'm so happy with how everything is just growing and growing.

I have a bunch of sunflowers along the back fence in the back yard- they are just about to bloom. I'll take a photo of them in the next week or two. The plants are already as tall (if not taller!) than I am. I think some of them will get to be 7-8 feet high.

The flowerbeds are doing well this year, they seem to like all the rainy weather we've been having. And lucky for us the hailstorms have been very mild, with no bigger than pea-sized hailstones. phew!

I am really pleased with the Russian sage we planted last year, it wintered over just fine, and is bigger and lovelier this summer.

I like the tiny purple flowers (so do the bees!) and it makes a nice contrast to the yellow/orange poppies, rudbekias and coreopsis that are all in bloom. I also planted some lavender and purple verbena to play on the contrast.

Here's a pic of the sage with some poppies:

Like I told Chuck, you can take the girl out of California, but you can't take the California out of me! I love having those bright orange poppies in the front flower beds each year. We also have some cream-colored ones which seem just as happy in the hot, sunny bed. They both re-seeded themselves this year, which was really a surprise for me this spring. Quite unexpected considering all the snow and bitter cold weather we had last winter.

The roses are about to bloom again. It seems we have a week or two with all 10 bushes in full bloom, then after we cut back the spent roses it takes a few weeks for them to re-bud and bloom again, so they look all plain and green for the time in between blooming. I wish there was a way to have some of the roses green while the others show off their blooms, then it wouldn't seem so plain in-between roses! I guess a solution might be to plant something among the rosebushes that bloomed more frequently. Hmm... I'll have to think about that for next year!

This rose is one of my favorites, I just love the shade of pink.

This weekend I am finally able to harvest some vegetables! We have 4 huge heads of broccoli, 2 crookneck squashes, and the first of the tomatoes.

I didn't get a picture of the first tomato, as I ate it within 10 minutes of it being picked! Chuck and I had scrambled eggs with toasted english muffins for breakfast, so I decided to use the first tomato, and made mine into an egg and tomato sandwich. Oh my- so delicious. Seriously, nothing beats the flavor and texture of a home-grown tomato. This one was an heirloom variety named "Cherokee Purple". Yum! I gave one to Pat later in the afternoon, and the 3rd one is pictured above. It will make a great addition to some cheese and crackers for snack at work tomorrow!

Thank goodness Chuck doesn't like tomatoes, so I don't have to share with him. :)

Have a great week everyone!

Gardening is a joy

2009-06-27T08:39:00.025-06:00

Our vegetable and flower gardens are in full swing, and I've been meaning to share some photos. So here we go!

I was up early and decided to grab the camera to take with me as I walked around the yard. I really like the early morning sunlight on the plants, it makes the colors glow and everything is so fresh and crisp.

This is the new flower bed we made this spring. There was a triangle-shaped portion of space that was covered in mulch and then had large pots of flowers in it every year. We tore it all out, reshaped the bed and laid sod (the part on the left) so that there is more space walking from one area of the back yard to the other.

The new flower bed is smaller, but this way the plants are in the ground, and we used a lot of perennials, with some annual color as well. I'm really happy with how the flower bed turned out!

This is a campanula that just started blooming, one of my favorite flowers. It's right next to my lavender plant that is blooming as well, making a nice blue contrast to all the pink and red going on in front of the bed with the dianthus, nicotiana, and petunias.

We also planted 3 lilac bushes, 2 hydrangeas, and there are about 4 rose bushes that were transplanted from the front yard over the last few years. We jokingly call it the rose-graveyard, because if a rose plant isn't performing well out front Pat wants to move it to the back yard and get something new and pretty for the rose planters out front. But then eventually the roses settle in out back and do very well, none of them have died as we had expected, in fact the two that have been in the "graveyard" the longest are blooming like crazy right now!

Here's a planter Pat has over on her side of the backyard, I just love the hot pink and dark purple colors together. The geranium has nicely variegated leaves which shows well with all the bright colors of the flowers.

Ahhh... the veggie garden. My pride and joy! :)

Everything is growing very well so far this year. There's also another planter along the back fence that Chuck has several rows of corn growing, next to it are a bunch of sunflowers and hollyhocks. They were still in shadow so I didn't snap a photo... I'll post something once they've grown up a bit more. The sunflowers are the really tall 6 to 7 foot variety, so they'll peek their flowers over the top of the fence, should be really pretty by late summer.

We use the square-foot gardening method and I've been really happy with it. I like the tidy look of the garden, and it's kind of amazing how many plants you can get into the boxes, since we don't need a whole row of pumpkins or beets, just a few sections of the garden is plenty.

Below is the box that holds two pumpkin plants, a mini one, and a regular jack-o-lantern one. In the middle are Leeks growing from seed, but they're still too tiny to see well in the photo. I noticed the big pumpkin plant already has some buds on it, so we should see little baby pumpkins in another few weeks. yeah!

Next is the tomato box, 4 heirloom tomatoes, two red, a yellow and a Cherokee purple. yum yum yum. Last fall Pat and I were able to can the last of the harvest, and I'm hoping to have enough this year again.

I plant marigolds in the garden because they have a scent that the bad insects don't care for, so they stay away from the veggies. I also think the blossoms are good for attracting bees, which I need to get everything pollinated. My garden would be nothing without the precious bees in the area.

There are several green 'matoes on the vine, I'll have to keep a close watch on them. I am so excited for homegrown tomatoes, they taste so much better than the ones in the grocery store!

This box holds some cucumber plants and celery plants. I also have a jalapeno and anaheim chili plant in the middle. They are doing well, I noticed some peppers looking nearly ready to harvest!

And there are little itty-bitty- cucumbers too- right behind the little yellow flower is the baby cucumber. so cute!

We are growing broccoli this year, a new plant for me. I only got four seedlings, because I didn't know if they would grow well, but they seem to be doing fine. In this box there are more marigolds, cilantro (that's already going to seed) and lettuce.

In the right lower corner is a zucchini plant... hello chocolate-zucchini cake!

This planter is my herb-garden. Anise, fennel, sage, lavender, basil, mint, cilantro, oregano... you get the idea. There is also a yellow crook-neck squash plant in the lower left corner, because I had nowhere else to put it. You have to be careful not to plant your squashes and cucumbers too close together, or they will get cross-pollinated while the bees are buzzing about from plant to plant, and you'll end up with weird veggies!!

Chukani decided to plant Potatoes this year too. (it was an adventure at the garden center for sure!) The back of this planter is the dozen or so potato plants, and then the rest is filled with beets, carrots, and radishes.

In fact, the radishes are ready! So I harvested those this morning. I also made a discovery- our dog Keena loves to eat radishes. I gave her one, and she happily crunched away, so I gave her another just to be sure. Yep, she thinks they taste delicious.

Well, thanks for touring the garden with me. I have some pics from the flower beds in the front yard, but I'll share them next time.

My New Hobby

2009-06-14T18:50:00.003-06:00

I learned to Crochet today! Here's my very first granny square. I just watched a few videos on youtube, and followed along. I am going to see how many squares I can make with the 3 skeins of yarn I got today...maybe even enough for a small blanket.

Yes, he really DOES sleep on my head.

2009-06-07T13:43:00.002-06:00

Cooper-Kitty just loves snuggling up next to me on my pillow- sometimes he must think I am his pillow. Chuck snapped this a few weeks ago while I was napping. It's really no wonder I have such crazy dreams, eh?!

Memorial Day Part 3 of 3

2009-05-25T08:00:00.003-06:00

An American flag flies in a light breeze over headstones at Fort Logan National Cemetery near sunset.(John Leyba, The Denver Post)

So for those of you that have returned to see part 3 of my Memorial Day blogs I welcome you and wish you all a Happy Memorial Day. I know that for as long as I remember Memorial Day has meant more than just the unofficial start to summer. Everyone enjoys the three day weekend and I can relate to that. I just encourage everyone to say a little prayer of thanks for those men and women that have given their blood, their years of service and for some their lives to defend the ideals of what that this country stands.

GOD BLESS AMERICA

Irving Berlin, 1918; revised 1938

Spoken Introduction:
While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,
Let us swear allegiance to a land that's free,
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer.

God bless America, land that I love
Stand beside her and guide her
Through the night with the light from above
From the mountains To the prairies,
To the ocean white with foam
God bless America, My home sweet home.

Memorial Day Part 2 of 3

2009-05-24T08:00:00.009-06:00

TAPS

performed by SGM Woody English,

U.S. Army Band,

playing on a B flat Bach Stradivarius Field Trumpet (bugle)

Just to make it clear... I'm blogging about the bugle call and not "The Atlantic Paranormal Society" off the tv show Ghost Hunters. ;o)

Of all the military bugle calls, none is so easily recognized or more apt to render emotion than the call Taps. The melody is both eloquent and haunting and the history of its origin is interesting and somewhat clouded in controversy. In the British Army, a similar type call known as Last Post has been sounded over soldiers' graves since 1885, but the use of Taps is unique to the United States military, since the call is sounded at funerals, wreath-laying and memorial services.

An Excerpt From
Twenty-Four Notes That Tap Deep Emotions:
The story of America's most famous bugle call
by Jari Villanueva

Tomorrow Taps will be sounded at numerous Memorial Day ceremonies across the country and it too has its origins from the Civil War. Originally developed as an alternative to the Extinguish Lights (Lights Out) bugle call, General Daniel Butterfield with his bugler Oliver Norton came up with Taps in 1862. The bugle call spread from General Butterfield's command to other units in both the Union and Confederate armies.

So how did Taps come to be associated with funerals? The first known use of the bugle call was during the same campaign in 1862 where Gen. Butterfield developed the call. Captain John C. Tidball commanding an artillery battery ordered it played for the burial of one of his men. Because of his battery's advanced position he was worried that the traditional 3 volleys that was typically fired at the graveside funeral might renew the fighting.

For the full story I encourage everyone to click the link above (with pictures) or this link to a website associated with West Point.

There are no official words set to Taps but over the years many verses have been written to go with the notes. Here are a few of the most popular collected by Mr. Villanueva.

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the hills, from the lake,
From the sky.
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.

Go to sleep, peaceful sleep,
May the soldier or sailor,
God keep.
On the land or the deep,
Safe in sleep

Love, good night, Must thou go,
When the day, And the night
Need thee so?
All is well. Speedeth all
To their rest.

Fades the light; And afar
Goeth day, And the stars
Shineth bright,
Fare thee well; Day has gone,
Night is on

Thanks and praise, For our days,
'Neath the sun, Neath the stars,
'Neath the sky,
As we go, This we know,
God is nigh.

Memorial Day Part 1 of 3

2009-05-23T08:00:00.011-06:00

For me and Mom most Memorial Day's have meant a visit to Fort Logan National Cemetery on or sometime during this weekend we go to place flowers on my Dad's grave. Over the last 41 years I've many memories of trips there with Mom and with Grandma & Grandpa, Tom or Nancy when they've come in town for a visit. I guess my age is beginning to show now because the trees I always picture in my mind's eye are much smaller than what they actually are these days and I'm amazed at how much further the rows of white headstones stretch every year.

While reading online about the origins of Memorial Day I realized that Fort Logan was named after General John A. Logan, a Civil War era general, who is responsible for what has come to be called the Memorial Day Order:

I. The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form or ceremony is prescribed, but Posts and comrades will, in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.

We are organized, Comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose among other things, "of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers sailors and Marines, who united to suppress the late rebellion." What can aid more to assure this result than by cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead? We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security, is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.

If other eyes grow dull and other hinds slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain in us.

Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains, and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledge to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon the Nation's gratitude—the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan.

II. It is the purpose of the Commander in Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to call attention to this Order, and lend its friendly aid in bringing it to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.

III. Department commanders will use every effort to make this Order effective.

By order of
JOHN A. LOGAN,
Commander-in-Chief

N.P. CHIPMAN,
Adjutant General

Official:
WM. T. COLLINS,
A.A.G.

Originally this day was known as "Decoration Day" and as the order states it was first enacted to honor Union soldiers after the Civil War but was later expanded to include American casualties of any war or military action after World War I.

The alternative name of "Memorial Day" was first used in 1882. It did not become more common until after World War II, and was not declared the official name by Federal law until 1967. In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Holidays Bill, which moved three holidays from their traditional dates to a specified Monday in order to create a convenient three-day weekend. This change moved Memorial Day from its traditional May 30th date to the last Monday in May.

This is why Spring is my favorite season

2009-05-07T21:04:00.015-06:00

Pat and I spent several hours last fall picking out bulbs for this Spring, and then of course there was the labor of actually planting them in the 2 front planters. Phew- a lot of work!

We weren't even sure how well the daffodils and tulips would do in the harsh cold. Also, it's pretty much squirrel territory on our block, and I know they will sometimes dig and take off with the bulbs. It seemed a little foolish to spend money on what might not even turn out to be worth it.

But we hoped for the best, and planted several dozen varieties of tulips and 50 or so king alfred daffodils in the two front planters that are closest to the street.

And now, several months later, yeah- they are all doing beautifully! I am so happy each day when I drive down the driveway heading to work, and see all the pretty colors greeting me at the street. The colorful flowers really brighten the yard, and they weathered all the late snowstorms nicely.

These sunny yellow daffodils are so sweet. Maybe this fall I'll add in some bi-colored yellow and white daffodils too. The flowers are spaced pretty far apart right now, because I know that as the years go by and they naturalize, they will be larger clumps of bulbs where now only one sits. So, while there's still room, I'm thinking I should take advantage and fill in with some contrasting colors. I'm also thinking of planting a bunch of blue grape muscari in with the yellow daffodils.

This orange and green tulip is quite striking, there are a few over in Pat's planter. I love how tulips first bloom looking one way, and then as the colors mature and develop, they sometimes turn out looking like an entirely different tulip! I'll have to check on this one again and see what it's turned out to be.

So, now that the Spring-ish weather has finally arrived, and we have hit the traditional last frost date (usually around Mother's Day weekend here) Pat and I are both getting antsy to get our hands in the dirt and start planting the garden!

This afternoon Chuck emailed me at work and said that Mom wanted to go to the nursery after I got home from work. Strangely enough, I was already planning to ask her if she was interested in going either this afternoon or tomorrow, so I readily agreed. :)

Chuck came along for the heavy lifting (cart pushing duties too). Here is our cart of flowers about half way through the shopping trip...

We went to O'Tooles garden center - they are our favorite nursery. They are family owned, have great selection of healthy plants, and very knowledgeable and friendly staff.

Maybe not the least expensive place to get plants (there's always wal-mart's garden center for cheap plants,) but I know that the quality is a LOT better here. We have been really happy with their veggies, perennials and annuals over the last several years that we've been shopping here. And best of all, this evening O'Tooles was having their Spring Open House, with special sales (the clematis was 25% off!) guest speakers, lots of sweets and drinks, and even door prizes. It was a like a big garden party, the place was packed.

We are all set to spruce-up the front planters with snapdragons, daisies, pansies, violets, cosmos and even some pretty pink and purple petunias. (And as much alliteration as I can handle, apparently!)

Check back soon, I'll post some photos of the front planters all decked out with their Spring colors.

Hope you're all having a great week- and Happy Mother's Day to all the Mom's this weekend! Thanks for visiting and we'll talk again soon.
:)

Before the bath

2009-05-06T21:21:00.014-06:00

In Colorado, we tend to get some late Spring snowstorms that come in, drop several inches of heavy, wet snow, and then move off rather quickly. It's great for watering our newly-awakened spring lawn... but tends to make something of a mud-pen in the parts of our backyard that aren't covered in grass.

A few Mondays ago, I woke up to a gorgeous sight. The storm had snuck in overnight and let loose with snowflakes, and the city was just blanketed. In fact, it snowed for several more hours that morning, I think we ended up with about 5 inches all told.

(Oh, please pardon the reflection of the lamp in that picture. I took this shot at 5-something in the morning and it was too cold to go outside in bare feet! I guess there really are some lengths I just WON'T go to for a good picture, hahaha. )

Not being sure what the weather would be like, I kept Keena inside that morning, and headed off to work. At lunchtime, I zoomed back home so she could be outside for a bit. By then the skies were mostly clear and it was much warmer, so I thought it might be a good idea to leave her outside in the backyard while I was at work for the afternoon. That way she could play in the snow and have fun outside. At least, that was my plan.

Then I came home to this mud-ball of a dog!

Hmm, so it turns out that the really heavy, wet Spring snows also tend to melt rather fast... and in doing so, softens the earth quite a bit, so that digging is the MOST FUN EVER. There was a sizeable hole in the yard over by the well-head... and she was out-of-control hyper.

Oh my goodness, I laughed so hard at the sight of her when I got home, I think she was a little embarassed! But, we went on our afternoon walk anyway, with me giggling about it pretty much the whole way.

I had to pick Chuck up at the airport later that evening, so we didn't have time for a thorough bath. But Keena and I DID spend several minutes in the bathtub, washing the worst of the mud off.
I was kinda sorry to see mud-dog go, she was fun.

New Neighbor

2009-04-29T18:05:00.003-06:00

We've got a new neighbor here in the neighborhood. I've heard it yelling at someone a couple times over the last few days.

The First Salute

2009-04-28T11:51:00.022-06:00

Well I'm back from a quick trip over a 4-day weekend to Utah to see my cousin Orson (we call him Sam) and his wife Lisa graduate from BYU. Sam was in the Air Force ROTC and the cadets were first in line to get there degrees and a handshake from the Dean.

Sam and Lisa are 4th & 5th from the right in the first row way, way down there...

Sam getting his handshake from the dean... sorry Lisa I got your picture just as you were walking away from the dean.

Upon graduating the cadets are commissioned as 2nd lieutenants in the United States Air Force. Sam's older brother Paul, as a Major in the Air Force, was able to perform the ceremony for Sam's commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. Paul spoke of the special friends Sam & Lisa will make as they are stationed from post to post, the things they will do that many of us will never experience as well as the solemn occasion and respect we should show towards those people that join the military to defend our nation during times of war.

After the smaller ceremony with just family and friends witnessing Sam's commission we went and saw the rest of the cadets and Sam get sworn into the Air Force and then get their 2nd lieutenants' bars pinned to their uniform. Marilyn (Sam's mother) & Lisa pinned Sam with the very same 2nd lieutenant bars Paul wore when he went into the Air Force. When Sam moves up in rank he will wear the 1st lieutenant and captain's bars that his father Orson wore during his time in the Air Force. As a newly commissioned 2nd lieutenant in the United States Air Force Sam is entitled to be saluted. There is a special tradition for the First Salute of a newly commissioned officer.

The following in what I found on the Something About Everything Military website:

The First Salute

By saluting first, the person is demonstrating deference to the senior rank, not inferiority to the person being saluted. One tradition associated with the hand salute has withstood the test of time. The tradition is that of newly appointed officer giving a silver dollar to the first enlisted person to salute them after they have received their commission.

The exact origin of this custom is arguable. Researchers suggest that it came from the British regiments stationed in Colonial America. They brought with them a number of customs and traditions that were retained by the newly formed American Units. For example, newly commissioned British officers were assigned an enlisted soldier to train them, teach them the regiment's history and traditions, and ensure that his equipment met appropriate standards. Grateful lieutenants often showed their heartfelt gratitude by informally compensating the enlisted man with a small sum of money.

This custom continued to grow within the British military and newly formed American units. American second Lieutenants, in 1816, received a monthly base pay of $25, a $3 ration allowance, and $1 for an enlisted advisor. This advisor's pay was later discontinued, but the responsibility for teaching the newly commissioned officer continued. The present day tradition is thought to have its roots in this relationship.

Authorized by Congress on April 2, 1792, the silver dollar traditionally is the only coin given in exchange for the first salute. The coin should represent more than a dollar in currency. To every new officer, it has a special significance. It represents the symbolic receipt of respect due a newly earned rank and position.

It signifies a deep sense of gratitude for the knowledge-enlisted personnel, especially NCOs, have passed on to them during training. It's acknowledgement from one professional to another saying, "Welcome to our service and to the profession of arms."

The coin is an expression of respect shared together, as are all tasks and missions that are given together for the officer and enlisted to perform. The values and ethics that are passed on to the newly commissioned officer are there to be shared and remembered and to be passed on again when the time comes.

Whatever the origin of the "silver dollar salute", it is part of all soldier's, sailor's, airman's, and marine's love of duty and their respect for each other, and it strengthens their commitment and responsibility to serve their country. Over the years each branch of service has put it's own spin on the tradition of the "silver dollar salute."

Some of the newly commissioned 2nd lieutenants received their first salute from enlisted personnel there helping with the ceremony. Others received their first salute from family members that were past or are present members of the military. Sam had asked cousin Dale if he would do the honor of presenting him with his "first salute". Dale served in the US Navy as a chief petty officer. As Dale was headed up to the stage Col. Jacobs, the officer presiding over the ceremony, saw that Dale was wearing his Viet Nam Veteran ball cap and quickly asked everyone present to rise to their feet and give him an ovation as a thankyou for his service to our country. If that doesn't get you a little bit teary eyed you don't have a heart! Hopefully somebody can get the colonel's contact info so we can thank him for what he did for Dale.

I'm glad I was able to go over and witness this special occasion. There will be things to laugh about like the fire drill the morning of the commission ceremony and "borrowing chairs" from the terrace room where they were holding the reception after the ceremony. But hey if they knew the size of our family they'd have known to have a lot more chairs in the room for Sam's commission ceremony! At least there were a few chairs left for the group photo in the terrace after the ceremonies.

Nicole and I are hoping we can get "over the hill" for a visit here sometime this summer.

Trip to Albuquerque

2009-04-21T22:23:00.020-06:00

Well, I'm back from New Mexico, it was a really good trip. The weather was sunny and warm (except for the day I arrived- it rained all day) which was a nice change from the Colorado snow!

Jen and I had a fun time shopping, trying new restaurants, going to movies, and just hanging out in her air-conditioned apartment. We met with her realtor Saturday morning to look at a few houses (she's probably going to buy a house within the next few weeks!) visited the Rio Grande Zoo, Botanic Gardens and Aquarium and even treated ourselves to pedicures before she dropped me off at the airport Monday afternoon.

Here are some pictures from the weekend:

We visited a really cool bakery where they specialize in awesome cupcakes. Each day they have 15-20 different varieties. When we visited Saturday afternoon, we picked out 6 to try, but only ended up eating a total of two each over the course of 3 days. (Jen cut each one in half, to be scientific about tasting them) I think we were pretty restrained, all things considered. My favorite was the lemon custard cupcake (lower right). Yum!

Sunday we headed to the zoo. The three facilities were part of what the city calls the "bio park" and one modest fee gets you into all three, plus a train ride between the zoo and aquarium. It was a beautiful day, blue skies and plenty of sunshine. Jen and I had a good time walking around.

The polar bear at the zoo was amazing! When we were outside he was walking around the edge of the pool, but as soon as he jumped in we headed downstairs, and I'm glad we did, it was awesome to see him playing in the water.

I love the bright colors of the flamingos. So distinctive! And they were all awake when I snapped this shot, but I noticed when we walked back through on our way out several house later- most of them were snoozing the afternoon away.

And oh my gosh- these prarie dogs made me laugh! While their friends were busily scurrying to and fro, these two just laid still and soaked up the sunshine. They are so adorable!

After the zoo, we hopped aboard the train to see the aquarium. It wasn't a very big facility, but they did have a nice sized salt water tank with lots of sharks, sting rays, big fish, and even turtles. I could have stood there watching them swim by for hours.

To finish off the afternoon, we walked through the Botanic Gardens... and it's already Spring down in New Mexico! C'mon Colorado... we're waiting... enough with the snow! Their tulips were nearly finished, and the roses almost in bloom, while here in Denver I'm excited that my daffodils have finally bloomed.

The main grounds of the garden were still a desert landscape to be sure, and xeriscaping was a big focus. But they did have lots of lawn and a pretty bulb garden laid out.

Also, there's a new Japanese Garden feature which looks to be really nice once the weather warms up and things start filling in. Another feature in the garden were two big conservatories, one with a desert climate and landscape, the other a mediterranean climate with simply lovely flowers. Just outside was a fruit tree in full bloom, you can see the walls of the conservatory behind it:

I liked the Botanic Garden the most, but that's the gardener in me I'm sure. Which one did you like the best, Jen?

Here's Jen smiling with glee at a big kitchen in one of the houses we viewed. This particular house came in second overall, and actually the dark burgundy paint with floral border was not much of a selling point for us. Cosmetics can be changed though, and this house had good "bones".

I really learned a lot touring the houses with her realtor, he was very knowledgeable about the Abq market, house values and what things to watch out for. It was like being on one of those HGTV real estates shows, without all the cameras and commercials.

It was a wonderful trip. Nice to get a few days away from work, and great to see Jen. I really liked the opportunity to be somewhere I've never been before, the adventure of finding out about a new city and what it has to offer.

Next up it's Chuck's turn to travel, he heads to Utah to see lots of family and Sam's graduation/comissioning into the Air Force. Have a good week everyone!

Cooper Kitty

2009-04-16T07:54:00.001-06:00

Do you think my cat is trashy??!

News Update

2009-04-15T07:57:00.026-06:00

I haven't posted much the last few days, but never fear my dear readers, I did keep my camera handy, and I have lots to share.

Keena wasn't feeling very well last week. We thought maybe she had eaten something- she was very lethargic and not eating, but throwing up a lot (and other unmentionables!)

If you've met Keena, you'll know that she is pretty much known for her energy, so believe me when I tell you it's an extremely noticeable difference when she's not feeling good. So after a day or so with no improvement, Keena and Chuck went to visit her vet. The doc was very nice and tested a few things to determine that it wasn't anything serious, but there was some bacteria present in her stool sample. So with a shot to control nausea, and some meds to go, she and Chuck headed back home.

She perked up within a couple hours, and started eating again soon after. We fed her a bland diet of rice, ground beef, and pumpkin for a few days (makes hospital food look pretty good, eh?!) and now she's back to jumping, playing, and howling like a banshee. Next on the agenda for her is a bath, like the one she got a few weeks ago:

In other news...

I have always been a "do your taxes as soon as possible after Jan 31st" kind of girl. However, Chuck is the exact opposite. Hopefully, by the time this blog is posted, we will have e-filed and be done with it. But yikes! April 15th is already here! It kinda bugs me to wait so long...I worry about what if we're getting money back... what if we owe... I need to know and make a plan! :) Can you tell I like things planned out a bit more than most folks? (thanks, Dad, I get that from you.)

Especially with the economic situation Chukani have been in lately (since his contract work is not steady yet), I admit I've been worried about having to owe taxes, and where the funds might be coming from. But I've really been trying to NOT worry about things so much, and give that worry to God and just make sure I'm doing what I need to do now, and not worrying about the what-ifs. So I finally convinced Chuck to tackle our taxes Monday. And lo and behold- We DON'T owe anything, in fact we'll be getting a modest refund for the first time in 3 years of filing jointly. Yippee! Praise God. At every point in the last few months that I think we won't be able to make it, things are just too tight- God has provided in one way or another and we have been blessed again and again.

Speaking of blessings, Chukani spent a lovely evening last Thursday celebrating 4 years of marriage. We kept things pretty low key, just exchanging cards, but he had some beautiful flowers for me as well.

One of Chuck's sweet relatives had sent us some $$ for a nice dinner out, so we went to a really good Japanese restaurant in town, Kobe An. We've enjoyed going there on dates over the past few years, and even ate there with a bunch of snow-stranded friends in the wedding party the night after we got married! So it's a special place for us, and we enjoyed some delicious sushi:

Our waitress even talked us into trying their chocolate lava cake dessert. It was very rich and chocolatey!

We did get each other an anniversary gift this year actually, Chukani bought a new bible last weekend. Chuck picked out the NIV Archeological Study Bible, and we both really like it. The gal at Family Christian Stores did a good job putting our names on the cover. I have to tell you that Chuck's Grandma Mary Keller used to do the bible engraving at a Christian bookstore, so I had to laugh when both Chuck and Pat were a bit critical of the workmanship... both saying it was slightly crooked, and Grandma would never had sold that. :) But I think it's beautiful.

Chuck wanted to get a cover to keep the bible safe, and we looked around for a bit, not finding anything that really looked good in our price range.

Then we noticed this one- with the verse that has really claimed our lives these past few months. (And my Wednesday bible study focused on this verse the first week as well, so it's doubly important to me.) I knew it was the right cover, and it fit the new bible (which is awfully thick!) like a glove. yeah!
Which leads me to last weekend... Did you have a good Easter? Hope so!

Ours was rainy and cold outside, but blessed and warm inside! Chukani colored our Easter eggs Saturday night, and then Sunday morning we made it to the 8am (wow that's early) service at church. The heater hadn't quite had enough time to warm the sanctuary, so I had to keep my coat on over my Easter dress...brr.

We came home and made buttermilk pancakes with homemade strawberry syrup, and what a sugary, yummy way to start the day.

Later on, Chukani and Pat went over to Bill and Diana Robbins' house for Easter lunch. Bill (jr), Donna and little David were there too, and it was very nice spending the afternoon with them. Di cooked a fantastic brisket, Donna made some amazing cheesy mashed potatoes, and after a hearty lunch, we relaxed while David played with his Easter basket of toys and goodies. While he napped, the grown-ups played Mexican Train Dominoes and it was a blast.

The rain was kind of disappointing because I was looking forward to a sunny Spring day, but truly, rain was very needed here in Denver. And now the grass is nicely greening up and our daffodils are beginning to bloom. So as Chuck says, "it's all good."

Here's Chuck hard at work with the egg dyeing:

And me with some of the finished product. I have to admit several of these pretty eggs turned into Deviled Eggs the next day, which is my personal favorite way to eat a hard boiled egg!
This coming weekend I am going to New Mexico to visit Jen. We are going to go shopping, play tourists, and check out this spot for sure. I'll have access to email and fb, but I won't probably post to the blog until I get back next week, so check back soon.

The weekend after that, Chuck and Pat are both headed to Utah for the weekend. Pat's nephew Orson (we know him as SAM though!) :) is being commissioned into the Air Force and family is gathering from far and wide to honor the occasion. I am so sorry to have to miss it, but I can't take any more time off from work right now... so Chuck and Pat will have to hug and kiss everyone for me! I know you Hartogs/Porters will have a great time!

Ok, I think you're all caught up on the latest news from our side of the mountains. Take care!

Getting up early has its benefits...

2009-04-14T19:52:00.002-06:00

Because when I am up early enough to see the sun rise, sometimes I get rewarded with a sunrise like this!

4 Years Ago...

2009-04-09T20:34:00.005-06:00

Nicole and Chuck got married!!

It must still be Winter...

2009-04-06T09:36:00.023-06:00

...because the Canada Geese are still hanging out in our front yard!

It's fun to watch them splash around in the snow melt by the street.

Chukani took Keena for walks around the big park down the street a couple times a week throughout this past winter, and at times we would see flocks of several hundred geese at once, hanging out on the flat grassy areas. Lately it's only been a few dozen at a time. So I think a good portion of the Canada Goose population has already started their trek back home for the year. But with all the snow we've seen in the last several weeks... I'm hoping they don't decide to linger too long.

The birdseed feeders in our front yard are certainly attracting more than just the little finches and songbirds I was expecting. In addition to the aforementioned geese, we get woodpeckers coming to visit, a few pigeons now and again, and even a couple neighborhood squirrels who climb the pole and shake the feeders to get at the bird seed and sunflower seeds. Those squirrels are little rascals!

I do enjoy the Canada Geese coming to visit, except for when they decide to lay down in the flower beds out by the street. Pat and I planted tons of bulbs there last fall, and I don't want the tulips and daffodils to get squashed by a goose-tush, if ya know what I mean.

These pics are from a couple Fridays ago while I was home from work. One of the geese was a bit territorial about "his" puddle and was chasing everyone away that tried to come near.

Here he is enjoying his private bath:

And here he is sqwaking at a possible interloper!

I was standing pretty close watching the geese toodle around, and none of them seemed to mind me at all. Now, that's not to say that I would ever actually approach one of them, as I've seen how fast they can move, and I have no intention of getting bitten, or... (oh, you know it's coming...) GOOSED! hahaha

Sorry, that was a bit corny I know, but someone had to do it.

As I was wandering around outside for the goose photo-shoot, I saw that the kids across the street had built a little snow man (more of a snow-mound with eyes and a hat!) since the snow was so wet and heavy. Then I saw that our next-door neighbor decided to take the inspiration and go a little farther...

His snow monster was enormous! I think eventually he had a nice colorful hat on the snowman's head, and created a little friend by his side as well. I didn't have my camera with me for the final art installment, and unfortunately (luckily?!) the snowman didn't last more than a day under the Colorado sunshine.

Easter is next weekend, so Spring can't be too far away... I hope!

Cooper Kitty

2009-04-04T21:34:00.003-06:00

A tisket, a tasket... a Cooper in a basket!

News Update

2009-03-31T22:00:00.010-06:00

March is supposed to come in like a lion and go out like a lamb, right?! Well... I think someone needs to give a 'ol March a talking to. It was so warm and mild here for the first few weeks of the month, and now it's snowed and blowed like a mighty Ice Lion for the last week or so. We had the "Blizzard" last week, snow again Monday, Pooh's blustery day today, snow tomorrow, and I hear another big storm headed to Denver just in time for the weekend. Yikes.

I'm just glad our tulips and daffodils were shy this spring and are barely poking their green shoulders above ground, so I think they'll weather the freeze ok. Unfortunately, I heard that the West Slope of Colorado (where they have fertile valleys to grow all the yummy cherries, apricots, peaches, melons, apples, pears... oh so good!) was hit hard by the freeze, and they lost the majority of the apricot and peach crops already. The trees are just flowering, but won't set fruit now. I'm bummed about that because that means the fruit will be more expensive at the farmer's markets this summer, and I won't be able to can as much jam and jellies.

Last Saturday night I spent some time with Chuck's cousins Mandy and Melissa. Mandy had some free tickets to a musical show downtown that her boyfriend Robin was playing in the band for (bass guitar) so we all met up and went to see it. It was a cozy theater, with a really fun one-woman show starring "Patsy DeCline"! It was kind of a musical spoof on the old-time country stars, and we all loved it. Melissa saw some tiaras for sale at the coat check station and decided we needed to be "princesses" for the evening, and so we were. It was a blast, and afterwards we hung around until we got a picture with Miss Patsy DeCline herself.

Here's a pic of Princess Mandy and Robin after the show.

Chuck's Aunt Marilyn and Uncle Orson were in town last night and stayed with Pat. They are on their way to Kansas to visit our cousins Paul and Diana, so we were thrilled to get a chance to see them for the evening on their journey. And somehow they managed to plan the trip just right to catch the lull between the storms from Utah all the way to Kansas. We all went to Chili's for dinner and then sat around swapping stories and memories for the rest of the evening. Orson really liked playing with our puppy Keena, even though she shed all over him each time she got near him!

This week Chuck has a drafting project to work on with the guy up in Evergreen he's been working with, so he'll be keeping busy most of the week. It's month-end billing at work for me, so I'll be swamped until next Tuesday or so. It's good to be busy at work though, I'd much prefer that than sitting around bored at my desk all day. And having the 2 days off last week was an unexpected bonus!

Later in April I am planning a long weekend down in Albuquerque to see my friend Jen. (she moved down there to work for the Forest Service last fall) I got a flight on Frontier for a great deal, and it was too good a price to pass up. I'm really looking forward to hanging out with her, I've been missing her a lot since she moved down there.

That's pretty much all that's news right now. I hope you all are having a great week... and I've got some pictures to share tomorrow or the next day- so check back soon! :)

Blizzard '09... the day after

2009-03-27T08:26:00.006-06:00

Good Morning my friends! Snowy Colorado is living up to it's name... We woke up this morning to a marshmallow-fluff world. It's a brisk 16 degrees out (brr) and the snow is still lightly falling.

The best news is that my agency is closed again today, so I have another day off without having to use vacation time. Yippee!

It's nice to have a break from work. I am helping my friend Samantha with her friend Megan's baby shower on Saturday, so I actually have several things to do and bake to get that ready, and now I won't have to stay up late tonight to get it all done. We are having an afternoon tea party, so I am making scones, tea sandwiches and cookies. We've got pretty teacups and teapots, fancy hats for the ladies to wear, and it's going to be a fun party.

So this morning I think we're going to make a nice big breakfast at home- eggs, bacon and maybe pancakes! Chukani will drink hot cocoa and watch a movie, and then when (IF?!) it warms up a bit and stops snowing, we'll bundle up and take Keena for a long walk in the snow.

Here are some more pictures of the snowy scenery from this morning... I know we've certainly had deeper snowfalls, but this is a doozy here nonetheless.

I think we've gotten about a foot of snow... it was so windy yesterday the high drifts are misleading.

Looks like Narnia to me!

Chuck promises we're not stuck here... we can get out just fine in the truck. (He doesn't know I was standing in snow above my knees to take this picture!!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Spring Blizzard '09!

2009-03-26T10:36:00.008-06:00

It's snowing in Denver today-- In fact we are in the midst of a Spring Blizzard! The weatherman says it is supposed to continue snowing throughout the day and overnight. I took these pictures at about 10:30 am, and there's already about 6 inches on the ground. Yeah! We sure do need the moisture here, and it's nice to have an unexpected day (or two) off from work.

I went in to work this morning (Chuck drove me actually) and then I called him and asked him to go get us a dozen doughnuts (since all the drivers were just hanging around the office as we were shutting down.) His efforts were VERY appreciated!! :) Then at a little after 9am, my boss sent us all home, so I called Chuck yet again and asked him to come get me. (thanks honey!)

We are home and playing in the snow with the dog now... fun times!

Hope you all have a great day wherever you are- snow or sunshine. :)

Snow Dog

2009-03-25T06:01:00.009-06:00

Our siberian husky Keena sure loves the snow. She really enjoys playing in the deep snow up at the cabin, but even here in town... if there's only a couple inches on the ground, that's enough for her.

A few weeks ago we had some snowfall overnight, and the next morning chukani and keena went for a quick walk through the neighborhood. It was a beautiful morning, not as cold as you might think, and the sky was so bright and blue, just wonderful to see. I think the late winter snows in Colorado are great, because the storms usually blow through quickly and you are left with gorgeous scenery, cobalt blue skies, and temps nicely above zero. (a real plus!)

The backyard was just dusted with enough white to look pretty for a while, until the sunshine kissed it goodbye.

Keena was thrilled with the white stuff all over- she gets so hyper running around and playing fetch in the back yard. You can see that her footprints cover nearly every square foot of the yard!

Here she is by her water dish (a big ice cube really) and looking at me- probably wondering why I am standing there with the camera instead of going to get her fresh water. lol!

I can hardly believe she's nearly a year old already. Keena is an April Fool's puppy- born April 1, 2008. She's become such a part of our family since we got her last year over Memorial Day weekend. I think she is about full size now, less than 60lbs- which is great. She still likes to sit on our laps on the couch- she doesn't realize just how big she is... but luckily at her size it's still somewhat manageable. And I don't feel too squished when she jumps into my arms.

We still use the puppy gates to keep her in the back room. Funny thing is we just lean them up against the doorways... she could easily knock them over, or better yet leap over them- I've seen her make a standing jump higher than the little 2 foot high gates. But in her mind they are as imposing as a closed door. Keena certainly has a healthy respect for the little gates. And I intend for it to stay that way!

Lately, we've been moving one of the gates into the kitchen on our side. We still block her off from the rest of the house, (and away from the cats) but give her the run of the back room and kitchen. Keena seems to really like to be in there with us, like when I'm cooking dinner, or if we're doing dishes. I think we'll let her in the kitchen while we eat dinner in the dining room now- and see if that curbs her whining to be near us.
Hope you are all having a good week!

There is nothing wrong with your computer

2009-03-24T08:11:00.002-06:00

Do not attempt to adjust the picture. We are controlling the transmission. If we wish to make it louder, we will bring up the volume. If we wish to make it softer, we will tune it to a whisper. We will control the horizontal. We will control the vertical. We can roll the image; make it flutter. We can change the focus to a soft blur or sharpen it to crystal clarity. For the next few minutes, sit quietly and we will control all that you see and hear. We repeat: there is nothing wrong with your computer. You are about to participate in a great adventure. You are about to experience the awe and mystery which reaches from the inner mind to the outer limits.

So... just what the heck is going on here?! Is that what you are asking yourself as you read the little intro? Well nothing really... and that's the problem. Nicole keeps saying I need to add something to the blog since I have extra time on my hands lately. But hey I don't know what to blog about I tell her! I'm not all that quick with the pithy comments or cool ideas to be able to blog about at a moments notice. But hey I do seem to have a head full of really useless random, trivial things and the intro to the old Outer Limits Sci-Fi show came to mind and viola! Here is my first random thing to add to the Chukani blog. Scary isn't it?! So if by chance I eventually do come up with something witty to add to the blog fret not I will do so but for now I will return you to your regularly scheduled blogging from my wife.

Lawn Ornaments

2009-03-23T09:33:00.027-06:00

Who needs to spend money decorating their front lawn? Not us!

Each Autumn the Canada Geese come down to Colorado for a visit. Our house is a couple blocks from a nice park with a pond... which is a big draw for the geese and there are several hundred hanging out there every day over the course of the long winter.

In the evenings, we watch them fly overhead as they leave the pond and search out lodging for the night. If we're out walking with Keena, she loves to watch them fly by, for sure their honking gets her attention.

Every once in a while the geese go on a "field trip", and wander down the street. This particular afternoon a few weekends ago- they happened to come across our songbird feeder, and invited all their friends to hang out for the afternoon. I think I counted about 20 geese on the front lawn at one point.

They didn't seem to mind the cars going by, and I even walked outside to snap a photo at one point, and I don't think any of the geese even got up from their lounging spots across the lawn.

Every once in a while some would wander off and more would show up. It's the only time this winter I've seen more than a couple at a time on our street... must've been a big convention or something!

Of course- the cats love to sit by the big front window in the living room and look out on the squirrels running around, and watch the sparrows and finches visiting the feeders. This particular afternoon they were both entranced by the geese parading around. Maybelle especially thought this was an amazing sight- and Belly sat on her perch watching them for hours! I joined her in her vigil, it was a Sunday afternoon and I had a good book to read, so I sat in the easy chair, and she up on her kitty scratch post, and we both enjoyed bird watching a bit.

As the afternoon sun began to wane, the geese started thinking about their evening plans. One goose stood and started honking while taking a few steps. Then several others joined in, and all of a sudden they flapped their wings a few times and just took off into the evening sky. Immediately the arrow flight formation was apparent. How do they determine who flies and in what order? It was truly amazing to see it up close... and their beating wings make a lot of noise!

The dozen or so geese left then decided it was time to leave as well, but they seemed to prefer to just mosey on down the street, no fanfare and beating of wings for this group. I was a little sad to see them go actually. I think the Canada Geese are really beautiful, and I love living in a part of the country they call home for several months each year. Now that Spring is upon us, they will be heading back to the great north here pretty soon (well... most of them at least.) And I for one will be a little sad to see them go.

Cute as a Bug!

2009-03-22T21:46:00.015-06:00

Chukani spend nearly every Monday Night together with Bill and Donna (and their son David) at either our house or theirs. He's a cute little guy, and we've really enjoyed seeing him change and grow over the last 10 months. Monday Nights are a fun tradition full of good food, sports and "wrasslin" on tv, and lots of laughs and conversation.

One of the highlights of our weekly get-togethers is the chance to play with baby David. Seeing his face light up with recognition just fills my heart with joy each time I see his smile!

Here's a pic of Chuck hanging out with his little buddy on a Monday Night in January:

David goes to bed pretty early these days, so we have to make sure and get our cuddle time in with him right when we arrive over at Bill and Donna's. Chuck didn't want to let go of him this night... so I grabbed my camera and captured their smiles.

Oh my gosh- he sure is as Cute as a Bug!

Here the boys are all in Bronco's colors... rooting for their team!

Looking forward to many more Monday Nights!

Hope you all have a good week- and stay tuned because I've got a bunch more posts coming up! I know- you can hardly believe it, right?!

What's new

2009-03-19T23:26:00.005-06:00

Hi All,

Since it's been sooooo long since I last posted, I thought I'd just update you all in a random stream-of-consciousness fashion.

So, Chuck is at the cabin right now. He and Bill drove to Kremmling this afternoon, picked up the two snowmobiles that were being repaired and took them up to the cabin. They are gonna hang out for a while, and head back sometime tomorrow. I'm sorta bummed that I have to work, and couldn't go up with them, but I'm glad that Chuck and Bill get to hang out.

He called tonight to say it was in the high 40's there today, and there's definitely less snow up there than the last time we were up. But plenty still- the snow is still about level to the deck, which means at least 4 ft on the ground.

In other news... I really like my "new" job. I still work for SRC, but moved to the transportation department last fall. It was a really good move for me, I love working in this department. And we've been blessed with some new federal/state/county grants and are able to hire more drivers, purchase a few more new buses, and even upgrade our scheduling software and get new computers this year. All this even though the economy is in such turmoil! I think it's because the need for senior services is so great that our local and national legislatures are doing the best they can to fund services even when budgets are tight. I'm so pleased to be a part of an organization that does such good work for seniors in our community.

The gal that I trained to replace me in my former department came upstairs to chat with me for a few minutes today. Just in that short time of discussing some of the ongoing issues in my old department made me realize once again just how happy I am to have taken this new opportunity. God gave me the courage to take the risk and take this position, and it is good. :)

Speaking of work- I know I mentioned in December 08 that Chuck had been laid off. Well... things are getting better for us. He's been doing some consulting work drafting for a small surveying firm in Evergreen. Luckily he can work from home a lot, and only needs to drive up there once a week or so. It hasn't been very steady work as of late... but any work is better than unemployment, so Chuck is grateful for the opportunity.

Having him home all the time has added a new dynamic to our lives. He is around to help out with stuff around the house so much more, and I know the dog (and cats) like not being alone all day. So there are definitely some perks to working for yourself. The "honey-do" list gets checked off practically as fast as I can think of more items to add to it! Hopefully as the year progresses he will have a few more contracts and the workflow will be steady and busy. We've certainly gotten used to making do with what we have though!

It's nearly Spring again, my favorite season of the year. I love seeing the budding leaves and flowers again. Pat and I planted several dozen tulip and daffodil bulbs in the front planters last fall, and they are just beginning to poke their heads up to get some sunshine. I'm excited to see how it all turns out, and I'll be sure and take pictures so you can see as well.

Chukani are already planning our vegetable garden for this year also. We are going to expand again, and plant crops of onions and potatoes along with everything from last year. We are also planning to plant more roses and flowers in another bed in the back yard, to reclaim some of the lost spaces back by the fence. Of course, there is a big concern about how to keep Keena from damaging the garden. She has been re-enacting the movie "Holes" in the back yard for the last several months... so there may be some fence-building in our future garden plans as well.

I've been considering joining our church's choir. They have a wonderful music program at Bear Valley where we've been attending for the last couple years or so. The big choir only sings a couple Sunday's a month, and does some really great music for all the major holidays. But I'm currently in a women's bible study that meets at the church the same night as choir rehearsal, so choir will have to wait awhile. Right now I am enjoying just singing my heart out from the pew each Sunday, so that will have to do for now. :)

Ok- I think I've rambled on long enough. Sorry the blog doesn't get updated too often. I blame facebook... but then my other friends who keep their blogs current AND are on fb lots...well, they pretty much put me to shame. So there it is- I've posted again... (finally!) and I'll try to keep you all up to date more often. Thanks for not giving up on me!

Take Care!
Nicole

Facebook confessions...

2009-02-11T21:18:00.008-07:00

Have you ever heard of a networking website called facebook?! umm... don't make the mistake I did in joining it.

It sucks up all my free time!!! Seriously... I'm addicted to it. And what's worse- Chuck's addicted to facebook now too.

Nowadays, instead of updating my blog like a normal person, I find myself doing all sorts of crazy things, like catching up with friends, finding long lost friends, classmates, coworkers and relatives, posting pictures, commenting on everyone's status updates, super pokin', kidnapping, friend requesting, making lists of 25 random things...oh my. And they even have fun games that suck you in as well... it's terrible... I am playing Mafia Wars until my fingers bleed... and annoying my friends by begging them to join my mafia. I find myself going online to check my home page before work, right when I get home, and just before bed. sheesh! :)

So with that admonition- if you're not on facebook yet- get on ASAP and send me a friend request. ooh- and join my mafia too!! http://www.facebook.com/

:) LOL!!!

New Years at the Cabin

2009-01-13T21:12:00.033-07:00

It all started eons ago... Chuck and Bill would head up to the cabin over New Year's each year.

Lots of snowmobiling, steaks on the grill, and plenty of movies (from Santa Claus even!) to watch.

You might think now that the guys have grown up, settled down, gotten married... they might want to start new traditions, like staying close to town. Or even shopping for those "day after Christmas" bargains. Nope! Not Chuck and Bill, no sir. Nowadays, they just drag their families up to the cabin with them, so everyone gets to ride the snowmobiles, eat steak, and watch movies!!

And that's just what we did. For 6 days and 5 nights, we braved the cold (it was 2 degrees F the day we arrived!) played in the snow, relaxed by the fire, ate some yummy steaks and all around had a wonderful time.

I sometimes tease Chuck that access to his family's cabin near Steamboat was one of the "perks" of marrying to him. lol. But I really enjoy the opportunity to spend time up there in the mountains. It's so much fun in all seasons.

Here are some snapshots from our week in the snow...

Keena loves loves loves being in the snow. She was out there as much as possible and loved every minute of it.

We have a nice long rope for her so she doesn't go wandering off, and she would run around in the snow, sniffing and digging and playing. She also loves to fetch snowballs, and I discovered if you make them with your bare hands she can actually sniff out the very snowball you threw, and bring it back to you. Well, most of it!

Chukani took her for a few long meandering walks, and she was so much fun to watch as she explored to the farthest reaches of her leash. True to her breed- a real snow dog. However, that's not to say that she didn't also enjoy the warm comforts of being inside. I found her up on our bed more than once when she was inside!

Here's a sunset photo I took on Tuesday evening (12/30 I think?!) it was so bright, and the photo just doesn't do it justice. Everything was all pink and gold glowing on the snow around me. I stood out there in the cold taking about 7 or 8 shots trying to capture it though! lol. And in the evenings when the sky was free of clouds, the milky way was so bright. There were so many twinkling stars it took my breath away.

Isn't she purty?!

Grilling steaks New Year's Eve... firing up the new charcoal grill for the first time. We have a gas grill up there, but it conked out because the temp was so low the gas wouldn't flow from the tank to the grill... yikes.

Do you think Bill used enough lighter fluid?! aww... just kiddin'. The briquettes were pre-soaked. And the steaks were de-lish. Ooh, and we had baked potatoes, caesar salad and garlic bread from the kitchen crew to round out the meal. Quite a change from the 'ol batchelor days, eh boys?! lol

It really was a fun trip. We had snow the first few days, and then some sunnier, warmer days that were just right for playing in the snow. Oh yea, there were some plumbing/well issues (the heater in the wellhouse went out and we had no water for the first night!) but other than that it was a pretty smooth trip.

I think Chukani are planning a couple weekend trips up next month, I can hardly wait! Wanna come with?? :)

Chukani hope your 2009 is blessed and full of joy!!

Merry Christmas to all

2008-12-26T09:50:00.005-07:00

Maybelle had a great time Christmas eve, she snoozed under Pat's Christmas tree while we were all watching Miracle on 34th Street. I think the sparkly lights (and being so near the heater!) were exciting for her.

I don't have to work for the rest of the year! Yea!! I was able to leave work around 2:30 on Wesnesday. I came home and started dinner, we had porcupine meatballs in the crock pot. No- they're not really made of porcupine. Meatballs with rice in them... the rice cooks and sticks out so they look like a porcupine... sort of. Anyway, it was yummy. Chukani went to church with Pat for the Christmas eve service. Lots of carols to sing, and candlelight, it was really nice. We went to the later service this year, and it wasn't nearly as crowded as years past.

Christmas Eve was spent watching Christmas movies with Mom, then I prepped a breakfast strata before bed while Chuck played with Keena. We were all tucked in for our long winter's nap by midnight. No snow though... this was not going to be the year for a White Christmas in Denver. (Utah, I hear, was a different story!)

We didn't get to sleep in much on Christmas morning... miss Keena started howling for her walk before 7am. So, we took her for a walk around the park. Brr, it was so cold! (Ironically, it was mugh warmer in the afternoon- over 50 degrees and bright blue sky as we drove over to cousin Nancy's for the Thompson Family Christmas Brunch.) But no- at 7am it was COLD outside. Makes me wonder why we walk her so early in the morning!

Brunch was lots of fun. Great food as always, and really nice to see family. We all live somewhat close, but it seems we don't see each other very often. I enjoyed catching up with Aunt Mildred for a bit, she's an awesome lady. Nancy is such a great hostess... always there to fill up a coffee cup and make sure you've had at least one helping of dessert. It's just not Christmas if we don't go to brunch at her house!

Christmas evening Chukani watched Prince Caspian, and just sorta chilled out. Food coma?!

I did talk to my parents in CA for an hour or so- the big news is what my bro and sis-in-law got my Mom for Christmas... Tickets to see Neil Diamond New Year's Eve! 8th row center... she is SOOO excited! Neil baby is her fave...I guess she actually cried when she opened the gift. Wow Todd and Randi- you really came up with an awesome gift for her! I am impressed! Turns out my dad was in on it too, he's already got a hotel room booked for after the show (it's in Fresno, CA) so she's all set for a fabulous concert to ring in the new year with her favorite singer of all time. I told her to call me on her cellphone when he sings September Morn. After hearing his music my entire childhood (believe me when I tell you Neil Diamond is Mom's FAVORITE!!) I think so many of his songs bring back childhood memories of Todd and I with mom... and Neil on the stereo.

Today I am going to see my friend Jen, she moved to New Mexico earlier this fall, but is back in town for the holidays to be with her family. I think we're going to Chipotle for lunch... yum!

Then tonight, Chukani and Pat are packing and getting ready to head to the cabin. We're going up with the Robbins's (Bill & Di, Alice, Bill & Donna and baby David too!) for our traditional New Year's Rockin' Eve at the Cabin! We'll be snowmobiling, roasting marshmallows, and frolicking the eskimo way all week... good times ahead!

Chukani hope your Christmas was blessed with love and joy- and we wish you the Happiest of New Years for 2009!

Baking Day 2008

2008-12-22T22:00:00.021-07:00

As you might guess from the previous post, I love baking holiday goodies around Christmastime. I love how the house smells, and I like to give away plates of the yummy cookies and candies I make.

This year the decorated sugar cookies went into the packages I mailed to my parents and my bro, so they were long gone after only a day. I didn't really have many baked goods around the house, and here it was, less than a week before the big day! Then, my co-worker Samantha mentioned she was gonna be baking nearly the whole afternoon on Sunday... so I offered to come keep her company. I thought I might make a batch of choc chip cookies or something, just to stay busy during our time in the kitchen.

Well, that offer morphed into me coming for the whole afternoon and she put me to WORK! It was a blast though, and I learned how to make peppermint bark (there's a pic of me showing it off!) and we also made several dozen chocolate pizelle cookies, which I'd never made before.

Here's a list of everything we did:
2 batches peppermint bark
2 batches fudge
6 or 7 dozen pizelles (depends on if you count the burnt ones!
2 batches chocolate chip cookie dough (to be baked later on)
2 batches jam thumbprint cookie dough (same)
1 pound chocolate covered pretzels
1 batch peanut butter chocolate bars
And a partridge in a pear tree!!! (phew!)

We went to the store and bought supplies first. I think we are singlehandedly keeping Nestle in the black this year! Yes, we actually used every single bag of chocolate. And an entire 5lb bag of both sugar and flour. And I stopped counting after 3 pounds of butter, eek.

Then it was time for the prep work. Here's Samantha trying to organize the ingredients for each item.

Samantha was hard at work on the pizelle maker. This quickly became my task so she could start the fudge, and after burning a few, (uh... maybe I should say SEVERAL cookies!) I caught on to the timing. It only takes about 40 seconds for the cookies to "bake". But since you're only making 2 at a time, it took a while to get to 6 or 7 dozen. I don't actually know how many we ended up with, I lost count! I will admit I was glad to be finished and move on to cookie dough making.

Samantha's daughter Lily woke up from her nap ready to sign up for Pizelle tasting duty. Isn't she a cutie?!

At fudge time, we enlisted help! Here's Hank stirring the pot 'o chocolate. We also put his muscles to work crushing the candy canes, and again called on him to help carry the trays of peppermint bark out to the fridge in the garage to cool. He was a trooper, and even bought us a pizza so we didn't starve in the kitchen full of chocolate. Yea- the peppermint bark is done! It turned out so delish. I'm gonna make it from now on, making it was easier than I thought, for sure. This was such a fun day. My feet hurt afterwards from standing on the hard floor with no shoes for so long, but I have only myself to blame for that choice! I am now totally set to give out lots of plates of treats to family and friends. The rest will come to the cabin over New Year's... I think it will get eaten pretty quickly up there.

Samantha and I both decided to make this an annual tradition, it was so much more enjoyable sharing the work between us. Next time maybe we'll schedule pedicures for the next day!

Hope you are enjoying your Christmas season, and indulging (a little at least) in some of the homemade baked goods around you. Merry Christmas!

Getting ready for Christmas

2008-12-19T06:49:00.010-07:00

Howdy all...
Here's a gallery of what we've been up to lately!

Merry Christmas!

News Update

2008-12-08T09:09:00.006-07:00

Hi All,

Last week was quite an eventful week. After more than 15 years of working with Smitty, Chuck was laid off from work last Tuesday.

'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'Plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

This was the second round of lay-offs at HKS, and Chuck was fearing that he would be let go eventually. There just isn't enough work right now, with developers and architects putting projects on hold indefinitely. So in some ways it wasnt completely unexpected, but it still sorta took us by surprise.

God is in control, and we are trusting that. Chuck did receive a modest severance package, so we are going to be ok, although Christmas just got a whole lot more simple.

Chuck is already sending his resume out to contacts he has in the surveying and engineering field, so we are hopeful that he might find a new position soon. We have also talked to family and friends and gotten some suggestions on who else might be hiring right now. And of course he's applied for unemployment. But mostly, we're praying.

The morning he called me with the news I had a song running through my head. We've sung it in church several times, and I've heard it on kLove too- "Blessed be Your Name" by Matt Redman. I've loved the song for a while- and all of a sudden it took on a whole new meaning. It talks about how when life is good, we bless God. And when life isn't so good- we can still choose to Bless His name. No matter what. So that's what we're doing. I'm gonna keep singing that song!

Your thoughts and prayers are very welcome right now, and if you know of any civil engineering firms (uh, here in denver, I don't think we're up to relocating right now!) that would be definitely welcome.

Christmas Parties

2008-12-07T21:10:00.002-07:00

Last night was our 3rd Annual Christmas Party!

Chukani and Pat welcomed our friends and family over to our house(s) for the evening. Lots of food and drinks, yummy desserts, and a fun Christmas Ornament Exchange for everyone. There were about a dozen kids, and they had a blast playing in the back yard with the puppy, and then headed to the front yard to play freeze-tag among all the christmas lights... once they finaly settled down, they decorated foam Christmas trees and watched The Grinch (old-school animated version) and Frosty the Snowman. The grown-ups had fun eating, drinking and generally being merry. (There were even a few grown ups participating in the freeze-tag too!)

I've realized over the last decade or so that I really love hostessing parties. All aspects- from the planning to facilitating the actual event. I enjoy the planning a lot- coming up with a menu, deciding on theme decorations, and making sure to have fun activities for kids and grown-ups alike. And once it's all planned, I like to cook, bake, decorate, create and make everything happen. Oh sure, there are always lots of changes and modifications to the vision along the way, but that's just part of the process I think.

Once the guests arrive, it's important to me that everyone feels welcome and taken care of, so I usually spend more time during the party making introductions and encouraging people to have something to eat/drink than I do actually sitting down and hanging out with everyone. At the party last night, it wasnt until the end of the evening that I realized I hadn't finished either of the two sodas I'd poured for myself, or even finished the plate of food I'd set down somewhere. But I was having so much fun making sure others were having fun, it didn't matter.

I know I'm a perfectionist in a lot of ways... (which is a struggle for me) and planning a party is fun for me because I get to control a lot of the variables. But parties can also be a challenging and growing experience for me- because sometimes I have to learn to just let go, and let things happen naturally during the party without forcing it. For example, I'd worked hard to plan out a christmas tree craft for the kids last night, because I knew there would be over a dozen kids of all ages and I wanted them to have a little structure to the evening (so they wouldnt tear the house apart!!) But the weather was mild, so they all wanted to play outside. And then they ate while watching Frosty. Then it was time for the ornament exchange, and I was thinking to myself... "well, maybe we'll just skip the craft, and save it for next year... no one seems interested."

I had to just go with the flow. Luckily once the kids gathered in the back room for another movie- I saw the opportunity and quickly gathered all the trees and stickers and glitter and glue and plopped it all down in the middle of the floor. My original (perfectionist!) vision had been to have a table set up for 4 kids at a time to make the craft, in an orderly, organized fasion. uh- yeah, not so much! My expectations were seriously not in touch with reality! But what ended up happening was so much more fun for the kids, and didn't cause a huge mess like I had thought it might (glitter vacuums up very nicely!) so I was very happy with how it all turned out, and I think the kids really enjoyed themselves.

I had also planned to sing some christmas carols with everyone, even going so far to spend time over the summer typing up a caroling packet with lyrics to every Christmas Carol I know- 11 pages worth! Yet again- I had to relax and go with the mood of the party... Last year we caroled and it was a really special time. (Althought I do have to mention the guys all headed over to the other side of the duplex!) But last night no one seemed interested, and that was just fine. I feel like having the party every year I am getting better at sensing what's needed to ensure everyone enjoys themselves. One of my dear friends Steph totally blessed me by cleaning up all the food leftovers and doing the dishes (even running my dishwasher!) at the end of the evening. I could hardly believe it, and can't thank her enough.

The best part of last night was getting to see everyone. Some of Chuck's family I haven't seen in nearly a year, I'm so glad they came over. And my new boss and co-workers came so I enjoyed introducing them to everyone. It's neat to see everyone and just enjoy good times together. It makes all the hard work getting the house ready worth it. Please don't think I did this on my own- far from it. Chuck and Pat put in long hours cleaning and setting up for sure! Pat and I had several planning sessions and shopping trips over the last several weeks. It's fun to share the experience with her. I surely appreciate the wisdom of experience she adds to the process. and a keen eye for a good bargain!

The only thing that would have made the night more special would have been if all our family and friends out-of-state had been able to join us. I'm hoping that next year Chuck and I can travel to see family over the holidays, I'm really missing my fam in CA this year, and I know we'd love to see his family in Utah too. Wherever you are- know you are loved!

I totally forgot to take any pictures during the party last night, but I just went and snapped a couple photos in my living room of our tree, and a couple wall-hangings my mom quilted for me 2 years ago.

Merry Christmas!!!

Christmas memories

2008-12-04T12:18:00.003-07:00

Spring is the season closest to my heart really... with all the budding trees, the tulips and daffodils. All that promise, hope, and rebirth. I love Easter Sunday, with the redemption story ringing loudly in our hearts. And I chose a Spring wedding to Chuck so that we could celebrate our love new again each spring. Ooh- ooey gooey romantic, sorry about that.

But aside from the entire season of Springtime... Christmas has to be my favorite time of year. Those few short days and nights when everything you see is bedecked and bedazzled with lights, sparkles and bows.

And all the Christmas cheer and charitable feelings. It restores my hope in humankind to see how generous we can be with giving opportunities like Christmas Shoeboxes, Salvation Army bell ringers, and toy drives.

Oh, and the marvelous Christmas carols ringing through the air... I love singing along to Christmas music on the radio, in church, and going caroling with friends. You'll most often catch me humming a carol this time of year, for sure.

And most of all, the sparkly Christmas lights on every house. That truly fills me with happiness.
I remember as a little girl, I loved helping my dad hang the Christmas lights each year. We would spend hours making plans on how high we could go this year and beat last year's height, how many strings it would take to make it around to the back side of the house, and whether or not we thought we had enough lights to go around the deck railing once, or twice.

I was so proud to help him... Dad manned the ladder and used the staple gun to string the lights up, and I held the box of c9 bulbs we would screw into each socket. It was also my job to make sure we followed the right order of colors, so no two consecutive bulbs were the same color.
Each evening during December as the sky grew dark it was time to turn on the Christmas lights. Together we would walk around the house, checking for burnt out bulbs and admiring our handiwork. It was chance to hang out just the two of us, and I really enjoyed both his attention and sharing something we both loved.

I especially looked forward to Christmas Eve and the next day, when the lights were turned on for the whole night and day.

Nowadays, I get to help Chuck and Pat put up the lights each year, and it's become a fun time for the three of us to share as well.

Each year we go shopping for new items for the yard, to see what's new and what we might like to have grace our Christmas display. This year we purchased some new reindeer and trees... and I think Pat's looking to update the nativity scene maybe for next year. Once the plan is in place, the three of us spend at least an afternoon or two setting everything up, Chuck climbs the ladder to string lights on the roof and we run a mile or so of extension cords getting everything plugged in.

Here are some photos from this year (so far- it's still a work in progress!) and year's past. The photo in the blog header is actually from 2003, the year Chukani first met, way before I ever dreamed I'd one day live here!

Merry Christmas to you... and take time this rushed Christmas season to slow down and enjoy the Christmas lights in your neighborhood- or maybe even in your own front yard.

A cold, but beautiful sunrise

2008-12-03T18:54:00.004-07:00

It snowed here in Denver over the weekend, and I absolutely love how everything looks all covered in white fluff!

Chuck normally takes Keena out for a walk each morning at about 5:30 am. He came down with a bad cold over the weekend and wanted to sleep in a bit Saturday, so I offered to take Keena for her "morning constitutional."

Since it snowed Friday night while we were over at Bill and Di's (we went over there for a game night with Bill and Donna, it was lots of fun) I stayed in bed until about 6:30 Saturday. I wanted to be closer to sunrise in hopes that it would be a tad warmer.

I sleepily bundled up against the cold, and got Keena on her leash and out the door.

BRR!! It was so cold... but the dog was oh so excited to be out in the white wonderland. We walked for about 40 minutes, and she just kept running and jumping through the snow whenever she could, it was so much fun to watch.

The sky got lighter and lighter, and as we rounded the last corner a block from home, the grey sky turned the most gorgeous color of salmon pink, it nearly took my breath away. All was so still and silent, it seemed like Keena and I were the only ones up. I could hardly believe the colors... the snowy landscape so bluey and white, with the sky just as pink as could be. And wherever the sunlight glanced off the snow, it made everything glow.

Pardon all the wires in this photo- I couldnt get a better shot and the light was fading with each passing second, so I snapped what I could before the sun rose up into the clouds and fog again.

The light on the Chinese Elm in Pat's front yard was so pretty!

This is my absolute favorite photo from that quiet frozen dawn. I think it was the best reward for getting up early on a day off. Just lovely!

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-12-02T12:30:00.003-07:00

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with laughter and love. Time with Family is one of my favorite parts of the holiday. I made it a point to take a moment and consider just how blessed I am. God is so steadfast and true in his love, and there are so many blessings in my life right now.

It was also good to have 4 days off to spend lots of time with Chuck's family. We went to his Uncle Jim & Aunt Tracy's house for dinner Thursday. I cooked the turkey and stuffing and we brought it with us. (Pat was in charge of green-bean casserole and candied yams- both delicious)

Here's a pic of Chuck about to do the honors:

Chuck's audience was generous with praise- Pat, Bettye and Floyd (Tracy's Parents). I also think there might have been some "free tasting" going on!

Here's the table laden with Thanksgiving goodness... cousin Ali in the foreground.

Chuck's cousin Sam is demonstrating the joy of the pre-meal relish tray! (or is it the Olive Monster?!)

It was a wonderful day, and after our yummy dinner I played Guitar hero on the wii with Sam and Ali. Wow- what a blast!

I sang along to a classic I remember from junior high - "The Eye of the Tiger"... sheesh, that makes me feel old. And then I moved onto drums, which was more fun, but also a lot more challenging.

It was a really nice day. And it started snowing that afternoon, but just a light dusting. We got snow off and on through Sunday, with several inches Friday night. I have some really pretty pictures of sunrise in the winter wonderland, I'll share those the next post.

What did you like most about your Thanksgiving Holiday?

Table Photos!

2008-12-01T20:07:00.006-07:00

I forgot that I had pictures of our new dining room table to share...

Hmm.. That one turned out a bit fuzzy. But it's the only one I have without the tablecloth! oh- though I do notice that the plastic is still on the seats. Can you tell I was excited about the new dining room set?! hahaha

I also noticed that all my tablecloths are rectangular. Guess what's on my Christmas list this year?
Cooper is making his eyes glow green to show his approval of the new table.

Ok, that's it. This post is short and sweet- but don't you worry, I've got lots more to share.

Check back tomorrow.

Catching up

2008-11-19T18:48:00.011-07:00

Happy Wednesday folks!

I have a few little things to share today, as I think that last post ended up being a tad too long, so here's just a run down of some of the things swimming around in my head right now.

Last weekend the Chuckani tribe finally finished celebrating Christmas 2007: yep, you read that right! Last year I was talking with Pat (my mom-in-law) and telling her how I thought a round dining room table would fit a lot better in the dining "area" in our house. She generously offered to make the gift of a new table our Christmas present for last year. I was thrilled!

So, we took some time last winter to shop around and find a table I liked... um... maybe I should say a table that Chuck and I liked! Unfortunately, round tables with available leaves to make them oval aren't really the trend right now. It's all about the "pub height" square tables. Sure made me feel like a square for wanting something so "old fashioned."

Anyway, after a few months we just sort of gave up. Or forgot. I'm not really sure which. In any case, it wasn't until a couple weeks ago, when Chuck, Pat and I were having our annual gift idea discussion, that Pat remembered the tabled gift idea from last year. (oh yeah- pun intended!!)

Last weekend we spent several hours going all around the huge AFW warehouse north of Denver looking for the right table. I was dissapointed to discover that I as still pretty out of touch with the latest dining room styles... pub height is really where it's at, I guess. We were headed back to our side of town, when we passed another big furniture store, and Chuck and Pat decided to give it a try. I went in with very low expectations. But we found a very nice round solid oak table with a butterfly leaf so it extends to seat 8 comfortably. yeha! Once the nice salesman told us it was in stock in a darker finish, I was convinced. And what's more, somehow it wasn't the most expensive item in the store this time (do you have that kind of luck too? I always seem to pick out the most expensive thing and then can't afford it- it's a knack I have!)

On the way home with the table and chairs in the back of the Avalanche, we convinced Chuck to listen to Christmas music for the rest of the day, since it was technically Christmas! Now- if you know Chuck, you'll know that he has a hard and fast rule... NO CHRISTMAS CAROLS until the last bite of the pumpkin pie after Thanksgiving dinner. So it was a pretty big deal that he gave in early. That's not to say that the Christmas music radio station is still on in his truck, but that's ok.

In other news...

Our puppy Keena went to visit the Vet this week to get spayed. Seems like it was just yesterday that she was a tiny little ball of fluff... but she's already 7 1/2 months old. She was a real trooper, and came home that afternoon still a bit woozy and wobbly. Once she slept it off overnight, she was back to being the same hyper 50lb ball of fluff!

My new job details! I mentioned a couple weeks ago that I started a new job- so here's the scoop. It's with our transportation department and I'm the office manager up there, and the office is just upstairs from where I was before. My new team is really fun to work with, and right now I'm training with them in the mornings, and then running downstairs to train my replacement for the Adult Day Program in the afternoons. Sometimes I freak out about having too much to do, but it all gets done eventually. If you want to learn more about the agency I work for, check us out online: http://www.srcaging.org/ We're celebrating 30 years in 2008!

And lastly- I was telling my coworker about some crazy cat escapade the other day, and she stopped me and said "Cats?! I thought you only had a dog." hmm... seems my blog has been a bit remiss in mentioning that before we ever had Keena, we had Cooper and Maybelle!! So without further ado- here are a few pics of our adorable cats.

Here's the cat I brought with me all the way from Portland, Oregon. I call him Cooper kitty, but his full name is Special Agent Dale Cooper.

Bonus points if you can tell me where that name is from! (googling it is cheating btw)

And this is sweet little Maybelle. Chuck and I adopted her back in 2004, just after we got engaged. She's the only cat I've ever owned that actually likes her belly rubbed and will flop down in front of you on her back asking for it, so we usually just call her "belly".

Have a good rest of your week everyone!

Well, well, well...

2008-11-15T08:39:00.018-07:00

Okay Dear Reader, let's go back in time a bit, and I'll tell you a story. This past summer was not a good time to be a well on our property. Home or cabin in this case.

After several decades of hard work, the well in our back yard decided to call it quits. Now, we've been on city water for the 3 main uses of water in the house for a long time. (3 uses, you ask? why, drinking, cooking, and well... you know!) but the well water was very useful for keeping the plants, lawn and gardens alive in the long hot summer without increasing the water bill to astronomical levels. The well water was also very handy for things such as filling the wading pool, washing cars, power-washing the siding... you name it! We love our well.

So in the heat of the summer, we had a local well guy out to see what was going on. His name is Joe, we call him Joe the well guy. (No, not Joe the Plumber)

First he replaced the pump in the well...

Discussing the problem

But that didn't seem to fix the problem.

It was frustrating to say the least.

For a while, we just gave up on the well, and connected a hose to the spigot for the washing machine in the basement, ran that hose through the basement, up and out the window. Chuck split the water with a connecter so that some could be used in the back yard... and ran another hose all the way around to the front of the house so we could at least keep the front lawn alive.

Needless to say, we skipped the wading pool last summer! And I got stronger arm muscles carrying a 5 gallong watering can around to all my vegetables in the garden. Heck, we even started collecting rain water, run-off from the water going to our swamp cooler... any water would do.

Then, a few weeks later, Joe came back. He and Chuck decided that Joe would install a pump saver (a contraption designed to sense the well overheating/working too hard, and stop it before it burned itself out.) This might have been the very thing that caused the problem in the first place. And maybe the pump saver would save the day.

Now, you might be thinking- hey Nicole, how'd you get that big truck into your BACK YARD?! oh- that's a mighty good question reader... glad you're paying attention.

Turns out- Chuck removed a large section of the fence in the back yard each time, and Joe drove his truck into the back field from beside a neighbor's yard around the corner. yep. Crazy times.

The building you see in the background of the pic below is the garage. I took this pic standing just outside the back door on our side of the house.

Now we're getting somewhere!

Unfortunately... installing the pump saver didn't seem to fix the problem. After a day or so, the water would work for a minute or two at full pressure, but then slow to a trickle and eventually stop. I think I tried to water my rose bushes about 17 times that night, and only got it half-way done.

grr.

parched roses

So, Joe the well guy came back yet again, with more solutions up his sleeve. Testing the pumpsaver proved it was working fine, and not the issue. However, in testing the new parts, he was able to determine that the old wiring from the house to the well pump had aged and probably cracked, and there was a short causing the problems. So- this time he brought over a crew and more big machines, and dug a nice deep ditch from the well-head to the basement and ran some purty new wiring.

Can we keep it?
And here's the well-head in the middle of our back yard... don't mind the tree roots they had to cut through to get down deep enough. We wanted to make sure the wiring was significantly below the frost line each winter, so it wouldnt get damaged by the cold weather.

After a couple months of "roughing it" in the garden... Yeah, success at last!

Water, AND a pot of gold!

We love Joe the Well Guy!!!

And every time we watered the lawn for the rest of the hot season we marveled at how much we'd taken it for granted for so long. The electricity bill to run the well is so much easier on our monthly budget than paying the water rates. phew!

Hmm... But lest you think my story is finished... there is still more to share.

The cabin well must have been jealous of all the attention we were paying to the well at the house. So it decided to act out too.

Now, well water at home may be a nice convenience, but well water at the cabin is all that stands between you and this situation:

Mm-hmm. It really happened.

Did you know you can rent a "honey - hut" for a weekend? They even deliver and pick up. It's just like being at your very own state fair, or concert... without the crowds!

All I can say is, thank heaven it happened in the summer and not winter. I would NOT have wanted to trudge through 6 feet of snow in the middle of the night, just to "powder my nose"!

I think Chuck must have paid a lot of attention in his times with Joe the well guy, because he chose to pretty much live in the well house at the cabin over several weekend (and weekday) visits.

The well house, a nice spot in the summer!

Turns out the heavy clay soil up there had really clogged everything so that nothing but a trickle was passing through. The pump couldn't get enough water to recover between uses, so the storage tank didn't fill, and the water pressure was lacking. The pump would then need to be re-primed anytime you needed to use water. And the situation was only getting worse.

So, Chuck-the-well-guy pulled all the piping out of the well by hand, replaced it, and installed a new pump.

And here's my favorite pic of all... Chuck was in the well house for an ENTIRE DAY over Labor Day Weekend. (Notice the sack lunch, he didnt take a break the whole day.)

My hero!

I know everyone in the cabin was THRILLED when we had running water again. It was the best part of the long holiday weekend for me, that's for sure.

Well, my story is nearly finished.

If there's anything else I would ask of you, dear reader, it would be this: When you next flush, remember this little tale of woe and hope, and be grateful that your flusher is there when you need it!

Frolic and play the Eskimo way...

2008-11-09T21:35:00.017-07:00

Yea! It's snowy at the cabin!!

Since we'd heard the mountains got lots of snow recently, Chuck and I took Friday off from work last week and took ourselves and Keena up to the cabin. Her first real snow... and of course she loved it, as any Siberian Husky would.

Brr- it was just above 20 degrees when we arrived Friday midday, and lightly snowing. See the "jack frost fingers" hanging over the eaves:

We really enjoyed the quiet time together, and Keena was such a good pup. While eating a leisurely breakfast this morning, Chuck and I both agreed that this was the best behaved she's been so far at the cabin. Partly because she's more used to it there, knows the routine and what's expected of her... and I'm sure it's also partly because she gets so much of our attention up there. We're with her all the time except for when she's sleeping in her crate at night, and when she's outside on the lead. With all the snow to play in, she mostly wanted to be outside during the day, and when she did come inside, she was so tuckered out from frolicking in the snow she just crashed out on the carpet. Yesterday afternoon she even napped with me on the couch after our walk, the first time she's been mellow enough to do that. It was very relaxing.

Here's a picture of Rabbit Ears Pass, from our view walking along the upper road near the cabin. If you look closely at the top right side- you'll see the rock formation making the "rabbit ears" as the snowy clouds drift by.

And here's a pic of a man and his dog:

It was about 40 degrees Saturday, and a bit warmer today before we left. The sun finally came out, and I bet the snow melts in the next day or two. But it was lovely to have a winter landscape for a bit! It's still Autumn here in Denver, we haven't had a metro snowfall yet, although I've heard we might get one soon enough.

I've really been enjoying the fall colors on the trees as I drive to and from work... and on our afternoon walks with Keena. It's good to stop once in a while and notice the changing seasons, time seems to travel so fast, and I tend to get to caught up in worrying about tomorrow and not just letting God be in charge and paying more attention to the "now." The snowfall this weekend made me realize just how close winter is, and how much I need to slow down and focus on today more so I don't miss out on all the amazing things around me right now.

Especially moments like this!

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend as well. I've spent the last hour or so uploading a bunch of pictures from my camera (I had misplaced it for while, but it was under the couch cushion at the cabin!) so I have lots more to share from the last few months while I was "off the reservation"... so stay tuned!

Here's one last photo I just have to share... in contrast to all the snowy pics above. This is the flower bed in front of Pat's side of the duplex, I was so thrilled at how well it turned out this summer.

Enjoy!

Our First Voting Date

2008-11-05T21:00:00.013-07:00

Chuck and I were both feeling the historic importance of yesterday's Presidential Election.

No matter what the outcome, history would be made- either the first African-American President, or the first Woman Vice-President. Important, exciting stuff!

Now, because Chuck and I differ on our political views somewhat, usually we don't discuss politics. No need to cause tension and strife in our otherwise happy little marriage! It's just always been a topic we sort of glossed over, but not because we don't have opinions about how our government is working.

This year, however... things were different. On our evening walks with the dog around the park, I actually broached the subject a few times, trying to gauge Chuck's views on the upcoming vote. We had several open and insightful conversations as the sun was setting on our neighborhood jaunts, and I think for the first time we both felt comfortable discussing our hopes for the next presidential era. I really enjoyed being able to share my enthusiasm as we talked about the significance of this particular first Tuesday in November.

Through the final days leading up to election day, Chuck and I discussed all the darn political ads on TV (we could barely wait for them to END!) and joked about all the recorded messages from candidates and supporters greeting us on our voicemail each evening when we came home from work. In church each Sunday we held hands as our pastor prayed for our nation, both Presidential Candidates, and everyone involved in the election. And then there was the frenzy of last minute research: voting guides and trying to figure out the pros & cons of all the amendments and referendums on our loooooong Colorado ballot.

We're lucky in that our polling place happens to be the small church about 4 houses up the street... it just doesn't get much more convenient than that. So, Monday night we decided that we'd both go to work Tuesday morning at our normal times and then meet back at the church at 10am to go vote together. Our first voting date!

And we did... we met in the parking lot at the church, and by then the early morning rush was over, and there was no line to get inside. In all of about 10 minutes, we had both cast our votes in this amazingly historic election, and shared the experience together, making it even more memorable for both of us.

Later that night I made a big pot of "elephant and donkey gumbo" to celebrate the day. (Really it was chicken & sausage gumbo, yum!) And as we ate dinner with Pat, we all talked about the news coverage of the election and how smoothly our trip to the polls had been. Btw- Pat was super smart and voted by mail-in ballot last week!
Cousin Mandy came over too and we all watched the news coverage and shared in excitement as Barack Obama became the President-elect of the United States. What a great night! I am truly proud to be an American today.

It was so special to be able to share this experience with Chuck. Maybe more so because it was the first time we'd really talked about political things. I was glad that we were able to talk about our views, and find the similarities and the differences... and it didn’t cause any strife or tension. No arguments or hurt feelings. As much I enjoy the ways we think alike and like the same things, Sometimes it's refreshing to explores our differences and find we can respect each others' opinions.

Maybe voting dates will become a tradition for us!

Vacation's OVER

2008-11-03T20:14:00.005-07:00

Well howdy folks! Seems I took my summer vacation mindset a bit too literally! It's been over 3 months since I was last here... sorry 'bout that!!!

I have nothing but poor excuses and lame reasons for my absence, so I won't bore you with them. Suffice it to say I sincerely apologize for getting you all so excited about the new blog, only to leave you all guessing.

How was our summer vacation? wonderful- thanks for asking! I have more pictures to share, here's one more from our fun week in the woods:

Now it's fall already, and we're busy as ever.

Chuck is busy at work, we've finished harvesting the last veggies from our garden, Keena is getting so big it's amazing. And I just accepted another position at my work, I'll be changing departments this month.

More about all that later- I mostly just wanted to apologize for the blackout, and let you know we're alive and well!!

ok- it's nearly 8:30, so I need to get this posted and online! someone out there made me promise to update my blog more frequently- so I am hereby committing to a minimum of once a week, and hopefully more often! :)

Take care, and check back soon, I'll have more pictures and stories to share!

Summer Vacation, phase 1

2008-07-21T21:55:00.023-06:00

Yea, Summer vacation is here! Chuck and I both have the whole week off from work, so we decided to head up to the cabin (near Steamboat Springs, Colo) for a week of fun in the mountains.

We arrived at the cabin Saturday afternoon and got right to work setting up house for the week. I filled the hummingbird feeders, Chuck opened all the windows to let the fresh air in, and lit the torches on the deck to start convincing the mosquitos that they didnt want to hang out right outside the door. Keena was really tired from the drive up the mountain (she didn't settle down and sleep very well, too many exciting things to see out the car window I suppose) so she sacked out for the afternoon... she really knows what a vacation is all about!

As you can see in the photo below, the wildflowers and grasses have grown quite tall in our absence, and it was pretty much a jungle getting from the truck door to the deck stairs.

Sunday morning Chuck decided the front "yard" needed to be mowed in an attempt to keep things under control. I doused him liberally with bug spray and put some gatorade in the fridge to chill for later, and sent him out the door. It took him about 3 hours in total to get the front and sides mowed down, and he didn't even make it to the driveway! Here's an action shot, and then a photo of the yard after all his hard work was done.

Phew! So much for relaxing on this vacation. As we ate lunch, we made a list of all the little maintenance chores we'd like to get done this week... and it wasn't too long before the list got longer and longer. I think it will be worth the effort to spruce up things, and it'll be easier to enjoy the cabin during the winter months.

Uncle Jim and cousin Travis are planning to come up and repaint the siding later this summer, so Chuck and I are going to scrape, sand and prime the exterior this week. Chuck also wants to reinforce the deck a bit. The heavy winter snowfall (It slides off the roof and onto the deck all winter long) has caused some problems with the railing in the last couple years, and if you look carefully in the above pic, you'll see some bowing in the length of the deck.

The weekend wasn't all hard work and no play, there were plenty of naps and relaxing on the couch, and we got to see the beautiful full moon rise over the crest of the mountain Saturday night.

We also took Keena on long walks in the early evening. She is really excited to smell all the new smells up here! It's so green and lush right now, just lovely everywhere you look with the wildflowers, blue sky and bright green aspens. I took the camera with me on our walks, so you can see just what I'm talking about...

Keena rested in her playpen during the day. She is pretty well house-trained at this point, but I don't think Chuck is comfortable with giving her the run of the house quite yet. From the looks of it- she's not lacking in the toy department, that's for sure. She loves the little stuffed hedgehog the most I think, and takes it to bed with her every night. We bought a bigger version of the hedgehog for when she's grown out of the smaller one. I think she's growing so fast, she's gonna need it sooner than I originally thought!

We came back into town today just for the afternoon. Keena has puppy class again tonight, and we didn't want her to miss out. Tonight she learned to "stay"- which I think was worth the drive!! I also wanted to take my friend Jen out for her birthday (Happy B-day Jen!!) so we met up this afternoon and got pedicures and then met Chuck for sushi later on. yum! Tomorrow we'll head back up the hill, this time Pat is joining us for a few days. I can hardly wait to be back in my favorite spot in the cabin...

So take care all, and I'll see you next week. The cabin is calling me...!

2008-07-18T17:57:00.004-06:00

The flower beds and veggie gardens are doing great this year. Chuck and Pat and I have really worked hard in the last couple years to build up the flower beds in the front yard. We re-did the planter between the two front doors last summer, and that led to many other projects in sprucing up the front yard. It looks so nice now, with everything in bloom. I love being out there in the early evening as the day cools off, just watering the flowers, or dead-headding the spent blossoms, mostly just enjoying the beauty of each plant.

I just did that very thing, except I had the camera with me, so I could share the flowers and plants with you! Here are some of our roses blooming this afternoon:

And the coreopsis and verbena in the big planter outside Pat's front door. I love the contrast of the purple and yellow flowers. The other plant is vinca that's spilling over the edge, it has a nice grayish tone to the leaves which looks good with the dark foilage of the moonbeam coreopsis.
In the back yard, Pat has several big pots full of brightly colored petunias and geraniums, they are in their full summer glory right now, and attract lots of butterflies into the yard.

My herb garden is growing well this year. Basil, peppermint, catnip, parsley, and some marigolds because they keep the bad insects away, while attracting the beneficial ones. I had radishes in the empty squares, but they were harvested last week. And the lettuce in the lower right corner is looking like it's next to go. yum!
The big zucchini plants are starting to produce. We've had zucchini for dinner, and I've given a few away, and I think I'll be making zucchini bread this weekend. Anyone interested in some delicious zucchini? Just let me know- I've got plenty!!

I took a bunch more photos, but Chuck and Pat want to go to dinner now, so this will have to do. I'll post again soon! :)

Introducing Keena

2008-07-16T21:05:00.010-06:00

I'd like you all to meet our new Siberian Husky puppy, Keena. We got her from a breeder in Pueblo, Colorado (who was nice enough to meet us in Castle Rock, only 40 minutes south of us, as opposed to the 3 hour drive to Pueblo!!) on May 24, 2008. Keena was only 8 weeks old then, and as you can see, just a tiny little ball of sweet fluff!

Later that day, we took her by Donna & Bill's house so they could meet her. We also wanted to say hi to their new baby (a real baby this time!) little David. Here you see David meeting Keena (his future playmate) for the first time.

Did I mention that Chuck and I got Keena on a weekend that Pat was out of town? oh yeah... we sorta didn't mention it to her until we picked her up at the airport the next week, with Keena in the truck with us! hee hee hee. Mom was a good sport about it, and I think she knew eventually Chuck would want another dog. I think we suprised her though.

Yep- your eyes are not deceiving you- that is snow in June!! We spent a weekend at the cabin, and the snowbank was still pretty big around the north side of the cabin. Keena immediately loved playing in the snow, we know she'll really enjoy winters in Denver, and especially being up at the cabin in the snow.

And for the final photo, this time from just a few days ago. Keena discovered the joy of playing with ice cubes on a hot day. We put a bunch of ice in her water dish, thinking she would enjoy cold water to drink and she went bobbing for ice cubes, taking one out at a time to play with (until it mysteriously disappeared) and then ran back to the dish for another chunk of ice. Chuck and I just sat back on the couch and laughed at her antics for nearly a half an hour until she was out of ice. silly puppy!

She is getting so big- she weighs over 20lbs now! Keena has started puppy school at our local PetSmart, she is learning to sit, lay down, and lots of other good behaviors.

She is definitely a husky, and loves to pull at the leash on her twice daily walks around the neighborhood. I know why the breed is so successful at dogsledding. Chuck is working with some new techniques for helping her learn how WE would like her to walk with the leash, although she is showing her stubborn streak a bit.

Keena's mask on her face is beggining to fade and recede, and she's got some new dark freckles on her nose. As her undercoat develops, her coloring will most likely change a bit too, so it's fun to compare pictures of her week to week. We just adore her, and she is really becoming a part of the family.

What's the Chukani Tribe?!

2008-07-14T14:18:00.001-06:00

It all began back in 2003, when Chuck and I were first dating.

I would chat with my friend Steph on the phone to give her the scoop on the latest date... "Chuck and I went to the new Matrix movie... Chuck and I went to a cool sushi restaurant for dinner... Chuck and I went to the park last night and had a nice talk walking around... Chuck and I... Chuck and I..."

You get the point.

One night Steph laughed and said it sounded like I was talking about an indian tribe or something, and promptly started teasing me about the ChuckandI tribe. We both found it hilarious, and even more so that I couldn't stop saying it!

Time passes quickly, and now here it is, 3 blissful years into our marriage, and the Chukani tribe is here to stay.

So welcome dear family and friends, as we share the highlights of day to day life.

I promise lots of pictures too!