Debuts and Closings

The Iris have finally made their debut! 

Better late than never :-)

Having this blog has been quite an interesting challenge for me...  

However, I have not been able to find as much time for it as I had in the past.  

I am putting it on hiatus for the time being 

and will continue if/when the mood strikes.  

Thanks for following :-)

The Colors of Daisy

Have a bright Tuesday :-)

Something or Other

We are in count down mode to the Big Event!

The yard work is finally in full-swing after delays

due to April Snows instead of April Showers.

I've never figured out what this odd piece 

was originally intended for, 

but it caught my eye at an antique junk store

and I have re-purposed it as a flower stand.

The Beauty of Spring...

Spring appears to have, finally, sprung...

And what to my wondering eyes should appear?

A bumper crop of these little beauties :-P

Flowers!

Flowers are my favorite photographic subject!

Yesterday, I put out flowers that can

easily be brought in at night since 

it's still getting a little chilly.

Some I planted and some I cheated on and bought

(that would be the really good looking ones)...

May 1st Snow Storm

We received about 8" overnight
and it's still snowing.

We will be shoveling instead of delivering May Baskets...

This is not a weeping willow :-(

Snowball Bush (literally)
 

Umbrella on the Roof

Stopped by for my daily fix

and this is the sight that greeted me...

Yikes!

Not too windy, either,so no idea how

that umbrella got up there..

FCAAP

The Fort Collins Area Alumni Panhellenic 

put on their annual scholarship brunch 

yesterday at the Country Club.  

It must have been very difficult for the 

committee to select just one scholarship winner

from that outstanding group of Greek young women!

It was our turn to host this year, 

so the Kappa Delta's selected our 

coalition with the Girl Scouts as our theme.

I was in charge of displays, so I located all 

the uniforms my family has acquired.

My daughter's Daisy apron and Brownie vest

from the early 2000's;

my Brownie and Junior uniforms from the early 1970's

and my mother's intermediate uniform from the mid 1950's.

Everything was included:  sashes, badges, pins, belts.

Looking for the Positive

I've been in a bit of a funk lately

and this continued snow isn't helping...

Yesterday, I decided to do something 

about my mood, so I grabbed my camera

and went hunting for the beauty of the day.

This is what I found :-)

It Just Keeps Coming...

Snow, Snow Go Away

Come Again Another Day

(like some time next October)

April Showers, er, I mean, Snow Advisories...

The critters were out this morning before the snow kicked back up.  I took this photo around 8:00 am and, since then, we've had about 2 more inches of snow. Currently we are under a snow advisory until midnight.  It's mid-April...

Winter is moving in on Spring...

We received about a foot of snow here in the Fort - 

note the icicles under the table...

School was on a 2 hour delay, 

but not cancelled. 

Lots of disappointed kids around here :-)

The Big Storm???

Six to eleven inches???

More like a dusting...

Spring... Maybe...

These hedge roses, along with many other

shrubs and trees in my yard,

are just starting to show signs of 

waking from their winter's rest.

Wonder what they will look like after

tomorrow's forecasted heavy snowstorm.

In Memory...

Two days ago, I posted this poem directly to the Facebook wall of a dear friend and member of the Boise Gang who made a sudden departure from this life to ride trails on the other side. The poem is such a wonderful celebration, not just of bicycling, but of life, that I felt compelled to share it. Feel the little boy's thrill of zipping down the trail! If you can't remember that feeling, go out and find it! Ride on, Cliffie...

Going Down Hill on a Bicycle
A Boy's Song

With lifted feet, hands still,
I am poised, and down the hill
Dart, with heedful mind;
The air goes by in a wind.

Swifter and yet more swift,
Till the heart with a mighty lift
Makes the lungs laugh, the throat cry:—
"O bird, see; see, bird, I fly.

"Is this, is this your joy?
O bird, then I, though a boy,
For a golden moment share
Your feathery life in air!"

Say, heart, is there aught like this
In a world that is full of bliss?
'Tis more than skating, bound
Steel-shod to the level ground.

Speed slackens now, I float
Awhile in my airy boat;
Till, when the wheels scarce crawl,
My feet to the treadles fall.

Alas, that the longest hill
Must end in a vale; but still,
Who climbs with toil, wheresoe'er,
Shall find wings waiting there.

by Henry Charles Beeching

Only in Las Vegas...

Tulips from Taylor

My nephew recently visited
and this is what he brought me :-)
He even said I was his favorite aunt...
Yes, I can be bribed with a smile and flowers!

Happy 18th!!

Our beautiful baby girl

turns 18 today!

Happy, Happy Birthday Bee!!

Cookie Monster

Just HAD to stop by Eileeen's yesterday 

and simply could not pass on this

monstrous little(?) treat...  

If you look close, there are two cookies

hidden under all that frosting :-)

Eileen's Colossal Cookies

has been in our area since 1998

and makes cookies for all occasions.

As my daughter tends to prefer them over cakes,

we have been fairly regular customers...

Next up:  Birthday and Graduation! 

Happy St. Patrick's Day

For each petal on the shamrock
This brings a wish your way
Good health, good luck and happiness
For today and every day!