end of 2012

Today is December 23.  Sunday.  Where has the year gone? 

We have some snow on the ground outside and it looks like it is snowing at Monarch.  Great day for snowboarding or skiing.   Winter came late this year, but it seems to be here now.

There is really not much to talk about.  Later today my daughter will come home and we are going to make some gingerbread cookies.  I told my mom I would make her gingerbread cookies if she made me some home-made toffee and she agreed. 

As a child, our family would drive 1.5 days from California to Colorado to see the grandparents.  We passed through all the small towns decorated with Christmas lights.  My grandparents were so happy to see us.  My mom's mother and I would bake gingerbread cookies during the week.   We drove up to their cabin and cut down a Christmas tree.  We did it every year for over 15 years. 

Merry Christmas everyone.....

Thanksgiving in Salida

It's been a week since Thanksgiving and I wanted to post our photos before now, but I've been busy with this and that.  My daughter came for Thanksgiving but now that she is working, she can't stay as long.   At least she still lives in Colorado so that's good!!

Here is a photo of the dining room table.  Set for three.  After dinner Kendall and Lee drove up to the mountains and cut down our Christmas tree.  I think they were gone for just an hour or less.  The sun was shining and since we have no snow, it was much easier than in years past.

Here is the tree decorated and up.   It's a little too tall so the Angel can't fit up there! 

A lot of the ornaments are home-made.  I painted some when I was addicted to tole painting years ago.  Last year a man here in town made us several glass ornaments. 

 

This is a moose though its kind of hard to tell in this photo.

  

 

Lee wanted a dragon.

 

 

My mom made this angel when she was in a doll club many years ago.   So that's an heirloom.



Okay, I thought I could move the photo above, but maybe I can't.  Still learning the process.  Anyway, that's my Santa I made a few years ago of felt.  His one eye is a tiny bit bigger than the other.  Too many cookies!! 

That's it for now!

Pam

Waiting on Winter

It's the day before Thanksgiving and we are still waiting on winter.  I guess it doesn't officially arrive until December 21.  Went for a walk yesterday in my capris.  No gloves and no hat.  Monarch Ski Area was scheduled to open tomorrow, but alas, no snow.  The snowboarders will have to wait. 

So, what have I been up to while I'm waiting for the snowboarders and skiers to arrive?  I have continued on with my quilting projects.

Here is my cowboy boot wall hanging:

And then another row in my "row" quilt.  These are cups incase you couldn't figure that out.  :)  Next row will be leaves:

And for Christmas gifts I have decided to make some ruffle scarves.  They only take one skein and that's about $5 and 30 minutes of my time.  Here's a link to what they look like:

http://www.knitting-warehouse.com/free_knitting_patterns/Coats_Clark/RH_BoutiqueSashay/smokeyswirlscarf.pdf

My daughter is in town this weekend.  When she is here we go to the shops in downtown Salida and see what's new or what we can't live without.  The first stop was to Murdoch's Home and Ranch which is actuall on the highway.  You can check them out here:    http://www.murdochs.com/salida
They are having an awesome sale next week.

Then we went to Yolo, which she loves:  http://www.yolocolorado.com/   I have done some Christmas shopping there already.

Our third stop was my favorite store, which is Fringe.  It has fabric and gifts and yarn.  I love the fabric section being a quilter.  Their web site is:  http://www.fringefab.com/

Who is coming to Salida for skiing this winter??  Check out our web site to make your reservations:
http://salidacoloradomotel.com/  Or just call - 719-539-6296.

Moving into November.

Saturday night and I'm tired.  It's been a busy weekend at the Circle R Motel.  Just three weeks until Monarch Ski Resort is supposed to open, but its still in the 60s.  I'm not ready for winter, but I know some of the skiers and snowboarders are more than ready.  Here are some photos from our last ATV trip.

Naked Aspen trees.

Got into a little bit of snow.

quilting at the Circle R Motel

As the busy days of summer turn to the slower days of fall, I have been doing some more sewing and working on my quilting. In between I've been ATVing.   But, here are a few photos of quilting projects.

This photo above is my picnic quilt made from scraps.  Lots of memories in these fabrics!

 Now, this photo above is my unfinished table topper.  Those are bee hives and then the bee squares
are there in the bright yellow.  Thanks to my friend Nanette for the pattern!    http://fredashive.blogspot.com/

 This photo is my row quilt.  Every three weeks or so, the quilting teacher gives us a pattern for the next row.  The apples are my favorite so far!    http://beeinmybonnetco.blogspot.com/

This photo above is the back of the picnic quilt, which I got also from Nanette. Thanks Nanette.

Since this quilt has cowboys on the back, I may give it to my daughter if she can handle another quilt!

 

 

And finally, this is my new winter wall hanging.  It's mostly applique.  I love Cardinals

and so that's why I bought this "kit".  Thanks to Mari for quilting it for me! 

 

 

Fall in the mountains

It's been an amazing fall in Chaffee County and Salida.  Still warm.  We have had Arkansas River fly fishermen visit, adventure riders on their dirt bikes, and hunters of course.  The river is perfect for fishing.  Lee and I have been ATVing.  Monarch Ski Resort has sent out information for ski season.  I guess I have to resolve myself to the fact that winter is coming.  Our cleaning gal is leaving tomorrow.  We will miss her.  Now Lee has to get back to cleaning the rooms.  He had a nice break! 

High lake fishing

Another beautiful summer/fall day.  It's in the low 40s in the morning and then about 75 during the day.  We have harvested about six minature corn cobs out of the garden.  Still plenty of green tomatoes.  Some carrotts.  Bell peppers.  Still have hikers coming through and a bicyclist too. 

Went ATVing the other day and Lee caught a rare greenback cut throat trout.  Catch and release.

It's raining outside right now.  Puts a bit of a damper on my plans to walk this morning.  However, it also means I don't have to water today so that's good.  Plus it smells so darn good outside.  Nothing like a fresh rain in the mountains. 

Things to do this weekend

Mornings are getting cooler.  Get away from the city and come to the mountains for the weekend.  There's a bicycle race in town.  Hiking and biking abound.  Good food. 

Google + and blogging is confusing me

Trying to figure out this google + and my blog...  They are not the same thing.  This social media stuff is very confusing for a "baby boomer" mind.  And my recent college graduate is not able to help me.

The fire in Colorado Springs is pretty scary, but its two hours from Salida and we are not affected.  Don't let that change your vacation plans or if your plans were for Colorado Springs, then come over to Salida.  Hope to see you soon!

Tuesday evening

I was just reading Martha Stewart's blog and she said that a group of crows is called a "murder".   I saw quite a large gathering of them today as I was taking my three mile walk on the bike trail.  Dave, our handyman, work on cleaning the small decorative rocks around the motel.  They looked so much better without all the leaves and branches in them.  Tonight Lee and I are going to go and enjoy the hot tub and the fingernail moon.

Wednesday

Lee is going pheasant hunting this weekend out near Sedgwick.  He is going with four of his nephews.  Should be a fun time if the wind isn't blowing.   I'll stay here at the motel and get some things done.  It's 35 degrees here right now.

Martin Luther King Day

Today is a legal holiday, but for us at the Circle R Motel, its just another work day.  Up at 6:30am to have flavorful coffee ready for guests.  Beautiful sunrise to the west.  Sunshine in today's forcast. Perfect day for a day of skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, or just getting out of the city.

Friday the 13th

One theory behind Friday the 13th being an unlucky day is that Judas, who betrayed Jesus, was the 13th and last person to arrive at the last supper.  That coupled with Jesus dying on a Friday gives Friday the 13th its bad rap.  Don't let that stop you from coming to ski at Monarch this weekend.  Stay at the Circle R Motel.  

Fresh air

While it is snowing in Denver, its nice and sunny here.  The air is fresh and clean.  Hot tub has sprung another leak.  A brand new hot tub would be nice, but alas, wrong time of year for major investments.  Dave, our manager, continues to do battle!

Monday

What I love best about Colorado is that snow melts quickly in town.  Didn't even have to shovel the sidewalks.  I can go for a walk on the bike path later on in day.  It's three miles round trip.

Snow day

Winter has returned.  We were getting a little spoiled with the sunny, warm weather.  The ski resort has fresh snow (just 25 miles) and so business in town should be picking up.