tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12620067333308439092024-03-13T16:06:29.038-06:00Printed Press...urban life adventuresLesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04820096411843537786noreply@blogger.comBlogger376125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262006733330843909.post-33824199774802162192011-02-20T12:47:00.000-07:002011-02-20T12:48:22.347-07:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cYtZGdOz6-Q/TWFv-fzXhkI/AAAAAAAABaQ/Th-7Dr17wRw/s1600/flower.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575860933140907586" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cYtZGdOz6-Q/TWFv-fzXhkI/AAAAAAAABaQ/Th-7Dr17wRw/s400/flower.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04820096411843537786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262006733330843909.post-10169755777397032602010-11-10T18:57:00.002-07:002010-11-10T19:24:13.344-07:00The Annual Holiday Card DebateEvery year around this time I start thinking about our annual Christmas card. I've been sending <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery">holiday photo cards</a> for the past 4 years, and am planning to carry on this tradition this year. I know I always love tearing into cards hoping to receive <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-cards">Christmas photo cards</a>, as they are the ones I hang on to year after year, so they are something I'm happy sending - maybe others on my holiday mailing list have the same excitement.<br /><br />Last year I hunted through about 20 sites looking for the perfect photo cards to ultimately end up unhappy with the card we picked. This year I was so excited to find some really fun designs at <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/">Shutterfly</a>. I even loved their selection of return address labels - a one stop shop.<br /><br />We took some really great photos in Mexico last week of Jason and I that I plan on using in our holiday card this year. I'm really looking froward to the holidays this year!<br /><br />A few of the <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/holiday-cards">holiday cards</a> from Shutterfly that I'm debating from include:<br /><a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/warm-wishes-christmas-card-5x7-flat?sortType=1&storeNode=93479">http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/warm-wishes-christmas-card-5x7-flat?sortType=1&storeNode=93479</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/berry-merry-christmas-5x7-photo-card-5x7-photo?sortType=1&fa=4&storeNode=93480">http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/berry-merry-christmas-5x7-photo-card-5x7-photo?sortType=1&fa=4&storeNode=93480</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/holly-jolly-christmas-card-5x7-flat?sortType=1&storeNode=93479">http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/cards-stationery/holly-jolly-christmas-card-5x7-flat?sortType=1&storeNode=93479</a><br /><br />What do you typically do for your holiday cards?<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">*I'm receiving 50 free cards from Shutterly for this post and if you're a blogger, you can too! Follow this link and sign up: </span><a href="http://bit.ly/sfly2010"><span style="font-size:85%;">http://bit.ly/sfly2010</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04820096411843537786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262006733330843909.post-87114798778349010042010-09-07T15:43:00.002-06:002010-09-07T15:49:42.342-06:00Create PossibilitiesThis past week the card I selected from my <a href="http://printedpress.blogspot.com/2010/08/today-is-day.html">Today is the Day</a> pack is "Create Possibilities." I've been attempting to create possibilities in a few different ways, some I'm not ready to announce in such a public manner yet - but stay tuned and I may disclose a few things that are up my sleeve. <div><br /></div><div>One of the things I have decided to do and share is that I'll be entering my first photo contest as I mentioned earlier in my Balloon Classic blog post. I've been pondering about what to do with my budding photography skills, and there are a few different ways I'm able to show my "work." So here is to the new possibility of being a artist with some credit to my name. </div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04820096411843537786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262006733330843909.post-34633323501000278472010-09-07T07:33:00.000-06:002010-09-07T08:03:29.552-06:00Colorado Balloon Classic Balloon Glo Pictures<div>This weekend was stuffed full of life.</div><div><br /></div><div>On Saturday night J & I drove down to Colorado Springs for the Colorado Balloon Classic. I wanted to attend the Balloon Glo - and it exceeded all of my expectations. I might say it was one of the coolest things to experience.</div><div><br /></div><div>We watched them get the balloons inflated.</div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TIWTAi01apI/AAAAAAAABZg/diaTZJSEK68/s1600/balloon1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513974956342733458" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TIWTAi01apI/AAAAAAAABZg/diaTZJSEK68/s400/balloon1.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TIWTAWO-MvI/AAAAAAAABZY/LDNEW3pK73Q/s1600/balloon2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513974952962700018" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TIWTAWO-MvI/AAAAAAAABZY/LDNEW3pK73Q/s400/balloon2.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TIWS4zkMtrI/AAAAAAAABZQ/KUsqujYNFCA/s1600/balloon3.jpg"><img style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; width: 400px; display: block; height: 266px; cursor: pointer; " id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513974823397406386" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TIWS4zkMtrI/AAAAAAAABZQ/KUsqujYNFCA/s400/balloon3.jpg" /></a></div><div><div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TIWS4Q5kh8I/AAAAAAAABZI/S-6jVGPfynE/s1600/balloon4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513974814091806658" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TIWS4Q5kh8I/AAAAAAAABZI/S-6jVGPfynE/s400/balloon4.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TIWS4GQXByI/AAAAAAAABZA/-fwR1x17p7A/s1600/balloon5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513974811234600738" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TIWS4GQXByI/AAAAAAAABZA/-fwR1x17p7A/s400/balloon5.jpg" /></a><br />And when all the balloons would glow, the entire field would light up as people cheered. It was just breathtaking.</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TIWS3zSlXnI/AAAAAAAABY4/kR4Ucfko610/s1600/balloon6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513974806143655538" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TIWS3zSlXnI/AAAAAAAABY4/kR4Ucfko610/s400/balloon6.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TIWS3ld6H9I/AAAAAAAABYw/rbH4OJFBhB8/s1600/balloon7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513974802433056722" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TIWS3ld6H9I/AAAAAAAABYw/rbH4OJFBhB8/s400/balloon7.jpg" /></a><div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TIOdEXiFe2I/AAAAAAAABYA/_80vHHtYU8E/s1600/balloon8.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513423067193637730" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TIOdEXiFe2I/AAAAAAAABYA/_80vHHtYU8E/s400/balloon8.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TIOdDvzfJNI/AAAAAAAABX4/5Fhv6wB8VdI/s1600/balloon10.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513423056529204434" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TIOdDvzfJNI/AAAAAAAABX4/5Fhv6wB8VdI/s400/balloon10.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TIOdBryza7I/AAAAAAAABXw/1AR6h5dmss0/s1600/balloon11.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513423021092858802" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TIOdBryza7I/AAAAAAAABXw/1AR6h5dmss0/s400/balloon11.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TIOdBEK13sI/AAAAAAAABXo/IzP5Cbjf75Q/s1600/balloon12.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513423010456264386" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TIOdBEK13sI/AAAAAAAABXo/IzP5Cbjf75Q/s400/balloon12.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TIOdACKblpI/AAAAAAAABXg/qO849Fgzgpo/s1600/balloon13.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 273px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513422992737801874" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TIOdACKblpI/AAAAAAAABXg/qO849Fgzgpo/s400/balloon13.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div>I'm debating entering my first photo contest and submitting a picture of the balloons, I just need to pick my favorite of the photos.</div><div><br />It makes me want to attend another balloon festival, and I already know that next year I want to stay in the Springs so we can watch the launch the next morning. <div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04820096411843537786noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262006733330843909.post-59579099715640058792010-09-05T06:46:00.001-06:002010-09-05T07:33:20.649-06:00Watching You, Watching MeTook this picture last weekend and thought it was too funny to not post. This little guy tends to climb on our balcony a lot too. He is always around just watching, waiting, in hopes that you will leave him some food. Sorry little guy, you gotta find your food somewhere else...<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THr_csGsSuI/AAAAAAAABWw/N5WhVDnKSOs/s1600/squirrel.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 251px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510997962381871842" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THr_csGsSuI/AAAAAAAABWw/N5WhVDnKSOs/s400/squirrel.jpg" /></a>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04820096411843537786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262006733330843909.post-18021245385224353252010-09-02T06:47:00.000-06:002010-09-02T09:36:56.403-06:00It's a Sun Shiny Day...<div>A few more pictures from this past weekend to brighten your day...</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THr_36vlQmI/AAAAAAAABXY/98insC1jovk/s1600/sunflower1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510998430167941730" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THr_36vlQmI/AAAAAAAABXY/98insC1jovk/s400/sunflower1.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THr_3GOQ0iI/AAAAAAAABXQ/FjxuvvuzDnI/s1600/sunflower2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510998416069546530" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THr_3GOQ0iI/AAAAAAAABXQ/FjxuvvuzDnI/s400/sunflower2.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THr_2mZAqFI/AAAAAAAABXI/I3Vl-_mkpYI/s1600/sunflower3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510998407524690002" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THr_2mZAqFI/AAAAAAAABXI/I3Vl-_mkpYI/s400/sunflower3.jpg" /></a><div></div></div></div></div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04820096411843537786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262006733330843909.post-43739073982132983002010-08-31T15:37:00.003-06:002010-08-31T15:42:56.291-06:00From Around the Web<div style="text-align: left;">I've seen two blog posts that just are speaking to me today.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The first was on <a href="http://www.geekinheels.com/blog/2010/8/30/aperture-t-shirt.html">Geek in Heels</a> and was of a shirt on Threadless that I just have to buy! It is the camera geek in me.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><img src="http://media.threadless.com/product/640x640/2449-store2.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 340px; height: 340px;" border="0" alt="" /><div><br /></div><div>The next over on <a href="http://www.claremontroad.com/2010/dreaming-of-theme-parties/">Claremont Road</a> there was a post on theme parties.</div><div>I'm dying to host the following parties:<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Mixed Brew Party & </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Swap Party, I just need to decide when and who to invite.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 14px; font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;"> </span></div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04820096411843537786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262006733330843909.post-80744216045292681002010-08-31T06:40:00.001-06:002010-08-31T08:07:03.934-06:00Bringing Back Canning<div>Every year (well except maybe last year) all of J's family gets together to make salsa by the bucket - literally. This year we had the joy of having some family in from out of state to also help in the fun. It takes all day, and by the end of the day you have eaten enough chips and salsa to feed an army.</div><div><br /></div><div>We start by blanching and peeling bushels of tomatoes. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THr-8rTECaI/AAAAAAAABWo/B2DowsrpgqE/s1600/salsa1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510997412409510306" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THr-8rTECaI/AAAAAAAABWo/B2DowsrpgqE/s400/salsa1.jpg" /></a>By washing and seeding peppers.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THr-kjIHelI/AAAAAAAABWg/5FQn5FU9ccQ/s1600/salsa2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510996997899254354" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THr-kjIHelI/AAAAAAAABWg/5FQn5FU9ccQ/s400/salsa2.jpg" /></a><br />By cleaning the herbs.</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THr-kYstr7I/AAAAAAAABWY/S7mVJeZOYkw/s1600/salsa3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510996995099963314" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THr-kYstr7I/AAAAAAAABWY/S7mVJeZOYkw/s400/salsa3.jpg" /></a>And, chopping the garlic.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THr-j2AF7cI/AAAAAAAABWQ/E7gWFPgKnA0/s1600/salsa4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510996985786002882" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THr-j2AF7cI/AAAAAAAABWQ/E7gWFPgKnA0/s400/salsa4.jpg" /></a>Then everything gets chopped a little more finely.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THr-jW10iKI/AAAAAAAABWI/3VDUIqBW69o/s1600/salsa5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510996977421420706" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THr-jW10iKI/AAAAAAAABWI/3VDUIqBW69o/s400/salsa5.jpg" /></a><br />Before it is finally dumped in a bucket to be mixed with spices. Don't worry, the buckets are clean.</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THr-jCZu3DI/AAAAAAAABWA/AcORE4qnCDM/s1600/salsa6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510996971934899250" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THr-jCZu3DI/AAAAAAAABWA/AcORE4qnCDM/s400/salsa6.jpg" /></a><br />The whole family joins in mixing the salsa.</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THr-SXIyCFI/AAAAAAAABV4/N8w15-KSU-A/s1600/salsa7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510996685443172434" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THr-SXIyCFI/AAAAAAAABV4/N8w15-KSU-A/s400/salsa7.jpg" /></a>Finally, all of the jars are sterilized, the salsa is cooked, and then comes the canning and the processing.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THr-SC-wgFI/AAAAAAAABVw/vlvQGnEyjUM/s1600/salsa8.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510996680032419922" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THr-SC-wgFI/AAAAAAAABVw/vlvQGnEyjUM/s400/salsa8.jpg" /></a>More and more canning.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THr-RXgr5II/AAAAAAAABVo/R7dRsSnh3EU/s1600/salsa9.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 312px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510996668363564162" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THr-RXgr5II/AAAAAAAABVo/R7dRsSnh3EU/s400/salsa9.jpg" /></a>The jars process to seal.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THr-Qq1-zAI/AAAAAAAABVg/wZV1-YV4bFg/s1600/salsa10.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510996656373287938" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THr-Qq1-zAI/AAAAAAAABVg/wZV1-YV4bFg/s400/salsa10.jpg" /></a>Then we have jars and jars and jars and more jars of salsa to last the entire family through the year. We eat salsa at every get together from Christmas to football games to drinks in the summer on the porch.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THr-QAjAsmI/AAAAAAAABVY/zPIchcFs6bw/s1600/salsa11.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 189px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510996645019431522" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THr-QAjAsmI/AAAAAAAABVY/zPIchcFs6bw/s400/salsa11.jpg" /></a><br />We are going to pickle in 2 weeks. Any one else taken up the art of canning?<div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04820096411843537786noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262006733330843909.post-15244894303134261312010-08-30T12:46:00.001-06:002010-08-30T12:46:00.462-06:00We'll Drink Big Whiskey While We Dance & Sing<div>The weekend was a much needed break from the everyday. My goal for 2 days was to simply cherish family and the time we were spending together regardless of the activity. </div><div><br /></div><div>Saturday morning J & I headed to my parents house where we decided to go on the Stranahan's whiskey tour. We headed out for lunch at <a href="http://www.tocabe.com/">Tocabe </a>- I just love their fry bread, and then went on the whiskey tour.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THr_obFjIgI/AAAAAAAABXA/fmdgtO2coXc/s1600/stranahans1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 262px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510998163972104706" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THr_obFjIgI/AAAAAAAABXA/fmdgtO2coXc/s400/stranahans1.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THr_n6t3WpI/AAAAAAAABW4/ZJO7VnnyGT8/s1600/stranahans2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 244px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510998155282832018" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THr_n6t3WpI/AAAAAAAABW4/ZJO7VnnyGT8/s400/stranahans2.jpg" /></a>I had never really drank whiskey, and after the tour I probably don't intend to drink it again. It just wasn't for me.</div><div><br /></div><div>We went back to my parent's house, lounged around and caught up and then had a family dinner of BBQ ribs.</div><div><br /></div><div>After heading back to our house, J & I rested in order to prepare for the salsa madness that Sunday would entail.<br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04820096411843537786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262006733330843909.post-28622291191886616182010-08-27T08:21:00.001-06:002010-08-27T08:22:25.912-06:00Enjoying the moment<div>Yesterday I took the day off to cherish family. My cousin Karen is in town from California and spending time with her just makes you feel good down to your core.</div><div><br /></div><div>I started the morning yesterday by sleeping in until 7 - I must tell you that 7 may be early to some, but what a difference it is compared to 4:45 like most days. After unwrapping a few special gifts from my cousin and from her dear friend Ruth (I'll post details on these later), we headed out for the day to do some antique shopping, have lunch and browse through Kohl's. We got home just in time for Jason to join us for a big dinner a couple glasses of wine. It was such a wonderful refreshing day to just be family.</div><div><br /></div><div>My mom and Karen grew up spending all of their summers together, and just about any other time they could squeeze in. They are the bestest of friends:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THchUj9iZqI/AAAAAAAABVQ/1MqzfXojeyU/s1600/cousins.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509909306245539490" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THchUj9iZqI/AAAAAAAABVQ/1MqzfXojeyU/s400/cousins.jpg" /></a><div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>My mom & Karen</i></span></div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04820096411843537786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262006733330843909.post-32884988055326942742010-08-25T07:09:00.000-06:002010-08-25T07:29:39.660-06:00Today is the Day...<div>I'm always looking for ways to bring more positivity to things around me, especially when there is so much that is always trying to bring you down. Lately I've just felt stressed, drained and pulled to far from the point of balance.<br /><br />While traveling a few weeks back for work, I visited our client's gift shop and saw these perfect magnets where you switch out the affirmation on a weekly basis. I knew I had to bring one home with me - it was calling out to me.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THHWEgfhYTI/AAAAAAAABVI/HjNCKhvMYic/s1600/gifts1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 271px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508419192180793650" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THHWEgfhYTI/AAAAAAAABVI/HjNCKhvMYic/s400/gifts1.jpg" border="0" /></a>There are 53 different affirmations, everything from "Feel Alive" to "Seek out the Good". My goal is to switch it out each week and make that my personal focus for a few days.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THHWDlG6d7I/AAAAAAAABVA/LcP4vR-qF-0/s1600/gifts2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 266px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508419176239888306" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THHWDlG6d7I/AAAAAAAABVA/LcP4vR-qF-0/s400/gifts2.jpg" border="0" /></a>This week I started with one that was really fitting "Cherish family." J and I both have family in town this week and will be spending a lot of time with our families over the next few days. I'm hoping to really cherish the time and allow it to re-energize my internal batteries.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THHWDImKiDI/AAAAAAAABU4/zALSBOMb-z0/s1600/gifts3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px; display: block; height: 326px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508419168586336306" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/THHWDImKiDI/AAAAAAAABU4/zALSBOMb-z0/s400/gifts3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The box reads: "Somewhere in your home or office, let there be one beautiful object, a little island of inspiration that will feed your spirit all year long. Let it remind you that every day is your day, that right now is a good time, and that happiness is always in your hands. Treasure each day and treasure yourself..."<br /><br />So here goes a year of seizing the moment. I'll try to share the affirmation each week that I've selected and maybe you can even be inspired and reminded that your happiness is your hands too.<br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04820096411843537786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262006733330843909.post-11400984496949349192010-08-23T19:42:00.002-06:002010-08-23T19:52:52.107-06:00A Weekend Nap RecapThe weekend was full...full of napping and relaxing.<br /><br />On Friday I had to run a few errands, Costco and such, and made a little stop at Vera Bradley to do a little birthday shopping. I brought home this little beauty:<br /><br /><a href="http://cdn3.ioffer.com/img/item/157/494/541/5uVug8keD5k2G0E.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 295px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 422px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://cdn3.ioffer.com/img/item/157/494/541/5uVug8keD5k2G0E.jpg" /></a>Then after that I came home and napped, cooked dinner and just relaxed.<br /><br />On Saturday J went golfing while I visited with the folks. After coming home I napped until J got home. We cooked up some dinner and spent the evening watching the Broncos.<br /><br />Sunday we met J's parents for lunch in Northfield to celebrate my birthday. J makes fun of me and says my birthday is a never-ending celebration - he is right. His parents gave me a another beautiful Vera bag. It was a great surprise. My cousin Allison would make fun of me and say that "if it looks like a quilt don't buy it" and maybe Vera bags have been around for awhile now - heck I've had one for going on 10 years now, but I think they are great carry all bags.<br /><br />After lunch we came home and guess, I took a nap!<br /><br />I woke this morning feeling rested and ready to return to the grind.Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04820096411843537786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262006733330843909.post-68687213504043253152010-08-17T07:41:00.004-06:002010-08-17T07:52:27.897-06:00Mile High Music Festival - Day 2<div>The morning of day 2 I woke up feeling like I had just spent 12 hours in the sun. My body was tired, but after some b-fast and a little lazin' around we were ready for more fest.</div><div><br /></div><div>We met up with our friends again and picked out some great seats for Dave. Day 2 was much hotter than Day 1 temp wise and we were feeling the sun. We didn't hit as many shows, but that was ok in the end. We started off with a little of Danielle Ate the Sandwich, followed by Drive by Truckers, listening to Matt Morris from a distance, then Jimmy Cliff (which I really enjoyed), My Morning Jacket and then of course Dave!</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGqR-WknRzI/AAAAAAAABUw/pkyVTJJWA5g/s1600/day2_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGqR-WknRzI/AAAAAAAABUw/pkyVTJJWA5g/s400/day2_1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506373994810918706" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">More J & J time remembering all the shows of their past.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGqR-M5wNwI/AAAAAAAABUo/zdklcDbSCsQ/s1600/day2_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 318px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGqR-M5wNwI/AAAAAAAABUo/zdklcDbSCsQ/s400/day2_2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506373992215230210" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Me trying to avoid the sun.</div><div><br /></div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGqRyW6ATbI/AAAAAAAABUY/zCfK1hGtWXo/s400/day2_3.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506373788742208946" /><div style="text-align: center;">Jimmy Cliff.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGqRyq01qKI/AAAAAAAABUg/C5x82NztWic/s400/day2.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506373794089248930" /><div style="text-align: center;">J & I.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGqRxte-HhI/AAAAAAAABUI/VXCA8xjimjc/s1600/day2_5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGqRxte-HhI/AAAAAAAABUI/VXCA8xjimjc/s400/day2_5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506373777622965778" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">My Morning Jacket.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGqRxEMHApI/AAAAAAAABUA/qogQ5a1AVTE/s1600/day2dave.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGqRxEMHApI/AAAAAAAABUA/qogQ5a1AVTE/s400/day2dave.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506373766538003090" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Dave Matthews Band.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It was a great year at <a href="http://www.milehighmusicfestival.com">Mile High Music Festival</a>. But, I can probably be done and say I've checked a music festival off my list of life.</div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04820096411843537786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262006733330843909.post-42395674280482358062010-08-16T05:58:00.004-06:002010-08-16T07:49:03.753-06:00Mile High Music Festival - Day 1<div>Another great weekend, another tired Monday.</div><div><br /></div><div>We survived <a href="http://www.milehighmusicfestival.com/">Mile High Music Festival</a> 2010, but I must say that festivals may not really be my thing. The crowds, the smoke, the heat, the port-o-potties... Anyway, all things aside we really enjoyed this year's line-up.</div><div><br /></div><div>So a little recap of Day 1. </div><div><br /></div><div>We started the day with One Eskimo in the sun at the side stage, followed by Amos Lee (seen below) in a tent, then we darted to see The Samples back in the sun. The Samples were not someone high on my list to see, but I really really enjoyed their show. It was fun to see a band that J has loved for so long. After that we went back to a tent for Rusted Root. We were finally ready to eat and headed for the food tents. After that we went back to the tents for Keane and then made our way to the main stage for Steve Miller Band and Jack Johnson.</div><div> </div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGkoJBTIF5I/AAAAAAAABT4/86W05EOwnPo/s1600/mhmf1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505976154869733266" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGkoJBTIF5I/AAAAAAAABT4/86W05EOwnPo/s400/mhmf1.jpg" /></a><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGkoFPEPEoI/AAAAAAAABTw/pgUZXFQWYlA/s1600/mhmf2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505976089845895810" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGkoFPEPEoI/AAAAAAAABTw/pgUZXFQWYlA/s400/mhmf2.jpg" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">J & I - no it wasn't sweat on his shoulders, he had a wet towel around his neck.</div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGkoE1DfZFI/AAAAAAAABTo/QFjE6y1Y4_4/s1600/mhmf3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505976082863449170" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGkoE1DfZFI/AAAAAAAABTo/QFjE6y1Y4_4/s400/mhmf3.jpg" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">J & J reliving their glory days filled with concerts (all of that BW, Before Wives).</div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGkoEgQxd0I/AAAAAAAABTg/RVnvUelRluw/s1600/mhmf4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505976077282015042" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGkoEgQxd0I/AAAAAAAABTg/RVnvUelRluw/s400/mhmf4.jpg" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">A little Jack Johnson.</div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGkoEYGv9FI/AAAAAAAABTY/tMWL10U6-aI/s1600/mhmf5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505976075092489298" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGkoEYGv9FI/AAAAAAAABTY/tMWL10U6-aI/s400/mhmf5.jpg" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">A little more Jack Johnson.</div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGkoD3s_ItI/AAAAAAAABTQ/3wSAJqDtz34/s1600/mhmf6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505976066394497746" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGkoD3s_ItI/AAAAAAAABTQ/3wSAJqDtz34/s400/mhmf6.jpg" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">And even more Jack Johnson.</div><br />I really enjoyed Day 1, but I don't think I will ever need to go see Jack again in concert. It pains me to say that because he is one of my favs, but his live show just lacks something. Don't really know how to say it, but it really just sounds like me and 40,000 other people are all just listening to the CD in the dark with some video coverage. He doesn't command the stage the way some artists do. Anyway, that aside, it was wonderful.</div><div><br /></div><div>Stay tuned for a recap of Day 2.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04820096411843537786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262006733330843909.post-37722963325830365282010-08-14T07:12:00.000-06:002010-08-14T07:12:00.521-06:00Little Rock was a Rockin' Good TimeLast week I took a trip for work down to Little Rock for a few days of client meetings. The trip was such a good time, not only the experience, but it was also a very productive few days work wise.<br /><br />On Wednesday night after getting in we went to The Flying Fish for dinner where I had the best Poor Boy sandwich. It was just so truly southern.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGXt5GobjDI/AAAAAAAABTI/XDxlojyuutA/s1600/littlerock1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505067684818816050" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGXt5GobjDI/AAAAAAAABTI/XDxlojyuutA/s400/littlerock1.jpg" /></a>What cracked me up was that The Flying Fish had a "Billy Bass Adoption Center" with hundreds of Billy Bass attached to the wall. If you bring your Billy Bass in you get a free order of catfish.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGXt4-2x_WI/AAAAAAAABTA/UO6psxTJ4sc/s1600/littlerock2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505067682731523426" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGXt4-2x_WI/AAAAAAAABTA/UO6psxTJ4sc/s400/littlerock2.jpg" /></a>After dinner we walked around the River Walk. Mind you, the heat index was right around 115. Little Rock was in a heat wave, and the air was so thick. I'm used to coastal humidity from visiting my grandparents growing up, but this was nothing like that. To top it off, there was a movie in the park and all these people were sitting outside in the heat watching a movie. In Colorado we would do that and have blankets and light jackets. </div><div><div> </div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGXtxchiRXI/AAAAAAAABS4/f0zl8IDl06o/s1600/littlerock3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505067553256523122" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGXtxchiRXI/AAAAAAAABS4/f0zl8IDl06o/s400/littlerock3.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>A few more pictures from the trip:<br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGXtxCySd9I/AAAAAAAABSw/8hlAz5AHhyk/s1600/littlerock4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505067546347468754" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGXtxCySd9I/AAAAAAAABSw/8hlAz5AHhyk/s400/littlerock4.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGXtw34FHOI/AAAAAAAABSo/OG7SBenfVdA/s1600/littlerock5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505067543418969314" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGXtw34FHOI/AAAAAAAABSo/OG7SBenfVdA/s400/littlerock5.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGXtwuGtX_I/AAAAAAAABSg/Das2dwRGgzg/s1600/littlerock6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505067540795973618" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGXtwuGtX_I/AAAAAAAABSg/Das2dwRGgzg/s400/littlerock6.jpg" /></a> <div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGXtwWsNeJI/AAAAAAAABSY/hxLiZiw_tBs/s1600/littlerock7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505067534510815378" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGXtwWsNeJI/AAAAAAAABSY/hxLiZiw_tBs/s400/littlerock7.jpg" /></a><br />I really liked Little Rock, the people were so friendly and it felt like it still had some of that "small-town" feel. The flights on the other hand weren't as enjoyable, but I still made it back in time to head out with J for the weekend of celebration.</div><div> </div><div>I feel like I'm semi-caught up now with blogging the events of August. How quickly this month is already going.<br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04820096411843537786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262006733330843909.post-13904471499671315882010-08-13T10:39:00.000-06:002010-08-13T10:39:00.812-06:00Weekend of Celebration Day 3, The Drive HomeAll good things must come to an end, but we were determined to live it up until the very last second. We got up on my birthday morning and again enjoyed a wonderful breakfast at the hotel. We loaded up the car and made it to a few fruit stands. Palisade is known for there peaches and we wanted to make sure we were taking a few home with us. We also stopped at two last wineries.<br /><br /><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 283px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504873517854110114" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGU9TGUmMaI/AAAAAAAABR4/R977DPcnSTM/s400/peach3.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 292px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504873515714069378" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGU9S-WXw4I/AAAAAAAABRw/BM403pxjjrQ/s400/peach1.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 314px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504873506484503954" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGU9Sb93xZI/AAAAAAAABRo/mzkH_2y35gU/s400/peach4.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504873502102454146" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGU9SLpG_4I/AAAAAAAABRg/2ocu7ccJHNk/s400/peach2.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504873497044169042" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGU9R4zHsVI/AAAAAAAABRY/G-HJzDqgBXc/s400/peach5.jpg" /></div><div> </div><div>Then after leaving town we drove up the Mesa stopping to a take a few photos, before we commited to the 4+ hour drive back home.</div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504873820844725458" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGU9kvDMFNI/AAAAAAAABSQ/oYpVYKCfdVk/s400/drive1.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 288px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504873813839841938" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGU9kU9GCpI/AAAAAAAABSI/ENc-B7rXNMA/s400/drive2.jpg" /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGU9j_4IBxI/AAAAAAAABSA/dubMSEDcSos/s1600/drive3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504873808181856018" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGU9j_4IBxI/AAAAAAAABSA/dubMSEDcSos/s400/drive3.jpg" /></a> <div></div><div><div><div><div><div>It was the perfect birthday weekend full of beauty and life. I love little adventues and can't wait to start planning the next weekend getaway. Any suggestions on where to go?</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04820096411843537786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262006733330843909.post-30646222370992289112010-08-11T19:26:00.006-06:002010-08-12T18:55:11.489-06:00Weekend of Celebration Day 2, Part 2In the afternoon we were met by our river guide Rondo for the start of our river float adventure.<br /><br />The river is pretty murky, but it is so peaceful and relaxing. We floated along, enjoyed a cocktail and heard stories of surrounding mountains.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGNPwHFEpAI/AAAAAAAABRQ/5GHW1npmQGo/s1600/river1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504330857529517058" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGNPwHFEpAI/AAAAAAAABRQ/5GHW1npmQGo/s400/river1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGNPv4O42VI/AAAAAAAABRI/ps6hOVHXWBI/s1600/river3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504330853544155474" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGNPv4O42VI/AAAAAAAABRI/ps6hOVHXWBI/s400/river3.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGNPvhFUsxI/AAAAAAAABRA/-lbhAEcQ4IU/s1600/river4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504330847330022162" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGNPvhFUsxI/AAAAAAAABRA/-lbhAEcQ4IU/s400/river4.jpg" /></a> Along the way, Jason and I got out into the river and just floated like we were on a lazy river ride. Although the water looks so calm it really was a very strong flow.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGNPgK54HMI/AAAAAAAABQ4/LMnVc04dXns/s1600/river5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504330583678393538" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGNPgK54HMI/AAAAAAAABQ4/LMnVc04dXns/s400/river5.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGNPfxpM6jI/AAAAAAAABQw/Cy71nNFaRsI/s1600/river5.5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504330576897567282" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGNPfxpM6jI/AAAAAAAABQw/Cy71nNFaRsI/s400/river5.5.jpg" /></a>I asked along the way if we would see any wildlife and sure enough near the end of the trip we passed a bald eagle perched along the river bank cliff. </div><div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGNPfmJTpOI/AAAAAAAABQo/LAsFjhZLqYU/s1600/river6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 254px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504330573811000546" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGNPfmJTpOI/AAAAAAAABQo/LAsFjhZLqYU/s400/river6.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGNPfA3i4bI/AAAAAAAABQg/VnpsTtONofo/s1600/river7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504330563804389810" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGNPfA3i4bI/AAAAAAAABQg/VnpsTtONofo/s400/river7.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>Along on the trip was Leif from the <a href="http://www.palisadecoc.com/">Palisade Chamber of Commerce</a> and his dog Flicka. I just loved Flicka dog - just look at that pup in the ducky boat.</div><div></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGNPexlikWI/AAAAAAAABQY/exuOes7uUJc/s1600/river8.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 308px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504330559702339938" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGNPexlikWI/AAAAAAAABQY/exuOes7uUJc/s400/river8.jpg" /></a>If you are ever on the Western Slope and interested in a river float trip I can't recommend Rondo at <a href="http://www.palisaderivertrips.com/index.htm">Palisade Wine Country River Trips</a> enough. He provided such a great time.</div><div> </div><div>Look for tomorrow's post to wrap up our weekend of celebration!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04820096411843537786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262006733330843909.post-83017226997159387612010-08-11T19:11:00.004-06:002010-08-11T19:27:10.943-06:00Weekend of Celebration Day 2, Part 1We started the morning of Day 2 with a great breakfast at our hotel before heading into "downtown" Palisade where we browsed the farmer's market.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGNLZzegC8I/AAAAAAAABQQ/hcERhalz1nM/s1600/day2_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504326076263828418" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGNLZzegC8I/AAAAAAAABQQ/hcERhalz1nM/s400/day2_1.jpg" /></a> After that Jason and I picked up our bike rentals from <a href="http://www.rapidcreekcycles.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18&Itemid=37">Rapid Creek Cycles & Sports</a>. The bikes were part of a package we got through our hotel. They were great bikes and the morning weather was just great for a wine tour via the bike.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGNLZhEwZOI/AAAAAAAABQI/dEQsFxNP9SE/s1600/day2_2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504326071324009698" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGNLZhEwZOI/AAAAAAAABQI/dEQsFxNP9SE/s400/day2_2.jpg" /></a>We stopped at the first winery for a tour and taste.</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGNK9KJAV3I/AAAAAAAABQA/3G5zXhctU2Q/s1600/day2_3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504325584131479410" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGNK9KJAV3I/AAAAAAAABQA/3G5zXhctU2Q/s400/day2_3.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGNK8t0hVPI/AAAAAAAABP4/BYq3z4NXrAY/s1600/day2_4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504325576529368306" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGNK8t0hVPI/AAAAAAAABP4/BYq3z4NXrAY/s400/day2_4.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGNK8JnFQPI/AAAAAAAABPw/_SbO-jZ1_9I/s1600/day2_5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504325566809325810" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGNK8JnFQPI/AAAAAAAABPw/_SbO-jZ1_9I/s400/day2_5.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGNK7wOrBWI/AAAAAAAABPo/uaBCM7YB2f0/s1600/day2_6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504325559996056930" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGNK7wOrBWI/AAAAAAAABPo/uaBCM7YB2f0/s400/day2_6.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGNK7FSLtkI/AAAAAAAABPg/AnYI5dsTzFs/s1600/day2_7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504325548468057666" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGNK7FSLtkI/AAAAAAAABPg/AnYI5dsTzFs/s400/day2_7.jpg" /></a></div><div>After biking around we went back to the Farmer's market for lunch from one of the stands before we headed off for our afternoon adventure. Look for more tomorrow on our great afternoon on the Colorado River. </div></div></div></div></div></div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04820096411843537786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262006733330843909.post-55372709350591599442010-08-10T20:28:00.000-06:002010-08-11T05:40:59.811-06:00Weekend of Celebration Day 1After I got home from a late business trip the night before (details on that trip soon), Jason and I got up early on Saturday morning to hit the Paris Street market on our way out of town.<br /><br />We filled up the tank and drove about 250 miles to Grand Junction.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGKKnJm_kdI/AAAAAAAABPY/u82wrvbMd8A/s1600/drive+large.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504114099799167442" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGKKnJm_kdI/AAAAAAAABPY/u82wrvbMd8A/s400/drive+large.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGKKmwU5q4I/AAAAAAAABPQ/HlDEH9ZANHM/s1600/drive+large2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504114093012396930" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGKKmwU5q4I/AAAAAAAABPQ/HlDEH9ZANHM/s400/drive+large2.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGKKR-rsA8I/AAAAAAAABPI/tpSKSAVAGto/s1600/drive+large3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504113736088814530" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGKKR-rsA8I/AAAAAAAABPI/tpSKSAVAGto/s400/drive+large3.jpg" /></a><br />Once we finally got to that side of the slope we grabbed some lunch and then took a drive through the Colorado Monument. The rain was just starting to roll in for the afternoon, but the sights were still just as beautiful and the mountain-sides just as steep. I often get irrational fears on steep drives that the car is just going to blow off of the side of the mountain, so as you can imagine I was pretty fearful on this drive.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGKKRjk2_UI/AAAAAAAABPA/6vIb25eLGBM/s1600/monument1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 303px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504113728812416322" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGKKRjk2_UI/AAAAAAAABPA/6vIb25eLGBM/s400/monument1.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGKKRZOhk1I/AAAAAAAABO4/DGs9lAR070k/s1600/monument2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504113726034383698" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGKKRZOhk1I/AAAAAAAABO4/DGs9lAR070k/s400/monument2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGKKRG_ehBI/AAAAAAAABOw/QFd6Pya98gE/s1600/monument3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504113721139430418" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGKKRG_ehBI/AAAAAAAABOw/QFd6Pya98gE/s400/monument3.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGKKQ8rzG7I/AAAAAAAABOo/GqEx1NdcnIQ/s1600/monument4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504113718372539314" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGKKQ8rzG7I/AAAAAAAABOo/GqEx1NdcnIQ/s400/monument4.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGKJ4h4eBHI/AAAAAAAABOg/HkkcrARha58/s1600/monument5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504113298861065330" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGKJ4h4eBHI/AAAAAAAABOg/HkkcrARha58/s400/monument5.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGKJ4TSb9MI/AAAAAAAABOY/oi4JDs_2-ec/s1600/monument6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504113294943450306" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGKJ4TSb9MI/AAAAAAAABOY/oi4JDs_2-ec/s400/monument6.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGKJ39G8WkI/AAAAAAAABOQ/s06JMxgJwMc/s1600/monument7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504113288989661762" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGKJ39G8WkI/AAAAAAAABOQ/s06JMxgJwMc/s400/monument7.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGKJ3gfoQLI/AAAAAAAABOI/1nvP-ekO7xo/s1600/monument8.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504113281308573874" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGKJ3gfoQLI/AAAAAAAABOI/1nvP-ekO7xo/s400/monument8.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGKJ3fFTAKI/AAAAAAAABOA/pogoz0LbTkQ/s1600/monument9.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504113280929693858" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGKJ3fFTAKI/AAAAAAAABOA/pogoz0LbTkQ/s400/monument9.jpg" /></a></div><div>We stopped at a few wineries and had a great dinner before taking a soak in the hot tub. All in all a very successful first day to our weekend getaway. Look for Day #2 coming tomorrow, with another full post of photos.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04820096411843537786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262006733330843909.post-19974669602854894242010-08-09T19:40:00.002-06:002010-08-09T19:42:49.279-06:00Today is my birthday<div>We escaped this past weekend for a little road trip to the Western Slope to celebrate my birthday. I took hundreds of photos in just a few days and will spend this week posting all the details and sights from our mountain escape.</div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503590339283454898" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TGCuQRpDC7I/AAAAAAAABN4/KzgbCithWzs/s400/drive.jpg" /></div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04820096411843537786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262006733330843909.post-48746981197643032862010-08-01T18:37:00.002-06:002010-08-01T18:43:50.121-06:00How to pass the timeThis weekend on our way to Jason's parent's house we were stuck in several traffic jams, and somehow after realizing we had been passing multiple out-of-state plates we began playing the License Plate Game.<br /><div align="center"><a href="http://toyzam.com/melissadoug.html"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 272px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://toyzam.com/images/toys/2098-FliptoWinGames-LicensePlates.jpg" /><span style="font-size:78%;">::source::</span></a><br /><br /><div align="left">In a matter of about 100 miles round-trip we saw about 50 plates from the following states:</div><div align="left">Nevada</div><div align="left">Indiana</div><div align="left">Iowa</div><div align="left">California</div><div align="left">Texas (the most popular of the plates)</div><div align="left">New Mexico</div><div align="left">Florida</div><div align="left">Ohio</div><div align="left">Louisiana</div><div align="left">Wyoming</div><div align="left">Arizona</div><div align="left">Oregon</div><div align="left">Illinois</div><div align="left">Kansas</div><div align="left">Missouri</div><div align="left">Utah</div><div align="left">Michigan</div><div align="left">Montana</div><div align="left">Oklahoma</div><div align="left">North Carolina</div><div align="left">South Carolina</div><div align="left">Nebraska</div><div align="left">Idaho</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">In addition we also saw plates from Canada and Mexico, so we rounded out North America on one quick car ride.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">...yes we really did start keeping track by writing them down. I don't think I have ever seen so many different plates - must be summer road-trip weekend!</div></div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04820096411843537786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262006733330843909.post-10186802879474513462010-07-29T07:57:00.000-06:002010-07-30T08:00:27.556-06:00Rockies GameCross another thing off the summer list - attend an evening Rockies game...<div><br /></div><div>On Tuesday the office headed to the Tavern and then to the Rockies game. We sat in the Rockpile - the first time I've done that in years, and I just read on <a href="http://www.everythingweknowaboutdenver.com/2010/07/baseballs-farthest-seats-goes-to/">Everything We Know About Denver</a> that those are baseball's farthest seats.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was the perfect evening weather wise and I only took two pics before leaving the game early to catch the train back home before the crowds.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TFLaTog6_0I/AAAAAAAABNw/XCan8gSGrJg/s1600/rockies1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 351px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TFLaTog6_0I/AAAAAAAABNw/XCan8gSGrJg/s400/rockies1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499698125800668994" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TFLaTaapN0I/AAAAAAAABNo/qhupNu32pOA/s1600/rockies2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TFLaTaapN0I/AAAAAAAABNo/qhupNu32pOA/s400/rockies2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499698122016241474" /></a><div><div><br /></div></div></div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04820096411843537786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262006733330843909.post-14038639394521607992010-07-27T07:51:00.000-06:002010-07-27T07:51:00.233-06:00The Latest DNS in the CollectionThe latest painting I've forced my dad to give me. He wasn't really pleased with how this painting turned out, but I love it. It is rather large and I can't wait to hang it on the wall in the living room - maybe even get some new throw pillows for the couch to go with the new painting.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TEzcL1SPDJI/AAAAAAAABNg/2IYdj6BXdKI/s1600/dns.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 329px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498011340952767634" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TEzcL1SPDJI/AAAAAAAABNg/2IYdj6BXdKI/s400/dns.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04820096411843537786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262006733330843909.post-33911281930203188782010-07-26T06:37:00.000-06:002010-07-26T06:37:00.854-06:00Weekend Wrap-UpThis weekend was wonderful.<br /><br />Friday during the day I met a friend for lunch, went to the pool and cleaned up my plants on the patio.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 271px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498009078785043042" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TEzaIKDa6mI/AAAAAAAABNY/KD4DKtXm3XU/s400/flower2.jpg" /><br /><div>Friday night we enjoyed a great meal of grilled chicken, fresh cooked beets, and wild rice.</div>After dinner we went to the driving range, and hit a few balls, before grabbing some ice cream and going home to watch the Bounty Hunter.<br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498008404058115970" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TEzZg4f_D4I/AAAAAAAABNA/0fFwOCiYrnM/s400/range1.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498008035760034706" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TEzZLce4U5I/AAAAAAAABMY/vWAfVdCqQCo/s400/range2.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498007862243688690" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TEzZBWFXAPI/AAAAAAAABMQ/IvhK4pUQsCs/s400/range3.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498007850997384162" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TEzZAsMCA-I/AAAAAAAABMI/4IryD6T0nFU/s400/range4.jpg" /></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498007843759589810" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TEzZAROaCbI/AAAAAAAABMA/PWUrCbfhgIw/s400/range5.jpg" /></div><div>Saturday we went to the Outlet mall, grocery shopped, grabbed dinner at a local Mexican food place and then watched The Bannen Way - which I must recommend that everyone go out and rent, your local Redbox should have a copy.</div><div> </div><div>Sunday we hung low, went to the pool, napped, and cooked the meal I had been dying for all weekend - Shrimp Boil on a stick. It was so good and so relaxing to just sit around and enjoy a meal on the patio.</div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498008221433119346" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TEzZWQKywnI/AAAAAAAABM4/ZdYD9_NePAA/s400/shrimp1.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498008218212773074" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TEzZWELALNI/AAAAAAAABMw/-TjLnL_f07s/s400/shrimp2.jpg" /></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498008215254702530" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TEzZV5JvmcI/AAAAAAAABMo/OOE-xAC40iw/s400/shrimp3.jpg" />It was a great weekend with my two favorites - Riley and Jas.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TEzaHtXjMtI/AAAAAAAABNQ/WlqKLZEvOtM/s1600/favorites1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498009071084843730" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TEzaHtXjMtI/AAAAAAAABNQ/WlqKLZEvOtM/s400/favorites1.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498009065318167858" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TEzaHX4qtTI/AAAAAAAABNI/ec5YbSnRZ84/s400/favorites.jpg" /></div></div></div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04820096411843537786noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1262006733330843909.post-75376553422474311902010-07-23T07:38:00.001-06:002010-07-23T07:38:00.404-06:00PlansI think like a lot people I'm ready for a weekend - I'm ready for a few days of relaxing.<br /><div><div> </div><div>This weekend, the plans:<br /></div><div>I'm meeting a good friend for lunch today, and getting the oil changed in my car.</div><div> </div><div>Saturday hoping to get down to the outlets for a little shopping. My closet is in serious need of some new business slacks. I'm hoping to of course get some pool time in.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sunday is going to Funday. I'm planning on starting a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Girl-Dragon-Tattoo-Stieg-Larsson/dp/0307454541/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1279838499&sr=1-1">new book</a> and fixing <a href="http://www.bhg.com/recipe/seafood/shrimp-boil-on-a-stick/">Shrimp Boil on a Stick</a>.</div><div> </div><div>Overall I'm really just hoping to balance things out this weekend and enjoy a few days away and disconnected.<br /></div><div><strong><span style="font-family:courier new;color:#ff6666;"><em>Wishing you a lovely weekend too - one free of worries and full of adventures.</em></span></strong></div><div><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 274px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496919824153009682" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4NTC2G0xV2Q/TEj7dMVxXhI/AAAAAAAABLw/ajzC7CcvZZQ/s400/flower.jpg" /></div>Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04820096411843537786noreply@blogger.com0