It's Tuesday and I'm off this morning to my Fig Leaf Quilt Group, so I've got to make this quick.
Here are a few pics that our sil Eric took-love them of the Elk.

 Liked watching him drink in the stream outside the condo.

 Our oldest grandson is becoming quite a man.  Love him to pieces.

 Our girl Kim; such a beautiful woman, inside and out.

 Last night's super moon.

I hope you all have a great day!
 Until tomorrow.
Noreen

A Lot of Bull, Lots of Love

Happy Monday to you all! As you know, hubby and I joined the rest of the family up in Estes Park over the weekend and what a great time we had! Typically in years past, we go in the winter and in a normal weather year we would have had snow this weekend, but not this year. It was so nice to be there for crisp, cool weather and lots of sunshine. When we arrived at the condo, a maintenance man came up n a golf cart and told us to be careful-there are two big Elk bulls that stay around and some people haven't used common sense and been hurt.  The first one is named Steve and he is magnificent.  The maintenance man feeds them old pumpkins and another property owner across the street puts out hay for them.

This was taken from our condo bedroom window.

This is Danny Elkhorn.

Most of us watching from a safe distance Saturday morning. The little ones loved seeing these big boys.

Later in the morning the kids went rock climbing and then we all went for a hike, in hopes of getting some Christmas Card photos of the family. It was soo windy that none turned out quite like we wanted, but it was fun seeing Kim's hubby set the timer on the camera and then running up to join us.

All of the guys climbed up to this spot and possed.

I love our times together-outside activities, games, good meals and lots and lots of love.
I'm off to walk and then will help hubby with painting.
Hugs,
Noreen

Thank You Veterans

On this Veteran's Day, I stand up and salute not only our flag but also all of the Veterans past and present that have given us so much.  May God bless our country and unite her once again.

The Mountains Are Calling

Good Morning to you! In an effort to take my mind off all the discord that is happening around the country, I'm choosing this day to focus on something pleasant. You all know how I feel so refreshed when I'm in the Rockies and tomorrow our family is heading up to the high places for the weekend. Each year we gift our family with a weekend at a condo up in Estes Park; somehow it just never happened until now. While the colors are long past peak, our weather in northern Colorado has been unseasonably warm and beautiful. We all spend the days and evenings together-hiking, playing games and cards and just relaxing. I always visit my favorite quilt store, Cottage Bliss, looking for new projects or treasures-or both. Our grands often go to the indoor rock climbing gym for an afternoon; they love it and so do I, though I don't climb.

Our favorite dog sitter will be here for two of our family dogs; there was a complication and two will be boarded for the weekend-not something I'm happy about, but something that was necessary.
If you had been around me this week, you would have heard me say that I would love a dusting of snow for Christmas, but then it can stay away until next year.  I love winter, I love spending days quilting, but have immensely enjoyed the warmth that allows me to get out and walk each day. In fact, that is where I'm headed now.  Tomorrow I have a quilt group meeting, we will celebrate one year of being together and I'm bringing a special cake for the ladies.  We leave in the afternoon, so doubt I'll be on here.  Hopefully I will have some photos on Monday to share and my new wall hanging will be done, so I can share that too.  Before you know it, I'll be hanging it for the holidays.
May your weekend be filled with rest and contentment.
Walk in peace,
Noreen

God Bless America

On this new Wednesday morning, I realize that most of our country was in shock last night.  Today, I am so thankful that we no longer have to be subjected to the hateful political ads that have bombarded us for months.
My prayer for our country is that with new leadership, our country will thrive and corruption will be gone, at least from our administration.  I know so many are still reeling in grief and so many are rejoicing; but we all want what is best for the people of the United States.  I don't need you to agree with me, I'm just saying that sometimes change can be good.   What our country needs now is for her people to come together and work at making our nation strong again.
Peace be to you!
Noreen

Happy Monday to you; it is so hard to believe that it is already the first Monday in November~you know what that means, the holidays are right around the corner.  I hope you had a great weekend and got to spend some time doing something that fills you with gratitude.  We had an enjoyable evening on Friday with our friends.  Once again, I was so caught up in the dinner that I forgot to take photos.
The neighbors stayed till about 9:30 and then hubby and I quickly washed all the dishes.  Saturday I walked with the gals and then hubby painted our master bedroom.  It is so nice, very warm and inviting; once all the upstairs is done, I'll get some photos.  He worked in the afternoon, so I got some time downstairs sewing-Yeah!  Yesterday was a great day too~church, a quick run to a pet store for some food and by the time I got back, hubby was already painting the ceiling of the hallway and entry way.  He still has the living room and laundry room ceilings to paint.  I got some more time downstairs yesterday with the Christmas wall hanging and today will make binding and a sleeve and put the finishing touches on it.  In the evening with went over to some other neighbors for cards and were very disappointed in the Broncos losing to the Raiders.  Today I'm walking shortly and then we'll run to get more paint.  Hubby is playing golf this afternoon, so that is when I'll be sewing.  If I can get this project done today or tonight, I'll be able to cross it off my list and start a new project-either a birthday present for our Kim or more Christmas presents.
Our weather has been so incredible and I'm so very thankful; it encourages me to get out and keep walking.
Joy to you~
Noreen

Happy Friday to you!  I hope you've all had a great week and got some things accomplished.  Mine has been so busy and it doesn't look like it is slowing down soon.  Like many, I've had a difficult time getting around to visit all of you, let alone figuring out what to write about.  Yesterday I got to walk with my neighbors; it seems like it is down to three days a week now and the off days, I really miss it. It is a brisk walk and at some of the streets it is hard to talk due to our pace.  These gals are amazing though!  When I got home, hubby and I made a run to the grocery store to get food for tonight, as two of the gals and their hubby's are coming over for dinner.  It will be an easy meal-bbq chicken, a green bean dish with shallots and goat cheese,  roasted butternut squash and a rustic bread.  One gal will supply a salad and the other will bring a gluten free cheesecake.  It should be such a fun evening and the gals and I are going to discuss setting up a monthly bunco game for our neighborhood this winter.  In the afternoon, my darling daughter came over to help me with a Christmas project I got a month ago.  It was an easy panel to put together(you will see it when it's done)and she was so thoughtful and kind to machine quilt part of it for me-since it really needed the look and I don't really machine quilt, at least free motion.  Both of our daughters are so very talented!  Now all I have to do is outline some squares on the top and highlight some winter birds.  I'm not going to think about the other projects I must do, because I don't want to get stressed. My girl actually commented that she can't believe how many projects I have going, one of which is for her birthday. Today will be pretty easy~I won't start cooking until the afternoon and I may even get to the sewing room after I clean house.
On an interesting note, my blogging friend Doniene from Now It's Just Quilts, had a post yesterday mentioning that she was raised in Colorado. I left a comment saying I didn't know that(or forgot)and that hubby's great grandparents and grandmother lived here; I also asked her where she was raised.
She answered me and also told me she worked on a horse ranch in my little town when she was in college.  I feel even more connected to her and to our town now~I know it sounds silly, but it's true.
Doniene is a quilter, incredible quilter, lives on a ranch in Texas and also raises border collies~a breed I've always love and even wanted to participate in sheep herding contests.  If you haven't met Doniene, you can find her here  http://nowitsjusyquilt.blogspot.com/2016/11/tea-cup-exchange.html
Go by and say hello.
Blessings on your day!
Noreen