Around Here

Around here our roses are blooming!  This lovely one was here when we moved in six years ago but it took me two years to find it under all the weeds.  Whenever I see its lovely blooms I think that it's saying "thank you for rescuing me." 

Around here Sheba is demanding equal time after Turbo got a whole post devoted to him last time I wrote.  I told her she had to do something cute or interesting to be included in a post and the next thing I knew I found her out on the balcony off the bedroom relaxing in the sun.  It was the first time I've seen this rescue cat anywhere near the outdoors.  She mostly just hangs out on the bed, so to see her outside was a huge surprise.  So, yes, dear Sheba, you get a couple of photos on the blog! 

Around here, we're doing some hiking.   Of course there are two walks a day for Turbo, but once or twice a week we try to do something more strenuous, like a five mile loop up the back of Flagstaff Mountain.   

Around here we've begun to "reopen" by doing a few outdoor activities with non-family members.  Ben went rock climbing up Boulder Canyon twice recently with close friends and hiked halfway upJames Peak, a "fourteener," with an old chum.  

And I went to the Denver Botanic Gardens on a little day trip with a good friend the other day.  Both reservations and masks were required for social distancing, which worked out fine.  I could get used to the reduced capacity but I may never get used to wearing a mask for a long period of time, especially on a hot day walking around outside.  Still, it was great to get out among people and see how the Gardens were doing.  The blackness of this water feature is because the water is dyed black to keep algae from growing, but doesn't it make a great artistic affect?

Around here Turbo has a new best friend.  He and Binah play together several times a week in our backyard, which is quite fun to watch.  Turbo turned eleven months last week; can you imagine?

 Around here we have had several "yardies" with other couples, eating grilled or take out dinners on a backyard patio at tables six feet apart.  I've so enjoyed actually seeing friends again that I never remember to get the camera out.  Perhaps these photos of "just us" dinners will give you the idea.

Around here it's not all just fun and games.  Oh no, along with all our gardening and my sewing (yes, I do actually sew though I don't seem to write about it much) we've been working hard on improving the house.  Being home all the time sure makes you aware of what needs to be fixed or just changed.  In the past few months we've had a new garage door opener/keypad installed and new locks put on our patio and basement door, all keyed to the main house key so one key unlocks everything.  Woowhoo!  

Then Ben got a good idea for improving our entry hall "drop it" zone system.  We used to have a bench with a board with four hooks above it that worked with the closet and a little side table to catch all the things we needed as we came and go from home.   But then Ben ordered this nifty little shelf and hook organizer, which holds quite a bit more leashes, hats, and such.   We very pleased with the upgrade. 

Not to be outdone in the "good idea" department, I decided to organize all my small fabric scraps by color into clear plastic shoe boxes so I could more easily find the color scrap I wanted.  Quilters will laugh at this because it's an old idea that most took up ages ago.  I'm a bit late to the party, but so glad I finally arrived! 

Around here we are done with three very hot days and looking forward to cooler weather and some rain arriving.  

Let's me end this post as I started it, with a photo of some lovely roses, a gift from a friend who came over for a yardie lunch the other day.  So pretty!

Linking to my friend LeeAnna's "I Like Thursdays" at Not Afraid of Color