Easter Sunday 2009

As we headed out for Church on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009, I was thinking that the Easter Bunny could hide almost anywhere in our neighborhood! We had about 4" of snow and it was still coming down. So much for outdoor Easter Egg hunts!

Since we moved to Colorado in 1992 we have had several snow storms as late as Mother's Day but I think that this is the most that we have had on an Easter morning. Mother Nature is saying, "Don't put the sweaters away just yet."
On the way into Colorado Springs the snow turned mostly to rain and we figured that it would be gone by the time that we would head home. WRONG! This was our drive home. The weather guy on the radio kept saying " rain south of Castlerock over Monument Hill and into Colorado Springs". I wanted to call and tell him to look outside.
No one was out plowing the streets of our neighborhood.

The trees were loaded down and very pretty.

The Easter Bunny did not plow our drive when we were away. The snow was still coming down!

At 1:30 we had about 8" and it is still snowing as I blog. Our Monday morning commute may be a mess but our Sunday afternoon was just fine! Jerry cooked Italian, YUMMY!!

I am VERY blessed to have good cooks in my family and I realize that Ash, Alexis and Amanda got it from their DAD. I do have a few good dishes besides Mac-N-Cheese from a box and Taco Bell but Jerry is the Chef in our household. Here he is putting the finishing touches on our desert: hand made Cannoli shells stuffed with Ricotta cheese and topped with chocolate and pistachio nuts. You're right, to die for!

More finishing touches!

For our main dish he made Lump Crab meat Ravioli with Red Pepper Cream Sauce and Asparagus. We may not have this to often, crab meat is expensive! SO GOOD!

More cooking! For sides he made Italian Antipasto Salad and Wilted Spinach with Garlic and Baby Portobello Mushrooms. Just look at these plates. I know, next time you will want to come home with us for dinner.

The meal was wonderful and just look at the Cannolis. I'll take a snow day like this anytime!!

Colorado March Blizzard of 2009

March 26th.

Our weather channel has been forecasting a major snow storm for March 26th and 27th for about a week now but when we left for work at 8:15 our driveway had only a little snow and the sun was shinning brightly. I really kept thinking, "No snow today, they've missed the forecast."

As we head to Colorado Springs our street is just a little wet with snow only on the edges. But, we are in the truck "just in case".

About three hours later we are getting high winds and snow at the office. The office is about 20 miles from our house and about 1000 feet lower in elevation so if Colorado Springs looks like this the snow is probably piling up at our house.

We decide to leave the office around 2 p.m. and head north. I am really glad that Jerry is driving and that we are in the truck. 4-wheel drive is wonderful on days like this! Our only stop is at the grocery store to stock up on chips and the ingredients to make chili our favorite "snow food". It is a long 20 miles to our house.
Our driveway is not so bad but it is still snowing.
Our street is not so bad either but a big change from the morning. Because of the high winds, we have a lot of ice under the snow.
Our porches and walks are covered and we settle in with a pot of chili. Just perfect for a snowy spring night.
This morning, March 27,2009.

One of the best things about living in Monument and the Colorado Springs area is that the milkman delivers in rain, shine, sleet, hail and even in a March blizzard. Today's order was waiting in my milk box at 6 a.m. It included chocolate chip peanut butter cookie dough and a carton of green chili dip "just in case" the snow keeps on falling.

The milkman had to trudge through this snow to find the milk box. I'm really glad he did!

Jerry suiting up to snow blow.

The snow blower is one of the GREAT inventions of all time. For the first few years we would shovel our drive just enough to get the truck out or we would hire a snowplow to come and dig us out but since we bought a snow blower the clearing of snow has been much easier and faster.

Snow blowing the driveSome areas still have to be shoveled.

Believe it or not we will have some flowers in this courtyard after the Mother's Day and the last spring snowfall.

Our courtyard is a nice ski run today.
Clearing the driveway.
It takes about 1 hour.

Click on the > arrow, bottom left to see the videos

Duffy's Cherry Cricket

We love watching shows about good food and really enjoy searching out and eating at the restaurants, diners and drive-ins. Jerry's bother Scott told us about Duffy's Cherry Cricket located in the Cherry Creek neighborhood of Denver. It was featured on the Travel Channel show " Man Verses Food" a few weeks ago.



Duffy's Cherry Cricket has been around for a long time and from what we hear the lines have always been long.

We had to wait about 25 minutes to get in and don't I look like a woman ready for food!! The menu includes burgers with 1/2 pound of meat and tons of toppings to choose from. In addition to burgers they serve corn dogs, fries and almost anything that can be found in a "burger joint".

YUM-YUM!!! I am happy to say that we each had a wonderful burger, ate the whole thing along with french fries. WE WERE STUFFED but it was worth it. After lunch we walked around the neighborhood and did a little window shopping. We concluded our food splurge by stopping at the Bonnie Brae Ice Cream shop for a little dessert. Scott made a great call, we really enjoyed the Cherry Cricket!

Chicago, A Place We Like To Go!

Jerry is a member of an insurance group called Quantum Club and for several years he has gone to meetings in Chicago. I like to tag along because Chicago is a busy, interesting city filled with history, art and amazing architecture. And the food is yummy! He's Jerry eating a famous

"Chicago Dog"!

If you have never ridden mass transit Chicago is worth the trip to ride the "L" train. Elevated above the city you can take it anywhere. We drove our rental car twice in five days.

A look at downtown.

We walked the Millennium Mile several times and kept navigating back to this large shinny piece of art the reminds us of a large mushroom cap. The skyline reflection is incredible from every angle.

Another view

All of the reflections that you see are of Jerry and me. We are standing in the middle and taking our own picture. Is this cool or what??

Aah yes, everywhere we go we find the best coffee and Chicago has a coffee shop on every corner. We had a lot of fun in the "windy" city and hope to visit again this fall.

Hannah's Birthday

We enjoyed watching Hannah open presents at her birthday party. She got on her little tricycle and was ready to go outside.


Papaw, Grammy and Hannah

Hannah really got the hang of ripping the paper open.

So many presents!

Hannah's First Birthday Hat

Making Hannah's 1st birthday hat was so much fun. I started with a basic cone pattern taken off the Internet and a 14 x 14 sheet of craft paper.

I had to try about 15 different designs and I had a table full of supplies. Anyone need a hat? I am sure that I can make about a dozen with all the ribbon, paper and letters that I bought.

After about 3 days of changing this and adjusting that... we have a party hat. I packed it up and Papaw Jerry mailed it to arrive before March 3rd, her 1st birthday. Jerry and I flew to Maryland on March 5th to the best party ever! (More to come!)

Hannah really looked cute in her "party hat" but was not so sure about

wearing it. "What is this on my head??"

Hannah is so big!

This hat is a fashion statement!!

"OK! Can I take it off now?? "