NEIGHBORHOOD APPLES . . . Stop #2

 

This sign is posted on the fence around an orchard that has dark, sweet cherries, plums, apricots, peaches and several varieties of apples.  It is an orchard that was planted, pruned, cared for and maintained by my dad until he passed away in January 1997.  I remember just a few days before his passing (from a sudden heart attack) he was in this orchard on his tractor with a blade on it, moving the snow around to maximum the effect of moisture into the ground.  The orchard is now owned by another couple who are great friends and neighbors and let us go in and pick ANYTHING we want, ANY TIME there is something to pick. And, YES, it is the BEST fruit on planet earth!

NEIGHBORHOOD APPLES . . . Stop #1

We live in the country and on some acreage that used to be part of the family farm I grew up on.  My dad was a farmer and orchardman with a reputation for raising the BEST fruit, including apples.  Across the road was another farmer/orchardman that we grew up knowing.  His daughter with her hubby and two of their three daughters and their families, all currently live on the place.  This is the sign at the end of their drive, just freshly painted, re-lettered and re-hung.  The orchard is directly east, across the road from us and the sign is just across from our driveway. They have been part of the countryside always and are great neighbors.  

"FALL COLORS" . . . ATC from Sharon

 

My farmgirl friend, Sharon, did another one-for-one ATC swap with me with our FALL theme.  This is the absolutely gorgeous ATC she made for me.  Dried flowers, cancelled stamp, beautiful paper and embellishments.  Sharon is a true artist and I love her work!  Love her cards and her ATCs!  Thank you Sharon for another beautiful piece to grace my home and ATC collection!

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH!

Another shot from our drive into "my mountains", with the aspens . . . aka "quakies" . . .in their gold, orange and rust garments surrounded by the deep evergreen of the spruce trees. I never tire of spending time in these mountains in any season, including winter when we go cross-country skiing.  Theses are the San Juan Range of the Colorado Rocky Mountains here in southwest Colorado. We drive up the Dolores River Valley which climbs to the summit of Lizard Head Pass at 10,000 feet elevation.  The summit is in the Wilson Peaks area which includes three of Colorado's "14'ers" (peaks of 14,000 feet elevation or more).  Those are El Diente, Wilson Peak and Mt. Wilson.  Nestled in these mountains is Trout Lake, a beautiful lake favored by many for fishing, boating (NOT motorboats) and surrounded by hiking, camping and cabins.

BEAUTIFUL "BRANDY"

For several years I have been sponsoring a rescue horse at the local horse rescue.  It has been such a rewarding experience!  I've gone over to visit the rescue, the owners and the horses. I had to pick a "new" horse just recently and here is "BRANDY".  She is actually the fourth horse I've sponsored.  "Angel" and "Tempo" both were adopted and got new homes . . . YAY!   "Arroyo" was an elderly gelded gentleman and just lay down one morning and went to sleep . . . he was done. Anyway, here is "Brandy" who I have met, but I'll go see her at the rescue again soon.  I think she is just beautiful!

 

 

FALL GOLD . . . RICH!!

 

I love "my mountains"  which are the San Juans of the Colorado Rocky Mountains!  I love to be in them camping, hiking, glamping, or just hanging out or going on a drive.  We took a drive this past weekend to see the fall gold of the aspens . . . aka "quakies" in contrast to the evergreen color of the spruce trees and the glorious, clear and blue Colorado sky!   And, in this photo I was able to capture all of that, including a whisper of orangey-rust on some of the trees. Glorious!!  Rich!!