Big Boy

A few days old and seven weeks premature, then one year later with his great-grandma.

Echter's

A couple of weekends ago my friend and I took a container gardening class at Echter's Garden Center. I wish I'd taken more pictures of their displays, but I did remember to take a picture of our handiwork.

Something about this spring has made me absolutely crazed, desperate for green and moisture. Denver is so brown and dead (ugly) in the winter and lately it's been getting to me like never before. The late spring rain/snow showers have been nice, but our yard is greening up so slowly that I can hardly stand it. I've never been known for my patience, and this year is no exception. I guess containers of flowers are going to have to tide me over for a few more weeks.

Donna Hay

SIL was in the States a couple of years ago and brought me a copy of Donna Hay's magazine--I liken Hay to a cross between Ina Garten and Martha Stewart. I loved the magazine but couldn't (easily) find it in Denver. Of course I forgot to buy the most recent issue when we were in Australia (ack!) so I've been without Donna for quite a while...until the other night at Barnes and Noble! They had one copy for $10, hard to justify for a magazine, but I'm going to think of it as an investment. The recipes are wonderful, but my favorite part is how elegant and simple the staging of the photographs is. A lot of magazines are doing layouts that are busy and it's hard for my eyes to focus in on individual elements. Hay's magazine balances nicely between the overall effect and the beautiful details.

Vino

We've had the Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling a couple of times--at home and at restaurants--and it's never disappointed me. The label is boring (bah!) but the wine is good. It's my current "go to" wine when I'm unwilling to take a risk in a restaurant.

(As an aside, I rarely take risks on wine when we go out to eat because I know I'm shelling out for one glass what I could pay for almost a whole bottle at the liquor store. I'm very adventurous at the liquor store because whatever I don't like will get frozen and used the next time I need wine for a recipe. You're supposed to use wine when you cook that is good enough to drink, but I'm cheap.)

I bought a bottle of the Michelle Moscato Frizzante in preparation for my birthday and it was excellent. The Mister and I both enjoyed it immensely and now I'm contemplating buying a case to have on hand for a couple of special events coming up this summer. Actually, now I think I'm going to have to stop at the liquor store tonight on the way home...I can't wait for the next special occasion!

Ranunculus

Trying to keep my pretty alive in the house until May when she'll be ready to go in the flower garden.

'Roo Spotting

(Part of my ongoing trip down memory lane--our trip to Australia over Christmas)

On our night in the Hunter Valley we jumped in the car to go 'roo spotting. They're much like deer in the States--they wander into people's yards, are a menace to drivers on the highway, and are most easily spotted at dusk. We saw our first 'roo within two minutes of getting in the car. These are the two best shots.

Dreamin'...

We have no budget for travel this year. None. (Well, maybe a little bit of money for a side trip for me and my BFF)! Nothing like a lack of funds to make you want to plan another trip, so here are some destinations at the top of my list:

Italy - This is a no-brainer, in my opinion. Good food, lots of wine tasting, sunshine, and long stretches of beach. I don't require anything more than that on vacation.

Brazil- I spent a summer when I was 16 and I'm desperate to go back. The Mister is not so enthusiastic. I'll keep working on him. Or maybe go without him?!?

Germany/Denmark - He's German, I'm Danish, time to go check on "our people".

Poland - I had a slight obsession with Marie Curie when I was a kid and I've always wanted to go to Poland as a result (Grandma had given us a set of Value Tales books and she was the subject of one of them).

Image found here.