Patty Rose Design

Christmas 2011

A few shots from the holiday season...

Crafting and cardmaking sessions...

A new tree for the front window decorated with old favorites....

Cards and more cards...

And of course, no celebration would be complete without...

And more cards....

A new banner for the new living room....

 

A sweet little treat from a very sweet friend...

A new, smaller, more manageable tree for the living room...

Old favorites that create magical stars on the living room ceiling...

Celebrations with friends and family...

Amazing adventures captured in yet another beautiful way...

Another magical Christmas to hold in my heart forever.

Last Day in Colorado

We spent my final day in Colorado in Aspen.  The drive from Beavercreek to Aspen was spectacular. 

The weather was cloudy and cool...it felt like it could snow! The atmospheric conditions made for some interesting photography.

First order of business in Aspen was lunch...We sat outside, under the heaters...and had a great little lunch with the mountains in sight....

After lunch we headed to the shops...We found this little ditty in the ladies room...As my fellow Paris Adventurers would say, "Do Whaut?"

On to the streets of Aspen for a little stroll and hopefully catching a few little treasures.  I am always intrigued by shots of bicycles when I see them.  So my humble attempts to capture the intrigue...

I love this one...especially the butterfly and basket, makes me want to take a spin around town.

We stopped in a rug shop owned by a man from Iran.  What a delight he was.  When all the politics, propaganda and spin is removed, most of us are the same.  Kind hearted humans trying to do the right thing, live our lives and take care of our families.  We both walked out with very special treasures. a great deal, and a new friend.

After our stroll through Aspen, we headed back toward Beavercreek via the Continental divide.  First photo op was an Aspen grove.  Did you know that they are all connected to each other and considered one organism? The photos do them no justice, they are stunning in person.

Independence Pass

Inappropriate footware for 40 degrees

It felt much colder!  Keep in mind, this was August!

We headed back to Beavercreek for a glass of wine and reflection on a great four days.  A great four days with a great friend.  What a year!

 

 

Colorado - Part 3

And the Colorado visit continues....

We arrived at the ranch in the morning and a good thing because the day heated up pretty fast.  And, as you can see, there wasn't a lot of shade.  The ranch transported us back to the wild west, the outbuildings and campfire areas looked like something straight out of an old western movie.

We saddled up and headed out on the trail for a ride and photo shoot.  It's really hard to take a photo and ride a horse, just for future reference. 

We rode on a dusty, rocky trail surrounded by a whole lot of sagebrush.  Desolate for the most part but still beautiful in its own way.

We were thankful that we had an early morning ride because the skies were crystal clear and the sun was shining bright.

This was my date for the day, Tony.  Isn't he beautiful?  And how about this, my saddle had my name on it!  Glad to be out of it too.  Love to ride but wow, when you haven't done it for a long time, its kind of amazing what muscles hurt.  Didn't even know I had muscles in some of those places!  It takes a while for your legs to get back to normal.
 

After our ride, we took a little walk through the tack rooms.  We even got our lucky horse shoe souvenir.  That makes two for me in the last year.  No wonder I've been so lucky!

After our tour through the tack room, we headed out to the horse corral for some shots of the horses.  Such beautiful creatures.

 

After the horse corral, we headed over to another area that held other animals.  The ranch permitted you to enter the gate and be up close and personal with the animals.

After the close up encounter of feathered and furry ranch residents, we walked around taking in a little more of the ranch, including a little lunch and a cold drink.  The clock has struck high noon and the temperature has risen to the point of driving us to a shady spot.  We sat on the porch and enjoyed lunch and a stunning view of the ranch and mountains.

After a little snack, we walked around getting a few more great shots.  You don't see this kind of decorating in Ohio!

Well, we spent the entire morning enjoying the ranch and all its inhabitants.  We were hot, dusty and ready for a little air conditioning.  Good bye 4 Eagle Ranch. 

We had a wonderful time.  Thank you Ryan!

After the ranch, we dusted off a bit and headed to the local farmer's market and a little real lunch in the air conditioning.  We picked up a few goodies at the farmer's market including some gourmet ketchup, freshly ground coffee for my new French press obsession, fresh peaches and corn and a few little gifts to bring home.  After the farmer's market, we stopped in a little restaurant across the street and had gourmet pizza and the best salad I think I've ever had.

After lunch we headed for home dirty, tired and loaded down with goodies.  Another incredible day in big sky country.

Day 4 coming soon.

 

 

 

Beading Fool

I've been a beading fool lately.  I've made (well almost made) four bracelets in the last couple of weeks.  This one as a birthday present for a friend who collects bracelets and appreciates something handmade....

Special thanks to Carol Ohl for teaching me!  Parting with it was a little difficult.  I have another one like it in the works because I love it so much!

These are my latest obsession...I just love their earthiness.  I saw them everywhere in Colorado and now on line since I've been looking for a pattern.  Wow, and they are crazy expensive!  Anthropologie has one for $170!  Most are over $100.  Of course now that I've made one, I can almost see why...not as easy as it looks.

My first attempt was too big for two wrap arounds and too small for three.  I was so excited to be reaching completion that I totally forgot the all important last step, to double check size before I ended it and cut the ends.  So, two evenings of eye crossing work, down the tubes.   Plus, I have to drive across town to pick up more crystals!  I will conquer this pattern!  I used purple and brown AB rounds and brown leather cord.  I ended it with a silver vintage button that has this slight tinge of blue patina.  It looks stunning...if only it fit and I didn't have to start over!  Photos when I have it right. 

I made another right angle weave bracelet last weekend only to be short three rows of crystals that I have to order!  What gives here?  Certainly not my determination! 

 

 

 

Colorado - Part 2

For the second half of day 2, we headed down Beavercreek Mountain, made a little jig through town and then up to Vale Mountain.  Our ski lift pass was good for both mountains so we decided not to waste the opportunity for another ride up for more great views. 

The walk through town gave us a few opportunities to capture all the beautiful flowers. We decided it was a lot easier and more fun to see the sights when both people are carrying a camera around their necks.  The constant stopping for the next best shot is not quite as irritating to someone who is doing the exact same thing!

Before heading to Vale, we decided to stop by a great little consignment shop in a little town called Minturn. Seriously, don't blink or you will pass right by.  Small but charming as can be.

I picked up these cute little Born sandals for a steal.  Not the slightly broken in, black cowboy boots I was hoping for, but one of us ultimately scored the boots too!  So it was a successful score!  I also picked up the cutest little hobo bag made out of recycled silk saris in one of the other little shops in town.  It was my constant companion for the rest of the trip.

Then back up the mountain for another lovely ride on the gondola.  I preferred the open, breeziness of the lift, but the views were still stunning and the ride the catalyst for a few more deep sighs of appreciation and happiness.

The grass and flowers on the mountain side looked like they were glowing from the inside out.  The sunshine was crisp, bright and magic.  We even witnessed a mountain top wedding complete with kilted groomsmen and Celtic music.  Closing the eyes for a moment easily transported the soul to somewhere on a hillside in Ireland.

 

We capped the day off sitting at a table with the view above, great conversation and a little of this...

Each and every bite was delicious.  We shared a bottle of great wine and headed back down.

Another beautiful, big sky day came to a end.  Time sure flies when life is good.

Tomorrow, Part 3 - The Ranch.

Colorado - Part 1

I went out to Colorado to spend a few days with a great friend who has a place near Vale, in Beavercreek.  We had an amazing time, almost non-stop for 4 days! 

The day I arrived, we high-tailed it (sorry, I couldn't resist)to the local rodeo for wild bucking horses, handsome cowboys, homemade beef jerky and the best barbeque and corn on the cob I've had in awhile.  It felt so good to have those boots on!

Sunglasses came in handy for checking out the beautiful scenery, if you get my drift sister.

 

Are those horses gorgeous, or what? ;) Yow!

This poor guy got thrown in the dirt and kicked in the leg.  His ankle was blue.  Not sure if it was her or the bronco.  Just kidding, I'm pretty sure it was the bronco.

Day one came to a beautiful end.  Home for a glass of wine, a little more conversation and off to rest and get ready for day two!

The rodeo was a little dusty!

Day two was spent riding the ski lift up Beavercreek Mountain and doing a little shopping around town.

The ride on the lift was exhilarating.  We soared high above the ground with the breeze blowing through our hair and the warm sunshine on our faces.  There were breathtaking, panoramic views in every direction.  It was one of those moments, when you really have to close your eyes for just a second and give thanks as to just how wonderful life can be. We had lunch on the top of the mountain, literally and kind of figuratively.  I was singing John Denver, Rocky Mountain High all day.

We sat outside (of course!) and had a delicious lunch.  Yes, we cheated a bit.  High altitude requires lots of energy!  Honesty, we didn't think they would be this big!

And, besides that, you might need to run from a bear!  A girl's gotta be prepared!

 

Wow, that's a little intimidating....makes me think twice about that big ole burger.  Maybe eating one of those things is like slathering yourself with bear perfume.  What self respecting bear wouldn't hunt down the source of a big juicy burger scent? 

So back to happy thoughts.  I found this a little entertaining.  Of course, you know me, I'm easily entertained.  I guess big sky means big sun which means BIG sunblock.

So after lunch and a few more photos, we headed down the lift and back to town. 

Is that view amazing or what??!

Another beautiful, big sky day. What an amazing summer it has been.  I'm so very thankful for great friends, good times and the stunning beauty of this beautiful planet.  Don't wake me up.

Part 2 coming soon!

 

 

 

 

Butterfly Cards

Spent Sunday afternoon a few weeks ago making cards with a friend.  We have such a good time working in the studio surrounded by a mound of paper and supplies.  The table is large and perfect for even as many as four, so we have plenty of room to spread out. 

Add a little iced green tea, triscuts, chicken salad and fresh fruit and we are on our way to a pile of handmade cards. 

Here's the last bunch of cards.  I bundled them up and sent them to my sister for her birthday.  She loves butterflies too.

I had to spent a bit of time cleaning up the table.  By the end of our last session, the supplies were so scattered about on the table that we were in jeopardy of burying rather large items.  It's cleaned and reorganized ready for the next paper hurricane. 

 

Pickles

Last weekend I made pickles for the first time.  Well, the first time solo.  I remember helping my grandmother when I was a child, but I obviously needed to brush up on what I remembered. 

Doing anything with my grandmother was always interesting.  She was a true "do-it-yourselfer."  In those days, there was little choice.  Money was short and days were long since most women in my world were stay at home mothers and wives.  My do it yourself passion has a lot to do with the time I spent with her. 

Doing these things brings back fond, warm memories of a woman I loved deeply and miss terribly.  I think she would be proud.

The pile of "pickling" cucumbers before...

Safety is of the utmost importance when canning at home.  I follow the recipes and processing instructions carefully.  I like this book because it allows me to can more manageable batches....

Pickling salt and spices...

Sweet peppers for color along with fresh dill and mustard seed for spice and to make the jars beautiful...

The jar filled with the dill spears prior to processing in the water bath canner...

These are the bread and butter pickles brining prior to cooking. 

The bread and butter pickles cooking prior to filling the jars and processing.  Who knew that bread and butter pickles had turmeric and ginger in the spice mix??

And here is my cute little batch of homemade pickles after they were processed.  It's worth all the work (which I really don't find very work-like but more relaxing and enjoyable) to see these little babies all lined up in the pantry.

Saturday's Projects

Saturday's projects are making a bracelet and then canning a few pickles.  I've never canned pickles before, mind you, but I'm giving it a whirl.  Right after I get home from my class at Viking Fiber and Beads in Dayton to make this little beauty.  They have fabulous classes!   

Then back to Garver Family Farm Market to pick up some pickling cucumbers to spend the day making basic dills and some bread and butter pickles. Suzy Garver took great care of me last year and provided me with great produce including canning tomatoes and stringless green beans.  We arrange pick ups and deliveries from her farm via our Blackberrys.  Cracks me up, gotta love technology.

This year I'm adding to my repertoire of canning with tomatoes, green beans, carrots, pickles and jam all on tap for this season.  Having all those colorful jars lined up in the basement makes my heart sing.  Not to mention I know where it came from and that it isn't radiated with Lord knows what.  Special thanks to Sonya, the Jam and Jelly Lady, for teaching me!

Thanks Chris N.  for the pickle inspiration!  Chris is the same individual who was responsible for my apple tart obsession. :)

Then Sunday, more cards. 

This is where I need someone to stop me! :)

Gifts from Europe

During my trip to France and Italy, I saved every bit of ephemera that crossed my path.  I have everything in a large bag in my workroom.  That bag is like a treasure chest to me.  I plan to make a few scrapbooks for my fellow adventurers with all the stuff. 

I recently sat down for a few minutes to peruse it and relive a little of the experience.  Looking through the little bits and pieces instantly transports me back.  I also pulled out my favorite finds in that pretty little paper shop in Florence and the vendors of Venice. 

Exquisite papers...

Lovely little cards...

A beautiful hand made wax seal with my initial...

Careful, sweet packaging...

Vibrant colors and beautiful designs...

Large sheets of beautiful paper for future projects....

A special gift for my son from a lovely vendor in Florence...

Aren't they lovely?

I never want to lose the magic of that incredible trip.