Day 8 A bit of shopping and Cherry Chipotle Hot Sauce

Today, Dude and I turned off our phones and went out on the road.  The first stop was a new fabric store in Brighton, Co. named On Pins and Needles.  The owners are friendly and helpful.   I picked up a small snowman pattern and a small sewing kit for my purse. 

Then it was off to Boulder, Co. to one of larger yarn shops I have seen full of yarns of all kinds, classes, wool of all kinds, supplies for basketry, felting and a bunch of other stuff.   It was a bustling place with a very helpful staff. 

A display of miniature spinning wheels and corn dolls. 

Yes, that's Dude "hanging out".  I spent way too much time there and could have gotten lost in hours of daydreaming. 

I did get a couple felting books and a fun quilt card.

We quickly left Boulder … the amount of people there and the traffic rivals Denver and it was just a bit much for us.

Next stop was in Golden, Colorado to eat at Table Mountain Grill and Cantina.  It is one of Dude's favorite places to eat!

I got the tostadas.

Dude loves their breakfast burrito and a shrimp appetizer.  Despite it being fairly busy we had a lovely conversation with our waiter.  He lives in the mountain woods secluded and surrounded with trees while we live in the open plains and dry hard land.

We got home around 4pm and I set about making Cherry Chipotle Hot Sauce.  I found the recipe here.   This recipe is kickin' !  Make sure you follow the directions and use a stand-up blender. I used a food processor and the hot liquid went everywhere !  

The sauce is very hot and extremely delicious!  I can't wait to try it on one of our homegrown turkeys or chickens. 

After that we were exhausted and fell asleep until till 9pm.... time to watch a movie with Dude. 

It was a delightful day with the phones off despite missing the office party. (sadness) It is one of the  highlights of the year.

peace

Birthday fun

The more I cleaned lately, the more I found unfinished projects. I guess I see what my Dad is telling me.  I will be busy for a very long time.

Dude finished the staining on the trim and next up is the metal roofing...so excited. Metal began going up by the end of yesterday. 

Today was my birthday so we quickly feed the animals ...

and freezing the collars with a quick blanch. Then headed out the door!

I was so happy to be able to spend the whole day with Dude. 

We were finally canoeing.  Five years ago we canoed every week and now nothing.  Today I was going to make sure we got on the water. 

Take a look at this dog heading to his master to get a ride on their kayak.

I love to canoe. 

There were pelicans everywhere.  This guy swam stayed along side of us. 

Time on the lake flew by and was so peaceful. The lake we went to does not allow motor boats Monday through Thursday.  It was quiet and we seemed to glide across the water. But soon we had to head home to pick up some crocheting and drop of the canoe before heading north  to a few quilt shops . 

Oh and put away some stray turkeys. 

I still making this shawl and could have kicked myself that I did not bring a spare ball of yarn! 

The goal was to pick up a few Row by Row patterns. Quilt shops create a row for you to put in a quilt with other rows you have collected.  The only way you can get the pattern is to go to the shops. There are strict rules that say shops can not mail the patterns out. People get around the rules but part of the fun is going to the shops. 

We took the back roads and stayed off the main highways. 

Do you know where your chickens are raised? Poor things don't see the light of day. 

This is up at Loveland, Colorado. 

We made to the shop in Loveland to pick up their entry for the Row by Row challenge.. It is all paper pieced and will be a challenge but I got it anyway. 

The next Row by Row is much easier ... they cut it out for you! 

I did pick up a few more patterns too. Seriously, who could travel all that way for one pattern?

Plus I love maps and had to get some of this fabric. 

We went past the area where Dude's family farmed. 

His grandfather's farm house used to be by this tree. Now, it's an oil well. 

We stopped and saw some friends. 

Looks like rain!

We got home just in time before the rain hit. 

All in all a great day but always great to get back to the homestead. 

peace