Friday, December 23, 2011

Christmas this year


Paperwhites in Denver, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.
A few of my favorite things:
paperwhites, cactus blooms in December, fresh snow, giraffes, the Denver skyline Corona del Mar or any beach, my chickens-their eggs- and their hen house, of course my beautiful grandchildren, my kids and their spouses, my puppy dog, delicious food from my garden, a day in the kitchen, a good football game (USC or the Broncos), a morning with my sketchbook, camera or watercolors, cashmere sweaters, shells and starfish, handmade quilts

Wishing all my friends and family their very favorite things this Christmas including love, joy and embracing the true meaning of Christmas and the birth of Jesus Christ

Poinsettia, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

Madelaine, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

Christmas in Corona del Mar


Christmas in Corona del Mar, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

Christmas on Elm Street


Christmas on Elm Street, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

Zoo view, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.
Denver skyline and the front range covered with snow

zoo giraffe, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

Christmas hen house, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

Christmas traditions


Denise, Dana Strand, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.
Last weekend I flew back to California to bake cookies with my very good friend Sue. We have made cookies together for over 30 years until last year when found it impossible since we lived in different states. Neither of us survived very well.
Before a day of baking we walked on the beach. This time we took the Dana Strand path: 4 miles of ups, downs and on the sand....beautiful views.
Both baking and walking on the beach are traditional activities for me. We can add new ones but giving up old ones are not good for our health.
Enjoy your favorite traditions.

Footsteps in the sand, Dana Strand

A walk on the beach


Dana Strand, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Checking out the snow


Checking out the snow, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

Denver has been blanketed by snow for the last 6 days with very cold temperatures....last night minus 6 deg. That is cold! Yes it is winter. My feathered girls love to go out into the big yard to look for bugs, seeds and any leafy greens that may be left but this week not so much....With the inside of their hen house toasty warmed by a heat lamp these two check out the chances of going out..........nope, not a chance.
I hope you all stay warm inside by the fire!


Heavy snow, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

last of the 2011 harvest


rainbow carrots, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

We have had about 14 inches of snow in the last 3 days in Denver so I'm pretty sure my garden is "done" for this year. I had a bountiful back yard this year and for that I am grateful. I will do somethings different next year but for now I am enjoying the last of my veggies.
On Thanksgiving day Kate and Ella helped me pick the root vegetables for our dinner. The carrots went into my white bean provencal, the beets became the main salad ingredient and the next weekend the baby leeks became a layer in the celery root-potato gratin.
What a rainbow of color and yummy vegetables!

beets


beets, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.


baby leeks, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.