Denver and First Place at the Fair

A quick trip to Denver over a month ago was filled with activity, fun, good food and a big miss.  I'm so sorry to have missed spending time with my grandson Styles (who is as cute as a button).  It just got too busy and with so much to do, well excuses, excuses.

Granma DeanDean & Evan

Lilly eyes her mac 'n cheese

It was a bit of a whirlwind trip which my friend Sharon is incredible at planning and then, having the plan actually work out. Nice! We had two days to make the most of seeing our grandchildren.  There were visits with Janelle and Evan, Bryant and Evan, Hanna and Lily and a nighty-night to Styles, noodles at TOTT (that's Talk of the Thai), swimming and up to Evergreen Lake for some splashing about in paddle boats with family.  Multiple trips to pit toilet restrooms drew interesting comments from Evan (who is 4), then a quick stop at the park in Golden and more promised swimming with just enough time on the meter for a planned dinner at The Cheesecake Factory. Yum!  Box up the cheesecake for later...back to Hanna and Lilly's and then hotel to pack up for an early start back to Durango. Whew!  It went quick.

Disco Scarecrow - recycled stuff

Winning isn't everything, but eating is!

Meantime...back at the Fair in Durango... my scarecrow entry was staring down the judges while Chimono, our rooster was pacing in his cage with attitude.  Not accustomed to being confined, he must have been frustrated by the close proximity of so many other roosters that he was unable to challenge properly.  All together, my Fair entries ended earned me a whopping $8.  $2 for first place entries and $1 for second.  The ribbons are great bookmarks too!  Next year I'm shooting for an even $10.

Of course it's really not about winning anything but just participating in a good, old-fashioned county fair with other like-minded folks...many who work hard all year to bring the fruits of their hard work to sell or show off.  The 4H kids and families have labored all year and the Fair is the place where they quantify their endeavors.

Evan, Sharon and Hanna

After the 8 hour trip back to Durango with Sharon and Lilly, who made the trip possible at all... I was just tuckered out... unpacked the car and was going to settle in when I noticed some new friends in the yard... two new chickens and a bunny!  That's what I get for asking my husband to pick up Chimono the rooster from the Fair.  So that was on a Sunday... and I needed to be leaving for an extended visit to Mom's in California in just two days!  Better get moving then... the plan is to do some canning - fig jam, garden relish and whatever else pops up as well as take Mom on some day trips...maybe to the beach.

Up next... the trip to Cali and back home to Durango.