Gettysburg or Bust

In Virginia (for the first time ever) and headed to Gettysburg!  Very excited to be seeing lots of new country. I am on Instagram now under the name 'atlantavictoria' and I will be posting pictures throughout the reenactment. Taking lots if pix for a big post when I return!
 

Our Colorado Wilderness Trip

Two weeks ago, our family went on a week-long camping trip in southern Colorado. I'd never been to the state before, but the guys in our family have been several years in a row elk hunting, and this was our chance to accompany them.

So, I'd like to share a few pictues from our adventure, with a bit of commentary here and there. :)

Even though pine forests (or spruce) aren't my favorite, parts were very majestic.

We camped in this meadow, rather far back in a 'wilderness' area, right on the edge of the country were no more wheeled vehicles are allowed.

The tiny, cold bubbling creek that provided water for us and our horses for the week.

Our camp.

Inside my tent. (this was at the first of the week, before things got messy!)

Little sis pretending to be asleep in her cot.

The first full day, Cim & Laredo took me up a nearby mountain on a very steep hike.

Our goal - to see the Great Divide.

Notice how steep the ground is behind us!

At last. The top!

Look across at the Divide.

Aspens turning yellow.

Hiking to an even higher point. I have to admit, just then I was very tempted to start singing

"the hills are alive....."

Everything was so beautiful.

Mom, Carolina, and I all did a fair amount of sketching and painting during the week.

It was nice to have so much free time to do just that!

Taking drawing materials out on a hike.

Painting a moss-covered 'fairy' stump.

Painting a forest scene.

Attempting to recreate the look of the creek.

The chipmunks! These adorable little creatures kept us amused all week. By the end of it, they were even brave and curious enough to venture into camp to explore our gear, and even enter our tents for a look around!

Setting off to explore a little.

This is our 'fairy house'. Having found a stump with two tiny 'doors' in the base, we decided to make it welcoming for fairies, cleaned it out, transplanted bunches of moss and ferns all around, and created pathways and porches.

Tiny mushrooms grow by the doorway leading to a room lined with pine needles.

Look at the intricacy and texture of a few square inches of forest floor. Look at it - and deny if you dare the existence of a loving Creator who took care to array even the smallest bit of his work in beauty and abundant life.

A porch side entrance, shaded by a huge mushroom-thingy.

Cooking over the fire, and in a dutch oven.

Mom stirs up some beautiful, fluffy biscuits.

We all enjoyed being in beautiful mountains for a whole week, soaked up lots of sunshine and made lots of memories.

Of French Bakeries and Antique Shops

It was my birthday a few weeks ago. And, you must know that Mom and I have been talking about and attempting to plan an official 'Mother-Daughter Antiquing Trip' for my birthday since I was 12. So, this year (since I'll be in Tennessee next year) we just decided to DO IT. :)

And, since we waited so long, I actually had a specific purpose in looking for furnishings for my future home! I brought along my inventory list, and added many useful and lovely items...

We got up quite early that day and drove to Amarillo - to visit the historic 6th Street, which we had heard rumored to be full of lovely antique stores. And it was. But we got there a little too early, and they were closed. So - having spied an intriguing looking French bakery a few blocks away, we stopped in for a quick brunch.

We each shared a spinach croissant and a cream-puff. Scrumptious!

There were so many lovely little pastries and things, I wish we could have tried them all...

Before we left town we went back to buy some of the delicious looking fresh baked bread.

By the time we returned to 6th street, the antique shops were open! The first one we went to was housed in a lovely old mansion painted in fanciful colors and held many treasures....

(several of which came home with us...)

I didn't count how many shops we went to, but by the afternoon it felt as if we were out to prove that one could actually 'shop till you drop'! Tiring, but so much fun! :)

A whimsical fabric shop.

Could have spent hours just browsing their special-order fabric sample book  section!

In the window of one little shop...a special piece caught my eye. (and called my name) This antique, but fully restored icebox is now on my backporch, awaiting the move to Tennessee next year where it will be happily installed in my log-house kitchen. Isn't it grand?

It took me a while to decide on such a big purchase! I actually went  home without it that day, and after thinking about it, talking to Jordan, and praying finally made the decision several days later and called back to reserve it. My brothers kindly helped me go pick it up last week. I'm so excited to try it out!

The trip also yielded lots of other (smaller) booty for the future house....

Lots more enamelware!

Yes. I do love antique crocks.

 (well - they are very handy! :)

A slightly used Papmpered Chef baking dish, and a vintage muffin pan!

Two wood framed mirrors, very heavy and in excellent condition.

I'm going to alter the paintjob on both eventually.

Two antique platters.....plus lots more little stuff! :)

 Mom and I ended the day by eating a relaxing supper at Olive Garden, and then ended up walking across the parking lot to an adjoining Michael's craft store.....where I regret to say we got lost in the scrapbooking paper section for several hours. *ahem*....but we finally tore ourselves away and made the drive home, getting home quite late and exhausted.

It was an amazing birthday, one I will never forget! Thanks, Mom!!