summer visitors

i'm loving summer. i'm usually an autumnal kind of girl but this year summer is feeling just right, not too hot, not too dry with the garden green and all abloom. outdoors and in the garden is where i want to be. for paul, it's in the stream and under the waterfall:) the climbing rose arbor is just past its prime but the photos were taken at its blooming best. today, the front pathway to our home is strewn with its waning but welcoming rose petals. (thanks gabi, for getting to your scooping chore so all is safe if wanderers stray from the path) the hollyhocks and lavendar are at their prime and lavendar harvesting is done and hung up to dry. our herb garden which includes an enthusiastic rhubarb plant is also happy and lush. i made the best strawberry rhubarb crisp recipe i've ever tasted for a summer barbeque with friends serving it with scoops of vanilla ice cream. nice. for mother's day, nicole and ben organized a weekly flowery gift for me throughout the summer. they presented me with a csa membership (community supported agriculture). each wednesday, i head down to boulder's farmer's market and pick up a lovely bouquet from the cure organic farm stall. the membership helps pay for seeds, water, equipment and labor supporting local agriculture by being an active part in the farm's success and community. also nice.

last weekend, we got a surprise call from ben and kensey on their way here from dallas....

hey, let's catch up with ben and kensey as they have a grand adventure in the works. so, ben and kensey have been living and working in pomona, california since they got married last october. kensey worked for an architectural firm and ben has been working for amazon. recently, ben applied for an overseas position within the company and was hired. so, ben and kensey are moving to prague, czech republic! ben will be on amazon's financial team opening up the country of slovakia. very exciting. at the moment they are traveling around, getting things packed away and finalized as well as attempting to visit all the friends and family they can before they leave. we've got them this week! back to the phone call.....they had been visiting kensey's family in texas and oklahoma and were on their way to boulder making a stop at sand creek massacre national historic site. paul, the history and national park/forest/site fan that he is agreed we would drive the three hours east to meet up with them and explore the site together. what a happy reunion in an otherwise tragic location. savoring this time together, we have been playing hard at home making brick oven pizza, on the boat at the rez, at the gym, in the garden, museums, movies.....we are so excited for you two but will miss you terribly.