Presidential

Another print we purchased in Steamboat was Abe.  Cat Clausen, the artist, is a sweet lady who admires Abraham Lincoln (what's not to admire) and paints him almost exclusively in every technique she practices - oil, pen and ink, etc..  One of her Abe paintings hangs in the West Wing of the White House. 

She starts each painting with the eyes which she always paints with a paintbrush and the the rest evolves from there.  We bought Blue on Blue   Cat described the piece as Abe working, concentrating at his desk, and looking up from that work.  The original was also on site - oil on canvas, with a lot of razor blade work. It was awesome.

We hung Abe in the wine room.

 

Summer Tomato Pie

This was excellent.  Layers of tomato, garlic, basil, and cheese.  

I didn't take the time to sweat and dry all of the tomatoes and was worried the pie would be too watery, but it turned out fine.  I did shake off each tomato slice and got rid of all seeds before layering into the pie.

Recipe: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/228381/summer-tomato-pie/

 

Another Open Mind

I made this guy with the left over clay from my Open Minded Bowls class.

 

And, my first 2 open minds have been fired and black washed.  Now I need to find a home for them in the house.

 

Pizza on the Patio

Good times last night with Kim & Court.

 

National Dog Day

There was an art walk in Steamboat last weekend and we found this print.  We had to get it, it looks just like Z.  It even has her spots on her chest.

The artist is from Florida.  He has painted many different breeds: http://www.michaelvistia.com/dog-breeds/

 

Lake Street Dive

Our Steamboat adventure all started with Lake Street Dive   They played on Saturday night and we made a trip out of seeing them.  The lead singer's (Rachael Price) voice is incredible.  The venue was small, 550 seats, and we were 10 feet away from the band.  

You should check 'em out.

 

 

 

Steamboat Springs - The View

We just wrapped up a four day weekend with 3 other couples in Steamboat. This is the view from the house we rented. We spent the mornings sipping coffee and early evenings out on this back patio and seating area.

Be a Smart Ash

We just applied for a tree.  1 out of every 6 trees in Denver is an Ash.  The City of Denver is running an initiative to add non-Ash trees to right of ways before all of the Ash trees are killed off by Emerald Ash Borers.  

All of the following must be met:

• 30 feet from outside edge of intersecting curbs for sight triangle
• 35 feet from large shade trees
• 25 feet from ornamental trees
• 20 feet from street lights
• 20 feet from stop signs
• 10 feet from alleys, driveways, and fire hydrants
• 7 feet behind attached sidewalks
• 5 feet from water meters/pits
• Centered within tree lawns/planters

We have a driveway on each side of our property, a light pole on one side of the right of way, and a water meter on the other.  We took measurements and there is one spot that a tree could be planted among all of these measurements.

If we are selected, a free tree would be planted for us.  The houses immediately around us don't have trees, so we hope that makes us a good candidate.

http://beasmartash.org

Studio Pics

These were taken by Marie, the studio owner, during the class yesterday.

 

 

 

Open Minded Saturday

We got out for a 30 mile bike ride first thing this morning.  We biked to Golden and back.  There are some decent hills along the way and no problems for E's knee.  Yay.

Then Erica headed to Evb Studio for a 3 hour class, making Open Minded Bowls.  Erica's masterpieces are on the right.  She has enough clay to make another bowl at home and drop it at the studio for firing.

  

After clay time, Erica ran to get a haircut while Chris researched Happy Hour options (we hadn't eaten lunch).  We walked over to Small Wonder Food and Wine on 32nd for drinks and an early dinner.  We played Pokemon Go on the way there and back.  

No Grease

Our new favorite way to make bacon.  Medium heat.  Flip 'em after 6-7 minutes.  Less mess.

 

Cream of Tomato

We planted a regular tomato plant this year.  It is growing out of control like last years yellow pear tomato.  Or is this normal?

I made Ina Garten's Cream of Tomato Soup tonight.  Chris says "It's Delicious!"  He had seconds.