June 12, 2018

I spent the day with a friend in Loveland, home of Group Publishing, and this magnificent fireplace...

...and this surprise.  :)

LOL

After lunch in the Group Publishing cafe, we went for a walk in a local sculpture park.

May 16, 2018

Jed's class met today at one of the girls' homes to celebrate the end of the class year, 

and to celebrate their victory in the mock trial.

We'll miss these kids, but we're still glad it's over.  :)

May 14, 2018

Jed and I drove to Boulder today to see an ophthalmologist.

Our optician discovered a retinal hole in one of his eyes, and he had laser surgery today to repair it.

I was so nervous, but everything went well and it was over quickly.

Driving in the misty rain was harder than the doctor's visit.  :)

We were so tickled to see a train today - we don't usually see one on our Sunday trips to Boulder.

The mountains were beautiful with low-lying clouds.

You can see from this series of pictures the difference between the mountains closer to Golden 

and the flatirons in Boulder -

these are so much more beautiful.

May 13, 2018

Today is Mother's Day in the United States!

I came downstairs this morning to find these beautiful tulips waiting for me.

A dear friend and her daughter from our church gave me a book about quilting, one of their avid interests,

and a tea set for a delightful afternoon of reading and sipping.

My older son and his wife gave me this necklace, 

which is a metal ball holding birthstones representing each of their children.

It was a very sweet day to celebrate being a mom all of my adult life.  :)

May 4, 2018

My sweet brother and his wife sent us a gift from Omaha Steak for Christmas,

and I decided to try them out today for a belated birthday lunch.

I told Jed he should dress up for the occasion...

...and this was the result.  LOL

I've never been very good at cooking steaks, but these were incredibly good, 

and the potatoes were so yummy.

Dessert was apple tarts.

Happy Birthday to me!  :)

April 24, 2018

My two favorite birthday gifts this year....

snow from God...

...and this card from Jed.

He wrote it the way he was instructed to write his opening statement for the prosecution,

which we both thought was bogus at the time,

but is hilarious now.  :)

April 19, 2018

 The big day!!

 Judge Hagerty with Jed's class.

Judge Hagerty debriefing Jed's class/team as well as the opposing team.

Jed's class won one of the verdicts, and the overall points.

This experience has taught Jed one really big lesson - 

 that he never wants to see the inside of a courtroom again for the rest of his life.  :)

April 18, 2018

Jed's homeschool class, after a practice mock trial with another homeschool class.

The real thing is tomorrow!

It is so much work - 

there are essentially two trials, as each class/team acts as the prosecution in one trial and the defense in the other.

Jed's team won both of the verdicts and the overall points, 

which are awarded for their performance, regardless of the verdict.

It is gratifying that they did well, as we have done nothing but mock trial prep for two weeks now.

April 16, 2018

 This is what we've been doing - and ALL we've been doing - the past week and a half - 

mock trial practice.

We'll all be glad when this is over!

April 5, 2018

Jed's homeschool class has been preparing for a mock trial. 

in a real federal courthouse with a real federal judge, later this month,

so his class (along with some other similar classes in the region) met with the judge today in the courtroom 

for instructions on judicial proceedings.

The judge took us back into his chambers afterwards for further discussion and instructions and pictures.

The kids are all smiles in the picture, 

but they were all thinking the same thing all us moms were thinking - 

there is no way the kids are ready for this in two weeks!

This judge is intense, 

and it seems he expects the kids to know what real prosecutors 

and defense attorneys 

and witnesses 

and defendants 

do in a courtroom,

including courtroom protocol and procedures.

We have a lot of work to do. :(

April 1, 2018

 Happy Easter!

 Jed looking a little stiff in his new suit.  :)

 That's more like it.  :)

March 27, 2018

Another light dusting of snow.

I wish it would blizzard!

March 26, 2018

I've never been very good at coming up with my own creations in any form or fashion - 

cooking, art, home decor, etc etc etc - 

but today I hit it out of the park!  :)

I made a white cake, filled between the layers with lemon pudding,

and frosted with lemon buttercream frosting.

Nothing fancy, but it was yummy and I was tickled. :)

March 21, 2018

It is the Spring Equinox today, 

and we were rewarded with a beautiful sunrise this morning on the way to Jed's homeschool class. 

You can see Denver in the far background if you click on the pic to enlarge it.

This is the church building Jed's class meets in once a week.

I've always thought it was an interesting structure.

March 19, 2018

A little more snow!

And a surprise package in the mail from my oldest friend in the world!

What a nice way to cheer someone!

Thanks, Penny!!

March 1, 2018

 A beautiful full moon.

If you click on this image to enlarge it,

you can just barely see South Table Mountain under the moon.

It's a shame a camera can't capture what the eye can see so clearly.