Two Friends Chillin'

Sparky and Mojo know how to chill:

Oh Where Have You Been, Charming Lottery Girl?

While I was at the fabric store picking out fabric for Middle Child's outfit, Youngest Child (also known as Biker Chick) found some delightful half-priced Halloween fabric she could not live without, which was all well and good, but what could I make from the fabric? She suggested a vest to match the spider skirt I made a couple of months ago. Here's the entire outfit:


And here is a close up of the awesome spider buttons we found to go on the vest. You can also see that the lining for the vest matches the skirt:

Oh Where Have You Been Lottery Girl, Lottery Girl?

I've been super-swamped, just like I am every October with school events and Halloween. I'm so excited with the results of my hard work. Some of you got to see the Marie Antoinette costume I made last year, which included green lace (sleeves) and toile (white and green skirt) from the bargain section of the fabric store:

This year I swore I was not making another costume. But of course, that was a lie because middle child is now a senior in high school and will not be with me next year for Halloween. So this is it and it had better be good!

At first, I decided I would only make a quick fairy skirt. Then while I was sleeping, the top came to me: How about something fit for a Forest Queen? Click on the photo for a more detailed view. I made all the leaves myself, as well as the ribbon roses. The top has sewn-in boning as well.

And here is a photo of my beautiful fairy daughter, all set for Halloween:

More Autumn Pics

Tis gloomy out after weeks of breathtaking beauty; we might even have snow this weekend. No matter. I have enough golden memories stored to keep me warm all winter. And in case I forget, I have photos as well:

 

Doggie Park

Colorado weather continues to be absolutely perfect. Took the hell hounds out today for a romp in the doggie park and autumn portraits.

Can you believe that the photo below is the doggie park?
Here's our girl Sparky, who is all that is good in a friend:  loving, faithful, loyal, brilliant, intellectual, darn pretty, and a great party gal:  
Here's Mo of the mountain, the most affectionate creature I've ever met.  His joy for life and passion for his family go a long way in making up for... his sins.  

Bear Creek in Autumn

Quaking Aspen and a Question

I thought I would share one of my favorite sights during autumn: a quaking aspen. (Just click on the photo to start the video.) Aspen trees are members of the willow family.   The leaves are flat and somewhat round-ish, and the flattened leaf stems cause the leaves to flutter and twist in even the slightest breeze. Aspen only grow above a certain elevation.



So here's my question. If you read the fine print here at Blogger, you will note that each time you upload a photo or video it actually goes to Picasa first, then makes its way here to blogland. This short video I created is quite nice when I view it on my own computer through Quick Time. I am disappointed with how it looks here, however, because it's blurry in parts. Yes, I know that the finer the quality of a photo/video the more room it takes up. I don't suppose anyone knows of a way to keep the better quality?

Moth

Caught this fellow in the waning moments of sunset:


 

The Golden Carpet

This has got to be the most magical carpet I have every seen:

Autumn Means Hatch Green Chile, Part III

Now that the green chile is chopped and ready to go, what can you do with it? My favorite dish of all is green chile enchiladas with chicken :


Sparky and Mojo serve as the quality control experts for the chicken:


Here's my favorite recipe for homemade macaroni and cheese. It's the best I've ever eaten, but only because I add 1/2 to 1 cup of chopped green chile.


I also like to use the green chile in scrambled eggs, or cornbread, or on nachos, or as baked chile rellenos, or in pasta, or...