Flag Day

In the United States, Flag Day is celebrated on June 14. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened on that day in 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress.^[1] The United States Army also celebrates the Army Birthdayon this date; Congress adopted "the American continental army" after reaching a consensus position in the Committee of the Whole on June 14, 1775.^[2][3]

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day; in August 1949, National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress. Flag Day is not an official federal holiday. Title 36 of the United States Code, Subtitle I, Part A, CHAPTER 1, § 110^[4] is the official statute on Flag Day; however, it is at the President's discretion to officially proclaim the observance. On June 14, 1937, Pennsylvania became the first U.S. state to celebrate Flag Day as a state holiday, beginning in the town of Rennerdale.^[1] New York Statutes designate the second Sunday in June as Flag Day, a state holiday.^[

Dining Al Fresco on Larimer Square 2015

Larimer Square Events is happening tonight!  It's a special time of the year when several restaurants in Larimer Square, Denver, close down the block in front of their location, place tables and chairs in the street--Yes, in the street!  The award-winning restaurants of Larimer Square extend their patios into the streets for a one-of-a-kind dining experience on Denver’s most charming block. With happy hour festivities, dinner, live music and an evening under the stars, Dining Al Fresco is one of the city’s best summer scenes.

So, if you want to find me tonight--come on down!  I'll be there in the crowd enjoying the lovely weather under the stars!  There will be two more opportunities to dine Al fresco this summer--

July 11 and August 15!  Make your reservations soon.....................

Little Critters!

 

There are many little critters out there roaming around on plants, animals, etc.

Recently, I found some of these critters in the gardens of the herb farm and other plant locations.

Some I know what they are

but others,

not!

Take this little critter--he sure looks funny!  So don't know what his name is--

wonder if he eats this plant material or just hangs around to

catch lunch--

like..............

this little one.  Not so much a ladybug look but

colors are interesting.

Maybe, it took a bite out of the leaf in the background.

And this creature!! Will some day turn into this

beautiful butterfly!

There are some little critters you can't see with the naked eye until...........

you look closely--the red color on this cactus comes from this

little guy--well, gal.  It's a cochineal beetle and it gives us lovely reds when processed.

Cochineal lives on cactus and I love when we drive through the desert and see these

brightly enflamed pads!

Oh, yes, there are interesting little critters lingering out there.

Okay--I'm Playing Along.....................

Oh My Gosh!  I've got to stop looking around on the Internet!

I have found way too many things that take my attention away from

what I'm suppose to be doing.

Just look at these nifty action loaded creative projects!

Babble Dabble Do website is not only creative but here we use our heads with math--

geometry--Yes!  I was horrible at Geometry!  If the math teacher had given me

this for a project, I would have learned so much.

Take a look at the website--view the video, print out the template for Flextangle:

color, fold, and have fun!

This website is just not for kids!

Hi Ho! It's Off To The Quilters We Go....................................................

Well, it's about time!

These tops have been sitting around

aging too long!

I contacted two of my Colorado quilters

to see if they were interested.....

and the answer was resounding

YES!

So, this week we are off to meet up with

the quilters who will turn these

tops into quilts!

 

 

This was a monthly ROM (Row of the month) project.

Really enjoyed doing this one--each row was easy to complete

 

A finished orphan block top that I finished up last summer!

this was so much fun!

Now, why did I do this top??  These penguins were just too darn

cute, I couldn't resist!  I'm sure someone will want it.

This was the BIG project from Bonnie Hunter gathering last summer--see,

I said these were well aged tops!  It's a huge top--106"x106"!  Should have cut it down

 

This is 2015 top--not so aged!  It was Ebony Love's pattern for

Downton Abbey series.  I didn't buy the fabrics; instead used all stash fabrics

and I think it turned out pretty good.

Ok, Hi Ho--off to the quilters I go!

The Sculpture Ranch and Galleries

One afternoon as we drove outside of Johnson City, Texas we took a detour into the Hill Country.

It was a scenic drive with views of pastures filled with grazing cattle, creek beds and gurgling streams to view this 142 acres of wondrous sculptures that dotted the roadside.

The setting is peaceful

and the art pieces enchanting!

Take a drive with us as

we view some of these

special pieces

at the Hill Country Sculpture Ranch

 

 

The property was purchased in 1999 by Italian artist Benini who turned a large part of these 143± acres into "The Sculpture Ranch", a showcase for international sculpture enhanced by the natural beauty and views of the Texas Hill Country.

At this time, more than 100 pieces are installed outdoors by 44 sculptors.

 

Viewing is free, just register at the main office

Check their website for hours open to the public

The galleries are filled with paintings and sculpture ~ a 50-year span of Benini's paintings and divertimenti as well as guests artists from Italy and smaller sculptures by sculptors who have largescale pieces on the hills and trails

This piece was intriguing with the hills in the background and the lake in the fore ground.

and then we walked into the gallery space.........

delightful!!

The gallery is located in the former hanger of President Johnson's helicopter that he used for

hunting. 

The gallery is spacious and the art is outstanding!

This was an oh WOW time!!

Locked in Love............

A recent article in Wall Street Journal came to my attention....

How can this be?!

 

Love Locks are to be shorn away in the most romantic city?

 

Oh, how can they do that? 

So many couples have walked across that bridge

just to place their lock of love; turn the key in the lock onto the railing,

kiss the key and together throw the key into the Seine--therefore,

sealing their love forever.

So many locks--of different sizes, shapes and colors.

There are even vendors who will sell you the perfect

lock/key to place on the bridge

How can so many lovers cause such a hazard?

Love does create heartbreak, but who would have

thought locks of love could cause a bridge to break and fall!