Denver summer is never a bummer!

The weather in Denver is nuts. I guess I would rather be in monsoon season than have to dodge a haboob. LOL, say haboob without laughing! I dare you!

On Friday Cheryl, Jonny, Maura, Micaela, Marika & I headed out to Soda Lakes at Bear Creek Park for a little swim & sun. It was the perfect day for swimming, not one cloud in the sky!

We had a sweet little camp set up.

Maura & I didn't wait very long to get in the water.

It was at least 97 degrees by 11am!

Oh my Jonny! Isn't he getting so big!?!

Jonny has a whole new set of words "Je-she" included!

He also says please, thank you, plane, bike & look. Time flies!

The little dork didn't like the feeling of the sand on his feet, so he refused to leave the blanket. We played in the sand even though he didn't want to touch it.

Marika

Micaela & Maura

Mama Cheryl

Me & Jonathan

The next morning I met Stacey for brunch at Toast in Littleton, CO. I had never been there before, so I didn't know what to expect. The food was delish, but even better was the toast art! 

Check out Frankintoast!

Felex & Nibels

The Hulk!!

Another Frankie toast!

Stacey and I were in this hallway looking at the toast art for at least 15 minutes.

I made her pose. Mu-shi mu-shi!

Who the heck is Gordon Freeman?

I'm super glad Uncle Bob isn't it my family!

Later that night Jake & I met some buddies at Aqua Golf.

This wonderful haven is located on Santa Fe & Florida. It's a must-do in Denver!

My girls Sam & Nikki came out for some fun! YEAY!!

After a brief golf lesson from Ed, I was ready to get to work.

Don't take your eyes off the ball!!!

Here's Jake in action

R.C. is a total pro!

Fore!

Then Denver graced us with an amazing sunset.

Maura was right, sometimes it is the little things...

We topped off the night with a 7 person game of putt-putt.

Sam specifically asked me not to talk about how horrible she played.

I didn't think she did too bad!

Ryan plays mini-golf like he plays croquet... drink in hand!

Ed is always keepin' it real. He brought his own super fancy putter!

My babe!

This was the BEST hole we played.

You had to cross over the little river & down the grate.

Intense!

Sam's senior photo, lol.

We had a pretty chill night hanging out with our buddies. It's nice to get out and about during the breaks in the Denver weather. So glad we got to share our weekend!

This could be love...

Sometimes I get these ideas for sweets.

 

I've taught myself how to do these things. 

 

I don't write anything down, only because the recipe changes every time.

 

I knew this was a going to be a good one...

 

How could it not be!?!

 

I'm totally obsessive over my pinch marks.

 

But when its all cooked, and my house smells AMAZING...

 

It was worth every bit of effort! 

 

Peach & blueberry pie. AWESOME!

 

I love my bush!

The agency I work for happens to have the Denver Botanic Gardens as a client. This year VGIC offered to have some of our employees volunteer. 

I quickly jumped on board, cause man do I LOVE dirt!

 

Our group had one last opening, so I invited Maura as my guest!

I think the last time I visited this magical place I was in elementary school.

When we walked in I was immediately speechless. 

 

Our instructor for the day was Ebi Kondo. He is the curator for the Japanese gardens. Before we went into the gardens, Ebi took some time talking to us about what we would be doing.

Our destination: The Japanese gardens, its official name is "Shofu-en". Translated it means "Pine Wind Garden." The name was inspired by the Rocky Mountains and the ponderosa pine.

 

Task #1: Divide into groups. Pull weeds, rake the path & be a threat to wild mushrooms. But they are so darn cute! Do I really have to kill them?!?

 

 

While pulling weeds I happened upon the TINIEST cutest, most bestest frog ever!

I love me some frogs, they are totally my spirit animal! 

This guy was about the size of a quarter. I named him "Buzz"

 

We took a small break in one of the newly constructed pagodas. Ebi told us that the wood was oak from a tree in Oregon. It had been struck by lightening and was just going to be tossed aside. The botanic gardens bought it with the hope they could still use the wood. When they cut it open, it was perfect. With his thick Japanese accent he said "This tree has been given a second life." I like that!

 He then started instructing us for our next task.

Task #2: Trim the bush.

 

I wish I got a before photo of our juniper bush.

One of the handouts Ebi gave us says "Amateurs let the shrub grow into a muffin",  after that Maura and I couldn't stop making jokes. We also made friends with the elderly volunteers. I love old people!

Carol

 

Tina

 

Cindy

 

Gail

 

and Sam!!! I love Sam, she's friggin' super rad!

 

The Japanese pruning technique is called "Tamamono"

In English this means "dome shape".

It's supposed to resemble low dome shaped rocks.

 

End result... I love my bush!

 

Maura is a bush hugger!

 

When we where finished pruning, Ebi and Larry then showed us how they take care of the ponderosa pine's. He said that it took the volunteer group 3 months to get the "a" rated trees into the right shape. 

Holy crap!? 3 months! That's crazy!

After that they cut us loose in the gardens.

 

Maura, Sam & I wandered around together.

My favorite flower of all time, Holly Hocks!!! 

 

Note to self, my garden sucks compared to this place!

 

 

But I did get some really good ideas of what my garden can transform into!

 

What the fug am I doing?

 

Leave it to Maura to find the phallic plants, haha!

 

Don't forget to stop and smell!

 

This one looks like a firework.

 

Black holly hock!? Word up!

 

My beautiful Mau-town!

 

HUGE dragonfly!

 

This is called a "Royal Purple Smoke Tree".

 

Bumble bees!

This day was amazing.

I learned a shiz-ton, spent time with some lovely gals and got dirty!

See you next year DBG!