My husband and I have been living in Colorado for three weeks now, and while we have unpacked about 90% of our moving boxes, we still have quite a bit to do to become fully settled. Our car's license plates have been changed, our Colorado driver's license should be in the mail any day now and we have registered to vote, so we are beginning to feel like natives. But, as you can see by the sign above, that was a farewell gift to us by a good friend, Brooklyn, New York will always be our "home" and have a special place in our hearts. It is where we have a lifetime of memories.
A wonderful surprise package came in the mail for me this week from Barbara, Barbara lives in the New York City borough of Staten Island -- right across the Verrazano Bridge from Brooklyn, and while we never met, we have been blog friends ever since she wrote to me about how much she enjoyed my blog.
Barbara sent these lovely reminders of New York City to me! They are products by the delightful store called Fishes Eddy. The four beautiful glasses and tote bag are from the Bridge and Tunnels line and are such iconic symbols of NYC.
As you can see in the close-up photos, the Verrazano Bridge, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Queensboro Bridge are depicted in line drawings on the glasses and bag. I love this wonderful surprise, Barbara! I will enjoy using the bag and glasses, and every time I do, I will think of you! Thank you so much for your very thoughtful well wishes!
As much as we love New York, my husband and I now love Colorado, our new community and our home. We are learning much about where we live and we are enjoying the change of scenery!
I can't get enough of the big blue sky! Did you know that Colorado gets more sunny days than San Diego or Miami?
I love the scenic winding drive into our community...
...and I love that I now know what a "hogback" is, as the entrance to our community lies between two of them!
I love that in our home we have many large windows in our kitchen that face our backyard. One evening this week the snow was softly falling and I decided we'd eat our dinner by candlelight so we could enjoy watching it.
I was having fun taking a few shots at different angles to see which photo would come out better when all of a sudden.....
...two eyes made contact with me and I saw a mule deer outside in my yard!
I love that I get an almost daily visit from this deer and that...
...different herds of deer pass through on their way to and fro, morning and night.
Yes, it is so different from Brooklyn, New York, but I love it!
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45 comments:
Yes, it really sounds like you're settling in! Visitors already - and I bet they help themselves to the buffet in the back yard!
Thanks so much for this post, Pat. It was just a small token of thanks for all the enjoyment I got (and still get) from your blog. I guess I had become a 'jaded New Yawker', after riding the subway to and from my job for 25 years (with a couple of years off for college!), I would keep my eyes straight ahead and took for granted the pretty amazing landmarks. Your fabulous photos opened my eyes up to things I never knew about the city before, or if I did, I had long forgotten.
Colorado looks like a really beautiful state, and I definitely think the one-antlered deer has officially adopted you. You have to name him, I think. Uno, maybe? lol xo
While it's fun to have the deer wandering around your yard, remember that come spring/summer/fall, they'll eat all your flowers, buds and maybe the fruit from your tree. Deer in my garden are cute, but they're not my friends when they eat my food :)
I had never heard of a hogback, so I'm learning something new about the west. The deer looked right at home!
I too have learned a new geographical word - "hogback"! LOL! Some kind of ridge!
Awwww but I love your deer visitors! A whole herd of them too! Back in the day when I rambled for hours in the Herts countryside I'd be over the moon if I so much as caught a fleeting glimpse of the legendary herds of roe deer still alive and kicking in the scattered woodlands around here. And all you have to do is look out of your window! I love that!!! Yay!
Take care
x
Pat, I am so happy you love your new home and Colorado. I would love having the deer walking thru my yard. Very cool! It is wonderful to have such lovely blogging friends. Have a great Sunday!
Sounds like you're settling in nicely Pat! The glasses and bag are cute:@)
Colorado looks lovely! Wonderful deer shots.
It's so pretty there and I'm thrilled you are happy and adjusting. We have visitors with antlers too in the mountains and sometimes they even dine in our garden :)
Sam
Sounds like you are settling in quite nicely. It is a thrill to see the wildlife -- never gets old. Something I remember fondly from living in New Mexico -- including the bright blue skies. What a wonderful gift -- the tote and glasses will bring many smiles to your face!
What a sweetheart Barbara is! Little touches of your other home will make your new home feel even more like home. What a sweet scene I am imagining with the candlelight, snowfall, and guests. In another week, you'll have a visitor of quite another sort. Thinking of you all!
ssssshhhhhhhh ... you're not supposed to tell people about all of our sunny days, then everyone will want to move here. :)
Just wait till you look out your window and see an Elk. Then you'll really have something to talk about.
Good Afternoon Pat,
Isn't it amazing how quickly you can settle into a new place and what a place to have settled. Beautiful blue skies, wide open spaces and daily visitors to your garden - perfect.
Enjoy your day.
Best Wishes
Daphne
What a thoughtful gift Barbara has sent you. The connections we make in blogland are truly wonderful.
Oh how pretty your candlelight dinner looks and what a neat surprise you found while taking your pictures. I don't think I've ever seen a one antlered deer.
I visited Colorado just once, but have fond memories of what a beautiful state it is. I look forward to reading all about your new discoveries in your new home.
What a wonderful sight to see while you are eating dinner. I wonder what else will pop on through.
Glad that you are making a smooth transition! I would love seeing the mule deer out the window. Very nice!
You are in heaven! Love the deer in the back yard. YOu'll have to tell me via email where you are in Denver and if I can remember it. Probably new housing. I remember when Castle Rock was a service station and a cafe but I hear it's not now.
Your daily visitors may get a tad annoying when they start munching on your garden. ;-)
Glad to know you are settling in and feeling like you are home. The gift from Barbara is so thoughtful and one that will make you smile thinking of Brooklyn.
Have a great week.........Sarah
Oh Pat, how great it is to see that you are settling in so nicely!! When does the new baby come?
Hugs,
kris
Congratulations on your move from the east to the west! Being from New England I just loved the southwest, it was so different...no rolling green hills, just treeless rugged rock formations, deserts, and great regional foods...now I am on the prairie.
You have beautiful visitors, but they do become annoying after awhile!
What a thoughtful gift from Barbara!
The deer must be part of your "welcoming committee.":-)
what a sweet gift...love the tote and glasses!
I love that you have deer in your yard! How very fun!
Glad you are enjoying settling in. What a fun surprise from your bloggy friend. Love your visitors!
Amazing to have deer right outside your window.
You know, when you first announced that you were moving out there I figured you would adjust well. You are so curious about the world around you and have a sense of adventure to explore and discover info about new things. It is quite a different pace and lifestyle but it's nice to hear you are settling in. I'm sure there are things (beyond people) you miss about NY but being close to family and all that beauty. I'M JEALOUS! lol I am so going to love your posts even more now that you're in a state where we have family. And HOW COOL...all the deer. WOW, beautiful.
Wow, what a difference from Brooklyn. Not so much from New Jersey though. Though I live in town, we too get the occasional deer (or bear) walking through.
My daughter gets deer and bears all the time. So I'm kind of familiar. Still, I would love to sit in my house and look out and see a herd of deer going by. So beautiful.
It sounds as if you're settling in nicely, Pat. I'm glad for you. I think you are probably a flexible sort of person and that always helps.
I'm looking forward to more posts on the beauty of your surroundings and Colorado in general. I've never been there so I'll be getting acquainted with it as you post about your new life.
Years ago we moved from LA to Ketchikan, Alaska. For the first time in my life, living right in nature, experiencing the seasons, and just plain getting off on the beauty of our surroundings. I can totally relate to what you are experiencing. Wonderful, isn't it?
So glad things are going well in CO. Your pictures are great and I look forward to hearing about all of your adventures.
What wonderful reminders of your beloved NYC! How sweet that she would send those to you.
You are living in a beautiful area, I'm so happy for you.
Hugs, Cindy
Colorado is truly a beautiful state. And since many others have warned you of the deer and their dietary habits, I won't say a word. (I used to live in the foothills of CA and deer visited twice daily.)
Sounds like you are settling in well. Those are lovely gifts from your friends in NY - you will be missed, I know.
Deer are lovely to look at, but can be PESTS if you try to garden very much.
Some people really know how to make a change and I would say that you've done it! Wow!
It's wonderful how you've embraced change!
Nice to get those reminders of "home" though it sounds like you are adjusting to your new home. amazing visitors out your window!
Glad that you like your new home. The deer are cute visitors. I wonder if you'll love them so much when they start eating your plants.
Glad that you like your new home. The deer are cute visitors. I wonder if you'll love them so much when they start eating your plants.
Glad that you like your new home. The deer are cute visitors. I wonder if you'll love them so much when they start eating your plants.
LOVE the Brooklyn sign... and such sweet gifts! But it sounds like you are very happy in your new place, Pat. Lovely to hear--and see. You dining room looks very pretty--such great windows and light. Such treats to see the deer so often! Happy Days ((HUGS)) Oh, I'm hosting a Valentine Giveaway this week... stop by for the fun, if you get a chance.
Great looking glasses. Isn't it wonderful how blogging can lead to new friendships around the world? I learned a new word too Pat - hogback. Don't know if I'll ever use it in NJ though. Your deer are indeed lovely to look at, but I wonder if, like me, you'll someday find them to be a nuisance when they eat and destroy your shrubs.
A dinner by candlelight while watching the snow fall sounds lovely. We have deer in our orchard that are beautiful as well but sometimes they can be unwanted visitors when they eat your garden.
Definitely a change of scenery for sure! A much appreciated one it seems! I have alwaysheard it's gorgeous out there- I want to visit one day! My mom (Yvette) told me you moved and I forgot to check out your blog to see pictures... looking now! Congrats an good luck on the adjustment! :) We have a family of deer here that passes through our yard daily (in NJ) sometimes several times- its very peaceful to see and watch :)
It is hard to believe that it has more sunny days than Miami!! It should be a happy place to live!
This is a beautiful post, Pat. About leaving. About coming home. About friendship and thoughtfulness. About appreciating all - candlelight dinner to watch the snow! Perfect! I am fond of your little visitors - but gardening will be a challenge!
Pat you are well loved! What a lovely gift you were given! I am guessing you may live near Ken Caryl Ranch! Lots of wildlife and more snow than anywhere other than the higher elevation mountains!
Always wonderful to read about your settling in the new home! Blessings to you and the hubby!
Now that is dinner entertainment! What a great way to have your dinner Pat!
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