Sunday, November 3, 2013

My First Autumn in Colorado



Can you believe it is already November? The years seem to be on "fast forward" in this stage of my life. I can't believe my husband and I bought the house we live in on the Front Range of Colorado a year ago! This year has also been a whirlwind adventure of settling into our home and neighborhood, getting used to a different way of life, and enjoying being close to our children and grandchildren again.

 (Please note: all photos in this post, including the collages, will enlarge if clicked on)


Autumn has always been my favorite season in the year, and I wondered how I would enjoy it in Colorado? While I always morn the shorter daylight hours, I revel in the golden glow of light and shadow that autumn brings through my windows.  I wondered if I'd see much change in tree color here, or feel the same crisp cool air that late October brings. Would we go directly from summer into chilly winter and skip autumn altogether?


I need not have worried! My first autumn in Colorado has been one of delight and awe! While the "high country"--the mountains--does indeed almost go from summer to winter conditions quickly, those that live there love it, for it means ski season has begun. The plains and the foothills, meanwhile, where I live, experience fall in all its splendor! From "purple mountain majesty to amber waves of grain," Colorado is a beautiful state to live in!


I knew that the beautiful quaking aspen trees, that are indigenous to Colorado, have leaves that turn from green to a beautiful golden yellow in autumn, but.....



... I also learned that the beautiful tree in my front yard turns a gorgeous shade of orange in autumn!


While there aren't as many trees in Colorado as there are in the eastern states, the ones that are here all seemed to put on a spectacular display of color! If you'd like to see a short video of a quaking aspen tree quivering in the wind click on this link that will bring you to my Mille Fiori Favoriti facebook page.


Autumn also brought snow flurries, actual snowfall one morning that melted by noon, and a few days of misty fog.  I was also visited almost daily by the same handsome mule deer buck.  I was so excited to see him outside my kitchen window. He seemed to like to eat the aspen leaves off my backyard grass and then took a nap there every afternoon.

Our Autumn was full of fun activities! Besides my husband and I visiting Rocky Mountain National Park in early September (click here to read those posts) .....


........we also went to a wonderful, free, annual, "Festival Italiano" in nearby Belmar, Colorado, where we enjoyed seeing all the fabulous vendor selling everything Italian--fresh pasta, gelato, pizza, cookies, wine, etc! There was bocce ball tournament, street chalk drawings, grape stomping for children, ceremonial flag throwers from Florence, Italy, musicians from Italy and opera singers that performed on two stages! My husband and I were in heaven enjoying it all, and we will certainly make this an annual event!


In mid-September, we celebrated my youngest grandson's "half" birthday at the Colorado Railroad Museum, which was hosting a "Day Out With Thomas" event. All little boys (and girls) love Thomas the Train! Both of my grandsons and my granddaughter enjoyed watching the model train exhibit and then riding on the regularly sized train that was being pulled by Thomas!


In October, my husband and I traveled for back to back occasions in California and New York,(click here to read that post), but we also had a day out with our children and grandchildren at Anderson Farms (click here to read that post) to go pick out the perfect pumpkin for Halloween, and enjoy a perfect fall day.  The beautiful mountain scenery in the distance was spectacular!


On the weekend before Halloween, my children and grandchildren dressed up in their costumes and we went to a fun local event called "Trunk or Treat"! Volunteers decorate their car trunks in Halloween style and pass out candy to children in a safe, controlled environment. There was also a costume parade, hot dog stand, craft and game table, a haunted house for older children, plus more!


The highlight of the event for my grandsons was the cherry picker fire truck that was there. They love fire trucks and had many questions for the firemen.


I even had the opportunity to see my first boxing match! My brother-in-law covers boxing as a reporter for a major TV network, and he was able to get complimentary tickets for my husband and me to attend this match. Boxer Mike Alvarado was the home town champ in the junior welterweight division, but unfortunately, he lost his championship belt in the tenth round by a TKO to Russian boxer Ruslan Provodnikov. I didn't think I'd like watching boxing, but it was hard not to feel the excitement of the competition and the home crowd support


I'm now looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas--holidays that we had to fly out from New York to Colorado to celebrate in the past. This will be the first time in years that I will decorate my own Christmas tree--I've missed that so much!  I have so much to look forward to, so much to be thankful for...I feel very blessed.

In this month of Thankfulness, I'm thankful for all those who read my blog and share their comments with me! I'm hoping to get back to a blogging schedule of more than once a week--sharing more little moments in shorter posts-- I hope you'll come back to join me!


Enjoy this beautiful autumn day!

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50 comments:

Pallavi said...

Such beautiful pictures of fall in Colorado. Absolutely loved each one of them! Glad you are enjoying reveling in the beauty and being close to your children and grand children.

So much to be thankful for :) have a lovely weekend my dear .!

Lynn said...

Sounds like you had a very full and fun fall Pat! Love the trunk-or-treating! Enjoy the holiday season in your new home:@)

Gardening in a Sandbox said...

It is delightful to see how you have embraced your new lives in Colorado. Your posts are always filled with the exciting things to do and see and of course the fact that you are close to your family. Valerie

eileeninmd said...

Lovely fall images, Pat! It looks and sounds like you are loving your new home and state of Colorado. And it is so nice you are so close to your grandchildren now. Awesome photos and post. Have a happy week ahead!

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

Beautiful shots Pat. I'm so pleased for you that Colorado has suited you as your new home. The first & second photo look like postcards.
Sam

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Loved every picture, Pat! So neat about the Italian festival.

The trees and deer are wonderful, but the pics of your family are the best. I am so happy for you that you are together!

xoxoxo

Sheila

Vee said...

What a sweet post about your new home state, which certainly looks beautiful to me. Fun to see your grands growing so fast. Such a beautiful orange tree in your yard. I wonder if it ever is another color. We notice that trees are not the same color from year to year. Hope that you have a wonderful November!

Snap said...

Pat, you are so busy making lovely new memories. Wonderful post. I do miss the beautiful skies and fall color in New Mexico ... still green in Houston. Happy Everything!

Happy@Home said...

I thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity to glimpse autumn in Colorado. It is absolutely breathtaking and I am so glad you are enjoying your new home. How wonderful to be so close to your kids and grandchildren making precious memories.

Linda (More Fun Less Laundry) said...

Pat, You are certainly living the good life with your children and grandchildren nearby, a beautiful new home and that breathtaking scenery!!! I think it's good to embrace change and find new delights! Looking forward to more frequents posts from you soon, and now I'm off to see those quaking aspens! Linda

The Gathering Place said...

You truly have some beautiful photos capturing fall in Colorado. I'm happy that you are liking the west, even though it is probably very different from NY. Having family close is always the best!

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Your Autumn is beautiful!!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

What beautiful photos! I am so happy you are loving your new life in Co. So glad you don't have to fly during the holiday season too!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

I love Autumn also, Pat. Your photos are fabulous ---especially the snow-covered mountains…

Glad you are enjoying your new home.
Hugs,
Betsy

ellen b. said...

How wonderful that you can embrace autumn in a new place this year. You have really captured the beauty of it. Yippee for decorating for Christmas and staying put. I always found it trying to travel somewhere else to celebrate Christmas. Enjoy your decorating!

Pamela Gordon said...

You have had a busy and fun fall there so far Pat. You must be so excited to decorate for Christmas this year too. That will be fun indeed. Blessings, Pamela

Lorrie said...

I love seeing how you've embraced life in your new state. You've shown us such beautiful sights there - truly gorgeous countryside. I'm sure you miss NY, but your settling in here seems to be going well. Having family close by certainly helps, doesn't it?

Old Kitty said...

Happy first year in Colorado!! Awww Pat what a year!! And what a place you've moved to!! You may not have swathes of trees where you are now but you do have deer neighbours and snow already just in time for Christmas and I think that's just utterly magical!! Yay for you!!

Awwww best of all of course is your precious time with your wonderful and adorable family and grandchildren! They're gorgeous!

And I LOVE Ms Piggy flanked by Bert and Earnie! LOL!! Belated happy halloween!

Take care
x

podso said...

You are so busy doing happy things! And your photos of autumn there are just stunning. Thank you for sharing them. We have late color this year and it came all in one week!

Proud Italian Cook said...

Spectacular fall photos Pat and what a backdrop with the mountains in view! I know you will have a wonderful holiday season this year, I'm truly happy for you. I'll always be here for your weekly, monthly, daily posts, whatever! xox

Barbara said...

That mule deer buck was amazing!

Jeanne said...

Hello Pat, your post is inspiring. I am in love with your beautiful photos and your wonderful story of how happy you are. You are truly blessed my dear blog friend. I really wondered if you would adjust to such a different part of our country. I knew being closer to your family was a given for happy times but you have embraced your new lifestyle with the enthusiasm you have for living a full life full of adventure and family love.

I should have known it would be this way. Your zest for life is all it takes. I am happy for you. Enjoy putting up your Christmas tree. Smile.
xo, Jeanne

Rajesh said...

Wonderful images of autumn. Full of life. Love those snow mountains.

Unknown said...

Aw man! I love the place. I wonder why trick or treat is not really practice in Philippines, we have different culture indeed. And yes, food is essential. Nom food photos!

SmilingSally said...

You ARE Blessed, Pat, and you have the sense to enjoy it!

We've participated in Trunk or Treat for the past ten years through our church. It's a good idea. And, I think an Italian festival is wherever Italians settle; I know we've enjoyed several in several different states.

Thanks for sharing this interesting blue.

Happy Blue Monday!

steviewren said...

Pat, your photos of mountains and trees is stunning! I'm so happy for you because it sounds like your new life is just what everyone would wish to have. I'm glad you are enjoying it.

A Garden of Threads said...

Beautiful Autumn colour. I am so glad you are settling into your home. Take care and have a wonderful week.

From the Kitchen said...

I love the juxtaposition of autumn and winter in the shots with the snow-covered mountain backdrop. Beautiful photos of your area.

Best,
Bonnie

Judy said...

Wow...you have been busy! I love your photos of autumn in Colorado...especially the one of the pumpkins, corn field and snow-capped peaks! So glad you found an Italian festival close to your new home. Perfect!

Michelle said...

Colorado is such a beautiful state. Glad you are enjoying the views as well as your family time.

Ann said...

Oh that first picture is heavenly, the white mountains against all the beautiful colors of the trees. The purple mountain majesty takes on a whole different meaning to me now.
ann

Mary said...

Oh Pat, how wonderful to see that you are reveling in your new home, and enjoying so many wonderful times with your children and grandchildren! Colorado looks beautiful! xoxo

Ciao Chow Linda said...

Wow, you found an Italian festival nearby? Oh I bet Vinny was in his glory. What a fabulous new home and surroundings you made in Colorado.

Yvette said...

What an eventful month you've had, Pat. Colorado is fortunate to have you as an ambassador or sorts. So happy for you that you've fallen in love with your second home. Gorgeous photos!

Jemma@athomewithjemma said...

Oh such beauty! I grew up in the West and will always miss the majestic mountains and glorious scenery!You are blessed in many, many ways! Enjoy those grandbabies!
Jemma

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Autumn in Colorado is beautiful! Your photos are always so lovely. This has been a busy, but exciting year for you and I know you will especially love decorating for Christmas this year with your sweet family nearby!

Indrani said...

You have created such a wonderful collage with terrific shots. Each pic is worth a second... third... look.

Anonymous said...

Autumn in Colorado looks so beautiful!

Just a little something from Judy said...

For years I've wished to see Autumn through the eyes of one who lives in Colorado, and you have done one amazing job! I have so enjoyed this post and I don't care how long of a post it was:) What a lovely part of the country you live in! What fun to have an animal like you did, outside one's window. The colors are magnificent! Thanks so much for sharing. I look forward to visits here.

Ercotravels said...

Wow, wonderful post! love your photographs specially Great landscapes shots and beautiful autumn color!
Thanks for sharing.

Cathy said...

All your beautiful photos are such a treat, Pat. Colorado is truly one of our most spectacular states. We have a truck or treat event here as well and the gkids seems to love it.

Sylvia K said...

Beautiful captures of a beautiful world!! The mountains and the fall colors are superb!! Thanks for sharing the beauty!!

diane b said...

It is a delight to hear how happy you are there in Colorado, your new home. It doesn't seem a year since you moved there. You even have Italian festival to keep you feeling at home. The Trunk a treat idea sounds great. Your granddaughter is growing fast. The three of them must keep you on your toes. I am getting worn out with my two but it is lovely to be able to bond with them. Each day they get to trust me more and accept me feeding them and dressing them and taking them to the park.

diane b said...

Forgot to mention the scenery is breathtaking and the visiting deer buck is lovely.

Mary Howell Cromer said...

So, so beautiful and you are so going to love it in CO! The husby and I visit the Estes Park area and the Rocky Mountains every couple of years. We adore CO~

Sharon Lovejoy said...

Pat dear,

What a glorious and glowing array of photos.

Re: your comment on my posting. YOU are giving the biggest gift of love and time to the grands. They'll be better for it (as will you). I am proud of you.

S

Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse said...

Your pictures are amazing; it's like seeing two seasons at the same time. Winter in the background and autumn in the foreground!

La Petite Gallery said...

Dear Pat, I am so happy for you to be part of your Grandchildrens lives. You would have missed so much had you stayed in NY. Fall is my favorite time of the year and you have so much beauty there. Wishing you a fabulous Thanksgiving.
I have had some mean ole cold for two weeks now. Take care and stay warm.
yvonne

Lulu said...

You are absolutely correct about time going so fast which makes it all the more important to pay attention to all the beauty that is around us.

AdriBarr said...

Oh my, but every group of photographs you put up is more spectacular. It must be amazing to be surrounded by such natural beauty and grandeur. I can't believe it has been an entir year! Wow! It lookssslike life is treating you well. I am so glad you share it with all of us.