Lanai

All of the units in Liz and Alyson's complex have a lanai.  And just to give you some perspective...over 3,000 people live here....so it's like a small city within the city of Denver. What that means is.....there are a lot of lanais.

It's kind of a funny word with origins in Hawaii referring to a porch or verandah...an indoor/outdoor space intended to expand your living space.  

Today we decorated one end of Alyson and Steve's lanai.

Alyson had already hung the stained glass....a piece I had made for her parents, Margie and Dave, for their home in Greeley Colorado.  Her older cats love this new space....and the steps make the new loveseat totally accessible.

When Margie and Dave downsized from their home in Loveland with a fabulous mountain view I gave them a new mountain view with this piece.  You can see it in place in this post: 

https://joyfulputtering.blogspot.com/2015/04/a-mountain-view.html

We repurposed an old sofa table Alyson was going to get rid of behind the loveseat and hung the world map print. We put together an arrangement of some of her bone collection....yes you heard me right....along with a few other things from nature. It's now a cozy, colorful, and inviting space.

Alyson's bone collection goes WAY back.  Paul and I recently made a contribution to it....which also has a place on the table. You can read that story here: 

https://joyfulputtering.blogspot.com/2021/08/alysons-bones.html

Alyson found this funky chair yesterday at a consignment store....a salvage from hurricane Katrina. It's not only another seat for someone on the lanai....but also an interesting art piece and the bright colors coordinate well with the rest of the room

Alyson's first floor lanai looks out to a courtyard between buildings....and Liz's second floor lanai looks out to wild green space next to the community gardens.  This was the sunset last night from Liz's lanai. 

Shopping Day

Could we pack more into a day?  I think not.  Today was a shopping day looking for things for both Alyson and Liz's places.....and all of it at consignment shops.  It's so nice when you can find just the right pieces that have already had another life...another story.  Then you get to bring them home and give them a second chance.

Alyson and I day did start with a walk....there are such lovely paths and walkways in and around their complex.

Still so much fall color....and Colorado is known for their sunny days and blue skies.

We strolled through a lovely cemetery between stops....mostly to get a glimpse of the mountains. With all the wildfires....they didn't see the mountains much this summer.

And we all fell in love with this little tree.

We had some great views of the Rockies en route to the shops....so much of Colorado has wide open space.

Envisioning Spaces

"Clutter is not just the stuff on your floor....it's anything that stands between you and the life you want to be living."  Peter Walsh

It was super busy and productive day....Alyson, Liz, and I are making a good team.  It was amazing how much we got done in both of their places.

I love helping people envision their spaces....a combination of listening and action....helping them find their own way. 

We did get out for a walk...it was a spectacular, picture perfect fall day. The mixture of colors in this shrub outside Liz's place...made my heart sing.  This can only happen in the fall.

Travel Day

It's been a long travel day....and I'm tired.  But it's good to be here in Colorado with Paul's sisters and to see their new places.  We took a little walk on just one of the paths around the property....and it was fun to see different trees and plants....and seed pods. Oh how I love the seed pods.

But today...I'm celebrating the Cottonwood Tree...a native of Colorado. These brilliant yellow trees were everywhere.

And yes...there are clumps of cotton here and there too. Is it really cotton? I'll have to learn a little more about this tree....but not on a travel day.

Found Day

Because of stormy weather I delayed my flight to Denver until tomorrow....so I had a found day at home. It reminded me of a school snow day when I was in growing up...and better yet when I was a teacher. I loved snow days.....and I enjoyed my found day today. It doesn't matter what you do....it's all a bonus.

I'll be heading west tomorrow when the rain has stopped and wind has died down.  

I took a short walk in between the raindrops....and found some beautiful fall color.

I love watching my stewartia turn in the fall.

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I finished this fabulous puzzle a few days ago...it was just the right mix of color and challenge.  It was a delight from start to finish.

This little moment moment at the bottom was one of my favorites!

And speaking of puzzles....Margie had Philippa's spool puzzle all finished on her coffee table when we visited a few days ago. And if you looked close enough to see the missing piece...we found it under her chair.  I am delighted that she enjoys puzzles as much as I do. 

I put away the color puzzle and now the feather puzzle will be waiting on my table when I get back. I'm looking forward to this one.

I love the little gold accents....and I love a found day.

Loopy Papercut

"Choosing to cultivate joy is so much more than a feel-good moment on bad days. It is a grace-filled opportunity to take delight in the things that bring wellness to the soul." Morgan Harper Nichols

Roseanne got my papercut collage today....I enjoyed putting this one together. The piece is 5 x 7 and I added the matte digitally. It started with a stack of gelli prints where I used just one color and string for each print. The green string print in the corner inspired the loopy papercut.  

The other prints in the collage were made with netting and mesh produce mesh bags.  I'm enjoying using found objects for prints to create interesting and organic patterns and textures. The darker vertical line down the center was made using the scrap edges from other gelli prints.  I wrote about them here in this post: https://joyfulputtering.blogspot.com/2021/02/embracing-edges.html

This was the start of the loopy papercut....I cut the tiny sections first.

Here's more of the green string print...and a few others.

Note to self....too much string is....too much.

Papercut Exchange

I recently did a papercut exchange with Rosanne who I met through the blog. We're discovering a lot of common ground and I'm enjoying our email conversations.  I got her papercut a few days ago...and she should get mine early this week and I'll share it once she gets it.

I'm quite fond of the organic shapes of her cuts...and that she floated it on a tracing paper background with the writing peeking through. And the sweet little watercolor flower was an unexpected bonus.  Thank you RVS!

I'll have to say....I really enjoy cutting paper.

I find it quite relaxing....and with my tiny little cutting mat it's a good activity to do on my lap in the evening while I watch TV.

I actually didn't realize I had so many until I spread them all out today....now I just need time to do something with them. That will come.

Paul and I visited Margie this afternoon....and her fall window was so pretty with the view....and the colorful arrangement. And there was my maple leaf papercut card. The little rice lights gives her nice ambiance in the late afternoon and evening.

The Morning Sun

It was 34 degrees when I got up....the coldest morning we've had so far this fall. Paul suggested a morning walk around Mackworth Island....and although I hesitated....I knew it was a good idea.   

The Portland skyline was glowing in the morning sun.

You could see the change from the vibrant colors of fall to the monochromatic colors of late fall/winter.  Still lovely in its own way....especially with the sun peaking through.

Do you see it....standing tall on a rock down near the shore?

This beautiful crane was soaking in the morning sun....just like the rest of us.

I am so blessed to live near such beautiful places....and to have a husband who gets me out there....even when it's chilly.

"Book the Flight"

"You only get one life and it's already started...but you do get to decide which direction to go." Adam J. Kurtz  

I'm heading west.

Paul's two sisters, Alyson and Liz, recently retired and they both just moved into the same condo complex. Not together...but they're neighbors.  In the past I've helped them envision their spaces, arrange furniture, and hang pictures...it was one way I could help.  

Taking the advice from a Dove chocolate wrapper back in September.....I booked a flight. I'll be heading to Colorado next Wednesday to see their new spaces....and do what I can to help them settle in.

So I've had a big push to get all my outdoor chores done before I go.....you never know what November weather will bring.  And although I have barely been in the studio....tending to all these things has felt great.

I'm almost done washing all the windows....a few may have to wait until I get back.  But while washing the living room window I noticed several blooms on my Christmas cactus...an added bonus to the clean windows.

Today I dumped all my pots and did ALL the cutbacks in the gardens.  I love putting the gardens to bed for the winter....and I look forward to them coming to life again in the spring.  

My compost pile in the woods is quite lovely.

I'm also determined to finish this puzzle before I go....and I'm loving every colorful minute of it!

Blueberries?

This pumpkin caught my eye on our walk this morning....was it covered in blueberries?

When I got closer I was pretty sure the dots were black push pins.  I thought it was adorable....and clever....and so simple!  

My mind is already imagining orange pushpins....or black ones on an orange pumpkin! 

And it's a pretty darn good stem....

and I still think they still look like blueberries.

And speaking of adorable....Paul spotted this little guy. Pretty darn cute!

And this little scene made my heart melt.  From this distance I wasn't quite sure what was going on....but I had to know more because of the position of that cute little chair.

I zoomed in with my camera...and there seemed to be a bit of a show going on....with the potential for an audience of one.

I cautiously walked up the driveway just a bit to get a closer look...it was early so I don't think anyone saw me. Some precious little person had gathered all his or her friends for a party....I was smitten. I would have loved to be invited!