happy halloween

our house


our pumpkins

Halloween has long been one of my favorite holidays. My elementary school always made a big deal with a parade on Halloween day or the closest day before it if it fell on the weekend. Each class would take a turn walking single file through every classroom in the school. We'd have a party in our classroom and play traditional Halloween games like bobbing for apples. The school held a carnival one night close to Halloween but never on Halloween because we were all out trick-or-treating. There was a cake walk. One year, I won two cakes! A booth with ducks in a plastic pond that you tried to throw rings around. And, of course, a haunted house. I loved being scared. Often they would make a maze out of cardboard boxes taped together. With the lights out and holes made in strategic places, it was thrilling.

Junior high and high school were too academically minded to have parades, but we were still allowed and encouraged to dress in costume. Most of my teachers dressed up as well. In high school, we had costume parties. I was probably 14 the last time that I went trick-or-treating. In college, I went to a Robert Palmer concert on Halloween night. Before the show, they had a costume contest. More than half the crowd was dressed in costume. This was the 'Simply Irresistible' tour, and the local DJ's (all male) were dressed as the 'Simply Irresistible' girls from the music video. It was a memorable show.

When I was really little, I remember that I wore fairy wings one year, and a Casper the Friendly Ghost plastic mask another. I can still remember the way the condensation from breathing inside the mask built up around my nose and how good it felt to lift the mask up and breathe. In the fifth or sixth grade, my best friend Nancy and I made dice out of cardboard boxes. It was the first year that I had a boyfriend at Halloween and so did Nancy. We went trick-or-treating with them and tried to hold hands in our costumes. Our boxes were so big that only our hands stuck out of the holes.

Halloween parties as an adult were never as good as the ones held in the campus houses in Sofia. The Americans hosted the party and the Bulgarians showed us how to rock the night away. We danced and sang all night long. This is when I learned all the words to 'Alice.'

But none of these Halloweens were as good as tonight with my wonderful family. Paul has noted my enthusiasm for the holiday and joined in the spirit by carving a pumpkin, wearing a hat, and helping with decorations. Timothy's pure, unadulterated delight at everything from the decorations, to getting candy, to giving candy brings me such deep joy. I think this is a peek at what Christmas will be like this year, another favorite holiday of mine.


our family

steamboat springs and aspens at their peak

Paul took Friday off, and we spent a long weekend with my childhood friend, Amy, in Steamboat Springs. It's a ski town/cow town almost due west of Fort Collins, not far as the crow flies, but a three hour drive through some of Colorado's most beautiful country, especially at this time of year when the aspens in the high country were at their fall color peak.

aspens along the poudre river, about 1.5 hours from home

We took our time leaving the house and driving to Steamboat on Friday, stopping at Walden for lunch. The weather was perfect, and when we got to Amy's place we made ourselves at home, played at the playground about 100 yards from Amy's condo, and made dinner. Amy had to work until late, so we didn't see her until after the boys were in bed. It was great to share some wine with her and catch up on our lives.

Amy left for work early on Saturday morning, and we spent a day like people on vacation. Her condo is like a holiday home, located in the middle of 100's of condos built for the lucrative ski season. We had a late breakfast and went into town where we found a park for Tim to enjoy. From there we walked on the path along the Yampa River, then went back to Amy's. The boys took a long nap at the same time. Paul said seeing a Dodo was more likely than ever having that happen again. We read, napped, watched TV and sat on the balcony watching the leaves fall. It was so peaceful.

a rare sight

Amy recommended an Italian place for dinner where kids get to shape their own pizza dough. We helped Tim make a Mickey Mouse head. They put cheese, sauce and bacon on it and baked it for him. The waitress came to the table several times between when she took it from him and when she returned it to him cooked, and each time he asked for his pizza, please.

Again, Amy had to work late. She works at a resort, selling plots of land on a working ranch that doubles as a resort for owners and friends only. It's 1700 acres of cattle ranch with 17 horses, too many cows to count, a full time cowboy, fly fishing guides, a lodge with a beach entrance pool, a mini theater, mountain bikes, fishing gear, cross country ski gear; you name it. Owners can stay at one of several 'cabins' and use all the facilities. A few of them actually build homes on the land that they buy. When Amy has prospective buyers in, she works around the clock. This group left on Sunday, and she gave us the grand tour.

the ranch barn. the loft is used for an annual barn dance. this is where owners and prospective owners meet the cowboy for horseback riding, steer roping lessons and much more.

Paul even got to borrow some waders. One of the guides rigged a rod for him, so he got to use his rod and a ranch rod to fish the Elk River. It was a scene right out of A River Runs Through It.

fly fishing on the elk river

amy and the boys at our picnic sight along the elk river
lunch beside the elk river

We may not get to go to other countries on long weekends like we did when we lived in London, but living in Colorado allows us to spend time in some beautiful places with some great friends. Thanks Amy!