Sunday, September 21, 2014

Goodbye Summer! Win a Photo Canvas



This is a look back on some wonderful events from the summer of 2014, that I have not blogged about as yet, and a chance for you to possibly win a 16 x 20 Easy Canvas wall photo of a photo of your choice! Please remember, that all photo collages in this post will enlarge for easier viewing if clicked on.


My community had a celebration this summer to commemorate its centennial as Ken Caryl Ranch, under the ownership of John C Shaffer--a prominent newspaper owner and businessman of the time--who named the ranch after his two sons, Kent and Carroll. Shaffer built a magnificent Manor House on the highest point on the property, and President Theodore Roosevelt was a frequent visitor to his home.  Over the years the property changed owners a few times as a ranch until the homes of the Ken Caryl Ranch community were built by the Johns Manville Corporation during the 1980s and '90s. The members of the Ken Caryl Historical Society planned the 100-year celebration event that the entire community was invited to, and we all wore costumes reminiscent of the 1914 era.  My husband became Teddy Roosevelt for the day, and I became a cook in the Manor House.


As you can see the variety of costumes worn by the historical society were fabulous and put all the guests into a vintage mood!  A barbershop quartet and banjo players entertained the attendees with songs from the early 19th century, there was a car show with a 1914 Model T Ford as the star, a fashion show of period clothing, horsedrawn wagon rides and lawn games for the children, and donated ice cream, cupcakes, and hot dogs were distributed. Many descendants of the past families that lived on the ranch were in attendance, and the entire history of the community was displayed on placards within the Manor House for all to read.  The celebration was a wonderful success, and my husband and I were thrilled to be a part of it!


Our beautiful valley has quite a bit of history going beyond the 100 years it first became a ranch, and one precious part of it is an apple orchard that was planted in 1870 by another owner of the land, Robert B Bradford. I'll tell you more about him in a future post. In an effort to preserve this orchard, the Ken Caryl Historical Society takes care of the propagated trees that were grafted from the original trees and planted near them. We go out periodically to open the wire cages that protect those small trees from the deer and weed around them. Isn't it amazing that these ancient trees are still producing apples after all these years?


Another fun activity we did as a family this summer was to attend the Zoppe Italian Family Circus! This circus originated in Venice, Italy in 1842, and has been touring continuously since that time. You can read more about its history on this link.  It is a charming, one ring circus consisting mainly of clowns, acrobats, and trained dogs and ponies. My grandchildren enjoyed it very much!


We attended the 11th annual "Festival Italiano" in Bel Mar in Lakewood, Colorado. It is a fabulous two-day affair with Italian food and entertainment--including flag throwers from Florence, Italy-- bocce ball tournaments, and artisan vendors. It is a fun event we look forward to each summer!


My oldest grandson began attending kindergarten this year and is also playing soccer for the first time in a league. We have been enjoying attending the games and watching our son teach and coach the little guys about the sport. Our youngest grandson began pre-school, and he is so proud of his big brother being on a team, and he wishes he could play too!


We also had some new landscaping work done at our home this summer, both front and back,. The frequent deer visitors we get have already partially devoured two of the new shrubs, so it is a constant struggle to keep it maintained.  We watched many a thunderstorm come through almost every afternoon this summer, so I believe the drought is over for a while. I heard we will experience an El Nino weather winter, and I'm curious as to what that will bring! As you can see in the last photo in this photo collage, some of the trees here have already turned their autumn hues, and the mountain areas are at peak color.

All in all, we had a wonderful second summer in Colorado, and we now look forward to many happy events coming up this fall. I hope to capture some of the beautiful Colorado autumn foliage this weekend, so please come back soon to see those photos.

Now here is how you can win a 16 x 20 Easy Canvas wall photo, like the one I show below, including free shipping and handling.  I had my canvas made of a photo from a trip my husband and I took up to the top of 14,000+ foot Mt Evans this summer--read that post at this link if you missed that exciting event!



All you have to do is a leave one comment on this blog post telling me what was your favorite activity of this summer, and what memory you are like to preserve as a beautiful canvas photo, like this one that hangs in my husband's office!  I will use the Random Generator to chose one comment as the winner and will announce it next Sunday, September 28, 2014.  Good luck!


* In full disclosure, this is a sponsored post by Easy Canvas. I was provided with a free wall canvas print by Easy Canvas, and Easy Canvas will be providing the code for one winner to obtain a free 16 x 20 canvas from a  photo of their choice with free shipping and handling. 

Comments closed 9/28/14--announcing photo canvas winner on my next post! Thank you to all who commented!


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38 comments:

diane b said...

You have had a busy and exciting summer. You look a great couple in your period dress. The Italian Festival would have been one of my favourites but the Grandson's soccer matches would have won me over too.

eileeninmd said...

Pat, you have had a busy but fun summer. I am sure it is great to go to your grandson soccer games and the Italian festival, YUM. I love the Mt Evans photo of you and your hubby. Great post, thanks for sharing. Have a happy new week!

From the Kitchen said...

I'm amazed at your enthusiastic embracing of Colorado after leaving your beloved Brooklyn!! While I miss those photos and dialogue, I've loved your posts about your new home What would I want to have committed to canvass? It's hard to say but, at the moment, I'm leaning toward a photo of tomatoes, sweet corn and green beans to remind me that summer's bounty will return.

Best,
Bonnie

Kris said...

You are my history teacher! I get to learn so much about the places you live, and visit! Colorado is beautiful, and I hope to get to visit one day. Love your posts!!
xo Kris

The Gathering Place said...

You seem to find interesting and historical places every place you go. I enjoyed reading about them in your post. I would like to preserve my grandchildrem's family fun this summer. I hope I win the canvas! Thanks! JoAnn

A Bit of the Blarney said...

I think of all the thinkgs I enjoyed most this summer was visitsing a friends of ours who have moved from here to Colorado. So for our annual trip for our Rocky Mountain High we also got to visit old friends and neighbors. Grand post! Cathy

Lorrie said...

I admire the way you get involved with the community events in your area. Looks like lots of fun times. The Italian festival's food must have been wonderful.
For me, the favorite memory of this summer is our time out on the boat, enjoying the beauty of creation. I took a number of photos that I really like and hope to print.

Veronica Roth said...

Gosh, your fancy dress, historical society event looks like it was so much fun. And how fabulous to be married to Teddy Roosevelt! :D

Sleepless In Charlotte said...

My favorite memory of the summer was seeing my 3 year old feed the ducks in the park for the first time.

Jim said...

Great rainbow.

FABBY'S LIVING said...

What a great day! I love all the customs, like the Downton Abbey era! I specially would love the Italian food festival, my fave food to eat and cook!
Thanks for your sweet visit-I so appreciate it. I just followed you on Pinterest, I'm new and having fun with it!
Hugs,
FABBY

Tomoko said...

How lovely to see local people get together for various customs! Looks fun!
What a beautiful rainbow you have shared!!
Have a lovely week!

SmilingSally said...

Morning Pat,

Isn’t it fun finding blue? I love Barbershop quartets; my son used to sing in one. And, I notice that the one you show is dressed in BLUE!

Happy Blue Monday!

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

You and your hubby look very nice dressed for your parts of the historical event Pat. Putting each outing together in a collage is a good way to look back with fond memories.
Of course my most memorable event this summer was the gardening tour to Ireland and I'd probably have one of the gardens I photographed put on the canvas.
Thank you for linking to Mosaic Monday.

Ann said...

Well I think my favorite is the Ranch, I must say that hubby makes a PERFECT Teddy. What fun that would be. Looks like you had a very busy and enjoyable summer.
Ann

Donna said...

So much celebrating...I love the new landscaping and the landscapes...since I was laid up all summer I would say just being in the garden and picking veggies was my happiest memory. Of course watching all the critters was blissful too..Perhaps I would preserve those critters especially the butterfly images.

Jeanne said...

Good morning Pat, Your summer recap post is awesome. You are so blessed to have so many wonderful trips and adventures. "Seize the Day" is the perfect quote for you and your family.
I know I will always enjoy your posts as well as your blog friendship.

My favorite memory for the summer is grand kids week. I will pick one of the photos from our many activities from that week to put on Canvas. Our grands are all getting so busy as they approach college etc. and I am not sure there will be another grand kids week. They are soooo busy with jobs and just becoming adults. The opportunity to win is terrific.

Happy Blue Monday
xo, Jeanne

joyh82 said...

Wow what a great canvas photo of the two of you! Thanks for the link to win one too. I hope you have a great week your post was awesome.

Ciao Chow Linda said...

You two never sit still. All those adventures look like great fun. I love how you and Vinny dressed up as historical figures - what great sports you two are. The photo canvas is great Pat, and if I were to win it, I'd most likely choose a shot of my trip to Italy this summer.

LV said...

How blessed you are living in such a pretty area and having a fabulous home. Sounds like a fun event.

Jackie and Joel Smith said...

My worst and best summer memory was chasing our daydream of owning a Greek home to Greece's Peloponnese and having the dream dashed within days of closing (worst)but the time we spent there and the friendships we've made are absolutely fantastic and the best memory of the year!

Love your photos this week!

Cranberry Morning said...

My goodness, it looks like y'all were having so much FUN! Love your hubs sporting the TR look. :-) Great photos.

carol l mckenna said...

Wonderful photos of the summer journey you and hubby took ~ Beautiful! for OWT!

artmusedog and carol (A Creative Harbor)

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

You're really had a busy summer Pat. Love that picture of you and Vinny at the top of Mt. Evans.
Sam

Cindy said...

I am truely impressed with all there is during yoursummer journey. The circus would be my favourite for sure. I also have a grand-daughter who started kindergarten this month along with soccer.

Interesting festivals and historic places to visit. Beautiful pictures thanks for the post summer update

Hannah said...

You certainly had a lot of fun things going this summer. Your costumes for the historical event are great, especially Teddy. The circus is very colorful. I would enjoy visiting the apple orchard, and the aspens changing color. When I lived in Denver early snows tended to ruin the fall color in town. Grandkids' soccer games are always fun.

Pamela Gordon said...

You have had a busy summer getting to know your new state. So much fun to be had there it seems and so much beautiful country to see. I hope I am eligible for the draw for the canvas (Canada). ;) Happy fall to you, Pat.

Anonymous said...

What a great summer! And I love that rainbow.

Lisa @ Grandmas Briefs said...

Fabulous photos, Pat! You are so active, so fun, and such an incredible photographer!

My fave summer activity: attending my third grandsons baptism in the desert (well, in a church, but in the desert).

Thank you for sharing this grand opportunity in the GRAND Social!

Judy said...

You have had a most eventful summer! Beautiful photos...as always.

I can hardly believe how the years fly by...that your oldest grandson is in kindergarten already! So glad you can be there to be part of their lives.

Anonymous said...

It seems you had a really busy summer! And I'm sure you have enjoyed every minute of it! The best part for me? Well, all that includes the word "italian" will do....lol...This summer my best memory? A fancy dinner at a castle!
And by the way, sunday will be my birthday....

bj said...

How fun to dress in costume of the day. You and your sweetie looked really good.
If I should win, I think I would have my grands photo ...or maybe one of the Colorado trip Mr. sweet and I took this summer.
Thanks for the chance ....

Anonymous said...

what a summer you've had and to dress-up in the era.. lovely update..

My favorite activity of this summer was spending time in the small town where I was born...

Hugs

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

my son was 8 when he played soccer like your photos.

Rambling Woods said...

What a fun post. I am reading about TR so I appreciate all the time and effort that went into the costumes and all... Thank you for linking into Nature Notes and good luck to everyone that enters the give-away... Michelle

La Petite Gallery said...

You covered a lot of ground 6this summer. I would like to go to the Italian fest..
Enjoyed the photo's. Now my favorite time of year AUTUMN.
yvonne

fredamans said...

Beautiful rainbow! Nice canvas too!

Heather said...

It sound slike you had a bustling summer -- love the hunderstorm photos. My Skies