Family events and special photos:

In which Rosabelle is born, Ashlyn is preparing to appear in 2 operas this Spring at the San Francisco Music Conservatory, I join Silver Sneakers, Hannah and Sadie see the new Cinderella movie, Sophie and Reise are cookie makers, and I am working on a new children's book.

I have a new great granddaughter, Rosabelle Olivia Kohl.

 

She was born just hours before her Daddy, my grandson Lance, was deployed with the Navy Seals on January 25, 2015.  This is Lance's 2nd child.  Logan is 2 years old.

I admire Caitlyn so much for the way she is dealing with a new baby, a new house, a 2 year old, and having Lance deployed as he is right now.  Caitlyn is a trooper and the babies, Logan and Rosabelle are simply adorable.




Day 5 of Silver Sneakers swimming:On May 5th I am traveling to San Francisco to attend my granddaughter, Ashlyn's,  first opera performance.  She is a freshman at the San Francisco Music Conservatory and she will be appearing in 2 operas this Spring.

I am determined to get into condition which will enable me to climb up and down the hills of San Francisco.  I have resolved to hulk up by joining Silver Sneakers and swimming 5 days a week so that I can travel around the city on my own.  Last year when I was in San Francisco my granddaughters pushed me around Fisherman's Wharf and Giradelli Square in a wheel chair.

This is NOT me... (Sophie diving into our swimming pool last summer)

Silver Sneakers is the perfect program for seniors.  The swimming program at my local recreation center is free with Silver Sneaker membership and I am enjoying it immensely.

The instructors and other swimmers are friendly and helpful.  I definitely feel the results of this unaccustomed exercise but feel sure that the more I exercise the less aches and pains I will have and the prospect of being able to travel up and down the hills of San Francisco on my own - not in a wheel chair - great motivation.  Obviously I have spent entirely too much time in my handy dandy recliner.  Even though I have a knee injury exercise is a better option for the knee than my recliner.

I just can't wait to

climb up the hills

in San Francisco.

I am working on writing a children's book about iPADs and kids... Reise and Sophie would spend all their time on the iPADS so I am encouraging them to do "real stuff" using some of the applications they have found on the iPADS. 

 We have been cooking up a storm of chocolate chip and oatmeal cookies.  Along the way the grand kids are learning to measure, mix, scoop, and bake and finding recipes on the iPADS is a huge help.

I especially like the iBOOKS collection of recipe books which include videos.  In the olden days I learned to cook by watching my grandmother and Mom.  With the videos on the iPAD it is fun to watch TV's HGTV stars and learn how they assemble yummy recipes.  I especially enjoy the Pioneer Woman cookbooks and the Barefoot Contessa. 

My plan is to print books we make so that at least some of my photos get off my computer and will be available for the family when the current software becomes obsolete.

Here are my little cooks!

And here is a page out of our book.

Meanwhile, far away in San Diego, my Grandgirls, Hannah and Sadie are previewing the new Cinderella movie.  I wish they could come and cook with us but since their Mom and Dad own Philly Franks Cheese steak Restaurant they are probably getting a super background in cooking already!

Ashlyn and Danny both attend the San Francisco Music Conservatory.
I can't wait to go to her opera performance in May!
(Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming)

Family Events and Travels

Family Birthday Gathering and San Francisco Audition

Happy Valentine and President's Days everyone.  Reise and Sophie are enjoying the day off from school by playing with K Nexs and their X Box.

Chris turned 47 on February 9th and the family gathered for cake and singing. 

iPhoto by Lori Kohl

Chris is shown with Jillian, Sophie, Jordan, Caitlyn, Leah, Tawnie, baby Logan, Lance and Reise

iPhoto by Michelle Herd

Ashlyn, Ivan, and Rhianna in Chinatown

Michelle, Ashlyn, Ivan, and Rhianna traveled to San Francisco for Ashlyn's latest out of town audition at the San Francisco Music Conservatory.  They also visited Chinatown, Fisherman's Wharf, Cable Cars, and the Redwood Forest.

iPhoto by Rhianna or Michelle Herd

Other photos from the San Francisco trip sent to me by iPhone...

Rhianna at Chinatown

And, of course, San Francisco Cable Car...

Ashlyn also sang with the Colorado All State Mixed Choir so we have all been busy attending her events.  

Enjoying the talents of Colorado singers chosen for All State Choirs

Anne, Ivan, Ashlyn, George, Rhianna, and Michelle.  What an amazing group of high school students chosen to attend the 3 day event, stay at the Hyatt Hotel, and perform at the 

Denver Convention Center.

I am still waiting for Supernatural, Season 9, episode 14 to return from their latest hiatus...

In case you are counting down with me it is currently 8 days, 7 hours, 42 minutes and 5 seconds.

You may have seen the photo below on Facebook:

And Supernatural has officially been picked up for their 10th season!

In the meantime GRIMM is a fun TV series in which Nick, the GRIMM, faces off with all manner of ancient evils.  Try it - you might like it and it could help pass the time until Dean and Sam reappear on Tuesday, February 25th.  Season 3 of GRIMM returns on February 28th.  Seasons 1 and 2 of GRIMM are available on iTunes. Seasons 1 thru 8 of Supernatural are also available on iTunes or Netflix.

Retirement is weird! Truth to tell I have become a TV addict like my mother.  My mother was always glued to her TV and was not available to visit during the Soap Operas and game shows she watched everyday.  I never thought I would share this trait but with Netflix and iTunes it is possible to watch (and re-watch)any show of your liking at any time day or night and they are commercial free!  WHEEEEE

Coldest February Ever

For the first time in the 12 years I've lived in this house the kitchen water pipes have frozen.  The temperature has been as low as 15 below zero with some days that never got above zero.  Thanks to Chris we were able to thaw the pipes without them bursting by opening cupboard under the sink and running a shop heater and hair dryer along with dripping water from the hot water tank for about 24 hours.  Luckily no pipes burst.

Ahh to be in sunny California where Hannah is having the opening day of her softball team, the Red Hots, and her name is Pepper.  Goooo Red Hots!

Just look at all that sunshine, green grass, trees with leaves and kids wearing short sleeves! 

Ashlyn performed in Opera Scenes at Denver School of the Arts.  She was Professor Sprout and is shown with wings at bottom right below.  It was a delightful performance in which various Fairy God Mothers were taking therapy (fairapy) from Professor Sprout for having failed their charges such as Romeo and Juliet who ended up dead because their Fairy Godmother decided to visit sights rather than protect them - we all know how that ended for them.

Amazing singers!

Ashlyn looked fantastic with wings! This week she is singing at the Denver Conference Center with All State choirs  Next weekend she will travel with the family to San Francisco where she will do another college audition!  Good Times!

BRONCOS are down but not out!

The Superbowl last week reminded all of Denver of those losing Super bowls of yore.  Remember we are the AFC champions and we did all spend lots of $$$$ on shirts and stuff.  As Peyton Manning says we will be back!

There was "No Joy in Mudville" - and rumor has it that even staunch Bronco fans turned off the TV before or by the half!  I dare not enter the final score!

SUPERNATURAL:  Sam and Dean visited the Spa and looked really different in their spa-wear.  The show is on hiatus until February 25th due to Olympic coverage. I am counting down until the next episode which will have Dean and Sam in a haunted Bunker.  Should be interesting.  Meanwhile I am trying out alternate shows such as Green Arrow, Blacklist, The Following... but I miss Supernatural!  Luckily there are 8 seasons prior to this 9th season to fall back on.  Love Dean singing "Eye of the Tiger: in the Yellow Fever episode. The music used in Supernatural episodes is another bonus to watching the show.  Creedence Clearwater Revival, Styx, The Rolling Stones, The Animals, Bob Seger, Bob Dylan... to name a few artists featured on the episodes. 

As of right now we need to wait 17 days, 4 hours, 54 minutes and 15 seconds to watch "Captives."  Unless you're in California then it will be 17 days, 6 hours... YIKES!!

Look Who is Driving!

I had a "Sunrise - Sunset" experience this weekend when my granddaughter, Rhianna, drove my car home from Colorado Springs. Sixteen year old Rhianna got her learner's permit in July and is driving as often as possible. However, watching her maneuver through high traffic on Interstate 25 from Colorado Springs into the heart of Denver I remembered this photo taken at the mall one day.  Where does the time go?

We went to Colorado Springs to watch Ashlyn perform with the Denver School of the Arts mixed choir and vocal jazz groups at the Colorado Music Educators conference at the Broadmoor Hotel.
The singing was amazing.  Ashlyn is now a senior and their vocal groups are outstanding!

 Ashlyn in vocal jazz attire

Here to enjoy the singing George, who graduated from the School of the Arts last year, Ashlyn, Michelle and Rhianna

Remember to cheer for the Denver Broncos on Sunday when they will be playing in the Superbowl! Reise found his Bronco football and looks to me like a potential all star quarterback!  Bronco shirts will be the family attire when we watch them play.

I have definitely become too invested in the TV series SUPERNATURAL because I feel heartsick that Sam and Dean are at odds.  The episode "Sharp Teeth" aired last night and the ending left me feeling blah!  If you didn't watch it you might want to even though it was different from the last three episodes which have been outstanding. I am anxious to watch the next episode because I do love Supernatural. I'll be glued to the TV set next Tuesday when Sam and Dean go undercover to work at a Spa.  Looks like it will be one of the funny shows and Sam will be sporting work out clothes while Dean works in the kitchen wearing a hairnet.  Seriously? 

Hooray Denver Broncos! We are Ready to Ride to the Super Bowl!

We were ready to ride yesterday when the Denver Broncos played New England for the AFC Championship and a shot at the 2014 Super Bowl.

Here is the FAM - all in their places in front of the TV with anticipation on their faces.

For those of us who remember the winning Superbowl days yesterday's win of the AFC Championship was particularly thrilling.  For those of us who remember Super Bowl heartbreaking losses prior to those winning days you might recall hearing some Bronco fans actually remark "Oh, no, not another Super Bowl".

Hopes for the win are high this time with Manning leading the Broncos!

Winning photos after besting New England for the AFC Championship yesterday, on January 19, 2014:

It will definitely be an exciting game against the Seattle Seahawks.

So sorry you missed the game, Dana and Melissa, but your photo of the hot air balloons at Lake Havasu looks like you were having a great day, too.  Thanks for this photo.

Proof that there is life without a football game!

Everyone be sure to tune in at 9:00 p.m.tomorrow, Tuesday, January 21st for the next exciting episode of Supernatural.  I have had Direct TV installed just so that I can watch Supernatural.  And the Broncos.

Be sure to watch SUPERNATURAL

January 2014 - Happy New Year and be sure to watch SUPERNATURAL!!

Another year has come and my resolution is to enjoy it!  I'm not getting older - I am getting better!
Really want to try to keep up with blogging.  I am inspired by Artful Blogging magazine and several popular blogs including Pioneer Woman and Humans of New York.

So here goes:

Christmas time photos - My son and Granddaughter playing with the bumper cars

Snow and cold photos - Christmas at Sherry's house in Silverthorn and from my balcony on January 2nd.

BRONCO Mania

Denver Broncos in playoffs so the Bronco Mania is in full swing!



I am currently addicted to the TV series "Supernatural" starring Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki.  The show has been on hiatus through December leaving us with a cliff-hanger in which Kevin, the prophet of the Lord was killed and Sam was taken over entirely by the angel, Gadreel, who was supposed to be healing Sam. We've been counting down for 46 days and the new episode finally aired on Tuesday, January 14th with a wonderful episode called "Road Trip".  If you haven't watched it you might like it!

YIKES!  After all that waiting my TV couldn't show the Episode so my granddaughters and I celebrated the return by staying at the Hampton Inn in Denver just to watch it. Here's my granddaughter all propped up and waiting for it to start.

The music with all of the Supernatural episodes is amazing.  

This episode began with Bob Seger's "Famous Final Scene"

Dean is shown alone at Kevin's funeral pyre, smoke in his eyes and tears in mine.

Think in terms of bridges burned

Think of seasons that must end

See the rivers rise and fall

They will rise and fall again

Everything must have an end

Like an ocean to a shore

Like a river to a stream

Like a river to a stream

It's the famous final scene

AWESOME episode!

Music:
The music of this opening scene ties in with the gorgeous cinematography of the final scene which is at night on a bridge with rain falling.

Lighting Effects:
The lighting effects are amazing with golden light reflected in the rain and offset by the dark shadows on the bridge.  Bravo lighting crew!

Camera angles:
How do they do that?  Mixing close up shots and wide shots... shooting to portray the voices, gestures, facial expressions and flat out drama of the actors.  Hats off to the camera crew!

Acting:
Absolutely fantastic Jensen, Jared, Misha, Mark!  You otta be up for Oscars as far as I am concerned.
Sam leans against the bridge.  He is free of the angel who possessed him and Cass is healing Sam's injuries inflicted by the King of Hell, Crowley while working to evict the angel Gadreel.  The angel lied about who he was and Dean thought the only way to save his brother's life was by allowing the angel to heal Sam from within.  Dean is overcome with relief that Sam is free, grief at the death of Kevin who was killed by Gadreel, and guilt that he could have been so stupid even though he allowed the possession for all the right reasons.  Dean feels that he is poison to anyone who comes around him but vows to track Gadreel down alone. Sam is "pissed" that Dean tricked him into allowing a psyco angel to possess him.  Cass is supportive of both brothers as he identifies with Dean. Dean was "used" by the angel Gadreel who needed a vessel in which to hide from all the angels who have fallen to Earth.

When Sam tells Dean to "just GO" and Dean walks alone through the rain to the Impala - Oh, WOW... my heart is aching.

Once in a while we see filming like this.  I am reminded of Tom Welling in Smallville and the graveside scene in Season 7 which is beautifully filmed with Tom wearing black and snow falling on him and the grave of his father.  Just breath taking!  I have the same reaction to the final scene in "Road Trip" so beautifully crafted with the rainfall, reflected golden lights on the bridge and the river and the contrast of shadows in this dramatic ending.

Good job everyone!  I have to remind myself that this is a show and not real people I have come to care about.

Humor:
Along with the drama episodes in Supernatural include wonderful humor which totally keeps me entertained.  The wordplay between Cass the angel and Crowley the King of Hell is an example. Crowley says the 3 Amigos ride again and Cass says "He's not my Amigo".

Dean was "used" by the angel Gadreel who needed a vessel in which to hide from all the angels who have fallen to earth just as Cass was "used' by the angel Metatron to cause all the angels to fall from heaven.  Dean says they were "dumb-asses"- Cass prefers to think of it as "trusting" less dumb and less ass.

From the smallest to the tallest of my family we were totally engrossed in watching "Road Trip"  Six year old Reise jumped up cheering when Cass punched Gadreel.  "YAY Cass... he got him!"  My granddaughters and my son all rewound so that they could watch the final scene again.

Reise imitates Cass punching Gadreel in Supernatural episode "Road Trip"

Be sure to watch Superntural on Tuesdays at 9:00 Mountain Daylight Time.

This photo has been entered into the Creatively Framed photo contest at I Heart Faces for March, 2013.

I Heart Faces