Just Plein Fun

Here at the Reinke homestead we've been busier than a one-armed paper hanger. Here's the last two weeks in review.
Plein Air Rockies took place in Estes Park August 14 -  27. 

As a participating artist, Dennis spent most of the two weeks painting in RMNP and the Allenspark and Estes Park areas. On August 22 at daybreak we scoured the Rim Lake Trailhead for painting subjects.


The early morning light gave the clouds and landscape an ethereal glow.

 A field of cheerful wildflowers greeted us...

As did a young bunny.

I couldn't resist photographing this handsome artist...

Later in the morning we drove to a spot overlooking Horseshoe Park in RMNP where Dennis painted and I worked on my novel...

On one of my leg-stretching breaks I shot some photographs. This one taken over Dennis' shoulder is a favorite...

I saw this little guy peeking at me while eating his breakfast. Before he scurried away I managed to get this shot...

 Rockies Plein Air culminated with a Quick Draw and Auction on August 28.

Twenty-three artists gathered on the Riverwalk to paint everything from portraits

 and still lifes

 to landscapes. 

The artists were given 90 minutes to complete and frame their work, then it was judged and entered into the auction. Dennis won second place with his watercolor, which went on to sell at auction to a lovely couple. 

We had a great time with our artist friends and look forward to next year's event.

That same weekend my two grandchildren came to stay with us. On Sunday before we drove to Loveland to meet their parents, Emma and Oliver expended energy at the Riverwalk playground.

The Boulder County Arts Alliance is hosting a plein air this Saturday. Dennis has been out painting farms in Boulder County. I tagged along last Thursday and got this photo of an abandoned mine in the hillside.

While he's not painting, Dennis and I continue to look at real estate. This past Saturday we drove to Grand Lake 

and on to Georgetown to look around. On the drive back home I snapped this photo of Sleeping Indian Mountain. Can you see the profile of the Indian's face?

And that's the condensed version of the last two weeks. Still having fun.

Adam's Rib

Dennis and I met last October through an online Christian dating service. He wrote in his profile, "I want a wife that I can cherish as Christ loved the church". Those words hit me hard.  Christ loved the church so much that He gave His very life for it. If Dennis desired to love his wife that way, then he was a man I wanted to know.

It didn't take long for me to realize that Dennis is an honest man and that every word he wrote is true. In this joyful altitude where we live he delivers on that promise every day. I've never felt more loved or cherished in my life.  

This Matthew Henry quote came across my laptop screen today:

"The woman was made of a rib out of the side of Adam; not made out of his head to rule over him, nor out of his feet to be trampled on by him; but out of his side to be equal to him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be loved."

I am equal with my husband and he treats me as such. But he also protects and loves me. A wonderful combination.

--NR

Joy 7,522 Feet Above Sea Level

Watercolor by Dennis Reinke

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 15:13

When Dennis and I married on Valentine's Day in Allenspark, Colorado, the theme of our wedding was "Joy".  Our vows, the music we chose and the toasts we made were all about choosing joy in all things.  Both of us had come through hard times and through those experiences God had taught each of us that joy truly is a choice.  The Bible tells us to "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4)


Is it easy to choose joy when you've lost a spouse to death and you're all alone?  Or your marriage has ended through no choice of your own and you find yourself in the depths of despair?  No, it isn't easy.  But that's where the Holy Spirit comes in. By depending upon His power we can live the joyful life that comes through persevering in our faith, and matures us, conforming us more to the image of Christ.


The Reinkes want to have an attitude of joy no matter what the circumstances.  Dennis is an established artist (http://dennisreinke.com/) and I am an aspiring writer.  I started this blog in an effort to hone my writing skills, as well as journal my life in Estes Park, Colorado...a high altitude location.  Maintaining a joyful attitude in high (or low) altitude is one of my goals.  By the power of the Holy Spirit I will achieve it.