A Most Extraordinary Morning

"They found that they were looking at a most extraordinary face. [. . .] But at the moment the Hobbits noted little but the eyes. These deep eyes were now surveying them, slow and solemn, but very penetrating. They were brown, shot with a green light. Often afterward Pippin tried to describe his first impression of them." From J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings: The Two  Towers


Last Sunday Dennis grabbed his painting gear, and I my laptop, and we headed for Allenspark. While he painted, I settled in to write. Fingers poised, ready to tap out some rare and wonderful phrase, I glanced up to find an aspen surveying me. I was sure that at any moment the mime-like face would begin to speak as Treebeard the Ent had in Tolkien's story. But, sadly, he remained silent.


Even though I held no conversation with the tree, our trip to the charming hamlet of Allenspark did not disappoint me. I've written before about the Meadow Mountain Cafe, and the Fawnbrook Inn where we were married. The Fawnbrook is surrounded by delightful gardens (and an all-knowing, but mute aspen), lovingly tended to by Mieke. I am grateful to our friends Herman and Mieke for allowing me the pleasure of lingering, and photographing their very special place . . .

After Dennis finished his painting, we ate lunch at the Inn. Refreshed spiritually and physically, we returned to our homestead. 


(The Fawnbrook Inn,  a beautiful restaurant with first-class cuisine, is currently for sale.)

"God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing. 

   You have bedded me down in lush meadows, 

      you find me quiet pools to drink from. 

   True to your word, 

      you let me catch my breath 

      and send me in the right direction." 

Psalm 23:1-3 (The Message)

Nancy

Joyful Celebrations

Lots of activity at the Reinke homestead this week. Dennis spoiled me rotten on my birthday, which was Thursday.  Starbucks' mocha, flowers, breakfast at Meadow Mountain Cafe in Allenspark and a driving tour of the area.  We stopped at a friend's antique shop, then saw Herman at the beautiful Fawnbrook Inn, where we were married on Valentine's Day.  Herman's the chef, and owner along with his wife Meeka. The inn's gardens are in full bloom now.  Hummingbirds everywhere. Breathtaking.

After our Allenspark tour we drove back to Estes Park and spent a couple of hours hitting the thrift shops.  This was completely my idea.  I love thrift stores, garage sales, flea markets, Craig's List -- any place where I can find a bargain.  After our shopping spree we enjoyed ice cream cones and a little relaxing back home.  The finale was dinner at The Dunraven Inn owned by Dale and Laurel Hatcher.  Dale sang happy birthday to me when we entered the restaurant.  That was fun.  Dennis had cioppino and I ordered the pesto with grilled shrimp.  Wonderful food, great service and birthday spumoni on the house.  It doesn't get any better than that.

The Scandinavian Festival is taking place in Estes Park this weekend.  Dennis and I purchased four handwoven rugs from Donna Erickson of Kangas Weaving.  I hesitate to use the term "rag rugs", as although these beauties are made from recycled material, they are far from typical rag rugs.  They are tightly woven, high quality works of art.  Donna and her mother Margaret were kind enough to pose with Dennis for this snapshot.  Gotta love cell phones with cameras. -- NR