All posts by shayla

6 months!!!!

Shayla at Red Rocks
Between a Red Rock and a Red Hard Place

Has it been that looooong! Ow yes Shay it has!!

Where do I start? Well how about 5 months ago? … Here’s the short and sweet version. …

Starting in April – Aug ish I was living in a construction zone. I had some remodeling done to my house and it took forever!! Thank goodness that’s over!! I volunteered at a retirement community planting Permaculture (agroforestry) gardens. Hard work but, so rewarding!! It was so cool, the residents started all of the plants from seed. We created / planted the gardens, and the kitchen produced delicious organic meals for the residents. I love gardening and I learned so much, I now have a Permaculture garden too.

As you all know I love concerts, especially at Red Rocks. … This year I only made it to 2 at RR — Gotye Aug 22 (one of the most amazing individual artists I have ever witnessed — AMAZING!), and Brit Floyd (last week). They were really good, but I hear the Australian Floyd is a lot better. … I’ll have to see for myself!! On May 7th I saw Roger Waters at the Pepsi Center. … Honestly, after that everything pales in comparison. I could see that show again and again!!!! Speaking of Again … July 26 a group of us went to see Neil Diamond. … My mom loves him, and my sis and I grew up with his songs. So it has become a tradition. … When he’s in town we GO!!

I spent time with family — went to the museum and saw Yves S.t Laurent. Denver was so lucky to get that exhibit!!!  Leonardo da Vinci has come to town, so that’s next!! I have been traveling quite a bit and shot a few movies (web content also) —  as you know from E’s helpful Blog updates. … Thank u!!!

Sept 8 – 15 I went on an Alaskan Cruise with my Mom and Aunt. OMG … It was breathtaking. I will def. be taking many more trips there. I’ll put together a blog with more details and pix.

I have been canning — peaches from Palisades, pickles from the garden, and finished my 1st round with jams — grape and plum from my yard, along with apricots from a friend. I even made my 1st serviceberry pie, which turned out GREAT if I do say so myself!!

Last weekend I trimmed all of the flowers, cut and hung all of my herbs to dry … basil, lavender, sage and oregano. Yesterday I went on one of the last fall hikes of the season.  It was so beautiful, and the sights, sounds (Aspen leaves), and smells of fall are amazing!! Snow and rain are rollin’ in tomorrow. … Brrrrrrr!!!! I see a hot toddy and a fire in my future. … Anyone want to join me?

Live Love and Laugh,

~S

April Madness

Hi y’all,

I hope everyone’s April celebrations have been fun and fulfilling!! I can’t believe the month is half over. … Good grief!!

Much thanks to E, for keeping everyone up dated on my recent travels and shoots. Everything went better than expected. LA family time was GREAT and LV was stimulating to say the least. I can’t believe I’ve been home a week already!! Last Saturday was filled with food prep, decorating, and coloring Easter eggs.  We had 22 people over and held our annual Easter egg hunt for the lil’ ones, neighborhood kids included!!

Monday, we (my sister and a group of girlfriends)  went to the Rockies home opener game. It’s been our tradition since I moved back to Denver.  The day started at 10:30am with Mimosas and breakfast. Then we caught a cab to the stadium. … The weather was absolutely beautiful!!! Unfortunately we lost the game, but we kept the party  going until 11:00pm. We did take pics, but  I can’t share them here. .. SORRY!!  As you can imagine Tues was a recovery day!!!

The rest of the week has been filled with tracking down and organizing inventory for the Shayla.com store, (I can’t believe how much stuff I’ve collected over the years!!), taxes, and doctor appts.  (Physical, mammogram, Pap, and dentist. … Vinnie went to the vet Fri for his yearly, and Monday we have a follow-up with Vinnie’s eye specialist. (His eye is still a bit foggy.)  So far we have a clean bill of health!!!

I hope all of you are healthy and happy!!!

Time to rest up for next week, it’s going to be a duzzie (sp?) !!!!

A friend sent this to me. Definitely a good one. …

“I am me.  I am somebody.  I like being me.  And I need nobody to make me somebody.”  Author Unknown

Love,

~S 😀

 

 

Food……

Hi there Boyz and Girls,

I set off at the beginning of the year to try to eat a lil’ more healthy …  not that my diet is horrible,  just something to be more conscious of  and to improve.   So I started drinking a green monster every other morning. This is my take on the original recipe … OJ, collard greens, bok choy, banana, half apple, parsley, carrots and protein powder. Throw in some ice, blend, and there ya have it … a shake filled with healthy goodness.  I’m consuming less red meat and incorporating more grains and fish.  I’ve been trying a ton of new recipes,  some good, some not so much, but it’s worth it when you hit a home run. For those midnight snacks for my sweet tooth, I enjoy the  yummy little cuties. They def do the trick. Vinnie and I have been hitting the trails for some walks and taking in all of the beauty that spring brings, after a dull brown and (hopefully) white winter. … I do love the seasons!!!!!  It’s almost garden time!!!! :)))

So since we’re on the subject of food, :00  Friday I was invited to one of the top restaurants in Denver. (Cholon Bistro, Asian fusion) I have some friends that sell and hunt mushrooms with one of the top Chefs there.  Well we had the honor of sitting at the chef’s table!  It was just like sitting at the sushi bar.  As we ordered, it was prepared and explained right in front of us.  This was one of the BEST meals I have ever had in my entire life! Above and beyond the special treatment, the food was out of this world! I’m salivating just thinking about it!!! Most of the dishes take from several hrs to one or two days to prepare. Absolutely unreal!!!  If you ever make it to Denver, you have got to check this place out!!!      ChoLon.com

Tonight fish tacos. … Yummy!!!

Have a happy and healthy day!!

xxoo