And just one week ago about this time, I was driving the final miles to my parent’s house in Lincoln, the first stop on a short vacation that ultimately took my mom and me to Colorado to visit our respective friends. Now, one week later, I have returned from my trip, had my first days back at work, tucked my suitcase back in my closet, and restocked my refrigerator with lots of fresh veggies.
Here are a few highlights from my whirlwind trip!
Having breakfast with my brother and sister-in-law Sunday morning. I saw Brooklyn’s recently finished nursery, save for the closet door, and all the little baby things they have for her so far, including a half dozen pair of Air Jordan’s in all different sizes – my brother’s contribution to her wardrobe! She should be set for a year or two at least.
Driving too and from Colorado with my mom. At seven hours each way, one would think it a long and tedious drive, especially since the Western Nebraska landscape isn’t inherently exciting, although we did see a camel out in the panhandle, but the drive seemed to go quickly as we had lots of talking and reading to do!
Cooking with Clarissa. No sooner had I arrive Sunday night then she put me to work helping her to finish our dinner of beans and rice. Monday night we had our “official” cooking date, making rigatoni, oatmeal bread and banana cake. Yum! Good thing I brought my Wii along. We had several less than stellar games of tennis and bowling after dinner. (This is the only picture I have of my time with Clarissa; I'll have to remember my whole visit with her by our oatmeal bread.)
Visiting the Byers-Evans House in Denver with Clarissa. We were given a personal tour, because no one else was there to take the tour with us, by one of her classmates of the Italianate-style home, which was built in 1883 by William Byers, who was the editor of Denver’s first newspaper. William G. Evans, the son of a Colorado territorial governor, bought the home in 1889. The house was restored to the period between 1912 and 1924 – I loved the bold Art Nuveo wallpapers! The Evans women led very intriguing lives. For example, Josephine studied art in Paris, specializing in weaving and leather work. She also served as a nurse during WWI. Her boyfriend died during the war, and she returned to her family’s home in Denver, devoting herself to her art, never marrying.
Reading a 1922 Larimer County Extension Report at the CSU archive. Clarissa stumbled across it as she was doing research for one of her classes and took me to see it as a surprise! Several millinery classes had been taught in the county, and the report contained several pages describing the number of hats that were made or refurbished and the number of silk and organdy flowers made by the various participants. As evidence of the participant’s success, the woman preparing the report also listed the awards several won at the county and state fair for their millinery work. My favorite anecdote was about an older woman who prior to the class wore quite “unbecoming” hats, which were from 1908. However, she made a new hat and wore it into town that day, receiving many complements on it. (Several other women also work their new creations into town that day also.)
Being with Halley. I last saw Halley and her family in September, and it was delightful to see her again. Halley and I were able to catch up on many recent happenings as we knitted and played with her daughter. Livi just recently turned one and has started walking! It was fun to see how much she has grown and how her little personality is emerging. 
