Home Again

Heading back into town on I-25, we are always welcomed by this familiar scene, letting us know we are home.

Blaise's Pick

We will rarely show a picture outside the county lines, but we couldn't help it with this one.
It was snapped with an ipod, so it's not the clearest, but here, staff photographer Blaise, snapped
a near 500 lb black bear on the side of the road near a row of homes in Trinidad.

Gaurdian

This fierce looking foo dog is one of two on a set of brass urns that seemingly guard the Special Collections Department on the 3rd floor of the Rawlings Library.

Wave in the Pave(ment)

Wouldn't it be neat if all the sidewalks throughout town looked like this? These waves, of course, are found in the sidewalk along the Riverwalk by a big blue iron fish sculpture.

It's a Bird! It's a Plane!

No! It's Super Kid! And now, through November 9th, any kid can be a super hero. Check out the cool Super Hero exhibit at the Buell Children's Museum.

Waterfall on the Arkansas

One of the neat things about Pueblo? You can escape to a pleasant and relaxing waterfall 3 minutes from the center of town. Always loaded with fishermen, this spot, right down Reservoir Drive, makes it feel like you have fled to the mountains for the day.

Gateway to Lake Joy

We noticed this over grown, sort of forgotten about and rarely seen gateway on the Skate Park side of Lake Joy. Makes me want to put 2 urns full of flowers on each side and bring it to life!

Penny Pony

We love that after many generations, this vintage horse can still be ridden at the King Soopers on Northern Ave.

This Week's Farmer's Market Find

Fresh watermelon! Today is a market day in Mid-Town. Want to make a refreshing salad that works great for a lite lunch or a dinner side dish? Make a run to the farmer's market and get a local grown watermelon. Grab some blueberries, and jicama if they have them as well.

Cut the watermelon to bite size pieces, peel and dice the jicama. Add as much jicama and blueberries as you like to the bowl with watermelon. In a smaller bowl, whisk together a few tablespoons  lime juice with about a 1/2c. honey. Pour honey mixture over watermelon, sprinkle with a bit of chile powder (yes, chile powder!), and mix thoroughly. Have some blue cheese or feta crumbles in the fridge? Add a touch to the top, and garnish with a few fresh mint leaves.

Summer in a bowl! You will be surprised how well the flavors blend and how refreshing it tastes.

I Spy Tiles

We saw spied these hand painted looking tiles tucked in a wall by the fountain in front of the El Pueblo Museum.

Mini Eden

We love that this hand crafted gazebo offers a touch of shade in an unexpected spot.

Farmer's Market Favorite

Local grown corn grilled with artichokes from King Soopers.

Yea! It's Farmer's Market time! Even if we are happily tending to our own garden, we still love going to the local Farmer's Markets and farms. The Market in Mid-town is now open on Tuesday and Friday mornings. The River market location is open on Thursday evenings, and all the farm's shops have their own daily hours. As an ode to our local farmers we will post some recipe ideas throughout the season. And we invite you to share any of yours with us!

One of our absolute favorites? Local grown corn. Taken home, shucked out in the backyard by the kids, grilled and topped with a bit of Mexican crumbling cheese and a dash of chili powder. I could just eat a a few ears of this every day!

Teddy's Pick

Staff photographer "Teddy" reminded us that he hasn't had a "pick" lately, so he snapped this cat trying to nap in the 100 degree heat for you all - and we think he has an excellent eye!

Hundreds of Roses

We always make note of all the rose bushes around town. Puebloans sure love thier rose bushes.
And we couldn't believe our eyes when we saw this one at a Sunset Park home. Yes! it's only one bush - with hundreds of roses on it- simply gorgeous!

We're Back!

We hope you have had a wonderful 2 weeks while we were away! We thought we'd start back with this window and reflection of Union Ave, as there is a lot going on down there this summer. Concerts, farmer's markets, and new shops opening- what better way to get back in the pictorial spirit than with a vintage window frame?

Fire in the Sky

This amazing photo was taken by a guest photographer Wednesday evening as the sun began it's set. Through the hazy smoke from all of the fires around us, its almost as if the sun is reflecting what it sees from above!

Oh, and after today, please note, that PPAD will be on a 2 week break for summer vacation. We look forward to seeing you in July!

Shadow Play

Longer summer days, bring longer morning shadows on a walk through downtown. This shadow is almost as much a work of art as the bench itself.

VIntage Chandelier

We snapped this pic at a downtown business.

Taking Hands

Have you taken a stroll along the Pueblo Street Gallery yet? If you haven't the cool evenings have been the perfect time. This piece titles "Now I take Your hand In" can be seen around the back side of the El Pueblo Museum.

On the Wall

We just liked the texture in this vintage painted text on a brick wall downtown.

A Little Nosey

We got a chuckle when this guy popped his head over the fence to see what he was missing outside the fence of the zoo. Dreaming of freedom, or being nosey?

A Cool Spot

A look at this shady scene, in City Park, momentarily relieves us of the intense heat we have been feeling this week. Thank goodness for the cool evenings!

Even More Charm

Just when we think this yard can't get anymore charming, a new project is hatched and it makes us breathless yet again.

Train Spotting

We spied one, from atop the cliff from the ball field in City Park.

Adobe Style

Adobe style structures are common around town. This one can be seen inside the State Fair Grounds

The columns we showed you the other day are a far cry from this adobe structure. The variance in architecture from one block to the next is yet another reason why Pueblo can be so charming.

Shadows from a Yurt

Early summer trees casting their shadow on the yurt at City Park Zoo.

Proud Columns

Showing that Pueblo does have a lot of nice architecture, these columns proudly guard the front doors of the building once known as Keating Middle School on Orman Ave.

Special Delivery

Just driving along Abriendo Ave., we caught a glimpse of a John Wilbur structure getting delivered.
Normally seen as landscape decor, we got a kick out of seeing one driving around town.

A Trip to the Garden

It's early yet, but June 1st brought us a bit of garden goodness. Peonies and French Radishes.

A Deer Spotting near City Park

We always love when we share the morning air with friends.

Ivy'd Arches

We are noticing vines everywhere, as we are looking for fast growing one for our yard. This one seemed to pop up in 2 days. though growing randomly in the State Fairgrounds, its likely to be a weed of some sort. A nice looking weed at that.

In Flight

We snapped this photo while watching a group of kids enjoying a beautiful spring day while learning about wind.

A Sun Bleached Peek

We didn't expect to be lucky enough to be invited in, but for privacy reasons we'll still distort this image a bit. If you have been around town and seen these familiar shapes, then you know whose studio we were in. And let me tell you, we could have stayed all day being filled with inspiration.

Flower Spot

We thought this was a neat idea for a flower planter. Though, not as big as this one outside the Agriculture Building.

The Giddy Fig

This tiny Italian Everbearing Fig perches on a branch awaiting a sunbath. We figure Pueblo's hot, dry summers would be ideal to experiment with growing a fig tree.

Nope, we aren't in Italy, or even California.  This little guy is growing right here in good ol' Pueblo, CO. And like our lemons, we are watching it like a hawk, waiting for the the perfect time to pluck and enjoy.

May in Pueblo

A group of local 2nd graders fidget while awaiting their turn to take a photo with Bishop Isern

Here in Pueblo, May seems to be a month long of celebrations. You can see them just driving through town - the parks are full on beautiful days. We have Mother's Day, First Communions, College Graduations, Confirmations, High School Graduations, even 8th Grade Graduations now, the End of School parties, and then we throw in a few just for fun like the Wild West Festival and Cino de Mayo parades. Seems we like to celebrate huh?

Do you ever...

...have a special pancake breakfast on a regular day?

Usually you can only find cinnamon chips around the holidays, but we noticed the south side King Soopers was still carrying them, and we couldn't resist

Just Right

Even the Bessmer Ditch can be pretty when seen through the right eye. We snapped this serene setting off Berkley Ave.

Ship Wrecked

There aren't many who do not recognize this ship. Most of us grew up watching monkeys paly on it during outings to the Pueblo Zoo.

Snowballs in May

The flower kind that is. These delightful fluffy flowers were seen on McClelland Ave.

Dome in the Junction

Coming Up Roses

Cold snap over + heat is on = roses! Our first of the season.

Calm Along the River

Tower at the End of the Trail

A few weeks back we posted an image of the view along Tower Trail in Beulah, but we didn't show you what you get play in if you make it to the end of the trail. Bring water and snacks and you can have break at the top of the tower before heading back.

Things are a' bloom

Happy trees along Union Ave.

An Authentic Chihuly?

Not quite. Just a replica- made out of candy. Our ode to Dale Chihuly.

Ever been to the Clinton Museum in Little Rock, or to the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center?

Or seen his work in Seattle? He's the artist who creates those huge, wonderfully, curious blown glass chandeliers. They look as if they are found underseas? 

Well, once you see them, you instantly recognize his work when you see it again.

Pouring and molding this candy bowl made us think of those creations while we were just setting out to make homemade suckers - and as always, we couldn't resist playing.

 

These homemade suckers look almost too pretty to eat!

Forecast for Today....

Sunny smiles. Or  all smiles, as this group of 2nd graders got to tour the local KOAA tv station and see themselves right smack in the middle of the weather report.

Snowy Night

But clear days ahead.

Happy May Day

Though this photo, taken today, looks more like a Christmas card. I know our yards and gardens will be singing this weekend with all the moisture and sun we are about to get.