Butterfly Pavillion

Willoree and I drove to Denver and went to the Butterfly Pavillion last week. It was a mellow, sweet day...began with a nap on the way (hers, not mine), some gift shop browsing, a picnic, and then a long stay in the closest thing to a spa I've visited lately: the Tropical Conservatory, their 7,000 square-foot tropical rainforest...which is home to more than 1,200 butterflies and 350 plant species from around the world. Hawaii, and just minutes away. Willoree took my camera, I sat on a bench, tired and pregnant, and watched her "catch" things like leaves, walls, trunks, feet, concrete, her shoes, my belly, more leaves...

So yeah. Not a lot of great photos, but some really great humidity. And a possible boon to my CO complexion.

Since then it's been cold, very cold and snowy.

One morning recently I even ran my car into the curb, causing around $1000 worth of repair costs and a set of new wintery tires. We're all fine, the car's fine now, too. But I wonder if I should migrate to what all the other women in CO seem to drive -- why, the state car: the Subaru! And apparently these are popular for good reason, though I've never driven one. My mom used to have one when my brother and I were young; we'd ride around in the way back, stretched out prone. Seemed safe enough...

And last night we went to a party...a great gathering next door at Darlene and Leland's house. Great crowd, food, warmth...everyone was wearing their slippers and all the kids were downstairs -- firstly raising hell, then finally being sung to almost sleep by a 6 year old.

'Tis the season. I'm excited to get a Christmas tree and share home with all the family coming to town to see us. And then there's the dollhouse project gracias to Rob and Mopsy! (Details and documentation coming soon.) I feel compelled, already, to photo-document-og this. Anyone who's ever spent evening(s) assembling stuff for their kids will likely relate. Ben and I would wait until the last minute, but I truly think this effort will take several days if not weeks to complete.

I am already regretting I can't throw back some whiskeys...but then again, me, drinking, assembling, uhgh.