I spent the day at MMSMP retailer’s training again and it was such an amazing day. I learned so much from my retailers and have all sorts of ideas. I also learned some new techniques, which is so exciting. I know a lot about how to use milk paint, but I can always learn more and it was so great to get outside of my little bubble and see how other artists are using it. I’ll definitely share some of the tricks of the trade with you down the road.
Today, though, I decided to show off some photos from our vacation to Colorado this summer. I meant to share them sooner, but I got busy and excited about other things. With the packed days away from my computer, I figured it was a good time to share them.
The first series of pictures was taken at St. Elmo, a “ghost town” up the road from where we stayed. It was a mining town that was abandoned, but it’s really not a ghost town in the true sense of the word anymore. Despite that, it’s still a fun place to go. The old doors, wavy glass, chipping paint and time-worn patina of the place definitely captured my eye…
(I love the color on this door. It has a Lucketts Green quality about it.)
One of the buildings was shuttered and I peeked behind the metal covering the doors and spotted these beauties…
Oh, how I wanted to pull that metal off and take those doors home with me.
Some parts of the town have been refurbished, which is a little bitter sweet. It sort of takes away from the “ghost” element of the town, but the buildings are being preserved.
One day as my husband was teaching our boys how to fly fish, I snapped some pictures of the horses in the pasture at the ranch. This one in particular was curious about me and my camera…
…and I took some pictures around the barn…
There are things that inspire everywhere, aren’t there?
Absolutely GORGEOUS Pictures!
Next time you are in Colorado, you have to visit the town of Florence. You were close already! You would love it, the whole town is basically antique shops! (three city blocks full)
We own Touch of Grace Antiques and would have loved for you to visit!
Thanks for the inspiration!
Love the pics, I would have wanted to take a whole building home! The curious horse looked like a young’un! They are always curious and getting into everything.
Great pictures Marian! These were taken with your older camera? Beautiful! I have yet to take my DSL on vacation – and each time I came home I regretted it. Just too scared of losing it or someone stealing it ( you can take the girl out of NY but the NY out of the girl!).
But I did take some really nice shots with my iPhone and Ipad…I really should blog about the vacation shots. One vacation was in Maryland (Annapolis, Frederick…plus Georgetown, VA) and in August we went to Newport RI, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket and Cape Cod).
Next time I will bring my good camera!
Linda,
Yes, those were taken with my old camera. 🙂
LOVE it! Don’t you love wandering up on places like that? Where it all hasn’t been replaced or bulldozed or “vinyl-sided”! It’s like finding your own secret garden. Love that log cabin structure. What great memories for your kids. Mine complained about going to Yellowstone a few years ago bc it was so “boring” – but they STILL talk about how great that trip was. Kids need to be forced into appreciating nature and history, sometimes.
-Trish
Loving the patina on that barn wood 😉
I loved seeing pictures of St. Elmo! We lived just down the road a few minutes when our children were young and have so many memories of visiting St. Elmo. I have to tell you, one of my friends had connections to the St. Elmo restoration group and she gave me private tours through the buildings. She had keys!!! The insides are just as amazing and gorgeous as the outsides. I wish I had pictures. I was in awe. Thanks for sharing!
Melinda
Is it weird that I’m jealous of that horse’s bangs? hahaha
Marian,
I look forward so much to your daily blog and you may be certain that I appreciate the commitment it takes to make it happen.
However, somewhere in our journey together you have created in me this longing to walk beside you just for one day and let you tell me what you “see.” I am going to be 75 in a few weeks and, due to some recent horrible/wonderful circumstances I realize how I have sped through life in order to reach (mostly) unworthy destinations.
I look at your pictures, your creations, your family, even your (not so subtle) hints at your faith (which I share) and realize I would have passed right by those beautiful images and never found the time or reason to stop and consider the beauty were it not for you.
These unplanned radical changes in my life give opportunity to revisit the speed at which I have travelled and have imposed on me a God-given chance to hesitate, look more intentionally, appreciate and be extraordinarily grateful. But this is a brand-new muscle for me and I consider myself to be in God’s workout room as I stretch and grow and adjust to the new reality.
Your precious eyes, comments, camera, descriptions are part of the “exercise equipment” I’m using to tone up my life–even at this late date.
Please accept my deepest gratitude.
What a beautiful comment. I love how God is using my blog in your life in that way. Thanks for taking the time to encourage me and let me know. Thank you!
Great horse pictures! Would be beautiful framed and hanging in a rustic home.
LOVE the last photo in the tack room, and the B&W of the horses. You have a great eye!
Hi Marian,
great job on the pictures! I am sure it was exciting to see the abandoned town and all the little treasures. I love the horses beautiful pictures!
xoxo
Carolina
Love all the pictures………you have the gift of photography too!!!!
Thank you for the awesome photos……they’re beautiful!
I would have loved to explore that old town with you. I have always wanted to go into abandoned houses/buildings but Mr. Z. always voted me down. Great pictures.
Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures
I have to chime in on the pics as well – especially the third one of the horses, so lovely and striking. They are such beautiful animals (and I am jealous of your terrific eye for capturing these).
That horse curious about your camera looks like a photo model from National Geographic or Discovery. And the place is like from Cowboy movies. I wonder whether you know that St. Elmo wasn’t the original name of the town. Back in the history it was Forest City. The current name came from Gr. Evans who read it in a novel. I’m just history lover 🙂
Simply gorgeous! Thank you!
LOVE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY SKILLS……EVERYTHING IS BEAUTIFUL. THE HORSES ARE AMAZING. HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED SELLING THESE? I WOULD BUY SOME OF THE HORSE PHOTOS IN A FLASH (NO PUN INTENDED). LET ME KNOW!!!!!!
LOVE YOUR BLOG. I LOVE CREATING A WARM HOME AND IT INSPIRES ME.
would there be any chance that you would make your horse and barn pictures available in your online store? it would be so fun to have a copy of one of your photos in our home!
you captured beautiful snippets of CO…one could sense the warmth of the CO sun and the thinner mountain air…a little bit of heaven in a hectic world.
as always, thanks for sharing <3
Wow, these photos are incredibly beautiful! I second the idea of selling these in your shop. I would totally pick up the photo of the white horse. I swooned hard when I saw that one! 🙂
Nonetheless, thanks you for sharing these.