Thanks to a Facebook friend for some more Denver-area free day dates for 2011:
The Railroad Museum:
3/12/11
11/12/11
The Children's Museum (first Tuesdays):
2/1/11
3/1/1
4/5/11
5/3/11
6/7/11
7/5/11
8/2/11
9/6/11
10/4/11
12/6/11
The Doll and Toy Museum:
2/6/11
3/6/11
4/3/11
5/1/11
6/5/11
7/3/11
8/7/11
9/4/11
10/2/11
11/6/11
12/4/11
Friday, January 28, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
2011 Free Days List
You've likely been seeing this list around town... thank you to Girl Scouts of Colorado for compiling this one for me to pass along! If you know of others, please share a link. If I find more, I'll add them in another post.
2011 Free Days
| DENVER ZOO: http://www.denverzoo.org | |
| January 8 January 24 February 6 February 19 October 12 October 20 November 6 November 12 | January 9 January 31 February 14 February 27 April 17 August 22 August 28 September 18 September 26 October 31 November 13 December 5 |
| DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS: http://www.botanicgardens.org | |
| January 17 February 21 March 20 April 22 July 19 August 29 September 26 October 10 | Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield: http://www.botanicgardens.org January 7 February 4 March 4 April 22 June 3 July 1 August 5 November 4 |
| THE DENVER CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS: http://www.denvercenter.org | DENVER ART MUSEUM: http://www.denverartmuseum.org |
| SCFD 10 for $10 Each Tuesday at 10am, The Denver Center for the Performing Arts will release a limited number of $10 tickets. Ten seats for every Denver Center Theatre Company performance in the coming week will qualify (up to 25 shows per week). Use code SCFD. | January 1 February 5 March 5 April 2 April 24 May 7 June 4 July 2 August 6 September 3 September 10 October 1 November 5 December 3 |
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
A Bright Spot in Cold Times
I think I've hit a low point. Winter is starting to get to me and even when the sun in shining I can't shake the feeling that spring is a long way off. I can tell myself that I'll be planting within a couple of months, but it doesn't help. I need to see the blooms, smell the dirt. Not happening.
My short term solution is, of course, waiting for me at the local florist. A bouquet or a potted indoor plant could certainly help. On a side note, I have managed to keep alive one of the three orchids that my husband gave me for our anniversary back in August. It looks like one of the buds should open any day. This may be one of the most victorious moments of my entire life
Since outdoor planting will have to wait I decided to make an effort to research what I can start doing in preparation for gardening season. From planning my garden spaces to pre-purchasing seeds and selecting necessary supplies, there really are a few great things to keep my spirits high during the winter months. Here are a few ideas to work on if you need a little lift too:
Start dreaming! What is more fun than possibility? Even if you dream bigger than your yard can handle, why not enjoy the thought of what could be? Think about layout, hardscapes, plant choice, maybe even think about larger items such as new patio furniture or planting trees.
Once you start to dream, remember that now might be the time when you can find some great deals. Start looking regularly at second hand stores where you might find lanterns or pots at a fraction of the price that you would pay at your local garden store.
When you've had your fun dreaming, start to get realistic. What will you really plant this spring? Take this time to educate yourself on what works well in your climate and focus on plants that have the best bet of being successful and fruitful! Find out when and where your local home and garden show will be taking place and it might be a perfect place to get some practical advice on your home garden. The Colorado Home and Garden Show starts February 12.
There are many online resources for purchasing seeds and starter kits. Over and over when I read about gardening I find that most recommendations are for online retailers. I'm sure this is in part to the fact that the readership is spread across a region or a nation. On the other hand, you can find some interesting, lovely, and distinctive seeds that many garden centers just won't have. Two sites I would recommend: Cook's Garden and Botanical Interests (a Colorado company).
Did you garden last season? Is so, take inventory on what you need to assemble to start fresh. It may be the simple and basic things like potting soil or a trowel. Or it could be items that require more thought such as herb clippers or a specific organic fertilizer. By purchasing these items ahead you accomplish two things. First, you spread out what could be a significant investment. Not only that, but you can shop without rush and find the best tool rather than running to the closest store with the item in stock. This could be a smart time to create a list that you can use annually to check supplies and be aware of supplies you need to shop for.
When my orchid blooms I'll be sure to post a picture. In the meantime, I'd love to hear about what your plans are for your garden. OR, what about your favorite bloom?
My short term solution is, of course, waiting for me at the local florist. A bouquet or a potted indoor plant could certainly help. On a side note, I have managed to keep alive one of the three orchids that my husband gave me for our anniversary back in August. It looks like one of the buds should open any day. This may be one of the most victorious moments of my entire life
Since outdoor planting will have to wait I decided to make an effort to research what I can start doing in preparation for gardening season. From planning my garden spaces to pre-purchasing seeds and selecting necessary supplies, there really are a few great things to keep my spirits high during the winter months. Here are a few ideas to work on if you need a little lift too:
Start dreaming! What is more fun than possibility? Even if you dream bigger than your yard can handle, why not enjoy the thought of what could be? Think about layout, hardscapes, plant choice, maybe even think about larger items such as new patio furniture or planting trees.
Once you start to dream, remember that now might be the time when you can find some great deals. Start looking regularly at second hand stores where you might find lanterns or pots at a fraction of the price that you would pay at your local garden store.
When you've had your fun dreaming, start to get realistic. What will you really plant this spring? Take this time to educate yourself on what works well in your climate and focus on plants that have the best bet of being successful and fruitful! Find out when and where your local home and garden show will be taking place and it might be a perfect place to get some practical advice on your home garden. The Colorado Home and Garden Show starts February 12.
There are many online resources for purchasing seeds and starter kits. Over and over when I read about gardening I find that most recommendations are for online retailers. I'm sure this is in part to the fact that the readership is spread across a region or a nation. On the other hand, you can find some interesting, lovely, and distinctive seeds that many garden centers just won't have. Two sites I would recommend: Cook's Garden and Botanical Interests (a Colorado company).
Did you garden last season? Is so, take inventory on what you need to assemble to start fresh. It may be the simple and basic things like potting soil or a trowel. Or it could be items that require more thought such as herb clippers or a specific organic fertilizer. By purchasing these items ahead you accomplish two things. First, you spread out what could be a significant investment. Not only that, but you can shop without rush and find the best tool rather than running to the closest store with the item in stock. This could be a smart time to create a list that you can use annually to check supplies and be aware of supplies you need to shop for.
When my orchid blooms I'll be sure to post a picture. In the meantime, I'd love to hear about what your plans are for your garden. OR, what about your favorite bloom?
Friday, January 21, 2011
Geocaching: Potential Family Hobby
Say the words "treasure hunt" and my kids are locked in. They are at the perfect age (five and eight) for geocaching. If you had asked me a year ago if I was going to take my kids geocaching this weekend I would have looked at you like you were making up a word. I honestly hadn't heard of it. But thanks to the world of Twitter, I stumbled on this fun activity for all ages. Equipment needed: a GPS and a spirit of adventure.
If you are like I was and you're learning a new word today, congratulations! Here's the scoop: Geocaching is an international treasure hunt that uses coordinates (latitude and longitude) to hide and find "caches." A cache can range in size from micro (think the size of your pinkie finger nail) to large (bigger than a shoe box) and anything in between. A cache consists of a log to be signed and dated when you find it (the smallest caches are logs only) and some kind of item for trade. The idea is "take something, leave something."
Even with my limited knowledge I was able to set up an account at Geocaching.com and get started. You'll need an account to have access to the coordinates for caches hidden in your area. I was shocked to find that even at my local parks where we walk and play regularly there were caches hidden! This is not a new game, people have been playing for years and you'll discover this when you read the log at a found cache. The ones we found were over 5 years old.
We started by looking up 4 caches on the website. I wrote down coordinates, the name of the cache, and the clue. In hindsight it would have been smart to write down the cache size also... I would do that if I were you. Then we dressed for adventure! Kids packed water bottles and snacks along with items they were willing to trade if the opportunity presented itself. Besides the GPS, it is recommended that you bring along a pencil (and paper) just in case there is not one at the cache you find.
In our first geocache adventure our success rate was 50% - we found two of the four and it really was fun for all of us! Our favorite was the "Reynolds Landing Pen and Pencil Exchange." We will definitely be treasure hunting again and hope to find more friends to play along. Our next challenge will be to hide our own treasure!
Do you geocache? Tell us about it.
If you are like I was and you're learning a new word today, congratulations! Here's the scoop: Geocaching is an international treasure hunt that uses coordinates (latitude and longitude) to hide and find "caches." A cache can range in size from micro (think the size of your pinkie finger nail) to large (bigger than a shoe box) and anything in between. A cache consists of a log to be signed and dated when you find it (the smallest caches are logs only) and some kind of item for trade. The idea is "take something, leave something."
Even with my limited knowledge I was able to set up an account at Geocaching.com and get started. You'll need an account to have access to the coordinates for caches hidden in your area. I was shocked to find that even at my local parks where we walk and play regularly there were caches hidden! This is not a new game, people have been playing for years and you'll discover this when you read the log at a found cache. The ones we found were over 5 years old.
We started by looking up 4 caches on the website. I wrote down coordinates, the name of the cache, and the clue. In hindsight it would have been smart to write down the cache size also... I would do that if I were you. Then we dressed for adventure! Kids packed water bottles and snacks along with items they were willing to trade if the opportunity presented itself. Besides the GPS, it is recommended that you bring along a pencil (and paper) just in case there is not one at the cache you find.
In our first geocache adventure our success rate was 50% - we found two of the four and it really was fun for all of us! Our favorite was the "Reynolds Landing Pen and Pencil Exchange." We will definitely be treasure hunting again and hope to find more friends to play along. Our next challenge will be to hide our own treasure!
Do you geocache? Tell us about it.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Kids Have to Pay for It...
Fresh starts. I love them! There is a natural rhythm of the year that makes fresh starts very natural. A new calendar year, a new school year, the start of summer, or any change of season.
January is a perfect time for trying something new or starting a new routine - and that is exactly what we are trying at our house. I haven't set any personal goals, but I'm very excited about a new "allowance" and "media time" incentive for my kids. If you have grade school kids, you may already have a similar strategy and I'd love to hear about it! Here's a quick summary of what we are trying:
What I can report to you so far this week is that my son is all about spending his quarters for media time and my daughter is all about saving them. Just goes to show how each child is so different!
January is a perfect time for trying something new or starting a new routine - and that is exactly what we are trying at our house. I haven't set any personal goals, but I'm very excited about a new "allowance" and "media time" incentive for my kids. If you have grade school kids, you may already have a similar strategy and I'd love to hear about it! Here's a quick summary of what we are trying:
- Each child receives $3 in quarters on Sunday. (I'll admit this may be the hardest part of my plan - having quarters on hand.)
- Every day Monday through Saturday they are allowed to have 1 hour of "media time." At our home, this would include hand-held games, television watching, or computer time.
- One half hour costs them $.25. (You can do the math: One hour each day = $.50/day times 6 days = $3/week.)
- When they pay for their media time, I put the money into a "fun fund" that I will cash in at my discretion for a fun family activity. This could be something as small as going out for ice cream or saving up longer for an overnight trip.
- Whatever they don't spend is their allowance for the week!
- The kids are still earning their allowance with selected jobs such as unloading the dishwasher, putting clean clothes away, keeping their room tidy, unloading backpacks after school, and helping on cleaning day by dusting, vacuuming, or cleaning sinks and mirrors.
What I can report to you so far this week is that my son is all about spending his quarters for media time and my daughter is all about saving them. Just goes to show how each child is so different!
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