Jun 3

Iron City Cemetery

I made mention of camping near a cemetery when my lil’ family went on an adventure over Memorial Day weekend.   I indicated in that post that I would be sharing additional photos.  So, here you go.

The Iron City Cemetery near St. Elmo, Colorado is home to miners who faced death in the late 1800’s or early 1900’s in the Mary Murphy mine either through explosions, collapses, or illnesses.  Some children were laid to rest here after fighting a losing battle with life threatening illnesses.  Some plots are unoccupied and some burials are more recent.  A plaque erected at the entrance lists the deceased along with the cause of death.

_MG_2518 _MG_2520 _MG_2524 _MG_2539 _MG_2541As I walked among the headstones, I marveled at the fences, gates, statues, the beauty of the mountains surrounding this sacred site, and pondered what life must have been like working in the mines and battling illnesses that medical advances have annihilated.  History is fascinating.  May they rest in peace.

May 29

Stolen Childhoods

I just bought my lil’ guy balloons to celebrate his last day of 2nd grade. It saddens me that these children will never know such gestures. It saddens me that these children’s parents will never see the pure joy in their child’s eyes of receiving a gesture so small.

May 28

Lil’ Family Adventure

Memorial Day Weekend, my lil’ family decided to take a scenic drive along mountain roads to a music festival.  We listened to music while rock climbing, playing on rocks near the river, climbing trees, watching kayakers, eating amazing food, throwing sticks to our lab in the river, and marveling at my son who stopped along the way to write everything down in his journal.  We even threw in a little bike riding, shopping, and some ice cream.  After the festival, we found an amazing little campsite and enjoyed a camp fire while gazing at the stars.

We ended up camping near a 200 year old cemetery and visited an old mining town before heading to another small mountain town for lunch, more bike riding, more rock climbing, more kayak watching, more throwing sticks to our lab in the river, all while surrounded by beautiful mountains.

I thought I would share just a few pictures from our amazing two days.  I will most certainly be sharing more.

_MG_2437 _MG_2454 _MG_2489 _MG_2543Did you add some memories to your memory bank this Memorial Day Weekend?  Please share.

May 24

#makesmesmile (7)

For those of you who have been following my blog for awhile, you are aware that on most Fridays I like to do a photo dump from my Instagram account of the little daily things that just make me smile.  So, these are the things that put a smile on my face this week.

A friend brought me a rose just because…#makesmesmile

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Grilled veggies for dinner #makesmesmile

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Spring is happenin’ in my yard #makesmesmile

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My lunch salad with pancetta wrapped turkey breast and homemade strawberry vinagrette #makesmesmile

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Received a sweet hand painted note from a friend #makesmesmile

I would love for you to follow me on Instagram.  And I recently joined twitter and post additional photos there throughout the week.  So please join me @simplylifestuff.

I hope you have many daily things that make you smile.  What is one thing that made you smile today?  Sometimes, it is the little things.