Corn-Maizing!

As you know, any occasion will do for me to organize an outing for friends. On the first day of fall 2012, that involved a trip out to the Corn Maze at the Botanic Gardens at Chatfield.

What a better way to welcome fall than with a corn maze complete with good company, a quiz about corn and even a little controversy thanks to Cameron.

This was my first corn maze ever and apparently, it's one of the better ones. It took us nearly two hours to complete (not that we were trying THAT hard - I was obviously more concerned with taking pictures than getting us out).

Things to note:

A majority of us struggle with sense of direction. This only intensifies in a corn maze.

An average ear of corn averages 800 kernels in 16 rows.

You can smuggle wine in anywhere if it's in a tin water bottle.

Deep friend Snickers are delicious.

Even though summer is over, it doesn't make lemonade any less delicious.

In the U.S., corn production measures more than two times that of any other crop.

That still doesn't mean you can eat it. 

Cameron was escorted out of the maze for snacking on well, the maze. Apparently, this is a big no-no and crop security takes this manner very, very seriously (way too seriously if you ask any of us - he actually made Cam recite Rule #2 aloud after he was escorted out of the maze).

Regardless, it made for a great story. And an even better welcome to fall.

Discovering Denver #4: Attend the Horseshoe Craft and Flea Market

Lucky Finds!

I finally made it - crossed another one off the Discovering Denver (love that 20 months into the move, I'm still 'discovering') list this past Saturday.

Linz had come down from Pine, we were in a state (see: hungover) and at Brunch with Bill and Cam when I said "You guys, I have to make it to the Horseshoe Craft and Flea Market, it's been on my list forever and I've been out of town for the rest that were held this year!"

Good friends being good friends, they agreed to go with me (even though it was all of 38 degrees outside). My other Pinterest addicted friend, Miranda, met us there and we chattered through the rows and rows of booths - it truly was like Etsy come to life and OH! if we could only Pin things IRL, our boards would have been filled!

Then came my lucky find on a cold fall day! One of the last booths we stopped at had an afghan that caught my eye - is that Chevron?? Well, yes - yes it is, it just happens to be a blanket version of the couch I so desperately have been pining after. I glanced at the price tag - $15?!? No. There must be another 1 in front of that figure. So I ask the gentleman tending the booth - 'excuse me, sir, is this $15?' 'Yup, $15.' I was so excited I blurted out their tag line, "LUCKY FIND!" which got me a cute pint glass which then inspired me to buy the shirt!

So, folks - I got all of these goods for $25. And on Sunday afternoon, I snuggled up under my new chevron afghan and finished my book as one happy girl.

Do you understand why Miranda and I already have the date saved for December 8th when the Horseshoe Craft and Flea Market brings a Holiday Market to life?

Don't worry, I'll be sure to pick you something up.

Esmeralda's Prophecies: 2012

For those of you not aware, on our annual trip to Disneyland, I always get my fortune read by Ms. Esmeralda (see here for last year's).

Here is what she had to say this year:

You are indeed a most fortunate person. While you think your life has been hard and you have struggled with poverty, you have been fitting yourself for the great change that will come when five rainbows have spanned the heavens. Not only yourself, but four of your relatives will be benefitted by your good fortune. It will not only be in money but also in social position and influence. You will also meet one who will love you, but will be prevented for a time from marriage. Be patient. In time the obstacle will be removed, the union will take place and happiness will be yours for a time. This happiness will continue as long as you are true to your marriage vows, and are kind to those around you. Your lucky stone in onyx.

One of your lucky numbers is 14.

Drop another coin in slot and I will tell you more. 

Can someone please let me know when they see five rainbows span the heavens? Thanks. Would hate to miss it....

A Tradition of Happiness

If there is one thing us Knochs are known for, it's our dedication to annual traditions. At my grandparents house, we weren't allowed to touch the presents until after dinner (they called it tradition, the cousins and I called it torture). Every Thanksgiving at Pep's, the turkey I made in second grade is propped in the middle of the table. And every year for the past 21 years, between Halloween and Christmas, we go to Disneyland. 

So that's what we did this past Friday. I know what you're thinking, 'September 28 is not between Halloween and Christmas, Kate. Don't try to pull a fast one on us!' but what I mean is Disneyland's Halloween and Christmas season, which begins on September 19 and runs all the way through New Years.

This year was extra special though and not just because our annual tradition finally turned old enough to drink but because my Aunt Karen was kind enough to share her Disney Travel perks with us by gifting us some nights at the Grand Californian. Now being from Vegas, I've seen my fair share of the insides of hotels but let me tell you - this place fell in the top three. The architecture was absolutely stunning. Apparently I'm a big fan of the 'Craftsman' era - and thanks to the company of Pep, an avid HGTV watcher and Lisa, an interior design student, I had lots of detail pointed out that I would have never noticed. I felt like a queen (or in this case, a Disney princess).

Another perk of staying 'on property'? Early access to the park. That's right folks, by 8 a.m. we were in and on our way to Cars Land (the newest addition to California Adventure) and by noon, had knocked out more than half our rides for the day. Sadly, Indian Jones was closed but Cars' Radiator Springs Racer, Soarin' over California, Pirates and Space Mountain made up for it.

We packed the day full, making sure to keep the traditions alive within the tradition with a beer at lunch, an ice cream cone in the afternoon and of course, a reading from Esmerelda (post to come). We always wrap with a wine-filled dinner at Naples on the patio and topped the the evening of with a viewing of 'The World of Color' where I rediscovered my top three Disney movies (Little Mermaid, Lion King and Beauty and the Beast).

I realize that when I get older, the experience will become less for me and more for my own kids but in the meantime, it's all for us and I couldn't ask for a better tradition. Ears and all.