A Renaissance of Sorts

We're exploring the Renaissance in art these days.  And we're having a mini-"Renaissance" of sorts in our family, as well.  Penny has finally jumped on the bandwagon and Jay is trying to, as his busy school schedule allows; that is, the bandwagon of leading a healthier lifestyle.  I started out this summer by deciding to try to bike to work.  My goal was to aim at hopefully at least twice per week.  My one rule is that I won't bike if it is 1.)  Over 90 degrees or 2.) Predicted at least by 50% chance to rain.  And, for the most part, I've been able to stick with it.  And I've noticed a pleasant feeling of being more in shape.  I also try to eat pretty healthy, but never really need to entirely cut any particular food out of my diet, so long as I keep exercising.  And now Penny is deciding to start exercising more, too.  We noticed, ever since we moved to Denver, that her health was starting to suffer.  She struggled with feeling depressed, never wanted to go out or do anything.  She's lost a lot of muscle tone over the past two years of being mostly homebound.  But, when she, herself, started to notice how weak she was feeling, lately, she took it upon herself to do something about it.  So, now she's started to do her own workouts.  And, in fact, as I type, she is out taking a walk with Daddy!  I'm so proud of the two of them, striving to get healthier.

Speaking of the Renaissance, here is Penny's latest Renaissance inspired art projects.  She did her own version of a charcoal sketch, inspired by one of Raphael's.

This week, she's been practicing learning to do self portraits with colored oil pastels.  She's working up towards doing a more detailed portrait.  But, here's one of her very first initial practice sketches.

She's really starting to take an interest in art.  And I think it's doing her health a favor!  Another thing that we did for our wellbeing was to get away to the mountains over the weekend.  We took a drive to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain Park to see the fall colors.  Here are a few pics from our little getaway.

When we got to Estes, we literally prayed for a parking spot; that is how crowded it was!  And minutes after Penny prayed Jay saw someone behind us pull out and we actually got a good spot.  And the best bonus of our parking spot was that we unknowingly had parked right above a herd of elk that was grazing in a park in the middle of town.  

There was even a bull elk resting in a shady spot right below where our car was parked.

After that, we took a leisurely stroll down the hill to enjoy some ice cream at DQ.  It was a good day for it, as it was 90 degrees even in Estes!

Following our little retreat in Estes Park, we drove up to Rocky Mountain National Park where, unbeknownst to us, they were having a free day.  So, it was VERY crowded!  But, we still enjoyed our drive.  We didn't see any bugling elk bulls nearby in the park, but we heard a few at a distance.  The main wildlife we saw were birds and chipmunks.  I also saw one wild turkey, but no picture of that one.

This weekend we plan to stay home.  I have grading to do.  Penny wants to work on her final art project.  Jay is planning on doing some yard work.  And Penny is excited to have a babysitting job on Sunday night.  Hope you all have a great weekend!