January 14, 2019

Creativity Month 2019

January 14, 2019/ Lisa Carpenter

Did you know January is officially Creativity Month? Indeed, it is!

If you need inspiration and ideas for creative things to do with grandkids before the month is through, let me point you to the most creative spot I know for simple—and different, educational, and fun—activities. Krokotak, a Bulgarian site, has endless ideas for every season… and many for no specific reason other than finding joy in being creative.

April 20, 2018

Cruisin' Colorado in the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek

April 20, 2018/ Lisa Carpenter

Last month, I had the opportunity to drive a vehicle for review unlike any test drive auto I'd driven before: the 2018 Subaru Crosstrek 2.0i Premium.

Now, I have previously driven Subarus. And I've taken plenty of SUVs (small, large, crossover, mini and more) for spins for review. The novel aspect of this auto, though, was the color.

It was orange.

Sunshine Orange, to be exact.

Which threw me a bit at first, I must admit. But the sunny, sporty hue...

November 30, 2017

Stars and Cars: Week Two

November 30, 2017/ Lisa Carpenter

When it comes to week two of my film-going, Toyota test-driving gig the first part of November, I'm hard-pressed to say which I was more enthusiastic about: the movies or the mode of transportation.

Both the festival films and the 2018 Toyota Camry XSE provided numerous delightful experiences on their own. If pushed to narrow my faves of each down to a list of five, though, I'd have to go with the following five for each.

September 15, 2017

My week in a 2017 Jeep Compass Trailhawk 4X4: Where I went, what I loved, what I learned

September 15, 2017/ Lisa Carpenter

Jeep Compass Trailhawk test drive

The Thursday before Labor Day, Rocky Mountain Redline fleet company provided me a 2017 Jeep Compass Trailhawk 4X4 for a week long test drive. Which meant I had the fun ride for the long holiday weekend... plus some.

In the seven days I had the pleasure of driving the well-appointed, hardy and handsome (Laser Blue Pearl exterior) 4X4, I put it to the test on the road, at a reservoir, and running the everyday errands that make up the grandma lifestyle.

Take a look:

WHERE I WENT (plus a closer look at...

September 01, 2017

Friday briefs: On precious witnesses, my holiday ride, and what the heck is this?

September 01, 2017/ Lisa Carpenter

Precious witnesses
My middle daughter, Megan, and her husband, Preston, were both baptized as babies. Separately, of course. Last weekend the two of them confirmed their commitment to Christ together, publicly declaring as a couple they will forever live their lives for Christ.

Brayden, Camden, and Declan were front and center to witness the event.

boys watch Mom and Dad get baptized
Anticipating Mommy and Daddy's turn.

July 28, 2017

That time I surprised my birthday girl with a 2017 Lexus GX460 luxury SUV

July 28, 2017/ Lisa Carpenter

2017 Lexus GX460 luxury SUV

My youngest daughter turned 32 years old the first part of July. When I asked what she'd like for her birthday, Andrea requested only that my husband and I go to church with her that day, to her church in Denver, which we'd never visited before. And MOANA on DVD, too.

The wishes of my Disney-loving daughter seemed rather small, so I decided to throw in a surprise. A 2017 Lexus GX460 luxury SUV sort of surprise!

Not for the birthday girl to keep, of course — though if my budget allowed, I'd certainly hand her the title without question. But thanks to help from Rocky Mountain Redline and a vehicle courtesy DriveShop, I did manage to surprise Andrea with a special mode of transport on her special day. In the 2017 Lexus GX460, my baby girl was chauffeured in style around Denver, to and from...

June 30, 2017

Wild triple treat: The Wild Animal Sanctuary, Platte River Fort, plus the Nissan Rogue Sport

June 30, 2017/ Lisa Carpenter

nissan rogue sport event

When it comes to brands hosting interesting, exciting, and informative events to introduce bloggers and media folks of varied sorts to their goods, automakers tend to be among the best of the best. Nissan recently significantly raised the bar on outstanding activities that encourage movers and shakers to plug and promote a product with a wild adventure in honor of the 2017 Nissan Rogue Sport. And I was delighted to participate in the program.

Nissan, in partnership with Rocky Mountain Redline, invited members of the media to an overnight escape to experience the Rogue Sport, with wild being the theme from beginning to end.

A wild west flavor marked the start as...

September 09, 2015

2015 Subaru Legacy road trip: Paint Mines Interpretive Park

September 09, 2015/ Lisa Carpenter

I was provided a 2015 Subaru Legacy free for one week for review as part of the #SubaruLegacy blogger program. Opinions are my own.

Last month, I had a sleek and chic sedan for a week. A 2015 Subaru Legacy 3.6R Limited, which I told you much about in this post right here.

During the week I had the Subaru Legacy, I visited a few places nearby that I'd never been to before despite having lived in the area for more than thirty years. One spot I toured: the Paint Mines Interpretive Park in Calhan, CO. My friend Ruth of Cranium Crunches—a devoted fan of minerals, gems, and geological wonders of any sort—was in town for a day and was delighted to sit back in the comfy passenger seat of the Legacy and head off to the Paint Mines with me.

The Paint Mines Interpretive Park is an overlooked gem of a place many folks in Colorado and beyond may not...

September 02, 2015

2015 Subaru Legacy 3.6R Limited: Out and about in a sleek, stylish sedan

September 02, 2015/ Lisa Carpenter

I was provided a 2015 Subaru Legacy free for one week for review as part of the #SubaruLegacy blogger program. Opinions are my own.

subaru legacy

My friend Ruth, author and creator of CraniumCrunches.com, visited me for one day last month. It was perfect timing as I had just received a 2015 Subaru Legacy 3.6R Limited free for review as part of the #SubaruLegacy blogger program. The sleek sedan was the ideal vehicle for our day of adventure.

Ruth and I packed tons of fun into our time out and about together in the comfy car. We started off visiting—and walking—a labyrinth downtown...

subaru legacy

Followed by a drive to the top of Palmer Park so I could treat Ruth to...

April 29, 2015

6 best bits: West to Westcliffe and my week driving a 2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited

April 29, 2015/ Lisa Carpenter

The town of Westcliffe is one of my favorite spots in Colorado. My mom had property outside of town for quite a few years, and my husband and I used to take our daughters camping there a few times each summer for several summers in a row. Some of our most memorable family fun took place in Westcliffe, with the Sangre de Cristo mountain range providing a spectacular backdrop.

Though our favorite camping spot was sold many years ago, my family and I still enjoy the scenic trip west to the tiny town—where my dad now lives. Coming around the curve just before town and seeing the Sangres spread out before us never fails to take our breath away.

subaru outback sangre de cristos