Chaparral Retreat

05/09/2024

This year we will be doing the ART part of the Kiwanis Summer Youth program every Friday in June, at the Watonga library. I have some fun art projects lined up for this year, including a collage and making sun prints, so get your sign-up sheet to the Kiwanis Club by next Friday, May 17! Sign up sheets are available from Watonga school teachers now and will also be available at the Watonga library next week.

04/24/2024

There is a bed of irises up the hill from the house, by the sheep and chicken paddock, that was originally planted by Marjorie Barrett many years ago, probably pre-1980. They bloomed once since we've been here, and not again until THIS YEAR! Over the years I have worked on trimming trees and weeds and grasses from around the bed and my efforts were rewarded this year. The color in this picture isn't very good - I can't decide if it is a peach or a "dreamsickle" color. Once other buds open I should get a better idea of the color! Enjoy!!

04/20/2024

So many lyrics . . .
I'll start: Every picture tells a story, don't it?

04/19/2024

Today's blooms.

04/13/2024

First irises to bloom in our gardens this spring.

04/11/2024

Happy Spring! Blooming today in the gardens: ajuga, periwinkle, columbine, dandelions, wild violets, Star of Bethlehem.
Irises are about to POP!

04/02/2024

Our thanks to Steve Goodie and his sidekick Bob for bringing his comedy show to Watonga. It was a fun evening of music, jokes, and conversation! He also does a Virtual Comedy Show every Monday evening -- check him out at https://virtualcomedyshow.com

03/30/2024

Colors from the gardens at the Chaparral Retreat. Flower petals and leaves drying for potpourri sachets: quince, red bud, dandelion, thrift (creeping phlox), variegated vinca, native sage, dwarf grape hyacinth.

03/25/2024

Andy made breakfast on Saturday! Yum!

03/23/2024

We are so proud to have hosted Sean Harrison at Oklahoma House Concerts a few years ago. Now that the pandemic is over, we hope to get him back here later this year!! Check him out at Sean Harrison Songs on facebook.

Sneak peek at music for Totality on the Mountain solar eclipse music festival

03/21/2024

I hired some teenagers who were on spring break to come out and help rake leaves off of some of our flower beds. I can see the dirt again!!

03/08/2024

Celebrate the women in your life! (artwork by D.Barrett )

02/24/2024

Last night's moon in a clear sky.

02/21/2024

We painted a "pot of gold" with the ladies from Rose Moore Gardens, and added some greenery that can be changed out as the seasons change.

02/18/2024

Hosting a Norman musician as part of the Oklahoma House Concerts at the Chaparral Retreat and Guesthouse. Reminded me why I like hosting House Concerts here!

02/15/2024

Valentine cards made at our recent workshop.

02/10/2024

Some beautiful sunsets this month. Once the sun goes down we get some awesome views of the moon, and stars on a clear night.

01/29/2024

Some paintings done at "Liquid ART" events.

01/14/2024

It is 4 degrees outside today. It is partly sunny but a little windy. We're spending our time today under blankets, watching movies. We hope everyone out there is staying warm!!

12/21/2023

Our friend Nathan Brown was also mentioned in the article. We've had quite a few awesome songwriters and musicians play at the Retreat!

A Report from the 24th Southwest Regional Folk AllianceHoliday Inn Austin Midtown, Austin, Texas, 27.9.-1.10.2023

12/02/2023

The project our art group is going to work on next week.

11/23/2023

Recent art projects by the ladies from Rose-Moore Manor. They are so much fun to work with!

10/22/2023

Last week I visited an art gallery in Sulphur, OK, and checked out some "hospitality" venues--The Rusty Nail Winery, a pizza place, and several artists' workshops, along with the Artesian Hotel and Resort. The zuppa toscana soup served at the winery was so delicious I decided to try my hand at making it for our family and some guests at the Retreat.
I used the basic recipe from Olive Garden but with a few modifications, with ingredients I had on hand. No kale or spinach, but I added some green peas for color. I browned the sausage with the potatoes and onion, added chopped sun-dried tomatoes and oregano, and used a vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. It came out rich and delicious! I'm adding the recipe to our regular Retreat menu.

10/22/2023

When to see a satellite train over Oklahoma this week

10/22/2023

The night sky visible from the Chaparral Retreat
Visible night of Oct 21 – Oct 22, 2023
Mercury: Until Sat 6:51 pm
Venus: From Sun 4:00 am
Mars: Until Sat 7:10 pm
Jupiter: From Sat 7:25 pm
Saturn: Until Sun 3:06 am
Uranus: From Sat 7:51 pm
Neptune: Until Sun 5:07 am

10/09/2023

It's finally feeling like fall -- at least for a few days! The butterfly migration came through and they seemed to enjoy all of the flowers that are still blooming.

08/12/2023

Last night's 74 mph winds left lots of fallen limbs and leaves around the property. I know what we'll be doing today, in spite of the 90+ degree temperatures. The local airport reported a wind gust of 90 mph last night!!

08/01/2023

COPIED from another small business owner's page:
The unfortunate truth of owning and running a business.
Running a business is really hard. It's a 24-hour job.
What they don’t tell you is that it can cause severe stress and anxiety, and drains you mentally to the point of depression in even the most laid-back people.
People will talk about you, compare you to others, use you, they will view you as a service and not a person anymore.
Friends and family will expect discounts and people will value you and your hard work less than a big chain store.
You have to worry about if you forget to email/message someone back, are they going to think it was on purpose? Did you disappoint them? Will they hold that against you? When in reality you just can’t get to everyone’s messages and emails.
Starting up and running a successful business puts incredible strain on personal lives and relationships, many of which fail because there is just often no work-life balance.
You need to be the director, the worker, the admin, the marketing team, the accountant, the cleaner..... All while being a puppy parent, a husband or a wife, family support, friend...
There’s a reason you don’t see many people succeed in small businesses after 5-10 years. If they are successful they are overwhelmed.
It takes a toll. It’s freaking exhausting. Especially the past couple of years when so much has been out of our control.
Here’s a small reminder that we are just normal people with hectic lives.
Be kind, be patient, support small businesses…….and
know that 2023 prices are not 2020 prices.

WE APPRECIATE EVERY CUSTOMER, CLIENT, GUEST!

08/22/2022

Recently removed some of the refrigerator magnets, found this on the side of the garage refrigerator ... cut out from a "Reader's Digest" book long before we decided to open a bed and breakfast!!

05/09/2022

We are excited to host Sean Harrison for a house concert at the Chaparral Retreat on Hwy 8A (near Roman Nose State Park) on June 10. MARK YOUR CALENDARS and plan on coming out to hear him play in our intimate setting. FREE concert, tips to the musician are always appreciated! BYOB.

Sean's June 2022 Southwest Tour -- and search for the best chili relleno (suggestions welcome):

6/10 – Private house concert, Watonga, Okla.
6/11 – Sagebrush Inn, Taos, NM
6/12 – Private house concert, Chama, NM
6/16 – James Ranch Grill, Durango, CO
6/17 – Grand Mesa Arts & Events Center, Cedaredge, CO
6/18 – Silver West Feedstore, Westcliffe, CO
6/19 – Private house concert, Gallup, NM
6/21 – The Mine Shaft Tavern, Madrid, NM
6/22 – Second Street Brewery-Rufina, Santa Fe, NM
6/23 – Deerprint Wine Bistro, La Veta, CO
6/24 – Historic Hotel Eklund, Clayton, NM
6/25 – Private house concert, Alamogordo, NM

Details at - https://www.facebook.com/seanharrisonsongs/events

Photo by Denis Seyer