Sunup to Sundown...

on Saturday.

What a weekend.

Or day (as we're looking here at Saturday aren't we?) Quite simply put, I was engaged in fun fun fun from sunup to sundown...

My good friend Chrystal (after going to her little girl's school dance on Friday evening together...where I held her sweet little boy almost the whole time...he was a great date!!) called me, as she was doing a little disappearing act jump into Saturday...and swept into my weekend, like a fun girl whirlwind...





We started the day off with a big home made breakfast, tea and coffee....juice, you know, the works...

Rich called and let us know he was making a brief appearance downtown for some early morning pictures...we walked out the door into the day to meet him...

Things are starting to bloom in full force around town, so we took advantage of the good morning light, and clear blue skies...



I was a bit obsessed with this tree, as you can plainly see (which will probably mean that it will end up in my header before long...for April) My ornamental cherry tree is much younger than this one, so the branches are so much smaller...Plus? Since it's growing into/near the pergola on the patio, I keep it well trimmed.

Either that, or my guests have to live with eating through branches...

After a full day of pedis, lunch, chatting, and a quick clothing party...Chrystal went her own way, and I immersed myself in a late afternoon bubble bath...


...Towel dried, and hopped into the car out for a trip to Granite Dells, a visit with my favorite Airstreamer, his good friend Gunny (and wonderful pooch-a-roo) and Lars...where the 4 of us headed out for a quick hike to catch the sunset...


We're still gettin' our haze on sky-wise here in Arizona...I figure, with the spring winds we've been having, maybe that's it? Rich says no...that when he got here last year it was all clear and sunny...windy, yes...but not as hazy.


It was a lovely sunset, although I wasn't too inspired to take a million shots...I'm reading up on ye ole' digital photography and trying to gear myself up to learn some new tricks. And, it was fun to visit a bit with Gunny, as he reminds me of my grandfathers...



Then, off the rocks and into the gentle safety of the Airstream (which continues to feel like such a wonderfully safe place to me...it was all that Anza-Borrego traveling we did, you know...either that or Rich's fabulous couch and softie blankies) where Rich and I kicked back, put our feet up, and watched The Deadliest Catch...Have you seen this show?! It is amazing...I know what you're thinking, "who cares about crab fishing?!" (easy judgmental) Well, I suggest you suspend those beliefs and sit down for a viewing. It utterly captivating! I mean, I start to feel sorry for the crabs after a while (but, I'm not a big crab fan, so it's a bit easier for me to watch...give me lobster any day...that and they have very strict guidelines about catching, and who gets taken out of the ocean, and who gets thrown back...) but, what an interesting job...I would totally do it.

yup.

Right up until the point it got all cold and wet and I didn't get any sleep (oh wait, that IS the job, then again, I'd be pretty buff) Rich is currently catching me up to speed as he gets the latest episodes himself. I love me some Alaska though, and I have always though I wouldn't have any problem living up there, it is so amazing...and very harsh. Much like Arizona, only in the opposite direction of the spectrum I think...

Good~Bye Sweet...

Friend...

Sweet Strawberry Goddess of Goodness...

I will miss having you for breakfast (because fruit for breakfast is healthy right?) with a little dollop of lemon curd (although, to be fair, there is still some lemon curd left...Just enough that I will be running my finger around the jar to get the last of it's tartness out...we musn't be wasteful forheavensake) Even though I finished you up with my mother the other night...I still loved you...and well, well...I guess we'll always have Easter.

Although, it's so early in the strawberry season, that I will probably make more pie...and I promised Dina I would...

For now, I will have to get my strawberry fix in the form of jam with peanut butter on a rice cake instead. Not quite as good, but probably healthier?

Have a wonderful and amazing weekend!

Corners Of My Home...

It's spring isn't it?

And, along with spring comes?

Allergies!
(well, yes that's true)

April Showers?
(ummmm....ok)

May Flowers?
(yes, yes...all true. And...)

And, along with spring comes something else entirely new...as we decided some while ago, I would change my bedding come spring. Well, since it's officially spring...

yesterday was the day for the big switch over...


Now, I know what you're thinking, "Sadira, we love your regular color scheme of red and white...but, this new blue floral set, while it has red in it, it doesn't necessarily warrant all that other red does it?" Funny, that was the same thing I was thinking, we are so on the same wavelength~I fired up the sewing machine...after blowing off the inch of dust that had settled there during the winter months (cough, sputter, sneeze) wound up a red bobbin and cut into some Ralph Lauren blue and tan ticking that had been just begging to be used (I have quite a bit of ticking in the fabric stash because I have a serious thing for ticking, and sometimes it gets whiny if I don't use it...which is annoying, as the studio is right next to my bedroom. This is the kind of thing that could keep you up at night.)

I made a dust ruffle, meaning I hemmed up long pieces of material and then straight pinned them to my mattress (take it from me, it's easier than trying to wrestle a complete dust ruffle onto your bed by yourself) I pinned it right over the red and white gingham checked one that normally lives there...so, it's kind of like a tear away dust ruffle...Hubba hubba (I know I'm turning on some domestic goddess out there.) I realize I still need to make a matching ticking pillow covering for that rather large red and white checked pillow on the top of the bed up there, but I ran out of steam. I'm also trying to figure out if I want to do a straight cover or try to make it match the ones that came with the set I bought (that will buy me some time, right?)

I also took down the poppy shower curtain in the bathroom, and hung up the one that now matches the bedroom.

It's all so very matchy matchy isn't it?

But secretly? I really like it...all this matchy goodness, almost as much as I like changing up the house for the seasons. The blue will be so much cooler feeling than the red of the fall and winter bedding...

And, since I'm living in Arizona with no air conditioning, these are the things I'm banking on to make it through the summer heat...

Oh yeah.

The Dells...

In Pictures.

More from this weekend for your viewing pleasure...These shots were taken on both Saturday evening during the do-over hike...and Sunday after the Easter festivities wore down at Foolsewode.

The skies have been quite hazy lately, making for dull blues in the background of photos...

The spring winds have begun, and judging from the amount I've been sneezing and the types of sneezes they are (oh yes, it's been 3 sneezes right together in quick succession) it's allergy time as well. I am having the horror thought that all that haze is actually pollen blowing around in the distance.


AchooAchooAchoo...

And here's Rich, cause I know you're all dying to know exactly what he looks like, but we have yet to really sit down and take a great photo of the two of us, straight on, when we're not out hiking, or wearing sunglasses, or the shadow of a hat is thrown across our eyes...because you know, you really can't tell much about someone unless you see their eyes...because they're the window to the soul...

specially when they're all blue and sparkly...

Just Sayin'...





















































...And besides all the blue sparkly eyes going on in The Dells, there was a lot of putting up of the feet...

Oh yes there was...

That seems to be a theme around here lately to tell the truth...just kickin' back relaxing and enjoying where I'm at...

Silhouette Drama...

Saturday was, at it's worst points, a very off day, and at it's best points, a relaxing day full of great friends and fun goings on.

*I had an early appointment in which the main event didn't show up...but, that left time for a good friend and I to go out for a quick breakfast and chat instead...

*Rich and I went out on a drive/hike, but he felt awful physically, and I felt awful emotionally (a surprise anniversary of sorts for me, only a surprise because I had forgotten and it snuck up on me...which brought Rich and I's relationship to a new place...the place where I got totally vulnerable and lost my s_ _ _ _ in front of him? Much to his credit, not only is he understanding, but he didn't seem to mind) and we couldn't find the look-out we were driving to (some kind of weird beginnings of what looks like a superhighway through the middle of nowhere...but, there were blasting signs up everywhere, making us a little nervous...no death to the Titan thankyouverymuch) which eventually resulted in us finally giving-up and turning around with no hikes or pictures to show for the hours in the truck...but allowed me the time to wash and clean out the car, chat on the phone with friends who agreed that the day may require a do-over, make the fresh strawberry pie, plant flowers in pots at the house, and meet up with Matt and Megan for some much needed lunch and R&R...

And then Rich and I decided to throw caution to the wind, and try it again...try a do-over only this time we went out to the rocks where we knew we would be successful in finding what we were after. This evening, I got comfy on a rock that was gently radiating the heat it had stored up all day, and kick back and watch the light slowly change as the sun put itself to bed.

Rich also wanted to experiment with a photo technique he's been reading about, and I am finding myself the willing subject in my constant need to find some balance between being in front of the camera (thus looking relaxed and natural) and smiling like I've never seen a camera and having 4 chins pop up for no reason whatsoever...

Saturday was a day with a million little lessons. Saturday was about not being able to meet set expectations and having to be flexible. It was about giving up when things weren't working and walking away from it for the time being...and then it was about finding things that did work better and relaxing into those moments fully...and then retrying, and reconnecting in the end and allowing whatever was to BE to just BE.



Okay...I'm not implying that there was drama because of these silhouettes that Rich snapped of me, it's just that silhouettes always seem so dramatic...Don't you think? This do-over part of the day was actually drama-free.

I happen to love these shots (a little more than the one's he took where you could see all my facial details, but that's because no matter how cute Rich thinks I looked, I thought I looked as if I could use some make-up, a hair brush and a nap...and not necessarily in that order) and there is not an extra chin to be found in any of them...

I wanted to let you all know that Rich wrote a wonderful post about Backing up your computer...and how to do it. I have seen so many people loose important things off of their hard drives, and to be completely honest, I knew that backing up your computer was important 2 years ago, but I had no idea how to even go about doing it...So, click on that link up there (it's the line that is a different color) and it will take you directly to the post. He has also offered to make a podcast about this subject if you have any specific questions...just leave him a comment. He's a wonderful teacher, very knowledgeble, and very easy to understand...

Easter Sunday...

Started with the making of the traditional fresh strawberry pie for the holiday...I love fresh strawberry pie, and have always been inspired by the one's they make at Marie Calendar's, however, I've never been able to pile mine quite as high as they can...

They're amazing.

Of course, I usually cut my strawberries up, and don't leave them whole, so that could be one of the reasons...





I also had the pleasure of using my new vintage pie pan. This pan is like the vintage cake pans I have with a little built in cutter that runs along the bottom, and around the edges of the pan, so that you don't have to grease the pans and everything comes out all smoothly...I have no idea why they stopped making these kind of pans? I think a muffin pan like this would be even better!




Rich, Mom, Rozz and GG came over in the early afternoon for some Easter egg hunting...

Note to self:

Making sure the Easter Bunny has hidden eggs early is a great idea...not realizing that some had chocolate in them (which may melt in the sun) makes one realize, while they may not melt in your hand...they do melt in little plastic eggs.










For some reason, this was my favorite shot of the day...

It's Easter Egg hunting in action....











I was indeed able to debut the patio this weekend, as we spent most of our time out there...this is what Easter Holiday Nachos look like, with beans, melted soy cheese, guacamole, and soy sour cream...they were very good! Methinks that these will again be a staple food...the soy cheese melted quite well (although, it sticks to the cookie sheet and may need to be removed with a putty knife, but it's really a small price to pay)





We all had Easter baskets to open and got a lot of fun things...it was a microfiber Easter, which is fun, because mum got me a wonderful microfiber washcloth that works wonders taking make-up of the face...and I will let you know how well they do taking the ring out of the tub and other surfaces of the house...

All the socializing totally wore Meena out and she sacked out on her little bed in the window...I just love it when cats sleep with their little arms thrown over their eyes...







Rich had left a little early due to tummy issues, so I popped over in the afternoon after the festivities wound down over at Foolsewoode took him his Easter basket, and we took a small hike out into the rocks, where I got to stretch out and rest a bit myself...

It was a fun day for sure...

Did you have a good Easter?

Long Distance Love...

I have been the recipient of Love this week...there are the people in my life that live close that shower me with love all the time...and then there are the far away people that pop up and surprise me in the most delightful of ways!

I received a package in the mail from California, a place I can't remember hearing of, and when I was stumbling through the pronunciation, my mother said it right out loud...The wonderful woman whom sent the package has a 5th wheel trailer and has found my blog via Gadget's Airstream Chronicles(...the owner of said blog with whom I am quite smitten...but we all know that by now, I just like saying it) She has been a long time reader apparently, and I am just tickled to death and doing quite the happy dance when opening this package. In it was a lovely card and the most fabulous sock monkey stamp ever! Who knew they made such things? Ack! I am just dying to use it, and have actually contemplated making up a wall design so I can stamp it all over the house and be able to see it every single day!

Thank you so very much...

And yesterday, I looked up when a customer came in, and who was it but the daughter of my lovely Velvet Brick and her friend who had driven up for the day, and were in to deliver to me:

A jar of homemade lemon curd.

Oh my.
Oh my my my my my...
(you can believe this will be gracing the Easter table this year...that is, if I don't eat it all first...I just love lemon curd!)

Now you'll remember that I had the fine fortune of first meeting my sweet friend last year...we had found each other through our blogs, and actually have so much in common, it was eerie. She had been talking about making lemonade on her blog, and I made a comment that if she wanted to get rid of some extra...she knew where to send it. And, lo and behold, who should come up the hill and walk into Snap Snap? You got it! And, we stood and talked and laughed and cried...it was wonderful! I not only had the great fortune of making a wonderful friend...Every time I see lemons now, I immediately think of her.

Thank you!!

I also got to see my darling Dina today as well (it has been a stellar week for sure) and may I say how hot she looked? Woot-Wo! She was actually in getting rid of clothes...things that she's shrunk too much to wear! Damn girl...you're looking good...and all that hard work is indeed paying off!! If I had the camera here, I would have taken a picture and posted it...although, she hinted that she would be starting up her little blog again soon.

I am in awe and a little humbled to be recognized for this little online journal of mine. I started this blog with the intention of having a place to record the goings on in my life, a sort of personal writing therapy, and a place for far flung family to check in when they wanted to. I am honored to be sharing it with so many wonderful people, who have done the kindest things...from checking in via comments and emails, to writing letters, sending articles, cards, chocolate, and the most sweetest gifts.

I thank you all so much, from the deepest part of my heart...the things you have so kindly done for me always come at the right time, and are appreciated so very much!! As always, I am the one who is lucky to have found you...

Have a wonderful Easter Day!

Easter Is...

Right around the corner...

Isn't it?

I mean, the holidays are feeling a little squishied up to me this year, are they feeling like that to you too? I was just recovering from Christmas/New Year's Eve/birthdays/Valentine's Day...and here we are with Easter right at the end of the week. And can you believe that I haven't decorated the house?

Nope.
Not one iota.

I was going to try to fool y'all and look back through past photos and just post one and hope that you didn't notice that my mantle was still decorated for Valentine's Day. (Actually, unless you come over, you wouldn't know that at all, and you know you can come over anytime...just call first I'd hate to miss you) But, this all changed on Monday night when my mother stopped by for various and sundry reasons and said to me, "well, we're having Easter at your house this year!"

Oh.

Well...

eeeek!


That means not only do I have to clean up, pick up, and dust..but I get to play hostess. One of my most very favoritest things ever (mum and I were just talking about the joys of soy cheese nachos this morning...cause' if you don't eat ham for Easter...you gotta' eat nachos!) I may also debut the patio on Sunday as well, as the temperatures are going to be 65-70...which means that windows need to be spritzed, things raked, swept and hosed off as well (heh...I said hosed off)

It also means that I had to decorate...not only was I perpetually disappointing Rozzie every time she came over and peeked to see if the mantle had changed...oh, and I know that there are a few of you that wait to see what is going up at what holiday as well, and I hate to disappoint. Plus? Truth be told, I love all the things that I've collected over the years for the holidays, and even though I dragged my feet a bit on this one, I was very happy I took the extra time to delve into the Easter box...

Very happy indeed!

Happy First Day of Spring!!

Sick Day...

Let me preface this story by first saying that you should be thanking me that there are no photo's accompanying this post. Y'all know how I love to photo things and share, but when, at 2 am, I was wrestled from a deep comfy slumber by the words, "um...something isn't quite right here..." going off in my head...And, I hopped up and ran to the bathroom...I knew I was in trouble.

I think I have a mild case of food poisoning (well, mild compared to a case I once had...but, strictly speaking, I may have lost about 5 lbs. here...yay for weight loss, but boo for not a healthier way) that I am tracing back to eating at the local health food store last night. Mum had to wait for the plumber all day, and needed to take back a movie after he finished (last evening) and get another (Enchanted...if you haven't seen it...do, it's a riot!) and we popped over to the health food to check out their selections. I'm thinking it was the coconut cupcake mum and I split...the new vegan icing tastes as if it has Crisco in it, so I have no idea what they could be thinking. But, mum and I both had an "uh-oh!!" moment when biting into the cupcake, because the last time we tried to eat this icing, she was extremely ill for about 24 hours...and at $3.00 a cupcake, one hates to scrape all the icing off...or get violently ill from eating such a pastry. My Gosh, is healthfood finally trying to kill me?

This isn't anything new, let's just put it this way, with food allergies sometimes come these problems of accidentally eating something you didn't know was an ingredient in a food item...and often you pay. I've been paying a lot for this one. I am now in total agreement with Rich, "If you don't make it yourself...you can't trust it" (this is after the latest soy cheese incident on his part...of which I also had a mild reaction, cause I was there eating dinner) Certainly wise words, and now one's that I'm going to have to live by...because as I'm getting older, the reactions get worse (plus, after fighting off the soy cheese thing a week ago, I don't think my body was ready to try to do it again so soon with whatever is in this icing...or it could have been something else I ate from there, who knows?) I'm feeling a little better now as well (at least in the fact that I'm not in the bathroom every 15 minutes) and I have 2 small baggies of cereal to try to eat with me, because on top of it all, I'm hungry...but a little scared to eat anything.

I'm at Snap Snap though...never fear. I'm like the Postal Service that way...rain, hail, sleet, snow...food poisoning...I'm here.

Bag Origami...

I take used grocery bags in at Snap Snap, in fact...I encourage people to bring in their bags...it's the ultimate way to recycle really. Give them to me...I'll keep passing them along...

Save a plastic tree for heavens sake!!

So, I have all sorts of wonderful people dropping their bags by on any given week. Usually they are bags stuffed into bags any which way...but someone dropped off some bags that were folded into little triangles...

I mean, these things are really folded up! So much so, that I struggle a little trying to get them open to fill them up, just one little shake won't do it...they are so very folded that I can't even begin to figure out how this person folded them to begin with, I mean...I might have a better chance if I was a teenager again, and these were notes I was trying to pass someone.

Who has such time to sit and fold up their old grocery bags? I wonder if they would come by the house and help me clean? Or at least fold my laundry for me? Or even come by and teach me how to do this with my own bags...you know, in case I have a few hours out of my life to spare?

You want to know the most amazing thing about this entire bag art? Whomever it was that dropped these off dropped off two full bags of these folded bags.

I am amazed.

Skull Valley Sunday...

Snow, snow and more snow was the theme for Sunday. I know...Wha? It was in the 60's last week, with buds popping forth from the trees and bushes...and flowers springing up all over town, and snow, sleet and freezing rain was on the menu for the trip down to The Skull Valley Cafe...

Rich drove, so there were no worries on my part, although we both remarked that not only was there no sun to be seen, but no mountains, and at some points only the road in front of us remained...crazy spring.

We arrived at the newly opened cafe...I say newly because I'd only heard about it recently, and noticed it the last time we were down to photo in the valley...much to my surprise, I received a call after one of our hikes in Anza-Borrego and on the other end of the phone was my friend Molly, who informed me that it was she that had opened the cafe! She also let me know that she had planned a get together of friends for a Sunday, and that I was specially requested to be there...

You see, my good friend Charles Edwin Taylor the baritone extraordinaire (or Charlie, or Chuck...or other names we have for each other, rather than our grown-up names...Rich kept calling me Sadira, and Charlie was like, "Who's that??") was going to be in town and wanted all of us to get together. Unfortunately, he's not in town singing this time (later in the year...and you all know what a huge opera fan I am...so, that is certainly on the agenda) but he was here visiting family with his beautiful wife and equally adorable baby girl! Since I've known most of the people that were there so many years, that we all have a lot of funny stories about each other...

It was wonderful to catch up with so many old friends, and introduce Rich all around. It was like the practice reunion before the big one in July Plus? Molly has done a wonderful job with the Cafe. It is so delightful and cozy, painted all colorful on both the inside and out...the menu looks delicious (she fed us all sorts of goodies while we were there) and showed us the fabulous side patio that we could have used if the weather had been kind enough to hold...as it is, I am looking forward to going back sometime this summer, as she's planning on having live music out there sometimes. Gawds, I love live music in the summertime out under the stars...All in all, she said, it was packed that morning (seating for 25 inside) and with all locals...She was wondering how they've gotten along without the restaurant there so far? I say it's a wonderful addition to the town of Skull Valley for sure!

As you can see...Rich's watermark is on all of these pictures, because my camera decided to take the afternoon off and hibernate in the car instead of making an appearance...Thank you Rich, for being the resident photographer (he wants to practice shooting people more anyway...hmmmm, that sounds weird) I have absolutely no pictures of my finished W.I.P. from this weekend, as I um...sort of didn't get around to making it. I had a whole lot of other things come up instead...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

W.I.P.

A little pile of something good that will hopefully be made into something even more wonderful...

A New Summer Uniform perhaps?

Then again, casting my glance around at the house...I can see a lot of W.I.P's that need to happen here...I'm feeling a little closed in. I'm not sure if it's the feeling of spring in the air...so there needs to be a little spring cleaning and weeding out (which is happening at Snap Snap on a daily basis...as things are marked down, moved around and reorganized...making room for all the goodies walking through the door) Or, the fact that I just need a nice deep cleaning here at Chez Foolsewoode as well? I do know that they're predicting snow in the forecast for Sunday...

Maybe that will make the feeling go away?
(probably not...it was almost a good excuse though wasn't it?)
I'll probably have to at least vacuum and do the laundry...and put it away. sigh.

As it is, I have a wonderfully fun date to look forward to on Sunday afternoon, as we were invited down to the Skull Valley Cafe (written about by Granny J, as I haven't been down there yet myself) to visit with some old friends of mine at a private party...one of which owns the cafe herself. I have been wanting to visit the cafe since I was recently called by the owner (after a hike in Anza-Borrego as a matter of fact) and when I realized who it was I gave a whoop of joy (because it is a gal who has been a great supporter of Snap Snap these past years, that and I totally had cell service in the middle of the desert) so I will now be able to return the favor by visiting her and supporting her business! I am excited to go and see everyone, as I was told that my presence was a special request by the guest of honor (blush...) it's like a mini-reunion to practice for the big 20-year High School one coming up this summer...right?

Good Greif...I feel old.

Since Rich will be in attendance also...paired with his desire to get better at photographing people, I will have lot's of pictures to post I'm sure...

Lord. What am I going to wear??

Let There Be...Light!

::Before::

• A trip to the thrift store before work...30 minutes
• Spying a cute vintage light fixture that looked as if it would fit perfectly in the studio...2 minutes
• Buying the light fixture...$4
• Coming home and replacing the ugly non-original 1970's "we have to re-do all the lighting in the house, thus taking out that original wonderful fixtures" light fixture in the studio (which has been bothering said homeowner since signing papers years ago)...5 minutes
• Having the new vintage light fixture fit perfectly (even though the weird gold finial had to stay) and strangely matches the roman shades in there perfectly...and thus also restoring some age to the ceiling...Priceless!

::After::

PS. Happy Anniversary to a very special person...

Eating Eggs In Drag...

So, with the advent of a little more energy starting my day, which seems to equal out to more time to just BE before I rush off to start my day...I have been having a little extra time for breakfast in the morning.

Now, I know what you're saying, "Sadira...breakfast is the most important meal of the day! You can't skip that!" Yes, I agree...but sometimes I do skip out of the house without it, hoping that a glass of fruit juice laced with Emergen-C and a few cups O' decaf will hold me over until salad time (somewhat like hammer time, but without all the baggy pants) But lately: more energy=more time + an unnatural craving for protein (and you thought I was bad at math) = you come up with someone running around in the kitchen dragging mushrooms, bell peppers and garlic out of the fridge (well, not the garlic so much, as it actually sits on the window sill above the sink) to saute' and then have an egg and some soy cheese poured on top of it...

"...But, Sadira, you do not like eggs" Yeah, I know this too (y'all are getting a little pushy aren't you?) but, lately? I do. However, any time I actually eat eggs they need to be doctored up and have their appearance dressed up so much that no one would believe that they started out their former life as an egg...kind of like today's super models...

or drag queens.

And well, eating an egg every once in a while has found it's way into my morning routine...alternating days with peanut butter and jelly on a rice cake...I'm nothing if not all about the variety (and like I said, it's the protein craving thing...I suppose I should be happy I'm not frying up a steak...or whatever you do to steak to cook it)

Until then...I'll be happily at home dancing around...

Eating Eggs in drag

(just to clarify...that would be the eggs...not me)

Playing With The Sun...

Yesterday morning I bounded out of bed and started my day...and I mean bounded! We don't set our clocks back or forward here in Arizona (so there's not pesky having to remember anything other than, "what time is it in _____" when we have to call someone or watch something on TV) and I noticed that the day felt really different. This morning I noticed a surge in energy that left me actually sitting around relaxing before I left the house for work (early mind you, as there were a few errands to be run) instead of wishing for more time, and having to give up the idea of certain things being accomplished...

It was almost luxurious...

The sun was shining brighter and earlier and sneaking into the corners of the house, where it hasn't been seen since last summer. Meena is scratching at the door to be let out more often.

And when she was inside she took a rather unnatural interest in my little Paul Frank monkey ornament that is hanging on my fireplace (I mean, I like monkeys, but I don't like-like monkeys...Maybe it was the patch of sun she suddenly found herself in?) she concentrated on this little monkey rubbing up against him with her cheeks and loving on him and eventually biting him...

It was a little strange. I was wondering if I should leave the room and give those two their privacy?

Well, I suppose we're moving towards spring...

I guess everyone is feeling a little more frisky...

Happy Springing Forward!!

Anza-Borrego Slideshow...

Yes, for your viewing pleasure...the first of two slide shows of all the Vacation Wonder. I wanted to try to put up every picture I took, but it's just not possible (and I don't want to bore you out of your mind...besides, you could run over to my Flicker page if you so desire) So, I thought it would be more funner (yes, that's a word) to do most of them in slide show format (and since I have the wizard of computers at my beck and call...um, willing to help me...I thought, "why not learn something new?" actually, it's more like, Rich watches me panic a little bit at learning something new...but, that's right before I dig my heels in and try it. Once I see how it's done, do it myself at least once, I am usually OK...Plus? Mac's are so easy to use, it's like I'm talking to the computer in whatever language I want to, and it totally get's me.)




The music to this slideshow is courtesy of Heavy Mellow and the song is Spinnaker...
There were also a couple of pictures that are on loan to me for this slideshow courtesy of Sweet Mr. Bill (not the clay figure, but the great man...)




Oh...Gosh, I feel so accomplished, since I had a bit of time this afternoon and decided to finishthe second round of slideshows for your viewing pleasure...(and finding that I may be a little addicted to this idea when I have so many pictures that I may want to share, but may not want to post them ALL...so get ready)

Anyway...enjoy them both!!

The Second one also uses music by Heavy Mellow and the song is Fontana Breeze.

I'm not too sure what else I want to say about the trip, other than it was an amazing introduction to the Magic of Airstream Adventuring, and one that I hope is the start of many more in my future. I actually loved the idea of limited space, and bringing only what you can use...and not everything you "think" you may need (which may inspire a purge here at Foolsewoode) I loved the idea of hiking and relaxing and photography and meeting new people, plus feeling a deeper connection with one I already know. It was truly a trip to smile about, and one that will make me smile for years to come...(specially with these slideshows)

Thanks to everyone who made this trip so special...Rich, Bill and Larry, my mom and Rozz (for cat and Snap Snap sitting) and Chrystal (for Snap Snap sitting as well) I am deeply in your debt...

I'm Baaack...

Look what just arrived UPS for me!

And you know I've been following it's progress via UPS tracking...luckily I got totally busy at Snap Snap and that took my mind off of opening the door and peering up the street every few minutes to see if I could find a big brown truck ambling my way in the distance.

Part of the new power cord isn't as beefy as the one that originally came with the Mac, but I think I can switch that part out if need be...I am just pleased as punch that the new one is here, everything fit, and it's currently charging the Mac right up...

Which means I can start on some other photo uploads I've been wanting to do...

And, get back to visiting all of my regular blogs (I've really missed you guys)

And, catch up with updating my own blog...then again, the power cord arrived just in time for the weekend, and I don't usually post on the weekend, but I just may do that...as soon as I catch up on some rest (I've been so busy this week)

I just can't wait until that little red light, turns green...then I know I'm good to go!

Hello Spring...

I am hurriedly using a fully charged computer before the battery starts shaking it's finger at me (thanks to Rich's power cord...which is also now acting a little strange...good grief power cord drama abounds) until my new one is delivered to me this week...Go UPS! I am finding that it is hard for me to be without my computer, blogging, answering emails, and checking in on everyone out there...it's been a little frustrating to say the least.

So, look look what I found in the yard after getting back home...

A cacophony of yellow flowers already blooming on some bushes...a sure sign spring is indeed on it's way (then again, I've also seen these flowers laden with both flowers and snow at the same time)

A wonderful way to be welcomed home...Although, I'm all of a sudden feeling the strong urge to grab up a rake and get things organized out there...

Until then, I am working on a little Anza Borrego wrap up fun over at the Airstream...I'll put it up soon, I promise...

Home Again...

Home Again...

Jiggety-jig.

If you call waking up before the sun does and then driving for 6 hours from the desert warmth to the mountain cold Jiggety...then Rich and I got real jiggety today.

At one point, I thought there was talk about getting out and taking lots of photos, but funnily enough...we didn't do that. Neither of us wanted to leave Anza Borrego, and I guess we just didn't have the heart to stop and photo once we got rolling today...but, wanted to keep on going. It just didn't seem like we were done doing everything in Anza Borrego...or relaxing on this vacation. In fact, there was a part of me that wanted to just keep going down the road (especially after talking and dreaming last night about getting a bigger Airstream, and picking up the cat on our way through town and then hitting the road again)

This is serious.

The Traveling bug.


Let me tell you something about living in the Airstream for the last 5 days. It was wonderful! Rich and I both confessed yesterday about little misgivings we might have had before we started out. He was worried that I wouldn't like traveling with him, or in the Airstream, or that we would be too cramped with both of us in such a small space, and there wouldn't be room for everything and it would be too cluttered inside. I was worried that he wouldn't like traveling with me, he wouldn't have his space (I would crowd him) or that he would be uncomfortable about sharing what is essentially his home for the time being. However, we both love getting up early and throwing clothes on and jumping on the road asap. Rich doesn't mind stopping for potty breaks, as the whole house is well...right behind you...and a few stops also gives you time to get snacks or a meal as well. As soon as we unhitched at the Anza Borrego State Park, I swept, mopped, reorganized 2 cupboards and put everything I brought away. (Rich is quite clean to begin with, so it was just a light floor dusting...and we shared dishwashing responsibilities, and had kind of separate chores...since I happened to be sitting in the "snack seat" of the truck, I made sure there were plenty of snacks and water on hand whenever we went out...and Rich did everything Airstream related...since he knows more of what he's doing than I do at this point.) Rich was very generous with sharing his space with me. We both took pictures, and entertained ourselves separately if we wanted to (sharing the computer cord of course) And, each time I knew we'd be going out and I may need different outfits, I brought out my bag and made a small pile of the things that I may need...and I put things I didn't need away as soon as I was done with them. Everything just took a little planning ahead, and was no big deal in the least. We both talked about how comfortable we felt in the space together...and laughed a little about being worried in the first place. We make a good team, we enjoy traveling, we enjoy blogging and computer activities, we enjoy hiking, we enjoy separate activities, and most of all...we enjoy each other's company.

This trip was by far, one of the best Valentine's Day gifts I've ever received...and I think we both enjoyed each other's company very much. I had an amazing time...no matter what we were doing, I was savoring every moment while in the moment and not being worried about the future or the past...this trip is just what I needed.

Well...until the next trip (of which I hope there will be many more...and believe you me...we are already excitedly talking about small hiking trips we can take around here until we can escape for a longer road trip) I will try to adjust to being back home...back to my daily activities (and I haven't heard word about the "stolen" computer cord, so there is a new one on the way...and I am planning on sneaking over to the Airstream under the guise of powering up there, and also...I can't stop the Airstream cold turkey, plus...I enjoy my time with Rich...and I am apologizing ahead of time for some sparse blogging this week, or just pictures posted...OH...But, Rich is helping me with a special something that will be commemorating the trip...so stay tuned) I will also be readjusting to stretching out in my house and not being snuggly in just the Airstream (which is plenty big...and a bigger one would probably feel like paradise) and easing myself back into work...

And most of all...I will be thankful that Prescott is indeed a wonderful place to come home to.

Eagle Canyon...

Ok, I'm officially falling behind on being able to post everything that we're doing and all of the pictures that go along with it...which can only mean one thing.

I'll be posting more about the trip through the next week...and I'll be adding a heck of a lot of photos on Flicker...

Wait.

That's two things.

Plus...It's only noon here, we've already been out to Eagle Canyon to look for wildflowers to photo (which yielded none for us) and we did an incredible hike through a slot canyon...

mostly.

Upon arriving at Eagle Ridge, there was a large group of both Cub Scouts and party people in jeeps with beer that we let go ahead of us, while we went further down the road so we would not be hiking with them...and were able to enjoy both the views from another ridge and see down into the canyon...

"I wanna do that!"

Which gave Rich a giggle...so we drove on back and started down the path. It is very sandy in these canyons and steep going down in the beginning, and I spent a lot of time trying not to slip-slide (cause Rich didn't have the SLR in a protective case...and I didn't want to take either of us out...or more importantly, the Canon/baby/camera...mostly because I don't want to hitchhike home, which may have been the end result of using the canyon wall as a slip and slide)

It was amazing from the beginning down there...although, it makes one think about exactly what it takes to form these canyons. A lot of wind and a lot of rain...which means intense water flows...which is why people can get into serious trouble if they are hiking and there is any hint of water.

Of course, these are probably not the thoughts that you want to hold on to for any length of time while you're in one of these canyons.

That is, unless you like to hike scared and freak yourself out.

Which I don't.



We were absolutely amazed at the canyon walls and the formations of the sand in the beginning, and then it got super better...

more better....

bestest....

because, the canyon started to become very smooth and started to close in on itself...which made for some very close and skinny pathways.

Upon entering the skinnier part, I had a little trepidation...but quickly reminded myself that I am not actually claustrophobic...



that I know of.

We went in a little ways, and then walked out again as it got narrower...caught our breaths, and tried again...

We only made it a little way in this time...Rich was feeling a little closed in, and although I tried to go a little further and see if the thin canyon walls ended soon so that we could press on...I really couldn't tell. I know that Rich was disappointed that he was feeling too closed in, and wants to go back and try again...I would love to do that as well...so, maybe we'll go back this afternoon?

I'd be up to going back any time!!




You may notice as well, over the last couple of days...that there are more pictures with actual people in them (in both of our blogs.) I haven't always felt comfortable posing in front of the camera...and I know that Rich wants to get better at portraits. I also think up until this vacation, I've felt a little shy about taking pictures of Rich...which may seem a little nuts, because I completely adore him and would like more pictures of him...and now, I am finding myself getting more comfortable being in front of the lens too, which is wonderful! (I actually have really liked some of the pictures that Rich has taken of me lately) (oh, and we have no pictures of us together...which is a must at this stage, so we've had to get some)

And yes...yesterday we did happen to look like twins...you see, it is quite sunny out here, and I decided before our afternoon hike that I needed both some sort of hat with a large brim for hiking (because I don't have one, and I wasn't planning on trying to go through this summer hiking season without one again) and a light long sleeved shirt to wear as well. There is a great tiny little outfitters here in town that happened to have both of those things...that utilize SPF 30 material...so I feel more completely protected from the sun. We'll see how well I do when it's 100 in Arizona and I need to hike with either on...They are both Columbia brand, and I am loving the thin fabric. Now, the outfitters here did not happen to have a white shirt in a womans cut, so I had to get a small mans shirt instead. It is the exact shirt that Rich just bough not too long ago (I like the sqare cut better actually) and he happens to own a Columbia hat that looks just like the one I purchased as well...he didn't wear that though yesterday or we would have looked more like twins that we already did!

Having A Great Time...

Wishing you were here!

Especially since after our early morning hike to view the wildflowers, resulted in finding out that we did indeed get to stay in our wonderful space here at the campsite for 2 more nights...and we did not have to move into the desert after all...
























So...it was a day of a lot of wild flowers, and cactus...















There was a ton of haze in the air, making it a little difficult to photo distances and views...but, after going up to Font's Point and looking into the badlands...we quickly decided to drive out there tomorrow using one of the many roads that wind throughout the sand...

More tomorrow...for sure!