snow in the desert

Another surprise in the desert.

A place where they say it rarely rains.

This is the third snowfall since we have lived here. That is once every winter for any one that is counting. 

I was tempted to lay down and make a snow angel, but I really didn't want to get wet.  That would have been an interesting juxtaposition next to the pool, wouldn't it?

It had been raining all day yesterday and I was in the garage working on some goodies for our next sale. I didn't even know it had turned to snow until I walked out to go into the house. Imagine my surprise! I knew there was a possibility when the cloud had lifted earlier in the day to reveal the snow on the mountain behind us. But, I was still surprised. I walked around a bit, just to leave a few footprints and to feel that familiar crunch under my shoe. This was slushy stuff I tell ya, so rather than find myself doing an unexpected messy snow angel, I went back in the house to start dinner instead.

So, I mentioned I'm doing another sale. I'll be in Colorado country again for a sale on the 2nd.
More details later.

it's february

Hello. I just wanted you to know I am still here. We have had some friends and a sister visiting us. It was a fun January! It rained like crazy for 5 days straight. Please, don't say it never rains in Arizona. It doesn't rain often, but when it does, it rains and rains and rains. Oh, and we had some freezing temperatures that nailed the yard greenery that had finally made its way back to life after the big freeze.

My sister, Karen, came here for some good ol' sunny weather. Oops. She was here for those 5 days of rain. But, we managed to have some super good times... despite the rain. Everyone we came in contact with guessed that we were sisters and we got a couple... "are you twins?" questions  too.

I'm always the first to laugh at myself and reveal goofy things that I do. So, I won't keep this gem from you. Soon after another "you look alike" sister comment, we were browzing in a shoe store. As we walked around a row of shoe racks, I caught a quick reflection in the mirrored wall across from us. Just as I was about to say "wow... we do look alike", I realized... it was my reflection in the mirror I was seeing, not hers!

People seem to love sisters.

Me too!!

Even when it rains.

november through january

I was browsing through my photos over the weekend, looking for something that might be of interest to feature here on this neglected blog of mine. There were a few that brought a smile to my face and so I thought I would share them with you, my faithful readers. 

My Mom. (Hi Mom-I know you are one of my faithful readers!) This photo was taken in November when I was visiting her. She is still proudly wearing the sweatshirt that the kiddos and I made her. A Christmas tree of painted hand prints made in 1994. Leah, the little hand on top, was 8 months old. Rachel, the middle hands, was 2 years old. Austin was 6.  

A hike with my favorite son while he was here for Christmas. He is tall. I am standing on a rock. My water bottle matched my vest, but I dropped it and now I don't have it anymore.

A Christmas tree lighting event in Anthem, Arizona. Rachel and I went so we could see Phillip Phillips (that is his real name) play. He was last season's American Idol winner. I rather like his music. I'm sure you will recognize this song from tv commercials. If I were 15, I would probably have a teen crush on him.

 This bird managed to squeeze itself through the small gap at the top of our outdoor fire pit. It was like a giant bird cage. We did open the door so he could happily fly away. The nice green bushes in the background are now frozen with the temperatures last week. We covered many things, but forgot about those. Darn.

 Leah and I spotted this cute little thing wanting a new family. I came very close to taking it home with me.

 We spotted this amazing sky during a rain storm. I had to pull over and get out of the car to snap a few photos. Wow.

While in Colorado, I went to visit a home that my friend's husband is building. The homeowners have a camel. A camel in Colorado!

 His name is Carlos.

While driving home from Colorado, I came upon this accident. We sat in a line of traffic for about 30 minutes. This is on a very remote stretch of highway and no emergency vehicles arrived during the time we sat and waited. The men that got out of their cars to help, eventually started to direct the traffic to do a little "off road" driving to go around the wreckage. Nobody was hurt.

 I found this girl in a comfortable spot playing her guitar one night. Yes, I like tulips on my table even in the winter. And yes, we like to hear her play and sing.

These less-than-cute creatures were the culprits that made a huge mess of our trash cans New Year's Eve day. We had gone to take some pictures for our holiday card and came home to a big, stinky, 

yuck-o mess. The Javelinas are really stinky. The trash was yuck-o. And they can be a little vicious.

This is why the most adorable little puppy that kinda captured my heart had to stay where it was.

And finally, an out-take from our holiday card photo shoot. 

Oh, what is that you ask? ... "Norma, have you not had any scary encounters of creepy things other than the trash eating Javelinas lately?" Other than the SIX INCH MILLIPEDE that was crawling across the floor in our bedroom last night when I was going to get in bed and had to calmly call the Reptile Wrangler in to find it after it crawled between some frames I had sitting on the floor thank you very much, why no...it's been a little quiet around here. I guess it has been too cold out for even the creepy creatures.

So wait...does that mean they are all doing like the half-foot-long millipede and coming indoors?

Now I feel that I am caught up and can get on with some regular posting.

these three

... made our holiday bright. started our New Year off in a good way. sure make us happy.

Two of the three are back at school. Insert sad face. But, we have a few more days with the youngest.

Although I usually don't make resolutions for the New Year, if I did, I have a few in mind.
I probably won't list them here, because then I won't have to be held to the idea of keeping them.
However, I feel as though I'm ready to conquer the list that is in my head.

We know that many of our friends and family are struggling with the A's and B's of colds and flu right now,  and cold weather and snow. We are all thankfully well and send our warm hugs out to everyone.
Don't forget to take some extra C.

Warm hugs,
~norma~

peace

 

                                                From me to you....
                                     Wishing everyone joy and comfort 
                          and all things merry and bright this Christmas.
                                                      ~norma~

great horned owl photos

The owls are back in town.

Actually, they are back in the palm trees. We had been hearing them at night hooting back and forth with each other. When we first moved here, I read about these owls and even googled the unusual sounds they were making. I listened to recordings of the different sounds and heard the exact pattern of sounds that we were hearing. I never knew owls had so many different hoots. There was a squawking  sound that intrigued me the most.  It was a male female and calling out to each other. It is a pretty interesting pattern of calls. If you would like to hear the sounds that we hear each night, this time of year, click on this link and scroll down to the "calls" and click on each individual call. I find it fascinating. One of the better "wildlife" moments around here. Of course, I have also read how these birds will swoop down and pick up cats and small dogs. They eat other birds and mice and regurgitate the pellets of undigested bones and fur. Yep, I find those in the yard under the trees. 

One early morning, Chuck had a big scare (finally) as he left out the front door for work. It was still a little dark and as he walked by the magnolia tree, an owl hooted at him. The big owl was eye level to him right next to his head. He said it really scared him! Huh. Imagine that?

Thanksgiving weekend was the first time I've seen them in the tree in the backyard. I told Rachel to take my camera and get some good pictures. So she did. We had fun watching these two. I'm not sure that I can say the same about the owls watching us!

They were sleeping when I saw them. As Rachel got closer to the tree, they started to wake up. See how his eyes are opening? 

He slowly opened one eye at a time. Just a little peek to see who was sneaking around under their tree.

Oh....playing a little hard to photograph I see.

There you are.

Uh oh. He doesn't look too happy that his nap was interrupted. Angry bird?

Oh. Hello.

I guess she got his attention. Look at the talons on that foot!

This is about the time that Rachel told me I was going to love the pictures she was getting. " You're going to love me for these pictures Mom!" I do love you Rachel!

This owl was grooming his foot!

 Keeping an eye on the photographer while he was doing it too.

And then he put his foot back down. All clean. And all sharpened it looks like!

Huh? Kinda cute with one ear tuft up and one down.

And then the other one finally woke up and decided to join the photo op party. Hello...

They really are pretty amazing birds. Huge.

The one on the left, perhaps it is the female, lost interest and proceeded to go back to her afternoon snooze. Maybe, she is a little tired from the late nights they had been hooting about?

The big guy kept an eye on things on the ground. Look at those talons! Yikes, no wonder the smaller mammals don't have a chance around them. I guess I should keep eating my beloved Oreos so I don't need to worry about being a smaller mammal!

Rachel took one of her favorite photos and did a little creative work on the computer. I love what she did... don't you? We may need to print this one and frame it. 

I enjoy seeing these big birds in the trees. I hope, someday, that their nesting will result in some little ones that we can be lucky enough to photograph. In the meantime, we will listen to them talk to each other when the sun goes down.

Good job on the photos Rach. You're right ...I do love them. And you!

BARN SALE review

I spent a great 10 days in Colorado stompin' around the old neighborhood and then some. The Barn Sale went really well. I arrived on Wednesday and jumped right in to the barn. We cleaned, tidied and set all of our goods around in this great barn space. We fixed and fussed, hammered and nailed, painted, primped and priced until 2 a.m! Jeanine had worked hard to cover all the walls in burlap and other great accent fabrics ahead of time, making the barn perfectly ready for the finishing touches. A good friend Bev stopped by to help out AND bring us some much needed chili for dinner. It was delicious!

Lori and I got up bright and early the next morning and set up the signs along the highway. As we entered  the barn we marveled at all our work. I walked around and took some photos and then the people started meandering in. Actually, the correct word would be scampering. Or rushing.

 Within minutes, this whole space was packed with shoppers. They told us the line of cars stretched along the lengthy driveway and out along the road, all waiting to get to the barn.

The first hour and fifteen minutes was non-stop selling. People were snatching our goodies up pretty quickly. I found myself at the checkout counter and never moved away from it. The ole' retail experience really kicked into high gear as I smiled, greeted, added, wrapped and thanked our new friends.

A few of the pieces are permanent fixtures...in case we decide to do this again some day.

There was a nice sprinkling of holiday cheer throughout our displays. Hello me!

We had a nice collection of vintage treasures, antique pieces, repurposed goods, hand made items and some good newer re-sale things as well. Love that rustic wood cabinet there in the corner. A nice couple snagged that up first thing. They also bought my little gold bird table too!

I had my eye on that great green coverlet, but it was bought before I had time to even think about it.
In fact, there were many items that caught my attention, but we all did very well to not purchase a bunch of each other's stuff.

 I loved all the colors of the wool yarn in the basket on the floor. I don't knit, so a dollar or two were saved there also. My musical notes chair went to a really great home. Someone with very special children. I happen to know the family and am so thrilled and humbled that she bought some of my "artistic goodies". I hope that many great tunes will be played on the piano... while sitting on that chair!

The wood stove, along with keeping us cozy warm, got a lot of attention from the men folk. They were thrilled to see something "manly" in what they quickly labeled a "girly store". We had some good laughs at a few of the guys who wandered in thinking it was a real "barn" sale. Surprise!

My map lamp sold to a "grandma" of a German exchange student. They had been in early in the day and the high school girl really liked it. The lady came back later in the day to buy it for the young girl. She plans to give it to her for Christmas. She told us that she used to work in a lamp and lighting store so she knows how to pack lamps for shipping. This little lamp that I made will make its final home in Germany when the girl goes back after the end of the school year. Isn't that great? The young girl bought one of the Colorado license plates to send to her brother for Christmas. She was a sweet girl and I am happy to know that she will have this lamp.

 A near tragedy occurred when that cubby unit on the wall fell after the first attempt at hanging it. We had already started putting things in it and on the desk below. Luckily, I happened to be standing next to it when it gave way and I quickly held it against the wall. The others rushed over and we managed to clear everything out of the way, while holding onto it, and then reinforced it with more screws. Only one little cup fell to the ground and was broken. I couldn't believe we didn't lose more items.

A cute children's cupboard that did manage to find a home right up the hill in Jeanine's house. She just couldn't resist that one for her granddaughter!

The property and home were just lovely. An old farm house. My heart was all a flutter.

I painted, sanded and added some old sheet music to this mirror. It sold pretty early on.

My glovelies and quilttens looked pretty cute hanging from this old metal crib rail above our checkout counter.

And with that, our Christmas Barn Sale was over.

Three days of good company, good ideas shared between us, and just plain goodness all around.

Thank you for the invite Jeanine.

Thank you Lori for the hospitality and sharing all your great friends.

Thank you to all my dear friends from Montrose who drove up to see me. (and take some of my things home with them.)

Until the next Barn Sale...