Feeling Groovy!

Loving the clouds we've had recently as they helped keep direct sun off the Actinic keratoses (sun related skin damage, a sort of pre cancer) as well as a basal cell cancer I had treated with liquid nitrogen. The daily care is to avoid sunlight exposure! These conditions are not uncommon for Arizona natives, and unfortunately I added to the daily sun assult with active unbathing in my earlier years. It's hard not to get sun exposure here! I walk, garden and stay on my patio swing for hours. What's a girl supposed to do? I'm going to have to be more diligent with my use of SPF 50 UVB/UVA sunscreen. Better late than never. They say these things take decades to show up from sun damage, so I'm paying the price for my earlier activities. Seems the chickens always come home to roost!



It has been such a wonderful spring! The wonderful weather has kept me motivated to stay on track with my walking and hiking routine and the loose clothing keeps me on my diet! Thirteen pounds lost so far, enough to elevate my mood. I AM GOING TO STAY ON THIS DIET!

Look what I found! Tomatoes! Hoping they will ripen before the heat hits. I planted four plants in the garden, looking for the best spot. So, far, that's proven to be my northern exposure block fence area. This area has produced the most beans and tomatoes.

My first "mess of beans" and just enough for me! They were delicious--I added them to my Nutri System mashed potatoes. What a treat!

A great sunset to end another great day!

Fall in Arizona

I love this photo so much that I had it enlarged to 11" x 15" and framed. I have three of my favorite lake sunrise/sunset photos hanging on my family room wall.

TurrTull finally went in for the fall/winter season. He just missed his favorite habiscus in bloom.

Remember when I painted this set purple? Well, now it is going on the front patio and it had to match the mosaic wall in progress so it got the colbalt blue treatment. Nothing last around here very long as it is!!

I have so many beautiful sunrise photos I decided to make a photo book of the many I have taken over the past few years. I love my home and I'm so grateful that I wake to such a daily blessing.

Another Baby Added

My newest great grandchild, Broxton Tayte, born July 26th. We had just arrived home from Maui when we got the call to come to North Carolina to meet this sweet baby girl!

As per usual I had to buy a new swing for the fall/winter season. Swing # 5 blew over in haboobs that the top ripped and bent the frame. The cheap fabric on the cheap swings just won't last more than two seasons! I bought this one because it folds out into a bed.

Knoll Lake 2011

Our annual Knoll lake vacation camping trip was so much fun. Just getting out of the desert heat for a few days can do wonders for the soul. There hasn't been much rainfall this year, just enough to raise the ban on camp fires.

We caught a few fish,

saw some beautiful sunsets,

went for walks--I can't find tiny dog clothes that fit Lolly Bee so hubby's sock kept the chill off during the morning stroll...

Camping dogs close to us. This is Rage.

And Chico.

Francis, Jimmy Tom and Midge.

LollyBee loving the campfire.

I spent a lot of time on this hammock.

Eddie has been the camp host at Knoll Lake for the past 8+ years. He always had a lot of great stories and a lot of information about the wildlife in the area. This is his last year this site. He will be missed!

Catch Up Time!

My little Lolly Bee loves her new hat! I've tried to get her to wear it for a cute picture, but she wouldn't have any part of it! Of course she is the boss in this family!

I finished cleaning the sweet pea bed and other flowers that were on the wane, and I harvested the last of my vegetables! This year I grew pole beans--the birds only left me a few to try--and they were good. I had quite a lot of broccoli this year. The bedding plants were mislabeled AGAIN as cauliflower--and the lone tomato plant is loaded with blooms and green fruit!

This year's cauliflower wasn't as good as last year's creamy yellow one. I'm planning on having at least 6 plants next year--if I can get something that's labeled right.

Left in the bed is Swiss chard, eggplant and artichoke. The sunflowers surrounding the bed are now over 5 feet tall.

All my annuals are still growing and looking good, although any day now they will wilt and will have to be pulled up. In their place I will plant Vinca plants that will last for all our long hot summer!

Turr Tull came out a few weeks ago and met Lolly Bee for the first time. He didn't stop eating while she sniffed around him, so I guess he likes her. I know they will become best buds!

I planted trailing rosemary on top of Turr Tull's house hoping the roots will help stabilize the dirt on top. The Gargoyle sits on the roof to keep away turtle monsters.

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I'm using this post to catch up for the time that I slacked off blogging: It's been hectic here so I'll explain what's been happening.

Hubby's still in remission--another test in June and we are expecting another good report!!

My grandson's wedding was flawless! The feathers used in place of some flowers were striking-- and everyone loved it! It was a good way to save money too! My deployed grandson acted as best man in absentia. His toast to the bride and groom was recorded on video and played, and there was not a dry eye in the crowd!

I broke my camera yet again--dropping it at the wedding reception. I got smarter this time and bought insurance on my new replacement camera!

My car was towed from downtown Phoenix after it broke down in major traffic--another expense not planned for--but thankfully, I have AAA, and they towed my car home. It's still not running. Hope it's fixable.

A daughter, granddaughter and I celebrated our birthdays in March and April, and there were wedding showers, the wedding and our granddaughter's tryouts and acceptance to the University of Arizona's Pom Line! She was chosen as one of the 22 who will be on the line. Well over 150 tried out, so getting on the line is quite an honor as in incoming freshman. She's a wonderful dancer and has been at it since she was two!

I had mini school pal reunion at my home, and then a sleep over! Just like half century ago!

This month there is my granddaughter's senior graduation, party, and my pregnant granddaughter will be visiting from NC. It will be her last trip home before the new baby arrives.

I'm planning my trip to Hawaii for next month--my graduating granddaughter is being gifted the trip by her parents and all of us go along--just like when our other granddaughter graduated years ago.

After all this, and then going on our annual camping trip means that I should plan on buying all my clothes from Lane Bryant. If I could just say no--but no, I can't! I did start the Sunday morning on a diet but guess who came over on Mother's day with a homemade lemon cake!! I couldn't refuse my granddaughter--she went to a lot of trouble making it and all....

My favorite flower bloomed a few days before Valentine Day. I asked Hubby not to buy me flowers as nothing could top the first blooms of my sweet peas! SO instead.......He bought me a little chihuahua! He fell in love with the picture of her posted on the local store bulletin board.



She is 7 weeks old and fits into the palm of my hand. The seller cried when he paid and picked her up. Told him she would give his money back for up to a month if we didn't like her (Sounds like my daughter!) As soon as he brought her home we headed to Pet Mart to purchase food and necessary puppy paraphernalia. I'm not sure how anyone can afford a pet!!! Puppy pads--$7.99 for 10! Dry dog food--$16.99 for 6 lbs! I wanted a tiny dog carrier--$49 and up! She is so small she need a ferret collar and carrier! I think I need to visit Wal-Mart and compare prices. Her little bed was $15.99!! What about Vet bills? But wait... none of that matters as we are totally in LOVE with her and I'll just have to get over it! Little Lolly has already earned her keep--little hearts are floating out of her eyes when she looks up at me....ahhhhh!

Con, Chem or Kid's Toy? Our Own Sky Mystery

Sunrise--11/5/10. Never heard a word about this strange sky. Guess it wasn't as dramatic as the one in the news of late. Could it be an airplane? Or a missle? Or a kid's toy?

Contrails...short for condensation trails. X marks the spot.

Or is it Chemtrails? Chemtrail conspiracy theory holds that some contrails are actually chemicals or biological agents deliberately sprayed at high altitudes for a purpose undisclosed to the general public. I guess we can all come to our own conclusions about these things. This plane made a couple fast turns. Glad I wasn't on that flight!

Pudgeduck's Contentment

All is well in Pudgeduck's world!! Hubby caught the flower bug! What a nice surprise he left for me, hanging in a perfect spot.




The sweet peas are already 8"tall! I found a new variety (for me) that is highly scented with pale petals edged with violet. I filled in a few bare spots with them and planted a few near a trellis in another flower bed. Seems like I always find something new after all the beds are full.

I'm thinning out the nasturtium pots, and it's still hard to let go. I found another new plant for my garden, called Vitex Trifolia (Coastila Persian Lilac). The leaves will turn blue with a mauve underside and with lilac flowers during the winter. It doesn't lose the foliage and it will be a great addition to my garden!

Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts and Red Cabbage are loving their spot in the sun. Just a few radishes have come up. I know I said "never again" after the radish fiasco last year, but....The kale hasn't started sprouting yet. I'll sow more seeds in a few days and hope they will sprout! I have to have kale for my weekly soups that I'll soon start craving as the weather cools.

I cherish every moment I spend in my garden! What a wondrous life I lead to be able to spend most of my time contented, surrounded with the beauty of my garden. Something very important happens each day as each seed sprouts and the flowers bloom. As I said, all is well in Pudgeduck's World!

Store Opening Calls For Big Bang!

This celebration wasn't for my homecoming after my recent trip to North Carolina--the fireworks were for the grand opening of the first grocery store in our community! A long time coming, but with mixed feelings about the growth and changes in our area. The impressive display was equal to the July 4th celebrations in the area. They must be anticipating large profits.

Already missing North Carolina and my 'lil guy. Beautiful flowers cover most of the mail boxes in the neighborhood. We were too early for the fall colors but we did see just a hint of the red and gold on the way.

Tea is served sweetened at all the restaurants we went to in North Carolina. It took a few requests before they understood we wanted unsweetened tea! It's always fun to run into these regional differences.

All around the shopping area were beautiful Angel Trumpet plants. The cutting I got from Dee last October didn't last through the summer at my house.

I'm trying out my new camera--and not sure I will keep it. I bought it for my trip after the old one stopped working. Of course, the old one broke the day of my flight! I bought the Kodak Easy Share M580-8X. I have a month to try it out. It even has a program for fireworks! Not that I had time to adjust it for the local fireworks. They were almost over by the time I even found the camera. What's new??

Chaos Contained!

I love the sunrise that greets me each morning! Every one is different. I don't ever tire of these magnificent blessings!



Good news--our remodel is finished!!! Well almost finished, but I'm not satisfied the way the draperies look. Still working on them. With all the light streaming through the windows I couldn't get a better photo.




I'm still working on them, but at least they are up!

I will have to have a painter come to change and finish the painting. The other walls are two stories high! Back to the store to find the perfect color, yet again. I will go as soon as I look into the garage cabinets for the rest of my books. I'm sure that will lead to another disaster!

The swivel rocker is not in a good place, and the color is now dated. Hard to believe white is outdated! The furniture is crowded still, although I thought that without the computer desk, I would have all the room I needed This room has always been hard for me to decorate. It opens to the kitchen, has a corner fireplace, and now, only one wall to work with. Even a professional decorator didn't offer any hope! All these insignificant decorating problems are just a way to occupy my mind, pushing away the what-ifs of Hubby's upcoming test results. Usually I just eat under stress but somehow I'm still watching carbs. His bone marrow biopsy is finished, and there's one more blood test to take before we get the news on Oct 1st.

Isn't this a pretty wreath? I found it at Target--on sale of course--Might take it back in a few days...depends on my mood at the time I guess.

By the way--still no glasses. I can't believe they haven't shown up yet. Still hoping they just appear from nowhere soon. I keep putting off getting new ones, because then they'll show up for sure.