these boys

Tim and David spent three days with us over the holidays. They had lots of play time with their dad, flying remote control drones, basketball, frisbee golf, repelling, ping pong, pool and cards. It is always a delight to have them visit.

create II

Dangle Doodles

inspired by this

hannukah

Happy Hannukah!

create I

In a recent phone conversation my Mama Donna asked what I had created recently. Her question reminded me of the importance to take time to intentionally exercise the creativity Abba placed in my DNA.

One way I used that gift this past week was with a new friend Jan. At Sukkot Jan made an announcement that she had been gifted silk and silk paints and was looking for someone who might be interested in joining her in learning how to use the materials. I was the only person who expressed any interest.

Our first meeting we pulled out all the supplies including silk, dye, resist, salt, and lots of idea books along with a hand painted silk scarf Jan had purchased in Israel.

This past week we met again with the plan to try something out. I had watched some youtube videos on silk painting and Jan had purchased some embroidery hoops to hold the cloth. We used Jan's scarf as inspiration and tried out the materials to see how they worked. I haven't taken the time to steam my piece yet, a process that sets the dye and also makes the colors richer but felt pleased with our first attempts.

hannukah

Hannukah gifts are wrapped and shipped with the last collection to be delivered today.

Happy Hannukah. 

May you know the miracle of Yeshua's light in your life.

the ants go marching

Last weekend at the date farm Jay and I discovered an ant hill where the ants were busy transporting tiny little leaves to their dwelling. It was so interesting watching them toting leaves the length of their bodies. I tried to photograph the spectacle but the video captured the marvel much better. It has the added benefit of watching the ants scurry when Lily runs in their direction.

late date

After our Thanksgiving celebration we spent the rest of the long weekend at the date farm. Jay pulled the last of the dates out of the trees while he trimmed dead palm branches. The dates were vine-dried but many of them still edible.

In other date news; Lily finally discovered that she likes eating dates. I had tried numerous times to introduce her to this sweet treat but would politely take the date from my hand and then promptly let it drop out of her mouth. Somehow last week she discovered dates actually taste good and ever since she has been like a kid in a candy store helping herself to dates, chewing their yummy goodness and spitting out the pit. Silly Lily!

giving thanks

 Tuesday....my dining room overflowing with multiple projects.

 Wednesday, diningroom clean and table ready for meal.

 Thursday morning, the sun greets the table setting.

 Guests arrive and help with the bird.

Good food and good memories made.

stupid bobcat

 came back for desert.

stupid coyote

killed my chickens!

wind cave hike

One of my goals for our week of Sukkot was to get some good hiking in. The campground, Usery Park was a new one for us, thus untromped trails. Somehow the week flew buy with a couple of rainstorms and a couple of storm-induced headaches so that it was getting down to the wire before I got my hiking boots tied.  The last day of camp we set out on Wind Cave trail and what my week lacked in quantity of hike was made up for in quality. Not the cave, mind you, as that was a bit of a shallow disappointment, but the view...priceless, and the company delightful.

The climb.

The cave.

The view

The end.

on top of ol' silly

 Now that the thermometer isn't sporting triple digits it's time to for Lily and I to resume our Silly hiking. Today was day three this week. I brought the iphone along for some picture fun along the way.

I wanted to try to get a picture of the two of us with the silly sign. Lily was acting silly by pretending I was choking her!

Then back home I had some fun playing with the free PicMonkey photo editing program.

 

 

golden pm

 Lily, Jay's phone, and I went for a walk after the rain as the sun was going down.

 I wanted to get my pic with the pretty sky....but the camera wanted to focus on me. When I tried to put some more color back in the sky this is what happened. Kinda cool.

golden am

Another weekend at the date farm...

 That's one happy dog!

And one temperamental Snorkie.

coming soon

to a mailbox near you

az green

little campers

Little campers always make camping more fun. I think they help us remember how to play. Thanks girls for a job well done.