my cabbage patch pound puppy

evening reflection

It was that time of evening, just before the sun sets, when for a few minutes the mountain turns a breathtaking rose color. I ran outside to quickly return something to the camper when my attention was drawn to the reflection of the mountain and clouds in the window. The lines of the blinds added a modern art twist.

crustless mushroom spinach quiche

I've been trying new quiche recipes since we have an abundance of eggs now that the littles are laying. Last night I tried another new recipe and was glad I had when we got a call from friends who were on this side of town and wanted to stop by.

The view out my kitchen window while I was cooking....inspiring!


They were just in time for dinner. Yum.

blessing in boots

On New Year's Eve Jay and I stopped at a couple of sporting goods stores in the city so that I could try on hiking boots. My boots, although not that old, were making my hiking adventures a painful experience. I had purchased the boots with too little understanding of what a good hiking boot required. They were my normal shoe size which resulted in black toenails after a particularly steep downhill trek. Also, the soles were too soft and flexible so I felt each sharp stone I stepped on. After trying on several pairs and noting the boots that fit well, we headed home with the plan to look for those boots on sale after the holidays. To my surprise and delight Jay came home from working in Tucson, just a few days after our shopping trip, with a pair of hiking boots, the style I had picked out and the size I needed. He had found them at a resale shop for six dollars. What a blessing.

Today, clad in my new boots, camera slug over my shoulder, Lily and I set out for Silly Mountain to test-hike the boots while photo-documenting the experience.

at the base of silly mountain

the climb

resting along the way

half way up

pause to photograph some weeds catching the sun

the view from the top

Lily says, "That was a delicious hike!"

a chilly start

January 1, 2011 was a chilly start, both outside and in. We woke Saturday morning to find the freezing temperatures outside were too much for the heat pump to the main rooms of our house. We were concerned until we heard from several other friends who were experiencing similar problems. Apparently the heating/cooling units frequently used in Arizona don't weather the cold well. Kind of silly, it seems, to have a heater that stops working when the temperatures get too cold.

list-love

I Love lists....
I recently discovered that I now actually love Mondays-
a fresh start for a week ...
five days of possibilities....
making a plan, prioritizing, crossing off when things get done.

This morning was extra special-
Monday morning, a new week...
the beginning of a new month....
the start of the new year...
an an atypical Monday were my husband is home rather at work.

An occasion worthy of three lists-
one for today,
one for this month,
and one for the new year.

Oh, what bliss for a list lover like me.

healthy new year to you

a fresh start to 2011