Well, here it is again---L.A.T.E. I vowed to write monthly, at least, and it has been nearly three since my last post, so….another apology, and another attempt at commitment! (I'm shooting for weekly, now!)
Jack and I just returned from Apache Junction, AZ yesterday, after I spent three solid months in gorgeous 80 degree sunshine! It was wonderful spending time next door to my Mother and near all my siblings this past week. I believe the best part, however, was establishing roots in our newly acquired property. My dear Daddy left the older mobile home and acreage it sits on to me. It's a dream place where I can bask in the sunshine when it's sub-zero up North, and spend countless hours playing in the rocks and desert trails out my front door and capturing it all on canvas. Many of you know my passion for rocks, dirt, and God's beautiful creation of plants and animals. The desert is full of all of them, and I've added a few unique creations for anyone to enjoy when they venture up to "The Top of the World". My Dad coined that name for their property up on McDowell Blvd, and it is rightly named. The pictures below verify that fact:
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| Out my Mother's back door |
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| Goldfield Mountains out my front door |
Jack and I spent many hours of blood, sweat, and tears building up our dream place. Every nail I hammered was done with love in memory of Dad. He was a master carpenter, and created many amazing, artistic homes, remodels, furniture pieces, and more. He was also a rock hound, and leaves his legacy of beautiful fireplaces in every home he lived in. I'm grateful to share his passion of the Earth, wood, and creativity. And, as I was sitting with Jack this morning, I once again thought about something I heard my Dad say time and time again: "I'll never live long enough to do all the things I want to do." I feel that comment so strongly--as I mull over, once again, the long list of things I must do TODAY! I tried for the umpteenth time to follow my hubby's technique: make a list! Ha Ha….we'll see how that works! (I believe I've managed ONCE in 38 years to make it through the day actually doing things on the list and crossing them off!) With that said, I probably should wrap this up and get busy!
Below are a few memories of my past three months in our "Southern Paradise":
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Mom treated us all to dinner after the choir concert, and we managed to get another family photo.
It was bitter/sweet for Mother, as we were missing an important branch in our family tree. He's there---in one of his many rock creations. ;) |
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| Another family picture in Mom's font yard surrounded again by one of Dad's beautiful pieces of rock artwork. |
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| Sis-in-law, Meredith, came for a visit! |
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| Tatum, Jill and I were captivated at the butterfly pavilion |
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| It was a special delight if one landed on us! |
So much beauty in so little space!!
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| Tatum and I visited the Phoenix Zoo! |
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| Feeding the giraffe was a big hit! |
Ok…..so, I got a bit carried away with the butterflies. I can't help myself when it comes to God's amazingly, beautiful creation! I realize pictures simply can't capture the breathtaking amazingness in this spectacular artwork of the Master….but I wanted to share for those who couldn't be there. If any of you can make it down for a visit next Winter, this incredible place is just a short drive from our home there.
Here are a few more pictures of our "working vacation". Believe it or not, we didn't get a picture of the completed garage!! Trust me when I say it turned out great, and we were very pleased and grateful to get it completely finished and enclosed with "Rodeo Red" locked safely inside! (for those who don't know: Rodeo Red is our '98 Ford Explorer-Made her maiden voyage to Vegas for the NFR in December, where Jackie Higlin was one of the secretaries!)
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| Bird sanctuary outside my studio door |
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| Canyon Lake-a favorite kayaking spot |
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| Kyle and Curtis came down for a weekend for G&G (garage and golf) |
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| Evening walk along McDowell Blvd |
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| Meredith and I kayaking Canyon Lake |
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| Good Morning, Superstition Mountain! |
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| Three of my favorite men-doing what they love! |
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| Ocotillo blooming out our front door |
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| Organ Pipe Cactus blossom |
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| another gorgeous sunset out looking off our deck |
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| My art studio |
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| one more painting by God |
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| waterfall into creek created by GG and Meredith |
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| Good Friends Sylvia and Steve Hammer came up for a visit. |
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The wild and crazy, amazing group who ventured up to our First Annual "Beer Jug Bash"
It was SO GREAT to see "old" friends from Glendive!
Just a FEW stories were shared….hee-hee... |
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| working as the sun goes down-garage floor |
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| working away…. |
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The Labyrinth I built in loving memory of my Dad, the "rock hound".
You can see the cross at the center (actually left center). |
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| If you look closely, you can see why I call this place on top of the world; "Holy Ground". |
Ok…it is now time for me to say farewell until next week! I'll leave you with these two thoughts:
"Painting is just another way of keeping a diary." Picasso
and…
"Dear Children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth." God….1 John 3:18
Our new 'mantra':
SHOW THE LOVE
P.S. The reason for the title of this blog:
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| Cactus in Spokane! |
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| Garlic |
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| onion |
