JUST CAN'T LET GO

This is a view of the house we rented. I want to go back NOW ! I want to stay there forever. I want to move my studio into the loft that looks out over a huge valley where I can track the rain as it moves out on the horizon.

Did I tell you how much I loved this place????????

THE BEST SUMMER .....EVER !

Oh yeah, I guess I already said that, but I just wanted to make sure everyone knew what a great summer this has been.

We rented a lovely home in the San Luis Valley of Southern Colorado , just at the base of Crestone Peak. Our children met us there and brought the lovely Miss Iris who will be three this coming January.

Miss Iris (aka, Snoozey) spent all of her time on her new wheels. At night she slept in her Pink Disney Princess Tent.

We are worn out but oh it is such a good kind of ache. Being with our kids is the best vacation I could ever ask for.

MY BEST SUMMER EVER

Early in my life I wanted to garden. Each place I lived I'd plant and the very next year some circumstance would require a move and I'd never get to see my previous year's nurturing come to fruition. I was eventually so troubled by this pattern that I simply stopped planting. Well, actually a couple of years I did plant some pots for the porch and patio, but just never trusted the process. Finally, after 20 years, I made up my mind to turn the patch of dirt called my backyard into a place I would enjoy. For my birthday I requested my husband build me two raised beds, once they were in place the fever took hold and we both went to town planting. My husband is such a gardener, hard to believe after being married for 20 years I still didn't know this about him !!! Now I have a beautiful backyard complete with roses, sage, salvia, blanket flower, sweet williams, zinnias, mexican hat, chili peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, melons and much much more.

Keep your fingers crossed, I am not planning to move !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

VALLES CALDERA

New Mexico is full of amazing things. Less than an hour from my front door is this beautiful place. From where I stand in this photo, I am in the middle of an extinct volcano cone...........we saw the most amazing blue birds and a huge herd of elk with fabulous antlers. A wildlife preserve that I am so grateful we have here.

It was cool and misty. A beautiful day.

Then back to the city and 90 degree temps...the evening cooled down, the rain came. We sat out on our patio discussing our future amid the most amazing lightening storm and a soft rain. The garden smelled wonderful. Can you tell??????????? I had a great weekend. Sure hope you did.

We have so many birds this summer. It is simply amazing.

Of course we purposely planted flowers that would attract hummingbirds. An boy did that ever work !

We've also had the joy of watching two Swifts nurture their five babies. I just love when mom and dad swoop in with food. Every little bird turns their head, opens their mouthes and cries "ME! ME! ME!"

For quite a few days we watched anxiously as the babies tried their wings. Finally off they went and we thought "well that's it". But they continued to return to the nest every evening, all crowding in and mom and dad ever watchful. Slowly, slowly they stayed away longer and longer until one day two new Swifts appeared and evicted the family from their little home. Two new swifts with three new eggs.

It's been a busy summer in our backyard !!!!!!

This all reminds me of the gentle ebb and flow of life. So much escapes our attention. In such a busy world one must make a point to stop, look, listen and enjoy the incredible miracle that this universe presents us with, every-single-moment.

Have a great day. Leave me a comment. I love to hear from you.

Dreaming, sitting here at my desk, dreaming.
Wishing I were somewhere far away,
the South of France maybe. A small village
with blooming roses, cool mornings and warm
afternoons.
Skinny dipping with my sweetie. Floating on my back,
feeling the cool water rush around my face,
sunlight dancing amongh the leaves illuminating
through my eyelids.
Dreaming, dreaming...................*sigh*

Is it 4 yet? Oh gosh, just now 11:45, I have a long
way to go before I can steal away from this desk........

SUMMER TIME !!!!!!!

And the livin' is easy...................our days have cooled off a bit, down to 90 from 97-98 degrees. My garden is breathing a huge sigh of relief. So am I. Last night we harvested some more of our "special" New Mexico chili peppers. My husband has become the expert chili roaster and my freezer is starting to show the signs of a bumper crop. The smell of roasting chili peppers in New Mexico is like no other experience. My plan is to harvest some of those big fat "Big Jims" this weekend to make chile rellenos.........oh yum.

Are there "local" foods only found in your part of the world? I'd love to know.

So, kick back, stay cool, sip an iced tea and savor the summer !!!!!!

OFF CENTER

Do
you
ever feel
like you
are
swiming upstream?

A LITTLE GET-AWAY

Had a lovely weekend in this casita located in Northern New Mexico. The picture is from last Spring. All the vegetation is up and beautiful right now.

THE NEW ADVENTURE

This chest of drawers was my husband's brain child. He has recently started building furniture and on his suggestion I have started painting images on each piece.

The image on this piece is meant to resemble Our Lady of Guadalupe, a popular image here in the American Southwest.

He has since made many pieces that I have painted. I'll post them from time to time and I would REALLY like your honest critique.

A BEAUTIFUL SUMMER

This is the Joseph's Coat climbing rose I planted in my yard earlier this summer. I've never grown roses before so I didn't expect too much, but my oh my this is just the most lovely bloom and I couldn't wait to share it.

My ex-mother-in-law always had a beautiful rose garden. On the occasions when she would gift me with a cutting I would be so thrilled. She'd have these huge rose bowls all over the house with the most fabulous displays of roses floating in them.

As a child most of my fond memories are of the flowers I found in the yards of my grandmothers and aunties. I can still remember seeing my very first tulip. Oh and my gosh, there were Sweet Williams that were a thick field and I walked through them, waist high. A beautiful Bleeding Heart in dappled shade, surrounded by lush green grass. Thick masses of marigolds.

Find some beauty today and commit it to your memory bank.

KICK SOME BUTT

These gals are armed and ready to kick some tail !!

Are those chapps made of fur or has it been a while since their last shave?

This was the very first postcard I ever made for my daughter-in-law and I still really love it.

So, my charge to you is get out there and live life like you plan to kick butt today. Make it good. Make it memorable. You only get "today" once.

LIFE IS SHORT - LIVE IT WELL

In loving tribute to Harriett C. Allen.

Her's was a life well lived.

May the Queen of Light greet you
at God's doorstep.

MEET THE WHOLE FLOCK !!

I've been on a bit of a run with chickens here lately. I just love these funny characters. I've got Dottie, Freckles, Johnson, Nestor, Punkie. These are matted and measure 5 x 7, acrylic on watercolor postcard stock. If you are interested in having this flock all for your very own, please drop me a message.

And as always, I'd love your comments !

"BROWNIE"

The other day I was visiting "Pioneer Woman's" blog and she had posted some great photos of cows. Being inspired, I made this little painting of "Brownie". Those are supposed to be clouds in the background. Since I'm not very good at clouds I thought, "what the heck", have some fun. So this is what I ended up with. I think Brownie actually looks kind of ticked off. HA !

DALLAS KICKS BACK

My son Dallas is such a sweeteheart. Last night I called to talk just as he was arriving home from work. He's an electrician and had been crawling around in a building all day and was covered with dust. My daughter-in-law, Cherise always makes the comment that Dallas works very hard. I believe it.

So this post today shows a little postcard I made for Cherise. Hopefully Dallas will get to kick back during this extended weekend and relax. Although with a 2 1/2 year old daughter jetting around the house, that idea can sometimes be just that "an idea".

Have a great weekend. Love those you love. Eat something fun. Laugh. Smile. Make the world go around.

MEET "BUSTER"

Isn't this just the cutest little dog? I'm not much of a dog person but now and then i come across one that sort of tickels me, and this little dog is one ! I have no idea what his name is but "Buster" seems to fit don't you think?

This is a postcard I made for my sweet daughter-in-law, Cherise. I hope you enjoy it too.

LOST IN SPACE

Sometimes I feel like a sheep lost in a huge universe. Other times I experience moments of bliss, communion with my friends and family. I'm told that everyone has these ups and downs in their lives.

Are you up or down, found or lost today?

NOW "THIS" IS AN ANGEL !!!!!!!!!

CAN YOU SEE HER HALO?????

Look very close, you can almost see her halo.

My grand daughter, Iris is 2 1/5.

We visited recently and got the fun of taking her on her first outing to the aquarium. Nothing in this world brings me as much joy as watching this child and her unending wonder of the world she lives in.