mug shots...

We've been wanting to head south to see the sandhill cranes but the unusually cold temps have kept us at home. I can't complain. Cozy fire, good books to read and WB is making granola so the house smells wonderful.






Meanwhile, here are some at home "mug shots":

Whatever your weather, hope you are having a cozy weekend.

in praise of the nandina bush...

On Thanksgiving Day, the berries were a bronzy orange, perfectly paired with pumpkins and leaves from our eucalyptus tree, a last minute decoration on our outdoor table. {Excuse the quality of this hastily taken photo, taken in the middle of dinner.}

When ready to decorate for Christmas, the berries were turning a pretty red. They were in bowls filled with pine cones and in this rustic box made by my husband. When I needed a little extra greenery, I just snipped a few branches. You can see those Thanksgiving eucalyptus leaves turned a silvery, snowy color.

Now the holidays are over. We are slowly getting things put away, ready to enjoy the lovely simplicity that is January. The nandina berries continue to make me happy.

snow day...

If the rare snow finds its way anywhere near here, we enjoy it.

This old truck is so photogenic.









Auditioning for next year's Christmas card?

Click on this one and you will see the blue sky and sun reflecting in this drop of snow.

an iris for Christmas?

This December may turn out to be one of the coldest on record. We haven't had a high yet this month that has hit the average temperature. While those who love Arizona for its warm winters may not appreciate it, I am loving every bit. Last Christmas Day, we had dinner outside without the need for sweaters or jackets but definitely sunglasses. Tonight, there is a possibility of snow. Yes, snow. I am hoping and hoping.

Meanwhile, there is a little treasure in my yard who is very confused. It is very short and its first bud froze last week. This is its first bloom. As much as I have enjoyed the peek into spring, I am hoping it will understand that it needs to come back in March. In March, it will love being here.

at the street fair...

One of our favorite events is the street fair, held twice a year, in the spring and in December. The sights, the sounds, the smells and the people watching are a delight for me with camera in hand.


You can eat...

Have your fortune told.




















Listen to music.

Find the light in the middle of chaos.

Become inspired.

Gaze into store windows.





Listen to music that is so unique and inspiring that you can't help but buy the cds and take enough pictures that will somehow, you hope, bring that moment back.

This group is called "The Missing Parts" and for the record, we had Navajo tacos for lunch. Yum.

we had snow!

Snow in the desert is rare and indeed, a sight to behold. It is rather surreal seeing cactus covered in snow. This is what we woke up to Sunday morning. I can't begin to describe it with words so will share a few pictures instead.




Even the skies were amazing.


Most of it was gone by mid-morning but oh, it was wonderful while it lasted.

baby, it's cold outside!

I admit it. We desert dwellers are wimps. We do not have real winter and when it actually does come, we really don't know what to do with it. Our temperatures, both lows and highs in the last 24 hours are breaking records. There are broken water pipes all over town. My car is in for service today and they called to say the windshield water system wasn't working and how much it would be to fix. They called back a few hours later to tell me it had been frozen and nothing was wrong. We aren't used to checking for things that may be frozen. We haven't reached 40 degrees today and with the wind chill, it was 4 degrees early this morning. My garden looks like nothing will ever bloom again. Gardenias, geraniums and hibiscus have given up. Bougainvilleas, blue plumbago, my lime tree, my lemon tree. They all look gone. Despite the fact that it sounds like I am complaining about the cold, I am not. We are only allowed to complain about the heat around here.



So, tonight, there is soup for supper. Our beloved Wildcats are playing in California and we'll be watching. We are hunkering down with a blazing fire and bowls of chowder. Life is good. Indeed.



It's been a while and for that, I apologize.

Check out Susan and others for beautiful tablescapes.