blowing in the wind...

We have so much sun here that a cloudy day is cause for celebration. I want to get out with my camera and capture that rich, saturated color that only cloudy days can bring. When I saw a monarch butterfly hanging about the garden, I knew I would capture some colorful photos.

I wasn't thinking about the wind. The 30mph winds.

First I got many just like this.



Then I got some like this. There is part of me that likes this one.





















I don't know how she hung on.


It was worth being patient.

sunshine...

When I was a little girl and was feeling under the weather, my father would always tell me to go get some sun. I have been following that advice for many years and it always seems to help. Usually, I have a book, today I had a camera. I was unable to count but there were at least six hummingbirds buzzing around me this morning.

He was enjoying the sunshine too.

This one made me laugh. He was shaking like a wet dog. Maybe trying to keep warm?

Do you see him sticking his tongue out?

All puffed out trying to keep warm.

Peek-a-boo.

I am not sure that I have seen the spotting on the underside before.





It is hard to pick up the amazing color some of these hummingbirds have. Look at the neck on this shot.

This is the very next shot, same bird. He just turned his head a little bit.


I am so glad I had some company this morning.

texture tuesday...

Leaves from the mountains. Gourd from the store. Weathered table from years of use and abuse. A little bit of late afternoon autumn light. I think I found some autumn in the desert.

I am continuing to try to learn more about Photoshop. Participating in Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday seems like a good way to do that. Thank you, Kim, for your generosity.

a spooky table for Halloween...

Welcome. I think I have finally figured a few things out about decorating for the holidays. I like it best when I incorporate what I have and just add a few things. I used to be so happy when I could put the Halloween things away. There was just too much stuff going on, especially the vulture, hung on the pull of the ceiling fan. He went round and around all month.

My sweet WB got these dessert plates from Pottery Barn. I am still pining over the skeletons plates that I didn't buy two years ago but I sure do like these.



This tea set and tray is a bit unusual. It is silverplate over copper. Because of the wear, the copper seems to glow through. Arizona is a big copper producer and I wonder if it was made here.








Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on your point of view, Home Goods opened near us. He was irresistible to me. Unlike the vulture, I will be sorry to put him away.







Thank you for joining us.


For more tablescapes, join Susan and the others at Between Naps on the Porch.

soup weather, finally...

So far this week, I've made homemade tomato and tortilla soup and it isn't even Friday yet. Maybe Manhattan clam chowder for the weekend. WB could eat soup for dinner every single night.









I've been on the hunt for vintage silver. It has been fun. I have enough to mix and match now but this is my favorite (well, at least today it is). It is "Century" by Holmes and Edwards, from the 20's. I especially like the vintage soup spoons.




Join Susan and other talented tablescapers at Between Naps on the Porch.

hoot, hoot...

I woke up this morning to the hooting of great horned owls. Every year, in mid October we start to hear their calls. Most of the time, we hear them. Once in a while, we see them, usually at dusk, impossible photography conditions.







This day was different. The light was perfect. I could catch him with my long lens. He seemed to be posing for me.




I was able to very slowly, get closer and closer.


Then he got a bit camera shy. {or perhaps he was looking for lunch}



































Then he told me, in his special owl way, that I had gotten too close. Luckily, I can speak owl. {I have to admit, later I was surprised I got this one. He was scary!)





















It's been too long since this special encounter. I keep looking for him in the same mesquite tree, hoping I'll see him again.

I love it when someone's junk is my treasure...

Kim Klassen texture - "love in layers"