More Fun in the Sun

On this chilly afternoon I've been looking at some more  photos from our recent trip to Arizona and remembering the warm, sunny days.  We spent an interesting afternoon exploring Montezuma's Castle National Monument, trying to imagine what it must have been like to live in this dwelling. Can you imagine climbing the ladder to get up here and trying to carry anything?  

Have you ever tried to grind wheat? Or Corn?

On the way back to Phoenix, we drove to Sedona and then through the Oak Creek Canyon where we spotted this waterfall. There was lots of snow in Flagstaff.

My sister and brother-in-law took us to Madera Canyon for a pleasant hike along the river. (This is also where we saw all those birds.)

The bark on this Alligator Juniper fascinated me.

We enjoyed relaxing and visiting with friends and relatives and also looked forward to the beautiful sunsets and starry skies at night.

And just before leaving the area, we drove to Taliesin West but didn't have time for a tour. Next time maybe?

On the way to the airport, we saw a first, this cell tower disguised as a palm tree.  I guess you'd not have to water it!  And yes, I did a little knitting, too.

When I saw this Daisy Stitch in a couple of patterns, I just had to give it a try. Both sides are interesting.  Soon I will try the mitts pattern where I saw it first.

The blue one is one of my go-to patterns, Grandma's Favorite.  I have another favorite started with the leftovers: the Almost Lost Dishcloth. Both are fun to do.

I haven't finished any projects lately except for these two dishcloths, but I have been working on some socks that I hope will one day be finished.  Stay tuned for that event!

Snow Here but Not There........

We've been back home for a couple of days and have enjoyed watching the snow melt. Here's what it looked like here last Monday when the schools closed for two days. (And thanks to our son for the photos!)

The railing on our front deck.

The plum tree in our front yard.  Fortunately it is staked!

This is the bird feeder hanging outside the window in the family room.

Meanwhile, this is the view from the back patio where my sister and brother-in-law are staying in Green Valley, Arizona.  We were there, too, enjoying the sunset.  We had just returned from a delightful hike in Madera Canyon and also saw this bird feeder.

Now we know why we never seen any of our state birds in our backyard.  They are all wintering in Arizona in Madera Canyon! (They don't like our yard in the summer either.)

I counted at least 12 wild turkeys there, too.

and Mexican Blue Jays filling their tummies

along with one very happy humming bird!

One afternoon, I was sitting on my sister's patio when I heard a snuffling sound and expected to see someone's dog.  Instead what should appear but this javelina, and in broad daylight no less.  As soon as I noticed him (?), he went down into the nearby canyon, but just as I was telling my husband what I'd seen, the little guy returned.  Thus, the photo! That's just a bit of our Arizona adventure.  More soon, but not much knitting has been accomplished recently.