AAM Monday: Project Life Week 22, finally

I knew this week would be more than two pages but until I started I wasn't sure just how many pages. Sometimes you want to tell a lot and then other times you realize there really isn't that much new to add even if it was a bit of vacation.

So in the end, four pages was just enough for me this time. That background paper? It was actually  made from  one of the set of freebies I download each week from Creative Market. I don't often use .pat files but this time I did. That was enough showing for me but it wold be a fun design for a journal card. I also used a 'non PL' template for the final page as I wanted to add journaling. The only downside is that there's not a 'plastic' stitching grid layer for the page. Oh well, everything doesn't have to match exactly.  It works for me!

TBT - I Avoid Another Cactus Lesson

On a trip to California in 2004, we stopped in Mesa, AZ to see family. I had been 'attacked' by a cactus once before when the spikes got me as I came close to touch it. In this case, I was a bit more wary and avoided picking spikes out of my hand again.

Looking at the image I think I was still risking danger or maybe I'm just more cautious ten years down the road.

Wordless Wednesday: Faux Grass?

And Then I Went Here

Continuing the saga of the Southwest trip, we left New Mexico and headed west to Tucson. There at Bookmans I sold some Somerset magazines that had weighted down my luggage!  Of course my $23 went very quickly with new purchases of used books. That's the way it's supposed to be!

From Tucson, we headed up to the Phoenix area where we have family - including a new granddaughter.  It's been a while since either of us held a baby!  I'm certainly reminded of how much energy it takes to raise little ones. I'm glad I did that back in my 20s!

Then we flew home to take a few days before we headed west again! We joked that it might have been easier just to stay and drive on to California. Seriously.

Flashback Friday: AZ Then & Now

I just returned from a quick trip to New Mexico and Arizona.  We bought chiles in New Mexico and saw family in Arizona. I wish my family lived in New Mexico but that's not going to happen. The ones that have settled there like Arizona and will probably be there forever. The one who just moved there can't wait to leave. It isn't the physical climate; it's the political climate.

But for a flashback memory, here's a photo of people waiting for the train out in Mesa. Some parts of the drive out there didn't look much different. Lots of dirt and then more dirt.  Brown houses and more brown houses. You cannot mistake the desert.

Original and More can be found Here

A Brief Hello

Well we are happily in New Mexico now after some nice family time in the Phoenix area. Hot? oh my yes, but not unbearable, hovering in the 100 range even at 10pm. The mornings were balmy 85ish but by 8:30-9:00a.m. it was getting hot.

Today was a lot of driving, as it often is in these huge states, but we went thru areas we have visited before such as the Tonto National Forest and the Painted Desert and the Petrified Forest. Most of the other visitors we met were Europeans thanks to the weak dollar. Glad to see them spending money and enjoying themselves.

Once a winter I usually have a big, rare steak or prime rib and that is sufficient. That is almost how I feel about the Southwest. I wouldn't really want to live out here but I love getting a dose of the vast, wide open space and the high desert scenery. It's really soul food I think.

Sadly all the pictures we have taken still reside inside our cameras as the upload cords are back in Maryland. Perhaps we'll find a cable tomorrow.

Otherwise, imagine us at the Canyon de Chelly (pronounces Shay) and then up to the 4 Corners area where 4 states meet. Wednesday we head on down to Santa Fe and a bit more urban atmosphere. Well a lot more urban but still high desert. We are expecting a low of 47 tonight.

How can her feet be cold???

Lol...I'm talking about Two Cold Feet who has a wonderful giveaway. But look at those goodies to warm you up.










Besides living in an area I really like, she goes and visits an area we will be off to in August. Thanks for the heads up on some interesting places in Arizona, Stacy.