Remembrance tulips

 Every year I am blessed by the gift of remembrance tulips.  These tulips, given to me at three different occasions, were to remember a loved one who had died.  What a sweet gift. 

 

 So every year now there are three places in my yard in which groups of tulips break forth and provide some beauty along with the reminder of my brother, my sister-in-law and my brother-in-law.



And now these tulips also stand as a reminder to me of this kind friend, who has now also passed from this life into her eternal rest.  

Building a banquet...

 It sure is handy having a carpenter as a spouse... he can do just about anything and here he is designing and building an extra long table (after clearing out all the furniture) for us to host a banquet.

Nothing like a few sheets of plywood..

 And Viola!  There we have it!  About 19 feet of table!

I just love setting the table and using many of the lovely items we have; most of which have been well appreciated gifts (40 year old wedding gifts still in use!)

 

 Dinner by candlelight.

 

 And then the most important part - the guests!  We had set for 20, but had 3 cancellations so it was dinner for 17. 

 

 We have enjoyed fellowship with this group of people for many many years as we have joined together on Sunday evenings to enjoy a Bible study and good fellowship (and coffee and desserts too!)   This was our "end of the season" banquet.

 

 I have pictures as far back as 2004 when hubby built a similar table in our living room but as we grew in numbers we needed a larger table, so the table was built in our family room.

 

 As a group we have gone through many joys and heartaches and trials together, as one can expect. 

Most recently was the death of one of our group members; it was hard to not see her at the meal.  We will have to wait until a banquet together in eternity. 

 

The food was delicious but the fellowship even more sweet.  I like this picture as I can see everyone busy talking together.  May you be also blessed with good friends to do life together. 

How may I help?

A number of years ago when my husband's single sister died after a chronic illness the church insisted on bringing us a meal. We didn't think we needed a meal but they insisted. I had no idea how much we DID need the meal however, as the emotional toll along with the many necessary plans that needed to be made at that time were more important then making a meal. It gave me an appreciation for the gift of a meal when I didn't even know I needed it.
I am feeling prompted t...o remind those reading this post of the blessings a meal can be to a family facing some challenges; either the new mom that needs to pace herself after the birth of her child or the recently widowed person or the family facing a chronic illness or continued cancer treatment. In any case (and many other cases that one could add to that brief list) the gift of a meal(s) can be so helpful.

First of all, it meets an immediate need; food is necessary! (And some may not have the strength to prepare a meal that will provide the balanced nutrition to aid in their health.)
Secondly, it meets a huge emotional need; just having someone say "I remember you. I know you are in need." is such an encouragement. To remind someone they are not alone, not forgotten.
Thirdly, it is may also be a spiritual blessing; both to the person bringing a meal as well as to the family recieving the gift.
So today, as I am considering so many in our fellowship facing some challenges, I encourage you to think of your circle of friends and say "how may I help?" You will be blessed as you are a blessing.
(p.s. My two tips: don't ask if they need a meal, instead call and say something like "I would like to bring you a meal on such and such a day." Second tip: bring it in disposal containers if at all possible.

Getting ready...

It's that time of year when I get fixated on the amazing birds at our feeders.  I have kept records for over twenty years and now know when to expect various birds.  In anticipation I have the feeders full, the grape jelly and oranges ready for the orioles and the hummingbird feeder ready.  Any day now I will be rewarded with the return of my migrating friends! I can hardly wait!

 

One of the exciting parts of the morning is enjoying a cup of coffee and watching the wood ducks decide if and when they will choose to go into one of the two wood duck boxes we have ready for them.  This morning I managed to get this photograph of Mrs. Wood duck leaving the box.  Presumably she left an egg in there. 

 

 The year round finches have brightened up to their pretty yellow.  Another good sign of spring!

And despite cold, wet and gloomy weather the tulips continue in their growth and will soon bless us with their flowers!  

High flying gymnasts!

 This past weekend our little 5 year old grand-daughter participated in the big spring gymnastics show - it is one amazing show of gymnasts from the wee little 3 year olds to the very talented high school stars.  They flip and fly and amaze with their synchronization as well!

 Look closely.. there are five girls in the air in perfect formation as the finale was full of action!

 

Our sweet little gymnast was dressed as a cop for her routine.  And she was very happy to receive some flowers when the show was over. 

 

This blur on the long mat is her performing her cartwheel. This year she has also learned how to do a back handspring.  It is so fun to see!

 

Good job sweetheart!

 

What were they thinking??

 

So... This falls into the category of "what were they thinking?".. Apparently someone decided to design a new cap to open this box of beef broth. When you twist open the white plastic cap it automatically cuts the protective inner foil. Which means that you as the consumer think "oh no! This product has been tampered with!!" Seriously, after being trained to be believe these foil or plastic covers show the product is safe now they DESIGN something that tears the protective ...foil so that you never actually see it fully in tact and providing a protective function!! And someone thought this was a good idea and got others in the manufacturing world to agree with them? (Full disclosure, there is a little note on the cap that this cut foil is by design. But I read on the internet that lots of people dumped their product when they didn't have to. Did no one see this coming?)

In anticipation..

 The nice thing about coming back to our end-of-winter climate is that we can enjoy the anticipation of spring!  I think I would miss the four seasons if I lived in an area that did not experience them fully. 

 I took a little walk around the yard to see the signs here and there... some are yet subtle but others are in full force, including the tulips that look like they will do well this year. 

 Hubby started sweeping the patio, moving things away from the wall so he could get the leaves that the wind blew into the corners.

And the pots await... a few more weeks before they get into action!

Long ride...

 We made it home! It was a long ride from Arizona and we seemed to often travel on long straight roads in rural areas of various states... I sometimes got a bit bored and found amusement in taking a few pictures of the trip... So exciting, right?  The picture below shows two different states on two different days. No wonder I felt a tad bit bored!!! But we had a lovely vacation, thankful for the opportunity to travel and vacation. Now we feel blessed to say we also love home, our family and friends and the community in which we live.  Tomorrow is another perfectly lovely ordinary day.

Thank you, Sedona.

Well the end of our five weeks in Sedona has arrived and I took one last picture of our view.. This was the view we enjoyed each morning with our coffee... Nicely framed by the patio arch looking at the courthouse rock and bell rock. It couldn't get much better then that. We had a lovely vacation, great time with family  some of whom we only get to see once a year at the most. Lots of hiking, fresh air, some swimming and eating and photography including sunset at cathedral rock.  We hope to return next year, Sedona! 

Accomplishment

There was one hike that I wanted to do but I wasn't completely sure I was up for it... We did it two years ago but last year I wasn't ready to take it on. But now, our last week of hiking, I felt ready and confident that I had the stamina to hike uphill to the Mesa at Doe Mountain. It really wasn't a long hike to the Mesa distance wise, just uphill on narrow switchback trails that required care with some areas especially. But every step was rewarded when we got to the Mesa and hiked all over the flat tabletop area taking in the views.  I have to say I feel quite accomplished.  And tired. ☺️

Exercise more...

 Exercise more, eat less they say. Well, at least I am doing the first part. Another good hike, 3 hours of walking up and down with good company and nice views. We did the Huckaby trail which provided views of the town of Sedona and then took us down to Oak creek.  I have to admit, though, that I was finished at the end of today's hike!  My final goal is a hike on Wednesday up Doe Mountain to the Mesa. I think after today I have the confidence that I can do it. Then we head home at the end of the week... In time for an artic blast of weather!  Goody. Not.

Lots of steps!

Today was the longest hike so far... We (Hubby, me and our neice and her hubby)went on the Mescal trail which was a new trail for us. It was fantastic and perhaps now our favorite trail. Here we are posing with this sign that really made us laugh...and we were glad it was only in reference to the mountain bikers and not to us hikers. 

Another trail we did not take was the "canyon of fools" but we made the men pose by the sign just for  fun. There are no fools, though! We might have to try that trail someday though. 

Yesterday I was just too pooped and said "I just don't think I can do another hike" but happily today I awoke refreshed and ready for this fresh air and exercise! 

 And my steps on my iPhone registered over 12,000 on this hike. Got to love technology!

The Haunted Hamburger

 The steep, hillside town of Jerome is a popular tourist attraction and the ride up to the town is not for the faint of heart but it is a fun place to visit. One of the popular food establishments is The Haunted Hamburger. We enjoyed some good food along with good family visiting and amazing views from this vantage point.  And the hamburgers were quite good!

Last hike for them

Well our time with our eldest son and family has come to a close as they have returned to Minnesota and a nice covering of white snow as well! I am sure that must have been an unwelcome change of scenery. We had a great time together and the little boys were real troopers hiking. Their favorite was when they got to climb rocks! REAL climbing in their minds. Now we have another 10 days to continue enjoying this time and then we can look forward to returning to our home and friends and family as well. We just don't want to return to snow.....

A Sedona Saturday in the sun

Today was another glorious Sedona sunshine day! We hiked in Fay canyon, some climbed the rocks at the end of path for added adventure while Samuel and I waited and he enjoyed an apple. After that we had a great lunch at the Wildflower bread company and ice cream cones as well! Another short hike and then time to head to the condo for a swim. What a great Saturday here in sunny Arizona. We count ourselves blessed to enjoy each day.