Monday, October 31, 2011

MEXICAN ADVENTURE



Being in Douglas, Arizona for my 50th High School Class Reunion, we decided to spend a few extra days and go with Ken and Judy down to their fishing village on the shores of Lake Novillo.  Well, after all these years of living right on the Mexican Border, I finally get to travel into the interior.  I was excited.  This village is about a five hour drive south of the border.  We stopped at the border, obtained visas, and away we went.  I loved the drive, through small, sleepy Mexican towns and villages; along winding mountain roads, and through valleys filled with agriculture.  All along the toad there were definite signs we were in Mexico:  . . .

Little donkeys
And dusty roads, adobe walls, and small humble homes.  It was the chili harvest and we were greeted with roadside stands selling bright red Mexican chili peppers.
Lake Novillo is a man made lake, and as the waters rose the villagers had to move to higher ground to save their homes.  They were not able, however, to move their ancient, old cathedral, built in the 1600's, nor were they able to move their cemetery.  Most of the time these are buried  under the lake, but once in a while when the water level is down, the cemetery appears as does the crumbling walls of the cathedral.  We were able to go and touch and see the cathedral and marvel at the centuries old workmanship still standing.  Walking in the graveyard that was under water was eerie, but amazing.

Our purpose in going was bass fishing.  And fish we did!  Judy took most of the fishing pictures which I do not have at this time.  Here is a photo of my brother, Ken and his tilapia.  He was such a patient mentor and teacher as he took these very novice bass fishermen and showed us the ropes.  We probably caught about 30 bass/day.  The amazing thing, we would return to hour home in the evening and the villagers would come and take our fish and soon bring them back all cleaned, filleted and ready to eat.  What a deal.



On our way back to the States we took another road that followed the trail of the Franciscan Padres. We were able to stop and view at least 5 of the missions that they established in the 1600's. All of






 them still standing and preserved and still in use.  This was one of my very favorites.  Each cathedral is found in the center of the village or town across from the town plaza.
Then it was back to the border .  Our last view of Mexico and their flags flying for a recent fiesta.
What an great adventure into our neighbor to the south.



Saturday, October 29, 2011

Garden Harvest

I am certain you have all been waiting on pins and needles to see how our square foot garden did. Well, sorry I have been so late in getting this on the blog. You see I have been so busy harvesting . . .or at least this can be an excuse.
This is an average day picking. We had so many zuchinni and cucumbers all the neighbors were kept in good supply.

This is my first venture at pressure canning. The green beans were the best. Only had a problem with the canner, the lid stuck and I couldn't get the jars out. Finally I did, but I was afraid I would have to use dynamite to open it.
Here are some of my rewards. Jars of salsa and pickles. It was lots of fun. Today, I cleaned the garden and took most of it down for the winter as we have threats of cold weather (freezing) next week. And, yes, we plan to do more square foot gardening.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Square Foot Gardening!

This year we decided to do square foot gardening! Supposed to be the easy, no work type of gardening. Well, one forgot to say how much work it is to build the boxes, find the soil mixture, mix it, put it in the boxes, make the grids, put in the drip system, and while doing this surviving the attack of the Grantsville gnats. These little critters are terrible. They attack your head, neck , and ears, and bite and bite. This was my creation to help fend of these miserable critters. It helped but not totally. I still came away with bites down my neck, and all over my ears. The gnats do go away as the weather warms. Thank heavens.
Steve is the master creator of the boxes, grids, and watering system. He did a great job! Thanks, hon!
Here is one of the finished boxes. We have four. In this one we have: lettuce, bell peppers (green, red, and yellow),green onions, tomatoes (4 kinds), cucumbers, spinach, parsley, and cilantro. In the second box we have onions (walla walla, red), beets, carrots, rosemary, lime tyme, basil, and two kinds of potatoes (russet and red). In our third box we put the big squash plants (zuchinni and yellow) and more onions. In our fourth box, beans, and two kinds of peas.
Now we await the fun part of this type of gardening, lots of wonderful veggies and no weeds.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Grandma Trip!

March found me in Kentucky visiting with Tracy and Paul and their family. What fun! But what a frustrating time I have had trying to share this trip with you on my Blog. So this is a very short blog with few pictures.
One of the reasons I went in March was to celebrate the birthdays of Elizabeth, Rachel, and John.
Not only did we celebrate birthdays, but we had fun just playing and renewing grandma-grandkid friendships. I was able to also let Paul and Tracy celebrate their wedding anniversary by having a night away and a trip to the Louisville temple.
While I was there I was able to see the arrival of a new baby fish, help make "fairy beds", discover the Monticello historical museum with Sarah. Go on walks with John. See the llamas that live on the farm next door. Have family home evenings of roasting marshmallows, and also of playing in the water.
It was Spring in Monticello and the flowers were in bloom. Their home had the prettiest flowers in the neighborhood. Watching Kentucy bloom in the spring was a delight.
At night, after a day of playing, I would fall asleep with a grin on my face, remembering all the fun things we had done and shared.
I love Grandma trips.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Fasting and Prayer Really Work!


To all of us that fasted and prayed for Jordan, as her grandmother, I want to thank all of you. I visited Jordan today at the hospital. The surgery was done on Sunday morning. We were there to see her before her surgery. Grandpa and Uncle Matt gave her a Priesthood blessing. She looked so brave. We walked with her to the OR and then waited for the next 6 hours until the surgery was completed. They found and repaired a hole the size of a quarter.
We were there when they wheeled her back to her room. She was asleep, on a ventilator and had at least 4 chest tubes and it seemed a jillion IV's delivering all sorts of meds and fluids. She was totally sedated and asleep.

Just two days later, here is a picture that I took today. Notice her huge smile, and she is sitting up and even eating real food. Yes, your prayers and fasting were worth it. She still has a way to go before she comes home, but she is trying with all her might to come home as soon as possible.

What Really Matters!

There are no pictures with this blog, just some of my feelings and thoughts. Sometimes in life you have something happen to you that makes you step back and just look at things and think a bit about what life is all about.
With the recent illness and sickness of my grandaughter, Jordan, I have had moments that have made me realize what is really important in this life. Life is all about relationships--with those I live with, with those that are my friends, with my neighbors, with those I meet on the street or the store. It is about my relationship with Heavenly Father.
One of the only thing that I will take me when I leave this life, is the relationships that I have made with others. Those bonds of love and friendship will be with me always. It doesn't matter how much money I made, or great wordly accomplishments. It just doesn't matter what color my hair is, or how many dresses I have in my closet.
It does matter how I have loved and shared myself with those around me. It matters how I speak to and treat others. It does matter that I say I love you, and thank you, and please. It does matter if I spend the time to know and love my Heavenly Father.
This special time watching Jordan go through this terrile trial, has made me stand in awe of her strengths and her courage. It has made me realize how fragile life is. That it is a gift from God. There is no way to know when my time here on Earth will be over. I so need to love and live each day to the best.
I am so thankful that I have a testimony of Jesus Christ. That there is a purpose to life, and that there is a life after death. As I think about all this, and the trials that are here, it makes the Plan more clear. I just pray that I can face the challenges that will be ahead of me with as much patience, courage, and faith as Jordan has.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Rawhide!

An old Western town, that one can go to and get a bit of a feel for Western living. We went with about a couple thousand others. A bit crowded, but still fun.

Here we are ready to board the ole stage coach. Only problem, no horses attached.
A pie eating contest was very fun to watch. I may never view cherry pie quite the same.



It was a birthday celebration. They made this 300 lb cake that they were going to cut and serve later in the day.


Phoenix Open Golf Tournament!

In all my years of doing things, I have never imagined myself at a golf tournament. Why that seemed so silly to stand there and watch some men hit a golf ball. Well, we happened to be here when this huge tournament was held. The weather was unusually cold and the tournament became delayed due to the frosty greens in the mornings. So they had to go an extra day, and on Monday, the tournament was free. Well, free sounded just fine, so off we went. Arrived early, and it was chilly, notice the coats and sweatshirts.

A most beautiful and lush golf course. I like to golf, because I love to walk around the green golf courses.

I even learned some of the names. This is "Fowler". A very young, fun golfer to watch.

Here we watched the leading foursome come into the stadium surrounding hole # 16. Wilson, 2 Gloves Gainey, and Hass. After a very fun morning, I would absolutely go again. I have become quite the golf fan.



Cliff Dwellings.

These are the Tonto Indian Cliff Dwellings by Globe Arizona. We parked far below and hiked up a fairly steep trail through a most beautiful desert landscape.
It was amazing to me to see the evidence of the Indian culture that was built so many centuries ago.


Don't know how to turn us around. But here we are standing inside of one of the large rooms of the dwelling.


One of the original pieces of Indian art found in the ruins. Very amazing, the skill they had. We loved going here. We have such a difficult time surviving in the desert with all of our conveniences, and they did it, living with what they had around them to use.


Western Art Museum!

We went to the Basha Western Art Museum in Chandler. Totally free of charge and one of the most wonderful collections of Western Art. These are Indian baskets. I have never seen a larger or more beautiful collection.


There was room after room of wonderful paintings and bronze sculptures of the West. Really beautiful.



This room was full of Kachina dolls from the Hopi Indians. These represent the Gods and Spirits that are present in every part of the world around us. Amazing. There is no way to even try to do justice to all the art. It took several hours to look at everything.


Snowflake Temple!

We are home now, but I now have access to a computer to share some of our trips and adventures. We loved the Snowflake temple. It sits high on a hill and can be seen for miles.
It is in North Eastern Arizona, and sits out on a high plains area. It very much has an American Indian theme. The waterfall was not running as it was in the winter.

If you get a chance, by all means put this on your agenda.


Saturday, February 12, 2011

Winter Wonderland, Mesa Style

WINTER WONDERLAND--MESA STYLE

PALM TREES WAVE, ARE YOU LISTENIN?

IN THE POOL, WATER'S GLISTENIN,


A BEAUTIFUL SIGHT WE'RE HAPPY TONIGHT


LIVIN' IN A MESA WONDERLAND.







GONE AWAY IS THE BLIZZARD



AND HERE TO STAY ARE THE LIZARDS.

A WARM SUNNY DAY WE LIKE IT THAT WAY


LIVIN' IN A MESA WONDERLAND.



IN THE DESERT WE WILL HAVE A PICNIC


CACTUS, SAND, RATTLESNAKES AND SUN.



SUNDAY DINNER IS AN OLD TRADITION


IT'S PINTO BEANS AND TACOS BY THE TON.



LATER ON WE'LL PERSPIRE


AS THE THE TEMPERATURES RISE HIGHER


A WARM SUNNY DAY WE LIKE IT THAT WAY


LIVIN' IN A MESA WONDERLAND.



Loving it! Be home the first week in March!


















Thursday, January 20, 2011

Snowbirding #1.

This is what our house looked like as we headed out. 12 degrees. It stayed frozen until we reached St. George, then the ice melted off the truck and trailer.


Our favorite camping place, Valley of Fire. There was even a huge big horn sheep there to greet us.


Next stop Cottonwood Cove on the Colorado River.



A brief stop in Laughlin, just so Steve could see it. Had a great icecream cone.



A Joshua tree forest outside of a desert town, called Searchlight. We are so loving the sun and the warm weather. Our next stop, Phelan and a visit with Mike and Kasey.