CHORE #1 2011 - UPDATE KITCHEN

Now that we have updated the countertops in our kitchen and removed that horrible wallpaper it's time to stop thinking about updating the appliances and actually do it! New appliances were delivered and are now standing ready in the entry hallway. I know, I know, but it's two weeks out before the appliances will be installed by Russ and friends.

Here is the stuff we are replacing. Currently there is a white refrigerator, a beige stove and microwave and a black dishwaster. Soon all will be matching stainless steel. Yay!

MY FRIENDS NEW CRAFT - WHIMSICAL!

These whimsical suncatcher flowers are made by my friend Melanie. She has used various sizes, colors, and textures of antique glassware together to make fun sun catching flowers.

Let me say how they just look beautiful and fun in my front planters. Each design is unique!

If you're interested in purchasing - she will be displaying her craft at the Smoki Museum craft show this coming weekend, November 12-14.

OH FALL!

This was the most amazing fall season I have seen in Prescott in decades! It was so amazingly beautiful in the morning sunshine. It even appeared that the houses were painted over with gold overtones. This is a picture from our back porch. This was such an infusion of gold - it was breathtaking. OH FALL!!!!

Our walk to breakfast early Saturday morning gave us the opportunity to walk under the canopy of gold! I can't remember when I've seen Prescott so beautiful with fall color.

The picture on the left is taken walking north along Mt. Vernon, the picture on the right is walking south along the same walkway. That one tree with all of the yellow on the trunk was quite the scene stealer for the weekend. So many tourist and Prescott residents stopped to take photos of that one tree. The tree is in front of our neighbors home.

The houses seems to be painted with gold overtones.

In our backyard, under the pergola, you feel as if you are sheltered with a sea of gold. It was wonderful to see the Fall colors!

SUSHI EXPERIENCE

I know it will be too hard to believe that today I had my first taste of sushi - and it was awesome. I went to lunch with my friend Woojin and she was kind enough to introduce me to sushi - Arizona Roll, Catapillar Roll, and California Roll. I must say the adventure was wonderful and the company was the best.








The Arizona Roll was my favorite as it was spicy and had much flavor. The crab and avocado mix is delightful.

So there you have it just newly 61 and my first taste of sushi. Guess I'm not going to be a registered foodie anytime soon. Enjoy!

COLORFUL BALLOONS

Outside this morning in the cool morning air - we were able to enjoy this group of hot air balloons that danced in the sky above our neighborhood. It was really cool!

VIEW FROM THE TOP - OCT 2010

The view from the top of our Temecula property is always breathtaking!

We were amazed at the amount of growth on the trees this season. Some of the trees are more than 6 feet tall. Hope to have a successful crop this year.

Our neighbor got his tractor running again and he graded us a new, very level, pull straight in, RV parking spot. It was awesome as we could park very close to the trees and enjoy more shade than in the past when we had to back into the parking area. Sure made for nice camping! Well, can't say Thomas agrees with that as he is not always fond of camping. I think it's because he has to wait for us to let him outdoors.

A couple of years ago Russ planted some seeds from a Mexican Lime tree we had in Tempe. Look at them now! There was such a bumper crop on those two trees (probably thanks to the bee hives placed on our property) we couldn't even pick them all. These limes tend to be a bit sweeter and perfect for drinks and on seafood dishes. Bring on the Corona!

The avocado grove is looking great! We were very pleased with all the new growth on our trees. We're pleased to have the bees living happily at the top of our grove.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Pics for a previous party! Rather than adding the lime to the beer we just added the beer to the lime.

Have a Spooky Night!

YOU HAVE TO ADMIT IT'S ORIGINAL!

Russ went to a car swap meet in Peoria a couple of weekends ago. He found this "diamond in the rough" - his words. My words were a bit different as I tried to describe his new find. And just when I thought we had that empty parking space. Oh well, it is what is! I'm just hoping some Ford fan will come along and scoop it out from under us! HAHA!

TALK ABOUT AVOCADO!!

Russ found this avocado at Fry's grocery this week. It was amazing! We are headed to Temecula this weekend and plan to plant that seed on our property! This avocado was advertised as 1/2 the calories too! Hummmm! I supposed that could be because it's not the rich and creamy Haas variety. But irregardless it was YUMMY!

RETIREMENT STEP ONE - DOWNSIZE

First rule of thumb when you think you want to retire - DOWNSIZE! We won't have this 5 car garage-mahal and all of the outside parking - so something has to go. (boohoo, sniff, sniff) So we decided to sell our 1967 Corvette - it was a really fun ride. We'll miss ya!

So the buyer is in New Jersey - so this truck pulls up on Saturday to pick up the car. Now this was an amazing car carrier, I've never seen the likes of this truck! It was amazing!

This truck carries 8 cars and the sides and top are soft-sides (like canvas). So the first thing to happen is he pops open the back of the truck which the only hard surface portion other than the frame.

Then he has the roof lifted up! Really?

Next he pulls out the car which will be located UNDER our car. And when I see this car, I'm just praying our car doesn't leak oil - lol. This beauty is a Mersedes Gullwing (brand new)! Oh let's say maybe around $250,000!

After the excitement of our neighbors thinking our new car was being delivered (NOT!), then they pull up our car to load.

Our car is then lifted up and the bottom car is added to the mix. Then it's wave goodbye (boohoo and sniff sniff). The new owner also owns a 1961 Corvette so it won't be lonely in New Jersey.

BYE BYE!

Russ is thinking "hummmm - wonder what I can find to park in that empty space?"

THOMAS KINCAID THE PAINTER (cat)

I worked hard painting the kitchen this weekend, but I was lucky that Thomas Kincaid wanted to help out!

I'll do the high parts for ya.

BIRDS! BIRDS! Look - there are BIRDS!!

FLOWERS FROM NORWAY

Thank you to Ed and Pilla for the lovely birthday wish.

About five years ago I purchase 3 of these mannequins. My intention was to cover them with pretty paper and deck them out with hats and jewelry to make a pretty display. Well I guess time gets away from all of us. Now I'm looking at these mannequins and thinking either throw them out, give them away, or finally cover them with pretty paper, etc.

I took choice number 3 - I covered them with pretty paper. Well, at least one of them! Now I'm inspired to do the other two.

Here she is with her hat and jewelery!

This is the completed project on the dresser top

BETA SIGMA PHI BEGINNING DAY 2010

BEGINNING DAY 2010!

Service Project - Empty Bowls, Prescott Arizona. We gather together and each member prepares and decorates one or more bowls which are then donated to the Annual Empty Bowls event to help end hungar.

The 13th Annual Empty Bowls event will take place on September 12, 2010 at the Prescott Courthouse Plaza in Prescott, Arizona from 11am to 2pm. The money raised goes to the Yavapai County Food Banks

The program described the benefits of being a BSP woman. Life, Learning and Friendship!

There's always great dessert!