Being three with Ivy

The seasons are turning in Phoenix

One season in Arizona turns slower then molasses.  Want to take a guess as to which season I am referencing.....


...summer.


But thankfully that season has not yet revealed itself.

Right now touches of spring are upon us.  The trees that have not quite lost all of their leaves are now starting to bud.  Our fall garden, which has been a tremendous success to this novice gardener, is starting to shift as well.  Our carrots have been harvested, snap peas have been eaten, our lettuce is growing bitter and is now flowering.  I didn't know that lettuce flowered!  It was quite the revelation. Though I do admit that it is not rocket science but I have wondered just where lettuce and carrot seeds come from.

So here are a couple shots of the loveliness around our yard and garden.  February is a joy in Phoenix and one that I hope moves very, very slowly.

(Green Leaf Lettuce)

(Orange Tree & Chinese Evergreen Pear)

(budding brussel sprouts)

(Arugula)

(Ash Tree)

Our January Afternoons

January in Phoenix is heavenly.

The mornings are crisp in the 40s and the afternoons are just about perfect in the mid 70s. 

Early morning arguments over jackets versus cardigans are thrown aside to afternoon sunshine and bare feet in the vegetable garden.

Our mornings disappear like the blink of an eye, and before I know it school is over and we get to play.

And we get to pick fresh oranges and snack.

We walk the dog and/or attempt to escape his incessant biting.

And visit the neighboring goat.



Meanwhile I inspect every blossom, bud and sign of new growth in the garden and around the yard.

 (purple pansy)

(snapdragon) 

(amaryllis)

(snap peas)

(yellow grapefruit)

the many faces of my babies

1st day of a New Year

The first day of a new year.

I wonder how many people woke up this morning thinking… today I will start a blog.  Or, today I will restart my blog.

Well then we would be great friends.

Last year was an incredible one at our house.  It involved moving into the home that we had wanted for several years, being accepted into a wonderful elementary school, starting preschool, growing both a summer and winter garden with some success and adopting a dog.  The jury is still out on the unnamed pup but I am sure he will prove to be a joy in the long run.

This year my goals are simple.

Work more.
Write more.
Read more.
Think more.
Make beauty.
See beauty.

Happy New Year.