Holiday Time In Northwest Arizona

The  Grandwash Cliffs dusted in snow and the Joshua trees a little greener. Beautiful backyard view.

 My best and favorite Christmas Apron. It`s about 50 years old!

 Did you have a Flexible Flyer? My sister and I steered into snow drifts and sometimes tossed from our sleds. There were a few times when that snow drift was ice. Ouch!

 One of the most beautiful places on earth, the Uncompahgre Plateau in Colorado. My first hunting trip was there and it was a  balmy -13F. 

 Last years snow Christmas week.

Iron Mountain towering over the Joshua Tree National  Natural Landmark. A half mile up the road from me.

  Natures beauty is a joy. I am blessed to be surrounded by these gifts from God. I will be posting again between sessions of gift making. Thank you for stopping by. I will post the gifts I made after the recipients open them. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Cathy in Arizona

Embroidered Pillowcase Giveaway and Morning Snow

To begin today`s post I want to tell you about a Pillowcase Giveaway my friend Marilyn is having on her blog Our Victorian Cottage. Marilyn expertly embroiders pillowcases and finishes them with lovely crochet embroidery. This is a fabulous giveaway. Please visit her blog and take a look. You won`t be disappointed.

We had a late night/early morning snow. It was beautiful, damp and bitterly cold. The sun melted most of the snow by late afternoon. There is a promise of warmer weather tomorrow. Total accumulation was about 1 1/2 inches.

Thank you for visiting. Homemade chile for supper tonight with fresh warm bread. Have a nice week!
Cathy

Arizona Snow Pictures and A Bit Of Chat!

Morning! Christmas sure is coming fast isn`t it? These snow pictures were taken after the storm Friday night and Saturday morning. We needed the rain and the snow lasted long enough to give the trees a good soaking.

Garnet Mountain. The garnet mine is on the back side.

The main road to my house. Lost Basin mining area a few miles away in the background.

My driveway with Desert Willow on the left.

My  rosemary plant. Twenty years and going strong.

About the rosemary. It was one of three plants and this is the hardy survivor. Twenty two years of enjoyment. I brush by it every day so I can enjoy the fragrance. It sits in the front yard where years ago I had my vegetable garden.  My husband wants me to dig it up and put it to rest. Never!

Do you want to advance your hand embroidery skills or are you new to embroidery? If so, maybe you`d like to join me in the Take A Stitch Tuesday Challenge 2012 or TAST 2012. Sponsored by Sharonb at Pin Tangle. I expect this to be fun and you are able to see how others are doing too!

I`ve been crocheting hats, one pattern, different yarns. Pictures by Tuesday. Thanks for stopping by,
Cathy

A Nice Break and The Last Snow

I took this picture a half hour before sunrise this morning. Rambling through the yard in PJ`s and sneakers in 6 inches of white bliss. I guess this is the last snow, who really knows. We need the moisture, our drought has been so long. The lilacs froze. I shook the snow off, the bush seems to be fine but the lilacs crumbled in my hands. Glad I picked a final bouquet yesterday.

I hear the pettiness in DC was set aside and a shutdown has been avoided for now. Shame on you Mr. Obama for stating you would veto pay for the military had the shutdown prevailed.

I`ve got three projects going. A denim rug, crochet rug, vintage needlework repair for relatives and stocking my store again with new thrifty finds.

Today is my son`s 33rd birthday. Happy Birthday Chris!

Have a wonderful weekend!
Cathy