The visit so far....

Well hello friends. No I am not among the missing....just having a good time. Alan and Lisa arrived on Tuesday. I received an email very early from him saying they missed the flight!~ Luckily they were able to catch the very next one and honestly they still arrived around the same time....and of course missed the East Coast storm. Now we hear there may be a new storm brewing for Monday/Tuesday....gee, they may have to stay another day longer...awwww.
Wednesday was our day trip into Scottsdale and yesterday we visited the Botanical Garden.

This is a Chihuly sculpture as you enter the garden. There were many more pictures taken but this will do for now.
Did I mention that on the first evening here Alan and Lisa and I went to Best Buy

I am now in the correct century with my cell phone! Going from the old flip no test to a Samsung yes I can text you now has been fun. I am all set up and since it is very much like my tablet I know lots of the in and outs.
Today I will be relaxing while they go horseback riding. I also will be making bread for us to have with the beef stew that I am also making for tonight. Alan cooked Shrimp Mozambique...delicious.
So that will be it for now as I have a few things to do like packing them a small cooler with extra water. The temp will be around 80 today. Glad you stopped by and thank you for your kind words and always for your friendship. You will no doubt be hearing from Alan soon.

The day is almost upon us, finish packing tonight and early to rise. 6am flight out of Providence to my second home in Arizona. Packing is easy since we leave most of what we brought in the past in our room. Small bag and we are off. Grace is right the New England weather does wear on you and I look forward to sunshine and relaxing. Like Grace mentioned obligatory trip to Scottsdale and the Rusty Spur with a day for horseback riding and perhaps the Botanical garden (the cacti are in bloom). Then chores and other business to do with the property. There will be a meet and greet for the Condo Association I believe on Saturday which will give us an opportunity to meet some of the neighbors I have not met and to catch up with the ones I have. I truly look forward to a glass of wine in the yard and not answering the phone or emails. With luck I can stumble upon an adventure or two to share..
until next time.......Alan

New garden additions

The breeze is refreshing this morning.....the chimes are singing. Hummer feeders filled. Why is it when the feeders are clean and just filled the hummers act like I am trying to poison them? They will not drink from it for a few hours!
Remember I mentioned that I bought a few plants when I went to Lowe's...

Golden Shrub Daisy...Margarita.....so sunny this morning. I love all the daisy family plants. This is an annual but sometimes here in Arizona they will grow as an almost perennial.... lasting a very long time.

This lovely lavender cluster is the Society Garlic. Just the touch of the leaves and garlic is in the air. The hummer seems to like it. Right now it is still in the pot, but may go into the ground as it is a perennial and can grow large.

 This is Dodonaea Viscos, Green or Hopbush. This specimen can grow tall and wide. Presently it is about 3 feet wide and 5 feet at it's tallest. Where it is planted it has the room and it will be a divider in the garden. The "fruit" as it is called or flowers are papery and light green/tan and look like butterflies. This is perfect out here as once it is established it will only need monthly watering. There is a story with this one but since The Brother Alan checks the blog I will wait until another time to talk about it. I will say thank you to Don and Glenda.... two of the dearest people in the world. Last evening Glenda sent over a stuffed pepper and bread along with a piece of pie for me. A good end to the day for me.
Today will be a few chores this morning to get ready for tomorrow but very little as I am in need of a restful day. Glad you stopped by and hope you like my new plants. With luck I will get tatting started today. Thank you for your kind words and for you friendship.

******Tomorrow Tomorrow...is the day!******

Sunday.....and only one day left

As it begins to become morning the sun is just beginning to shine.

Such a golden sky! Still a little chilly but soon all will warm up.
Laundry is swishing and since I did not do any for a few days, another will follow. I have a few things to do in the garden today.
Yesterday Don and I went to Lowe's for irrigation supplies and for lattice to reinforce the gazebo canopy. The canvas top has stretched and was beginning to sag....not now thanks to Don. While there I did find a  few new plants and the start of my herbs

Sweet Basil and chives and a strawberry plant.....if I can keep the birds away I just may get a strawberry or two.
Glenda and I went gallivanting in the afternoon and came home with garden jewelry...

this small trellis will help keep the Red Lips Salvia from falling forward. Then the butterflies...

We would have bought more but it was all we could find! A bit of color here and there.  I also found some little ones that flutter...

This is in one of the house plants and the others will be scattered about in and out.  Whimsy for the garden and me.

Introducing.... Little Snow Flake. This print was a gift from Dianna and I finally found a plain frame to display her. I do not know who the artist is or anything about her except she is cute and a nice addition to my Southwest collection.
Well friends....I have a bit of housework to do and a few plants to settle in their new spots. It was nice to have you visit and chat. Thank you for your kind words and most of all for your friendship.

*oh my goodness, there is only one day left until you know what, I mean you know who arrives!*