>>>>

Wednesday, January 08, 2014

Living on AZ Time!

AZ_JAN2014 008
After spending most of the morning on the computer double checking art edits, answering emails that have piled up over the past week while teaching in Texas, I found myself just ITCHING  to get out in the Arizona January sunshine and soak up some vitamin D!

It seems I have not thawed out since Germany –and while dad joined his regular group here in Sun Lakes for a game of pickleball, on went my shoes, in went my ear buds and I took a long walk with James Taylor enjoying the sights, sounds and smells around me.

Smells??

YES, smells!

I didn’t catch it at first ---that fresh fragrance that brings to mind childhood summers full of long drawn out afternoons end endless daylight --

And then it hit me…FRESH MOWN GRASS!!

Someone had just mowed the grass I was standing on ---oh that delightful freshly cut grass smell!

AZ_JAN2014 007

With waterfowl!!

Looks like I wasn’t the only one enjoying the newly mown lawns that surround the walking paths at Sun Lakes!

AZ_JAN2014 004

Mallards floating around, green heads in the sun!

There are so many things in life I have taken for granted.  When life is so busy and so hectic that you can’t even find time to take a WALK ---this was the perfect way to spend just an hour –and I intend to do it again today!

AZ_JAN2014 005

Afternoon sun behind the clouds --

I have a love affair with palm trees.  I’ve loved them since I was little –I remember being in 2nd grade, moving from Minnetonka, Minnesota’s freezing cold  to the sunshine and warmth of San Jose California’s Almaden Valley,  with palms in our new front yard.  Majestic beauties, reaching upward with their crowns.  They  bring on images of feathers in quilting designs, texture demanding to be touched – and of Princess Feather appliques –something I’ve always admired but have never attempted.

Dinner last night was a heart filled occasion – with so much talking when we first gathered that our waiter had to come back FOUR times to see if we were ready to order yet.  The food I guess, just was not as important as the fact that we were gathered together – Dad, myself, my brother Mark, and  my sis-in-law Sharolyn.

AZ_JAN2014 010

Dad and Mark pose for a cheesy photo –who is who??

Mark is doing so well!  He has about a week of radiation and chemo left ---then some time off, and then he starts on a clinical trial thing.  He’s lost his hair, he’s lost about 20 lbs, and though he tires easily, he is still the brother I love so much!  And it hit me – wow.  you CAN tell we are family! 

AZ_JAN2014 011

Mark and Sharolyn

I am so happy to have been able to add these couple of days on to my Texas itinerary ---family is THAT important!

Tonight’s plan is for dinner at Mark’s house –and just more time talking, relaxing, just being ---there is a time for quilting, and there is a time for FAMILY.

Love from Arizona ---


Click Here to like our Quiltville Friends Page on Facebook for more fun!
You do not need a Facebook account to read the Facebook posts - They are viewable to all! Feel free to read & quilt along with us!

32 comments:

  1. Glad to see you all smiling. Family time is a wonderful thing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. FAMILY is what it is all about!! Give them extra hugs and enjoy a well earned break!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. My favorite time here in AZ is early spring, when the orange blossoms start budding...we're talking sweet smells, bright sunny days and highs in the 70's. Taking long walks and enjoying the views of the mountains that surround us. As my father in law always said...just another day in paradise! Enjoy your family time.

    ReplyDelete
  4. grass? sunshine? warmth? oh be still my heart!

    ReplyDelete
  5. What is pickle ball?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Beautiful beyond words....thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Mark sure looks happy for a guy grappling with cancer. Guess you could call it the family effect.

    ReplyDelete
  8. You made me tear up Bonnie. Family is precious and you all look so happy! Enjoy tho243634385520se walks.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Glad you can be with your brother and your father AND still be where it is warm. Enjoy the warmth from the outside, but especially the warmth that family gives to your heart.

    ReplyDelete
  10. There is no better time than when family are together enjoying each other's company. Enjoy the special time with your family...it's nice that you have slowed down and taken time for you, if only for a couple of days.

    ReplyDelete
  11. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I do love his fighting spirit, I hope he wins the battle. What a million dollar smile he has! did he love his quilt you made for him in record time?

    Enjoy your time with family,
    Hugs and safe travel

    ReplyDelete
  13. Family is everything and I'm glad you're enjoying quality time with yours. Your brother looks great! Best wishes to him and all of you.

    ReplyDelete
  14. We are having summer weather her on the central coast of CA! I am loving every minute of it! Family time is so important.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm in sunny Minnetonka, MN right now...we have a balmy temperature of -2 F. I'd love to be in AZ right now. Thanks for sharing your family time with us. Sending prayers for Mark and his family.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Family is the very important thing in life. Glad you find some time to enjoy and stay with your. Mark does look good. My best wishes for his full recovery

    ReplyDelete
  17. Enjoy your visit with your family, Bonnie, there is nothing more
    important than family. I lost my Father Oct. 6th and miss him so much.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Quilts....we wouldn't need them as much without family, which I am pretty certain that when Mark covers himself with the last quilt you made him, he feels your love. Smile on and make lots of happy and comforting memories on this trip.
    Robin Wood
    Knoxville, Tennessee

    ReplyDelete
  19. It is so good to hear that Mark is doing so well. Enjoy your family visit - I'm glad you were able to make this little side trip so visit both your dad and Mark.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Mark looks good, still thinking of him and praying everyday. I was going to comment last time how much you two look alike, would not mistake you for anything other than siblings!
    Enjoy the warmth for me too! We just cam off 4 days of below zero and not just a little bit below. It is 0 right now and feels relatively nice.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I am so glad that Mark is doing so well! Love the smiles :) I am keeping him and your whole family in my prayers. Family is so very important and I'm glad you got to take a little time to spend with yours! Blessings!!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I am so very happy you are able to spend some time with your family, especially Mark. And yes, you all do look alike :).

    Remember what the green grass looks like, back in NC you won't see it for some time to come.
    AZ is a gorgeous place ... the sky out there is so blue and endless.

    Smiles, JulieinTN

    ReplyDelete
  23. I am so very happy you are able to spend some time with your family, especially Mark. And yes, you all do look alike :).

    Remember what the green grass looks like, back in NC you won't see it for some time to come.
    AZ is a gorgeous place ... the sky out there is so blue and endless.

    Smiles, JulieinTN

    ReplyDelete
  24. So glad you could spend time with family. Mark is looking really good! Prayers that the clinical trials go well toO!

    hm

    ReplyDelete
  25. Wow ... that last picture of Mark with his wife.....you can really tell you and he are brother and sister!

    ReplyDelete
  26. So glad you got to spend time with your family. Any yes you can tell you are family! Family is very important.

    ReplyDelete
  27. your optimism is contagious! Even on non-quilting issues! thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Now I know where those coots end up after migrating through Minneapolis in the late fall! It's fun to see them enjoying the green grass safe from eagles.

    ReplyDelete
  29. So glad your making those family remembrance times as nothing is more important. As always I enjoy your sharing heart you are sure a blessing to all. Continued prayers for marks healing and blessings to all.

    ReplyDelete

  30. Glad you had such a wonderful meal and visit with your family. Glad that Mark is doing well. I wish him well with his treatment.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Thank you for sharing all your beautiful photo's. My favorite are with your family and Mark is looking wonderful. He is surrounded with so much love from family and that is the very best! Hugs and prayers to you all!
    Helen Tester

    ReplyDelete

If you are commenting as "anonymous" please leave your name at the end of your comment.

Did you know that ad space on this blog provides for all of the free patterns and free mysteries and challenges at no cost to you? Without ads, this blog would not be possible.

Thank you for understanding the many hours that go into this blog 6 days a week, 52 weeks a year. :)