My poor hubby faces his 3rd surgery of the year this week....what a long road to recovery this has been....trying physically and emotionally. He has been a real trouper as he battles pain and the hassle of all the insurance drama etc. Surely the 3rd time is the charm!
That, along with bathroom remodeling, landscape renovations and RV'ing with the grandsons a lot has been going on!
So knowing we are headed back to the House of Exile for 6 weeks we decided to scale back on some things around here and get away for some fun and relaxation.
I put up very few 4th of July decorations as we were going to be gone until almost July 1 and the yard is under construction so no outdoor decs but could not resist a tiny bit of patriotic pride!
We headed over to Scottsdale to hang with my brother, The Addie, Shannie and my mom who is visiting there for the summer. We had to make a quick stop coming into Arizona and low and behold look what I found! I did not realize these were legal to sell in AZ! Yipee!
We settled in, had lots of pool time, game time, just hanging out time and I took glorious long walks every a.m. My brother lives in a beautiful setting there and the most amazing scenery is everywhere I walk around his area.
So cool and breezy early a.m.
Yes, I had to walk by my favorite historic landmark - The Squaw Peak Inn...just majestic.
The Addie came with me one a.m. and we went to Barry Goldwater Memorial Park....what a great man he was, so I wanted to take a picture of two great men that I adore and respect.
Rocky was in good company with my moms dog and my brothers two dogs....they are so entertaining to watch as a pack with pecking orders and how they react to each other
And when my mom is around you can count on two things for sure: Cooking and Shopping!
Night after night yummy (and fattening) meals were consumed by happy family members...
Fresh baked goods every day and sometimes several times a day.....
This woman is in her element in any kitchen....she looks so tiny in my brothers massive house, especially in the kitchen.
Since she and my dad in their early years were grocers and she loves to cook and bake she always wants to go to grocery stores, meat markets, produce stands and more....This day we were at this amazing store in Phoenix - Ranch Market - that was above and beyond a regular grocery store....we enjoyed browsing and browsing....
We almost had the store to ourselves and they had a full restaurant, a tortilla factory and a huge bakery....you could spend the day there....and we almost did :)
Every time we would go out the back of the truck would be stuffed with bags and bags of things we could just not pass up!
Rocky was just exhausted having to help carry it all in!
We paid a visit to the flip house...progress is slow....
but it is coming along.....still such a long way to go....and will be amazing when done!
This trip we boated Saguaro...they really have kept it pristine and nice....it was so peaceful and relaxing....
The guys dipped in the grotto but not me! I prefer the view from inside the boat!
We did some treasure hunting at some Thrift Stores....I scored two really nice pieces for 3.98 total!
I continue to be drawn to wood pedestal pieces....yes, I am a complex soul....
It was really in great shape and loved this scroll work on the sides!
Just look at the detail on the toile painting on this piece...it was only .98 cents. I am picturing it with some raffia in the bottom and then mini pumpkins in white, black and orange tied with bows tied on their stems.....all the sides were painted....it must have taken hours....
I have a list of projects to do while Steve is recovering.....mostly stuff I have been putting off like cleaning closets and some sewing projects and researching some old books. I am trying to be out and about as much as I can.
I have a few more days of sunlight and freedom....going to make the most of it! Until then....think of me....
