Birthday month....

We had 3 birthdays in March and all were celebrated in Colorado.    Mary Beth celebrated hers on the slopes in Crested Butte with Jon and Mason.    I have no pics of them but they are as good looking as always.    

Overnight rain was predicted but we awoke to a pretty foot of snow.   In order to get to the mountains , Jon had to shovel the cars out.   The winds were ferocious the night before and we found the construction porta-potty from next door had wandered down the street and tipped over.    Fortunately, a phone call and it was promptly removed.    

Then, a week later, Jon and Andy flew out.    The non-stop from Newark during ski season is a real gift.  The boys had different spring breaks from college but we were thrilled to get to see them both, but not together.    Jon had his BD on the 13th.   Yes, it was Friday the 13th when he was born!    

 

We had to interrupt a Rummikube game to blow out the cupcakes.  

And then, on the Ides of March, we celebrated Andy's 21st.    Brownies with sparkler candles and later, ice cream.  

Usually, we play board games that really challenge my brain..... but since it was my house, my game, we taught Andy how to play Backgammon.    Of course, he mastered it in no time altho it was close up to the very last .   

 

And Ruby's portrait was finished and sent off to my sister Maureen.     I have yet to meet Ruby but I suspect she and I could be friends since I know every hair on her head.    

Weather is warmer and trees are budding and iris are coming up.    Life is good.  

Home

From this........

......to this !

 And we are back home after a month away.    Mostly, I missed my fireplace.     When AZ is cold, a sweater or warm socks just isn't the same.

We were happy to be able to come over Lizard Head pass, near Telluride instead of the extra 90 min to go thru Moab.   It makes a big difference in a full day of driving.      We always take PB&J sandwiches, a few snacks and keep our stops to a bare minimum.   Yes, I missed the fry bread but I have pictures.    

After I get my hair cut this morning, I plan to tackle the kitchen.   There's nothing like putting away your few AZ groceries and freezer items to realize that maybe those spaces could use some  "Marie Kondo-ing".     And then I will sit by the fireplace. 

I have another family pet on the art table but I'll keep it hidden until it is gifted.   It has NO long hair.  

As we drove thru the desert, we listened to Kristen Hannah's new book, "The Women".   About Army nurses in Vietnam.   It got rave reviews but to an older generation, I think it will bring back some difficult times.  

I'm also listening to "Demon Copperhead" on my walks.   Not very upbeat.     

AND, I easily did a 6.3 mile walk on the favorite AZ hilly trails in under 2 hours .   So I have no doubts I can do the BolderBoulder.   My partner in all things is upping his mileage as well AND, he gave in to my constant nagging and got a pair of Hoka's.   And he likes them.  Strava, my walking app, is telling me I need new shoes but I think there's a few more miles in them....and me. 

And now it's time to hug my Valentine 💗

  

A month of mostly sunshine.....

And then we came to Arizona .    Our usual trek is 11 hours of mind -numbing driving.    This year, and NOT because we are older (well, maybe), we broke the trip up into 2 days.   It was kinda hard to spend time in a hotel, knowing that we could have gone all the way.  But the 2nd day felt short and more relaxed and we arrived in a mood to actually unpack the car and put everything in its place.   

We stopped in Kayenta, on the Navajo Nation and stayed at the Hampton Inn which just happened to have the best reason for stopping.    The decor, the staff in native dress and the fry bread.   Oh my, as sinful as it must have been, nachos on fry bread is a reason in its self to stop.  Plus ice cream and hot apples on fry bread !

The owners of the house are the same as previous years but they bought a larger home, overlooking the golf course and open space.   We kind of rattle around in it and could easily host several family in the bedrooms and casita.    Weather is much improved over last year and my trail walks are a favorite part of 

our stays.    We'll only be here a month this year. 

 

 Younger, but not by much, sister Sandy, came to Prescott to see son Patrick and Julie while Matthew and Maribel drove up from Yuma.  So it was a nice family gathering and great to catch up.  

   Since it was Sandy's BD,  of course, I had to capture Charlie and his duck.    He is departed but is fondly remembered. He was almost fun to draw altho I'm swearing off long haired animals for awhile.  

Celebrating.........

It's been a month of celebrating.  

  Becca and Michael eloped to the coast and we are so happy for them.   They are a beautiful couple with a great future ahead of them and we are just delighted.    

 

And I'm celebrating the completion of these two animal portraits.    Murphy is a handsome dog and I think I captured that.    These are both unframed so obviously a bit unfinished looking.  And the smudges on the cat background came off easily.        I am pleased.   

Both portraits went to live in Connecticut, where Murphy calmly waited to open his stocking.

  

 We made it to Connecticut to celebrate Christmas and I took not one picture of the grand boys.   Some had colds and coughs but neg for Covid.   Despite my best attempts, I did bring it home and slowly getting my energy back.  But at least I was fine while there.    CT in the winter, minus snow, is drab and gloomy.    We managed some good walks but sun would have been nice.  

And now we gear up for our trek south to AZ.    Watching the weather before deciding which route to take.   Last year, we had to go thru Moab to avoid snow in Telluride and the passes.    I keep hoping it will be warmer in Wickenburg but so far, I'm not optimistic.  

I'm excited about starting more pet portraits.   Despite my years of botanical illustration classes/and drawings, I really feel a strong affinity for this new venture.     Never too old to explore something new and exciting.   

AND,   I'm celebrating that I've registered for the BolderBoulder happening on Memorial Day.    It's been on my list for years and I'm finally old enough !!!!

I'll start out with Becca and then we can go at our own pace.   It's a 10K and I'm certain I can walk that far in a decent time and not totally embarrass myself.    

And now I need to go for a walk !!