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 !!