Yard work

Sunset in our back yard. We do get some amazing sunsets. Since we are spending a lot of time at home these days, it was natural to really dig in and do some "touching up" in the yard. Trimmed, raked, replanted, spruced up all day. Then sat and enjoyed our efforts.

Working together

We have been doing a collaboration! My pots set off Will's stained glass cactus!

This one is all mine, all clay.

Happy Birthday Will

Will just celebrated his 75th birthday with a Zoom birthday party!!  I made a cake (put 7 and 1/2 candles on it) and we hooked up via "Zoom" to Steph and Reynard, and Doug and family. Everybody sang the birthday song and cheered as he blew out his candles. The girls got to eat a cupcake while we ate the cake and icecream. And then we had a party for an hour with lots of love and laughs and catching up on family news.

Worship on line

Like people all across the country, we worshiped on line yesterday. Our church set up for streaming so was a natural. . .and I might add, very worshipful service. We had two services to choose from and we did the first one but then hung around and watched a bit of the Traditional service just to catch the music. 

Snagged this picture from a friend, we don't have this nice of TV but setting pretty much the same! 

Birding

One thing we can do is get out and hike and bird a trail. We drove down to Patagonia Lake SP to bird the trails along the Sonoita Creek. Migration is happening, lots of birds singing and because the big trees are just beginning to leaf out, we can actually see the birds in the tree tops that can be hard to spot later on in the year.

Heard my first Lucy's Warbler in my back yard this week and this morning I got great binocular looks at him. Sweet bird with sweet song. They will occasionally nest in a bird box but I have never been successful in coaxing one to my boxes.  They are definitely around, however.

I copied this pic from internet.

Since we are staying home a lot these days. . .like everyone else. . .in the world, we are finding lots of projects that need our attention.  Taking advantage of this time to do those things we never get around to. Yesterday was cleaning out garage shelves, and cupboards and bins that have accumulated stuff since we moved here 17 years ago. Amazing the things we found. Lots of stuff unusable, and just as much stuff we don't even remember what it was for. Even found more of our kid's stuff that they probably don't recognize! One of those jobs that gives a great sense of accomplishment!

  Speaking of "old stuff"--friend Marlene sent an old picture from the early 70's of Minnesota neighborhood friends. We were quite the fashion statements!! That's Marlene, Kathy, Jan and. . .that can't be me!!!

Fragrant back yard

Anybody need some lemons?  My tree is producing a ton of fruit and it also is in full bloom with absolutely the sweetest smelling blossom. 

And my Tombstone Rose (Lady Banks, actually) is also blooming. This one is right next to the patio which means the fragrance filters into the house.

"Empty Bowls"

Empty Bowls was Saturday for Interfaith Community Services.  Our local food shelf coordinates with potters from all over Tucson and surrounding area for a fundraiser to benefit the "food margenalized.". Potters made and donated 1400 bowls this year. Patrons get a hand crafted bowl of thier choice plus various restaurants bring in signature dishes and soups to sample. Always a well attended and fun event. 

I got to volunteer and help out and hang out with other potters. Great people--those pottery buddies.

I see about 5 of my bowls here. 

Snow bird forever friend, Alice and Pete are enjoying thier whole family visiting this week and they came over for a little BBQ and catching up.  So fun.

 Alice's little brother Glen and Sue from South Dakota

DeAnn and Amy shared many childhood adventures with Doug and Steph. For one evening, it was like having my own kids here!

Kurt and Amy were out touring and didn't make it over until later and I forgot to take another picture--oh no!!

But I got a great one later from Alice. . .

Desert is in Bloom

Heard that the Poppies were blooming at Picacho Peak so we had to see for ourselves. We were not disappointed. Think it is just starting so it will be worth the drive for a while. Poppies and lupine most prevelant now but more to come. More color coming.