Detail from "Rain Dance," an original quilt by Sherrie Spangler

Sunday, March 17, 2024

Desert art at the festival

I found some colorful desert art and met the makers today at a big art festival in Oro Valley under the Catalina Mountains. It was a lovely, relaxed way to spend a few hours. And I just realized that it's St. Patrick's Day and I forgot to wear green!

Stephanie Daniels' art was the first to catch my eye because she painted plants from the various life zones in Tucson, from the desert floor to the top of Mt. Lemmon. I love her happy, colorful style. I bought a framed print of the desert zone, because that's my favorite zone and the one I live in. It's already hanging on a wall!

She was fun to talk with because she also hikes (like me) and leads art hikes where there's a break for hikers to paint, draw, take photos, write, read, etc. I think it's a great idea! And her blog (on her website below) has entries about her hikes. Here's her card:



______________________________


Then I found Mary Spencer's desert art, colorful and whimsical. I bought a hummingbird mouse pad that will make me smile every time I use it. It replaces the mouse pad I've used for 20 years that's a replica of the rug in Freud's office that always reminded me that I might be a little crazy. Time to ditch that one.


I also bought these two 5x7 cards from her that I'll frame:



My final purchase was this very cool pair of earrings made from strips of old sari cloth wound around a hollow wooden ring. I've never seen anything like this before and I love it! And the colors coordinate with my other purchases, so it was meant to be.


And here's what I made this past week -- two more spirit dolls for the gallery:





Have a colorful day

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Drenched in sunshine

Tucson is the fifth sunniest city in the United States, according to recent ratings by Daily Passport, one of those sites that lists interesting places around the world. 

Four of the top 10 sunniest cities are in Arizona: Yuma (1) not only in the country but in the world; Phoenix (4); Tucson (5); and Flagstaff (10). Here's the article: sunniest-cities-in-america

We have more than 350 sunny days a year, with sunshine 85 percent of the possible time. It's why I moved here!


And it's why Catalina State Park is filled with snow birders, spring breakers and locals right now. Just yesterday I saw license plates there from Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Idaho, South Dakota, Florida, New Hampshire, Washington, Oregon, Utah, California, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Mexico, and probably some more that I've forgotten.


Just look at that brilliant blue sky, and all the possibilities for sunny hikes! I've been hiking there a lot this past week, soaking up sun and marveling at the bright greens in our desert. And now glowing yellow poppies are blanketing the desert and roadsides.




Can you believe this is the desert!?



This is a rare crested saguaro, where the tip grows into a bulbous "crest."


It's definitely my happy place!


And I'm carrying the sunny theme into my sewing room by making yellow cloth for my spirit dolls. 

Have a colorful day




Sunday, March 10, 2024

This and that

 


It was sunny yesterday with no prediction of rain when Barb and I started our desert hike, but about a mile into it those dark clouds began moving our way. After two miles it was sprinkling, so we turned around. But we still got in about four miles -- not bad!



Wednesday was Juniper's two-month birthday with a celebratory ice cream cone! (No pictures of her face will be on social media, but trust me when I say she's very cute.)


One of my daughter's coworkers brought over a clothesline filled with baby items that she's been collecting for Juniper. What a great and very thoughtful idea. The pen is where the three rabbits live in the living room.


After almost a month of indulging in Mexican food and desserts with my string of company, I decided to embark on a Mediterranean diet. I've been loading up on veggies and fish, but in a moment of weakness last night I baked a pan of brownies while watching a Rolling Stones concert documentary.



Good advice.
And here's your laugh for today:


Have a colorful day

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Make way for Zoomie!


My sister Kathleen and her husband visited this week with their rescue dog, Zoomie, who entertained us all and was a perfect house guest!

We took her hiking in Catalina State Park where I wanted to get a photo of her with the poppies and she dutifully obliged.

I think God is in Zoomie:



Kathleen and I also strolled around Tohono Chul and spent quite awhile relaxing in some slanted, shady chairs with our feet propped up. 

The palm oasis is one of my favorite spots at Tohono Chul.


While we were there, Peter went to a bookstore near the university. Later we indulged at Saffron, an excellent Indian restaurant where our servings were large enough to make about three meals!



It was a fun few days. They were the last of my visitors until the end of this month, then I'm going to Louisville to visit my other sister.


Have a colorful day

Monday, March 4, 2024

Colors of downtown Tucson



My third set of visitors in the past month came and went last week. We spent one day in downtown Tucson following the "Turquoise Trail" and looking at the huge colorful murals that Tucson is known for.

The path is marked with a turquoise blue line that winds throughout the city, and a brochure details highlights along the trail. It's a fun way to see the city.



I love this señorita looking down at passersby.


And look how small Nancy is in front of these three colorful women.



Of course Linda Ronstadt made an appearance, because she grew up in Tucson.


I posed with the Little Love Burger sign.



Prince spread his wings wide over my friends.





Along the way we had lunch at the Coronet's beautiful secluded, leafy courtyard. Altogether we walked about four miles, so we worked up an appetite. It was a good day!



Have a colorful day

Friday, March 1, 2024

Quilts and cacti

Last weekend was the Tucson quilt guild's annual show, Quilts Fiesta, and I won an honorable mention! That's Carol from Gig Harbor with me at the show's selfie booth.


My award was for "Beach Houses." I also entered "Garden Gone Wild," below. And that's another Gig Harbor friend, Pam, with me. They both came down for the show.



Carol stayed with me and treated me to dinner at my favorite restaurant, Guadalahara's. She's dipping into a huge bowl of guacamole that they made right at our table and it was delicious. And yes, that's a very large margarita!



In other news, the poppies here are blooming and painting the desert with golden patches.


The cacti are also very happy after recent winter rains.

The saguaros are fat and full of water and the prickly pears are plump and bright green. Tomorrow I'll get out for another hike in the desert.


Have a colorful day