Happier New Year 2022

 Once again we're all pretty glad to say goodbye to the past year and welcome in a new, hopefully better, one.  So Happy New Year!

      The Tucson Gem Show is coming back this year.  Hurray!  Can't wait to go and buy too many beautiful stones and beads.  More about that soon.  

       Lately I've been working on wire wrapping cabochons.   Here's the Red Creek Jasper I recently finished.  It's in my Etsy shop.

Now through January 31, you can get this Jasper necklace for 20% off when you use coupon code JanuaryBlog at checkout.  (If you have any problem with using the code, let me know!)

Red Creek Jasper is one of my favorite stones.  It's sometimes called Cherry Creek Jasper.  But by any name, it's a pretty, earthy stone. 

What's your favorite stone?  Let me know in the comments.  I'd love to hear from you.

 

 

Happy New Year!

 

         December flew by for me.    Suddenly its 2014!    Cheers, everyone!

 

         A few weeks ago, right before we left for our Christmas in Ohio trip, our neighbor gave us these cute skaters.   Since we've been living in Arizona, our yard has been empty of Christmas decorations because we always leave town.   We hang a wreath on the door, but nada else.  

          Our neighbor's yard, on the other hand, is decorated with lots of bright lights and cute Christmas scenes.   I love looking at her place and all the other homes that are decorated so nicely.  

          So I was surprised when this neighbor came over and told me she didn't have room for these two skaters.  She wanted us to have them.   I told her we were leaving soon and might not keep them on, but she said that was okay.   She just wanted to share the fun.   Otherwise, she said, she was going to have to toss them away.      

         I'm not convinced she would actually throw them away.  More likely she was giving us a really nice hint about showing a little seasonal spirit -- so we did.

         Kent placed the skaters on the river rock and set a timer so they would come on while we were gone.    When we returned he added the twinkling lights to accent the "icy" river.    (Glad that ice is as fake as the river!)   

        Now we look festive and fun.   A great way to start the new year.

        Thanks, Neighbor!

 

         

Happy New Year!!!

 

 

The Sonoran Plaza at Sun City Grand is a winter wonderland--

minus the real snow and cold of winter. 

 

 

      We left Arizona in mid-December and returned a few days ago.    Luckily, we flew back to Ohio at just the right time.   Our travel day was clear and sunny, but we woke up to rain.    And it kept raining and raining.    Then it turned to snow.   

 

 

       Keenu, our Alaskan Malamute grandpuppy, loved it!

 

 

    I like looking at snow, but I was really glad I didn't have to shovel it.   Or try to drive on those icy roads and get to work on time.   We were lucky on the way home, too.   By the time we were scheduled to fly back to Arizona, the roads were clear.  

    

     Unfortunately we brought the cold weather back with us.   It has frosted here at Sun City Grand for two nights in a row.   Everyone is trying to cover plants and hope for the best.    So we'll see what survives.   

 

     It's really funny to see some of us (like me) bundled up in winter jackets and hats while our snowbird neighbors are running around in sweaters and shorts.    I've totally acclimated to Arizona weather and feel like I'm freezing if it dips below 50F.    

     Too bad I can't bottle up this cold air and save it for next July.   I'll be wishing for a cool day then.