At the end…or new beginning…

 

I choose to see this as the end of the project, but the beginning of the tables’ new lives.

Didn’t Greg do a wonderful job at executing my design plans? Because I have to be really honest…he did 98% of the work.

 

These are the glass mosaic tiles that we picked out together for the top.  We couldn’t find anything with more of a yellow theme, but liked the nature colors and tones in these.

 

Now my favorite part…getting to use them again. A nice cool glass of Apricot Honeybush Tea, a candle and a good book…all next to my swing.  Life is perfect!!!  

In the middle…

 

Well, progress is being made.  Not as quickly as I would like, but then I’m not very good with power tools so I have to rely on hubby to help.

The primer coat and final color have been done.  I bet you thought they were going to be purple. :)

 

This piece of plywood had to be cut and then notched to fit…

 

these do-hickeys (sorry I don’t like using all these technical terms, but I never want to dumb-down my blog)   ;)

 

Here’s a deliberately obscure picture (yea, let’s go with that) of the new tops.  I don’t want to give it all away too soon.

Hopefully soon you’ll see the finished project.

In the beginning…

 

I have no idea why now, in the heat of the summer, I have become inspired to do so many crafty little projects.  This is one I’ve been thinking about a lot lately and have just decided now is the time.

I have had two of these outdoor tables for several years and they are beginning to look the worse for wear. 

 

This was one of the tiles that used to be the top of the tables. This one obviously had a plant sitting on it more often and really looks bad.  You can see that they were made out of some kind of compressed material that is coming apart.

 

After removing the “tiles” this is what was left.  The camera (or operator) didn’t quite focus on the right part of the frame…sorry.  But the most difficult part of this whole process was left to me to do.  I had to remove the old glue…not easy.  A chisel proved to be the best tool for the job.

 

Now I have two frames all clean and ready for primer and paint.  Which my husband will apply this evening.  You’re just going to have to wait and see what I have planned for the new tops.   

Random shots…

 

I’ve been cruising through several of my picture folders reminiscing about the trips I went on with friends or family. This is just a random sampling…

This quote often comes to mind.  It’s a favorite.

 

 

These nasturtiums remind me of Kathy, a good friend I’ve made while on this blogging journey.

 

 

This shot was taken on a trip Nicole and made up to Strawberry with Annie. This was at Tonto Natural Bridge. So cool and green.

 

 

   

Peace out, Peeps.  (This ones for you, Steveroni.)

Grains of sand…

 

 

“It isn't the mountain ahead that wears you out; it's the grain of sand in your shoe.”  Robert W. Service

”To see a world in a grain of sand and heaven in a wild flower Hold infinity in the palms of your hand and eternity in an hour.”  William Blake

“An ostrich with its head in the sand is just as blind to opportunity as to disaster”  Unknown

Come join the party…

 

Betsy at My Five Men is hosting a mani and pedi party again!  I decided this time I would join in on the fun.

I had hoped to launch a thousand ships with OPI’s color “Melon of Troy”, but sadly the salon was out of that color and this was as close as I could come.  I think I need to buy my own bottle for in the future.  But go on over and check out all the fun at Betsy’s.

I’m so blue…

 

Okay, being blue is sometimes something that takes control of me, but in this case, I’m not the one that’s blue.

I have no idea what button I must have pushed, but all these shots of the humming bird came out this way.  I believe this is a female, but I don’t know of which kind of humming bird.

Maybe someone out there can help me identify it.

I’m going with the story that it was blue because it knew that Annie and I were headed down the mountain and it was sad.  Don’t you think it looks a little sad? 

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and that there’s not a blue one in the bunch.  :)

Not by the hair…

 

of our chinney, chin, chins.  This momma javelina and her two little babies were at the cabin this last weekend too.  She was very protective and we gave her lots of room and respect.  There was another momma with only one baby also, but I didn’t get any pictures of her.  She was very shy and probably a first time mom.

There is so much to see and enjoy at the cabin.  It’s hard to head home sometimes. :)

Back down the mountain…

 

Annie and I made the trip back down the mountain yesterday afternoon.  We got caught up in a traffic jam that was five miles long when we jumped on board.  It ended up stretching back ten miles before all was said and done.  There was a fire in the median south of Cordes Junction.  This is always one of the hazards of traveling north for the weekend around here. Don’t you know the restrooms at Sunset Point were doing a bustling business because not all of us were brave or desperate enough to stop at a shrub along the way.

We had a wonderful time and the weather couldn’t have been better.  I just know I’m really meant to live in the mountains…maybe someday.

I was enjoying a book while up there and will leave you with a quote from a Native American, Ohiyesa (Charles Alexander Eastman).

“”We know that the God of the educated and the God of the child, the God of the civilized and the God of the primitive, is after all the same God; and that this God does not measure our differences, but embraces all who live rightly and humbly on the earth.”    Ohiyesa

This little light of mine…

 

I had an idea about lighting for my new porch swing that Nicole and I made happen the other day.

I bought these sweet little jars to hold tea light candles.

 

We put cup hooks in the beam added chain and waited for it to get dark.

 

This picture doesn’t do it justice, but you’ll get the idea.  It was a wonderful, soft glow and made enjoying the swing at night even better.

Guess what??  I’m headed back up to Strawberry with Annie this weekend.  We need to get some things that she left up there after our last trip.  You don’t suppose she did that on purpose, do you? I’ll catch up with everyone when I get back.  Be safe and enjoy your weekend.

Promises and hopes…

 

of things to come.  This is Nicole’s watermelon vine.  We’re hoping that the fruit will start setting on.

Lost in a rosemary jungle…  I love the flavor that rosemary brings to many things.

I somehow missed getting a picture of the thyme.  This morning Nicole and I had fresh thyme scrambled in with our eggs.  Devine!  It’s not always the most rewarding gardening that happens here in Arizona, but we try to make the most of what we can.  I hope you do that with the rest of this week…make the most of it.  :) 

It’s a BEE-utiful day…

 

 

The first guy stands about 2 1/2 feet tall and the second guy is tiny and spins in the wind.  I have a thing for bees…real or otherwise.  We’re easing into summer and it is getting HOT!  I’m beginning to venture outside, but not so very far yet.  

Out on a limb…

 

or up a tree either one works. I just need to get some new pictures.  I didn’t get very many from the last trip up to Strawberry.  I was way too relaxed to get out and about.  Hang in there with me.  I’ll try and find something to take pictures of soon.

Home sweet home…

 

I’m back!  I had a wonderful time in Strawberry with Annie.

We missed the blooming of the irises.

 

We had blue skies for most of the time.  Saturday was cloudy in the morning and windy and cold all day.

 

 

But from Sunday on, the sun was bright and warm.

 

 

It was wonderful to spend the time away from responsibilities and to enjoy long talks with Annie and watch spooky movies, but it is always good to get home.  I’ve been working hard to catch up with all yours posts. I’ve missed my blogging buddies!

This is the day!

 

It’s finally here!  Annie and I are headed up to Strawberry and the cabin for some much needed R & R.

I’m hoping for some weather – that would mean rain to me.

And a little time spent doing this with a good book.

I hope you all enjoy your weekend as much as I’m planning on enjoying mine.  Be safe and drink in nature, family and friends.  I’ll be away from my computer, but promise to catch up when I get back.    

Some things are worth…

 

waiting for.  This is my Mother’s Day present.  I finally got to use it two days ago.  It had to be ordered, painted, assembled and  hung up before I could enjoy it.  It has a wonderful view of the night sky.  That’s a good thing because this time of year in Arizona, that’s the best time to enjoy it.  It really takes me back to days spent on my grandparent's porch.  Or snapping green beans with my grandma in the evening light…talking girl talk with one of my favorite people ever. 

Bowls Full of Fun…

 

 

 

 

Full of water not air…just the right kind of fun for a hot summer afternoon.  I was absolutely forbidden to take pictures of all the fun because they are all “too grownup for such foolishness”… 

Hope you’re out there being foolish just enough to have fun.

It’s been a stretch…

 

but I made it to the other side.  I had a  wonderful time with my out-of-town company this past week.  Greg’s sister and brother-in-law from Georgia came to visit and we had lots of BIG family get togethers.  Life is returning to what passes for normal for me, but I miss the early morning visits and gossip fests. 

Gearing up…

 

I’m so excited!  Annie and I are planning a trip to the cabin! 

I’m looking through some of my older pictures of past trips to the cabin and getting anxious to be gone.

 

 

Between all the wonderful wildlife and the gorgeous scenery, I’ll be as close to heaven as I’m going to get on this planet.

 

 

One thing that Annie has assured me of…I will never see this again – at least not with her.   :)

Don’t know about you, but that sounds like a challenge to me!!! 

I have company coming in from out of town and may be a little scarce over the next few days.  I’ll check in whenever I can.

The real skinny and the straight poop…

 

In continuing with yesterday’s post, I want to share more bird’s nest in unusual places.

 

This is a house finch nest in a pot of what I’ve always called Wandering Jew.  At least one of the eggs have hatched…maybe two.  But since this family built in a pot with a plant in it, I have to be extra careful when watering the plant.

 

I know I shared with you another story about how the finches like to build their nests in my clothespin bag.  But what you need to understand is that raising four younguns in a confined space creates a poopy problem.  This is the aftermath that I get to clean up after the little ones have left the nest. 

I’m not really complaining because I love sharing my space with all these creatures.  Their songs give me such pleasure there’s no way I want them setting up house somewhere else.