Swing Time

Don't ya just love this?

Little help, please...

Does anyone know the name of this delightful shrub? I found it blooming, everywhere, in Arizona.

Riding the Spotties

My good friends, Janet & Corita, the three of us have a love affair with Appaloosas, the spotty breed, bred for endurance.

We meet up, every spring, to enjoy the perpetual sunshine in northern Arizona.

Here's our 'spotties' drying off in the warmth of the sun after a much needed bath.

Caballos del Sol

7 fabulous horseback riding days in beautiful Camp Verde, Arizona. The horse always looks gorgeous. I always look I've been drinking.

Which happened soon after this second photo was taken. :-)

Tutus on the Trail Ride

A flashy horse requires equally flashy human attire...

Marble Canyon

Exploring Camp Verde

I'm Ready. Are You?

Forced Tulip bulbs growing indoors.

What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness? - John Steinbeck

Okay! It's official! The absolute, hands down, best job in the my ski resort hometown of Park City, Utah for this season was.... snow plow driver. Seeing as how we never got any snow. Nix, nada, nuttin. So their job was to sit around and wait for what never planned to come.

The bay window flowers that keep me busy, indoors, in winter.

That's my job in the winter, too. I desperately need that change of season. A time out, so to speak. To rest, to plan, to collaborate ~ on all kinds of new things that need doing. Just as soon as the warmer season arrives.

Again, indoors, spring comes late in the mountains. Daffs bloom outdoors in May.

It has felt like springtime for months, now. Teasing, miserable, unusual weather. Doing it's level best to mimic depressing Seattle.

A new re-blooming Orchid!

Apologies to the pacific northwest... but I moved here for the cloudless blue skies. Intense, high mountain sunshine that turns freshly fallen snow into a field of sparkling diamonds.

A wonderland to ski in and play in and give thanks for the change season. Not this long, long season of heavy, grey skies, constant rains, and the obligatory river of squishy, squashy mud.

I forced a collection of pink/white Tulip bulbs for bright color indoors.

But the times, they are a changing. In that we get to turn our clocks back an hour. And enjoy the longer days.

It's a domino effect. The moment the after work hours provide sunlight, horse season begins.

It may take the better part of the afternoon to scrape off all that squishy squashy mud but saddles will go on, the first ride of the season will happen.

No more lollygagging around the barn for them. No more lazy, scheming, dreaming, garden sessions on the couch, for me.

And, so it begins! The infinitely busier and considerably more exciting - summery half of the year. I'm ready. Are you? :)

* All the flower photos, in this post, are blooming indoors, in the sunny window.




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Cyclamen

This is a favorite houseplant of mine. I just love the way their flowers unfurl.  Did you know you can grow these beauties outdoors? Light watering, shady location. Choose Cyclamen hederifolium, hardy to zone 5.

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Over Achieving Christmas Cactus

She started flowering in October and is still going strong!

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Birthday Cake Wrecks

Argh. Why do I even bother? Happy birthday darling daughter. 

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