Blessing Moriah With Our Love

I hoped to get in a couple more blog entries before the new year, but seem to be having some technical difficulties. So many sweet events this December, but one that stands out for me is Moriah's Baby Blessing. I'm going to try again.

Women that have loved Moriah for most of her life, and some of their daughters and daughters-in-law, came together for no other reason than to offer her support and encouragement as she prepares to bring another baby into the world.



My precious girl opening her heart to the wisdom and well wishes of her women-sisters.

Nicci and I were honored to bathe her feet and brush her hair (nurturing Moriah once again was a blessing to us). 

 

 

Holding this baby....

 

Beauty is before us....And our thoughts are with Moriah and her sweet baby until he has safely transitioned into her waiting arms.

 

 

 

 

 

Giving Thanks....

Okay...I seem to have found a way to publish the last few blogs of the year that I've been wanting to post. This one is to celebrate the wonderful thanksgiving weekend I had in Albuquerque with Skye and her "Boys" (including Mark, Jesse, and Matt).

Shortly after I arrived, Skye and I set to work making pies! Three pumpkin (from my home-grown Hopi squash), an apple and a peach (also from fruit from my orchards),  and a berry. Yummmm!

 

My wonderful daughter, Skye, and her amazing family (Mark, Jesse, and Matthew). How did the youngest, Matt, get to be the tallest? This happened way too fast!

 

Me and "My boys". I love these guys so much that I think my heart could break!

 

I am so thankful for my firstborn child, who has grown into such a beautiful woman, inside and out. I love that we still have such a good time when we are together.

 

One of the fun things we did this visit was Skye's annual holiday card-making party! What a relaxed, creative, wisdom and humor-filled night we shared! 

 

 

Mini Holiday in Flagstaff

 

Okay...Here is the last post of the year (just about an hour left). I know there are many things I missed and maybe I'll do a better job of staying updated in 2014. One of the many December events of 2013 was a quick trip to Flagstaff to see Canyon's Holiday Play (The polar Express).

I could be wrong, but it looks as if these little elves are up to mischief!

Singing a welcome to Santa!

The cutest elf on the block!

Gram (that's me), Canyon, Moriah, Trek, and Gary in front of their lovely Christmas tree (which they went out and cut on a family adventure). What a precious family!

 

 

 

 

A Heart-filled Holiday Treasure!!!!

Christmas Eve morning began bright and early with me bustling about the house, doing last minute cleaning and starting to cook. Mocha and Aiko snuggled into one of their new beds and seemed to be having a conversation that included"Something is up here! Be prepared."

 

Within a few hours their hunches were confirmed. The Kirkman family arrived and Trek took Aiko into the bedroom for cuddle time before the big event.

How did we ever get to this remarkable place? Moriah and Summer, dear and deep friends since they were 5 years old are now 32 with wonderful husbands and houses filled with the activities of young and growing children. They planned a two-family brunch at my house when they realized both their families would be in the area this holiday season. From me, spiraling (somewhat) clockwise: Orina, Moriah (with Baby Boden due in 3 weeks), Holden, Canyon, Summer, Tariknesh, Clorie, Raven, David, Gary, Nicci, Don, Connor, and Trek.  

The children got along fabulously! Trek and Tarik (4 & 5) hit it off immediately and were creating adventures for themselves that I couldn't help but eavesdrop on. They wanted to go outside so I tagged along. Trek told Tarik, "I'll be Tarzan and you are the girl that he saves." Tariknesh replied "I want to be a princess." "Perfect!" Trek agreed. "You be the princess and I'll save you." She concurred with a smile.



Connor (almost 11), Holden (9), and Canyon (6) played with Paho's old Battle Beasts and Hot Wheels. After cooperatively sorting the Battle Beasts into categories and dividing them among themselves, they were on to other projects. So sweet.

Our precious girls and their kids. Trek and Tarik are about the ages their mamas were when they started to spend time together, 27 years ago! Nicci and I could hardly hold back the swelling of our hearts and sometimes the tears spilled over.

 The kids had just about enough of posing for pictures and jumped into a delightful round of wrestling! This went on for a good ten minutes with no injuries and lots of laughter! We managed to redirect before a single tear was shed (no small feat for us adults sometimes).

I have to include a photograph of this adorable tooth-gapped grin!

What a wonderful holiday treasure this get-together was! Thank you Moriah and Summer. Thanks to the parents who raised them. Thank you Gary and David for being such supportive husbands. Thanks to the children for allowing us all to share in the joy of who they are! 

   

 

A new pond in the making

Here is a photograph of my current pond, taken one year ago this month. For nearly 12 years, it has brought me many hours of pleasure.

 



After this summer's wonderful adventure with spawning goldfish and growing plants, I decided I wanted a larger pond. But I can't expand here... I'm too close to existing water and electric lines.

 

This rock-walled garden next to my barbeque and outdoor tables has seen several transitions over the years. It's time for a new one!

 

A Spotted Towhee was scavenging for a few grapes from the last of the snarled vines. I moved one vine and put it in the new vineyard that I planted to replace the one I was tearing out (12 new vines!). One renovation leads to another.

 

It took a lot longer than I expected to clear the vegetation from the area. Bo was pretty disgruntled as each section of "his" napping area disappeared. 

 

I took a rope and laid out several shape options. I want the finished pond to be between 700-800 gallons, with enough room surrounding it for a small patio. I finally start digging on December 18th! I hauled a lot of dirt away, working to keep the edges slightly elevated and level as I went.

 

I dug every day that I could, marking the progress with photographs as I went.

 

By the 22nd of December, I reached the 2' level in one area. A breakthrough! Lots of roots and rocks and hard dense clay gave me a real workout!

 



 I hired a neighbor to dig a ditch from the house along the side of the rock-garden to an area where I'll wire in a couple of weather-protected outlets. I buried schedule 40 conduit with 12/2 direct burial cable in it.  

 My neighbor came back to help me on Christmas day. While the ground thawed a bit, we staged a bunch of rock for later finish work. By 1:30 that afternoon, the ground was workable and the pond hole was finished at 5:00 PM. Hooray! 

 I re-leveled the edges and got the underlayment and liner set on December 26th. I measured the water flow from my garden hoses so I could get an accurate volume for the pond, and filled her up! 750 gallons...perfect!

  

 The waterfall and stone patio will be next. I cannot move these rocks by myself, so will get help with that. I need to finish up the electric and a reed fence to hide the wood pile in the back. I can't wait to introduce my fish to their new home!

 

November 14, 2014

 

Every year holds its' own wonder. This remission anniversary (16 years!) touched my heart because of the ordinary nature of the day. I worked at home from 0500-1300, taking care of business that I hope will enhance the success of my students. Then I took the afternoon off to celebrate yet another year of survival....'took myself and my little dogs to the dump and then to pick up this utility trailer from someone in White Mountain Lakes who needed to sell it. I took a hike with Aiko and Mocha after the new trailer was safely hitched. We got home after sunset. Why was this special? Because it represents (for me) my ability to haul manure and pine needles and firewood even as I mature well into mid-life. Because I am okay being alone on this day and many others. Because I can still figure out how to take a self-photo from the back hatch of my car to commemorate the day. I feel strong and motivated. This is my wonder of November 14th in 2013.

Spotted Towhee

 

I thought it was a black-headed grosbeak. Until I looked at images online.


 

This is not a grosbeak at all!  The white underbelly, rufous flanks, black head and bright white spots on jet black wings gave it away. It's a spotted Towhee.


 

Found in the west, these beautiful birds are sassy, brave, and somewhat friendly.

 

 This particular visitor was gobbling as many withering grapes as he could find where the vines climbed only two weeks ago.


 

I enjoyed the company of this friendly Spotted Towhee for several days. It got down to 20 degrees the last couple of nights and I haven't seen him. It's supposed to warm up again. Maybe tomorrow?

Fall Fun in Flagstaff

 

Toryn and I headed up to Flagstaff to spend the day with Moriah and the boys. Their cousin, Kelly, joined us for a picnic and some soccer at Thorpe Park. Canyon ran from one end of our field to the other pretty much non stop!

 

Trek wasn't super clear about the difference between football and soccer at first. But he caught on pretty quickly.

 

Moriah is catching some air!! This baby boy will be born on the move, I think!

 

Gram may not be jumping, but she's ready to run!

 

We divided into teams of three and three, but truth is, we all knew it could have been Kelly against the rest of us and she'd have won hands (or feet) down!

 

Later that afternoon, we cut a couple of jack-o-lanterns. Canyon drew a detailed face and we did the best we could to carve it out.

 

Trek wanted "classic" triangle eyes and nose with a big jagged grin on his pumpkin. That I could do.

 

My boys.