I'm f***in' sweating...

Maria made the cross country treck for Memorial Day weekend. We had a great time - I haven't laughed like that in a long time. We drove the Apache Trail to Tortilla Flat, where we had lunch.

We watched the sunset from the top of South Mountain.

Sunday, we visited the Museum, had lunch at Oregano's then went to see Chihuly at the Desert Botanical Gardens and stopped at Hole in the Rock.

We ate our weight in Runts! I haven't had Runts in years and once I started, I couldn't stop.

This was our survival kit!

It was wonderful to have Maria here. I cannot tell you the last time we had more than a quick day trip to see each other. I am so glad that she was able to make it and that she braved a flight by herself and the heat! I hope she can do it again!

Momma, ooooooo...

May is full of visitors! First my mom, who stayed for a week. We drove all over, from Tombstone...

to Tucson...

to Jerome...

Despite a couple of incidents with my car, we had a great time and saw wonderful things - from the Museum, to hiking at Squaw Peak...

to Chihuly at night...

to Taliesin West...

Everything was in bloom! Including the saguaros!

My mom also introduced me to geocaching! It was quite fun - I felt like a Goonie!

My mom was amazing and took me shopping at the grocery store! I went crazy and have been eating like a queen ever since. I just had an amazing dinner of pigs in a blanket (hot dogs in crescent rolls) and broccoli dipped in cilantro dressing while banana bread was baking in the oven. I think I am stocked for the next 3 months and I am so excited about eating at home!

My mom hadn't been out to visit me in two and a half years. It was a long time (too long) and I am so glad that she was able to visit. Her and Gracie were instantly in love with each other :) It was really nice having her around, I just wish she was closer so that she could visit more often.

Book Sale Beauties

Library Book Sale weekend!! Here are some of my treasures:



I am really into Prairie Home Companion and Garrison Keillor right now. I think I bought 4 or 5 of his books :)

I went crazy with these recipe pamphlets and books but they are worth it!

I also sewed some kitchen curtains this weekend and I couldn't be more in love with them.

Visitors

Annie and Dan were in town last weekend. I was stressing about it before they came and then as soon as they got in the car I wondered why I was stressing. It is so comforting to have Annie out here. Arizona just seems complete with her here. And it was really nice to actually get to know Dan. He is such a good guy and they compliment each other so perfectly. I am just sad that I dont get to spend more time with them.

We did the extreme hike up Squaw Peak - well I didn't make it all the way. I had to stop because I thought I was dying - turns out I am just out of shape.

I think this maybe the best picture of us ever. We are not quite sure where my head went.

I lost my voice when I had to drop them off at the airport and then cried the whole way to work. I like to think that I am so strong out in AZ doing it on my own. But everything is easier when you have your best friend with you. P.S., P.F. Changs, T.S. Elliot - i miss you. Thank you for coming to visit!

Chihuly at the DBG

Lani and I went to the DBG this weekend to check out the Chihuly exhibition. It was amazing! I cannot wait to take all my visitors. I have been complaining about my camera lately but I think it might be user error because all the pictures yesterday turned out beautifully.

All the plants were in bloom!

New Treasures

I had a great weekend of thrifting and antique malls. Here are my new treasures:

And I made Easter booties for Reese!!

Slacker

Maria gave me a hard time for posting anything in a while. So here it goes...
I wrote this a while ago but never posted it. Enjoy :)

I love my friends from work. We had a nerdy book dinner at Amy's a couple weeks ago, where Sandra taught us how to repair our books. We had a congratulations cheese cake for my acceptance into grad school. I had to cry a little. Then, I came into work yesterday and there was a little package from Layla with a congrats card. Inside was an amazing little framed bird sketch. You can see a picture of him here on Laylas blog!



The Aloha Festival was last weekend in Tempe and I went with Lani to watch her aunt dance. It was amazing! I cried a little there too - i just love watch people do things that they love and carry on traditions. We had some amazing noodles and raspberry lemonade. It could not have been a more beautiful day.