Happy 4 Year Anniversary!!!!!

To my husband who has given me many wonderful ranch adventures......and to my dad who passed away a week before our wedding! I miss you so very much, and I love you both......

Well, I have not been posting on a regular basic and I thought I would share some images from my craft/ storage room and also a new interest of mine....but its not the little bear below. She just sits in my craft room.....cuz, she's cute.....

I have jars of buttons, ribbons and squares of wool felt.....


Here is something I have been stitching on for a while, in between other projects.....

I have loads of vintage buttons in little draws........

I also love all things that relate to the month of July, they can be found threw out my craft room and house.....


Of course you will find, lots and lots of yarn in all different colors......which leads me to my new interest.....

I have been crocheting squares for the Knit-a-square charity. Knit- a- square is a charity that knits or crochets square's and then sends them to Africa. Once the squares arrive a group of ladies from the local church's join the squares together and make blankets for the orphans and/or sick children. If you would like to join along, let me know or check out their site. It would be wonderful to have you join and help bring some warmth and sunshine into a little ones life......

some of my squares......


Well, I have been coming and going and not posting weekly, BUT, I have still been trying to keep up on my favorite blogs and I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer vacation...it sure sounds like you all are!!!!!

Christie, Happy 1 Year Anniversary!!!!

Very proud father.....

Your husband, your high school sweetheart.....

I can't believe your first year of marriage has gone by so fast.....

Your wedding was so special and fun! You made such a beautiful bride.....

Have a wonderful weekend away, celebrating your anniversary...Love you both, Mom

Hair for Charity!!!

Hello to all of you!!! I hope everyone is looking forward to summer. I am!!! My husband and I will be heading out to our ranch this weekend. But, before we leave, I will be cutting my hair for charity......

Yes...most of that hair above will be gone tomorrow...short? yes!! But, I'm excited !!!! I think it will be cute...cross your fingers and toes.....:)

While at the ranch this weekend, I hope to finish stitching this little wedding sampler for Christie's 1 year anniversary...I will be sure to post a pic of it when I have it in it's frame....If I'm brave I'll also post a pic of my haircut.....

Next is a pillow I decorated with different colored needlepoint thread. It started as a plain wool pillow that I wanted to make come alive and fit in with my living room. I added 5 different colors of thread, 2 inches apart by 9 rows and 18" by 18". If you want to make one and have questions, please feel free to ask....:)

I hope everyone has a wonderful week and weekend......Hugs...Lisa

Lake Mary, AZ

My husband and I took a little trip to Lake Mary, here in Flagstaff, AZ. My Mom and Grandmother joined us on our little fishing adventure.....

When you arrive at Lake Mary you usually stop in at the General Store and stock up on all your fishing needs.....Out front of the store is a cute little garden, tended too by the owners wife.....


The weather at Lake Mary was beautiful....


White poof clouds....


We saw a mom and baby Eagle....They were amazing to watch....


Below are the Gr-mas sitting on a bench, weaving....It was a treat having them join us....




As my husband was fishing , I sat next to him working on one of my projects.....

You can see the Lucy purse that I crochet ....I just love carrying my yarn stash around in it and I have already had two request for one, so it appears that I will be making a couple for Christmas gifts...

Well, upon our second day of camping....

things took a change of pace...and started getting dark....I got the look from my husband....

and it was the "get off the lake look".....and WOW....the lighting started big time.....


And then the hail started....there was tons.....the size of marbles.....lol...then heavy rain....


then more hail.....O, dang....a big puddle started under his tent...



Well, since we were not far from home and the lighting was really bad...we decided to pack up and head for home...


By the time we were back on the road, it looked like it had snowed..:)

Laguna Beach, Ca.

Christie was able to come out to Arizona and visit before her summer classes start at Cal State Long Beach. As she headed back to CA. we drove out with Nolan, his car and bike. He is spending his summer in CA, and looking forward too lots of fun with childhood friends before he starts his senior year at Brophy.

We spent a day in Laguna Beach and went to the state park for a hike. Above pic was taken, before going down the hill to the shore....and of course a pic of the kids!!!


It was a beautiful day! My Mom used to work for the Pentagon/Washington D.C. When she transfered to EL Segundo, CA. to continue her work, she would head up the conventions and we would go hang out at the beautiful Newport Inn. We had lots of family fun and wonderful memories of time spent in Laguna/Newport Beach......

Down the hill we went....


A pic of my Sweetpeas.....




There is a little crab in the pocket of water....can you find him???



After our hike of course we need food! Our favorite hangout...Lots of shops, great food.......cute town......




Basketball, volleyball.....most likely this is the place that Nolan will spend a lot of his summer time at with friends.



Can't forget the treats.....Candy Apples...



ooops, here they are again....what can I say...they are the apple of my eye!!!


I hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.....Hugs Lisa

Mothers Day Happiness

I had a wonderful Mothers Day! In fact it lasted all weekend long....Here is a picture with my son Nolan, Christie, my daughter was not able to be with us. She has two more weeks of college and then she will come home too visit. "We miss you!!!"

My brother came out with his wife Mary. He always takes a plane and rents a corvette upon arrival. So, Nolan was very excited when he got to take it for a spin....

Their off......
We had a cute musical card for my mom....she did a little jig when she heard it.....

A picture taken with my Grandmother.....


We had a lovely lunch at PF Chang's,,,yum!!!

A little picture with my Husband Chris, who does all things to make me happy!!!!



On Sunday, Nolan and Chris spent the day working in the pool area, planting new plants for me and getting it all ready for a hot Arizona summer....

All in all it was a wonderful weekend......I hope you all had as lovely a Mothers Day....Hugs Lisa

"Into the West" The Norco Mounted Posse, Trail Riders

"Into the West" the Norco Mounted Posse Trail Ride is my first post, in a series of post, relating to the history behind the East Mojave Desert. For the last Twenty-one years, the Norco Mounted Posse has sponsored a, twice a year horse back ride, where riders cross the Mojave Desert by horse back upon the Old Mojave trail.

They spend a couple of nights at our friends Bud Smiths ranch. His ranch is down around the mountain from ours. While at Buds ranch, they spend a day riding trails in the East Mojave Desert. Camp out around the Bonfire, eat some great outdoor cooking while enjoying some skits and good company.....

Here is a group of the riders as they rode into Buds Ranch.....

After 27 miles they are still having a great time......

This is Ron and Washney.....

Kimmie and her horse...

Kimmie works with horses for a living.....she also trains Clydesdale's! Below I rode Washney

Our dear beloved Bud passed away this last year. "Everyone misses you, Bud!!!!!" Bud is like a second father to my husband, so we will gladly have the horse back riders camp at our place next year, if need be....

The goody truck...drinks, treats, and happy servers....

Cute little Dudley, he is a newbie to the area....


a much needed drink for the horses....

OK, I found this to be so funny, yet cute....as in who knew!!!...These horses get upset, if you do not park them next to their buddies....they let you know that they are upset. No worries tho, I found a carrot or apple made things all better....in fact you can make a life long friend with a horse that way......

Below is Jason's horse, he works for the Bureau of Land and Management...It was very nice to meet him.....the BLM is the Wild Horse and Burro Compliance Specialist. It is very big on my heart, so Jason and I will be talking in the future.

Bonnie's horses......

Ringing the dinner bell, it smelled soooo good and you bet everyone was ready......

The riders bring their tents.....

Each night ends hanging around the camp fire....

Well, I hope you all enjoyed my first post from into the West.....

My son and I are going to see Wolverine Friday nite!!! Anyone else going??? I will be posting a tutorial this next week on how to spark up a plain pillow, so see you then....Hope you all have a wonderful weekend....Hugs....Lisa