Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Centennial to Arizona!

Wishing all of you a Happy Valentine's Day!

Also wishing the State of Arizona Happy Centennial!  Arizona was admitted to the Union on this date in 1912 as the 48th State!

Did you know that our state tree is the saguaro?

 We are also The Grand Canyon State.

Nor can we forget beautiful Sedona and its amazing red rock formations!

Finally . . . .

We have the most beautiful sunsets here in Arizona!

My weekend with my VBFF#1

My friend Gail (VBFF#1) invited me up to Payson to spend a few days in the cooler air of The Rim Country. Gail and her hubby have parked their RV up there for the summer months. I must say it was cooler, and we had a ball shopping. More on our adventures as the week progresses as well as pics of my finds.
On Friday, after spending the entire morning at yard sales, thrift stores, antique shops and having breakfast in Strawberry, we ventured to the Mogollon Rim to spend some time at Woods Canyon Lake. However, as we drove up there the clouds built up quickly to very black and once we made the turn off, we were pounded by rain (some of it "chunky") and by the time we reached the lake it was a downpour! Lightning flashing close by and thunder pounded! This is the view from the car. The temperature in Payson when we left was 98 degrees. The temperature at Woods Canyon Lake was 54 degrees! A 44 degree drop in a half hour drive and about 2000 feet more in altitude.

This is the boat launch and you can see the rain running off into the lake and that it is pouring!
Another view of the lake through the window. There was even a boater out there making his way back to the marina to get out of this storm!

We didn't stay there long. But it is a beautiful lake. I had never been there. Next time I visit Gail in Payson, we plan go again. We have planned to take a picnic lunch spend some relaxing time by this pretty lake.

Arizona has most everything -- except a beach on an ocean!

Musing on my backyard

As you know, I love my backyard space and the wildlife that lives there. Today I am going to share some pictures with you that I have taken over the past few days.

Monsoon rains come to the Sonoran Desert. Beginning last Thursday night, we have had a LOT of rain here. Since Sky Harbor Airport is the "official" site for Phoenix rainfall, their measurement for rain is at 3". Now that may not seem like a lot, but it is! Normally, the airport gets 3" for the entire monsoon season. This year's season has just begun! Here in Chandler, we have had at least 3 inches so far. Sunday afternoon there was a flash of lightning, followed almost immediately by the loudest crack of thunder I have heard in years! It must have stuck nearby. About 3 minutes later the sky opened up and poured rain for about 45 minutes! The sky was black!!This morning I saw this mama quail and three of her babies. They were out getting a morning snack among the lantana bushes. One of the little ones was hopping through the lantana and cannot be seen here. But the other two are visible and so cute! They are such fun to watch. If something frightens the little ones, they run for cover under mama's wings and she crouches down and spreads her wings slightly to cover them up. Precious!

This is a new batch of baby quail. The batch I photographed several weeks ago has dwindled down from 7 to just a few but they are much larger than these cuties.