Enabling knit bloggers :-))

I love that there are knit bloggers out there like Kathy! She posts patterns I want to knit (http://irisheyesknitters.blogspot.com/2013/09/weekend-wrap-by-coco-knits-julie.html?m=1). I already bought the pattern...

And my son helped me wind my yarn.

My $50 swift and ball winder have paid dividends in the years since I bought them. 

My knitting ebbs and flows based on time and stress but it always is in the background of my life. 

Swap

I participated in a swap with Kathy.

What fun!  I got a fingerless glove pattern and yarn,  yarn cutter, and my DUD surprise of iron on flowers.

It's all in good fun!

Calm & Thankful

Dinner tonight is ravioli with homemade sauce.

Life has calmed down since last week and I'm thankful I have my friends, my children and my family to support me. 

I'm fortunate!

Changes

It's been a crazy week and an unsettling year or two at work.

I've been struggling with do I go or do I stay? Things transpired that the decision is "go". 

"Go" is emotional because this decision impacts my children, a move to a new place and much change for everyone. 

I've done it multiple times in my life and we'll do it again.

Today I headed out for a solo hike. I needed to find my even keel and settle things in my mind. 

I didn't hike for speed but for quiet. I cried, searched my soul, thanked God for the blessings in my life,  thought about the friendships I've solidified on the hiking trails, support given and received from the friends that have shared the trails and found a sense of calm in my decision.

I hope my next adventure gives me the opportunity to find my Zen in nature and amazing friends that add great value to our lives. I have been truly blessed thus far in life and believe you get what you give.

Slow Food Event

A couple friends of mine and I went a slow food dinner last night. 

Interesting food and great company! 

Dixie Mountain Loop & Summit Trail

Hiked the Dixie Mountain loop and summit trail this morning. Gorgeous morning but hot. Glad I brought my Camelbak as well as back up water because I needed it in the last 1/2 mile.

Saw my second snake in all my hikes. I think it was a small diamondback. Thankfully it was small.

The view from the summit was amazing!

Dixie mountain hike

Lots of hot air balloons

I also tried out the panorama photo with my phone. Fun times!

Standing on the Corner of Winslow, AZ

The last morning of our Grand Canyon weekend we headed to Winslow to take pictures on the corner and have breakfast. 

There is a guy who owns a shop across the street, that owns the red flat bed Ford and blasts Eagles music on loud speakers. 

Hannah decided to sit on the corner!

Some of the best Huevos Rancheros with green sauce that I've had in. Long time. 

Decluttering

I took a vacation/mental health day to declutter around the house.

2 loads, 15+ bags of stuff for donation plus 3 bags of garbage!

More to go but it's a good start. 

4th of July!

The gorgeous day started with a gorgeous hike with a girlfriend in the Dreamy Draw park. 

Then our neighbors organized a kid parade that had a great turn out!

The rest of the day was spent with good food, good friends and floating in the pool. 

We are blessed! 

Flagstaff

Fun evening.  I rented a small house in Flagstaff for our mini vacation. I think the stove was older than I am.  Too bad I didn't cook in it. 

We also had a fun dinner out in downtown.

Grand Canyon Vacation

The kids and I has a quick trip to the Grand Canyon over Memorial Day weekend.  Some scenes from day.

Stand Up Paddle Boarding

I spent a fun day with my daughter on Saturday trying our hand at Stand Up Paddle Boarding (http://gostanduppaddle.com/). 
 Hannah even got the paddle board dog, Red, to get on her board. What a lot of fun and a great work out.