Tree Trunk - Day 177

I thought this tree trunk was really interesting.  It almost seems to tell a story.

There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it.  ~Minnie Aumonier

If you would know strength and patience, welcome the company of trees.  ~Hal Borland

A Night at the Play - Day 176

My husband and I were able to get away for a "date" night.  We went to Phoenix and saw the play "9 to 5".  It was funny, sweet, and the singing was completely amazing.  We enjoyed ourselves and are now trying to see if Netflix has it on the instant que!!  Nothing like a fun day away from the snow to make me happy!

"What are you, a man or a mouse? I mean, a woman or a wouse?"

Violet Newstead, (Nine to Five)

Good Boy! - Day 175

When it is too cold and shivery outside to do pictures, there is always somebody who will hold still long enough for a quick shot.

Or even two or three!

Macro Friday - Soft comfort - Day 174

Nothing like something soft and snuggly on a cold winter day.  Linking up for Macro Friday with Blogging from Bolivia.  Hope to see you there. 

Year by year the complexities of this world grow more bewildering,
     and so each year we need all the more to seek peace and
     comfort in joyful simplicities.

Bare and Reaching - Day 173

I love the reaching of branches, upward always upward. 

Focusing my thoughts toward heaven. 

Reminding me that I must reach out

in order to find Him.

"Every gardener knows that under the cloak of winter

lies a miracle ...

a seed waiting to sprout,

a bulb opening to the light,

a bud straining to unfurl.  

And the anticipation nurtures our dream."-   Barbara Winkler

Tall and Frozen - Day 172

There is nothing quite like a tree covered in snow to make you glad that you have a warm house and a shimmering fireplace.

There is a privacy about it which no other season gives you.... In spring, summer and fall people sort of have an open season on each other; only in the winter, in the country, can you have longer, quiet stretches when you can savor belonging to yourself.  ~Ruth Stout

Beautiful Winter - Day 171

The ice seems to flow into every crack and crevice.  

So sparkling and white.  So cold and chilling.

Making me long for the coming of spring.  

The color of springtime is in the flowers,

the color of winter is in the imagination.  ~Terri Guillemets

Unwelcome house - Day 170

This year, the winter has been so cold that even the bird houses are waiting and watching for spring to arrive.

Winter must be cold for those with no warm memories.  ~From the movie An Affair to Remember

This old Tree - Day 169

I found this tree in Showlow by the animal feed store.  I loved the age of it, and the trunk of it, and the waiting of it.

Of winter's lifeless world each tree
Now seems a perfect part;
Yet each one holds summer's secret
Deep down within its heart.
~Charles G. Stater

I Pledge Allegiance - Day 168

I pledge allegiance to the flag 

of the United States of America

And to the republic for which it stands

One Nation under God,

Indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

There is nothing quite like seeing a group of preschoolers leading the adults in the Pledge Allegiance.  I am amazing, humbled and nearly speechless.  

Macro Friday - Smell the Flowers - Day 167

There is nothing quite like fresh flowers to brighten your day!  

I am linking up today with Blogging from Bolivia for Macro Friday.  Hope to see you there too!

"Earth laughs in flowers."  Ralph Waldo Emerson

"God writes the Gospel, not in the Bible alone, but also on the trees and in the flowers and clouds and stars".  Martin Luther

The Pony Express - Day

I happened to be going through Payson when the Hashknife Pony Express came riding into town.  I was able to take several pictures and throughly enjoyed myself for the event.  There is nothing quite like it.  It is a little like watching a piece of history.  I thought I would include some of my favorite Cowboy Quotes with this one. 

Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear,

or a fool from any direction.

When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'.

Move Over - Day 165

“A crust eaten in peace 

is better than a banquet partaken in anxiety.” Aesop

Standing - Day 164

Standing out of my element, wondering which way to go, how I got here, and what I am going to do about it.

Prickles - Day 163

This plant has way too many prickles, sometimes, people do too.

Roosevelt Lake - Day 162

Driving back from Globe, this was the view.  The water was so very blue.  I could have lost myself in it.

First Dance - day 161

Kayla is a young woman now, and to prove it, she was able to attend her first dance.  Here she is with her friends.  They look like they are all having fun.

There is nothing quite like growing up with good friends.

Macro Friday - Easter Eggs - Day 160

Today I am linking up with Blogging From Bolivia for Macro Friday. Go there if you want to see some other great pictures! 

We have several "new" chickens.  (Well, 22 to be exact).  They are just starting to lay eggs for our pleasure.  Some of the chickens are "Easter Egg Chickens".  This means they really do lay colored eggs.  These eggs are actual eggs laid in our chicken coop.  As you can see, the little chicken lays a very little egg.  My husband has named the chicken, "Chicken Little".  

Daddy's Boat - Day 159

Daddy's boat sits at the side of the house, covered in snow, waiting for spring.  

We watch for the snow to melt, counting the days 

until we can go fishing in the warm lake waters of summer.

Wordless Wednesday - Green Flames - Day 158

Straight out of the camera!  All I did was crop them.

Waiting - Day 157

Once upon a time, we had an above ground pool.  The problem was that the squirrells bit holes in the plastic air infated liner, so the pool only lasted about two weeks!  Now the ladder waits for us to try again.  It reminds me that summer will be coming soon, if we watch and wait.

The view! - Day 156

On of the things I love most about my mountain home is how the view changes.  One minute, you can have sun and blue sky, and the very next moment the clouds roll in and you have rain or snow or sleet or hail.   One thing is for sure, I never get bored! This is the view right outside the back door of my Post Office.  I really do love it.  These pictures were taken less than one minute apart. 

Hope Whispers - Day 155

Sometimes, life can throw a little storm and snow our way.  No matter what happens, hope will whisper to our hearts and give us the courage and strength to go on.  It is up to us to listen to the whispered message.

These Boots - day 154

Macro Friday - Day 153

Right out my door, there is a winter wonderland of white.  I love the way it glistens and sparkles in the sunshine.  I am linking up for Macro Friday over at Blogging from Bolivia.  Hope to see you there!

This is my favorite shot.  It is so very beautiful.

Palo Verde - Day 152

The Palo Verde tree is the state tree of Arizona.  It is slightly odd looking (like many of our more memorable plants) but can be found all over the desert regions of the state.  This one is a yellow Palo Verde tree and they can reach about 20 feet in height.  I loved the way that this one was all twisted up and compacted together.

I was not getting any closer to this tree.  You never know what is hiding in those branches.  Also, it has long, sharp, thorns on each of those branches to discourage anyone from getting too close.  Prowling through the desert during the middle of a winter storm is totally fun!!  Especially when I think of the snow back home!

Cactus Plants - Day 151

For me, no trip to the valley would be complete without seeing the amazing plants that exist in the desert.  These are just a few of the many that are to be seen during my drive.  For me, they always mean that I am nearly there.

You really have to watch out for those spines!!  I promise they hurt!

Majestic Saguaro - Day 150

These are examples of the Saguaro Cactus.  They are so interesting.  I am hoping to get pictures of some of the blossoms in the spring.  I grew up with these all around my neighborhood, and have even stepped on more than my share of cactus spines.  They are totally unique to this part of the world.

I love the way the many arms are always reaching up.

As you get closer, you can see the holes in the different locations.  These are usually drilled by a woodpecker.   Believe it or not, these cacti store water in the trucks and the birds drill to get to the water.  Then, smaller birds use the holes as nests for their young.

These are plants that are very unique to the southern deserts.  I do love them, and although I don't live in the desert anymore, there is a part of me that will always acknowledge these towering desert giants, as part of home.