Ready for Fall While Looking Back at Summer

Well, here we are off on our

autumn adventures!

Though I am always up for adventures,

I am slow to let go of what came before.

 Do you enjoy looking back 

and savoring days gone by?

Like holding onto that good taste of something

that you just want to last forever?

And did I say slow?

I like to think of myself as living in

the moment...

Being present.

This is something that I have had 

to work at.  

My shutter painted mustard yellow. YAY for paint!

I'm a planner and I'm in love with life.

But I felt that I was missing so much

by trying to do too much and always

thinking ahead or of something else.

VERY distracted.

My daughter and 6 of my grandkiddos. Love them all to pieces.

 That's Escudilla mountain in the background.

My life is so very full of rich family times, just living, projects and change. Right now, I'm 

going through some big changes that I hope to

be able to share about later.

It's been a time filled with many emotions 

and physically exhausting. 

But I'm trusting God and He is

ALWAYS good.

These are just some of my memories that

I captured and a few photos of some of the beauty

of my summer. I hope that you don't mind if  I'm not up to speed with fall.

I wish I could keep up like other folks. I have

tried but it just doesn't work for me.

 I have many more garden pictures to share later.

The magic and calming of music that flows through my days and fills my heart is

a gift to me that I unwrapped as a very young child. It's melodies and harmonies have

filled so many cracks and crevices in my soul 

and changed my life forever. And now that goodness overflows and with God's

blessing, is touching the lives of others.

I am so grateful!

JOY... 

BLISS...

DELIGHT... 

EXUBERANCE...

GLADNESS...

HAPPINESS...

and sisterly LOVE!!!

with a dash of ornery ;)

Simply 

MAGICAL ~

I cannot resist faded petals. I have a collection of geranium 

flowerlets that I've been gathering all summer to be put in a jar.

Fading beauty is a part of life. Aging is a natural process that reveals a beauty all it's own. 

Being able to embrace it all as we pass through each season is a sign of a life richly lived. 

My geranium after wintering in my 

kitchen bay window.

It doubled in size this summer.

I had to cut it back to bring it back 

inside. I love their scent!

Jeff and I play with the group Bush Valley Rounders and the two

 of us have our own two person band called BackRoads. 

We were delighted to have our first summer ever booked from June to September.

We played nearly 30 times. It was a little daunting at times but we did it!

And we're so grateful for all of the support!

On the nights when we play music, the couples get out on the patio under the nights and dance. The merriment of the music rolls out across the valley to meet the mountain carrying the sounds to the elk, deer, foxes, bears, wildcats and coyotes.

 Making our yard and gypsy camp come alive

with flowers and plants is something that I look forward to every year. The refreshing that it 

brings to our spirits is a reward for 

the hours of energy, commitment and time 

devoted to it. During the hottest part of the

morning, I sometimes take a break under the pines

and spend a little time reading and resting.

Three cheers for going on 

a little different kind of adventure!!!

Annnndd.... 

for family togetherness.

lots of clapping! ;)

Cormorants

This week, we will pack to leave for Ohio.

I hope to be hanging around on the blog and coming to say hello.

Now I must go taste the peanut butter pie

that Jeff brought me last evening.

Darbi's in Pinetop, Az...

I lost count of their restaurant awards!

And they have theee best pie on the mountain.

Have a lovely weekend. Please tell me of your

fall outings and adventures.

Thank you for being here!

Hugs and blessings,

Tamara xo