Thursday morning and I am sitting on my sisters patio in Scottsdale AZ. As you know we live some distance apart and we try and get together every couple of months. I usually come and visit her in Scottsdale because my mother lives here and I can "kill two birds with one stone." These are always great weekends because it is just girls. We will eat out, create art, sleep in, stay up late, take naps,  shop, and maybe even have a spa day. My sisters pantry is full of goodies, the birds are singing, I am happy and tired after a busy week at work. I am suppose to be taking a nap but I am too excited about the fun weekend ahead so I've been wandering around in blog land,my eyes are getting heavy now so I think I'll try that nap. I've posted a couple of journal pages as inspiration to myself, since maybe that will be one of my art projects this weekend.

It was hard to get out of bed this morning and drag myself to work. All I could think about was the wonderful weekend that had been too short. I kept remembering ocean breezes, sunny skies, beautiful flowers, pretty arrangements of shells, sparkling gems,vintage tulle petticoats dyed in shades of pastels, laughter,and the full moon the night of our bonfire on the beach. All day long I remembered and all day long the hours passed and I got through with a light heart because of all the wonderful memories of the days before. And so this evening I sit on my deck tired after a long day at work, but my spirit is rested because it spent the day reliving a magical weekend.

I have returned from the sunny warm south to the cool land of the north. It was a busy, creative, fun, adventurous, beautiful and exciting two days. Sandcastle Sirens a two day workshop with a vendor sale held in the beautiful beachfront home of Jan Pollack of Art takes a Village. Jane donates time to a center for women in recovery and a 30% of the sales from the vendors fair went for this cause. My sister Julie Haymaker Thompson taught the workshops and I got to attend as an assistant and moral support. Sat. I flew in and took a taxi to the event what an adventure with a taxi driver who does not speak English, does not have a map, does not know where we are going, and ME! Two hours later with a fare of 130$,and having seen areas of San Diego I'm sure no tourist is suppose to know exist I arrived at my destination. The rest of the week end was glorious. To calm my self down I walked to the Coronado Hotel(beautiful), took a nap on the balcony of my bedroom(see my view the beach). Sunday I helped my sister with her class she is an amazing energetic woman full of so much patience and information. It all comes out as a teacher and if you ever have the chance to take a class from her you should do so. The vendors sale was Sunday afternoon and I helped my sister with her booth I also sold custom bead packets. My sisters highlight of the weekend was being the top vendor in sales at the event and being able to give Jane a large donation for her cause. All in all it was a great weekend. I met many nice women who became friends and I wished I lived closer to. I know this is a long post for me but there was so much to say. I have tons of photos that I will share during the week, but here are afew right now.

If its Friday it must be a happy day! This is the end of the work week Yeah!! Tomorrow I am off to San Diego and Coronado Island for the weekend to help my sister at the Sand Castle Sirens Event. I am very excited about this the last time I was in San Diego I was a little girl and I've never been to Coronado Island. I know we will be busy with the retreat but it will still be a great get away. I come back Monday am and will have photos and stories about the week end then. I'll take my computer but don't know if I'll be able to post. I love this photo of the woman in the swim suit, no it is not me. But if I could buy a suit like that it is what I would want to wear on the beaches these days considering the shape I'm in!

Wednesday evening, home from work. Sitting on the back deck smelling fresh cut grass and the smokey goodness of someones barbecue. Raindrops on my head! What is this? It is June in California the rain is suppose to be gone. There is one dark cloud right over our house and I have to stay outside because I'm "borrowing"the neighbors wireless (my internet doesn't work in the house). This is when blogging scares me, when the most exciting moment of my day was having someone at work get upset at me and not letting it bother me. Other peoples lives sound so interesting full of fun activities, art, children and sometimes mine seems rather dull. But this blog has become part of my daily routine and you are all part of that. It has become important to me and I would miss it and you if you were not there. Thanks for being there. P.S. the nasturtiums survived the lawn mower when my husband cut the grass.

We hope that,when the insects take over the world, they will 

remember with gratitude how we took them along on all

our picnics.     Richard Vaughan

We arrived safely home this afternoon after a 4 day 300+ mile trek to move "Bambi" to her summer playgrounds.  It was an uneventful weekend infact very pleasant considering I spent many hours every day staring in the rearview windows at silver and glass. Yes items are closer then they appear and that makes me REALLY  nervous. We spent one beautiful evening in the Alabama Hills the portal to Mt. Whitney. It was gorgeous and you could see why they have filmed so many movies there. By the time we got to Mono Lake it was raining,I spent most of that day inside creating in my journal. We are getting more comfortable towing our trailer so the trip was less exhausting then some have been. But it is still good to be home, nothing beats your own shower and bed!