Christmas

 Merry Christmas from our backyard to yours.   We hope this coming new year will be happy and healthy for us all.

We've taken a little more time off lately, things have begun to calm down here and we're enjoying more down time.      My birthday was last week and the day before we decided to drive into Scottsdale and do a little walk down memory lane, have a nice lunch and then drive home "the back way". 

entry to The Boulders

The plan was to have lunch at The Boulders Resort, a place we used to stay at regularly....in our other life.    It's a beautiful place set amongst the huge boulders with lovely individual cassitas complete with fireplaces and patios in the desert landscaping.   A golf course winds its way around the property and we remembered the food to be excellent.      This day, however, the main restaurant was closed and the only food available was at the clubhouse.    That didn't appeal to us so I found a small french restaurant in nearby Cave Creek.

San Souci has been in this location for many years, and the decor is a bit dated but the food is still excellent and the service friendly and efficient.    We had a great time and enjoyed a little good wine before stopping at a few stores for Christmas supplies that can't be found in Wickenburg.

I've been wanting to take Castle Hot Springs Road past Lake Pleasant, through the mountains, back to just outside of Wickenburg.    We've always enjoyed the ride.   There have been a few changes along the way, a bit of fencing keeping us out of a couple spots we would often stop and share lunch, but otherwise the road was well graded and the scenery just what we wanted.     The beautifully restored resort of Castle Hot Springs was bustling as we passed by.    I took very few pictures along the way, you've all seen plenty here in the past.

A few of the tight washes had water in them so we got Rocky a little muddy - always a good thing!   At one spot we stopped to read a sign.    We both felt we were being watched.....and we noticed a number of unusual white spots not far from where we were.

Burros!   There were about 10 of them, a few babies and their family, probably beginning to gather for their Christmas celebrations.

We smiled all the way home.

On "the" day, Cindy P called to wish me Happy Birthday.    While I was talking with her, the most special person I know snuck in and quietly presented me with a birthday Bismark (otherwise known as a Boston Cream donut), complete with burning birthday candles.    I don't know what I ever did to deserve such a thoughtful and sweet man.

After my special birthday second cup we went to the Hassayampa River Preserve to walk along the above ground portion of the Hassayampa River as it flows through the nature preserve.   We've not visited this area before and we found it quiet and beautiful.   A place to return to.

plank crossing

We walked along a sandy trail through a mesquite bosque and then under huge Fremont Cottonwoods and Willows    The Cottonwoods are just beginning to turn their beautiful yellow color at this time of year and the River was clear and sparkling in the sun

the stream was so clear it is hard to actually see it in this photo

We worked up an appetite (since when do I have to work to have an appetite?) there so when we were done we drove north to Congress and Nichols West for lunch.    Rainy and cloudy weather was coming our way so we were lucky to be able to sit outside on their sweet little patio, and having it mostly to ourselves.  

We were happy to see the little patio kitty was still in residence.   It (I don't know if "it" is a he or a she) is a quiet customer and only approaches for pets if asked.    It mostly relaxes in the sun.

We both enjoyed our meals, as usual.     Dave enjoyed smelling the roses that grace the fence and kitty accepted his post sniffing pets.

yes, again....shrimp/avocado quesadilla and shrimp/lobster tacos

this man enjoys his food!

Did I mention the pretty birthday flowers I received from Jesse and Erin?    Or the picture from Cindy P?

We haven't completely stopped fussing around the house.   A few things needed assembly and placement this week.

no, we haven't had time to remove the log wallpaper yet - we're ignoring it

AND.....the fireplace is finally fully in and working!    The long story of it's installation had one more little chapter.   You'll remember the two trips (two 3 hour round trips) in one day that the first installers took to finally have the right parts.     The second appointment on Dec. 23 didn't start out well.   The man walked in with his tool bags, took one look at what the first men (on Dec. 6) did, asked if this was to be natural gas or propane, shook his head and told us he didn't have the right parts with him....WHAT - AGAIN!     I was so angry I had to go sit outside to avoid becoming a murderer.      Luckily cooler heads prevailed and the guy left with a promise to return.     Hours later he called and said he was on his way back.      Another two 3 hour round trips for this chapter.      All's well that ends well, he did his job, the fireplace works and we're so very happy with it - all of us!

  

We've had a quiet Christmas again this year.    The predicted rain storm came and it poured, hard, most of Christmas Eve.    Happy hour and second cup found us sitting in front of our lovely fire on our lawn chairs.    Today is another quiet day.   Naps all around!

rain = green!

zzzzz