The Holidays

Before Christmas we spent some time in the town of Brooklyn Michigan. The snow was a perfect complement to old homes and buildings. I could not resist buying some vintage Christmas balls at the  local antique store. The colors were a great complement to our borrowed silver tree. We put up a few decorations at the lake house, but spent most of the holiday in Ohio with our families.

Sweet church in downtown Brooklyn

Primitive tree in our family room

Upstairs Silver Tree

Vintage ornaments

New Years Eve with my sister (photo credit - Ginny)

New Years Day morning walk along the river

Peace and Love to all for the New Year

Back Roads

We drove to Ann Arbor this afternoon to do a little Christmas shopping and have lunch. After spending time in a busy mall, we took a slow drive home (are we old or what?). I snapped some pictures from the car window along the way with my iPhone.  

These photos were taken near Sharon, Michigan.

It was only 3:30 pm and the sun was ready to set

FRoZEN BuBBLeS

     Early this morning the two great photographers in the family (my sister and my husband) decided to blow bubbles in  -2 degree weather. Lights were arranged, tripods were set up, and hand warmers were placed it pockets.  The bubbles instantly froze and landed on a snowy patio table.  I curiously watched from the window... at first, then ventured out to snap a few pics.

Frozen bubbles at daybreak

Snowy Day

Lake view from our office

Yesterday it snowed all day. We decided to venture out into the 6 inches of new fallen snow and take a walk. Luckily we had some warm coats courtesy of my sister.  It was magical. However, twenty minutes in 26 degree weather was long enough for us former desert dwellers, so we made our way back to the cottage for some hot chicken soup.

The snow was deep, but my feet were warm.

Winter Birds

Tufted Titmouse

Male and Female Cardinal

Downy Woodpecker

It was so fun to be at the Window On Wildlife at Wildwood Preserve in Toledo today.  

The Birds were enjoying a snack in the snow.

A Cooler Climate

While we search for a home in Northwest Ohio, we will be staying at my sisters lake house.  We certainly miss our family and friends in Arizona, however waking up every morning to this view is amazing.

Arizona December

Passion Flower 

Pipevine Swallowtail at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum

Butterfly sunning on Queen's Wreath

Monarch at Veterans Oasis Park in Chandler

Little blue butterfly warming her wings on
Thai Basil in my herb garden

This Curve billed Thrasher is a frequent visitor in my 
backyard garden.

Luminarias at the Desert Botanical Garden

Last December in Arizona was the perfect time to hike (and apparently a great time for hummingbirds to take a bath) in the desert.  I was amazed at all of the plants that were still blooming late in the season.