July's Journey

I'm back after a month long trip to the States to visit my college boy.

From Kuwait via Frankfurt to Denver.

First we had to drive from Denver to Alamosa where we walked the Great Sand Dunes and hiked Zapata Falls.

 Drove to Pueblo for the 4th of July.

On to Santa Fe rich in culture and history.

Then the tiny town of Las Vegas, NM where my friend Kathy now lives after 4 years in Kuwait.

A day trip to visit the Taos Pueblo.

Durango, Colorado.

Montrose, Colorado which is close to the town of Ouray, known as Little Switzerland.

In Salida, Colorado I was so happy to finally meet up with blog friend, Jan, who is unfortunately no longer blogging.

In Boulder, Colorado we hiked the flatirons and wandered around Pearl Street where street performers are plenty.

We visited Denver where I found a lovely yarn shop.

There were side trips to Fort Collins and Greeley to visit college campuses.

Around Colorado Springs, there is much to see and do from Garden of the Gods to Pikes Peak.

 
And finally back to Alamosa where we packed and planned for our return to Kuwait.  No matter how many times I do it, leaving my college boy behind is not easy.  And the flight is just so long.  But we are back home now, fighting jet lag and getting back into the swing of things.

Hope that all of you are having a fabulous summer!
Best wishes,

In Stashbusting News

 I'm so glad I took this time between the last day of school and our travel to the States next month to just relax. There has been a whole lot of stashbusting going on during my first week of summer vacation. Linda at Linda's Crafty Corner and the host of stashbusting will be proud of my crocheting ways.

 

Last year I made pastel granny squares and finally joined them all together to make a baby blanket.  The only thing left to do is to finish the border.

I have added extensively to my dishcloth collection.

And when I was running low on any one color, I would make stripey dishcloths.

Or just get creative as I did on this Sadu-inspired washcloth.

 I've crocheted more doilies than I can even keep track of using my favorite all-time easy stacked shells doily pattern.  If you look closely, you can see that I even crocheted teeny tiny butterflies using a pattern from Little Birdie Secrets. 

I've made many more gift bags using this pattern from Chalky's World.

One skein of variegated cotton became two jar covers, two doilies and a few flowers using the mini-flower pattern from Little Treasures.  And then one of the mini-flowers was used to embellish another gift bag.

I've crocheted lovely little bowls.

And when I didn't have enough yarn to make a red and white bowl, I frogged it back to coaster size. 

 It's also the perfect place to store my darning needle as I work on weaving in all the ends on all my projects.

 A giant granny is in the works, the colors inspired by what's around me.

And last but not least ... a crocheted cover for a rock found on one of my many walks.

It's such a wonderful luxury to have the time to do the things you love.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

Happy Summer Solstice!

June's Moon

According to the Farmer's Almanac, this month's full moon is dubbed the Strawberry Moon because it coincides with strawberry season.  It is also sometimes referred to as the Strawberry Honey Moon because of it's golden hue.  And since it coincides with the summer solstice, it was the lowest in the sky that it will be this year.  I was lucky to be able to open my balcony door, look to the left and there it was in all its glory.  Unfortunately, my picture taking skills don't do it justice.

June 12

June 13

June 14

Even on my walk this morning, a week later, the moon is still visible.

And, as you can see, we have brilliant blue skies once again.

Have a terrific Thursday!

The Difference in an Hour

For most people, we often marvel at the beauty of a sunrise or the  magnificence of a full moon, but it is impossible to fathom the magnitude of the universe that surrounds us.

Richard H. Baker

Yesterday morning I walked from 8:00-9:00 a.m.  Very warm, yes, but bearable.  It's amazing how the smallest grove of trees or bushes can literally cool the air down.

 

 As you can see, there was nothing but blue skies.  When I took this next photo, there was a guy passing me in his car who rolled down his window and looked up.  He probably thought, what the heck is she looking at?

 But seriously, how can you not be mesmerized by perfectly blue skies and gorgeous green leaves and beautiful blooms?

Today started off the same.

Nothing but blue.

A friend and I decided to explore a couple of new places we hadn't been to before.   I found Someday Cafe via Instagram so we headed there for breakfast.  Non-descript from the outside, but inside was completely different.

Quaint, shabby chic, comfy, cozy.

With good food in just the right portion sizes.

Enough for 2.

An hour later, as we left the restaurant, this is what we were greeted with.  Same palm tree, different sky.  An unexpected dust storm came blowing through.

Yuck!

Our next stop was the old American Mission Hospital built in the early 1900's which has now been turned into a cultural center.

 

 

We weren't able to take photographs inside but had a nice walk-through seeing Splendors of the Ancient East, Loans from the Kuwait National Museum, and Verses of the Holy Qur'an on Works of Art.

Kuwait Towers

A lovely morning spent with a very good friend.

I'm hoping that blue skies will have returned by tomorrow.

Wishing you all a wonderful new week.

I See the Light

Finally!  SUMMER VACATION has begun!

Let me just say, it's been one hell of a school year.  I have to constantly remind myself to shake off the negative and focus on the good in each and every day.  

Afternoons here are pretty much unbearable with temperatures having soared to 120 and above.  Any walking I want to do from now on will need to happen early morning before the heat of the day sets in.  Good thing I don't mind getting up early.

All of the pictures above were taken last Wednesday when school was closed for high school graduation.  We were back to work on Thursday, had off Friday, and then worked Saturday through today.  Most people find their jobs wind down towards the end of the year, but mine never does.  I could stay all summer and never catch up.  The work will be there in August when we return and it will be full speed ahead through another year (possibly my last).  

Friday morning hubby and I walked but after 15 minutes he declared that his walking days were over.  Even the morning temperature was too much for him.  Thankfully I now have my days free to do with as I please. I will do my best to continue walking.

You can bet there will be a whole lot of crochet going on.  I've been doing a great job of stashbusting in the evenings but haven't had a chance to post.  

The verse "work with your hands and lead a quiet life" resonates with me often.

Hope all is well where you are.

Best wishes and blessings,