Wednesday, March 7, 2012

From Bare Trees to Palm Trees

I am home after a fantastical week in Arizona...Phoenix, Tucson, and Sedona, all simply wonderful.  I stayed with very good friends that once lived here in the Chicago area, but as soon as Mr. Friend retired, Mr. & Mrs. Friend headed to sunny Arizona and have loved living their retirement in the glow of the desert.  While there I met several of their friends who also are basking in the glow of the desert, all continually asked me why I don't consider moving there with them.  Believe me, the thought did cross my mind.  Talk about a change of scenery....from bare trees to palm trees.  Hmmm, does sound pretty darn tempting.  I think I must be still basking in the desert glow of a wonderful vacation, give me a couple of days back here, reality will set in and that glow will begin to fade leaving behind sweet memories and dreams of returning again.

Not only did I meet many of their (Mr. & Mrs. Friend) friends, but I also met a couple of friends of mine while there.  Actually friends that I had never met in person, but felt like I knew them as well as if I had known them both for years.  Terri from Phoenix and Barbara from Tucson, both whom I "met" during our time spent at Tracey Clark's classes at Big Picture Classes website.  Tracey developed Picture Spring, Summer, Fall, Holidays, and Winter and all of us (myself, Terri & Barbara amongst many others) participated in each one of these classes meeting and getting to know each other thru our photography. Since I knew I would be vacationing in Phoenix I decided to contact Terri from Phoenix and Barbara from Tucson in hopes that we could somehow, someway have a "meet-up".  And it happened, Terri picked me up in her car, we both drove to Tucson and met Barbara and together we three spent the day together talking, eating, laughing, and sharing our passion for photography.  I did not want that day to end, it went by too fast.  If you ever, ever get the opportunity to have a "meet-up" with friends you have "met" thru your love of photography and/or blogging, take it.  You will not be disappointed.

Stop by our collaborative blog Focusing on Life today where I am continuing my thoughts on vacations.

While in Phoenix we visited the Botanical Garden and these are a few images from that trip.




Mr. & Mrs. Quail....




I was in heaven seeing all these beautiful birds and butterflies being so close, capturing their beauty.

"Stretch out your hand and receive the world's wide gift of joy, appreciation and beauty."
~  Corinne Roosevelt Robinson

Until next time.....

13 comments:

  1. Welcome back! Sounds like a wonderful trip you had. Do you have any idea what kind of birds those are perched on the flowers? They must be pretty small.

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  2. Deanna, I just need to say that I love your blog, your every picture, the quotes... you... :)Keep going! You bring so much beauty into my life!

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  3. Awesome pics. Glad you had a wonderful time.

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  4. It sounds like you had the most marvelous time! Your photos are fantastic ... the birds ... well, I'm just so envious! Lovely, lovely, lovely! But welcome back! You were missed.

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  5. Deanna, I'm so glad you were able to go and have such a wonderful trip! Beautiful pictures...of Mr. and Mrs Quail.

    Beautiful snow pictures, too. I've had trouble with my eye disease, so I'm way behind on blog visiting. What a thrill to pop over and see so many pretty photos at once.

    Welcome back! :)

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  6. That should be - such wonderful photos!:)

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  7. such great photos. looks like such a wonderful visit. thank you for sharing with us. gorgeous!! (:

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  8. So nice to have you back, and I'm so jealous - I have never seen a zebra butterfly in person (at least that's what I think it is). Beautiful photos!!

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  9. Sounds like you have had a wonderful trips...and you have come back with some magical images.

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  10. I am so glad I found your blog; it's so full of beauty....

    It sounds like you had a great time connecting with old and new friends...taking lots of beautiful pictures and making lots of memories to take back home..

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  11. Oh my goodness, Deanna, what beautiful photos! I've been to that botanical garden there in Phoenix, isn't it wonderful? It sounds like you had a great vacation enjoying the sun and time with friends :)

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