I Am Off to a Warmer Place

Saw this on Pinterest last week and thought it was perfect to illustrate my post to say adieu for awhile. Yes, I am off again to Phoenix, AZ to visit friends and meet-up with some photography/blogging buddies that I have met thru this wide-world of blogging.  The 1st and 2nd time we met, there were 3 of us, now our circle has expanded to 5 with another out of town visitor joining, making us 6.  And 6 could be dangerous, can you imagine 6 of us trying to photograph one butterfly, all at the same time??  I planned this trip around the blooming of the cactus, since I have rarely seen cactus blooming.  According to my desert friends, it is quite spectacular.  So be prepared for a colorful cactus collection in the future.  Say that fast 3 time...!!!

The last good shots of the moon I took was while I was on my last trip to Arizona, but I gotta admit I think this was a good one, captured early early this morning.

Before I go, just a couple more pics from my latest trip to Trader Joe's and one from my daughter's home.  I have made these into postcards for Kat Sloma's "Liberate Your Art Postcard Swap".  If you have not participated in this fun event you really should.  Too late this year, but put it on your "to do" list for next year.  Kat hosts a world wide postcard swap...you send her 5 postcards of your original art, along with postage & return address labels and viola you receive 5 postcards from lovely artists from all over the world.  I participated last year and now again this year.  It's just fun, so do it!!

And another one....the most difficult part about this exchange is to decide on what I am going to send.  Decisions, decisions....

And one more....

Between packing & washing underwear I managed to get down to our independent bookstore for an appearance by Jacqueline Winspear, the author of the Maisie Dobbs books.  I fell in love with Maisie probably 5 or 6 years ago and have been following her adventures ever since.  If you love English mysteries and a wonderful female sleuth, then you will love these adventures. Ms Winspear has been to our bookstore several times, but somehow I am always out of town or have another engagement and have missed her previous visits.  What a delight she is....just a wonder to listen to, with her lovely English accent.  An evening well spent, even if I haven't finished packing.

And then when I got home from this lovely evening I had a package waiting for me on the front porch.  Look what was inside....!!!!

My blogging bud, Patti from My Happy Place sent me this little charmer...isn't she just too too sweet.  I think everyone must know by now my love of tea cups & mugs so when she saw this sitting right pretty on a shelf, she knew I would love it and I do, I do.  Thank you my sweet friend. Go visit Patti's blog, she is a fun gal and one of these days we are going to meet, she only lives a hop, skip and a jump from me...just a state or two over, that's all.

Linking this sweet girl to Kim's Texture Tuesday....

Now I must get back to packing....I will  hopefully be posting sporadically while I am gone.

This is sleep awareness month, so "go take a nap".....I am going to practice this faithfully all month.

Linking to Nancy's Tuesday Musing

Until next time....