Scavenger Hunt Sunday - The November 4, 2012 Edition

A two week trip to Palm Springs, CA and Arizona provided me with plenty of images to pick from for this weeks challenges.  And the challenges are:

• Wild
• Welcome
• Adventure
• Vibrant
• Classic

They have some pretty wild looking shopping areas in Phoenix...this one had huge signs hanging with all kinds of advertising...I was particularly attracted to "the best margaritas" sign because I do like a good margarita....and that is exactly what I got, a Pina Colada Margarita, yum, yum.

While in Phoenix my hosts were invited to a "dress-up" Halloween party and they insisted that I go...I did, dressed as a Nun (oh the irony) and I welcomed everyone by taking their pictures which I then gave to the party-givers.

What an adventure I had while in Palm Springs.  We took the tram ride to the top of Mt. San Jacinto, approx 8,500 feet above....wow, the views as we rode up the tram to the top of the mountain.   

The vibrant hummingbirds came many, many times a day to the feeder.

And last, this to me, is classic Phoenix with it's rocky mountains, cactus, and blue, blue skies above.

So that's it for another Scavenger Hunt Sunday.  Hop on over to Ashley's blog and get a look at all the other images for this week's challenges.

Until next time....

Five Fact Friday - The November 2, 2012 Edition

Oh where oh where do I begin for this 5 fact friday....???  So many new adventures, so many new faces, so many new facts to share...

Since arriving home after 2 weeks of a glorious time in California & Arizona I discovered that the maple tree in the front yard has been stripped bare of leaves...full when I left, empty now upon my return.  Thank goodness my neighbors raked up all the leaves and dragged them to the curb, no easy task with the picket fence surrounding the front yard.

Eventho while gone, we had several very cold nights, and slight frosts, I am still able to enjoy the last of the roses.  They were blooming profusely when I returned, probably due to the added sunlight shining thru the leafless trees.  

While in Palm Springs attending the fabulous "Oasis" we took the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway up to the top of the Mt. San Jacinto changing climates from summer to chilly fall weather, climbing approximately 8,500 feet.  Personally I am not a lover of great heights, but I wouldn't have missed this...the scenes were spectacular.

Returning from Oasis I spent time in Phoenix, AZ with wonderful friends who retired to Sun Lakes.  A beautiful area, filled with palm trees, cactus, golf courses and water features galore.  I can see why people retire to Arizona (except for maybe the extreme heat in the summertime).  

And finally for this 5 Fact Friday....the last weekend I was in Arizona we drove to Tortilla Flats way up into the mountains where we enjoyed the spectacular sight of Canyon Lake.

Would you please join me today as I muse on "savoring moments" at my collaborative blog, Focusing On Life.  Also linking to

"Life loves to be taken by the lapel and told, "I'm with you kid. Let's go."  ~  Maya Angelou

Until next time....

Half Way Down on the Oasis Trampoline

Do you watch the TV show "Once Upon A Time?"  Fairy tale characters come to life each week and that is exactly the way I felt as I attended Tracey Clark's Oasis for 4 wonderful days in Palm Springs, CA.  People that I have only "seen" on-line, only "talked to" on-line and now here they were, in full living technicolor....walking and talking, smiling and laughing, real people.  What an absolutely wonderful time I had, one that will be forever in my Top Ten life experiences.  Meeting those who I have admired from afar are exactly how they seem, warm - loving - kind- appreciative - inspiring.

Have you ever bounced on a trampoline?  If you have then you know the feeling you get as you bounce high into the air, the exhilaration you feel as you leap upward....that exhilaration is how I felt the entire time.  Like I had jumped onto a trampoline, leaped high and didn't land.

We stayed at a delightful hotel on the main street in Palm Springs, a short drive from the downtown area called The ACE Hotel.  Comfortable quarters, terrific staff, a wonderful private area reserved just for us where we ate, drank, learned & played and with our own  swimming pool.  The weather was just about perfect...in the 80's, sunshine and dry.  But I think that is fairly status quo for this part of the country.  Altho a week prior to us arriving it had been up in the 100's so 80's was most welcomed.

But what really made this a memorable experience for me was not necessarily the spot, but the people, those fairy-tale images that came to life for me.

I am still in the air, only about 1/2 way down on the Oasis Trampoline....still thinking and dreaming about 4 fun filled, amazing, spirit filling, joy-giving days.  Thank you all (and believe me, not all are shown here, so many more photos yet to come).  Linking to Deb's This or That Thursday...

"Hold every moment sacred.  Give each its true and due fulfillment."  ~  Thomas Mann

Until next time....

Home

After two weeks of glorious sunshine, warm weather, meeting many new friends, spending time with old friends, seeing new sights and eating and drinking abundantly, I am finally home.  Altho as I write these words, I can't help but think of those out East who no longer have homes.  Home is a small four lettered word, but is filled with big thoughts of safety, comfort, family, warmth whether you live in a small studio apartment, or a large mansion "there is no place like home."

After flying back to Chicago last night from Phoenix and being delivered to my front door by a limo driver, I unlocked the front door and walked back into the comfort of my home.  The aromas, the lights, the warmth welcomed me, engulfed me with gratitude that my home was still here, waiting for my return, unlike so many now faced with life without their homes.  My prayers are with all who have lost their homes, lost their belongings, lost a life because of Hurricane Sandy.

I came from a land filled with sun and tropical breezes....

A place of four fun-filled days of Tracey Clark's Oasis

A place of colorful & interesting doorways....

And brightly colored walls....

Beautiful blooms....

Brilliant sunsets...

Hummingbirds galore....

And  glittering outdoor shopping malls....

But the road to home is still the sweetest site there is....

Welcome home....welcome home.

"Your home is the one dream you can actually walk into."  ~  John Tuck

Until next time.....