Arizona-Sonora Desert

I am still getting acclimated to my new environment and discovered that all the emails I thought I had sent out were actually being collected in my outbox...urgh! I went and changed my email address at all the right places or so I thought. I am so sorry if my reply to your comments did not get back to you; hopefully now it will without delay.

I want to share what I did this past week-end. We are learning about our new surroundings and a visit to the desert was just the thing to do. Here at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum you can see all the creatures that live in AZ. I don't know why it is called a museum when it is more like a zoo.

Edit: The last statement bothered me so I looked up the meaning of museum:
an institution devoted to the procurement, care, study, and display of objects of lasting interest or value; a place where objects are exhibited.
zoo: a garden or park where wild animals are kept for exhibition.
The use of the word museum better describes this place.


WARNING: This post is packed full of pictures and is rather lengthy.





The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is located in Tucson. Close by you can see Old Tucson where some John Wayne movies were filmed.

This is a Massasauga rattlesnake and although not the most famous of AZ rattlers, it is one that is found in Michigan too. The only rattlesnake in Michigan's upper lower.

This Grey Wolf looks like you could go up and pet him...but I wouldn't dare!

Cave People

This Bobcat was fascinated by our shadows on the rocks.

The Dodge Ram truck symbol--The Big Horn.

The majestic Mountain Lion looking so regal.

Such a cute Prairie Dog.

But not a cute Javelina.

Rocky Raccoon was checking me out. He probably thought I had something for him to eat.

And what I believe is the state bird: The Roadrunner.

We decided to become members of the museum because we know we will be back to visit. The whole location is filled with beautiful spots to photograph and next time I want to stay for sunset.

I hope you found this as interesting as I did. I didn't take pictures of the creepy crawly creatures because they have them in the dark (behind glass of course) and you push a button for the black light which reveals them. That kinda freaked me out but I did manage to see a few. Anyways, when we first moved in our house it had not been sprayed for pests in quite awhile and we had enough Black Widows to last me a lifetime. Steve ended up killing 5 once in the back patio. I never went outside until after the bug guy came and took care of business. I am still on the look-out even though he assures me he took care of them.

Now to get my mind on other things I am scouting out quilt shops in my area...haven't found any yet but the JoAnn Fabrics at San Tan Mall is HUGE!!!

Vintage Guest Bedroom

I am back to join in the fun of Vintage Thingie Thursday. I've been gone for too long. The move to Arizona has been long and my new place on earth is starting to feel like home.


A part of my homelife that I missed was entertaining guests at my home. I love to have family and friends around me and my goal is to make them feel at home. At one time, my hubby and I wanted to open a Bed and Breakfast up in the Straits of Mackinaw. We love to stay at them when we travel and thought it would be a lovely way to spend our time. Well, it is nice to dream and who knows, maybe someday it may come true. But for now we practice on those who come and spend time with us.

This bed belonged to my Uncle Edward. It was given to my parents who in turn gave it to me. For years I had a bedroom for my parents and in-laws to stay in between their route from northern Michigan and Florida where they stayed the winter. When I began setting up this room here I decided to use vintage furniture. You may recognize the dresser from my husband's grandparents' wedding chest. And the bedside table is my aunt's sewing cabinet. Both were featured in previous VTTs.

One of the things I've been doing since the move is cleaning all this wooden stuff. Every piece I have has been washed with Murphy's Oil Soap and the oiled with Weiman Lemon Oil. Quite a project to do all at one time but totally worth it. I'll be all set for the holidays.

We have had one guest already (a co-worker of my DH who is moving out to AZ from MI too) and this weekend he is coming back with his lovely wife. But I am going to enjoy my morning coffee with a romp around blogland checking out all the thingies you all have featured. If you would like to join me hop on over to ColoradoLady and check out the list. Thanks Suzanne for sponsoring this. I am amazed how it has grown.

Has It Really Been One Month?!

When last we spoke these guys showed up at my house in the rain--Michigan couldn't resist giving me a typical autumn send-off. Matt and his son Craig were the best as were the rest of his crew.

We never doubted our stuff was in very capable hands. A bit of reflection made me realize that if I were to never see any of my things again the earth would not stop in its orbit. Everything made it in one piece and the move was a success.

The transport of Steve's truck (the black one on the top) was not without a little drama. The movers came on Friday and Saturday morning we were to begin our trip down but the transport said they couldn't pick up the truck until Monday. What?!! I set this up weeks ago and you just now telling me this. Brian (the driver) worked some magic and picked up the truck Saturday afternoon. Can you see the smile on my face? I mean, I just wanted to get to the new house before the movers arrived.

We followed the old Route 66 as much as possible. We ate at the first Steak N Shake in Missouri. The scenery was beautiful through all the states we traveled except God's country as I've heard Texas called. Well, through the panhandle of Texas God descended in a white cloud where I had maybe a quarter-mile visibility. I was driving at this time and a white semi truck ahead of me became my good buddy but at times all I could see of him was his red taillights.

We followed Route 66 into Arizona and made our way to Flagstaff where we spent the night. In the morning we were greeted with 40 degree temps making me feel like I was back in Michigan.

It was another four days before our stuff would be here but that gave us time to take care of business. After two weeks I finally have internet and slowly getting into a routine. Hopefully soon I will be back to normal (no jokes please).

I love my new home and can't wait to get into my sewing room but there are other more important priorities or so I am told.

Thanks to all my good blogging buddies I have been greeted by an email here and there along the way and you don't know how good it was to hear from you. My bloggy world is going to be my dearest friend in these coming days/months.

Love to all,

Susan

Moving Along

I am determined to get this post out since it has been in the edit's folder for over a week. Packing is all I do around here but I am finally seeing an end. We have reached the two-week mark having our movers come Friday, 2 October.

While clearing the attic I found this old quilt that Steve's grandmother made for him when he was a child.

I have several quilts by her and they are all tied.

It has several worn areas which expose a thick cotton batting that looks like a blanket. I know she was very frugal and would have repurposed old blankets.

The binding is the backing wrapped around to the front.


September has always been a busy month with my daughter's
and son's birthdays on the 15th and 18th.
Steve and I were married on the 10th and he never fails to get me flowers.


So it is only right that our move to AZ should be in September too.

Please know that I am reading your blogs
even though I don't comment; it is nice to read what is happening elsewhere.

XO,
Susan

P.M.S. I will not miss the dang humidity in Michigan!