Cactus Monday: "The Trip"

They're not all stickers.

 

I am completely in love with the landscaping in Phoenix.  This is one of the houses we looked at.

A beautiful grand Saguaro in front of this house we also looked at.  Later we found out that to obtain one of these costs a few grand, and special papers are needed to prove that it was obtained legally since they take 75 or so years to even develop a second limb.  Doh!

A view of the city of Phoenix from South Mountains.

Saguaros were everywhere. . . so beautiful!

The base of the South Mountains.  Hey, is that a coyote?  Probably just a lost little dog.

The trip was amazing. . . especially the weather, the houses were beautiful, and the surroundings were so inspiring.  I have the smell of sage burned into my memory visiting a house decorated with beautiful unique southwestern art, and it made me want to get back into pottery and get my hands muddy.  The galleries in Scottsdale look so inviting and I can't wait to just submerge myself into the art world and get lost there.  Now all we are waiting for is to sell our house in Maryland!  

Photo Friday: Bed Time

A quaint little view of the Bed & Breakfast I stayed in called Halcyon Place, in upstate New York near the Finger Lakes. 

The problem with making jewelry. . .

. . . is that I always want to keep it after I finish!  Last night I made this pretty fresh water pearl and fluorite necklace along with a matching bracelet with intentions to replenish my Etsy shop.  I'm going to have to make another set!

I also made this little cactus, who I named "Butters".  The moment I finished him I took a good look at the overall finished product, and that's who he reminds me of.  I plan on making a series of little potted cacti, with different themes.  Kinda on a cactus kick lately!

If anybody has any special requests or ideas of silly things I can make just for fun, let me know.  Especially fellow Cactus Monday cactuteers!  Any medium I'll do.  Although, who knows how long it will take, since I started to pack up my studio.  But I'll try!  

*Etsy shop is currently empty.  I might leave it down until we get settled in AZ. . . hope that is not too long from now!

Cactus Monday: Howlin' at the Moon

This is a repeat illustration from back in March, but I have been sick with a cold and trying to pack on top of that and get rid of things to get our house ready to sell.  I thought it appropriate to eventually re-post this particular illustration for Cactus Monday, because back in March is when we first thought about moving to Phoenix, Arizona.  Click here to read the original post.

The company my husband works for closed it's once headquarters here in Columbia MD, and he has been working from home now for a few months.  Now the option is relocate, or find another job.  This silly little dream of packing up our stuff and moving cross country is now a reality!!!  In my mind, I can clearly see the beautiful Arizona landscape illuminated by the twilight sky and brilliant stars, sitting at the fire pit alongside our pool, sippin' on some wine.  And maybe hearing a random howl or yip somewhere out there in the distance.

Photo Friday: Best of 2009 - My Top 3

Cactus Monday: Bonneville or Bust!

So there will be no more frequent vacationing "Down thee Oshin" for us as most Marylanders would say.  I have a feeling that our new vacation spot will be drag racing on the salt flats. Yay adventure!  So it's a further drive than the ocean currently, but there will be lots of sun and ummm, salt!

A silly, totally irrational idea.

Just the other day I had a little bit of a freak out. . . about moving to Arizona and knowing absolutely no one.  When out of nowhere the next day, a relative on the Carlile side of my family just sort of manifested and said hello on Facebook.  And she lives in Scottsdale, just minutes from where we will be moving!  All things related to Arizona have been freaky serendipitous, I tell ya.  Everything in the universe is telling me to go.  Now I have known family there!

So, thinking of my Grandfather James Carlile, sparked an idea.  I don't remember much of him, but one of the most prominent memories is that he used to have a little 4 seater plane and flew it recklessly cross country.  I don't remember him ever being loaded with money, yet he still owned a plane.  So why can't I, right?  See where this is going?  And my Aunt, (his daughter) knows a lady who is a flight instructor who could help me get my pilot's license, ackkkk!  Why I could visit home more often than I thought!  Silly, I know.  It's fun to dream.