Day 2 in Sedona - part 1

Our first morning with a toast to the beautiful Sedona view

More photos of our Sedona celebration trip and once again I'll let the photos speak for themselves, along with a little explanation. 

Rocki and Mark waiting for the tour to begin

We started out the day with a trolley tour that took us into the Dry Creek Valley, further up the mountains to see the breathtaking vistas of Boynton and Long Canyon.

Sedona Arizona, Uptown

Just one of the breathtaking views of the red rocks from Uptown while waiting for the trolley to depart.

Sedona, Arizona

Another amazing view while on our tour.  One of many reasons we love Sedona.

Sedona, Arizona

The low clouds made for a gorgeous scenic photo op. 

Sedona, Arizona

Mark jokes around with me of my photo choices - like these "weeds" as he calls them.  I think the photo came out pretty cool myself.

Sedona, Arizona

I tried to get Mark to grab a couple of those rocks to take home.  He declined, darn it!

After all these years and we're still madly in love!

Scenic break over and back into the trolley to continue on our beautiful tour.

Sedona, Arizona

Sedona, Arizona

One of many vortex spots in Sedona - is this not gorgeous!

Sedona, Arizona

We're coming back here after lunch to hike that mountain - I'm feeling me some vortex vibes!

The trolley tour was relaxing, enjoyable, breathtaking and pure bliss.  From there we went to lunch at The ChocolaTree - that will be my next post.

Peace,
Rocki

Fun first day in Sedona!

Leaving for Sedona on year 1 celebration

I'm going to let the pictures speak for themselves, but will add a little more info about our trip that was perfect from start to finish!

Hello Sedona!

After an enjoyable drive up, we made it safe and sound to the red rocks.

Perfect view of Snoopy Rock - 3rd formation down

Mark is taking in a peaceful moment with one of the beautiful views from our motel.

I think I found my new ride.

We headed into town to do a little fun walkabout.  If you've never experienced a jeep tour in Sedona, the Pink Jeep tours are a total blast!  We didn't do it this time, but maybe next visit.

"Ya'll call this a coffee mug?  What a teaser!"

Mark, Mr. Coffee Aficionado, didn't know quite what to think about the little coffee mug.  His is about 4x that size.

Pink Javelina

We kept running into pink everywhere we went.  Like these pink javelin's in front of the Pink Java Café.  Pink AND coffee - perfect!  

Beautiful Buddha Garden in front of Andrea Smith Gallery

We went to the Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village for lunch and then walked around.  This is where we met Andrea (my hug friend - see my YouTube video here for more info) and her hilarious husband Gary.  I still have to do a video about what Gary did to me as it is too funny! 

Andrea's gallery was so very beautiful!  She not only has her artwork there and other artists, but one of the most magnificent collection of Buddha's - a stunning variety from palm size to life size.  Wish I had a few extra bucks to spend...maybe one day.



Gorgeous life size Buddha statue outside of Andrea's gallery

One of the many views surrounding Sedona

After our little walkabout we hopped in the car and enjoyed a peaceful drive.

Peaceful Sedona

 

A welcomed rainy drive back to the motel

After dinner we headed back to the motel and called it a night.  The next day was filled with breathtaking beauty, fun and...well, you'll see when I post the next set of pics in a few days.

Peace,
Rocki

Beautiful Cloudy Sunset

Taken from our side yard looking towards the front

View of northwest taken from our front yard

View from back yard as the storm rolled in

Can’t believe that we had two rainstorms in a matter of a few days, but we sure are enjoying it – as are all the plants and little creatures.   The one last night started early enough so I grabbed the camera to take a few pics before the rain began.  I’m no photographer, but you get the idea of the beautiful colors in the sunset we had.

 

Peace, Rocki

Quail Diner - Reservations Not Required

Table for two please

This year we have even more Gambel's Quail families than all the years before.  I'm guessing it is because there is more food, since I added several bird feeders, baths and drinking stations throughout the yard.  Mark lovingly calls our backyard "Rocki's Resort" because of the variety of birds that visit - sometimes it's like an all you can eat buffet that went wild.

Dad, baby and mom looking for an open table

 Most of the pictures I take are from inside the house and through sunscreens, so please pardon the unprofessional look of them.  The one above is from my dining room window, which is my favorite spot to watch all the birds, especially the quail as they are my favorite!
  

The babies are learning to eat on their own

Watching the baby quail and other birds grow has been the most exciting part of my summer.  Okay, there's more excitement than that going on, but I seriously enjoy watching and identifying birds.

So how do you think he got up there?

The topknot on their heads are starting to show and they look SO cute!  I just want to pick them up and cuddle them! 



Mom and babies hiding from the rain

We have the Gambel's Quail throughout our state and it isn't uncommon to see them in neighboring front or backyards.  But every time I see these adorable birds, it's like the first time!  They, along with the other birds, simply make me smile and enjoy my little sanctuary - my Rocki's Resort.

Happy Birding!
Peace,
Rocki

Haboob in Peoria, Arizona

 Last night we had the pleasure of watching a Haboob roll in (a HUGE dust storm).  They are quite amazing actually and my photos did not do this one justice.  I was taking them from our back yard with my Droid, as Mark kept telling me to get inside.  Above is a view to the left.

 And this is a view from the right...

Okay, so now it is above us and after this pic I went inside, closed the arcadia door and the Haboob said hello in a big way.  After it left, we were blessed with an awesome loud, rolling thunderstorm with the works. At least it washed the dust away.

In light of the storm, we decided to watch the movie Twister.

Peace,

Rocki

Digital Photography

I'm constantly trying to improve on photo taking of my metalwork - not my most favorite task as I'm no photographer by any means. Even though I've come a LONG way since the beginning, I really want my photos to pop!

Well, luck be a lady as hubby found an eight week class at our local recreation center. Because my spare time during the day is very limited, due to my full studio schedule, this beneficial class fits right in as it is only 1 night per week. Perfect! Only requirement is you must be 16 years of age (um, I just squeaked by that one), bring your own camera and owner's manual. They'll be covering the basic camera functions, lighting techniques in various situations, color balance and much more. I registered for it and can hardly wait!

If this is something that interests you and you're in Arizona, here's the scoop:

Course: #62144 - Intro Digital Photography Class
Fee: $81 Res/ $88 Non-Res
When: March 24th, 6pm-8pm, Thursdays (8 classes total)
Instructor: John Keedy
Location: Rio Vista Recreation Center (101 & Thunderbird, Peoria)
Phone: 623-773-7137

If this is out of your area, contact your city recreation services and/or community colleges.

Point & Shoot,

Rocki

http://www.rockisartisanmetal.etsy.com/

http://www.rockissupplies.etsy.com/

Summer, gotta' love it!

I love the sun and REALLY love summer time! My body does not like cold weather at all. I love every aspect of the sun, in fact I do believe I have sunshine pouring through my veins.

Although originally from California (until the big Sylmar quake of 71 that took our 2 story house down to a 1 story - I may blog about that sometime), Arizona is and always will be my home. Yes, it's hotter than H.E.L.L. during the summer time... okay, more than just the summer time, but hey... "it's a dry heat."

So what are your plans for the summer? Mine? Well, we were originally going to go to Cali/Knotts Berry Farm in June, but had to change plans due to my wrists and all. So, we are going there for 1 week in August. I am VERY much looking forward to it!

Barbeque's are always fun. See the big burger above? That looks just about like one of my dad's famous burgers, but smaller. Dad makes the BEST burgers ever! Including his own BBQ sauce ranging from root beer, jalapeno, apricot, etc. The man loves his BBQ!

For me, summer time brings out the best in people, just like during the winter holidays. Well, except if you're in Arizona getting into your extremely hot car that has been sitting in the parking lot while shopping, burning your bum on the leather seat, grabbing hold of the steering wheel which has turned into hot magma and then scream in pain.

Camping! LOVE camping! Haven't been in a few years and we really miss going, but that is a fun summer/anytime event. Now I must admit that our tent setup looks NOTHING like the one above. Ours is blue. Naw, really, we camp like real campers... sleeping bags, tents, campfire, make shift kitchen, roast marshmallows, make coffee on the rocks by the campfire, etc. Fun times!

There are many things to do during the summer and no matter if it is simply hanging around the house, going to movies, relaxing at the beach, lake or back yard pool, visiting friends, having BBQ parties, creating for the upcoming holidays, cleaning out the closets (okay, maybe not that one) or simply doing nothing - enjoy it and don't waste it - life is precious so enjoy every moment!

Happy summer!

Rocki

4th of July Holiday Relaxation Break

Awe. A holiday. Time off. Short Break. Relaxation. Sedona - my happy place.

Peace. Quite. Tranquil. Sedona - our 2 hour trip to sublime nirvana.

Stillness. Calm. Serene. Reliving our week in Kauai. Natural beauty. Sounds of nature. Naturally at ease.

I'm putting my shop in Vacation Mode for 3 full days (7/3-7/5) as Mark & I are taking off this weekend - to do absolutely nothing. Nada. Zip. Zero. We will enjoy this holiday and be thankful to those who allow us to do so.

However you spend this 4th of July Holiday, I wish you peace, happiness, joy and safety.

Rocki

Little Rocki

Yep. This is me - little Rocki in my favorite get-up, as so I'm told. I was a little tomboy through and through. Okay I still am, but I don't dress like that anymore - I don't wear diapers (no Depends jokes Laura! ;)

Before I go on, I planned on blogging yesterday, but due to a major cut in the Cox Cable fiber optic line, we had no Internet service for a very loooooong time. Needless to say when it came back up, many hours later, I was pretty busy elsewhere. Funny how much we depend on Internet now days (again Laura, try to control yourself ;)

So, today I thought I would just share some pictures of me a 'few' years ago. I love looking at the old picture albums - so many emotions from happy to sad are in those books. The black and white photos are so classic, they crack me up sometimes.



As you can tell I've never been much into fashion - I sort of make my own statement. Actually, I sort of look like Boy George here. Hmm, I do remember wearing a dress at this occasion. (Laura -*shakes finger*)

Awe there, see? I clean up nice now don't I? I truly remember the day of this picture. I wasn't much for dresses, but back then all little girls wore dresses, especially in school. In fact, I remember when we were FINally allowed to wear pants to school - I was SO happy. However, no jeans - they had to be a matching pant suit. Anyway, this dress was terribly itchy and I could hardly wait to take it off!

My dad! My buddy ol pal! Handsome little devil isn't he! This was taken at my grandmas house - I loved that front porch! Mom used to tell me that if I kept my hands inside that furry little thing that I would find a surprise inside. I never found anything. I wonder if that was her way of keeping me busy?

Wow - I SO remember this day! We moved from California to Arizona in July (we had lost our home in the big Sylmar quake the previous year, 1971, so guess it was time to move). Yes, we moved in the middle of 110 + degree weather, in 2 big U-Hall trucks pulling our other vehicles & no a/c. My brothers, David and Chris (doesn't he look happy?) rode with dad and we followed with little Laura (yep, that would be my little sis in mom's arms) screaming practically the entire way. Fun times. We lived in the motel for about 2 months before dad found a little house for us - the one on Seldon Lane, Laura.

Well that's it. Just a few memories to share with all my buddies. Hope you all have a wonderful week!

Hugs,

Rocki

It's Alive!!!

Our Bougainvillea lives!

We have several Bougainvilleas (referred to as Bogies) in our yard that I just love! The colors are absolutely magnificent and the leaves are a stunning green, but the thorns are a big owie! We don't mind that they drop their pretty little flowers into the pool as they look so lovely in there, kind of like rose petals.

Well, we had nasty frosts the past couple of years. Yep, I said frosts. Right here in Arizona land of the sun & fry an egg on the sidewalk heat. Some people refer to our weather here as "hot as hell", but I like it really. Hmm, that reminds me of a comment that my mom used to make. Whenever we asked her for something she would say: "when hell freezes over" - well, I guess it did.

Anyway, we thought our bogies were gonners this year because they were so scrawny and pathetic looking. Mark & I seriously talked about removing them and replanting something else, or more bogies. Then one day we noticed them blooming a little, so we waited. Alas, they live! A couple are a bit on the homely side, but we have high hopes for them!

One more thing...

My other favorite plant is a Yellow Bell. We have one in the yard already, but I wanted to add one more. This is my new baby that I planted this weekend. It had little pods on it when I planted it and now they are starting to open up. She's going to be gorgeous!

Happy Day everyone!

☼ Rocki