Nature Girl

Okay-- can' t avoid admitting it any longer. It is hot. And I have become my parents, sitting outside with a camera taking pictures of desert wildlife.  June in Tucson means the early mornings are still cool enough to have breakfast on our porch. I took a few shots of our agave  bloom and its visitors over about 10 minutes this morning. 

Full size, completely in bloom.

Upper branches, not quite open yet. 

A juvenile woodpecker. Soon to be hammering away on our gutters.

Hummingbird!

It is probably time to get back to some design posts. Soon, I promise. Have a great Monday.

Bittersweet

Today I cleaned all 946 pictures off of my camera card in anticipation of upcoming vacations and events... I came across a photo I took along the route home from San Carlos, Sonora Mexico last weekend. The photo was taken through the car window, in passing, because I thought it was a lovely roadside mural in Hermosillo, Mexico. A closer look after I added it to my trip album revealed that it is a prayer  from the Virgin of Guadelupe, for the victims of the ABC daycare center fire June 5, 2009. Beautiful. I love Mexico, and my heart goes out to the families of the victims.

"Come to me, my little angels of ABC"

San Carlos

 Several years ago, my husband and I started a Memorial Day tradition of packing up then-small children and a carload of beach gear and heading across the border to San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico. It was always a relatively easy trip.  No time deadlines (except for the widely accepted rule of not driving in Mexico at night) no need for anything resembling fancy clothes. We packed a few swimsuits, flip flops and a sundress and that was it. When the drug violence in Mexico escalated a few years ago we sadly abandoned our yearly trip and wondered if we would be able to visit that friendly place again. This year we returned with teenagers and new friends and had a fantastic time. Our favorite place had not changed much-- simple accommodations, miles of unoccupied beach, sea kayaking, warm water, cool breezes and absolutely nothing to do but enjoy the quiet. Take a look:

 It looks just like Tucson, with an ocean pulled up to the Foothills.....

 A fun necklace carved from coconut shell....

Colorful beach rocks. 

Light Bracket

I have spent a great deal of time in my office, of late. Orders, spreadsheets, complicated floor plans. Very technical and unfortunately, 95% of my business. Occasionally I find a moment to mess around with my special "stuff". This week, it is a swing-arm wall lamp. Originally made as an oil lamp, it was converted to electric before I bought it at the flea market last month. The wall plate is wood, the Tole shade of uncertain origin was found at a thrift store and is in remarkably good shape. In combination, they light a sentimental terrarium and make a pleasant reference point as I sit at my computer late into the night. Sweet dreams.

Bench, Bench, Pot, Bench

No specific excuses for the lack of posts the past few weeks, it is all due to an overloaded creative spirit. I could do no more. I have been busy with a great project, though. One that I need to keep on the dl  but involves this mesquite hand-carved bench:

 And this one, too:

 A large variety of pots like these from Zocalo:

And some great cactus flower photography from Scott Butler:

They will be installed next week --along with a host of other hand-picked, handmade goodies. Have a great weekend!

Color Combinations

I have been chained to my desk and computer all afternoon; making orders and updating spreadsheets. I decided to take an afternoon break in the form of a short walk through the neighborhood: a theme based walk with my camera. Spring blooms bring a bevy of odd color combinations to us-- here are a few..

Spring Colors in Unexpected Places

Sometimes I forget about the huge inspiration board above my desk. Pictures of (and by) my children, swatches of fabric, drawings, feathers and shells. Old photos and personal items like a lonely red woolen mitten from a tiny hand. Tucked way up high in the corner is what seems to be a plate from a science book. A cross-section of two rocks, with brilliant color and depth in the rock and in the background. I picked it up at a rock shop...on the back it says Tourmalin-Querschnitt, Madagaskar. 

I think I'd like to find a few more of these- they would make great framed art.