It's That Time Again...

The weather is bliss right now in Arizona. Cooler nights, which create a cozy feeling. Perfect 75 degree temps during the day, which allow us to be outdoors. With the beautiful weather, we're able to engage in one of our favorite family activities...hiking! Aliyah has been asking to go hiking for quite some time now, so we decided to take the whole family to Papago Park.























Sebastian gathered all the materials needed for a picnic lunch. I packed up our running stroller and we took the drive down to South Scottsdale and spent a few hours enjoying nature right in the middle of the city. I love Papago Park. The views are incredible and it always amazes me how such incredible hiking is right in the middle of the city. One of my favorite things about the Phoenix/Scottsdale area is that you don't need to travel far to hike up a mountain and get some great views.

This was Isaac's first hike, and he was pretty much the same, calm, relaxed baby that he always is. This kid has such a happy, content personality. Aliyah was an incredibly easy baby, but Isaac is even more so. Sebastian and I often kid that his two's and three's will be abnormally terrible, because it seems too good to be true right now. Let's hope we're wrong on that prediction.

All in all, it was a great family hike. We're looking forward to spending lots more weekends out exploring nature until the heat comes back in May.

Digital Sketchbook: Grow

My Mom recently sent over a photo of the harvest in full-swing going on in Minnesota, which is the image that is overlayed in the graphic below. Harvest is my Dad's favorite time of year and if you were to talk to him for just 5 or 10 minutes about the season, you would certainly be able to tell.

I have very fond memories of harvest back when I was young. I remember one year my Dad let me help unload each truckload of corn. I diligently watched the corn flow out of the truck and into the auger, making sure to sweep any piles of corn that had fallen outside. I felt even more proud when at one point during harvest my Dad left me to go the shop to grab some more supplies and I was "in charge" of unloading the entire truck by myself. I think he had even taught me how to lift and lower the truck bed. From there on that year, I was my Dad's tag-a-long. At that time we had a Springer Spaniel named Sadie, who, like most dogs, loved a good car ride. When the corn had been emptied and Dad was ready to drive back out the the field, I would call out for Sadie and she would come running and make her jump in the truck and the three of us would be on our way again.

I have so many more sweet recollections of autumn and harvest, but I think that one is probably the one I hold closest to my heart.

 

Springtime in Arizona

Springtime in Arizona is (obviously) much different than Springtime in Minnesota. Because the temps have been in the 70's for a few months already and are now creeping up into the mid-80's, I was becoming disappointed that I wouldn't get that springtime feeling that I remember from Minnesota and even California (since Northern California is definitely gray and cloudy much of the winter.)

And yet, as I looked out our balcony window one afternoon, I felt a sense of change. We have this beautiful deciduous tree right outside of our apartment and when I looked out that day I realized that its green leaves had sprung, and suddenly that rush of spring and new beginnings came back to me. Once I noticed this slight change in the Arizona foliage, I began to notice it in other areas too.  

I noticed that in the midst of the rustic dessert colors, there were pops of bold, bright hues like this. 

Then I noticed that if I slowed down and breathed in deeply I could smell the sweet scent of the blossoms of the citrus trees that are abundant in the Phoenix area. And suddenly I realized, I was experiencing Spring in a place where I didn't think it existed. It was around me all along. All I had to do was slow down and notice it. 

Of course, there's still plenty of these guys around too. I am in the southwest after all. :) 

It's beginning to feel a lot like...fall

The temps in Arizona have dipped to a crisp, fall-like temperature this past week. I've celebrated by finally completing my Thanksgiving decorating, drinking lots of tea and baking muffins.

These are organic, cinnamon apple muffins just from a box, but they are delicious. Bought for Aliyah for breakfast, it seems she may have to eat these quickly, or they'll be gone. I've already had three. And I just baked them 20 minutes ago.

Being that this is our first time experiencing Arizona's seasons, I have no idea if this weather is typical or unusually cool, but I will welcome the slight change of seasons any way I can get. The best part, in my opinion? Enjoying the cool, autumn temps, while knowing that I don't have to anticipate freezing temperatures for the next four months. :)