Return Via Fall

Arizona sunsets are especially lovely in the fall.
This card was made to show sunsets, to share with friends in an AZ Stamping group

Perhaps it is symbolic that I would finally return to my blogging in the fall.
I do like this season a lot, as things change not only in weather... but in activities and the return to AZ from OR makes life interesting and different.

All things considered, it was an uneventful but safe and enjoyable trip back to AZ and the only earth shaking thing that had to be taken care of was the unpacking and none of that is new news. This complaining I do every year is about the same. My worst scenario is never really getting things put away "nicely." It seems in the final moment, that tossing is the easiest and speediest way to unpack!

So that is done, except the large amount of stamps that still sit in a box and a large woven basket. They are my reality of life, nothing is ever complete in my studio. I promise it will be better each day, but those stamps mock me!

The kitties and doggy were good travelers and seem to be glad to be home. The cats must live with no outings in the 32 ft. 5Th wheel all summer. Trudy does love her visit in OR, where she can run around with her doggy buddies... but is doing fine here.

Bob completed all his many clean up chores in the out and inside areas. He had the biggest job in the return to AZ, as driver stevedore and yard man.

He is back to bowling, limited tennis, until more players return; exercising and riding his bike.


As many know, I am really working hard on my eating toward a healthy lifestyle. So far the vegetarian with some additional fish /shell fish has been helpful to me and now to Bob too, in our weight loss. I guess that style is called pescatarian.
There are so many good vegetable recipes out there and with commercial faux meats available, it is fun and interesting to plan good meals.

Today it was fish sauteed with a coating of ground walnuts and a bit of flour and spices, peas and carrots and would you believe...oatmeal muffins with baked beans mixed in the dough. These are delish.
Our fresh fruit was marginal. I think fruits are too long in cold storage and then never really ripen properly.

If nothing else the new way of eating has prompted some different recipes to try. We had a very tasty pie...only the filling no pie shell. It was a mock coconut pie, made with cooked spaghetti squash instead of coconut. Basically it is a custard pie. The cooked spaghetti squash needed to be chopped, as the long spaghetti strings were still in tack even after baking. Still this pie is a success and very healthy. Here's a tip: If you make a custard pie, use egg substitute and half Splenda for your sweetener.

My paper arts chores are coming along with some pretty stamped leaves and a wreath to set them onto, as well as a basket theme card that is in the works.

Because I complain wildly about the weather in AZ being too hot in the late spring summer and early fall, I have to give a thank you to Mother Nature, as today is cool, with much lower temperatures. We actually have re installed the electric blanket onto the bed, anticipating cool nights, at last!

Nice to be home and settled in.