Flower Power

With all of the things going on in the world and in our lives, we decided to take a moment and smell the flowers.

These are all found in our backyard or front yard. (We aren't sure of the names of all of them, we just like how colorful they are.)

Tom has decided to quit his job and become a Professional Flower Photographer. He has a snazzy straw hat and we're working to find him a piece of straw to gnaw on. :-)

Weekend Update

To celebrate a friends' birthday, Saturday night we traveled to a restaurant that was a combination of Old West style and Claim Jumpers portions!

This was the place!



This was the type of old restaurant that started as one small room, then as time went on, individual rooms were added on so the floors between the rooms were unlevel. It could be a bit difficult to navigate if someone was to have one too many! But the 6 of us all behaved and thoroughly enjoyed our dinner. DH and DW decided to order 2 different entrees to share. The Atlantic Cod and Crispy Chicken arrived!

We found out that when we were told it was a "whole" chicken, it Really was a Whole Chicken! What flavor! And the cod was flakier than any other fish we'd had!
After a Wonderful meal and Great conversation, this was our parting view of the Horny Toad -


It was a great, relaxing evening with good friends!

Today, we had 3 friends over for a bbq. We were able to relax on the patio in wonderful 85 degree weather. After burgers and hot dogs from the grill, we discovered a visitor trying to break into the house! Here he is checking to make sure the coast is clear!


Here's a Great example of an Arizona sunset taken from our house.

FBR - 2009 - Scottsdale, AZ.

DH & DW attended the final round of the FBR tournament here in Scottsdale today.
Neither of us had ever been to a pro golfing event ever. It was one of the coolest things we have ever attended. The FBR is known for the rowdy crowds that gather and heckle tournament players.
Today was no exception.
The 16th hole known as the "PARTY HOLE" didn't let us down. We were told to avoid this hole as it's very rowdy. Actually, we had the time of our lives at the 16th hole and DW had to buy a shirt to prove she was here. Here's a photo showing our view. It was great!

Below is a few more photos showing our adventure. It was amazing!!!

DW looking down at the 18th Green. Behind her and under the jumbo-tron is the 17th Green.

DH sitting on the hill just left of the 18th Green.
It was an amazing day! Thanks Mike James - CER

We hope all is well with each and everyone of you!! We miss you all.............

Insight Bowl - Tempe, AZ

We have some visitors from Minnesota staying with us here at the house and we all celebrated New Year's Eve by attending the Insight bowl in Tempe, AZ, compliments of our friend Kurt. The Minnesota Golden Gophers played Kansas University.
The day was beautiful with no wind, blue skies, and warm temps. On the way to the game, the outside temp gauge on the car in read 80 degrees. We couldn't have asked for a better day to watch a college bowl game in an open stadium. The excitement was everywhere.

Of course it wouldn't be right if we didn't feature DH with a photo of him being himself.
"NICE HAT" LOL!

We sat one section away from the Minnesota Marching Band. That alone was cool.
Those guys ROCK!

There were 5 paratroopers from the local military base who jumped from a plane above the stadium, spun around in the air and landed on the field, one after the other! The synchronization was incredible! The last jumper brought the American flag into the stadium. They shot off fireworks and concussion grenades above the stadium. Some were so powerful, you could feel the shock wave in your chest!
The Gophers didn't win the game but DH & DW and friends felt like they were back in Minnesota for a brief moment and it felt wonderful. The sun didn't feel bad either. :-)

The Minnesota Gophers Marching Band performed Michael Jackson's "THRILLER" during the half time show.
They stole the show!! Way to go!!

Vikings VS Cardinals

We had the opportunity to attend the Vikes/Cardinals football game yesterday. The Vikes gave a WHOOPEN to the Cardinals. It was a great game to attend.
I want to throw a shout-out to our friend Timmy and his friend who hooked us up with the tickets and parking pass. Thanks Timmy!!!!
Here are some photos we took on our adventure.

This is the Westgate area which is right next door to the main stadium. We posted a blog earlier about this spot but at that time a game wasn't scheduled.
As you look at the photo you will notice LOTS of Purple and Gold!
It was amazing walking around as you actually felt like you were at a Vikings game in Minnesota! Pretty cool.
DH actually thought of not wearing his Jersey at one point because he wasn't sure how many others would be doing the same. He wanted to make sure it was a safe adventure for both DH & DW.
As we found out, he had nothing to worry about.......

One of the restaurants has people on stilts that walk around on game day and make fabulous balloon hats for a few select people to enjoy. If you look closely you can see he's making a hat of Purple and Gold colors.
If you look at the previous photograph, no one has one of these fantastic hats.

Would you Looky there, out of ALL those people, who would have thought DH would end up with it?? DH was a great sport and kept it on his head all the way to our seats in the stadium.
He actually had a motorcycle cop who was laughing as he drove past him and gave DH the thumbs-up.
DH has always loved the opportunity to make people smile and laugh!
Doesn't he look fabulous?? LOL!
,
On the way back to the stadium we ran across some other Minnesotans and couldn't pass up this rare photo op. LOL! Everyone was laughing HYSTERICALLY at this one.

We found our seats and snuggled in comfortably. We looked up and to our amazement they started opening the roof. The comfortable 74 degrees when we got to our seats was very soon replaced with a balmy 51 degrees. What one must deal with here in the dessert..... Brrrrrr...

Go "VIKES"!!! (If you notice, the balloon hat is just to the left of us in the above photo.)

You didn't actually think we'd get through a blog post without DW having a showing did you??

You look "Maaaahhhhvelous" Sweetie, simply "Maaaahhhvelous"......

Happy Holidays!!!!!!!!!!

It's Auction time again..... Some funny photos in Phoenix as well.....

It's that time again and we've begun the process.
The skins on the end of the main auction have started to be removed to allow all the adjoining tents to be put up.
DH is looking forward to another successful auction. He'll keep you posted........

We thought we'd post some photos of the different and strange things we've come across in our first year in Phoenix. Enjoy!!


Yep, It's mounted directly to the nose of the car. It use to eat and drink at one time...... Ugh!


SERIOUSLY???


We LOVE this bumper sticker!


A "MAGIC" truck. You see everything IN the truck right now, but 5 miles down the road you'll be lucky to see just the mattress in the back.
Large quantities of belongings all held in with itty bitty string.
Sure honey, it will hold.........
YOU be the judge......

You're as cuddly as a cactus

Just wanted to let everyone know that the Grinch is alive and well here in Arizona again.
Here's a photo showing him in all his glory! Hope all is well with everyone.