Christmas in Mesa

 Christmas in Mesa was warm and beautiful! Bill and Cathy were so nice to wait for us to help put up the tree. It was wonderful doing it together and hearing the stories inspired by the ornaments that have made it through the years. Colleen, Ken and Megan helped out and it was spectacular by nightfall!

Arizona sunsets are incredible- painted orange, yellow, red, blue and purple. All the birds make a big ado about the sun going up and down, the saguaro silhouettes stand tall and dramatic in the painted backdrop. Just amazing! I love the desert and have been reading a lot about desert plants and landscaping lately. It was so much fun to drive down the streets and recognize all the different plants and how they're used. Bill and Cathy did me the honor of letting me do a little planting in their back yard. We put in some blue yucca, kangaroo paw and gazanias, which Bill fell in love with. With luck in time they'll spread out into colorful carpet for them to enjoy.

 On Christmas day Brian and I went for a desert hike. Can you believe how blue the sky is?!

We got to have some great time with Megan and Jordan. This is us at the zoo after a big run through the treehouse. We had a wonderful Christmas dinner at Colleen and Ken's. They are both very gifted in the kitchen- I am thoroughly jealous! Ken made this tomatillo sauce that night that was, oh la la. I just drooled thinking about it! A week gone by much too quickly, but it was so great to spend time together. I especially loved talking with Bill and Cathy and hearing stories from their lives and from when Brian was younger. Time like that is so special and I'm grateful for every moment we get to share together.