Vortex Vertigo

Is there too much of a good thing? Sedona, Arizona is lauded as an energy center, or a vortex of subtle energy. They say if you actually go to one of the vortex sites, which is where the energy is strongest, it can be a very uplifting experience. The energy you take in at one of these energy centers can stay with you and affect you positively for days afterwards. Sounds good, right?
Our son and his girlfriend were here for a short visit and since Megan has never been to Arizona we wanted to share some of the beautiful sites around our state and traveled to Sedona for a hike. We drove to Boynton Canyon Trail for a short hike (short only because we were en route to the Phoenix airport which is approximately 2-1/2 hours away to drop off Tyler and Megan)

We buzzed around the Kachina Woman rock formation which is said to guard the Boynton Vista vortex and headed back to the car. There--we found our keys.

Keys are not a good thing to find in your car when the car is locked and there is no extra key around. Hmmmm....perhaps husband was buzzing with the vortex energy when we were exiting the car?

Tyler and Megan enjoyed the sun while we were waiting for husband to travel to Enchantment Resort (gorgeous) and find a local locksmith to get us back on the road. Of course, we were still a bit freaked out that the two could be missing their flight home to Portland...yikes.

The Lock Doc,"the #1 locksmith in Arizona",picked up husband and unlocked our car within thirty minutes. It was actually quite interesting to watch!

Thanks LockDoc--we made it to the airport in time and have a vortex happy ending story to tell of our trip to Sedona and the Red Rocks.

Frockz

This is one of those "why didn't I think of that?" kinds of ideas. A line of removable lamp slipcovers debut from Frockz. They are washable, stretchy and one size fits many lampshades. The covers are available in 29 patterns-great prices- and what an easy way to create a new look in a room. The website is easy to follow and ordering looks super easy. I also love the fact that the two women that created Frockz are "paying it forward" by helping other wanna- be entrepreneurs as well...good job girls!

so sad

I feel as if I grew up on Shabby Chic. Like a great story, it kept us begging for more when we learned about flea market shopping and that chippy paint looks beautiful and tells a history. Rachel Ashwell encouraged us to begin a treasure hunt of faded colors and tattered fabric and to use it all in our homes. Goodbye old friend and good luck with your next journey.

The nose knows

My workplace is a size of a really great closet. Seriously. I DO have the benefit of 12 foot ceilings and a wall of windows which makes it seem larger...but, at one time many years ago it was a storage closet for the third grade teachers. Actually before that it was a teacher's lounge where the teachers would go and smoke and I SO wish I would have been around to see these teachers with apples embroidered on their jumpers tokin off their cigs. But, I digress.
I had five first grade boys in my room and we were reading a story (that's my gig at school...reading). All of a sudden I smell cat urine. The kids are trying to read while I'm smelling my armpits, my pants, my shoes. Is it me?! Did my cat pee on an article of clothing? NO! It's not me. It has to be one of them...one of these six year old boys.
"So...does anyone have cats at their house?" I casually ask. And--with first graders you can casually ask anything...there is no "getting off the subject" because they ALWAYS are doing that on their own.
I hear about frogs, dogs, lizards, and rats...and then...one boy says "I have a new kitten!" Bingo. Then I casually say that I think the room kind of smells like a cat (again...nothing is awkward with first graders) and can I smell his jacket?
So, if you would have walked in at 9:36 AM into my class/closet room you would have found my nose smelling all over this kid's clothes. But you know what? I did it. We bagged that jacket and kept it out in the hallway that smells like cigarette smoke from the kids jackets that are scented with their parent's nicotine habit on the way to school. The nose knows.

TV Time

We are on to the second season of Dexter. Quirky? yes. Addictive? highly. Our second season of Big Love is put to bed (pardon the pun) and patiently waiting for Season 3 to be out on Netflix sometime soon.

Wild Horses

The photo is from PioneerWoman but reminds me a bit of what the kids were like on their first day back from spring break...wild!

Pretty as a Peacock

Spring fever has hit the blog. What can I say? I was anxious to put on a pretty frock and dance around...change is good, isn't it?

Relax

Have a relaxing weekend everyone...enjoy Spring!

Quick comfort

Cinnamon rolls....yummy. Comfort food to the max and that's what I was looking for. These are super easy to make (really!!) and would be perfect for when guests are over ...check out the recipe here.

Les Indiennes lovers

Looking to add some french, bohemian chic to your table, to drape on a chair, to use in a doorway? Check out my Les Indiennes table runners in Indigo-- here on Ebay. Original retail on these versatile, one of a kind, pieces of art was $150...get them for a steal!

*this was a productive thing to do while I was sipping my lemon and honey tea. The doctor seems to think I have a virus...this too shall pass.

silent

I have laryngitis. Not that it matters on a blog...writing...but a total drag when one has much to do... which could be done on the phone...but now requires emails and follow-ups and then a phone call when the voice comes back. C'est la vie.

pinch me

Perfect for the wearing o' the green. I had this designed for me from an etsy seller--and although I love the dress, I had the artist only sew the top so I could throw it on with a pair of jeans any day of the week and feel like a gorgeous lassie.

yummy

My spring break starts today-delish!

FAB

Love that chandelier...it would be an event to go to bed.

It's official

Living in Arizona, I thought it was allergies --things are blooming with the springtime weather- but, I think it's the dreaded common cold. Ick.

Did you do that?

After a few casual cocktails over the weekend we came home to find this. Burglar? Home invasion? No. One plucky terrier with a curious nature.

ps. I think my husband thought I was over the edge when I said "No! don't clean it up yet- I need a pic for the blog" What we bloggers will do.

Spring Cleaning

I love Les Indiennes fabrics and bedding. I was one of the first "in the know" about this fabulous company and bought many, many bolts of fabric, pillow coverings, duvets, and quilts from the owner's backyard studio in Tucson, Arizona. We also chose to use the tablecloths in our daughter's wedding to give each table its own bohemian chic look...gorgeous.

So, it goes without saying that I have been thinking about using the blue Les Indiennes in my bedroom for a new look. I actually have the gold on the bed and curtains right now but I just want a little more "wow". And--that is why I have been thinking of going with a spice orange on the walls--

Is it just me or how fabulous would this look with the indigo patterns Les Indiennes offers?

Back, back, in the day....stencils were just for country kitchens, borders, and making those chippy paint shelves look "cute". Wow. Times have changed. What a creative way to add some wallpaper appeal without the wallpaper price--stencils, paints, glazes, ideas can be found at Sunny's Goodtime Paints. So many of their stencils look like the India woodblock prints that I love from John Robshaw and Les Indiennes. Sounds like a spring break project to me.

Today I have an appointment with my new gynecologist. His office called twice last week to confirm the time so I think that he is rather anxious to see my vagina. My husband tells me it's because I'm a new patient...we'll see.

My last gyno was a woman who would come in the room and give you a hug. I know...sounds weird...but, it was rather comforting. Sort of like "dude, I know you don't want to be here...but, thanks for coming."

The strange thing about today's appointment is that this gynecologist's children go to the school where I teach. Do I mention this? Do I want to be chatty? Or, do I just do "the regular" routine and bolt? Hmmmm... I could tell him how his first grader is a nightmare and never listens but I better wait until AFTER the exam to bring that one up.