Honestly, when we left for Buckeye, I thought “Great! I’ll be able to post every day! I’ll have nothing but time on my hands!” blah blah blah. I can’t say that I was busy the whole time, and I was checking other people’s blogs and Ravelry, but writing myself was just not at the top of the list. Well, we went, some of us relaxed (that would be Mike) and some of us rediscovered our love of all things wallpaper removal and painting walls (that would be me). Our house came fully loaded- furniture, pictures, floral arrangements (gag-alicious), books… My husband is a reader, so he did just that. I think he read 14 books in two weeks. I indulged in what we call “beach reading”- six Mary Higgins Clark books. I find her entertaining but not too demanding. I also read The Lovely Bones- I didn’t enjoy it persay, but I am glad I read it and found it well written. I haven’t and probably won’t see the movie, because I just don’t see how they can do the book justice without running amok with the story. Correct me if I’m wrong if you have read the book and seen the movie.
After a week or so, I was taking a little tour through the showhome next door and realised “hey! They have books here too!” and presto! Instant library! (Truth be told, I stole a couple that I will not return.) I ‘fessed up to the salesman, and he said as long as I leave the furniture, go ahead and take the books. It was kind of funny- the more expensive the showhome, the more highbrow the books. F’rinstance, at our end of the block, we have all kinds of novels- some cheap and trashy, some a little more sophisticated. At the other end of the block, the books were more towards textbooks and literary classics with a little poetry thrown in. Turns out I’m a trashy novel kind of gal. Read ’em and forget ’em.
While Mike was doing his reading and relaxing, I did a little redecorating. For your consideration:
Before
After
and
Before
After
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before
after
So, with some pictures/art on the walls, a little bedding (the first picture) and reworking some lamps, I think we’re ready for company.
One great thing about the house is the view. As I have said before, I am not a photographer, but this should give you the general idea:
Just ignore the power lines- we do.
Coming from the prairies, seeing any natural geography from my window is a bonus. We took a little drive up to Sedona, where I was open to experiencing the positive energy vortices that some claim are there (it was a nice walk, but no mind-altering experience).
This looks like it’s been carefully landscaped, but it’s natural.
and just in case you thought that maybe we weren’t actually there,
we were.
I did drag Mike on a yarn reconnaissance trip with mixed results. In order: Closed for the day, not where the website said it was, open (Fibre Factory in Mesa- great store!), out of business, and open (another great store and only half an hour drive). Next trip I’m off to Tempe and Tucson (without Mike; someone has to stay home and work) to check out some more fibre-ish retail. Methinks a 32″ rigid heddle loom is in my immediate future.
While away, I did exactly no knitting until the second last day, when I thought I should whip up a coffee cosy for my French press. Now I’ve got button holes to figure out, so no pix until it’s done. It was relaxing just knowing that I could have knit (if the spirit had moved me). Now I’m having a staredown with some Misti Alpaca Pima-Silk that wants to be knit or woven into something, but it won’t tell me what. So, for the rest of the weekend I’ll browse the net, read some books and magazines and wait for the muse to descend. (and in case you didn’t guess, that’s code for watch the Olympics and sit on my butt. Creativity comes in many disguises.)
Under Sask Skies 