Las Noches de las Luminarias

Last night we went to the Desert Botanical Gardens to see the Desert Winter Wonderland. The Electric Desert, a light and sound experience was amazing! We sat in chairs and watched the lights on the mountain change to the music - so hard to describe but utterly incredible!
More than 8000 hand-lit luminary bags line the paths through the gardens and every so often you come across some entertainment. There was a Mariachi band, carolers, guitarists, a bell choir and more.
It was a truly spectacular evening!

Fireplace

We are so loving our new electric fireplace insert. It looks so real! You can adjust the height of the flame, the temperature and the blower. It is heating our living room and even the dining room and hallway. It does get chilly here in Arizona in the evenings.

Convergence of Water, Art and Light

The Canal Convergence show at the Scottsdale Waterfront was a beautiful event that we went to last night. We saw the Floatus show first which consisted of 12 lotus sculptures with flames shooting fire up to 30 feet in the air. It was synchronized to the music of "Queen"........spectacular!
There was also the Light Flutter which was a kaleidoscope of 30 mechatronic, illuminated butterflies with vibrant, translucent wings.
The Floret was a 15-foot-tall, inflatable, interactive light sculpture that bloomed when you stepped on the pressure pads.
There were other exhibits and sculptures as well along the canal. It was a beautiful night to stroll along and enjoy the festivities!

Hurricane Rosa

Remnants of Rosa brought major showers to the Phoenix Valley. There were flash-floods pretty much in the whole area and amazing waterfalls were falling from Camelback Mountain.
The bike path by my house was under water and the golf course was flooded as well. Water was pouring from the mouths of the horses at the Indian Bend Wash.

Basset Hounds

I just had to show this picture of these basset hounds we came across as we were walking along the river in Peterborough, New Hampshire. They made me giggle!

Jimmie Vaughan

Last evening, we went to see Jimmie Vaughan at Talking Stick Resort. He is an American blues rock guitarist and singer based in Austin, Texas.
He is the older brother of the late guitar legend Stevie Ray Vaughan and actually taught his younger brother how to play the guitar.
Jimmie had with him in his band a sax player, trombone player, bass player, guitarist and drummer. The music was great and the atmosphere was electrifying. We had a lot of fun!

Linda Ronstadt

Last evening we saw Linda Ronstadt at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. The show was titled "A Conversation with Linda". Her talk covered her four-decade career in the music industry and there was a big screen showing videos, personal photos and music. She talked about her early years with the Stone Poneys, her long association with the Eagles and her friendships with Jackson Browne, Neil Young, Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton and Aaron Neville.
Linda is unable to sing anymore due to Parkinson's disease but her memoirs were poignant and funny and so interesting. A wonderful evening!

Scottsdale Xeriscape Garden

The Scottsdale Xeriscape Garden at Chaparral Park provides an educational resource to growing plants in a sustainable landscape to conserve water resources for the future.

The garden, which is a National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat, conceals a 5.5 million gallon reservoir from the Chaparral Water Treatment Plant.

My tour of the garden was very educational and many of the trees and plants were in bloom to enjoy. I have also included a few other trees and plants that are in bloom at this time in spring.......

Hats for Babies

Many hospitals need knitted hats for newborns and premature babies. They will even provide yarn but if you have any left over yarn that is soft and washable, it is a great way to use it and help these babies. I am knitting a few different patterns and will take a stack to my local hospital shortly.

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is a 40-acre railroad park not far from where we live. Over the holidays they have a Holiday Light experience where a train ride on the Paradise and Pacific Railroad goes through a winter wonderland of lights and displays........beautiful!