Look who stopped by...

Yesterday afternoon, I was looking toward our big tree in the backyard, and saw a brown spot. At first, I thought it might be a swarm of bees. When I got close enough, I was stunned to see this owl perched on a branch. I have no idea how common they are to AZ., but I have never seen one before. We have heard one screeching in the middle of the night, but that was several months ago. This particular one wasn't camera shy and allowed me to take several pictures.
The eyes are what really got to me, kind of creepy and intense. I have to say that I am a little worried about Ruby and Scarlett. We've heard stories about small dogs being attacked by owls. We'll just have to be alert.

Feeling old, and yet still cool...

I always wondered when I was much younger what it would feel like to get old. I'm starting to find out. While I'm not exactly ancient and decrepit yet, I do feel old some days. Mostly, it's just my body. In my mind, I still think I'm pretty cool. I probably just dated myself with my use of the word cool. It was THE descriptive word of my youth, and I still like saying it. I'm positive that my kids would say that I'm anything but cool. They'll get it one day though. It's weird when you feel younger in your head than you look on paper. I still think cool thoughts in my head. I still like cool music. I love to play my all time band Crowded House loud and sing along when I'm painting or making something cool. Speaking of Crowded House, they have to be the most underrated band ever. I was fortunate to see them perform live in the early nineties. I'm so glad that they are still at it, sounding cooler than ever.

Maternity Tree

Today while I was filling a hummingbird feeder, I happened to look up into this tree, and I was surprised at what I saw. Nests everywhere. I counted seven, but there could be more. It's almost like a maternity ward. The doves are very tame, and they don't mind being photographed. I don't think all of the nests belong to doves. As I approached, several small birds flew away. It will be a busy place if they all hatch at the same time.

Mama #1

Mama #2

A box for cards

I took a cheap wooden box from Michaels. Painted and crackled it. Next came some vintage images. It will serve as a place to store my homemade cards. I need to work on some dividers for the inside. It was fun to work on something like this again.

Away too long

No, I haven't been on an extended vacation. I wish! I've just been MIA for awhile. Isn't this the cutest photo? It was on a Hallmark card that I received for my birthday awhile back. I haven't any recent art work or projects to show, but I hope to get back into it again. I miss my friends from Mystic Paper. Gotta get in there soon.

Cards...sending and receiving

I used some random stamps and a bird gift tag from Cavallini & Co. to make this card. I've had these tags forever, but I've been hoarding them. I also parted with a Tim Holtz metal tag. I love them, but I'm reluctant to use them, too. I wonder why I do that? I must be afraid that if I use them all up, I won't be able to admire them in my never ending stash of supplies. Makes no sense. I received the card below for my birthday last week from my niece. I had to show it off because it's just very cool. We are both into "stern looking woman with crowns", so of course, I love it. It opens up in a neat way to display a pocket holding a tea bag. Very clever.

Another fowl post...

I have to share a couple more pictures that I took the other day. I walked out the front door, and saw the ducks in the front yard. They were just walking around and checking things out. I sometimes see them in the lake on our community golf course, but never in our yard.

That same day, I saw the baby hummingbird in the back again. This time Mama was nearby, and I luckily caught a feeding. I'm sure that there's a nest somewhere, but I haven't found it yet.