Just for the Love of it

Love, Faith, Laughter, Friendship, Understanding, Inspiration, Kindness, Gratitude, Smiles and so much more, that's what it's all about!

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

HaPPy NeW YeAr

So happy to wish you all a very Happy New Year full of love, faith, inspiration and laughter! Where would we all be without some of these things in our lives? I know I would be lost without my family, unconditional love, trust, faith, hope and creativity. We had so much of all of these things over the holidays! I feel very blessed and am so grateful!

I had a birthday, my 60th and it was the best. All my children, grandchildren, spouses, spouses to be were up. All except the Arizona kids but we had just spent some lovely time with them.
For my birthday my husband planned a dinner, in a private room, at a lovely restaurant, for all of us. It was so enjoyable. The company, food and conversations were the best. Everyone said something funny, loving, and typical of mom,  I just howled the whole time, mixed with a happy tear or two. My granddaughters even chimed in.....it was a glorious night and day.

We had a wonderful time in Arizona, the weather was in the 60's, much better than Vermont. We had so many great meals out, our B&B was so lovely and the inn keeper was so fun and talkative. (maybe too much, shhhhhh) Breakfast could last forever if she had her way, but boy did she know her history of Tucson. We visited  "The Sonora Desert Museum", saw owls, falcons, hawks and all birds of prey, Bobcats, prairie dogs, mountain lion up close, grey fox, Javelina (ugly gray/brown pig type animal) and so much more.
Here are a few photos

 Mountain Lion, right up against the glass  (this is not a cage but a habitat made like home)


 My favorite photo, can you see the little girl's reflection on the lion's head and then the tongue, yummy! (scary thought)


                                                   Prairie Dog, they are so cute


                                                   Standing up, looks like he/she is praying


                                                   Grey Fox, amazing to see


                                                    Barn Owl


                                          In flight





Another day we visited the Mission San Xavier in Tucson. The first Mission to spread religion to the Indians. It was a beautiful building, made of lime, sand, rock, clay and wood. It is still a working parish and school, 1st through 8th. You are allowed inside, everything is original from 1750's. It is considered to be America's finest surviving example of Spanish Colonial architecture. Statues dating 1750's, vivid late baroque altars, and original paintings adorn the interior. It is like walking into the 18th century.



                                                    Love this statue





                                                    Impressive and beautiful


                                                    Surrounding Mission


                                         They write messages with rocks in the valley


                                                    One of the many cactus



Well, that's just a few photo, hope you enjoyed them.




Our Bed and Breakfast in historic Tucson was so quaint, homey and floral, just the perfect spot to stay. We were so lucky because I only had a few to choose from, we were so happy with our choice.

                                                    B&B

                                                    Our room entrance


                                                    Gardens


                                                   Another view


                                          Room decorations, so unique to the area


Well, this has certainly turning out to be a long post. We did much more, we visited an archeological sight and found many pieces of old pottery, with designs and paint. It was so much fun to explore and pretend to be explorers!!!!

Thanks for bearing with me, hope you found some things interesting. Many thanks for popping in to visit and thanks so much for making another year of blogging so enjoyable for me💕
                                                               "HAPPY NEW YEAR"



xoRobin

Grinding holes made from the archeological sight from repeated grinding of stone, tools etc.


12 comments:

  1. Dear Robin.. first off...

    *H*A*P*P*Y* * *B*I*R*T*H*D*A*Y*!*!*!* to you!

    I loved all your photos -- I have a thing for Mission buildings but never have been inside one.. you're so lucky! Thank you for sharing the desert and the animals in the zoo. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  2. Happy Birthday!!! Sounds like you had a fantastic day with your family, that's sooo special!!! Thanks for sharing your pics of AZ, looks like a super interesting place, I have never been there. Keep warm this week!

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  3. Happy new year dear Robin. I'm so pleased you had such memorable birthday celebrations with your loving family. What a great trip you had, amazing photos and a great break from your snow! Keep warm xx

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  4. Happy birthday and best wishes for the new year. Sounds like a great trip and celebration. The photos were a great delight.

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  5. Happy new year, and a very happy belated birthday too! Your pics are lovely, thanks for sharing your trip with us, it sounds so interesting.
    Xx

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  6. Happy Birthday, dear Robin! What a fantastic time you had, such a wonderful celebrations with your family and a fascinating trip with so much to see and enjoy!
    Your pictures are lovely, and I like your little humorous observations here and there too :) Wishing you a very Happy New Year!
    Helen xox

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  7. Happy Birthday girlfriend! What a fabulous way to celebrate! Loved the pics!!!!! Have missed you!
    XO Kris

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  8. Happy 2015 AND Happy Birthday Robin (again)!!!!
    Anne D.T. xxoo

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  9. A Happy New Year and a belated Happy Birthday to you! Thank you for sharing those delightful photos. They were so interesting!

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  10. Happy New Year and Happy Birthday Robin. I am so glad you had a wonderful trip to Arizona and of course I am so happy you were appropriately adored on your birthday. It sounds like a wonderful celebration of you!
    Meredith

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  11. Happy Birthday!! Glad you had such a great time!! xx

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  12. Dear sweet Robin,

    Happy Birthday! Lovely that you shared this all with us, thank you! Wishing you the most wonderful January days!

    Yours,
    Mia

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