Lately...

 

Look what we did during Sam's Fall Break. New flooring! It's Mohawk brand, which is appropriate, as you can see in the next photo.

First we had to pull up the old carpet in the living room and the vinyl in the kitchen. 

Even in the closet and under the appliances. 

Next, I had expert help sorting through the 18 boxes of wood laminate planks that have been stored around the edges of the living room for several months. I found that we had 12 different patterns.

Sam started in the bedroom and ran a straight line from one end of the little house to the other. The planks were laid from that line, to keep all the rows straight. 

We mixed up the patterns and the planks snapped together...with a lot of strength and persuasion from Sam. 

We got out Sam's power tools and woodworking tools to cut the planks around the edges. 

It took awhile, but everything finally came together. We are so relieved to move past this big step in our remodel, and we love the way it transformed our home.

During the first part of that project I ducked out a few days for a Girl Cousins reunion at Brenda's AirBnB, Willow House. 

We had such a good time catching up with each other's lives, talking, sharing opinions, and still loving each other in spite of differences. 

We went on outings like this beautiful afternoon at Aztec Ruins. 

It was a wonderful time. 

Last summer we worked on painting the bedroom, 3 white walls and one with this fun coral or salmon color.

Monsoons started early and lasted almost 4 months, which brought out green hills and critters. These river toads enjoyed a soak in our water bowl.

Other wildlife we've encountered recently are scaled quail (20 of them), a horned toad and our first rattlesnake of the year. 

Once the weather cooled off, we did some mowing and removed weeds from around the trees. But the rains kept coming!

Last month we took a day trip to Portal and Cave Creek Canyon, a remote area I've wanted to see for years. It was spectacular. 

Not quite so much fun was Sam's second round of cancer prevention chemo treatment on his arms. Last summer's treatment on his face was more painful, but this time his clothing rubs on skin lesions and makes it difficult for him to sleep. Fortunately, it's starting to heal now.

For those interested in my painting, here are some I did recently. I found the little white frame and needed a scene to go with it. My brother Ben took a rare photo of snow in their front yard, and it was so pretty. 

The second one I painted for nearby St. David's Pioneer Days, and got a ribbon!

I often join a women's group at my friend Pam's church and painted these tiny gifts as my contribution to Christmas bags for senior home residents. 

My cousin David and his wife asked me for a painting to remind them of the Southwest. This is called Christ in the Desert, after a favorite monastery retreat. 

These last two will be for sale in the gallery when we change out the display at the end of October. 

Our rainy days have produced some great sunrises and sunsets. Here are two that Sam recorded for posterity. Sensational!

I hope to see you all here again soon!