Category: Country Life

Flagstaff 4th of July

Flagstaff is the epitome of small town, all American, Independence Day celebrations. We do love the 4th of July!

The day starts bright & early with the Infamous 4th of July Parade. And by early…I mean EARLY! The parade may start st 9:00 AM, but if you want a good spot on the curb with room for the entire family (and by ENTIRE family I mean mom & dad, grammy & pa, aunties, uncles, and cousins galore!), and your camp chairs, you need to get there by 7:30 or earlier. Yep, that’s right – my daughter in law & kids got there at 7:30 AM and claimed the only spot left in the shade, facing away from the sun (logistics is very important here!).
Next on the agenda is a walk over to Art in the Park (the local arts & craft festival) to browse the creations of the many talented artists & artisans displaying their wares while enjoying a day surrounded by music, yummy food and art.

Since my husband is a veteran, next on the agenda was a walk across the street from the park, joining some friends at the American Legion for a little craft show they were putting on in the parking lot.
Next is fireworks at the country club…and yes, the whole town shows up for this, too! My husband & I didn’t make it to the fireworks this year 🙁, but the rest of the family enjoyed the festivities…More food, music, fun & games for the kids, fireworks and most importantly, family & friends!

Love this town! Love this family! Love our  community!

Hope your Fourth was as good as ours!

Take care,

Kathy Ann

Doin’ A Little Front Porch Sittin’

I spent several hours working on a painting that started as a sketch late last night (that, I may add, kept being just out of my reach…I just couldn’t seem to capture her essence).

She’s not there yet, but I’ve had enough of her for today.

So, now my reward after watering the front flowers, is a little front porch sittin’!


This is without a doubt, my favorite time of day…

As I was watering, I look out and see our cute, little bunny couple, robins, dove, sparrows hummingbirds and other lovely winged creatures all enjoying the evening together (if only humans could get along so well)…it’s a real live page out of a children’s picture book!

 So there you have it, the peaceful end of a pretty peaceful day.

Take care, 

Kathy Ann

It’s not Summer without a Pretty Wreath on the Door!

Enjoying today’s Flagstaff summer monsoon storm…Perfect weather for finally getting around to creating my summer wreath for the front door. What better way to welcome guests than with pretty flowers on the door!


Too bad these are not quite as popular as they once were…I used to have my own dried floral business back in the day…Always so easy to get lost in the creation of pretty arrangements. Still love it! And it’s second nature to me….I can whip out a wreath in no time at all. 

I could never figure out a good way to ship them…otherwise I could perhaps still sell them in my Etsy shop…I know there are places were they are still popular and people would prefer hand made to Walmart mass-produced versions….

Anyway, Happy Summer!

Take care, Kathy Ann

First Lake Trip of the Season

We are a family of boaters. Mention  a coming lake trip and we are ALL onboard! Chomping at the bit, waiting for the day of departure to arrive. Seriously. Waiting.

Waiting to take that 2 hour drive to Lake Powell. Waiting to drive down that hot, loooong ramp and launch into that gorgeous, cool water.
Waiting for that moment when we find just the right spot. The perfect beach. That beach where the shade comes early after a long hot day of sun & fun.

Ahhhhhh….That’s it. That’s what it is all about. The Lake Trip.From the youngest…

To the oldest…
To the furriest …
We love the lake!

Wishing everyone a lovely, wonderful, super-duper Summer filled with love, family, friends…

And good food!

Take care, 

Kathy Ann

Ahhhh, Summer…How I’ve Missed You!

Ahhhh…Summer! How I’ve missed you!

So good to have warmer weather and flowers blooming!

Back on my porch swing, listening to bluegrass music, the honeysuckle is coming back, the birds have returned to their houses & nests…..life is good!

Went into Flag for the new Urban Flea & Artisan Market this morning. Talked with some lovely, friendly vendors…weather was impeccable…Love this town!

The roses are going bonkers !   Love it!🌺💗🌺

Spent these last weekdays weeding, planting and tending to the front flower garden…ah yes, this makes me happy…The front is basically a shade garden… which is such a beautiful wonder when you step under the canopy of  aspen leaves…damp, wet, smelling of fertile soil…it’s like a different world from the hot, dry weather of June! It’s heaven!

Here is my latest( and current favorite) inspired by the springtime winds…acrylic, watercolor and Stabilo.

I joined a relatively new local art cooperative a while back…Art35N…as a supporting member, hopefully one day to become an exhibiting member…and also started volunteering with the Flagstaff Arts Council.

These two entities converged this past Thursday at Coconono Center for the Arts for the first ever Art35N Gallery opening titled The New Latitude(referencing  Flagstaff’s location on the map).

I found myself manning (or as someone pointed out to me…”womaning” the bar with another volunteer. Great fun!

It seemed to me the event was a great success and enjoyable for all who attended. We have some phenomenol artists in the group and I am honored to be a part of it.


So, here I am enjoying the promise of summer…sitting on my swing, burgers on the grill, and these two…

…playing in the sunshine by the vegetable garden.

Life really  is a Wonderous Adventure❤️

Take care, 

Kathy

%d bloggers like this: