phoenix

we are back from phoenix. we got back on wednesday evening and it's been crazy since then. the house was a mess and we had tons of laundry to do, we came home to no food in the house and the christmas decorations yet to be taken down.

it's good to be back at work, though. i'm glad it's a new year and totally ready to get back in the routine. the holidays are so chaotic that they drive me crazy.

while we were in arizona we took some time to drive up to the mountains and do a little hiking. we took these pictures at the white tank national monument

state park outside of phoenix.

the weather was a little chilly - but nowhere near as cold as it's been in our midwestern town, and it was wonderfully dry and sunny. it made me crave the springtime - which reminds me, i wonder if it's too late to plant tulip bulbs?

the last few summers i've really meant to get outside and start a garden but i haven't gotten around to it, either due to lack of yard space or abundance of other projects. this year, having recently put up our nice, tall cedar privacy fence and freshly painted the house, hopefully i will be less distracted by projects and able to put up a proper garden with lots of tomatoes and peppers and herbs. mmmmm, salssssaaaaaaa.