New work space.

We found this desk years and years ago at a used furniture loft for $50. The desk is huge and heavy and hard to move and a little beat up. But it is a good desk with hidden storage, a pull-out flat surface and secret locking mechanisms. It went with us from a big house in KC, to a tiny apartment in Tucson, to a tiny apartment in Phoenix, to a rental house in Manhattan, to our homestead in the boonies and finally to our current house. (Hmmm. That makes it sound like we move a lot.)

The husband used it for work all of those many moves and years. Last year he switched the desk out for a standing desk. And we almost sold it on Craig’s List. But then I had a light bulb moment and realized I could carve out part of our pantry area right off the kitchen into my new work space…and this wonderful desk would fit in that space and be mine. So now I have a new work space and I.love.it!

I am now far enough away from the dining room table where homework and french horn practice happens that I can think through any squabbles or blasting horns. I’m even further from the TV so I cannot be distracted during the evenings. I’m further from the front door so I can ignore the world if I choose. The space is a little messy but I have plans to fix that as I slowly add to my work space. Soon I’ll have a wall shelf for my most used books. Some day I hope to trade out the inherited furniture that doesn’t quite fit for shelving that does fit and move the yarn into this space. But for now this new work space is free!

I’m so glad we didn’t sell the desk!

Sneak Peak: I love this yarn!

I’m working on deadline number three for 2017. I can’t say what this project is or even the name of the yarn since I don’t think it has been released just yet. But look how pretty and fun! The colors and the transitions and  the squish are just lovely. I love this yarn!

In other news, I’m happy to report that the project for deadline number one (sweater for a winter magazine) is finished and mailed off. Plus the project for deadline number two (summer tee for a yarn company) is finished and in final edits.

Travel: My favorite place on earth!

Life is busy and it seems to get busier each year as the boys get older. We get so busy (with scouts and taekwondo and soccer and school and band) that it feels impossible to drop everything and go.

But this year we decided to do it anyway. We decided that if we wait until the time is right, we might not get a chance to show the boys what matters most – finding the places and the things that make our souls sing. So we packed the car, loaded all 4 of us plus the golden retriever and drove 17 hours to Tucson, Arizona in the Sonoran Desert. My favorite place on earth!

The Sonoran Desert, also known as the Green Desert, is teeming with life if you look close enough. From tiny crawling insects to high soaring hawks to howling coyotes to hiking people. Life of all sorts is always interconnected but in the stillness of the desert you can almost see the strands that hold us together. And after a rain you can watch the desert come alive – the burst of blooms and green, the smell of creosote and the clear skies for hundreds of miles are amazing.

We went hiking.

We crossed snow melt run-offs.

And found parts of the desert blooming from Spring rains.

We visited a National Park to learn about the desert and those who have lived here for generations. We found petroglyphs and lizards and hummingbirds.

We participated in a nightly astronomy program on Kitt Peak for the older boy.

We drove up Mount Lemmon and found some fudge for the younger boy.

We asked random strangers on the side of the road to take our picture.

And felt the sun and listened to the desert and fed my soul. I’m so glad we went.