Outdoor Wednesday - Club Arizona Resort

I have so missed my Outdoor Wednesday posts. I have been so

busy and have had little or no time for blogging. Thank you to the lovely Susan at a Southern Daydreamer for hosting, and making me look forward to Wednesday.

Last weekend I went on a 3 day weekend excursion to Club Arizona Resort, in the

sunny city of Tempe. It was a beautiful and relaxing adventure.

We enjoyed coffee on the patio with the added bonus of unseasonably

cool weather. Cool that is for Arizona standards - 84 degrees.

From poolside we sipped umbrella drinks and listened to nature and enjoyed

the well manicured landscape.

Chef Tom created a delicious breakfast for us on our last morning there. His pancakes

are to die for.

And I almost forgot the award winning sculpture on the lovely

premises ;)

The truth is we were invited to stay with my brother, sister in law and family.

This was better than any 5 star resort and I thank them for their hospitality.

Activities Director - Ryan with Chef Tom planning the next activity

Hostess Diane with the Groundskeeper Kasey during cocktail hour

Thanks for stopping by, now whirl back

over to Susan's for more Outdoor fun.

Arizona Nights

Ryan made us popcorn and we had popcorn and

watched a movie on a gigantic screen in blue ray. Very nice. We felt

like we were at the movies only better.

Ryan and Kasey modeled the shorts they made in a homemaking type class.

They are also raising baby tortoises. They are so cute. This is Tank and Uno.

This is their beautiful yard

and their gardner...

Kasey

Arizona Days

We kept very busy. We listened to Ryan play the piano.

He is quite good.

We watched Ryan crack Tommy's back (I think)

We watched Diane have a beverage. We started out with Bohemiems but

we changed the recipe a bit and ended up with Barbarians.

Kasey and Ryan had virgin ones of course.

and we bought a rug. Actually we bought 3 rugs. You can never have

enough rugs.

And that was all before lunch ;)

I'm Leav'in on a Jet Plane

Mom and I went to visit the Arizona Kiefer's last weekend.
We fit 2 weeks activities into a 3 day weekend.

Our plane landed at 4:30 and we immediately drove to see Ryan swim

at a local Chandler pool. Ryan is on a club swim team

and though we didn't get to see a meet,

we got to see him swim in practice.

It was a very large pool.

but Ryan was up for the challenge

as he swam back and forth


His lonely gatorade waiting for him when he was done.





From there we went to a volleyball scrimmage for Club Spiral.
Kasey is playing middle for this volleyball club also based in Chandler. Her gym is an airplane hanger. I think they take this plane to away matches.

Kasey plays middle on her team.

The scrimmage was against the clubs 16's. Kasey is on the 14's


Here she is practicing her technique. What do you
think Kristi?

The 14's beat the 16's 3 games to 1

and then we were off to the house for dinner and a beverage.

I'mmmmmm Back!!!!!!!!

Mom and I went to Arizona to visit the Kiefer Crowd this past weekend and had

I fantastic time. I will post some pics of our adventures.

Thank you Kiefer Crowd.

Dancing with the Stars .... Rip off?

As usual we had a great time at Dancing with the Stars at Kristi

and Tim's last night. I am curious if anyone feels the same way as I do.

I thought the best, almost perfect performance last night was

Shawn and Mark. I thought

they were ripped off and should have earned all "10's"

I would love to know if I am alone. I also thought

the next best performance was Melissa and Tony.

My cowboy man (Ty) did good last night too. I hope he doesn't get booted tonight. I

will keep my fingers crossed.

What do you think?

PS - I am the dancer on the right. Ay?

A few pics of Riley

Miss Riley Rush loves balls... all shapes and sizes.

I think if she got 20 presents and one was a ball that would be her favorite.

Pop pop and I got her a purple ball that bounces (I know all balls bounce but this one bounces really high like one of those super balls) and has glitter on the inside. It was a hit. Here are a few pictures of Riley enjoying her ball.

Pop pop is also a favorite toy of Riley's because

he is always available to throw the ball back to her.... over, and over, and over....

Who knew?

Happy Birthday Peggy

Today is my friend Peggy's Birthday.

I do believe it may be her 29th.

Peggy, I had fun yesterday and I hope we celebrate

many more birthdays in the years to come.

PS - How did that vase look in your bedroom?

A Few Easter Pictures

Here are a few of our Easter pictures. We sat outside

after dinner and had some coffee and dessert. Once that sun
started to go down it was amazing how cool it got so fast.

A serious looking Sean and FU



Madison, just happy to be there.

She loved being outside.

The Rush Family

Outdoor Wednesday - Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

Yes, I am cheating and using my Tuesday post for Wednesday too.

Thank you to the lovely Susan at a Southern Daydreamer for hosting
another Outdoor Wednesday. I love Outdoor Wednesday but I was short

for time and I do love when my YTT is blooming.

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow......

Brunfelsia Pauciflora

aka: Morning - Noon - and - Night

I was introduced to this bush about 7 years ago at a local

garden tour in my area. I love garden tours, especially when they

include a historic home. This particular tour I went on

with my friends Peggy, Vivianna and my mom. We went to
a home on an acre, that was all formal garden. That is

when I saw my first Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.

My friend Vivianna told me she had one in

her garden and I should stop by and get and off shoot

from it. Well I did and it was so small and dead looking I thought no way.

Vivianna must have sent it with love and a bit of her own green

thumb because it thrived.

Now every time I look at it, especially this time of year I think of
Vivianna.

You can see how the blossoms are different color purples.

It was explained to me that their opening Blooms are purple and represent Yesterday,

the Lavender Blooms represent Today,

and the Palest Lavender/White Blooms represent Tomorrow.

Oh, and did I mention it smells unbelievably sweet?
Thanks for stopping by now back to Susan's for

more Outdoor fun.

Happy Wednesday!