Apache Junction, AZ High 54 Low 38
The week before Christmas actually got a little busy for us. Tuesday Jim finally got his stitches out and is starting to feel so much better.
After our visit we headed over to Costco. Jim has the most amazing luck at getting great parking spots even when the whole lot is full and people are prowing for spots. We were in and out in less than an hour.
Christmas Eve we met up with Toni and Doug for lunch at La Stalla’s restaurant. It was wonderful. And so good to see them again. Last time we saw them was in North Dakota in October. Thanks for the picture Toni. I didn’t even haul out the camera. Toni also brought us some homemade goodies.
After lunch Jim and I went across the street to check out the Chandler Tumbleweed Tree.
This unique tradition began in 1957, when Chandler resident Earl Barnum raised the idea of a tumbleweed tree after he saw a similar one in Indiana built out of cone-shaped chicken wire with pine boughs stuck in the holes. Chandler is the only city in the southwestern United States that has such a tree.
First, members of the City's Park Operations Division gather tumbleweeds from the outskirts of the City. With Chandler's rapid growth fewer stretches of empty land are within the City limits, which makes it harder to find tumbleweeds in large quantities. So, the Park crews must start collecting the tumbleweeds earlier each year. Nearly 1,000 tumbleweeds are collected each year and are used to adorn a 25-foot tall wire frame. Then, the tumbleweeds are sprayed with 25 gallons of white paint, 20 gallons of flame retardant and dusted with 65 pounds of glitter. The tree is later adorned with approximately 1,200 holiday lights.
Christmas Eve we were invited by Paula to Croft and Norma’s RV for Happy Hour. We really enjoyed ourselves meeting everyone and snacking on all the good stuff.
Croft and Jim
Norma, Paula’s Mom and Jim
Paula and Croft
I tried to take a picture of the beautiful full moon.
We had a gorgeous sunset.
Our Christmas decorations (these scared Skittlez to death when Jim was putting them together. She barked and barked and wanted in my lap.)
Hope all of you had a safe and peaceful Christmas.
Awe, thanks for the compliments. We had a great time and are counting the days until we see you again. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you and Jim have been having some fun - well deserved, for sure! I love the lit-up dogs. Funny about Skittlez - poor baby!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and Jim, Sandi. Hope to see you at Q. :)
So many comments to make!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great place and so much fun with Toni and Doug.
Love the little dog decorations They are so cute and obvious why you would have them.
It's a good thing that Jim is driving and having good luck. He's had enough bad luck to last a long time.
That tree is amazing and would be so much fun to see but that may have to wait until next year.
High 54 Low 38
ReplyDeleteYikes...you need to head further south!
Glad that Jim is on the mend and is feeling better!
www.travelwithkevinandruth.com
Great that Jim is doing better, and such a fun time with Croft and Norma, love your Christmas decorations too!
ReplyDeleteCrikey .. I'm with Skittlez ... Those things'd scare anyone and that's before their insides got all lit up. Good to hear Jims feeling better. Here's hoping 2016 is a great year for you all!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat that Jim is doing better. Love that sunset. The full moon is beautiful too. That tree is surly very hard to decorate but it must have been some sight. Thanks for sharing. Hope that you folks have a wonderful New Year.
ReplyDeleteLove those little dogs, where did you find them?
ReplyDeleteSure sounds like Jim is doing great and you both had a wonderful holiday week
I love those dogs. What a find.
ReplyDeleteYou need to do a post on how Jim finds those great parking spots. I have no luck finding one close to a store unless the store is closed! ;c)
ReplyDeleteLoved the Tumbleweed Tree, how cool. A perfect example of using what you have on hand to decorate.
so glad Jim is doing so well. you are often in my thoughts. love the little doggies.
ReplyDeleteSounds wonderful! Glad you are both out and about again and meeting up with friends.
ReplyDeleteHello! Just want to say "hi" and Happy New Year. I enjoy reading your posts as you are often at our adopted home of AJ. Like to keep up with what's happening there.
ReplyDeleteHeading west soon. Maybe we will see you at the Bloggerfest.
PS: Have changed my url.
A friend got me one of the bigger weiner dogs that lights up, blow-up.. neither dog was too impressed and I think Carl was actively thinking of lifting his leg on it, but I deterred him!! Haha.. glad you both had a Happy Christmas!!! Looked like fun!
ReplyDeleteThe Chandler Tumbleweed Tree looks awesome.
ReplyDeleteYour outdoor Christmas decorations are adorable.
We've got to see the tumbleweed tree, have never heard of that before.
ReplyDeleteOMG, I love your little Christmas doggies!
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