Eat Your Heart Out, Mr. Rogers

The Hubsy and I decided to take a walk one evening last week (Thursday) after being in town all day. Our wonderful pooch was stuck at home, inside, while we were out so she was as pleased as we were to get our legs moving and enjoy the evening's sunset.

Our walk is a short one, typically only a mile or so round trip, but it gets the blood pumping and it makes our puppy happy and as we all know - a happy puppy is a happy parent! We head out of the property and go down the road, heading down the hill. This hill is fun to walk down and will certainly get you into a sweat once you head back up it - the perfect way to end a gentle walk in the cool evening air.

Allow me the pleasure to introduce you to, Our Neighborhood:

This is my favorite tree in the whole neighborhood. She is so beautiful, aged, and wise.
I love her. Her energy is contagious.

Time to go a-picking. Black berry bushes line our drive home.
Time to harvest and make a cobbler or pie... or both!

Hubs and I want this little piece of property. Honestly, you can't beat the view.
Sadly, it is not for sale.

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood.... Oh, won't you be mine?

~Birdie

Home Sweet Home

This is our home. It is a Mother-in-law Suite attached to the garage of our landlords... more about them later.

Our driveway.

This is the meadow just beyond our front door. Izzie is a big fan. 
We have to stand in the middle of this meadow to make phone calls.  

Our backyard and view. We see this from our bedroom window.

This is Hambone, the landlord's dog.
We call him Hambrain, Hammy, Handsome, Hams,
Handsome-Hams, Hammer, Hammers, Hammerton... The nicknames are endless.
He is a precious pup who isn't too much into other dogs,
but he has taking a liking to Izzie. 

Watch the kids play together. All three of them.

Hammers is confused as to where the ball is. Izzie is not.

Here is the landlord/neighbor's house. 

I connected with Phil and Bonny via craigslist after I posted an ad for Hubs and I looking for a house to rent. I can tell you here and now, I have never met kinder people. With open hearts and arms they welcomed us to their little slice of paradise, had dinner of Abby's pizza and potato slices waiting for us... and THEN helped us unload our truck. They treated us to dinner the following night after spending some time with us and giving us the scoop about town. THEN, Sunday morning, they invited us over for Sunday Brunch with their family and friends - we had bacon, biscuits and gravy, eggs, fruit, and hashbrowns.  So delicious. And the company was fantastic. Hubs went on a hike with them later that day. On Monday we unpacked although we would have rather gone to the coast with them. We are so fortunate. So blessed to have met these people and look forward to a long friendship with them. 

Our sideyard. Dreamy.

Ok... OK.... OK!!!! I forgot there were tons of these in the woods. Not a fan. Not. At. All! 

So here is a taste of what our house looks like on the inside. We are not fully unpacked, but we are getting there. I am sure there will be more photos to follow and with me cooking much more often, the kitchen is bound to be spotted. I love this little log cabin we have. So beautiful and cozy. Can't wait to light the fire and drink some hot tea on the couch!

We only have room for ONE bookshelf... *sigh* so I had to pick which books
I wanted out on the shelves. It's like a parent picking between children... *sigh*

Hubs' grandpa's marbles from when he was a young lad in the schoolyard.

Hubs' grandpa's toy scout. I love these little family touches.

Don't lie... you know this is the sexiest thing you have ever seen.

Regardless of his scowl, Bubs really is happy to be here.
He has dubbed this "HIS" chair. Given to us from Hubs' parents.
I think it fits in perfectly... a historic beauty.

With more adventures to ensue, keep an eye out. Photos really do speak louder than words. I doubt very much that I would have been able to describe the beauty we are surrounded by. 

Beauty, peace, and quiet all can come at a price though. We have near zero reception at our house nor do we have internet. I am enjoying the break of constant availability, but it sure does make staying connected more difficult. 

However, I have already finished one book and am starting on another. Oh how I have missed my armchair adventures and fairytale friends!

Now to find a piece of property of our own! Day by day, our dreams are coming true! Imagine what a world be like if we all lived in our hearts!

Your Country Bumpkin,

~Birdie

Giveaway Winners!

Well, I know I am a few days late on this announcement... but it is really really hot outside and really really hot in my house (regardless of the a/c running full blast)... so please beg your pardon!


Nonetheless! The two winners of the Milestone Giveaway were followers Number 12 and Number 13 (go figure... thanks "Random Number Generator). 


Theresa Ann and Lisa Mills - both wonderful, incredible women... both very deserving of a treat!

Thank you all for your continuing support and patience as I work through this crazy summer hiatus from Nitty Gritty... our move is only 7 days away!!! Be prepared for a ton of photos of our trip and of our new home! Adventures are surely to ensue!


Love and Kindess,
~Birdie

Milestone Giveaway!

Well... although it seems that I have been too busy to update my blog recently... which is true... I may have been reluctant to make a new post because, well, it is post 100. I feel like it is a big deal. It is a milestone. I have hit 100.

SO! What better way to celebrate 100 than to make it a GIVEAWAY?


I suppose this will be my last giveaway while here in Arizona, so let's make it a good one, shall we?
There will be TWO winners and all you have to do is look over to the left of the page and "Keep Tabs." Sign up to follow my page, and I will automatically put you in a drawing!


I will draw names on Sunday, August 21st at 12:00PM (ish). So you have until then to start follow my blog!


Prizes:


Each winner will get to choose one of the items available for sale at

Oak Tree Apothecary!

Best of Luck!
~Birdie

M.I.A....

Oh dear me. I feel like I have officially become neglectful of this blog. Oh dear, indeed.


Well I have a few excuses.... as mentioned before, earlier in the month, I started my Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) and it is amazing... and busy... and incredible... and consuming. Plus I am taking an online course (Alternative Lifestyles), and two other classes at SWIHA: Psychology, Honoring the Masters; and Ayurveda. 


I also work. But that doesn't take too much effort really... I just can't blog from work. That part is unfortunate. The internet restrictions, not the working part. I love my job. It is amazing.


Then there was this thing that happened last week. I have aged. I can rent a car now. My insurance rates will drop. I turned 25.... and as a birthday gift Hubby (in cahoots with my parents) surprised me with my mom. There I was, minding my own, chatting it up at a coffee house with my friend (and birthday buddy), Eliza, when my mom walks around the corner like it is no big deal. Um. Yeah. It is kind of a big deal! It was a great surprise... I feel very lucky.


That being said, with my mama here and my studies... I have had little time to approach and address my blogging responsibilities. Thus this posting. I am still here, I am still alive... I am just currently pleasantly distracted by all the happenings. Like shopping. And movies. And food. And sitting by the pool. And eating pancakes with family. And sleeping in a little. We went to the Grand Canyon too.


It has been a great weekend. I'm looking forward to more of them once we move back to Oregon... in 10 weeks. Only 10 more weeks. Ten.

Here are some photos to wet your appetite. 

Grateful, Blessed, and Excited,
~Birdie