Day in the Desert

I visited a good friend of mine at her beautiful desert home on Monday. I enjoyed the drive along quiet, winding, country highways. The skies were blue with puffy white clouds making shadows that floated gently over the hills. The landscape was covered in wildflowers...little yellow ones, white and even some pale blue ones. The flowers that stood out the most and covered much of the landscape were the "Red Shank Chaparral". They are like small trees or big bushes and they're covered in teeny, tiny flowers that were once white but are now turning beautiful golden, Fall colors. There were tons of them!...


I always love going to visit my friend. She's so sweet and so much fun. And, she has a Southwest style home that is beautiful and inspiring. She and her husband are very creative and always have something new and amazing to see. This entry is new since I had last been there. Isn't it gorgeous?! I love how their kitty and doggy casually come and go as they please. Life is good!...


This is the top of their garage...


The inside of their home is beautiful too but I don't want to invade their privacy too much by showing a lot of photos...even though I took more. I couldn't help myself! I love their home!

There was a lot to see outside too. She has two llamas. They're in their 20's! It was hot, so she turned on the hose and they strolled up the hill to have their legs sprinkled and cool down. I love llamas!!!...


I've never seen a cactus with so many fruits at one time. They are loaded! Aren't they pretty?! I'd love to see what they look like on the inside and try cooking with them. Wouldn't that be fun?!...


As we strolled around the property we found more fun things. These are Elderberries...


They're so tiny! We tasted them but they didn't seem to have much flavor. Maybe it's because they're so small. It'd be fun to try making Elderberry wine though...


We aren't sure what these are but they sure are pretty!...


She called this "Ribbonwood". The bark peeled off and it was so long, just like ribbon...


After strolling around her property and visiting for a while, we went into the small town nearby for a Mexican food lunch. Yum! Then back to her house on the hill for a little more visiting time before I enjoyed the peaceful drive home. Going to visit her is always a treat! :-)