High Tech Halloween Carving

I would imagine that Marilyn never thought she would be a subject on a pumpkin!

 QR Code lasered into a pumpkin. A guy was standing trying to capture it with his phone, but I don't think he ever succeeded.

EEEECK!   a spider

These were at Maker Faire in Phoenix on October 15th.... 

Cupcake

 It was my birthday on Saturday and I woke up to this deliciousness!

This is the before...

After the first wonderful bite!

Glad I had someone to share them with....thanks sweetie!

If you live in the Phoenix area these mouth-watering cupcakes can be found 

CandyLand Cupcakes

Phoenix Home Architecture 1960s

I was out last week, had my camera and came across a community with some interesting home architecture. I believe these homes were built in the 1960s...if anyone else knows for sure, let me know. The first house, as I was finishing taking pictures a gentleman came to the window and began waving...now the question is was he being friendly, or was he waving me away and didn't want me to take a picture...I didn't stop to ask.

Alchemy Meerkat Phoenix to Las Vegas

Camel in Paradise Valley

I see a lot of interesting things in the valley, but this is one of the more interesting I've come across yet. I was driving in Paradise Valley where multi-million dollar homes rule. I'm use to seeing horses everywhere, so when I looked to my left I had to do a double take...because standing there in the backyard was a camel. I think he (or she) was use to people gawking. I parked, happened to have my camera with me, and started taking pictures. He was almost posing. In this same backyard was a llama, miniature pony, peacocks...it was like a miniature zoo.

There is a history of camels in Arizona, but I don't think this one had anything to do with those. We also have a mountain in Phoenix that if you look at it the right way appears to be a camel. You can even see the head with the eyelashes made out of a rock formation.

Haboob

The other day a haboob came through that was probably the worst one of this monsoon season. They are amazing to see, but painful to be in the middle of.

I have been caught in them while driving between Tucson and Phoenix and it's very similar to being in a very heavy fog where you can't see 2 feet in front of you. While driving you have to be very careful. I have also been caught in them while outdoors, in rain and you are literally being rained on by mud. Then I've also tried to out chase them to get home and cover my pool and everything else that I could before it all became covered by the dust and dirt.

When watching them from afar they look like a huge wall of dust and dirt and can vary in color. The ones in these pictures were taken by the ABC affiliate KNXV are a white/grey in color. But I have also seen them as a brown/red color.

It's interesting to see them, but I'd rather be indoors as they blow through!

Where am I going?

Rather than where have I been...this time...

I'm going on vacation! To celebrate I am including some photo's of where I'm going. They are from last July. This is an awesome place to vacation which is why we are heading back there this summer. In comparison to Phoenix it is green, cool, and has snow --even in July!

If you can guess what city I'm going to (I'm sure the state will be easy), then you will be in the running for one of my embroidered felt rings. Color and design of your choice.

While you are busy guessing I'm going to finish getting ready. To tell you the truth, sometimes I don't know if I ever have enough time to get everything ready just to go on vacation. This contest will run until I return, plus a few days. So, leave your comments by Thursday, July 24th at midnight. I will announce the winner on Saturday, July 26th.

If I have a chance I will add hints. Good luck and enjoy your week!

Apple and iPhone

Well I am very frustrated with my iPhone and had to write a letter to Steve

Dear Steve Jobs,

I love Apple products. I have been a loyal Apple user since the Lisa. With that said my iPhone is driving me crazy! I live in the Phoenix metro area and I expect with a city of this size to have very few connectivity issues. I travel throughout the city for business and I am frustrated at the number of times that I have no cell phone access or internet access on the E network. Steve, you have to do something about this. AT&T has to do something about coverage. Where I live, I get one bar and in many cases, I need to be in just the right location in my home to get my iPhone to work.

We also off-road and were in Ruidoso, New Mexico recently, yes a small town, kind of, but we actually stayed in the city, in a cabin and just by accident I found one little corner of the cabin that allowed me cell phone access and sometimes I was even able to get my email. How about that! I don't expect to actually get good coverage when we are in the middle of the desert…an arroyo…or at 13,000 ft in snow, but many of my friends do with their phones and service provider. I shudder to think that we may have an emergency and have this wonderful piece of technology that won't be able to get help to us. (Hence a CB) Oh, and since we are on this topic…could you unlock the GPS?

Maybe AT&T should come up with a plan that I only pay for my service when I can actually access it? I'm sure my bill would be reduced by at least a third and that is being conservative!

Steve I can't tell people how wonderful the iPhone is. I can't suggest that they make the switch to the iPhone, since AT&T service coverage is non-existent! I love your ginchy iPhone, but I may have to switch back to a Blackberry….

…now I'm waiting for a reply