Day 1 with Daughter

OFD spent 5 days with us earlier this month. Her last visit was in October 2013. She had a few things on her list: to eat at two of her favorite places and to shop at the Mesa Swap Meet. We checked one of the eating places off the list on Friday evening, dining at Los Gringos Locos. Actually, it was the large margarita she wanted more than the food The drinks were yummy and the food was delish.

Saturday was shopping day. She and I had a list of places to stop. It started with a flowering saguaro along Baseline. It is the earliest blooming saguaro in the area. Since she had never seen one, we stopped to take photos.

the bonus was the cactus wren digging away at the hole

it posed so nicely

Then we stopped at the Mesa Market/Swap Meet to get things we can't live without, certainly don't need, but bought them anyway. Our shopping included some birthday gifts and some new outdoor decor.

I have wanted to replace the black wrought iron coyote, saguaro & moon ever since I decorated the back wall. I think I bought it in the discount aisle in a Hobby Lobby in NE on the way home one spring. Until now, finding just the right piece wasn't a priority.

I intended to hang it up & down, but liked this way more

the colors nicely compliment the back wall pieces

(Yes, we are packing to head home)

The next stop was at a large warehouse furniture store. We were looking for a new, smaller table & chairs for the kitchen nook. Hubby and I have talked about the too large set, how much room it takes, how we don't need 4 chairs, how the chairs roll too easily (and dangerously) on the floor, how I don't entertain inside like I thought I would...you get the idea.

Because we arrived late this season, we left all four chairs in the house. Usually we move one of them to the shed, making it a little easier to move the table into the corner and fit the two chairs we use. We knew of a program here in the Valley that would take and use the table & chairs for needy folks if we found something more suitable. That way we did not have to try to sell it or store it until next fall. OFD and I found something we both liked. The table was the right size. The two chairs were very comfortable. The price was right.

espresso colored, distressed top, both sides drop down

enough varied colors to meet my need for matching

We had a light, late lunch at Paradise Bakery and then went to the movie, Cinderella. I wanted to see it because of the two Downton Abbey actresses. Good movie; followed the traditional Cinderella storyline. It was unusual for the two of us to spend just a 'girls' day' in AZ. It was a good day on several levels. 

On Sunday we attended church in the resort. We invited friends from Sioux Falls to join us for Easter dinner. We ate at the old kitchen table and chairs on the deck, enjoying the traditional potatoes & ham, glazed carrots, spinach & strawberry salad and Linda's lemon meringue pie for dessert. A perfect day to enjoy family & friends outside on the deck.