Quilts for Veterans

 Today was a day of recognition for Hubby and 2 other Veterans in our resort. Judi and Brent of NE have brought back a program to recognize the Veterans who reside in our winter resort. There was a program in years past, but it was discontinued in 2020 due to Covid. Judi and Brent are both Veterans and quilters and have worked this season to present quilts to every Veteran who wants to participate in the recognition. 

The presentation took place at the Monday morning Coffee & Donuts resort meeting. A table was reserved for the Veterans and their spouses.

L-R: Ken, Curt, Scott (Judi & Barb)

Scott (Army) and his quilt

Curt 

Curt's quilt

Barb & Judi wrapped the quilt around each veteran as Brent read the bio submitted by each Veteran.

The morning's event brought back lots of memories over the 21 1/2 years Curt served in the Army National Guard and the time spent in Operation Desert Storm.

final quilt for Canadian, Ken

This was the third Veterans quilt Curt has received, but the first that involved a ceremony. The previous quilts are also valued because they came from a sister-in-law who made the quilt and from a teacher involved in the program in Watertown.

Emcee, Veteran, and Quilter Brent

January

 January was a quiet month for us. If it was warm, we spent time outside. If it wasn't warm, we spent time inside. Geocaching was the outdoor activity, usually connected with an event somewhere nearby. So here is what was happening before our trip back to South Dakota:

January 7th hail storm

roof of the jeep covered in soft hail or graupel

geocaching in a nearby park after a 

geo event on January 17th

the caches had an animal theme

hidden in trees and bushes

watching the hummers on January 16th

one of the male visitors

a female visitor on a nice warm day

I hosted a geocaching event on January 17th

table of geocachers from our resort

this table of 6 drove from Florence to geocache

and come to the event

SD geocachers on the right with their friends

from IA and now AZ

And here is what we did the rest of January after our trip to South Dakota:

finally made it to San Tan Flat with Bill & Donna for steak and ribs

desert sunset on January 28th

Toby Keith Tribute concert at the resort on January 30th

singer Hollywood Yates and his 6 piece band

singing Red Solo Cup and all my favorites

raising my cup in a toast to Toby Keith

neighbors bought a park model, set in place January 31st

changes coming to the neighborhood

November in Review

 No one day or activity was worthy of its own blog space since we arrived at our winter home. So I have gathered some photos to show what we have been doing while enjoying warmer temperatures and sunshine. We try to spend time outside because we can do so without coats and winter gear. 

enjoying sunset colors in the desert

hosting geocachers on the patio

so good to see our winter caching family

Veterans Day Parade

this was only a fraction of the candy collection

saw this on the car parked next to us

just thought it was funny

a little geocaching in Tempe

this mosaic mural hosted the fake scorpion

Tempe Lake is known for rowing

teams were practicing that day

the 'drummer' sets the rhythm

an Adventure Lab completed before an event

in Scottsdale

new luggage for the next cruise

I got a little culture

Hubby watched some ASU football

I have been easily entertained by the hummers

while reading on the deck

the neighbor's saguaro has really grown the last few years

it was hosting some birds

our deck has a new TV

Hubby enjoying a red beer for Happy Hour

more hummer entertainment

our Thanksgiving meal

don't judge all the carbs; it is our traditional favorites

another desert sunset

the Beaver Moon through the window in the living room

recognition for starting the fund raising efforts to cure cancer

a morning of making Christmas gift tags

fun to do some paper crafting again

male ruby throated hummer in flight

I bought a second feeder and we moved it for better photos

I can't identify this one

he kept flying the entire time

even when he was drinking

and finally, ending the month with the first of three Hepatitis shots