Sunday, December 13, 2009

Christmas Time in the Desert

100_2250

Last night we went with friends to the Luminaria at the Lake at the The Riparian Preserve,where they ushered in the holiday season, with candles lit to reflect light off the lake throughout a half-mile walk. We enjoyed entertainment including storytelling, choir performances, a harpist, bagpipes, a Native American flute player, a hand bell choir, and Santa, although we never did find him, much to Dee’s disappointment. 

100_2251 We did find the bagpiper, whom we were quite concerned about being out in the cold (you know what they were UNDER their skirts) but he was cranky.  I think he needed to stand over a luminary and warm up.  Hot cider and cocoa was served, but no Peppermint Schnapps, so I passed.  teehee.

100_2270 Then we were off to Christmas Mountain at The Lakes where we climbed up treacherous trails

100_2266 Past raging rivers, where Dee and I got the bright idea that we needed a river connecting our yards and we would float on inner tubes during the summer.  This was WITHOUT  Peppermint Schnapps.

100_2264 We climbed over rickety old bridges (NOT)

100_2265Past magically lit trees

100_2261To this, our goal, the top of  Christmas Mountain

100_2267Where the elusive, rarely seen White Deer lives. 

100_2269 Luck made up with us after the No HOHO sighting with this splendid view.

100_2271Then it back down the mountain, past beautiful waterfalls

100_2274  Raging white water

100_2275 That looked like spun crystals in the dark

100_2279 Back to the desert with palm trees decked out in their finest Christmas attire

100_2282 Where they set the night sky on fire.

Then off to Nandos for Margaritas!!!

A Good Time was had by ALL.

the end

30 comments:

Sherry said...

Beautiful you on that bridge!!! And beautiful photographs of a spectacular display!!

I'm chuckling still imagining that bagpiper standing over the the luminaria for warmth -- you could have sung "chestnuts roasting on an open fire"... lol!!! xo

Ces Adorio said...

Oh that beautiful ornament on the bridge, where can I get hat? Oh wait! That's not an ornament, that's lovely you!

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

Oh look at that beautiful desert lit up and all...and you on the bridge...beautiful and glowing!

Merry Merry girl!

Just A Girl said...

I'm reading Ces's comment...too darling!!
Well, I think Santa was the one who missed out by NOT MEETING YOU, but then your beautiful sparkly personality probably would have blinded him and he'd never make it back to the North Pole...tee hee.
Deb, have you ever heard of the innertube race they used to do in Yuma every fourth of July? I could tell you the funniest tales about that so, yes! I'm all for the river idea and the innertube floating back and forth between neighbors. Wouldn't that be the funniest thing..."hello neighbor! I just floated over to borrow a cup of sugar." Now that would be fun!!

Shame on you about the Bagpipe dude...giggling hysterically. Oh I know for a fact that some of them wear boxers with hearts printed all over them <3.

xoxo cori

PS...please feel free to pilfer anything from my blog that your beautiful heart desires ;-).

Manon said...

OOOH! I love Christmas time in Arizona!! It's so pretty and I just adore the luminaries!! The part that you don't have to wear a heavy coat is perfect!!
You look beautiful girlfriend!!

love,
manon
xo

Angie Muresan said...

Deb, you are so chic and gorgeous! And I love the new profile picture. Christmas time in the desert sounds wonderful!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for a wonderful tour!

LDWatkins said...

The lights are so beautiful! And so are you! THanks for sharing!

Lila said...

Those lights are amazing! I love your blog. So cheerful :)
Lila xx

yoborobo said...

Deb! This is so magical and beautiful. :) And you look like you are 16. How did you DO that? As for your river idea - I vote for a lazy river that circles the neighborhood. I think that way you never have to go upstream, just float until your mailbox comes into view. haha! Happy happy ho ho ho!!! xox Pam

Anonymous said...

Hello Deborah, love your photo"claus"...Lovely walk in the parc: I feel like I am there with you two. What a great sight that all is lighted like this. We would have danced to the music, hey. You are such an elegant lady on the bridge at Christmas....
Much love ( groeten )
Godeliva

Anne Huskey-Lockard said...

Absolutely gorgeous Deb! Souns like a great time was had by all, and even without the Peppermint Schnapps! (can't do those....oh no....)

XXOO!!
Anne

Javajune said...

Oh how beautiful and festive, wish I was there. You are so funny and when you mantioned the poor bagpipe player and the luminary all I could think about was the song "chestnuts roasting on an open fire" I'm sorry that was terrible- I'll send myself to the corner now. Tee he
xo-jj

Unknown said...

Hi Deborah!!! these shots are beautiful and so festive!!!! I always love about things around you!!! May you have a magical season!!!

Hugs
Diana

carte sd 2gb said...

As for activities, we had the typical turkey, stuffing, potatoes dinner on Thursday, then headed over to Aunt Debbie's house and had dessert. This was the first time I met this side of the family so I had my game face on. Lauren (Dan's sister) made a sweet potato pie, and it was out of this world. I may or may not have had three pieces.

Manon said...

I'm glad Paul didn't have to spend the night in Canada with that *chickiepoo* Renee! She would have warped his mind!! lol

Btw.... love your Xmas hat Mrs. Claus!! xo

Cass @ That Old House said...

What wonderful lights and displays; what fun! And I love the new profile picture, it is definitely YOU, darling!
:-)
Cass

Ces Adorio said...

You better not use that word to describe you because you are far from it. A stalker is one who who comes to someone's blog and lurks and does not leave comments but hijacks certain passages, photographs or works of art so they can use them to make their pathetic and dysfunctional lives sound interesting. You should see Bella's and Renee's old posts when the comment sections looked like a lovefest. Well, I don't care. Every Saturday, Manon and I have a bloggermance except last Saturday when I was completely wiped out from the night's previous oncall. I don't care if you fill up my comment section with your avatar. You are welcome anytime and of course I gave you the key, so better not lose it or put it under the rug!

Ces Adorio said...

Oh and another thing, I am finishing that "Hatch" drawing and adding more scenes. I will use the maginifying glass tonight.

The area where the elephants are walking is the paradise area. The entry to the paradise area is on the right of the person looking at you as you enter the picture. It looks like the left area but in medicine and nursing the person's right is to your left. So your left is a peaceful scene, free of evil, that's the entry to paradise and tonight the elephants have company. very teeny tiny humans that I have to draw with a magnifying glass.

Ces Adorio said...

Oh I forgot! I shall return after my cooking chore and dinner. I will gaze at that beautiful long legged figure standing on the bridge. I am imagining the level where my head will ne if I stood next to you.

Ces Adorio said...

Thank you for your wonderful comment about my IF Hatch drawing. Someday, someday... and soon pachyderms just for you. You and Bella, now you got me loving them. Do you know I use the pachyderms as tonic and elixir?

Ces Adorio said...

Deborah, yeah right, fright alright. You are lovely and beautiful! When the angels were giving away beauty and kindness they gave you double portions! Rest up my dearest friend. Your weak kisses still have strong effect.

Renee said...

Oh angel friend. Angel with the poet's heart.

Sweet friend don't worry, I am not in pain all the time. Not all the time at all. Discomfort sometimes and a little pain sometimes but not all the time, not anywhere near all the time.

I am happy too dear one. Not happy as one could be per se, but happy nontheless.

And very very happy to have you as my friend.

xoxoxo

Javajune said...

I love you as an elf-your profile pic is so cute. okay I will go to 3 little houses but if I buy anything I'm sending you the bill!It is hard enough to resist all the goodies at pottery barn.
xo-jj

Bella Sinclair said...

Deborah, I positively swore you shrank down to frolic your magically lit Debville! What a gorgeous evening you had. LOVE, love, love lights. To heck with electricity bills. And there are those elegant desert luminaries I love so much. Aaaaah.

Honey, you are GORGEOUS on that bridge!

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

Loved the pic of you on the bridge....great lighting!

Stay Cozy, Carrie

Carolyn said...

It looks so beautiful ! twinkly and sparkles everywhere ! I`m laughing at Sherry`s comment ! ;o) Our Scots with kilts aren`t supposed to wear anything underneath either !

You do look glowingly beautiful on that bridge !
christmas hugs
xoxo

Maggie said...

The lights are amazing and you look so chic posing on the bridge. All this festive fun followed by margaritas? I think I would love Christmas in the desert!
Maggie

Unknown said...

oh sweetest Deborah!!! Your messages always fill my heart...I love that you stop by and make me feel special in God's eyes....you are so wonderful and giving and I can feel it just by your kindness and your sweet comments....

Thank you for making my day !!!! Cole sends you a bug hug and kiss too!!!

Hugs
Diana

Renee said...

Amen.

When will Ryan be home.

xoxox