Fading fast

Sunset as we walked down from Natural Bridge.
One of the best things at Death Valley is the
sunset and the sunrise, it is definitely worth
making sure you are in good spots to enjoy
these while in the Park.
Clouds had blown over on this afternoon so
the sunset was over quickly - still beautiful
though lokks more like a painting than a
photo in some ways.
Gives me a sense of calm just looking back
at the photos. Beautiful.

First Impressions

First impressions are always important creating
a sense of expectancy sometimes good sometimes
not so good.
This is the Dante's view near the entrance to
Death Valley National Park. The white on the ground
is not water or snow but salt!
From Dante's view you can walk along the ridge
formed by the mountain peaks - about 5,000 feet
up I think with stunning views however long or short
your walk.
This view gives a sense of how vast and empty this
particular National Park is and conjures up for me
that feeling of anticipation at the start of a road trip.
Definitely a great first impression.

Signs of new life

I know it's still January but I have had enough of
winter. Enough dark mornings and dark evenings
and cold days requiring multiple layers of clothes
and furry boots in the attempt to feel warm.
Somehow everything is harder work in the winter
and I'm definitely ready for sunny Spring days.
Sadly they will not be arriving in the UK anytime
soon but in the meantime - signs of life in the garden
and a couple of trips to sunnier climes are both very
welcome.

Recycled Christmas Tree

Christmas tree branches, bay leaves
from the garden and white tulips make
for a pretty combination and prolong
the lovely piney smell that you miss
when the tree comes down.
Thanks to Martha Stewarts Living
magazine for the idea.

Healthy and tasty

Although the Christmas chocolate still lingers
and the urge to bake remains strong, it really is
time for some healthier options.
having kidded myself last week the lemon tart
met these requirements, delicious but not really
healthy, we had this salad for dinner. made with
cous cous, kidney beans, red peppers, spinach
and cauliflower it definitely fitted the healthy
requirement and both looked and tasted good
too.

New Year, New Knitting

Now that the Christmas knitting is over, time for
some new knitting for a new arrival expected later
this year.

Debbie Bliss pattern, Cotton & bamboo wool.

Snowy Scotland

This was the view from our hire car window
on Saturday morning. N. had to borrow a
shovel from the Travelodge and dig us out
of the car park - didn't look as if we would
be going further than the nearby breakfast
cafe.
However having lived in the south of England
for the last twenty years we had forgotten the
efficiency of the Scots when it comes to snow.
Roads had all been cleared and we were able to
drive North with no problems and some picture
postcard scenery to admire.