In addition to being 110-115 degrees this past week - the Phoenix/Scottsdale area has been graced with not one, but two of these lovely dust storms! For those of you that have never experienced this weather phenomena - consider yourself lucky. They usually occur late in the day (rush hour is a favorite time) and kick up winds and DUST like you cannot imagine.
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My faithful design assistants - Asher & Olivia |
Of course, both my little King Charles Spaniels consider this the absolute best time to ring the bell indicating they need to go outside - ugh! They get so excited by the wind blowing everything around the yard (makes for a great game of “chase”) and don’t even seem to mind all the dust in their faces. These dust storms or “Haboobs” usually occur right after I have had the patio furniture dusted and vacuumed. I guess it is the law of probability - like when you finally have your car washed and it rains the same day!
The best plan of action when a storm approaches is stay inside and pray that the storm does not knock out your electricity and AC! It is also a good time to work on new jewelry designs.
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Sconset Market - filled with little gourmet goodies. |
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Hydrangeas grow in profusion on Nantucket |
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Sadly, this magnificent sculpture will be washed out to sea at high tide |
Can you tell I have been dreaming of past summers spent on Nantucket? Walking down to the Sconset Market early in the morning to pick up the newspaper and a pastry for breakfast - running into town to pick up some fresh flowers for guests arriving on the next ferry and strolling along Jetties’ Beach while enjoying some of the amazing sand sculptures.
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Judy Dinnick's Sailor's Valentines are some of the most gorgeous I have ever seen. |
It was during our 10 year sojourns to Nantucket that I discovered Sailor’s Valentines and I have been smitten ever since. These little shell mosaic designs encased in old pocket watches allows me to indulge two of my favorite things - shells and gemstones.
My last trip to the Tucson Gem Show resulted in finding some beautiful nuggets which I have been saving for a summer design. Unique pink and green rough and organic tourmaline nuggets - several with crystals embedded in the nugget - are paired with delicate pink topaz rondelles to create a delicious necklace that looks good enough to eat!