Idaho winters and Arizona summers plus a birthday girl

Laurel, Janis, Lynette, and Farrell
West lawn of house at
Farm on Moody Road outside Sugar City, Idaho

I am a survivor of several Idaho winters. I am also a survivor of many more Arizona summers. I am therefore experienced enough to write this post. As you can see, my siblings and I spent as much time outside as possible during an Idaho summer. There were trees to climb and swing from, sprinklers to dash through, bikes and trikes to ride, exploring of farm acreage to do, and watermelon to eat - all outside. We even slept outside when parents could be so cajoled; all the kids from the three houses on the Moody Road intersection would spread their blankets out in a row (there was always jockeying to not be at the end position) on the lawn of choice for that night. There is nothing quite so beautiful as a star filled summer Idaho night sky and we would talk for hours about the sky and stars and all the other things that kids talk about. Winters, however, were cold!

I have come to realize that my now Arizona summers are much like my Idaho winters of the past for the following reasons.

It is necessary to bring all the tomatoes inside, red or not, because the temperature highs have reached the triple digits plus teens and the tomatoes are blistering. In Idaho, tomatoes would come inside red or not before the first freeze.

Idahoans mostly look forward to winter because they can ski and snow mobile. Arizonans look forward to summer because they can swim laps - at least I do.

Idaho snowbirds travel to Arizona for the winter. Arizona sunbirds travel to Idaho for the summer.

Either way, Idaho has less traffic in winter and Arizona in summer, most likely because of the fact that everyone prefers to remain inside where the air has been heated or cooled. If they still can't stand to be outside for local errands, they become a snowbird or sunbird.

Which brings about utility bills which soar in the winter for Idahoans and in the summer for Arizonans.

Because both Idahoans and Arizonans hang out in the house more during winter or summer staying warm or cool, it is a time for projects.

Here are a couple of mine. Lynette taught me how to knit again on her visit. I forgot to ask her how to cast off:( I had big plans for Ruby's birthday today, matching dresses for her and her American girl doll. As you can see, her doll will be dressed well for Ruby's birthday. Ruby's dress is soon to follow.

Happy Birthday Ruby girl!
I thought it was safe to post a picture of part of your present, since you are a church right now. Can't wait to party tonight!