Welcome to my weekly smile and as I set out on my walk this morning it was wonderful to feel the sunrise on my back. It was a nice 60 degrees and as I passed the school across the street there are many trucks delivering dirt or whatever they need to fill in a new parking lot. So many trucks coming and going and as I walk I feel and hear the rumble of their diesel engines as they idle waiting their turn. As I pass all this organized chaos I finally get far enough away to hear nature that is out cackling away. The roosters crow in neighboring yards and the morning doves are cooing away keeping me company as I walk the block. I giggled as one rooster cock-a-doodle doo went hoarse near the very end. Haha, sure made me smile as I took in the morning! 😀

I’m smiling as my teeny tiny garden is really flourishing. I get so EXCITED! The tomatoes are waning and I am thinking all my watering may be a little much for the one tomato plant – but that’s okay because it has given me plenty of tomatoes and since the two bell peppers are thriving, it is now time to see these babies grow bigger and I will have a ton of bell peppers as I counted over 20! I will be giving some away to my friends as I can’t eat them all. I know I can cut them up, flash freeze and then store in freezer if needed. But I want to share them too. They make me smile! 😀

I am also excited this week as I am going to see my daughter and have the rest of the week off from work. My youngest son and I will be driving the 3 hours or so up North to spend time with her and buy presents to send to my granddaughter. My granddaughter turns 5 next week and so we will send a nice care package and virtually celebrate this year and I have to say I feel truly blessed to have these beautiful grand children in our lives. I am hoping that I will be able to visit these grand babies next month as my son is trying to plan a weekend where I can baby sit so that he can take his wife camping in northern AZ for some time together. I am excited, and can patiently wait for a date. Here is that cute grandson, growing every month!

Teddy is such a cutie patutie and as he is still so small, it makes my grand daughter look so big. I can’t believe she is turning 5 years old. ❤ As these weeks fly by (can you believe it is the end of July?) I can’t believe it will be August next week. I have been following the weather very closely the last month or so and I did not realize that in AZ it does not cool off at night. It will cool from say 110 degrees high, down to 90 degrees at night! WOW, and if it is say 101 degrees high, it will go down to 80’s at night. SO HOT!

I asked my son if it was like this last year, he said he thought this year is worse but they have only been there a couple of years. He was saying it felt like when you are snowed in and you can’t go out, with Covid and now the heat – they are stuck in the house. It is hard to go for walks with the kids when it is 90 out at 8pm. UGH! this does not look like a place where I want to retire with my horses. We are weighing all options and are starting to look at other options. I don’t think my son with his family are going to make AZ their permanent residents, who knows what the future holds! I have to consider everything, so we are taking our time. I was just shocked how very hot that state is at least the lower half of that state. Northern AZ is higher elevation and better weather. We have time. (as I complain how fast time flies! Haha!)

Thank you for visiting my smile post! What makes you smile? I just had to share one more bloom. This photo is a small bud which just makes me smile. I hope you all are doing well and are healthy and happy. I know we all have our struggles in this life so to stop and smell the roses (couldn’t help myself from using that phrase, hehe) is one way to slow down and take in the day. Have a wonderful week! Stay safe ❤

Happy Smiling Grandma,

~Diana