Tuesday, February 28, 2023

Grand Views in the Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon View in Winter
View 1: Grand Canyon from the South Rim, late afternoon, February

A quick share of some photos from a recent visit to Arizona's Grand Canyon National Park - in winter! 


Moonrise Grand Canyon South Rim Winter February 2023 by Jeanne Selep
View 2: Moon Rise over the Grand Canyon near sunset, February

My daughter and I spent about one day visiting the Grand Canyon in February, getting out on the South Rim overlooks for both the sunset and sunrise. The overlooks had several people around at sunset. At sunrise, the cold (very cold) overlooks were effectively deserted. Warm clothing (and foot traction microspikes/cleats) made the experience wonderful.


Grand Canyon View in Winter by Jeanne Selep
View 3: Pre-sunrise View of the Grand Canyon from Pima Point,
the Colorado river is visible on the right

Watching the lighting change over time, the nearly full moon rising near sunset, (and setting around sunrise) and the shadows lengthen, deepen, and crawl across the landscape was both meditative and special.  The moon glows in the morning until the sun begin to rise, and quickly turns pale as the advancing sun chases it under the horizon. 


Grand Canyon View in Winter
View 4: Morning View of the Grand Canyon in February

The views were great, and I took too many pictures, making it hard to pick out the "best shots".  But I am sharing these images today, so enjoy!

Click on the images to see them enlarged.



Fourteen years ago I visited the Grand Canyon from a different perspective - a Colorado river rafting trip.  It was a very different view of the canyon.  You can see links below to some posts from that memorable trip.


Click on the photos below to see more Grand Canyon posts:















 


 

Some background notes:



Grand Canyon National Park has two main car accessible sections, the North Rim and the South Rim, which are over 180 miles (300km+) apart by car. In winter the North Rim is closed until May - my photos are from overlooks and locations on the South Rim.


The Park Service maintains (and plows) 'Hermit Road' to many South Rim overlooks. During nine months of the year, you need to take the shuttle bus to these overlooks, but passenger cars are allowed on the road from December 1 to February 28.



Here is a link to the official Grand Canyon National Park site: https://www.nps.gov/grca

Link to a webcam at Yavapai Point: https://www.nps.gov/AirWebCams/grca

Link to a map of some South Rim overlooks: https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/hermit-red-route.htm   

 

View 1: Grand Canyon South Rim, Late afternoon February 5, 2023
View 2: Grand Canyon South Rim, Moon Rising near sunset, February 5, 2023
View 3: Grand Canyon South Rim, Pima Point, Pre-sunrise  February 6, 2023
View 4: Grand Canyon South Rim, Morning View  February 6, 2023






I am linking up to these parties
  
Good Random Fun: Good Fun Mon 4a (m Entry 11 of 31.)
Loulougirls: Fabulous-party 465 Mon 1p (l Entry 87 of 94.)
Mersad photography: Thru my Lens (Entry 18 of 23.)
Image-in-ing: Weekly link up (Entry 43 of 56.)
Nicholasjv: Travel Tuesday 379 (Entry 9 of 13)
Lindas lunacy: Making-a-home Tue 9a (m Entry 27 of 36.)
My world Thru My Lens: My Corner Wed (Entry 23r of 45r.)
Peabea: Pictorial Tuesday (Entry 14 of 20.)
My Wee Abode: Tuesday Turn About (s Entry 91r of 163r.)
My Random: Anything Goes 367 (s Entry 52 of 63.)
LeCultivateur: Wonderful Wed 86 (m Entry 70r of 202r.)
Stonecottageadventures: Tues with a Twist 514 (l Entry 25 of 27.)
Karins Kottage: Centerpiece Wed (Entry 16??)
Flusterbuster: Creative Muster 527 Wed (l Entry 123x)
Grandmas house: Grandmas house 337 Wed 4p (m Entry 83 of 173.)
French Ethereal: Share Your Style 380 Wed 6p (Entry 45)
Imparting grace: Grace at home 498 (Entry 28 of 167.)
Artsy mama: Artsy party Th 7a (Entry 120 of 140.)
My Slices of Life: Hearts+Home Handmade Th 4p (Entry 2 of 34.)
Pieced Pastimes.gr: Saturday Sparks Fr 8a (L Entry --)
Eclectic Red Barn: Thurs Favorite Things Th 10a (Entry 103 of 219.)
Also KatherinesCorner: Th 10a (Entry 103 of 219.)
Life beyond Kitchen: Creatively Crafty 369 Th 4p (Entry 17 of 53.)
Two Chicks and a Mom: Funtastic Thur 8p (i Entry ??)
Modern on Monticello: Home matters 419 Fri 319 (s Entry 2r)
My hubbard home: Fri with Friends 10 (Entry mem)
Pennys Passion: Wed (Entry 70)
Pams Party: Dare to share 456 Fri 11p (m Entry )
Its a small town life: Thankful Th 24 (Entry 3)
Natalie: Coffee Share Th (Entry 10)
Coastal Bohemian: Funtastic 426 Thur 8p (i Entry 6)
Shelbeeontheedge: On the edge 641 (Entry 41)
CountryRoad: Farmhouse Friday 289 (L Entry 33)
Cottagemarket: A morning cup of Joe 129 (L Entry 30)
Shabby art boutique: Create-grow-gather 561 (L Entry x)
Modern on Monticello: Home matters 419 Fri (s Entry 2)
Our mini family: Our mini party (s Entry )
Funkyjunkinteriors: DIY Salvaged Fri (Entry )
Weekend Reflection: reflections (Entry )
The house on Silverado: Sun on Silverado 30 (Entry )
Ducks n a Row: Happiness is Homemade Sun a (Entry )
Creative Mom: Craft Schooling Sunday (s Entry x?)
Finding Silver pennies: Silver Pennies Sun 6a (m Entry )
Life and Linda: Dishing it Digging it Sun 3p (l Entry )
3 little buttons: Dream Team Linky Sun 6am (Entry )
April Harris: Hearth and Soul Sun 10p (Entry )

Great site with Yosemite photos: Joe's Guide to Yosemite


Yosemite trail guide : Joe's Guide to Yosemite Trails



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Sunday, January 22, 2023

Valentine Love Vignette

 

Love Window Vignette
Love Window vignette at the Top of the Stairs

I set a vintage glass window at the top of my stairs one year, and now it stays there from Christmas to Valentine's Day.  I have a love of lettering, and I used four silver wooden letters to spell out 'LOVE'.  After Christmas and before Valentines Day it looks the the vignette above.  The lighting on the window changes throughout the day, casting fun shadows and a glow off the silver paint. 

Love Window Vignette
NOEL Window vignette at the Top of the Stairs

Originally, the letters were sold as a set to spell out NOEL, and above is the Christmas vignette I styled with minimal embellishments (the glitter spray and an ornament or two), placing the 4 letters in front of the glass. After Christmas, one of my children changed the work to LONE, and then I realized I could use the same letters to make the word LOVE.  (can you see how that is accomplished?)  


So now the window gets more display time as a Valentine's Day vignette, and hangs at the top of the stairs a little longer.  It makes me happy as I go up the stairs and the window is reveled.  Just an extra little sparkle, and it distracts me and allows me to ignore the fact that really I should replace my carpet.  


Happy Valentine's Day.  

 

Click on the images to see them enlarged.

 

If you enjoyed this post you might also enjoy:

Button Love
Heart Window
heart quilt
Heart Quilt
Button Heart
Valentine Hutch 1
Valentine Hutch 2
Valentine Ball

Valentine Vignette























I am linking up to these parties:
  
Create with Joy: Inspire me 566 Sun-Mon (m Entry 220 of 264.)
My Random: Anything Goes (Entry 8 of 62.)
Good Random Fun: Good Fun Mon 4a (m Entry 33 of 39.)
BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday 6a (s Entry 2x of 36.)
Anitaojeda: Inspire Me Mon 4p (s Entry 40 of 44.)
Uncommon Slice: Inspire Me 257 Mon 2-4p (m Entry 11 of 106.)
Common Ground: All About Home 180 Mon 6p (l Entry 75 of 156.)
Loulougirls: Fabulous-party 460 Mon 1p (l Entry 26 of 92.)
Across the Blvd: Beautifully Made 247 Tue 8a (Entry 13 of 62.)
Lindas lunacy: Making-a-home 31 Tue 9a (m Entry 14 of 39.)
Keeping it Real: Really Crafty 349 Mon (Entry 41 of  50.)
Thistlekeylane: Tuesday Turn About 5p (s Entry 32r of 160.)
Also My Wee Abode: Tuesday Turn About 186 5p (s Entry 32r of 160.)
God's Growing Garden: Tue with a twist 509 (l Entry 24 of 24.)
Karins Kottage: Centerpiece Wed 306 (Entry 129 of 132.)
Flusterbuster: Creative Muster Wed 522 (l Entry 108x
)
Eclectic Red Barn: Wonderful Wed (Entry 169
of 184.)
My Thrift Store Addiction: Vintage Charm 373 Wed (m Entry 24 of 60.)
Grandmas house: Grandmas house 332 Wed 4p (m Entry 77 of 177.)
French Ethereal: Share Your Style 375 Wed 6p (Entry 23 of 36.)
Imparting grace: Grace at home 493 (Entry 41 of 154.)
Artsy mama: Artsy party Th 7a (Entry 97 ?)
My Slices of Life: Hearts+Home Handmade Th 6a (Entry 36 of 66.)
Eclectic Red Barn: Thurs Favorite Things Th 7a (Entry 34 of 208.)
Also KatherinesCorner: Th 7a (Entry 34
of 208.)
Also Follow the yellow brick: Th 7a (Entry
34 of 208. )
Life beyond Kitchen: Creatively Crafty 364 Th 4p (Entry 65 of 72.)
Modern on Monticello: Home matters 414 Fri 319 (s Entry 51 of 133.)
My hubbard home: Fri with Friends xx (Entry memorial)
Pennys Passion: Fri Favorites (Entry 22 gone)
Pams Party: Dare to share Fri 11p (m Entry 25 of 73.)
Coastal Bohemian: Funtastic Thur 421 8p (i Entry 121 of 153.)
Shelbeeontheedge: On the edge 637 (Entry 33 of 51.)
Country Road 407: Farmhouse Friday 284 (L Entry 51 of 127.)
Shabby art boutique: Create-bake-grow-gather 556 (L Entry 137x)
Funkyjunkinteriors: DIY Salvaged Fri 663 (Entry 7 gone.)
The house on Silverado: Sun on Silverado 129 (Entry 65 gone.)
Ducks n a Row: Happiness is Homemade** Sun a (Entry 104 of 175.)
Finding Silver pennies: Silver Pennies 550 Sun 6a (m Entry 76 of 88.) 
Life and Linda: Dishing it Digging it 185 Sun 3p (Entry 10 of 156.)
April Harris: Hearth and Soul Jan 2023 Sun 10p (Entry 201 of 239.)

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 How to Paint Watercolor Seascapes (with a video) - Finding Silver Pennies

 

 

 

 

Saturday, December 31, 2022

2022 - A good year!

The last day of 2022 - it's here so fast!  I am going to quickly send out this short post, which will increase my posts this year by 50%.  (From 2 to 3!)  I haven't given up on blogging, but 2022 was a year of returning to travel, and 2022 was probably my most creative year yet.  

I went on 7 vacations (some small - weekend weddings, Trips to nearby Door County, WI), and one incredible trip to Italy - Milan, Venice, Florence, Cinque Terre and Lake Garda. I created more mosaics, worked on printmaking, improved my calligraphy (and attended IAMPETH's conference in Atlanta, Georgia), dabbled in ceramics (I wasn't planning on that, but...) and even learned how to use a forge. Quilting got a boost when I attended my first ever AQS Paducah Quilt show.  

I hope to post more in 2023 - or travel more, create more, and hopefully I'll manage to do both!

Happy New Year

I'm sending wishes for a 

Fantastic 2023!


 



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If you enjoy traveling, you might also enjoy these posts...

Italian Garden
Japan Memories
Canada Autumn
German Castle
NYC Christmas

Yellowstone
Canadian Lake
Chicago Xmas

NYC Windows 3

NYC Easter
El Capitan
Paris Reflections
Wash DC

Autumn Color


Gr Canyon intro
Running Rapids



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Thursday, February 10, 2022

Valentine's Day Cards

Valentines Day Cards Anna Griffin
Valentine's Day Cards


Happy Valentine's Day!  Valentine's Day is an easy holiday to love, even without vacation days and special meals.  (Do cookies and deserts  count?)  Valentine's Day is especially favored if the colors pink and red make your heart sing; and if flowers, hearts and lace appeals to your soul like it does to mine.   


Valentines Day Cards Anna Griffin
Valentines Day Cards

A friend held a small Valentine's Day card making party/workshop at her house, sharing some of her supplies.  Together three people made a stack of cards.  Today I am sharing the cards I made on that fun creative day. 

Valentines Day Cards Anna Griffin
Six Valentines Day Cards

It surprised me how long the first cards took to make - there were so many beautiful materials that choices overwhelmed the mind.  (and sometimes I was literally only combining 2 or 3 elements to make one card!)  I think finishing the first card took over 1 hour, but it was also a time spent enjoying the beautiful papers and embellishments.  As we got into the swing of things, the following cards became easier and faster.  Creative design takes time even with/especially with tons of materials at hand, and the results were worth it.

 

Valentines Day Cards Anna Griffin
Valentines Day Cards

I wish you a Happy Valentine's Day!  It's a fun time to  enjoy Valentine's posts.  Consider this post my virtual Valentine to you, and you just got 10 Valentines, if anyone asks...


Note:  The cards are made with mostly Anna Griffin papers and embellishments and some vintage lace.  I photographed the cards on a vintage tablecloth.

Click on the images to see them enlarged.

I blog for fun and my blog is ad free.  Comments encourage me, and I sometimes need encouragement. Please leave a comment if you have time!  Anonymous comment are welcome, even months/years later!_____________________________________

If you enjoyed this post you might also enjoy:

heart quilt
Heart Quilt
Heart Window
Button Heart
Spring Mini-Album
Mixed Media 1
Mosaics
Valent Hutch 3
Valent Hutch 2
Valent Hutch 1
Valentine Ball
Button Love



Rock Window

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I am linking up to these parties:   
Imparting grace: Grace at home 455 (Entry 110)
Artsy mama: Artsy party Th 7a (Entry 98)
My Slices of Life: Hearts+Home Handmade Th 6a (Entry 73)
Pieced Pastimes.gr: Saturday Sparks 501 (L Entry 11 of 100.)
Eclectic Red Barn: Thurs Favorite Things Th 7a (Entry 189)
Also KatherinesCorner: Th 7a (Entry 189)
Also Follow the yellow brick: Th 7a (Entry 189)
Life beyond Kitchen: Creatively Crafty 314 Th 4p (Entry 23)
LeCultivateur: Wonderful Wed 43 (m Entry 173r)
Modern on Monticello: Home matters Fri 366 (s Entry 1r of 112r.)
My Hubbard Home: Fri with Friends (Entry 30)
Pennys Passion: Fri Favorites (Entry 20)
Pams Party: Dare to share 506 Fri 11p (m Entry 26)
Its a small town life: Thankful Th (Entry 15)
Simply Beautiful: Funtastic 371 Thur 8p (i Entry 7
)
Also Two Chicks and a Mom: Funtastic Thur 8p (i Entry 7
)
Country Road 407: Farmhouse Friday 240 (L Entry 33)
Ohmyheartsiegirl: Wonderful Wed 267 Party (s 192)
Cottagemarket: A morning cup of Joe 75 (L Entry 27)
Shabby art boutique: Create-bake-grow-gather 506 (L Entry 40x)
The house on Silverado: Sun on Silverado 80 (Entry 6)
Ducks n a Row: Happiness is Homemade Sun a (Entry 66)
Life and Linda: Dishing it Digging it 136 Sun 3p (l Entry 45)
Grammys grid: Valentines themed linkup (Entry 49)
April Harris: Hearth and Soul 1st Sun 10p (Entry )
Franca: Keep Calm and Carry On (Entry )
Create with Joy: Inspire me Sun-Mon (m Entry 57)
My Random: Anything Goes 319 (Entry 40)
Good Random Fun: Good Fun Mon 4a (m Entry 10)
BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday 6a (s Entry 29x)
Anitaojeda: Inspire Me Mon 4p (s Entry )
Uncommon Slice: Inspire Me Mon 2-4p (m Entry 74)
* Stroll Life: Inspire Me 204 Mon 3p (l Entry 31)
Common Ground: All About Home Mon 6p (l Entry 13)
Loulougirls: Fabulous-party 411 Mon 1p (l Entry 5)
Across the Blvd: Beautifully Made 202 Tue 8a (Entry 13)
Lindas lunacy: Making-a-home 252 Tue 9a (m Entry 11)
Karins Kottage: Centerpiece Wed (Entry 16)
My Wee Abode: Tuesday Turn About (s Entry 87)
LeCultivateur: Wonderful Wed 44 (m Entry 36)
Faeries and Fauna: Waste not Wed 198 (l Entry x)
Stonecottageadventures: Tues with a twist 460 (l Entry 34)
Gingersnap crafts:Wow me Tue 541 7p (Entry 8x)
Karins Kottage: Cottage Party Wed (Entry 54)
Flusterbuster: Creative Muster 475 Wed (l Entry x)
My Thrift Store Addiction: Vintage Charm 324 Wed (m Entry 29)
Grandmas house: Grandmas house 283 Wed 4p (m Entry 29)
French Ethereal: Share Your Style Wed 6p (Entry )

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