The Two Month Mark

Last day in Austin together

Last day in Austin together

Two months ago (01/29/2016) today, a Friday, Jason and I rolled down I-40 West in a 26′ long Penske pulling a U-Haul trailer, arriving in Flagstaff, Arizona at the Little America Truck Stop. Prior to that we packed for days while sharing tears with friends.  Then we bravely  pulled onto 290 West for the long 18 hour drive to Arizona. Leaving an amazing community of friends, a sweet house of 12 years, chickens, majestic Live Oak Trees, dear neighbors, and a spirited city.

Penske Heading to Arizona

Penske Heading to Arizona

Getting a fresh start, setting forth on a new adventure, changing it up… that was the catalyst and that is what we are doing in Northern Arizona.  I have been thinking about the last two months and how it feels a bit like the two month mark with a new baby.  Mama and baby are definitely out and about, feeling sturdy, a little less raw, ready to venture out in the world, reconnect with friends and dig in to resuming a normal life.  ‘Homesick tears’ come and go and there is still the lingering feeling if one will feel ever return to their normal selves.

Paperwhites & Skull on Clawson

Paperwhites & Skull on Clawson

Of course I had a real sense of urgency to create normalcy for the kids and the family  at large by creating a tidy and organized home, happy school situation, and revolving around our Flagstaff family, but it has taken some time and required patience and gentleness with all involved. My family (Dallas, Tucson, Flagstaff)  and friends’ (Austin & Flagstaff) support has been infused with such energy and love along the way it still brings me to spontaneous tears just thinking about all that they have done for us.

Hearth and Home on Terrace

Hearth and Home on Terrace

We now have  the amazing fortune to be embraced by the neat folks up at NACET and their extended network of Local First Arizona & Womens Innovation Network of Flagstaff.  I need to take this opportunity to thank Heather Malloy for being a guardian angel and connecting Jason and I to some key people that have really made our transition to Flagstaff in the  professional realm dynamic.  These folks have made a big difference in our confidence and sense of empowerment with the business ventures we are undertaking.

Library of Dreams & Ideas

Library of Dreams & Ideas

Annie’s Omnium has come home to roost!  Stay tuned for more posts and announcements about upcoming services (Fresh Configurations), events (Business grand openings), and daily observations (Instagram)!

Magnolia Tree

Martin Johnson Heade was a 19th century American painter, initially part of the Hudson River School depicting the New England landscape… until he ventured to South America and discovered the fantastical world of hummingbirds, orchids, passion flowers, magnolia blossoms and lotus blossoms which Roberta Smith of the NY Times describes as ‘palpably naturalistic yet dramatically decorative and artificial.’
MARTIN JOHNSON HEADE by Theodore E. Stebbins, Jr.

There are some things that make me appreciative of living in Austin…experiencing the magnificent Magnolia tree is one of them!

This beautiful specimen is in a lovely garden that Jason has had the privilege of working in for the past year. Every few weeks I stop by this project to see Jason’s progress and enjoy the seasonal changes in the landscape.

The Magnolia blossoms were so beautiful today… inky white petals and leathery green leaves…
one time I asked a shoe maker to dye me a pair of boots like a Magnolia leaf… just so you know, he couldn’t quite do it.

Tea Rose & Eggs

Feeling lucky to have a husband who is a gardener! Feeling lucky to have chickens in the backyard! Our family owned business JBIRD & COMPANY offers a variety of services… design, construction, maintenance. Installing vegetable gardens, planting fruit trees, building chicken coops, and helping people have an urban farm~ no matter how small… in their backyard (or front yard) are some of the services that we provide. Stay tuned for a new and improved www site for JBIRD & COMPANY with lovely photographs by our talented friend Jody Horton.