Once back at the hotel, we had a nap and then headed out to dinner and the pub Mickey Finn’s in Clonakilty.  It was awesome!  We had a great time and Kate even sang a few of her most popular songs.  Too cool!

I left on Saturday, June 26th and my flight was supposed to leave at 11 in the morning.  Once there, I learned that my flight was delayed two hours.  The agents weren’t sure I would make my connecting flight.  Yipe!  I was really worried about Mom having to fly to Ireland all by herself. Not a way I wanted to start our vacation.  Never fear — I made it with lots of time to spare.  I flew Continental and I love them.  They always feed you and give you great entertainment.  Check out that turkey dog!

Interestingly enough, I flew the exact same plane the whole way.  Once I landed in Newark, I called Mom and asked her which gate we were supposed to be flying out of.  Originally it was C 90.  My plane was flying into gate 94.  All of a sudden she said, “Oh wait!  They’re moving us to gate 94.”  So, I had absolutely nothing to worry about. It was great seeing Mom waiting for me when I got off the plane.   While waiting in the airport, Mom met a really nice gal named Roberta.  She was going on a similar tour and we were actually going to meet up with her group a couple times on the trip. We had to take the obligatory pre-adventure shot.

I was bit apprehensive about taking the same plane to Ireland that I had just flown from Arizona.  I thought maybe the plane might need a rest.  She really wasn’t that big either.  Only two rows with three seats in each row.

Talk about great luck — Mom was on the aisle, I was on the window and we had no one in the center seat.  Once the flight attendants closed the doors, Mom and I did a little high five and started spreading out.  We were super happy!    See the little screen on the back of the seat?  Each of us had our own little TV with super cool movies.  I watched “The Crazies.”  If you haven’t seen it and you like end-of-the-world-outbreak kind of movies — you should see it.  They kept us well fed and we landed at Shannon Airport around 7am on Sunday.

Most folks fly into Dublin and don’t know about Shannon.  It’s the difference between Atlanta’s airport and Asheville’s.  Shannon is super small and easy.

I called our B&B and they gave us the name and number of a great cabbie — Andy.  We arrived at the Ashgrove House around 9am just in time for delicious Irish coffees.  That sure put me in the mood to sleep.

Isn’t it adorable?  Sheila and Frank are the proprietors and their hospitality cannot be beat!

This was our room for the next two days.  Being the awesome daughter that I am, I let Mom sleep in the big bed.  I was just happy to have some place to get horizontal.

I loved the applique on the duvets.

We had our own back entrance which was really nice.

This is what was in the back of the house.  I love the laundry flapping in the wind.  FYI: Our weather was gorgeous!  We only had two days of rain the entire trip.

Each night we slept with our windows open.  We could hear the cattle lowing — it’s just not for Christmas carols.    Anyway, I took a pretty long nap and then Shelia gave Mom and I a ride down to the town center.

We ate at Durty Nelly’s which had pretty good food.

After dinner, we walked back to the B&B.

The pub sits in the shadows of Bunratty Castle.  It was built sometime in the 15th Century and is older than our country.

Mom walking back to the Ashgrove House.

In front of our drive-way.

Once we made it back, we relaxed in the backyard.  At 10:30 at night, it was still broad daylight — Weird!  It took some getting used to.

The following day, we ate a traditional Irish Breakfast.  BTW — I felt like I was eating every 30 minutes on this trip.  The food was delicious and I think I gained 10 lbs on the trip.

I swiped the above picture off the internet, but it looks exactly what we ate the second morning.  The little black looking biscuit is blood pudding.  It really was quite good, but once I knew exactly what it was made of I had a psychological block and couldn’t eat it any more.  I can now empathize with all those picky eaters.    Shelia’s scones were scrumptious and the tea was the best I’ve ever had in my life.  Barry’s.  Mom bought some at a local market to bring back to the states.

The second day was spent lounging in our rooms.  Reading, napping, resting up for the tour.  That night, we met up with everyone on the tour and ate at Gallagher’s.  Such good food!

Okay, now bear with me as I show some of Shelia’s gorgeous flowers.

And finally, meet my favorite character living at the Ashgrove House.

Sydney!  He was new to the family (they only had him for two weeks).

He wouldn’t cooperate for a proper close up.  Such a cutie!

*Be sure to follow Mom’s blog at www.gibbysgirl.com/mamapuff/ Just click on her link right under Chuck’s photography link.*

The next day we were so whupped from the night before, that we slept in super late.  Once we woke up, we headed to one of our favorite eating establishments — Fargo’s.

While I normally love their food, I think I might have gotten a bad burger.  I didn’t feel so hot after our late lunch.  Poo! 

Chuck mugging for the camera.  This is the front of the restaurant and clearly Chucklebutt’s meal had no effect whatsoever on him.  We were going to do some more geocaching, but between an upset tummy and miscommunication, we started fussing and cussing and headed back to the hotel.  I can’t remember really what I was so irritated about, but I was HOT!   Momma would say (and Daddy too) that I had “a case of the ass.”  Anywho, I took a nap and was much better when I woke up.  It’s amazing how naps work like that.

The final day, we headed up to the West Clear Creek Wilderness.  For all you Arizonans, this is a gorgeous area and I recommend it to anyone who can hike down into a canyon.  Again, we had to do the dirt road thing and actually cross a few fences.

Breakin’ the Law!  Breakin’ the Law!

There were a few other cars in the parking area and some folks getting ready to go down the canyon.  An older gentleman who was just coming up from below, told me that it was an incredible sight.  I have been wanting to do this hike for the past three years.  Finally we were here!

The following pictures will not do the area any justice, but it was seriously steep!

Pretty blooms.  Nice shots Chuck!

Just through those trees is gorgeous West Clear Creek.

Check out that view!

Words cannot describe how awesome the canyon was.

Chuck is too cute swimming.

The water was sooo cold, but we finally got used to it and found some really deep pockets to swim in.  We swam for quite a long time and eventually our whole bodies became numb.  I really didn’t want to leave.  We’ve promised each other to take a weekend in July and head back up so we can camp.  There were great spots along the sand bars to pitch a tent.  We’re also bringing our fishing poles next time. 

Climbing back up the canyon was a bitch!  Boy are we out of shape.  Some young whipper snappers came running by and we choked on their dust.  We had to take it slow so as not to have a coronary.

Jiggle Puff taking a breather.  Does my butt look big? 

We used muscles that I didn’t even know I had.  We were both walking like little old people for the next two days.  Ouch!

This was an awesome adventure and I can’t wait to go back.  Thanks Baby for a great time.

Over Memorial Day Weekend, we headed up to Payson for some awesome hiking and swimming.  We usually stay at the Majestic Mountain Inn, but they were all booked.  The Best Western was a pretty good substitute.  While it wasn’t the Ritz, it definitely served its purpose.

Super spacious rooms to spread all our stuff around.

Our room was the one on top.  It was nice having our own little balcony.  Apparently there was a big wedding going on and the entire wedding party was in the rooms below us.  They were an interesting group.

The grounds were really pretty and the continental breakfast rocked!  We got to make our own Belgian waffles.  Yumm-eee.

Chuck loading up the car.

Why yes we are wearing the same style pants — and if you must know, the same size too.

On Saturday, we decided to go in search of the Verde River Hot Springs.  One of the geocaches we were working on, led us right to them.  Now let me just say, that it was one heck of a trip just getting to the parking lot.  We had to turn off two dirt roads, and were it not for Esmerelda — my new car — we wouldn’t have made it.  Talk about needing a high clearance vehicle!  Anyway, the area was pretty remote — near the old Childs-Irving Power Plant.

I swiped the above picture from the APS website.  The history is pretty fascinating.

So, when we got to the parking area, we noticed that it was PACKED with people.  And not just any sort of people, but beer drinking, pot smoking, pit bull dog kind of peole.  I have never seen so many pit bulls in all my life.  It was like a dog show for the breed.  Now let me just say, that I do not like pit bulls — I’ll admit it, I’m a breedist.  Give me a Lab, Golden or Lhasa any day of the week.  Pit bulls?  Ummm…not so much.  As we started out on our hike, this pit bull comes running after us.  Actually not really running, more like trotting.  His owner kept yelling at him but the dog was not interested in the slightest.  I tried to ignore the fella and kept walking.  All of a sudden I noticed that something was stepping on my heels.  Yup!  You guessed it — Fido wasn’t watching where he was going.  EEEP!  I almost went into panic attack mode and wet my pants.  I did some deep breathing all the while Chuck is snickering.  He’s not scared of any dog.  Anyway, the owner finally wrangled the dog back to camp and we were on our way.

Gorgeous views!

Once leaving the campsites, we didn’t really run into anyone.  Just the way we like it.

We found the geocache and a whole slew of tadpoles.  I mean they were EVERYWHERE!  From the cache’s location, we went in search of the hot springs.  The only directions we had were to cross the river and look for the palm trees.  Mind you, it was quickly getting dark and the sun had almost set completely.

We ran into these fellows upstream.  They were drinking something that looked like antifreeze.  They were super happy and very friendly.    This is Chuck crossing the river.  We were told to do so at this particular spot because it was the shallowest.  FYI — Just because it was shallow, does NOT mean that the current wasn’t swift.  Once crossing the river, the guys asked us if we knew where we were going.  We lied and told them yes — not our brightest move.

We found the palm trees and Chuck took to taking some neat pics with a flashlight.  Oh yeah — and we were in pretty much complete darkness.

We found the foundation of the old hotel and figured that was all there was.  Perhaps we had misunderstood what was actually up there.  So, we headed back across the river where we ran into some seriously inebriated folks and — you guessed it!  — more pit bulls.  One of the guys was hilarious and said that there were actual hot springs.  He said they weren’t very far and we just HAD to come.  They crossed the river and both of their dogs got caught in  he current.  They finally made it across and I convinced a grumpy Chucklebutt we were following these crazy people.  He was not impressed and his thought bubble was pretty rude.  Anyway, I’m glad I took charge, because check out what we discovered!

We did not take this picture — remember we were there in the pitch black.  It was awesome!!  The pools were pretty crowded (and there was that whole clothing optional thing going on) so we headed down to the river where we went swimming in the run off.  It was so incredible and well worth all the hassle.  And the stars?  OMG!  I have never seen the stars so vibrant.  It was just a magical night.  We had such a good time despite the ruckus above us.

As we were leaving, this crazy fellow kept wanting us to go into the big pools.  We tried to explain to him that we had experienced the water down below.  He was not buying it.  Chuck and I had to do a “Hey what’s that behind you?”  and run like hell.  Before leaving, we did manage to encounter some bats which freaked me out and ran into Chuck’s chest.  Never a dull moment!

Stay tuned — there’s more craziness to come. 

Do you know this book?

It’s written by this super talented woman — Claudine Hellmuth.  Check out what I made.

It was a technique class and I learned some really valuable collage tricks.

I have gotten more use out of the above lace.  A few years ago, Mom and I went in together and bought a real pretty wedding gown at Goodwill for 50 bucks.  We divided it equally and I have used the fabric and lace in reams of projects.

I love creepy doll heads!

I really like this little canvas.  I dig all things Halloween and I wanted to do a piece in honor of the spooky holiday.  BTW — Claudine’s paints rock!!  They are pricier than other paints, but you truly get what you pay for.  I love how you can add just a little water to them and they become translucent.  I also learned how to use petroleum jelly on your canvases to create an eerie look.  I have so many ideas — the world of art canvases has opened up to me — now I just need to find some time.  HA!

The other class we took was Jenny Hernandez’s love birds.  They will eventually sit on a box, but I sorta liked them hanging out on this teacup.

OMG!!  Are they not freaking adorable?!  The little boy bluebird reminds me of Chucklebutt — both have really big heads.  Hahahahahahahahah! 

Awwwww!  It is Chucklebutt and Jiggle Puff.  Happy Hump Day everyone.

This dead tree is in front of the restaurant.  I wish our dead tree looked as cool.  Sigh.

I love this fountain.  I wonder if Chucklebutt would put one in our yard for me?

Check out that cactus garden!  It’s gorgeous.  Exactly what desert landscape should look like.

One of my favorite things about the property is the family “museum.”  It’s really no bigger than a living room, but it has some neat stuff inside — including Native American artifacts and Western collectibles.

Me with two of my favorite people — Lucille and her sister Virginia.  They are some cool ladies!

This is the trellis coming into the restaurant.  I keep manipulating our bougainvillea so that it will look like this.

Here is the whole gang waiting for the bus to pick them up.  Afterwards, we headed to the outlet mall which was a bit disappointing.  So many of the stores have closed and I’m not one for Guess Brand or Liz Claiborn.  Wouldn’t it be cool if there was a Magnolia Pearl outlet store?!?!  Anywhoo, I passed time by hanging out in the kitchen store and eating a most delectable treat — shaved ice.  Apparently, I have never had a proper shaved ice.  It was so darn good.  The guy started with a huge slab of ice and this super-cool machine that actually made shaved ice — super smooth and no chunks.  I asked him which was the best flavor and he likes banana with a little bit of cream on top.  OMG it was so good!

Bedillon’s and banana shaved ice — both worth the hour trip to no-man’s land.

Have a great week everyone! 

Do you know Bad Kitty?  This is a fabulous book that my dear Aunt Meme gave to me and it describes her kitty to a T.  Her kitty is Missy and she looks just like the kitty on the cover.  She also shares a very strong resemblance with Basement Kitty.  You know Basement Kitty?

Okay, that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but she definitely looks like the next one.

Pretty fluffy tail included.  My aunt and uncle have had Missy for many years.  They got her as a kitten and she has always been a little “off.”  Sorta like the sociopathic child.  She was never abused, and yet she hisses and bites and is an all-around pill to everyone she comes in contact with.  The week my father died, she attacked my great uncle and drew blood.  While I’d like to think that was her way of showing grief, something tells me it was more a crime of opportunity.  As a younger person, I can remember walking into her bedroom (yes she had her own room) and she would lift her head and hiss at me.  It went some thing like this.  “Hey Missy.”  “Hissssssssssss!”  “Why you gotta be such a hater?”  “Hisssssssssss!”  Her vocabulary has always been limited.

Fast forward at least 11 years.  Missy is still alive and kicking and terrorizing a whole new generation.

After Mom and I left Savannah on Sunday, we headed up the coast to Charleston to visit my aunt and uncle — and by proxy, Missy.  As soon as we got to their house, my cousin’s 3 year old daughter comes running out to great us.  She is precious personified, complete with curly hair that would make Shirley Temple jealous.  Anyhoo, she comes running up to Mom (who btw is deaf in one ear) and proceeds to twitter like only 3 year olds can.  Mom is hilarious in the re-enacting, but I’ll do my best.  “meep whee ooo smeeeg haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa (done in a real breathy sounding voice)!”  Mom immediately translates the “haaaaaaaa” as a hiss and voila!  Mom is being given a warning about Missy!  Sure enough, once in the house, Bad Kitty hisses at us and runs off.  I guess there’s comfort in constants!    Later when the other kids arrived they all begged my aunt to “put Missy up!  put Missy up!”  I had to tease my aunt about traumatizing her grandchildren, but it’s good to know that Missy hasn’t lost her effectiveness in old age.  She is one bad kitty!

Here are a few shots of me and the fam.  It was great visiting with them.  I wish we didn’t live so far away.

Three generations of good looking women.  Can you guess which one is the harbinger of “bad kitty doom?”

While it was a rainy day, the beauty under the Big Top was incredible!

So many goodies!  I was really worried about getting everything back on the plane.  (Incidentally, if you are 1 pound over the limit, Delta charges you 90 bucks!!  Holy Cow!  They really don’t want you going over the limit.)

Isn’t that tree gorgeous?  I love all the Spanish moss.

Our first class was with Miss Dollybelle herself — Christine Rose Elle.

After Christine’s class, we began making our parasols.  I had such a great time working with all the fabrics, especially the ones from Sisboom.  I had some trouble using the no-sew tape, but that’s what mothers are for. 

This is Charlene and she is so much fun!  I really connected with her and I hope to visit her in Texas come the fall.  The Marburger Farm Antique Show isn’t too far from where she is.  That way I can feed my addiction to Magnolia Pearl duds.

This is the Ford Plantation and we were lucky enough to get to eat lunch inside.

Hey Miss Scarlett!

One of the participants made each of us a white chocolate parasol.  Yummy!

Lunch was delicious and I had my first Amaretto Sour.  To die for!  I could go for one right now.

This was the picture from the outside of the house.  Isn’t that gorgeous?!

I love hydrangea.  I think it might be my favorite flower.  I sure do miss seeing them grow.  It’s too dry and hot for them in Arizona.

The final class of the day was the lovely Miss Tiffany’s.

I’ve been following her blog for quite some time and it was great finally meeting her.  She is one of the most sincere people I have ever met.  Completely genuine — no airs — my kind of gal!

Doesn’t Mom looking sassy?

Mom and I with the gracious hostess — Thanks Jenn for an awesome weekend!

Gasoline and green dust?  What does that have to do with crafting?  Oh yes, killing fire ants.  They were some pesky, uninvited critters that really liked Mom.  She got bit and there was some drama when her foot swelled.  Next year we’ll bring some industrial size “Off.”

I think the neatest thing about this whole event was the amount of time we were able to socialize with each other.  I met some incredible women and I hope to keep in contact.  Miss you gals!!  Can’t wait to read the article in Where Women Create.