Weekend Notes: Sedona, Chocolate, and Roses

Happy Weekend! I am so glad you came to visit with me today! How has your weekend been going?! This weekend, I am finishing up with Halloween decorations, and painting Katelyn's room. Last weekend, was a fun filled adventure! There is nothing funner than a three hour tour, that turns into a get lost adventure! Sunday morning, the girls and I headed out on our road trip to Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon, Arizona. Little did we know what a fun adventure we would have! My mom lives in Prescott, so I was imagining an hour or so up to Sedona, have lunch do a little shopping than take the 17 South back to home, but as we all know, well thought out plans rarely go as they are expected to.

{ Snoopy Rock in Sedona, AZ. I took this from a moving vehicle

 with my cell phone, wrong time of day}

It's called Snoopy rock, because the smaller rock formation is reminiscent of when Snoopy is laying on his back on his dog house!
Can you see it??

Here is what a PRO took of the same Rock Formation. 

source

While driving up North in Arizona, I noticed there are a ton more round abouts than I remember. I know it's been ten years or so, since I've been up North, besides visiting family. This is what happened!
I thought I was supposed to take and that I was taking, what was supposed to be 89A, which was a roundabout, and instead I kept on heading North! About an hour later, when I knew I should have passed through Jerome, this thought popped into my mind.

Why haven't we hit Jerome yet, and we shouldn't be headed to Ashfork!

 Ok, that's two thoughts, but I thought we were on the right track! When I realized, we missed our turn, and now had to travel to Flagstaff another hour and a half away to take the 17S or the 179 to Sedona. My three hour trip has now turned into a six hour trip!

Which my youngest daughter, Lindsay replied, "Well, you wanted to take a Roadtrip, Momma!!! I love how she is just a so matter of fact, no nonsense kinda girl!

It turned out fine in the end, a very gorgeous and relaxing roadtrip! If we had come up through Jerome, we wouldn't have seen all the Scenic Views of the Red Rocks. In Flagstaff we saw several deer right off the road. The leaves are changing colors in Oak Creek, but haven't changed all the way, but they were striking none the less. They've changed to yellow, but there were barely any red or orange. In a couple of weeks, it should look something like this.

source

Now I know where to catch the trail head to hike Oak Creek Canyon, and that my daughter was seriously scared of the switchbacks along the Scenic Route of Oak Creek Canyon.

By the way the weather here in Arizona is absolutely gorgeous. We are enjoying 85F weather, with late afternoon showers. Pure heaven!

Autumn never used to be my favorite season, I've always been a Summer girl. Except for the last couple of years the Summers have been really hard on me here. Not having all four seasons here, in the part of Arizona where I live, I forget that Fall produces some absolutely Gorgeous displays of color; that just 'PoP' with their striking beauty!

source

I have a confession to make, I love just All Things Pumpkin, but it may come as a surprise, that I don't really care for Pumpin Pie. There is however a special place in my heart for Pumpkin Cheesecake Icecream from Ben and Jerry's. 

When I got to thinking about it, I haven't had anything with Chocolate and Pumpkin. That is all going to change when I came upon this recipe for Pumpkin Chocolate Cheesecake Bars! They look amazingly delicious!

 Pumpkin Chocolate Cheesecake Bars

Here are a few more links to enjoy reading!

10 Unexcpected Ways to cook with Pumpkin

Great Tips for Storing, Cleaning and Using your Produce

5 Natural and Simple Engergy Boosters

10 Healthy Snacks You can Pack and Eat Anywhere

Thank you so much for stopping by today!  

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Until next time!

xo,

 You can follow me here!

Twitter | Bloglovin | Google+ | Facebook | Pinterest

Driftwood, Seashells and Roses

via

Good morning ! How has your week/ weekend been? With Summer vacation officially started, it's been much slower around here. On Wednesday it was very exciting to see Katelyn graduate from 6th grade. We celebrated by sharing a Hot Fudge sundae, and giggled over the things that went on over her last couple days of school. It's a rare thing to be able to spend time with my children one on one; time which both of us truly enjoyed.

 

Katelyn with one of her teachers

 

 

The last couple of days have been very restful and relaxing. While the kids have been swimming in the pool, I've been flipping through magazines, I've been wanting to read, but only get a quick minute or two, and I don't really like skimming articles. Here is what I have been dreaming about.

 

 

1. We are planning several trips, not sure which ones will actually happen. The first place is to Corona del Mar in Orange County. It's been too long, since I visited Sherman Gardens there.

 

source

 

On a trip almost 10 years ago, I drove along Pacific Coast Highway to San Diego, and I remember all the gorgeous beaches we passed. Just looking for new places to explore, rather than our usual trip to the beach.

 

source

 

2. With the children getting a little older now, I've been wanting to hike up in Sedona. One of the hiking trails, that looks like the perfect one, is West Fork at Oak Creek Canyon. It's said to be one of the most picturesque for every season. How beautiful it would be in the Fall?! In the Summer, this looks like it would be nice and cool, with refreshing water and tons of shade.

 

source

3. Bright cheery Summer colors. I've been looking at my blog, and knowing I need to update the header, and give it more of a Summer Look, or maybe add a few colorful touches here and there.

 

 

(affiliate link) 

Trina Turk Trellis Coral Abstract Embroidered Decorative Pillow, 20 by 12-Inch, Turquoise/Coral

source

 

4. Driftwood and Seashells- go together like Roses and Peonies. Summertime for me means, it's time to head to the beach. It doesn't matter if I live in a desert that has plenty of sand, I want to feel the ocean breeze, smell the salt air, and listen to the waves as they crash upon the sand.

 

5. Roses- Is it sad, that I miss my rose bushes more, at the old house, rather than the kitchen!
Another side trip in California would also include a trip to Roger's Gardens. I've been dreaming of their roses, and it's been over 20 years since I was last there.

I am looking for a deep pink, very fragrant rose, and this one looks perfect to me!

source 

 



David Austin English Roses Huntington Rose (affiliate link)!

 

Hope you all have a relaxing Memorial Weekend!

Until next time!!

xo Christine

Want to stay connected & up to date with Cherishing A Sweet Life? Don’t forget to follow on Facebook, Instagram, & Pinterest!