Unusual

I discovered this unusual house quite by accident.  The  garage is down where those cars are parked and then it appears there is an elevator taking you up to that walkway to approach the actual house.  The house itself appears to be shaped in a large oval.

Patriotic Display

I work across the street from this four-story building and I see this flag flying in their atrium every day.  It is on permanent display inside the building protected from rain, sun, and polution.

Twin Poppies

Twin poppies growing in a field of blue and purple flowers.

Prickly Pear Pad

A new pad has grown on this prickly pear cactus.  Those thorns are not quite so intimidating when they are babies.

Stainless Steel Kitchen

I discovered that if you set your little point and shoot camera on a stainless steel counter and point it into a stainless steel kitchen full of smoke and steam, you get all kinds of tricky reflections and foggy illusions.

This is the kitchen for the new Hillstone restaurant in Phoenix. It replaces the old Houston’s restaurant.  Same restaurant, different name and new location.

More Patterns

One more photo from Steele Indian School Park.  This is a design on the top of the third remaining building that was once the Band Building.  The school had a very well known marching band and this building is where the instruments and uniforms were kept.  I’m sorry I don’t have picture of the whole building but, I can say it’s not as grand in scale as the Dining Hall and Memorial Hall featured yesterday and Thursday.

Romanesque Revival

This is the top of Memorial Hall anther building that remains at Steele Indian School Park.  I feature a photo of this building way back in October of 2008.  I just like all the patterns in this photo.

Symmetry in design

The very top of a building at the Steele Indian School Park. When this property was a federally run Indian School, this building served as the dining hall.  The school was set up by the federal government in 1891 and was closed in 1990. 

The smaller photo shows the whole building.  If you are interested in learning more about the Indian School you can check this link.

Red Head

Red thorns on a green cactus.

Western Art

In the meeting room of a local restaurant.  Decorated skulls are a common sight in the southwest.

Palm Seeds

A large cluster of palm seeds.  Since these were located in a business district, they will probably just fall to the ground and make a bit of a mess for the gardener to clean up.  Some places harvest these for palm oil and crafts.

Silk

I’m starting to see cactus blooming.  This blossom looks like it’s made of silk.

Coming in for a landing

There are a few flowering pear trees still blooming around town.  When I took this shot, I had no idea there was a bee approaching the cluster of flowers.

Reflection

These bright flowers are nicely reflected in the little pond below them.

Woodpecker

I finally got a good shot of a Gila Woodpecker.  There is a pair of these that hang out in my back yard but the second they hear the back door open, they are gone.  I spotted this one at a nearby park.

Vivid

These brilliant aloe blooms were too gorgeous to pass up.

Colorful

One last butterfly shot.  This is a Pipevine Swallowtail enjoying some colorful daisies. 

Enjoyment

Kids love the butterfly pavilion as evidenced by the enjoyment on the face of this young man.  He was so intent on watching a butterfly in front of him that he had no idea one had hitched a ride on his shirt.

Butterfly Eyes

The butterflies are back at the botanical garden and this time I took the macro with me and looked right into this guy’s eyes.

Pet Tote

After a day of touring luxury homes, my friends and I stopped for a little happy hour refreshment and I noticed across the room a dog that the owner snuck into the restaurant in her purse.  The dog was extremely well behaved.  He stayed in the purse the whole time we were there and never uttered a peep.

Cowboy Ciao

Before my friends and I set out on the Tour for Life last Sunday, we stopped for brunch at a favorite place called Cowboy Ciao. They describe their food as “modern American food with global influences”. Whatever they call it, I’ve always enjoyed everything I’ve been served. They pair their meals with a 3200 bottle wine selection. Ask for a recommendation, it takes way too long to read the wine list.

You can view their web site here.

Hillside Modern

Another home we visited on the Tour for Life was this lovely house clinging to a rocky hillside.  Where you see those window shades open in the center is the level at which the living area is situated. So, it’s a bit of a climb to reach the front door.  The sides and back of this home are all glass giving it an open feeling even if it is right up against the mountain.  There was even a narrow pool in back sitting right up against the rocks.  I really liked this one but, I’d have to install an elevator to live there.

Ultra-Modern

For the last three days I’ve been showing you photos from the Indian Fair & Market that I attended on Saturday. Today I’m switching to another event that I attended on Sunday. This event is called Tour for Life and it is a tour of 9 uniquely beautiful homes that the owners have very graciously opened for participants to tour.

Pictured above is the entrance to this home, a purely modernist place that was originally built in 1979 but completely redesigned in 2009. The sidewalk leading up to the house was so white it was almost blinding. That same material was carried out to the back and around the pool making the area quite brilliant in the Arizona sun. 

The smaller photo was taken from the kitchen area looking through the family room and into the back yard.
I love that fireplace that hangs from the ceiling.

Dancing Beads

This is Beverly (Bear King) Moran a wonderful beadwork artist.  Her heritage is from the Standing Rock Sioux and Turtle Mountain Chippewa.  A beautiful lady who does beautiful work, her business is called Dancing Beads by Bear King.

Navajo Weaver

Meet Nanabah Aragon, a very talented traditional Navajo weaver.  She’s at work on one of her spectacular rugs and was very gracious to allow me to take her photo while she was at work.  She is one of a few weavers that were at the Indian Fair & Market at the Heard Museum.

Indian Fair & Market

Yesterday and today is the 53rd annual Indian Fair & Market at the Heard Museum. I try to make it to this event every year because the art work is simply fabulous. I happened to be there in time to see a performance by this group, Xavier Quijas Yxayotl and The Aztec Dance Group. Their costumes were simply brilliant as you can see from this photo.


March is one of the busiest months in the Phoenix area with all kinds of cultural events. Sometimes it’s hard to squeeze it all in.

Steeple

This is the steeple of the First Presbyterian Church in downtown Phoenix,  The church was founded in 1876 and the church building was built in 1927.

George Washington Carver Museum

I found yesterday’s statue in front of the entrance to the George Washington Carver Museum.  This building was at one time a high school of the same name.  The museum was closed when I was there and their website says they are only open from noon to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday.  I’m betting the majority of their visitors come from local school field trips.

Discovery

I recently discovered this wonderful statue of George Washington Carver near downtown Phoenix.  Tomorrow I’ll show you where I found it.

St. Joseph

This is the main entrance to St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center.  I can see the buildings that make up this center from my back yard.  The hospital has served the Phoenix area for over 115 years it is ranked 8^th in the nation in neurology and neurosurgery.

Theme Day: My Favorite Part of Town

My favorite part of town is the neighborhood I live in.  The area known as Mid-Town.  I love that I can see high-rise buildings from my back yard but it still feels like a cozy neighborhood out front.  I love that I am so close to the things I love, theatres and museums.  And, I love that I can walk to the light rail and ride all the way to Tempe for a fun lunch or dinner in that busy college town.

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