Arizona Bound + A Little Cactus Love

Today we hop on a plane and head southwest for ten glorious days in the Arizona sunshine. Aside from my quick two-day trip to Atlanta over the new year and a couple of road trips to Indianapolis, this will be the first time in 2015 that I'm really traveling - which feels a little strange to this travel junkie. I can't tell you guys how ready I am to get away for a few. This marks the fourth year in a row that we take this trip, and the second year that Essley comes along. She was only ten weeks old last year and I don't think she quite got it, but this year, I know she's going to be stoked. Essley and I will be hanging in Scottsdale for a few days, and then Robbie will join us there on Sunday, after the band's nearly three month winter tour comes to an end. We're going to the Grand Canyon for a couple of days next week and I think I'm most excited about that - for the chance to just be, surrounded by nature and away from the city. And of course, I can't wait for the weather. It's admittedly been pretty great weather here the past few days, but consistent sunshine and warm desert air is basically all I can think about.

I've been working around the clock for the last couple of weeks, pretty much every waking minute when I've had help with Essley and when she's slept, so that I won't have to work much while I'm gone. I decided that this year, I want to be able to spend as much time as possible outside, and not have to worry about devoting several hours a day to time inside in front of my computer. It feels good to be not only caught up, but ahead of schedule (which never happens - like, never). I'm mentally a little exhausted, but I'm confident it will be worth it once I'm there and able to give my brain a break. The art/card shop will be closed this week and most of next, but there will still be regular posts here on the blog, almost everyday, as usual. And I'm sure I'll be excessively posting like a crazy person over on Instagram (@bubbyandbean). Sunshine and cacti after a midwest winter will do that to you.

And speaking of cacti, how 'bout those gorgeous pictures above? They got me super pumped for the trip. I hope they inspire you as well.

Cactus images from top: 1. Vtwonen //  2. Style and Create  //  3. NY Times //  4. Atelier Stella  //  5. Pacific Horticulture  //  6. Fine Art America

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