Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Where I live



I get a lot of questions about where I live, so I thought I'd tell you a little bit about it.

I live in a small town, in Northern Arizona, in a little historic neighborhood, in a little 1930s house surrounded by trees and mountains.



We get all four seasons up here.


Winter.


Spring.


Summer.


And Fall.

You'll get a picture of that this year :)


For those of you that thought Arizona was only made up of dessert, I found a map and wrote in what it's like most of the year, in the different areas.


For some reason everyone thinks that lower portion makes up the whole state, but it doesn't.

Obviously ;)


I won't tell you what town I live in exactly (although some Arizonians have figured it out), because last time when I lived in Ohio, I had people finding my house and taking pictures of it.

I had small children then, so it really bothered me.

I've had people taking pictures here too, when people mistakenly find it, but I don't want to announce it publicly on the internets.

I don't think it's safe, even without small kids.


I hope you understand :)


Where I live has a small town feel, even if it's not really that small.

We have parades, fairs and music festivals, and almost everyone knows each other.


But for the most part, people mind their own business.


It's quaint and beautiful, and we have lots of wonderful sunsets.


Even Bubba likes it.


Or maybe that's just the view of the squirrels ;)

Personally, I love it here, in this wonderful place I call home, and I never want to leave.

It's my dream come true.


xo
rue


49 comments:

  1. Guilty as charged, I thought Arizona was only made up of desert.

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  2. When we visited Scottsdale/Phoenix, I was unimpressed . . . and then we went to Sedona by way of Prescott and I fell in love with Prescott -- it had great old homes and a really good feel -- I could have moved THERE!

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  3. I don't blame you at all for not wanting to disclose your location on your blog. You just never know. You do live in a beautiful place though and I always enjoy looking at your photos. Have a lovely rest of the week!

    Hugs, Vicky

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  4. Rue, it sounds like you live in a wonderful place, and all the hometown festivals, parades, and fairs makes it even nicer. I get all the seasons too, but no snow in the winter. I have to go up in the mountains about an hour away for that. It's funny because many people think different things about different states, and it goes to show they don't know everything about it until they visit there. I did think Arizona was mostly dessert, so I'm surprised to hear it's not. I live in Northern Calif. so it gets cooooold in the winter and hot in the summer and Autumn is just beautiful. I am looking forward to seeing your Autumn there. Thanks for sharing a bit of your world, Rue. That snow picture made my heart sing. It would be so nice to open my front door and see an blanket of snow.

    Happy 4th of July, my friend.

    ~Sheri

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  5. It looks like a pretty special place, for sure. I'm glad you found such a sweet spot.

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  6. I feel the same way you do about not having people know where I live. Its kind of creepy to have someone know where you live your didn't invite to know! I've never been to Arizona and did think it was hot. I love having the four seasons and it seems like you do too. Have a happy and safe 4th of July!

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  7. I would have thought you had hot weather most of the time too. I need to find a place that goes from spring to fall and back to spring again. I could do without the extremes!

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  8. I know Arizona isn't all desert...I lived there for almost 25 years...our kids and grandkids still live there! Wish we were still there instead of east/central Kansas!
    You do have a beautiful home and great view!

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  9. Hi Rue, I have an idea what town you might live in. I love Flagstaff, Prescott, Jerome and Munds Park. Never was a desert person, but work for my husband, it's the perfect climate. It's a respite for me to go up to the mountains and smell the pine and wood burning fireplaces. Especially in the Fall, my favorite season. I understand the need for privacy. From what you said about your past, this is your home now, a place to breathe. Actually reading blogs, I always thought the blogger was brave to open up their homes for the world to see. Kathleen in Az

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    1. I'm sure you do, Kathleen ;) I love the fall too. It's my favorite of all the seasons here, I think :)

      xo

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  10. I'm so glad you love where you're at, Rue, and I think your home is so charming...in all four seasons. I don't know much about the Southwest, it's one of the areas we haven't explored and I always thought Arizona was dry, hot and flat. Then again I was watching Oprah years ago (which was filmed in Chicago) where I live, and a guest had no idea what "body of water" Chicago was on! And that we were on one! Hint: Lake Michigan. Oh well, you lived in Ohio so the Great Lakes don't draw a blank for you like some!!!

    I try not to mention key areas about where I live, however if people know your full name and town you live in, Google will do the rest. Very uneasy about that.

    Jane x

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  11. I love Northern AZ. We are going to retire to AZ, but likely Phoenix/Chandler/Mesa area so hubby can attend Cubs spring training games. If I get my druthers, that would be in 3 years. Might be longer. We'll see. :)

    thanks for sharing, and yes, by all means, stay safe!

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  12. I loved seeing your house in the different seasons!

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  13. I learned something new about Arizona today...I had no idea there were different zones. Thanks for sharing your beautiful home and town.







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    1. Gorgeous photos, Rue! I'm always amazed that we can take a short drive and enjoy completely different weather in the same state. Wanna trade for the summer? ;)

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  14. It's a lovely area as seen through your photos : )

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  15. It's a lovely area as seen through your photos : )

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  16. I just love your house in the three seasons shown here, and I'm looking forward to seeing it in the fall. It sounds and looks like you live in a really lovely part of AZ. Having the four seasons would be wonderful, not to mention living close to mountains.

    Have a lovely holiday weekend ~ FlowerLady

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  17. Lovely pictures Rue! So gorgeous. My aunt used to live in Tucson, I loved visiting her. I love the dry heat. I could see myself living in Arizona, maybe someday :)

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  18. Your area of the state is so wonderful, Rue. We lived in The Valley and the heat is one of the things that drove us away after over 20 years there. My husband had a job interview in Northern Arizona, Flagstaff to be exact, back in the early 2000's, but did not get the job. We were disappointed since it would have been a much shorter move of our household belongings as well as much closer to old friends and some of the family. I envy you living where you do... oh well.... at least we have mountain views here. xo

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  19. Rue, I love the pictures of your house and the place you live. An online friend from a reading group wrote about her recent move in AZ. They lived in the desert part and when they arrived at their new home it was thirty degrees cooler there! Wow, what a contrast! Living in a big city it is fun to hear about towns with a totally different vibe than what we have.

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  20. For some time, I thought you lived in northern CA. Happy to learn that you live in northern Arizona. :-)

    Oh I totally agree! Do not give away any more personal information, on the world wide net, than makes sense to you/me.

    It may be sad, but there are not-so-nice people out there in the world. Even if it (can) feel to us, that we Net-live in a lovely place called "Pretty Blog Land." The world wide net is the world wide net. Face up to it.

    Happy 4th of July!!!
    Tessa

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  21. That should read..... "we have to face up to it."

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  22. It's beautiful. And the Colorado River is in Colorado right? ;) I agree with the others as well - better to be safe than sorry these days.

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  23. Beautiful photos, Rue! When my grandparents first moved there twenty years ago, it was even smaller! I'm glad they did, because I can't wait to escape the heat from down here. It truly is an enchanting place!

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  24. Your town sounds wonderful, Rue. My younger sister lives in Scottsdale and loves it, but I lived in the desert in California and was not a fan. I think your part of Arizona sounds more appealing. xo Laura

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  25. Beautiful! Our country is so gorgeous and I'm so glad you found a place that really makes you happy! I now love the town I live in also. Maybe I'll look for a little cottage to buy and make it my forever home.

    Linda

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  26. Where you live sounds perfect. We live in the Houston and get a few days of spring and a few days of fall the rest of the time is summer. It is not uncommon to sweat while decorating for Christmas.
    I'm so glad you have found your happy place.

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  27. I can understand why you love it there, Rue, and maybe it's wise not to give the name--you'd have many of us moving there! There's a part of many of us who crave a town with that feel, as Jan Karon discovered when her Mitford books became so popular.

    Thank you for the map--I never new that and had thought, before I met you, that it was mostly hot and dessert.

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  28. I think the area that you live in looks beautiful...love your view of the mountains. I don't blame you for announcing the town in which you live - I never do either on my blog. I just say "northern IL". That's good enough. But the scary thing is, I'm sure someone could find either one of us if they really wanted to, just by our photos. I've thought about taking down the photos of my home...I dunno.

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  29. You forget to say that you live in the most sweet little fairytale cottage so i am saying it for ya! Ha! Lol

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  30. Rue,
    your home is adorable and your town sounds wonderful! Arizona is a great place to live lots of things to see and do. Years ago my parents moved to Cottonwood, not to far from Sedona and about an hour down the mountain from Flagstaff which I love. We loved visiting them there. I know you're enjoying your new (old home) and state!
    Rebecca

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  31. I love it too Rue! It's so beautiful. By the way I feel the same way you do. I tell people I live in the midwest or K.C., but I live in the same small town since the day I was born. Have a safe and Happy 4th!

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  32. Peaceful and beautiful, Rue. Who could ask for more?

    Barb

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  33. Shoot, every once in awhile, I look at places to live there myself. I'd love a place in the mountains that had all four seasons and a small town feel. If you see something, holler!
    Brenda

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  34. Hi Rue, love this beautiful setting where you live in Arizona. It looks to be peaceful and just so charming. Your views are gorgeous. Even Bubba looks so pleased. I can see why you love it and call it a dream come true.
    Blessings to you for much happiness there forever my friend.
    Hugs, cm

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  35. Thank you for sharing about your home and the area you live. I have always wondered about it. It was so much fun to see and to know Arizona is not all desert. :)

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  36. Oh my goodness, I could just eat Bubba up!

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  37. Rue, it is just so beautiful there! I'm a mountain person and hope to one day have a home where I see the mountains around me! I get to see some now, but it is just not the same as looking out and seeing them all around! Have a wonderful 4th! Hugs!!

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  38. Well...where ever you live in Arizona...you are surrounded by beauty. If I had a view of mountains....I would never leave! Happy 4th! ;)

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    1. Thank you, Donnamae! I hope you and yours had a lovely Fourth too :)

      xo

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  39. totally understand not disclosing personal info rue. it's a different world now.
    but thank you for sharing its beauty with us! it sounds enchanting.
    and there is just something about a little cottage. it's my favorite. even if I had all the money in the world...
    i would live small. elegant but small! :)

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  40. It's been many years since I've been in northern Arizona, but I remember it being very beautiful. It looks like you live in a lovely area and your cottage is a darling little house. We have a cabin (in progress) north of you in southcentral Utah, also on the Colorado Plateau-- not too unlike northern Arizona in terms of climate and landscape.

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  41. Where you live is home and that is just so good.

    Have a very Happy 4th July !

    All the best Jan

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  42. Hi Rue! Thanks for giving us a glimpse of where you live. I totally agree about the security thing... I've been away for one month helping our daughter with her 2nd child, our 2nd grand daughter! I didn't have much down time while I was there, but enjoyed every minute of it. Its too bad so many miles separate our lives :-(
    I read about your feelings on Annie's moving out. I felt exactly like you do. It is a hard transition however I kept telling myself we had done something right if she felt strong enough to move out and take care of herself. Unfortunately she lives so far away from us. So if Annie is staying in your same town that will be so much better for you to get use to your new living arrangements. Hope you had a great weekend
    Take care
    Jeannette

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    1. Hi Jeannette :)

      How exciting to have another grandchild!! Congratulations!! I'm sorry you're so far apart, but I hope you get to see them as often as you can.

      I hope you had a great Fourth :)

      xo,
      rue

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  43. aww, I'm so glad your found this little home...I have to tell you what my husband bought me yesterday...I know you would love it! It's a 1950s Wedgewood stove....oh boy, all night I've been dreaming how it will look in my kitchen. Hope you had a wonderful fourth!

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