Luminaria Nights de Tubac

Corona de Tucson

December 8, 2024 

Saturday night was double date night.  Jamie and Andra come over and the four of us went to the Luminaria Nights de Tubac.  This was Joe's and my third time to go.  It's so pretty and kind of magical to stroll the sidewalks lined with luminaries while sipping warm Christmas cider and enjoying the festive atmosphere. The store fronts are dressed in their Christmasy best while whiffs of mulling spices fill the air. We were thrilled that the kiddos could join us this year.  It was not their first visit to Tubac, but it was their first Luminary Lights date night.  

We usually arrive about 5:00 pm, just before sunset.  

The Clay Rabbit is my favorite store in Tubac.  The owner and artist are a husband and wife team...Dean and Debbie.  Dean creates each piece by hand or using a wheel thrown method and Debbie completes each piece of stoneware by adding animals, birds, and western scenes.   

There was a chill in the air which added to the fun.  We walked and walked and perused thru stores that caught our eye.

We all enjoyed a warm sandwich and a cup of hot chocolate with whipping cream (of course!) at the Tubac Deli and Coffee Co before heading home.  

Earlier in the week, Joe had an appointment with the eye doctor.  She was pleased that Joe is holding steady.  After her exam, she put in another bandage contact and said the best news ever..."I will see you again in 8 weeks."  Wahoo!  

And I can hardly believe it has been 4 weeks since Lucy went for her first puppy wellness check.  We returned this week for her second check up and a rabies shot.  Dr Huang was pleased.  Lucy weighed in at 8.4 pounds...thats a gain of 2 pounds in a month.  

Back at the oasis, Lucy loves to play...outside, inside...it doesn't matter to her !  We spent most afternoons outside enjoying the wonderful Tucson weather.  She enjoys playing fetch and we are working hard on "come" and "sit".  

A mid-day salad...she is quick to snatch a viola or pansy, and we are working on that too! 

My favorite is bath time and cuddle time.

I did manage to make a yummy dinner...Loaded Vegetable Quiche.

A yummy blend of sauted tomatoes coated in flour and basil, mushrooms, zucchini, bell peppers, onions then covered with beaten eggs and milk and topped with Colby-jack cheese. 

I also made a Christmas favorite...peanut butter cookies dipped in Ghirarldelli dark chocolate melting wafers.  

We have enjoyed the birds this week.  But I don't have many photos as I haven't had the big lens outside.  

dove photo taken thru the fence at sunset...

The hummers are busy this time of year...

A pair of cardinals visit very early in the morning and return when it is almost dark...

That's a wrap on the first week in December. I was to report for Jury Duty last week, but am happy it was changed to January.  Whew!  So until next time, 

Play hard and then rest,

enjoy the colors of a beautiful sunset,

dream big,  

spread some cheer, 

and, 

HAPPY TRAILS!

Thanksgiving Week

Corona de Tucson

November 29, 2924 

Last week the weather was about as perfect as can be.  It's the last week in November with highs in the mid to high 70s and the lows in the high to low 60s.  We spent a lot of time outside in the fresh air.  

Lucy loves being outside.  Playing fetch, watching the birds, napping, and early morning snuggles are at the top of her list. 

Tuesday morning we were off to the grocery store and on Wednesday afternoon  Jamie, Andra and Ozzie came for a long week-end.   

It was love at first sight for all four!  No one was sure about what the pups would do...Lucy hasn't been around any pups and neither has Ozzie except for our Tan Clan who didn't exactly move at the speed of sound like Lucy does.  Ozzie was a real champion and only one time, did he have to let Lucy know she had gone too far. 

  

As you can imagine, I took tons of photos, but most of them were blurry.  

Thanksgiving dinner was yummy...a baked turkey, southern style cornbread dressing (without the sage), Senator Russell's sweet-potato casserole, fresh green beans, yeast rolls, and pecan pie with ice cream.  All great for "fix your own" leftovers too!  

Joe dices the sweet potatoes

Jamie sautes the celery and onions for the dressing.

Later in the day, we put up the Christmas tree to the sound of Christmas music.  One of my favorite days of the year.  

Friday, Jamie pruned all five of our trees. They look great ! More like trees now and not bushes !  

And Andra and I were busy making two batches of Christmas Party Mix...  

while the boys were busy taking a nap.

And Friday night we added lights to the front yard.

Saturday we went to Green Things.  It is kind of like Son-Silver in Sedona, but the five buildings stocked with indoor and outdoor furniture, ceramics, wall art, pottery, etc. are spread out.  It's a beautiful "outdoor" garden with cacti, succulents, trees, seasonal annuals and perennials for sale.  And, so many different colors, shapes, and sizes of outdoor planting pots.  I was definitely "wowed".  In fact including their greenhouses, plants, and buildings, Green Things spans almost 15 acres.  This family owned business, which started in 1970, is located along the Rillito River on River Road. 

The afternoon was saved for corn hole game time.  The girls didn't get skunked in any of the games, but we only won once and that is all I have to say about that! 

The kiddos and Ozzie headed home Sunday morning and sweet little Lucy crashed under the kitchen table...we didn't hear a peep out of her for a couple of hours. 

I only captured a few feathered friends this week...

Back on the east coast...

Bill, Jill, PJ, and Henry had a fun day at the Renaissance Festival in NC.

Thanksgiving morning in SC...Jena, Edith and Felix

So, that's a wrap for November.  We have so many things to be thankful for.  

Until next time,

HAPPY TRAILS!

Happy Thanksgiving !

Corona de Tucson

November 24, 2024

The ending to a very nice day...

Someone had a celebration at the oasis and it wasn't me !  Joe celebrated his 78th birthday on November 2nd. We decided on a trip to the city...I just like the way that sounds...for brunch.  Cup Cafe at Hotel Congress was our choice.  There is a huge parking garage across the street which makes it an easy destination for a yummy meal.  Joe had blueberry pancakes, eggs over easy, crispy bacon, and wheat toast.  I had my favorite...eggs Benedict with a yummy hollandaise sauce, crispy bacon, mixed greens with toasted almonds topped with the yummiest vinaigrette.  

Afterwards, we walked to the library. I have always loved "the city" even though I have no desire to live in one.  My first memories of "the city" were yearly visits with my mom and my brother to Atlanta to ride the "pink pig" at Macy's during Christmas Holidays.  San Diego comes to mind as my favorite city to visit and I love the history right here in Tucson. Tucson's first library built in 1938 is now the Children's Museum of Tucson. In 1990, the new Joel Valdez Main Library was finalized and opened to the public.

Sonora (the title of the red sculpture) was created by David Black and dedicated to the library's plaza in 1991.  Sonora stands 25 ft high and 43 ft wide.  While it may look like a giant abstract insect, it is filled with symbolism. Although I have a hard time seeing the symbolism from the photo I took.  I read the ring in the center represents Native American baskets and kivas, the columns are made to signify Mexican palm trees, and the pyramids stand for the Tucson Mountains.  

My first stop at any library is always the Children's Room.  The 9,000 square foot room is divided into three sections...Early Literacy, Early Elementary and Tweens…where children can enjoy this colorful area filled with books, a digital touch table, a pretend play complete with a wooden kitchen and "food", a puppet theater, and a Lego wall. 

The library has lots of natural light, quiet places to sit and read, places to gather with friends and a cup of coffee, local artists exhibits, and more.  

View from the second floor...

Our walk to and from the library was several city blocks.

The old...

and the new.

Joe was happy to get his eyelid stitches out. He has a protective contact lens and gets antibiotic ointment in his eye twice a day.  Vision is on the blurry side and we hope that improves.

I took a zoom photo...one teeny, tiny blue bar was on the center outside upper lid and the other on the bottom lid. 

Last Friday, we perused the Tucson Museum of Art Artisans Market, Old Town Market, and walked more blocks in the Presidio Historic District. The Artisan Market is an outside event held twice a year (spring and fall). This year's market seemed much bigger with beautiful jewelry, paintings, metal works, pottery, etc.  

We stopped to look at this gorgeous sterling silver jewelry and met the artist and his wife from Mexico.  The stones used are mostly from Arizona, Utah and New Mexico.  He is quite talented and every piece I looked at had a history. 

Every time we go, I look at these stained glass pieces for the backyard.  Janna, I think your talented husband could make these for your backyard...they are so pretty with the light shining thru. 

The pot wasn't for sale...

Old Town Market shops were open as well.

Romero House TMA School Ceramics Studio...

And a few photos from our walk in the Presidio Historic District...

The Cheyney House built in 1905.  Mr Cheney was a mining chemist and one of the early postmasters of Tucson. 

The Hereford (Hair-fud) House built in 1902 after Frank Hereford who was 41 years old when he married in 1901. In his younger days, he was a Cochise County Sheriff.

The Franklin House built in 1898.  Selim Franklin was an attorney and built this home for his bride, Henrietta Herring, who designed their home. Selim specialized in mining and cattle cases and land grant issues. He was instrumental in proposing and accepting the federal land grant to build the university in Tucson.  Since Franklin held the only college degree on the board of regents, he was made the first professor of agriculture.   

The Steinfeld Mansion built is 1900 was originally built as The Owl's Club by 13 bachelors and is the first California Mission Style on Main Street.  These unmarried men each furnished a room and hired a cook and proceeded to enjoy life...their galas, masked balls, and celebrations were the talk of the town. In 1908, Albert Steinfeld and his wife bought the property.  Albert opened a department store in 1914 and it remained one of the largest department stores in Tucson until it closed in 1984. He was also involved in banking, mining, and real estate and was one of the most prominent men in Tucson for several decades.   

Back at the oasis, we had a wonderful rainy Sunday.  It was so nice and we sure do need the rain.  

We have added more color to the backyard...

      

a large pot of daisies...

large and small pots of yellow pansies...

and my favorite...lots and lots of violas. 

I didn't capture many feathered friends the past few weeks...

and not all the birds we see have feathers.

We relocated a Walking Stick Insect that had taken up residence in one of my pots.

The best news of the month is we have a new puppy.  Our home seemed a little on the empty side and Joe and I figured out very quickly we are puppy people.  We picked up Lucy from the airport on Wed. November 13.  

This is Lucy's adoption photo from Crockett Doodles based in Greenville, SC.  She is a Cockapoo and was born on Aug. 20. Her mom is a 20 pound Cockeer Spaniel and her dad is a 9 pound mini Poodle. There were three pups in her litter...all girls...and Lucy was the last one to be adopted.

 She flew all the way across the country (with a stop over in Dallas) with her very own Flight Nanny.  Lucy was 11 weeks old when we adopted her from Crockett Doodles.  Love is such a wonderful thing.  I am pretty sure Lucy already feels right at home and we love this little bundle of fur, energy, and joy. 

Lucy's first visit to meet Dr. Huang at Animal Care Center of Green Valley. She weighed in at 6.2 pounds, had her second vaccination, and lots of hugs and kisses from Dr. Huang and the staff.  She has a rabies shot and one more vaccination in December before we can take her out in public. 

Lucy has lots of love to share...

She likes to play...

likes to chew (and everything goes in her mouth)...

Joe and I have never had a puppy this young and never experienced teething...yikes!

really likes her naps...

loves to help...

and we love to cuddle !

Joe and I are looking forward to Thanksgiving with Jamie, Andra, and Ozzie.  We sure have lots to be thankful for.  And its with lots of love and good wishes we send a Happy Thanksgiving to all our family and friends near and far. 

Until next time,

HAPPY TRAILS!