Mi Nidito

Tucson/Lazydays KOA
Tucson, AZ
Jan. 31-Feb. 3, 2014

Mexican food is absolutely my favorite food. So,when Randy, our next door neighbor invited us to lunch we jumped at the chance! Especially since he said it was the best Mexican Restaurant in town.

 Mi Nidito has been serving Tucson since 1952. It was created when the Lopez family moved from Sonora to Tucson. The decision was between opening a Mexican food restaurant or a tortilla factory.

Thank goodness the restaurant won out. It is located on the corner of 4th and 29th street in South Tucson. The name Mi Nidito, which means "My Little Nest" was given to the restaurant because of its original small size.

Today, the third generation of the Lopez family owns and operates the restaurant. Cousins, aunts, and uncles also help run the family business which features authentic sonoran cooking.

From what we learned and experienced, you cant go there without a wait...30 minutes or so for lunch and up to an hour and a half for dinner. Many celebrities have visited Mi Nidito...Bill Clinton (in 1999 when he was president), Paul Rodriguez, Willie Nelson, William Shatner, etc and many athletes I don't know.
I am ashamed to say, I cleaned my plate...no platter! New to my taste buds were chile rellino and a tamale...so yummy... also had a cheese enchilada, and bean tostado, with a side order of guacamole! I haven't eaten since last Thursday!

Thanks Randy! We had a wonderful time and a yummy meal. The best Mexican food I have ever eaten. I did have to research what sonoran cooking is....definitely not Tex-Mex! To my surprise, there were many websites comparing the two.

 The last of the before and after photos are in our bedroom. The white laminate was replaced on our bedside tables.

Joe's side...before

and after.



My side...before

and after.









Joe was quite the contortionist. He is 6'1" and getting the table tops attached was not an easy task...especially on my side of the bed.

My dresser top was also replaced. The trim had to be removed for this job. And then shortened a bit to put it back on because the new top was slightly thicker. We are very pleased with all the new table tops...what a nice improvement to Mi Nidito!




I know full moons get all the attention...they are beautiful! But I just thought this crescent moon last night was so pretty. I haven't had much luck with moon shots and any night time shots.

Today was spent cleaning...really cleaning with toothbrush in hand for corners and tight spots, from top to bottom and side to side! Windows, screens, cabinet doors and trim, vents, the cockpit, the floor, drawers, shower...you name it, it was cleaned or cleaned out today!

 

The sun's first light this morning...what a way to wake up!











Clouds rolled in this afternoon...got real windy here too.

Well, tomorrow is packing up day. We are off the Yuma on Wednesday. We have never been to Yuma and have a reservation to stay a month. Our friends, Ronnie and Carol will be there.

 

Thanks for stopping by. Until next time, take care and...

 

 

enjoy!

 

Busy Days at Lazydays

Tucson/Lazydays KOA
Tucson, AZ
January 26-30, 2014 

I am very happy to report that most of the work on our re-mods are done. I say most because we still have to do a light sand on two table tops and revarnish.



 Before...the table by my chair had a white laminate top and was hinged on the top for storage. 



After... the top was replaced with a nice piece of cherry wood cut to the exact shape by Gary Whitaker (mentioned in our last post). I didn't really like the hinge on the top, so Joe cut a whole in the side of the unit. We used a door from one of the old dinette bench seats that we saved from a year ago when we replaced the benches with table and chairs.  We still have the storage and I can have a lamp anywhere on the table I want too.















Next, since we moved the TV, we had a nice spot that was quickly dubbed the pantry.

What a mess!

Planning this space was not that easy. We measured cans, boxes and tried to make the best use of this cabinet.



Joe hung the cabinet doors first. We had to order the hinges to match the rest of the doors. In the meantime, we have two doors in the back that are propped up.







We carefully designed the shelves. It was a little tricky since there was an odd angle we had to work with...the left side is less deep than the right side.

We found bins at Bed, Bath and Beyond. They were a little more than we wanted to pay, but just the right size and they are clear.  I had lots of fun moving canned goods, cereal, etc. to the new pantry. And we are both liking all the new space we have made.
 
 

We have one more spot we changed, and I will post those pictures next time.

Today, I heard a new bird...grabbed up the camera and set out to find it. It was sitting in the same lemon tree the Curve-billed Thrasher was in last week. Its a Northern Mockingbird. I say this because his song was a long series of phrases...like "perty, perty" ...which is why I went running. I just knew he was talking to me!

Both the male and the female mockingbirds sing. They mimic the sounds of other birds and even frogs around them.

They continue to learn new sounds throughout their lives.

While I was admiring this fine fellow, I spotted a Gila Woodpecker on a palm tree.

These pictures are not that clear, but I was so excited to see it, I had to post some of them. I'm guessing the palm trees are about 50 feet...



Gilas are native to southern Arizona. They are very active and noisy. They are most seen clinging vertically to trees, cacti, and poles looking for insects.

What a nice surprise to find a pair. Only one of these had a red cap. Its also nice to know that the Gila Woodpeckers are known to protect the magnificent Saguaro
Cactus from disease by eating the insects found on the cacti.














Speaking of cacti, I love them! All kinds!






















 These are the first prickly photos of the year...taken right here in the park!

 

We have enjoyed watching a pair of Morning Doves. Since they eat mostly seeds, they have been pecking away at the gravel beside our home.

 

Tomorrow is Friday...already. We hope everyone has a great week-end.

 Until next time, take care and...

enjoy the beauty all around you.

Thanks for dropping by!