Hard to Believe...

December 29, 2021

Corona de Tucson

It's hard to believe Christmas 2021 has come and gone.    Another year has flown by.  

Christmas Eve morning coffee was spent on the patio as we were serenaded by a pack of coyotes.  The sounds are scary and exciting all at the same time.  We didn't see them, but had the feeling they had eyes on us.  

Dec. 24 at 7:15 am

Christmas Day sunrise was stunning.

Dec. 25 at 7:11 am

  

Felix, quite the little artist, was all smiles.  

And Edith gives her baby a sweet hug. 

Joe requested quiche for breakfast.  I was glad as it's one of my favorites too.  Back in the days when we were working, I always undecorated the tree on Christmas Day afternoon while everyone else was napping or watching football.  We always had a real tree...two of them and even a couple of years three.  Undecorating isn't especially a fun thing to do so instead of dreading it for days, I just got it done and enjoyed the rest of my time off before going back to school.  This year, we purchased an artificial tree...first time ever in a sticks and bricks.  It was nice decorating it on Thanksgiving which was the earliest we have ever put up a tree.  But the really nice thing is that there was no dried up mess and we didn't have a trip to the landfill.   

When we started full-time RVing years ago, the kiddos sorted through and claimed all the ornaments and decorations.   We acquired a few small things for the MH and this year added some shiny ornaments and lights.  

It was easy to pack things away in the guest room closet. 

  

We really enjoyed Christmas dinner at Kevin and Stacie's.  Kevin had a fire and Stacie had a beautiful and festive table setting outside.  Lots of yummy casseroles were prepared with ham and turkey.  And there was a whole table of deserts from cookies to cakes.  The best part, though, was all the laughter and conversations with sweet friends.  Shame on me for not getting any pictures !

I think every sunset this week, has been a beautiful display of colors.   

Looking out the kitchen window.

The side yard...

Rain is in the forecast for the next several days with Friday and Saturday having the most chance of downpours.  But this morning, it is still off and on sunny.  

We have also made a trip to the MH.  We pull out Friday morning for a vaca with friends.  I can hardly wait !  

So until next time, 

HAPPY TRAILS !

Merry Christmas

Corona de Tucson

December 22, 2021

Last week Jack had his teeth x-rayed and cleaned.  It was discovered that he needed a molar pulled.  Even though he was given pain pills to take for 3-4 days, he didn't feel good and was quite clingy and even whimpered some the first couple of days.  If Joe and I were busy, he found Dover to cuddle up to...  

...or enjoyed the warm sunshine.

He has another week of antibiotics and is feeling better.  So much so that he doesn't understand why he can't play ball.  It takes about two weeks for the stitches to dissolve and the vet said no ball until then.  

Joe spent a day with Pearl.  

While he was busy changing the oil, checking tire pressures, tightening bolts, and repairing the rear swing spare tire carrier, I painted the small walk-in closet in the guest bedroom.  It didn't need painting...I just wanted it the same color as the bedroom. 

Keith (our friend and go to person for help around the oasis) came over to tear out and replace a facia board on the patio.  After the new board was measured and cut, I painted it.  When we bought the house, we didn't get any information about exterior paint colors.  We matched it as best we could to the existing paint, but the color we picked is more red like terra cotta. The old paint has more brown.  You know what that means...

now all the facia boards have to be painted !  It's OK as we really like the terra cotta shade better  and fresh paint sure livens up a place.  I can paint both sides of the house with no problem, but I don't do tall ladders. Keith said he would paint the eaves for us. Looks like next years projects are coming together. 

 

Right in the middle of downtown Tucson is a small and well know sub-division.  It began as a vision for a park-like neighborhood in 1949 with 257 oversized lots that sold very quickly.  

That's Santa hiding behind the entrance !

The developer included Aleppo pines (purchased from a local nursery) in the landscaping.  The pines grew into behemoths...I like that word...that have survived the years and today provide shade in the summer and an "alpine holiday" vibe this time year.  

One of my favorites...I loved the rooftop.  

More than 70 years ago, the developer donated strands of lights as a Christmas gift to the neighborhood.  For the first few years, he judged the light displays around Winterhaven and awarded a $100 prize to the best decorated house.  That spurred the competitive juices of the neighbors and the light show grew from there.  

The event known as Winterhaven Festival of Lights has become a Tucson tradition.  It is free to enter, but there is a donation bin to support Community Food Bank of Tucson.  We joined Randy and his daughter Stacie, her husband Kevin and their two boys for a fun evening walking, talking, laughing,  and oohing and aahing our way down Christmas Avenue and Treat Circle and lots of other streets.  In 2005, Winterhaven Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  FYI...if you arrive thirsty and/or hungry, vendors are selling hot cider and cocoa, hot dogs and kettle corn.    Pictures don't show the scope and awesomeness of the lights as it was way hard to capture everything.  And the twinkling was so incredible.  

It's hard to see in the picture, but the rabbit has a hair dryer.

Back at the oasis,  I made one last goodie.  Chocolate covered almond butter balls.  Joe and I haven't eaten peanuts in a few years so I was excited to find a substitute. 

The recipe made about 30...they didn't last very long!

The Christmas cactus I bought last year when we were in the MH is actually blooming this year...just in time for Christmas.  It wasn't doing so good on the island, so we are enjoying it on the patio where it has survived for as long as we have been here.

I added lights on the island...

...and enjoy the reflection on the fridge.  So cool !

Today it is lunch with Randy in Green Valley.  I need a fried catfish taco fix. Tomorrow Jack has a follow up vet visit.  And Christmas Day, we have a special invitation to join Stacie and Kevin for dinner at their home.  Joe and I are looking forward to spending the evening with this sweet family.  

Until next time,  

It's the most wonderful time of the year.