It's Hot !

Corona de Tucson

July 2, 2023

Sunrise on Monday (6-26) was a beautiful start to the week. 

It was hot last week.  I would say it's because we live in the desert, but that isn't exactly accurate as there have been quite a few hot spots across the country lately.  At least we can say there hasn't been any humidity.  Monsoon season has officially begun with no chance of rain/storms in the forecast.  If this summer is like the past two summers, we won't have any storms until mid to end July.  Fingers stay crossed as we sure do need some rain in southern Arizona.  

It's been a while since we had seen Jamie and Andra so yesterday we met them for lunch at Barrio Brewing Co.  Its a good mid-point and a fun spot to catch up in person.  It was too hot to enjoy patio sitting, but the huge taproom is spacious, colorful and cool...literally.    

The small restaurant with a dream to change the landscape of Arizona brewing quickly gained in popularity.  As the years passed, the brewery expanded...in products and in a larger warehouse. Today, it currently houses 12 fermenting vessels and puts out 85 cases of canned beer each hour while also offering brew tours, running a bar and restaurant and hosting special events.   Barrio brews can be found in both can and draft across Arizona and beyond.  Their flagship beer, Barrio Blonde, is Arizona's best selling craft beer and claims to be the oldest Arizona beer recipe to be consistently brewed on a commercial scale. The first batch was made in May 1991 which also makes Barrio Brewing Co the oldest brewery in Arizona.  

The service was excellent, the food was yummy, and the brews were frosty, but the best part of the day was spending time with the kiddos for a couple of hours! 

With the temps turned up a few notches, staying home was a no brainer.  It's the first week in a long while we actually had no appointments or big errands to do.  

On one of our morning walks, we saw four coyotes (two on our side of the fairway and two on the other side) and that same walk we saw a javelina in a neighbors front yard.  

Javelina eat a variety of native desert plants such as agave and prickly pear.  They can be quite destructive too as they dig for roots and tubers so I'm thinking the neighbor might have had a not so nice surprise. 

This is the reason we have very few plants/pots in our front yard.  

 

  

There is an interesting cacti along the path on the other side of the fairway.  It is every bit as tall as me (just under 5') with lots of wavy arms.  On the mornings we go that way, we always comment how unusual it is. This week it is blooming.

We also enjoyed... pastels,

funny faces,

a curve in the path,

and colorful pods.   

Back at the oasis,  yellow was fun.

We spotted an immature female cardinal, 

a morning bath, 

long, sharp talons...

and a hearty breakfast...

The pups...

Sweet Dover likes the AC

Jack says, "Really Mom...another picture?"

Oh Sally! (I have no words...)   

That's a wrap on our week and June.  

Happy Fourth of July

Until next time, 

Happy Trails !

Life Under the Oaks Lavender Farm

Corona de Tucson

June 24, 2023

Life Under the Oaks Lavender Farm is a small family owned farm about 60 miles north of us in Oracle.  Yes, the fields in Sequim, WA we visited back in July 2018 were much larger, but the sweet smell of these fragrant blooms filled the air just the same in Arizona as they did in Sequim.  I love the smell...a combination of floral, herbal, and woodsy all at the same time.  

Lavender is in the mint family and originated in the Mediterranean, but can thrive in any sunny place with stony well-drained soil.  Imagine my surprise when I read that a lavender farm was close by and thriving in sunny Arizona.  The farm is a life-long dream come true for Carolyn.  She and her husband, John, bought the land after John retired from the army and this year marks their fifth Lavender Bloom Season.  

Pictures do not do the fields justice...in person visits are a must to experience the blooms swaying in the gentle breeze, the fragrance, and thousands of bees and butterflies happily enjoying these small lavender flowers.   

During bloom season, Carolyn offers wreath making classes, farm to table lavender dinners, traditional teas, and harvesting fresh bundles.  One area of the farm is known as Five Sisters.  This wonderfully shady area with a nice breeze is named for the cluster of five oak trees over 100 years old.

The Five Sisters and Carolyn preparing for a wreath making class.

I was also very excited to read, the farm offers picnic baskets...breakfast or lunch.  Orders are placed on line 48 hours in advance.  As you know, brunch is a favorite for me and since we were up and out the door early, we chose the breakfast basket with a croissant breakfast sandwich and lavender breakfast potatoes, a blueberry cookie, lavender lemonade in a mason jar, and a sachet keepsake. 

A beautiful setting, a cool breeze and our breakfast hit the spot !

Not only does the walk at the farm meander around and thru the lavender fields,  you might just see the farm's pets, find hidden treasures or sit awhile and enjoy a lavender lemonade (It really is quite good and refreshing!).

It was a wonderful morning and I am so glad Carolyn's dream came true for the rest of us to enjoy !  Bloom season is the busiest time of year at the lavender farm, but the farm has something to offer in all the seasons...an old-fashioned Christmas, pumpkins and cornhusk dolls, and a fairy festival just to name a few.  

And don't forget to stop by the charming Boutique on your way out...

The rest of our week was spent enjoying morning walks around our neighborhood... 

 

Sometimes, for a split second, I feel like I have been transported to San Diego.

And back at the oasis...

We have had a yard full of Lesser Goldfinch..

The hummingbirds have finally found their feeder.  It was moved from its' regular spot in all day sun to a shady spot.

The Ladder-backed Woodpecker is visiting more frequently... 

And there are at least two couples of Cardinals visiting non stop. They have been busy at the feeders and photo bombing !  

One morning, we enjoyed watching a coyote family of three running, playing and having breakfast.  I worked hard to try and get a photo that had all three, but it didn't happen.

Red was a fun color this week...

The pups are doing good.  Early morning patio time...

And Jack watching and waiting for Joe to throw his ball.  

We brought some of the farm home...

And sunsets from the backyard are romantic...

Life is good at our little oasis...until next time,

HAPPY TRAILS !