Christmas Time in Arizona

Roses in Bloom

 

Thought I'd take a quick picture of one of our rose bushes in bloom.  They were to far apart to get them both in one picture.  The other one is multi color pink. 

It's been warmer than normal here since we arrived a month ago and we're enjoying it.  December and January are our real winter months and then February and March warm up again for all the great things going on.  Looking forward to the Gem and Mineral Show and Fiesta de la Vaqueros.  The Tubac arts and crafts fair is a lot of fun and we may make it to other things going on as time permits. 

 

 

We're back http://ronanddeegreatadventure.blogspot.com/2014/11/we-back.html

We're back

We've been back in Tucson a little over a week.  We've been busy restocking the perishables and stuff.  Yes we had the place painted, new entry stairs and a skylight put in the bathroom.  Th color isn't exactly what we thought it would be but we think it's better than what it was.  Besides we don't have to look at it that much.  We're inside. 
We've had beautiful weather since we got here.  5 to 10 degrees warmer than normal.  Our trip out was as close to perfect as we'll probably ever get.  Great four lane divided highways all the way. 
Things are changing again at the park.  New managers coming in and the one that came last year before we left is leaving.  They're claiming they worked hard all summer.  They did take the palm trees out of the entrance drive and covered the cactus garden with red rocks.  That helped the first appearance look better.
Nothing much else going on.

Sunday Morning Brothers

Ron and his brother,John, sitting outside in back of their home enjoying a morning cup of coffee and conversation.  Last weekend and all this weekend and they haven't run out of things to talk about. 
It's been a beautiful weekend.  Fireworks  in Burlington, Wi with blood and heart relatives.  Then back to Milwaukee for more food, fun and family. 

Celebrating our Nation

Trying something new with my Samsung tablet.  I got to a fabulous nail tec who loves to do more than polish.  After looking at several of her patriotic nails I decided on a flag for my toes and fireworks for my fingers.  After all, two or even more birthdays to celebrate.......Our Nation, Mine, Godson, Grandson and Granddaughter.  Now that's a good reason to have my artwork. 
Today is the first day of summer.  Nice cool breeze blowing across the front porch but it's a little cloudy.  Got to find a project to keep me busy outside so I can enjoy this beautiful weather before it gets hot and muggy.  Yes, the humidity does make a difference.

Hot day in June.

It's finally getting warm in Illinois but the humidity has tagged along and humidity and I don't see eye to eye.  So I'm inside doing inside things.  Putting the jelly roll quilt together so it can be used as a headboard in one of the bedrooms.  Still need some assistance since it's not perfectly square.  Finished a knitted dish cloth.  Ron likes the round home made ones better than the ones purchased in stores. 
Did take time out today to see my favorite nail gal.  Gloria is set in her new place and looking good.  Got my feet done the same as before, blue big toes with silver stars and the other toes are white with red stripes.  My finger nails are patriotic also.  Thumb is red, white and blue.  The other fingers are red with white, silver and blue lines showing firecrackers going off with some sparkles on top.  It's going to be the 4th and 7th of July soon.  Got to celebrate. Just call be fascinating fingernails. 

Garden is coming along.  Ron built a fence around it to keep out the critters so now the baby rabbits don't have to share since they're the only ones who can get thru the fence.  Picked radishes so far. French Breakfast radishes, my favorite.  I see a radish sandwich in my future. 

Life has been good to us both and for that we are thankful.

Spring

I love this weather.  Today's weather.  Sun is out, the birds are chirping and the neighbourhood is quiet. Doing some laundry and last minute additions to the two new rooms.  If had seen them both before,  you would agree they are new.
It will take awhile to empty out the garage of all the "stuff" that came out of the two rooms but most of what's left isn't going back in. 

I don't say much about our oldest great grand daughter cause we don't get to see her very much. Mommy lives in Hawaii and Daddy in North Carolina (USMC).  This is great grand child number 2 and we don't get to see her very much either even though she lives close by. Mommy and Daddy work and the other grandma takes care of her while they do.  She's 18  months old and, in my unbiased opinion, cute as a speckled puppy under a new red wagon.  I think she looks like her mother but I am prejudice on that count.  Just wanted to add the picture.  More great grand children pictures to follow.

We're Almost There??

It's Saturday morning and the contractor is finishing putting up the trim in the last bedroom.  The ceiling fan and light fixture are sitting in the living room waiting patiently to be next in line.  The painters haven't shown up yet but they only have to do some touchup. 

Two weeks of strangers in my home, making a lot of noise and mess, is coming to a close.  Granted they have also made two old out of whack bedrooms look fantastic with hard wood floors and new walls and ceilings.  I'll give them that but my nerves are stretched pretty thin.  Glad I had this room to hide away from the sight but nothing to keep away the sound of hammers, compressors, electric saws of a multitude of shapes and sizes and the front door slamming every time they went out and in.

Now comes the task of going thru the garage and salvaging what needs to go in the rooms from "it's not going back in the house" stuff and maybe a trip to IKEA for a couple small things.  The one bedroom had become a place to put stuff we wanted to keep but didn't know where to put it and that is going to stop.  I hope. 

What Day Is It??

We've had workers in our home 7 days straight.  Not used to having people on Sunday so today felt like Monday.  Today they sanded and primed.  It's looking pretty good.  The floor in the one bedroom has to completely come out so I'm sure that will be a mess.  Therefore, I'll be hiding upstairs going thru material to make quilt headboards for the two spare bedrooms.  Already have the quilts for the beds, thanks to our very talented daughter in law.  It pays to have a professional quilter in the family.  I'm sure mine will not be anywhere as beautiful as her work but I'm going to give it a try. 

It seems every day when they leave we're taking off to run errands.  Not used to setting home.  My eyes are doing much better but I'm not comfortable driving the truck and we haven't had a chance to look for a car.  Today was anchovy paste and navy beans.  Sounds tasty doesn't it?

Our weather is cold (50) and even got a sprinkle of rain today.  Checking on friends from Tucson as they scatter about the country.  One in Washington state is having to much rain.  One traveling around northern Arizona having 100 degree days and one heading to Michigan but is only in Kansas seems to have hit a heat wave also. However, when they reach their destination for the summer season, they'll fine ice on Mackinac Island.  If you happen to be on Mackinac Island this summer, stop in at the little stone church and say 'HI".  They'll be glad to see you.  Tell them I sent you. 

Busy....Busy....Busy

We're doing some remodeling or rather paying someone to do some remodeling on our mail floor.  The dust and dirt are much but not as bad as the first day.  Ron is being a wonderful husband and keeping things cleaned up as best he can but some things are just going to look as bad the next day so I try to walk by without looking. 
After they finish in the afternoon we've been hopping in the truck and heading to the big box hardware stores.  Looking for flooring, trim and paint.  Last night we didn't find quite the right flooring, or so we thought so we took pictures and went to eat at Steak n Shake.  One of the places they don't have in AZ and I had coupons. 
Tonight it was back to a big box, Menards, for 13 boxes of hard wood flooring, two gallons of ceiling white, 2 gallons of primmer and one gallon each of two different colors plus some accessories.  Then home to unload in an already crammed full garage. 
Off to Costco for staples, sugar and flour, and agave nectar for Ron's coffee.  Then a stop at Jewel for Coke and half and half. 
It sure felt good to get home.  I still fixed hubby a bowl of cream of tomato soup.  Then it was get comfortable and get out the "my body is going to hurt in the morning if I don't take something" pills.
It will continue for a while longer but it's going to be worth it when it's done.

Killing Time

I know, the best way to kill time is to work it to death.  BUT, this time it's killing time till time to go to bed.  I don't know why tonight is different.  Think it has something to do with a doctor's appointment in the morning and orders of nothing by mouth till after the appointment.  It's time for the yearly physical for Ron and I both.
This week has been a busy one.  We decided to do something to the two spare bedrooms but when we got into one of the closets we discovered a leak from the bathroom upstairs.  A call to our favorite plumbers brought a gentlemen by the name of Chris.  Chris worked on the new upstairs toilet till he found the problem but didn't have the solution.  He left us with a trip downstairs every time we needed to use the facility and my knees weren't real happy about bending, especially at 7 am in the morning.  Chris came back today and still couldn't get it fixed right so he left again but returned after lunch with a new tool and as of now, it's working.  Thanks Chris for your tenacity.  Thanks PDM for taking care of us, as usual. 
I used Chris's lunch break to see my favorite hair stylist, Deb.  I got to meet the new addition and get a much needed hair cut.  I'm styling with salt and pepper spiked hair.

Friday night at the Moose and Pedicures.

First in the order of the day was a pedicure at my favorite spa.  Studio 305 in Lockport.  Gloria takes care of all my nails like the pro that she is.  Her art work is spectacular. No art work for me this time but next time is close enough to Memorial Day that I think we'll do some red, white and blue.

It's been awhile since we were at our Moose lodge in Lockport so we decided to give the new menu a try and maybe see some old friends. 
Old friends we saw, quite a few of them.  Had a great time talking to people, enjoying a couple adult beverages and just relaxing. 
The new menu was a horse of a different color.  Last fall I had tried the broasted chicken and it was delicious, to much to eat, so I ended up taking home a doggy bag which I enjoyed very much.
This time I decided to try the perch.  I love perch and was all excited.  I don't know what they served me but it wasn't fillets of perch.  It looked and tasted like they had thrown a bunch of pieces of fish in a blender and then poured it out in molds to form fish like shapes.  It was terrible and I didn't eat it.  The cold slaw had been made way to far in advance but the French fries and the bread and butter were delicious and enjoyed them while the fries were still hot. 
They had a live band starting at 8:30 so we since we were enjoying ourselves we decided to stick around for that.  The first clue should have been the amount of "stuff" they already had set up and the large sound machine.  OMG I couldn't physically take the volume so I got up and availed myself of the ear plugs they provided.  They helped but still couldn't talk to anyone.  I guess I need to learn the rules of going to a live band concert.  Shut up, sit down and play games on your smart phone. 
I think it's safe to say the next visit to the Moose will be for a social time.  No food or entertainment.

Spring?????

Well, as previously blogged, we're home.  It's a fact that it's spring.  Then tell me, how can it be spring in Illinois when 2 inches of snow fell on our yard yesterday afternoon. 

I sure glad we still had winter coats.  I had forgotten how much trouble winter ware can be.  What a pain.

We did manage to get all (or so we thought) of our stock up shopping in just as the snow started.  Glad we now have groceries so even though we aren't supposed to get more snow it's still going to be highs in the 50s the rest of the week. 

Now it's time to see the family.  Today is our daughter, son in law and grandson, Daniel.  It will be good to see them all but especial Daniel.  We haven't seen him for about eight years or so. 

My trip to the ophthalmologist office yesterday was very interesting.  While I was still sitting in the waiting room a couple came out of the back to leave.  As I looked up I recognized the woman instantly.  She was my high school social studies teacher.  Believe me she hadn't changed much in the 50 + years since I'd had her for a teacher.  The unusual part is when she looked at me she stated she knew me too. She remembered me as one of her students.  She didn't remember my name just that I had been her student.

 
BTW, Gerry C.  My diagnosis was dry eyes.  Wish I had listened to you and taken you offer of help.

We're Home, Illinois that is.

We made it to our Illinois home safe and sound including beautiful weather all the way.  Northern Illinois got hit pretty bad with hail (golf ball size) and rain and southeastern Wisconsin (Milwaukee) is 20 degrees colder than us.  We lucked out, the Chicago area didn't get hit like the northern part of the state.  We enjoyed setting on the front porch this morning from 6 am to 9 am drinking coffee and waiting for the Trib to be delivered.  We miss our AZ Star paper delivery at 5 am.  Oh well, there's more comics in the Trib. 
Did some basic grocery shopping yesterday afternoon and started another list of groceries we still need to buy local.  We also have a Sam's Club list for stocking up.  We like to let things run down before we leave so now it's time to replenish.  Putting away stuff that came back with us and cleaning up the front yard were our major projects.  Got home in time to cut the clematis back.  The jonquils are getting ready to flower.  One of our neighbor's came over declaring it must be spring, we were back.
I sure miss the quiet of our end of the park.  The neighbor kids have a new hobby.  Tiny motorized bikes that they race up and down the street with their friends doing wheelies.  The "rice rockets", "organ donor" bikes racing up and down Thornton doesn't add to the quiet of our neighborhood either. 
But we're here for at least 6 months.  If you're in the area, stop in for a visit.

Four Days on the Road

We're four days out of Tucson and one day from Illinois.  It's been an interesting journey.  The first night in Socorro was exactly like it always is.  Quiet bordering on boring.  Dinner next to the motel, McDonald's.  Wednesday night at Colorado Springs.
The journey was as good as the stay.  If Ron said "Look at that mountain" one more time,  it would have been one hundred times.  The San Cristobals tops were covered with beautiful white snow.  All the way to Colorado Springs.  We stayed in the same Best Western when we went up Pikes Peak and lucked out getting another beautiful room.  Dinner was at Village Inn right in the motel parking lot.  I had their "smash burger" and since it was Wednesday, pie.  Free slice of apple pie.
We've been fortunate to have beautiful weather the entire trip and looking forward to one more day tomorrow.
We even made a quick stop this afternoon at I -80 Truck Stop.  It is huge.  There is two semis and a decked out 85 foot long trailer inside and if you don't go to that section of the truck stop, you'll never see them.  If you're ever driving down I 80 , stop and check it out.

We're on a Wakeup !

Tomorrow morning starts the traveling back to IL adventure.  This morning we saw the next door neighbors load up their van for two hours and then a half hour after they left they were home again.  He forgot to turn off the water so they came back.  We told them if there was anything else they forgot to do outside, give us a call.
A couple morning walkers stopped by to give us their best wishes for a safe trip.  But mostly Ron just packed the truck bed with "stuff" we won't need till we get home.  He did go fill the gas tank and wash the outside of the truck this morning so we won't have to worry about that till Lordsburg, NM.  That's about as far as we go till we fill up.  We could go farther but there is a few hundred miles with no gas stations and then the next one is in Hatch, NM.  They are the hot pepper capital of the world, or so they say, and driving thru the town is an experience to the senses.  They have peppers lying on roof tops drying and the smell is in the air.  AND the one and only gas station just before we cross the Rio Grande for the first time has the highest priced gas on the route.  After that it's 25 north till we're almost in Denver, CO and then east and a little north toward IL. 
I'm sure we'll forget something but it probably can be replaced or taken care of by someone in the park.

Four Days and A Wake Up

Time is getting closer and my stomach is getting queasier.  A lot of it went away this morning when I started empting out the refrigerator.  It had way to much good fresh vegetables still on it's shelves and in it's drawers.  I won't even try to give it away.  Most of our neighbors are within a few short days of leaving so they're in the same boat.  The ones who spend the summer here probably wouldn't appreciate our left overs.  The one thing that hurt the most was the asparagus.  It was so young and fresh.  I tried a new way of fixing it and Ron really loved it but there was just to much. 

BTW, the new way was lay the clean spears on a baking sheet and drizzle oil over them and then sprinkle sea salt.  Roast them in a 400 degree oven for 20 minutes and when they come out springle with parmesan cheese.  Yummy.

The picking up things and putting them aside continues. 

It's getting about that the time.

I guess we've set a date.  Not for a night out and dinner and a movie.  A date to head back to the Midwest.  We've been assured the snow is all gone.  I do realize that we'll need winter clothes and jackets for a month or so but we're anxious to get back and see the family.  The kids, grand kids, great grand kids, brothers and sisters and their families. 

We want to pay a visit to Mackinaw Island, Michigan.   It's been years since we were there.  To show how long it's been;  They were filming a movie and there were giant cables all over the place.  The movie was Somewhere In Time staring Christopher Reeves.  Friends of ours, Retired Navy Chaplain Fred and Mrs Mary Zobel, will be the summer guest pastor at a church on the island. 

We're going to be celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary this fall.  We haven't decided what we're going to do for that but we want it to be a little special.   More information to follow as we firm up plans.

BTW, the date we're planning on leaving AZ is April 8th.

Another Wednesday with my Sweetie

As you may or may not have figured out Wednesday is the day we do most of our out and about. Yesterday was no exception.  Tuesday night while we were discussing what we wanted to do on Wednesday, we brought up the possibility of shaking up the Wednesday routine.
Tuesday's email had a very interesting  advertisement from Village Inn Restaurant.  They had a breakfast special which included four (4) columns to choose one from each.  Their display was two egg cheese omelet, 2 pieces of bacon, hashbrowns and orange supreme crepe. 
Well we decided to take them up on that offer and have breakfast on Wednesday instead of a late lunch..  BTW the pictures won out from both of us.  It was not a mistake either.  Yummy and just enough.
Then the decision was made to take a ride to Vail and have a Sonoran Hot Dog for a late lunch/early supper so I could still go to bingo.  Love these Sonoran Hot Dogs.....imagine a plump excellent grade hot dog wrapped in bacon and cooked over a nice slow grill till the hot dog is hot and the bacon is crisp.  Can't loose with that combination.  The remaining toppings seem to vary with the different vendors. 
I'm sure you're wondering how I did at bingo.  Collected money all night but never won. 

Good Day in our home.

Very good day at our house.  Since this is 3.14 pi day I decided to make a pie.  Gave Ron a list of what I had in stock and he chose Coconut Cream pie.  Started on that right after lunch.  The blind crust turned out perfect.  It's been a long time since I've made one.  The filling and the meringue turned out perfect, thanks to my good pots and pans and Kitchenaide mixer. 

Took a break and started on the Sloppy Joes for supper.  Ree Drummond's cook book, Pioneer Woman, was the source for the recipe.  I've made it before and we love it.  Doesn't take that long to make and only has to cook for 20 minutes.  I usually make it ahead of time so it cooks a little longer.
While I was making the sloppy joes, our friend, Larry, drove up and delivered a plate of apple strudel.  Since he was here and Ron had the college basketball games on he stayed for awhile.  Thanks to Gerry and Larry for the strudel.  We haven't had any in a long time.
 
Ron made a quick trip to the office before they closed to check out our mail.  We can get our letters when the office is closed but no any packages.  Today is the day our package of mail from back home is supposed to arrive.  It came and held four special envelopes.  Two addressed to Ron and two addressed to me.  All from the Federal Government.  Exactly four weeks to the day from when they received the renewal application in Philadelphia  till we got our new Passports and Passport Cards.  Of course they came in separate envelopes.  The only thing missing was our old Passports and that's no bid deal.
We decided on both this time so we can just put the cards in our wallets and cross the border into Mexico or Canada without having to remember the passports. 

We're so glad to have them back.  We've actually needed them while we didn't have them.  Just for identification so now we can finish off a project we wanted to do before we left Arizona this spring.

Of course, I can't conclude the day without one more piece of good news and one bad news.  First the bad news, Missouri lost to Florida in the SEC tournament.  I'm still proud of Missou for their performance since they've joined the SEC.
The good news, surprise, Duke won.  It was close at the end and I thought for a few minutes they were going to blow their lead but they hung on to advance in the ACC tournament.

Cactus Country

We've survived "winter" in southern Arizona without putting a single cover on a single plant.  Now that's what I call a good winter.  Today, March 1st, the unofficial start of spring, is 65 degrees, cloudy, windy and waiting for rain at our place and snow in the mountains.  The Mount Lemmon ski resort hasn't even opened this year due to lack of snow.  Haven't seen any rain but we're all praying for it.  First, because we always need rain in the desert.  Second, if we get a lot of rain, just maybe the rest of the country won't get as much snow.  We're all hoping.  Most of us are from Minn, IL, IN, Mich and Ohio. 
Today was our annual Canadian Breakfast at the rec hall.  The Snowbirds from Canada and some of their US friends put on a free breakfast for everyone.  You don't have to be Canadian to go and enjoy.  They decorate the hall with posters about people and things that are from Canada and raffle off very nice Canadian memorabilia.  Lets just say, I didn't walk away hungry. 

February in Tucson

Well, February in Tucson time is flying by.  We'll need March to rest up so we can go back to IL in April.  However, with the kinds of weather they've been having back there, I'm not sure when that will be. 
With the Gem, Fossil and Mineral show and Tubac Arts Festival over the La Fiesta do los Vaqueros and Match Play Golf is next.  It's not looking like we will be seeing either this year.  The Gold by choice but the Rodeo because we ran out of time.  The finals are this weekend but that's not my cup of tea.  We went a few times but besides it being crowded the people in back of me's knees got pretty sharp. 
The three kitchen curtains are complete, hung and working out great.  I was feeling they had become my life's work.  They were worth it.  I'm pretty proud of myself of the final product since it had been years since I'd made any type of curtains and certainly none that were lined. 
I threw away my to do list this morning.  It only had one item still on it.  RODEO

Tomorrow is our BBQ by the pool.  The money we raised at the dessert auction goes to buy all the food.  Then there will be a "Chinese Auction" in the afternoon.  I have heard of the concept but not the name.  After you buy a block of tickets you walk around the display of "things" and put your ticket in the one you want to win.  They drawing will be later in the afternoon and winner's have to be present.  I know there is a flat screen TV, coffee maker, electric griddle and lots of other things on display at the office so I'm imagining there will be lots more prizes to go around.  Looking forward to seeing friends and catching up on their activities.

Catching up AGAIN

It seems my creative juices have temporarily dried up.  I'm sorry I haven't written sooner.  We've been traveling all month.  All day trips.  I'll try to sum up as best I can.
The next week after the Olive Oil Festival we headed to Sierra Vista.  On our way we drove by Ft Huachuca, an Army Intelligence Base. From the time we entered the perimeter till we were out the other side we spied a giant gold fish cracker in the sky over the Huachuca Mountains.  At first we thought it was a spy drone but it turned out to be a giant balloon tethered to the ground.  The closer we got the more it looked like a giant gold fish cracker.  No joke.  The object of this adventure was to find some material to make curtains for our three kitchen windows where the old blinds won't fit with the new windows.  Success, found the three colors I was looking for plus Ron found material he wanted for me to make into bathroom curtains and I found backing for the jelly roll quilt top I had made.  Lunch was at a 50s diner one of the employees at "Squirrel's Nest" had recommend.  Hamburger and French fries in a plastic basket and fountain coke.  Success was the day's motto.

The Tubac Art Festival was next.  One of our favorite February Southern Arizona happenings.  Not  a disappointment either.  Found some copper wall hangings to further along our southwest motif.  Ended up with a big bag of kettle corn and on our way to Green Valley to get a late lunch at the "Arizona Family Restaurant"  Love the place, reminds me of back home and the Greek owned restaurants with their family friendly home cooked  menus.  I even had fried chicken.  It was so good.  I don't get to have that very often so it was a special treat. 

Then came the Gourd Festival at the Penal County Fairgrounds.  This trip was shared with our friends, Gerry and Larry.  Larry drove and Gerry and I sat in the back seat and caught up on everything.  Larry's brother and his friend just left town after three weeks in sunny southern AZ so we hadn't had a chance to chat for almost a month.  The drive was a pleasant one and the Festival was very interesting.  We had never been to it but Larry and Gerry have so they were our unofficial guides.  The building were the gourd artists exhibited their wares was my personal favorite.  The things people made out of the gourds were amazing.  In fact, we have a giant gourd on the top rung of a book shelf.  Ron fell in love so it followed him home.  A stop at Cracker Barrel on the way home filled all our tummies.

This is also Tucson Gem, Mineral and Fossil show time.  It started in some venues on February 2nd and is still going on in other places.  We ventured to Kino Park (Sox and Diamonbacks old spring training field) for their displays  Not looking for much in particular we ended up making a short visit.  Of course we hit the tool tent.  If you need hand tools in any shape or size, they have it and since Sunday is their last day, they were having sales.  Yes, Ron picked up a few must have pieces.  Actually I thing he's past the must have and is inching toward the "like to have".  I picked up a couple pair of cheap ear rings and Ron took his ring back to where bought it last year for a quick repair. 

Home to work on those three kitchen curtains till time to get ready for Larry and Gerry to pick us up for Happy Hour and dinner at Guadalajara Restaurant on Kolb.  We ended up running a little late but got some outdoor seating on a beautiful night.  We enjoyed our appetizers and main courses, which ever we chose as our one plate.  The appetizer plates are big as a meal plate.  I had mini chimis and ended up bringing two home.  Lunch today.  Yea.

More to come but I think we could all use a break.

Queen Creek New Olive Oil Pressing Festival.

Or something to that effect.  It's Queen Creek Olive Company in Queen Creek, AZ.  It's a two hour drive up I-10 to SR87 and then meander north and east and sometimes south on country roads, past hydroponic grown vegetable patches and very large prisons.  It was an adventure.  The GPS was right on so that wasn't a problem.  We drove through several small towns, none of which I'd ever heard of before today.  Queen Creek is just outside Sen Tan, AZ.  Sen Tan and a couple other towns look really new and just built.  Side walks and gutters with beautiful landscaping. 
The festival was in honor of their olive pressing that they completed the third week of December 2013.  We saw some of the trees that were a part of the landscaping but none of the main crop. We saw where they press the olives by centrifugal force after they whole olive is crushed to bring out the extra virgin olive oil that they sell.  I purchased Myer lemon infused olive oil and Ron got a jar of olive tapenade.   Lots of healthy food, we think.   Couldn't get close to the lunch counter to check it out but the food that was on people's plates as they moved outside to enjoy their lunch looked very inviting.  We opted for a cup of their fresh roasted coffee and sharing a lemon/cranberry scone.  Then stopped in Marana on the way back for a late lunch at Cracker Barrel. 
It's not real big nor is it fancy but the combination of the trip and the place was a  good experience.  One we agreed we're be more than happy to repeat if our friends, Gerry and Larry, wanted to make the trip in the future.  Sorry, I didn't take any pictures even though I had planned on it. 

Retirement Life

84 and sunny.  Life is great in southern Arizona.  The front door is open and the screen door put into use.  Enjoying college basketball this afternoon and doing nothing.

Last night was a pot luck supper in the park.  It was not well attended but the people who did come brought great tasting food.  In my humble opinion, the reason for the small turn out had to do with the new Entertainment People.  Even though they live in the park, they have never participated in any of the activities before taking the job. They made the pot luck on a Friday night at 6:30 pm.  6:30 is to late for most of the people to have dinner.  So they changed it to 6 pm but not everyone got the message so some people showed up at 6:30 to a room full of people just finishing eating.  Now these late people are also new people.  If the schedule says 6:30 you better be there closer to 6 pm.  Eating starts at 6:30 sharp.  That's the way it's always been.  Everything starts on time so if you want to sit with people you'd like to chat with, get there early.  You know us old people, we're set in our ways.

We usually don't do anything on weekends.  We leave the stores and such to the working families who only have the weekends to get things done.  Another advantage of not having to keep a rigid schedule.  We're enjoying it all.  To the Olive Groves on Monday.  Will try to put up some pictures.

Thank you Lord for giving me.....

Before I open my eyes every morning I do two things.  First I think of what day of the week it is and what I have on my agenda for the day.  Then I thank God for giving me another day to enjoy all the blessings He has bestowed on me.
This morning's agenda included a request to be with Pat and Sharon and David as they say goodbye to their mother.  Loosing that last link between you and death is a real wake up call.  All the years before you knew you had a long life ahead of you.  Your parents and grandparents and aunts and uncles were all older than you so if they were still around, you would be to, for a long time.  You were immortal. 
I should apologize for all the negativity in my last few posts but it's that time of year when things end and life get's ready for a new beginning......Spring.  Enjoy this quiet time and renew yourselves for a new start.

77 and Sunny

Yep, it's 77 degrees at 4:30 pm (1640 hours) on Friday afternoon.  Ron is cleaning out the gutters from the last of the leaves.  All you can eat pizza at the Rec Hall for only $6 per person.  Made fresh while you wait.  Anyone interested has to wait till 6:30 pm (1830 hours) to eat.  Not going to be me or mine.  Guess new activity directors are taking the advise to heart......Change things around.  Now pizza doesn't have to be on Tuesday night like it's always been and it doesn't have to start at 5:30, like it always has but.....since it's to late in the day to suit us, we're not going.  Looks like the same story for Pot Luck next Friday.  I'm trying to decide if we're being party poopers or sensible eaters.  6:30 is just to late in the day for a big meal.  You say, "you don't have to eat a big meal?"  Then why go to all you can eat, that you have to pay for, and not eat?  Looks like there's quite a few signed up for pizza tonight but none for the Pot Luck next Friday.
That's my rant (blog) for today.  Enjoying the beautiful Tucson weather and friendship of fine friends and neighbors.  How's it going for you?

Three's a Charm?????

My last two blogs contained information about two people you had just died.  Well, this is the third post and the third death.  We're praying that the "old wives tale" of death coming in threes is correct.  Our sister in law's mother died Monday morning.  We're sorry that we can't be there with her and her family for support like they have done for us over the years but the distance and the weather are both prohibiting factors.  They live in the Milwaukee, WI area and we're in Tucson.  We're having 70's and they're having minus 40+ with snow and wind. 
Otherwise this has been a nice week.  Life is back to normal after the Christmas and New Year's clamor.  Quilting today and bingo tomorrow.  Yippee...Seems like I haven't seen some of my bingo friends in weeks.  That's because it's been three weeks since bingo. 
All our decorations are down and put away.  Still got Christmas candy that needs to skip my lips and disappear someplace.  If you're in the neighborhood, stop by and I'll set you up with a couple handfuls for Hershey's assorted Chocolate.  

January 2014

It's been almost a month since I last blogged.  The real reason I haven't blogged is simple.  Just to lazy to sit down and start striking the keys. 
Speaking of striking, my former place of employment went on strike just before Thanksgiving.  I'm sure it was rough on the breadwinners and it will be even rougher on the "scabs".  They chose to cross the picket lines and will face the person who is the next sheriff's wrath.  You see the current sheriff is retiring.  I'm glad I'm retired and out of there.  Election time was always a rough time.

Christmas and New Years went well.  We spent Christmas day with Wayne and Norma (Ron's foster brother and his wife).  Most of their kids and grandkids have moved to where they could find work so it was a small gathering but full of good food and fellowship.  After everyone else left we put on a prime rib roast and enjoyed cds from past birthdays.  Their friends sure know how to throw a party.

New Years was a day of me watching the Rose Parade in HD commercial free and Ron watching Bowl games.  Culminating with pork and sauer kraut for our traditional New Years Day meal. 

We enjoyed the holidays and the beautiful decorations our neighbors exhibited but now we're happy to have ours all put away and lives back to normal.  I'm been walking the park with another Illini friend in the park.  Yesterday afternoon we learned of the death of our neighbor across the street.  He's had a long hard journey of fighting for life but yesterday he joined his maker.  We feel so sorry for his wife, she's been with him all the way.  She even quit working at the park this past fall so she could be with him.

We're glad to see so many of our park friends have arrived for the rest of the winter.