Friday, February 21, 2014

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.

Saturday, February 15, 2014

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.