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.
Friday, February 21, 2014
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.
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.
Monday, January 20, 2014
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.
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.
Saturday, January 18, 2014
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.
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.
Monday, January 13, 2014
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.
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.
Friday, January 10, 2014
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?
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?
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
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.
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.
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