As 2010 draws to a close I find myself both looking back at what I accomplished (or where I could have done better) and looking ahead to what 2011 has in store. This is the view west from sort of a treehouse platform at the Desert Museum. Anyone want to share their New Year's resolutions? Happy New Year everyone!
31 December 2010
30 December 2010
Let sleeping lions lie...
Here are some wonderful photos of George L Mountainlion, the Desert Museum's most famed resident. Look closely at the rock and you'll see him basking in the sun and blending in to be nearly invisible. 2nd photo is from the viewing window behind him (up top) as he stretches. 3rd photo: PAWsitively amazing!
29 December 2010
Striped-tail masked bandit ~
28 December 2010
Mexican Wolf Pair ~ beautiful!
27 December 2010
Tucson's Ballerina Saguaro ~
26 December 2010
That face! What a dear deer ~
Just when you thought you'd seen and heard enough about reindeer to last for another year, here is another one and I hope you'll agree that this white tailed deer is a 'dear'! What eyelashes! I came upon her resting sweetly in her Desert Museum habitat.
www.desertmuseum.org
www.desertmuseum.org
25 December 2010
24 December 2010
T'was the night before Christmas ~
Tonight's the night when one remarkable bearded man flies all across the globe to deliver gifts. I hope you get your dream gift this year - whatever that may be. For me, I'd love to have the gift of more time. If you'd like to watch Santa's progress all through the night, click on this really fun site:
www.noradsanta.org (it's not just for kids!). Merry Christmas, world!
www.noradsanta.org (it's not just for kids!). Merry Christmas, world!
23 December 2010
Meet Rudolph's half brother, Fred ~
Every year the Copper Country Antiques folks have some fun with their mascot, Fred the bison. Here's Fred and a Santa friend waving to passersby on Speedway.
www.coppercountryantiques.com
www.coppercountryantiques.com
22 December 2010
Mighty big Santa ~
21 December 2010
Fun metal people at play ~
This fantastic 30' steel sculpture is "People Play" by Thomas Bredlow on display in Rillito Park (1st & River). Installed in 1981 it is part of the ongoing commitment to public art championed by the Tucson Pima Arts Council.
http://www.tucsonpimaartscouncil3.org/dynamic/publicart/collection/detailpa.asp?id=183&cat=Sculpture
http://www.tucsonpimaartscouncil3.org/dynamic/publicart/collection/detailpa.asp?id=183&cat=Sculpture
20 December 2010
Welcome to Chantilly world ~
The lovely Chantilly Tea Room is a world of its own ~ bustling yet serene. The main rooms are furnished with antiques and you are served on beautiful china. You even get to select your own tea cup among the handpainted collection. It was a birthday treat for me with friends but don't wait for a special occasion - give yourself a treat and escape for an hour from the dreadful frenzy of holiday shoppers. Ah, a nice cup of tea...
www.chantillytearoom.com
www.chantillytearoom.com
19 December 2010
The Gingerbread (Arizona) Inn ~
A traditional holiday display in the lobby of the Arizona Inn is this charming mini version of the Inn created from gingerbread, jelly beans, and sugar cookies. Many fun details include a giraffe near the entrance who says, "Please don't nibble on the house!"
http://www.arizonainn.com/
http://www.arizonainn.com/
18 December 2010
Tucson's Saguaro Santa ~
17 December 2010
"Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree..."
This beautiful and huge tree at the Arizona Inn brings to mind the lyrics of that old carol, "Oh Christmas Tree" ~ O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree! Much pleasure thou can'st give me. This one is at least 15' tall and occupies a corner of the lovely Inn's library. Really gets you in the spirit, doesn't it?
www.arizonainn.com
www.arizonainn.com
16 December 2010
Time to celebrate ~ birthday time!
15 December 2010
Got balls? Holy toledo!
As Dave Berry used to say, "an alert reader" sent me this remarkable photo! Does it even need a caption?
Photo courtesy of Cindy Klein.
www.canteracarvedstone.com
Photo courtesy of Cindy Klein.
www.canteracarvedstone.com
14 December 2010
Tucson's library plaza ~
13 December 2010
Tucson's fun street scene ~
So yesterday you got a peek at the Fox Theatre and the Five Way Street concert as part of the 2nd Saturdays event. Today I want to give you some images of the street scene that is created. Here you can see Congress Street lined with tents selling all kinds of things ~ including CUPCAKES! Mmmm. KirkCakes@gmail.com can answer any questions you have about the little cakes.
12 December 2010
Tucson's 2nd Saturdays ~ urban but intimate
So if you haven't yet been to a "2nd Saturday" event, you must check it out! Downtown Tucson is turned into a walking, shopping, eating, entertaining venue with live music, food and merchandise vendors and all sorts of performance art. There were stilt walkers and Santas and plenty to see and hear.
The centerpiece of the evening was a concert at the beautifully restored historic Fox Theatre. It's an Art Deco gem that was meticulously brought back to its heyday glory. See photo of part of the lobby ceiling. The band that rocked the Fox is Five Way Street and they performed a selection of Crosby, Stills, & Nash (and a little Young and a little Buffalo Springfield, too!). These guys ROCK! For more about where to hear them around town, click here: http://www.fivewaystreet.com/
More photos of the "Downtown 2nd Saturday" event tomorrow.... stay tuned. http://www.2ndsaturdaysdowntown.com/
The centerpiece of the evening was a concert at the beautifully restored historic Fox Theatre. It's an Art Deco gem that was meticulously brought back to its heyday glory. See photo of part of the lobby ceiling. The band that rocked the Fox is Five Way Street and they performed a selection of Crosby, Stills, & Nash (and a little Young and a little Buffalo Springfield, too!). These guys ROCK! For more about where to hear them around town, click here: http://www.fivewaystreet.com/
More photos of the "Downtown 2nd Saturday" event tomorrow.... stay tuned. http://www.2ndsaturdaysdowntown.com/
11 December 2010
Festive Christmas gown ~
10 December 2010
Secret Santa Hatter ~
09 December 2010
As red as Rudolph's nose!
Every year the Jim Click Automotive team puts together beautiful holiday displays on their lots at Wilmot & 22nd Street. This classic cherry red beauty (restored to perfection, naturally!) is surrounded by sparkling reindeer and pine trees. Hello, Christmas!
www.jimclick.com
www.jimclick.com
08 December 2010
From Tucson to New Castle ~ happy birthday!
07 December 2010
Tucson's beautiful night lights ~
Just wanted to post one more photo from the Tucson Botanical Gardens' Luminaria Festival ~ here are glass beads designed by local artist/landscape designer Margaret Joplin. These beautiful glowing "flowers" are glass beads and were inserted into the ground at the festival. I don't know if they are a permanent installation at the Gardens but they were lovely!
www.designcollaborations.com
www.designcollaborations.com
06 December 2010
Tucson's skyline graced with a Minaret ~
Seems like an unusual sight in the Southwest ~ a minaret! This mosque (on Speedway near Oracle) did not look like an active site when I was there and I couldn't find a website or any info about this building on the Internet. Perhaps it is not an active mosque now but I saw listings for 2 other mosques in town and I will check them out.
05 December 2010
Annual Luminaria Display ~
This weekend is the annual light and luminaria display at the Tucson Botanical Gardens. A big crowd strolled and enjoyed live holiday music, refreshments, and shopping. Santa was there, of course, and plenty of kids were delivering their wish lists to him. http://www.tucsonbotanical.org/
04 December 2010
Vintage Chevy Sleigh ~
03 December 2010
Check out these GIANT ornaments~
The charming artist community of Tubac (just south of Tucson) held its first Balloon Festival right before Thanksgiving (Nov 20) and I thought you would enjoy these fantastic photos! I can't help but think that these colorful balloons look like giant bulbs for a heroic Christmas tree.
Photos courtesy of Damen Kompanowski.
02 December 2010
Tucson Bee Buckets ~
01 December 2010
Tucson's Silent Owls ~
Check out the fake owls silhouetted against the evening light. I am guessing that the Sushi Cho restaurant has installed them to frighten pigeons away. There are other shops in the shopping center but I think this restaurant is the only one that has mounted an anti-pigeon attack using the owl statues.
30 November 2010
Winter watering hole ~
29 November 2010
'Tis the season for ~ chili ristras & wreaths
As the sixth in the series of "Team Tucson" I am pleased to shine a spotlight on another individual who works hard to make this a great place to live. Meet Mina, the entrepreneur who sells her hand strung chili ristras and wreaths (both round and heart-shaped) at the corner of Speedway & Houghton (in the Circle K parking lot). Her very reasonable prices start at $15.
Mina's chili stand features Hatch chilis - widely regarded as the very best. Chili ristras are a beautiful way to decorate your home and a lovely gift for your holiday hostess. They can be enjoyed hung inside or out.
Mina's chili stand features Hatch chilis - widely regarded as the very best. Chili ristras are a beautiful way to decorate your home and a lovely gift for your holiday hostess. They can be enjoyed hung inside or out.
28 November 2010
It's beginning to look a lot like.... spring?
27 November 2010
And the holiday mailing season begins ~
25 November 2010
A Thanksgiving wish for all of you ~
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you and thanks for stopping by today. I hope that you have a wonderful holiday - filled with feasting on turkey or ham or tofu (or even sugary liquid served in blue cotton if that's your preference!). This beautiful butterfly is part of the "Butterfly Magic" exhibit at the Tucson Botanical Gardens. I am giving thanks for many things today and one of them is the loyal followers of the site. I appreciate your comments, suggestions, and photo submissions! Thank you, thank you.
24 November 2010
Tucson's magical butterfly garden ~
23 November 2010
Tucson's own Cousin Itt ~
Here's another of the great scarecrows on display now at the Tucson Botanical Gardens ~ Cousin Itt (yes, two t's), the furriest member of the Addams family. I am also including a peek into his "Trick or Treat" bucket to see what he likes - mmmm, looks like dried worms and bugs (OK, OK, seed pods)! Scarecrows are on display through Nov 30.
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