The Amazing Ascension Cafe ~

One of my all-time favorite Tucson restaurants has a name that may scare people off: Food for Ascension Cafe. Well the name speaks volumes about the experience you will have there. It is totally wonderful and you will feel sublime after a meal there! Please click this link to their website so that you can see their amazing food photos. It is all plant-based but don't think that means dull. It's delicious and they have killer desserts! YUM!

What a difference a vase makes!

I was preparing for a party and realized I had forgotten to buy flowers. Even though I have been admiring the gorgeous white blooms on my pyracantha bush for days it took me a moment to realize that they would look fabulous in a flower vase! Just because they are blooms on a bush doesn't mean they can't be an interior floral display! Voila - problem solved.

I had to finally give up ~

So you might remember in September when I discovered a mama dove in residence in my patio flower pots. Well, a few days ago I saw a twig pile in one pot. I removed it once, twice, three times. I wanted her to build her nest UP in my roof rafter. She didn't take the hint. The fourth day when I went to investigate I saw mama dove sitting serenely in the foliage. And when she was not nesting I took a quick peek and saw a pair of eggs so I guess we'll see twins again soon. And she lets me water the plants around her. She just watches calmly.

Get out the sunscreen!

We have so many beautiful dining places with outdoor patios in Tucson. Here is one of my favorites at LaEncantada Shopping Mall. There are several restaurants clustered in a cul de sac so it's easy to stroll and choose.

Faux fun!

Nope, it's not lattice on a blue wall - it's a blue wall painted with a lattice pattern! This is so fun and cheery - especially so with the festive red bench and table!

Tucson's Throwback Thursday ~

So when I posted about MOCA on March 26, 2010 (click here to see the post) the Museum had just moved into its new digs downtown - an old Fire Station. Here, 5 years later, the news at MOCA is that the long-time director is leaving for a job in Florida. She feels that the museum is on firm footing now and she is turning over the reins. It is definitely a cool re-purposing of space downtown!

It's baaaack!

Yes, "The Lemon" is back! I know that my friends who live on this street are not at all amused by this gigantic fruit parked near their home, but I think this fruity storefront is fun. And, yes, it's not parked on MY street! (:

Just another day in Dog Land ~

This pet owner must have a pup like one of mine - a TUGGER! It's interesting that I have never seen a vanity plate in Tucson that is cat-related. Hmmm. Why do dog owners talk about their pets on their license plates and cat owners remain mum?

Tucson - aerial view

This striking image of Tucson's aircraft "Bone Yard" is so dramatic. I love the geometrical symmetry of this bird's eye view of Tucson's southeast side.
Photo courtesy Alex Maclean.

My Cave Dweller ~

My resident alpha lizard, Rocky, has made his first spring time appearance in my backyard. He likes to hang out in a small "cave" that is formed between two railroad ties and a rock wall. Today temperatures really soared and I saw him surveying his territory (my backyard!). His is a spiny lizard and he totally rules the backyard roost.

Tucson's United Nations display ~

They say that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. Well we have certainly had some roaring winds in the past week. Here a flag vendor's inventory is bent from the force of the wind whipping around. And he has flags of every country, every sports team, and most state flags, too. United Nations indeed!

Outdoor dining - in March!

If you are shopping at Santa Fe Square you can stop for a bite at a new branch of Poco & Mom's Mexican Cantina. The tiny eatery on 22nd Street & Kolb Road has new larger digs here that includes a nice patio area. Bon appetit or should I say Buen Provecho!?

Tucson's iconic blue sky ~

Yesterday I posted an image from a shopping center in Tucson called "Santa Fe Square." Here is another view of that charming complex. It contains shops, restaurants, art galleries and now, on Sunday, there is a farmer's market.

A Tucson postcard ~

These stripped wood poles, a chili ristra, and adobe walls capture the essence of historic and charming Tucson. I have a rose bush of the same type as the yellow roses in bloom in the background. I am hoping that mine will soon be in beautiful bloom, too!

Aye ~ Top O' the Mornin' to You!

So my fair lads and lassies, wishing you a GRAND St Patrick's Day today! When I lived in NYC we always said that everybody is Irish on this day! But I do wonder about these pink flamingoes dressed in green spangled jackets..... not sure how Irish that is..... oh well!

Look familiar now?

For all of you who have been wondering about the most recent "Where is this?" location, here is the street sign for the KingFisher restaurant on Grant Road. Congratulations to Sarafina who was the first to guess the location! (Thanks, Ellen, for providing a clue!)

Where is this bit of Merry Olde England in Tucson? Day 2!

DAY 2 "Curiouser and curiouser" as Alice in Wonderland would say. Yesterday someone posted their comment that they knew where this sign is located but the person did not identify himself/herself nor identify the location! So it may be someone who already has won a "fabulous" TDP t-shirt and wants to give someone else a shot at this. "Unknown" has provided today's clue - it's a place with a happy hour! So - any guesses?

DAY 1 Doesn't this signage look like it belongs in an English village? Here is another "Where is this?" opportunity for the Tucson experts! As you know if you have been a site follower, the first person who identifies this location wins a "fabulous" TDP t-shirt. Good luck!

Fun Fusion Food on Foot ~

For reasons that I do not know, Pima Community College (West campus) has basically closed their cafeteria. So every day a fleet of food trucks comes to the rescue of hungry students. This one caught my eye - Mexican/Peruvian food. Don't quite know what that means but here's the link to their menu. Go, Gigi!

Arizona spring in a nutshell ~

Here at Picacho Peak you have gorgeous wildflowers in splendid bloom, an iconic saguaro cactus, a mountain in the background and our blue blue beautiful sky! Yes! All of this in March - we are lucky!

Heroic Hikers!

With an angel wing halo even a blind dog can enjoy a hike! Here hiking at Picacho Peak are Shunka Luta and Winnie the Pooch. Winnie wears an amazing "halo" which helps him to navigate and not bump into things. He can do anything! Wonder dog indeed!

Arizona in beautiful bloom ~

Enjoy this spectacular display on view now at Picacho Peak. Oh spring - please stay for awhile!

It's official ~ spring has arrived!

There are a few standard "rules" regarding the weather in Tucson. One is when the wildflowers bloom at Picacho Peak, spring is here. We may still get a cold(ish) day or two, but they will be rare. Picacho Peak is north of Tucson and every year the wildflower display is a destination drive. Beautiful hiking in this weather, too!

Always good advice ~

One of the many fun restaurants in downtown Tucson reminds us of what we should do: Play!

Tucson's Amazing World Market ~

Maybe you've passed this colorful building many times (Alvernon near Pima) and wondered what it was. Well, it's worth stopping in and browsing if you love unique, handmade items. Crizmac MarketPlace is a true world destination shopping place to support small cooperatives, struggling economies, and free trade.

C'est magnifique!

As I am quite a Francophile, it is not surprising that this is one of my favorite shopping spots in Tucson - the L'Occitane en Provence shop. The shop is at La Encantada Shopping Mall, Tucson's most high end retail cluster with Tiffany's, Brooks Brothers and other posh storefronts to tempt your wallet. 

Tucson's version of Las Vegas ~

Funny stuff!

Tucson's Lucky U Ranch ~

The Independent Film Arizona group hosted my friend Ginia Desmond (red hair, orange jacket) in a panel discussion of the making of her film, "Lucky U Ranch," as part of their ongoing effort to showcase Arizona's filmmakers. Ginia wrote the script and produced the film using all Arizona locations and mostly Tucson-based crew. Disney has interest in distributing this film! Go, Ginia!

Peace. Love, and Rock and Roll Live On ~

Tucson hosted a Peace Fair and Music Festival on Saturday at Reid Park. Lots of old hippies attended of course. With their dogs, of course! Check out the wild paint job on the bus in the background.

Photo courtesy of Kathi Gardner.

Alert! Calling all photos!

Do you have a favorite photo of Tucson? I would love to post your photos here on the site! Please send your photo with a short description of where it was taken to: TucsonDailyPhoto@gmail.com. I look forward to seeing your Tucson views and favorites!