31 May 2017

A POP of color! Fun!

Even garage doors can be fun! Check out this line up of contrasting colors along a parking alley at Civano, the beautiful planned and eco-aware community in Tucson. 

30 May 2017

Tucson Trivia Day! Tucson is Arizona's Tinsel Town ~

Did you know that Tucson is the setting for hundreds of films and TV shows? Just west of town you can visit Old Tucson Studios and learn all about the rich history of film production that brought you films and shows such as Arizona, Gunsmoke, Little House on the Prairie, Young Riders, Young Guns, Tombstone and many, many more! To learn more about this amazing place and read the long list of credits, click here. It is a really fun day trip! 

29 May 2017

Happy Memorial Day and THANK YOU, veterans!

There is so much more to Memorial Day than having a barbecue to kick off summer or grabbing a sale deal at the mall. Click on this link to learn about this important holiday. I was surprised at how much I didn't know! If you know anyone who is serving or who has served, make sure to thank them for all they do to keep us free and safe. Enjoy the day! 

28 May 2017

Traffic Jam Solution?


I imagine that riding in this rickshaw would be quite an adventure! You are protected under a folding roof and the driver is peddling the bicycle madly to get you to your destination. This particular one is a eye-catching piece of yard art. The owner of the house had a long-time business in the Pacific and the entire house is filled with treasures from the Far East. Fun!

27 May 2017

Is this green oasis in Tucson? Yep!

So we are regularly breaking the 100 degree mark and it's nice to know that there are many places in Tucson that are green and cool and offer a respite from the heat. Here is a lovely view of one of the patio areas in beautiful St Philip's Plaza, definitely one of my favorite Tucson spots!  

26 May 2017

St Philip's is a veritable Restaurant Row!

OK, is it just me or does the name "Reforma" seem like a weird name for a restaurant? Sounds like the awesome Pilates "Reformer" machine! Anyway, the location in St Philip's Plaza makes this a handy place for my office to have happy hour. Reforma offers what they call "modern" Mexican food. They also have killer cocktails! 

25 May 2017

Throwback Thursday ~ Barrio Beauty Remains the Same!

25 May 2010

Tucson's Barrio Beauty ~

Here's another classic Tucson Barrio home - thick adobe walls help insulate against the intense desert heat. Tucson's barrio district (also called Barrio Historico or Barrio Libre) is a treasure trove of charming adobe homes - many date from the 1800's. Adjacent to Tucson's downtown, this small area is now a mix of private residences and offices for lawyers & other professionals.

To see other similar beauties, click on the "Barrio" label and/or the "Doorway/Entry" label below this post. Here's additional historical info: http://southwest.library.arizona.edu/barr/body.1_div.2.html

24 May 2017

Weekend Garden Project?

With the long weekend just a few days away, how about planning a nice garden spruce up project? I can't say enough great things about the staff at Civano Nursery and they are all really eager to help you figure out what you need. Their website is a virtual gardening encyclopedia so check it out!

23 May 2017

Tuesday is Tucson Trivia Day! Who was JoJo?

Anyone know if JoJo was a real person from the Beatles' "Get Back" song? I found this info on Wiki:In the 2007 film, Across the Universe, directed by Julie Taymor, most characters are named after lyrics in Beatles songs. A principal character is named Jojo, an African American who was played by Martin Luther McCoy.

22 May 2017

Cravin' Cajun?

This new(ish) restaurant, Sazerac, serves a menu influenced by New Orleans cuisine. I have always loved this location in St Philip's Plaza but several restaurants have come and gone in this same spot. I hope this one stays around! The decor has a great vibe! 

21 May 2017

A Serene Sunday ~

What a lovely spot to sit and watch the world go by! These fun mosaic tile chairs and beautiful column mural are yours to enjoy at beautiful St Philip's Plaza. 

20 May 2017

What is your favorite Tucson place?

For me there are so many places to list as my favorites in Tucson! Every few months I go to the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum and it never fails to wow me. I always see something new, something amazing, and something beautiful. Think it's getting too hot to go there? TONIGHT is the first "Cool Summer Nights" program where you tour the grounds from 5 - 10 pm when it is a lot cooler and many of the animals are more active. FUN!

19 May 2017

Stairway to....?

This beautiful and colorful stairway brought song lyrics to mind! Led Zepplin's "Stairway to Heaven" or George Gershwin's "I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise" are the first ones I thought of. Any others? 

18 May 2017

Throwback Thursday - the Lilies Still Flourish!

18 May 2011

Monet would have loved Tucson ~ 

For decades Claude Monet painted the ponds and flowers surrounding his home in Giverny, France. Probably everyone is familiar with his dozens of water lily paintings - water lilies at each stage of bloom and in all weather - sunny, cloudy, rainy. This pretty pond at Magic Garden Nursery is filled with turtles and koi and, of course, hundreds of lilies.

17 May 2017

Enjoy some Local Taste/Local Flavor!



Here is a delicious recipe from one of my favorite Tucson restaurants, The Coronet! It's a charming cafe on the edge of 4th Avenue and Downtown. 
Recipe courtesy of Susan Dodson.