Baby it's COLD outside!

It's officially COLD here in Tucson! Oh boy is it ever - down into the 20's! What is this - North Dakota or something? Here's the scoop. 

Fun, Festive, and FUNCTIONAL, too!

You see cactus all around Tucson decorated with Santa hats (or sometimes just plain old styrofoam cups). Not only is this a fun and festive holiday "look" but it also is practical. The hats/cups help to prevent the tops of the cacti from freezing. And last night's temperature was 27 degrees! YIKES! Is this really Tucson's weather? Yep, right now it sure it. Brrrrrrr.

How many eyes can you spy?

How many eyes can you spot? These brown owl eye butterflies are so beautiful and so cleverly disguised! This is part of the Tucson Botanical Gardens' Butterfly Magic exhibition. 

Bowl of Butterflies ~

Incredible, isn't it? A bowl full of butterflies feasting on an orange slice. The large one is a Brown Owl Eye Butterfly. Anyone able to name the smaller ones? Is there a lepidopterist in the house??
If you haven't visited the magical butterfly exhibit at the Tucson Botanical Gardens I hope this photo will inspire you to go! 

Magical Night View ~

Today you see another angle and another type of lighting for the wonderful Mare and Foal sculpture on Houghton Road. Yesterday's view was full-on daylight (with Santa hat!). Here you see the pair lighted at night. They glow!
Photo courtesy of David Aber. 

Merry Christmas! Have a wonderful day!

Festive Foal!

I'm reposting this photo from December, 2016 because this year no one decorated the foal for the holidays (or, SIGH, someone stole the hat). Hope your day is filled with friends, food, and festivity! 

This is one of my all time favorite pieces of public art/sculpture in Tucson! A grazing mare and her sweet foal reside in the median on Houghton Road just north of Old Spanish Trail. And you have to love that someone gave the little foal a Santa hat!!! Artist team was Lauri Slenning, Ben Olmstead, and Simon Donovan. 

A Sugar Toast? Nope!

Here are some critical items to prepare in advance for a proper New Year's Eve home party - sugar cones. These sugar cones have to dry out completely before they are slipped out of their molds, positioned over a simmering vat of feuerzangenbowle, soaked with overproof rum (or brandy) and set alight. WOW! Delicious & festive!! Cheers!