Today was hiking day! We hiked the Milagroso canyon hike, and it was beautiful, with flowers in bloom and ocatillo in full leaf. I learned what an aster looks like, saw a cat's claw mimosa, and learned the name of the pretty orange tall flower is called -- Globe Mallow. The hike was challenging, but not horrible for me. I think I'm getting stronger! :)
After the hike, we returned to Agua Caliente Park, where the Hiking Club had assembled our food we'd made (and bought). John brought mine -- the Fresh Strawberry Pie! Everything was delicious, and particularly my pie. I was happy that I did get a piece of it, so I could report on how good it was! My pet peeve at potluck dinners like this is when people buy something to bring. It hardly seems fair that they are eating food that other people actually worked on.
The day was beautiful, and the park, to which I'd never been, was wonderful -- a cool relaxing place with a lake and ducks, lots of picnic tables, and tall, tall trees!
I'm relaxing this afternoon at home. It's reading 86° here today at 4pm, and that's warm. I am about to head over to the pool.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Monday, March 24, 2008
Music Poolside
Today is an orange day. :) The sun shone brightly and warmly, with our temperature into the 80's. Even now, at 8:30 pm, it's still 75°! What that means is that people will be flocking out of here soon, back to their summer digs.
I took advantage of the morning's coolness to enjoy a bowl of cereal and another of strawberries out on my deck. Then I worked on email for awhile, before heading out for ingredients for a strawberry pie.
The pie looks great. I hope that it's similar to the one that I made for a party a long time ago-- the pie that Annette and Lisa loved. I really think it is. After I cut into it tomorrow at the Hiking Club picnic, I'll let you know. Here's the recipe:
****************************************************
Fresh Strawberry Pie
Start with a pre-made larger-than-normal graham cracker crust. I like Keebler.
Wash and hull 2 quarts of strawberries. Reserve a few for garnish.
Arrange half the berries in the pie shell.
Mash the other half in a large saucepan.
Add 1.5C water to the pan and turn on the heat.
Stir together 2 C sugar and 6T cornstarch.
Stir the cornstarch mixture into the berries in the pan, gradually.
Heat to boiling, and boil till thick, up to 10 minutes.
Pour the heated berry mixture over the berries in the pie pan.
Top with whipped cream and garnish with some extra berries.
*****************************************************
So after the pie was safely tucked into the fridge, I went to get some more paint for the deck. The part that John and I had stained needed some touchups. The colored stain came only in gallons.
John got a start on this painting, while I took off to the pool. (Don't ask. LOL) The water in our pool is set to 87°, so it's like bath water. I love floating around in there, treading water, or even swimming! But the main thing we do is just hang out and talk.
Today, Harold and Pete were there with guitars and they serenaded us! It just doesn't get any better than sing-alongs with Harold and Pete.
I took advantage of the morning's coolness to enjoy a bowl of cereal and another of strawberries out on my deck. Then I worked on email for awhile, before heading out for ingredients for a strawberry pie.
The pie looks great. I hope that it's similar to the one that I made for a party a long time ago-- the pie that Annette and Lisa loved. I really think it is. After I cut into it tomorrow at the Hiking Club picnic, I'll let you know. Here's the recipe:
****************************************************
Fresh Strawberry Pie
Start with a pre-made larger-than-normal graham cracker crust. I like Keebler.
Wash and hull 2 quarts of strawberries. Reserve a few for garnish.
Arrange half the berries in the pie shell.
Mash the other half in a large saucepan.
Add 1.5C water to the pan and turn on the heat.
Stir together 2 C sugar and 6T cornstarch.
Stir the cornstarch mixture into the berries in the pan, gradually.
Heat to boiling, and boil till thick, up to 10 minutes.
Pour the heated berry mixture over the berries in the pie pan.
Top with whipped cream and garnish with some extra berries.
*****************************************************
So after the pie was safely tucked into the fridge, I went to get some more paint for the deck. The part that John and I had stained needed some touchups. The colored stain came only in gallons.
John got a start on this painting, while I took off to the pool. (Don't ask. LOL) The water in our pool is set to 87°, so it's like bath water. I love floating around in there, treading water, or even
Today, Harold and Pete were there with guitars and they serenaded us! It just doesn't get any better than sing-alongs with Harold and Pete.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Testing.. testing... 1... 2...3
This font is the very same color as the sky this bright Easter morning in Tucson! Maddy and I went for our walk by the Pantano Wash, and enjoyed the 51° sunshine. It'll warm up to the 80's today, in all likelihood.
The time that Blogger says that I post my blog seems odd to me, so I'm testing to see how far off it is. I'm posting this at 9:12 am MST, which is 12:12 pm EDT. (Arizona doesn't go on Daylight Saving Time.)
The time that Blogger says that I post my blog seems odd to me, so I'm testing to see how far off it is. I'm posting this at 9:12 am MST, which is 12:12 pm EDT. (Arizona doesn't go on Daylight Saving Time.)
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Where's Myx, Steel Agaves, and Camera Advice
Be sure that you click that Where's Myx? link over there --> when you're done reading my posting. Dave has posted pics of Myx in various locations in and around Tucson! And he is characteristically funny in these postings.
I found the charger for my Nikon D70 camera! And so I used it to shoot a couple of pics of my new steel agaves outside the front of my cottage. What do you think? The deck that you see here is not my new one, and it'll be painted taupe to match the new part.
The agaves are steel and are made by an artist in Tubac. The one on the left side is not as rusty as the one on the right, but it'll get there. I "planted" them in white marble rock from Home Depot. My friend Kathy spotted the pots, which seem to change color, depending upon the time of day.
I'm really happy that y'all like my Sedona photos! In answer to "Anonymous," ;) I use a Sony Cybershot for most of my photos, including any hiking photos. That's because the camera is small. While its photos are far inferior to those of the D70, the D70's weight is measured in pounds -- not something that I'm likely to carry hiking. I suppose it would get me into better shape to carry more weight, but... The Cybershot's photos are just fine for my blogging purposes, anyway.
My advice for you, buying a camera, is to buy something that you'll carry and use. The worst photo is the one that doesn't get taken, because you left your camera behind. I started out with a small low-pixel Nikon Coolpix, back in 1999. I got bigger and bigger, finally ending up with the D70. And I wasn't carrying it. So that's when I got the Cybershot. I use the D70 only when I'm going out with the goal of shooting photos. I don't always take it when I travel, and I never carry it hiking.
We reached a high of at least 83 today, and I spent part of the day at the pool. Our pool is always 87° so you just climb right in, with no "getting used to it" time necessary. The hot tub is 105° which is hot, but I can do it, as long as I limit myself to about 10 minutes. I'm actually getting a little bit of a tan! How unlike me!
I went today and replaced my walking shoes, too. I wear Asics, and these are a new model of Asics. I like them because they are very comfy... and lime green.
I found the charger for my Nikon D70 camera! And so I used it to shoot a couple of pics of my new steel agaves outside the front of my cottage. What do you think? The deck that you see here is not my new one, and it'll be painted taupe to match the new part.
The agaves are steel and are made by an artist in Tubac. The one on the left side is not as rusty as the one on the right, but it'll get there. I "planted" them in white marble rock from Home Depot. My friend Kathy spotted the pots, which seem to change color, depending upon the time of day.
I'm really happy that y'all like my Sedona photos! In answer to "Anonymous," ;) I use a Sony Cybershot for most of my photos, including any hiking photos. That's because the camera is small. While its photos are far inferior to those of the D70, the D70's weight is measured in pounds -- not something that I'm likely to carry hiking. I suppose it would get me into better shape to carry more weight, but... The Cybershot's photos are just fine for my blogging purposes, anyway.
My advice for you, buying a camera, is to buy something that you'll carry and use. The worst photo is the one that doesn't get taken, because you left your camera behind. I started out with a small low-pixel Nikon Coolpix, back in 1999. I got bigger and bigger, finally ending up with the D70. And I wasn't carrying it. So that's when I got the Cybershot. I use the D70 only when I'm going out with the goal of shooting photos. I don't always take it when I travel, and I never carry it hiking.
We reached a high of at least 83 today, and I spent part of the day at the pool. Our pool is always 87° so you just climb right in, with no "getting used to it" time necessary. The hot tub is 105° which is hot, but I can do it, as long as I limit myself to about 10 minutes. I'm actually getting a little bit of a tan! How unlike me!
I went today and replaced my walking shoes, too. I wear Asics, and these are a new model of Asics. I like them because they are very comfy... and lime green.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Sedona
Sedona was fantastic! I drove up, with passengers Lois and Ted. I drove last year with Lois (and Michael and Jack), but last year, Lois had not yet met Ted! We had lots of laughs and the 4.5 hour drive was very pleasant. We caravaned behind Jack and Kathy's RV. Lunch was at Byerly's Amish Cafe, the same place where we ate last year on the way to Grand Canyon.
The trip was with the hiking club, so of course there was hiking involved! Our first day, Tuesday, we hiked around Bell Rock, with a nice detour up Bell Rock. There was a vortex on Bell Rock. Sedona vortexes (yes, that is the correct plural in Sedona) are locations where spiritual energy is said to swirl, making prayer, meditation, and healing more effective.
There were parties around the pool, board games, shopping expeditions, fine dining, and the drinking of many margaritas.
Oh, and the hiking! On Wednesday, the Hardy Hikers did a 9-mile hike on the Munds Wagon Trail and connecting to the Schnebly Hill Trail.
The first part of the trail was a gently undulating and beautiful walk, which crossed and paralleled some stream flows, and was troublingly close to a jeep road. After we got onto the Schnebly Hill Trail, the gentle part was over. The trail took a sharp upward turn, finishing our altitude gain of 1500 feet. We didn't make it all the way to the top before we turned back.
There were rock baskets along the way, marking the trail. They are serious about their cairns in Sedona! In the rest of the world (that I've seen), the cairns are just a short stack of rocks.
And, since you've been so well-behaved, here's a panorama I shot of some of Sedona's red rocks. This was done in Photoshop CS3 using 4 photos:
The trip was with the hiking club, so of course there was hiking involved! Our first day, Tuesday, we hiked around Bell Rock, with a nice detour up Bell Rock. There was a vortex on Bell Rock. Sedona vortexes (yes, that is the correct plural in Sedona) are locations where spiritual energy is said to swirl, making prayer, meditation, and healing more effective.
There were parties around the pool, board games, shopping expeditions, fine dining, and the drinking of many margaritas.
Oh, and the hiking! On Wednesday, the Hardy Hikers did a 9-mile hike on the Munds Wagon Trail and connecting to the Schnebly Hill Trail.
The first part of the trail was a gently undulating and beautiful walk, which crossed and paralleled some stream flows, and was troublingly close to a jeep road. After we got onto the Schnebly Hill Trail, the gentle part was over. The trail took a sharp upward turn, finishing our altitude gain of 1500 feet. We didn't make it all the way to the top before we turned back.
There were rock baskets along the way, marking the trail. They are serious about their cairns in Sedona! In the rest of the world (that I've seen), the cairns are just a short stack of rocks.
And, since you've been so well-behaved, here's a panorama I shot of some of Sedona's red rocks. This was done in Photoshop CS3 using 4 photos:
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Photos for you
I love your photo feedback! Thank you! Robert, the sunsets here are frequently uncommonly beautiful. And when you put in a saguaro, how can you lose? Glad you like that one.
I have been busy for the past few days since Dave left. We did have a wonderful time, and I have a few photos to share with you from our time together. I still have photos from the first part of his visit. These are from the last couple of days.
We went on Monday to Tubac and Tumacacori, in southern Arizona. This is a tile display from one of the stores:
We then visited the Titan Missile Museum. This was a real working missile silo at one time, and we got to see all the security systems in place. The tour was interesting and fun, and .. guess who our guide chose to "turn the key?" :) If you know me well, you know how anti-war and anti-missile I really am, so this was kinda funny:
This antenna is sometimes available for amateur radio users:
A photo of Dave and me reflected in the glass over the missile silo:
Shot through the glass:
On Tuesday, we took the hike up Blackett's Ridge. Everytime I do a particular hike, it's different. The sun is always different, the clouds, the plants, and this time... flowers!
I love hiking, and this day was wonderful! I somehow didn't get any photos of Dave, but he got a few of me!
And here's one of Ione and me talking in my living room. Notice how intently I'm listening, Ione! ;)
I'm about to enter a sort of blogging black hole. I'm going to be going to Sedona for a 4-day hiking club trip! We leave tomorrow at 9am and I'm not taking the computer. I'll be back on the blog on Thursday (or maybe Friday!)
I have been busy for the past few days since Dave left. We did have a wonderful time, and I have a few photos to share with you from our time together. I still have photos from the first part of his visit. These are from the last couple of days.
We went on Monday to Tubac and Tumacacori, in southern Arizona. This is a tile display from one of the stores:
We then visited the Titan Missile Museum. This was a real working missile silo at one time, and we got to see all the security systems in place. The tour was interesting and fun, and .. guess who our guide chose to "turn the key?" :) If you know me well, you know how anti-war and anti-missile I really am, so this was kinda funny:
This antenna is sometimes available for amateur radio users:
A photo of Dave and me reflected in the glass over the missile silo:
Shot through the glass:
On Tuesday, we took the hike up Blackett's Ridge. Everytime I do a particular hike, it's different. The sun is always different, the clouds, the plants, and this time... flowers!
I love hiking, and this day was wonderful! I somehow didn't get any photos of Dave, but he got a few of me!
And here's one of Ione and me talking in my living room. Notice how intently I'm listening, Ione! ;)
I'm about to enter a sort of blogging black hole. I'm going to be going to Sedona for a 4-day hiking club trip! We leave tomorrow at 9am and I'm not taking the computer. I'll be back on the blog on Thursday (or maybe Friday!)Friday, March 14, 2008
End of the Week
Here we are on Friday again. Dave left on Wednesday, after a whirlwind 10 days of touring, hikes, good eats, morning walks, and afternoon swims. Actually, not counting travel days, we really had just 9 days together, with 2 of them ending in performances of the play and parties afterward.
Here's a list of some of the things that we did: Sonora Desert Museum, drove and hiked in Saguaro East, hiked Ventana Canyon, hiked Blackett's Ridge, drove to the top of Mt. Lemmon, watched a sunset over the Pantano Wash, rooted for the Colorado Rockies at a Spring Training baseball game, went on a photo shoot to the San Xavier Mission, visited Poisoned Pen Bookstore in Phoenix, went to Cabela's in Phoenix, visited the Hall of Flame firefighting museum in Phoenix, went shopping and eating in Tubac and Tumacacori, toured the Titan Missile Museum, and drank wine and sang along with "I just don't look good naked anymore" at the Michigan Party.
Nearly everyone who met Dave loved him, and the ones who didn't, didn't understand him. ;) Seriously, we had a really fine time, and everyone liked Dave.
Now that my deck is finished, I'm ready to stain it. John and I drove over to Home Depot and picked out stain. They didn't have it in stock, though, so I have to return there tomorrow morning to get it. I'll stain it this weekend.
Today I went for a swim. The day was warm, but breezy enough to make it feel just perfect. Several of my friends were over there, and it was fun, as always.
We had a good meeting of our Foto Fun club yesterday. A gentleman from the community came to critique our club members' photos and we all enjoyed this. Here are my photos that he critiqued. I have improved them, based upon his comments:
Here's a list of some of the things that we did: Sonora Desert Museum, drove and hiked in Saguaro East, hiked Ventana Canyon, hiked Blackett's Ridge, drove to the top of Mt. Lemmon, watched a sunset over the Pantano Wash, rooted for the Colorado Rockies at a Spring Training baseball game, went on a photo shoot to the San Xavier Mission, visited Poisoned Pen Bookstore in Phoenix, went to Cabela's in Phoenix, visited the Hall of Flame firefighting museum in Phoenix, went shopping and eating in Tubac and Tumacacori, toured the Titan Missile Museum, and drank wine and sang along with "I just don't look good naked anymore" at the Michigan Party.
Nearly everyone who met Dave loved him, and the ones who didn't, didn't understand him. ;) Seriously, we had a really fine time, and everyone liked Dave.
Now that my deck is finished, I'm ready to stain it. John and I drove over to Home Depot and picked out stain. They didn't have it in stock, though, so I have to return there tomorrow morning to get it. I'll stain it this weekend.
Today I went for a swim. The day was warm, but breezy enough to make it feel just perfect. Several of my friends were over there, and it was fun, as always.
We had a good meeting of our Foto Fun club yesterday. A gentleman from the community came to critique our club members' photos and we all enjoyed this. Here are my photos that he critiqued. I have improved them, based upon his comments:
Saturday, March 08, 2008
Summer Fun
... At least that's what it feels like! Dave and I have enjoyed splendid weather for the past few days, and have taken full advantage of it. We have been swimming, we ate at an outdoor Mexican Cantina in Phoenix yesterday, and we went to a Spring Training baseball game today! I slathered on the sunscreen, so sustained no sunburning, and we drank plenty of water.
Jack put some finishing touches on my deck today, and moved his tools back to his own house. I still have to stain it, which I'll do soon after Dave leaves. I have to choose a color and just do it. Jack made some great little portable tables that hook onto the benches, and I was surprised and delighted by these, upon our arrival after the game today.
Dave and I visited Phoenix ydy, going to three destinations: Poisoned Pen Press, where Dave touted his now "star-reviewed" novel, Miracle Myx; Cabela's, where I got some cute new clothes; and the Hall of Flame -- a firefighters' museum full of fire engines and other fire-fighting paraphernalia. It was huge, and we both loved it!
Jack put some finishing touches on my deck today, and moved his tools back to his own house. I still have to stain it, which I'll do soon after Dave leaves. I have to choose a color and just do it. Jack made some great little portable tables that hook onto the benches, and I was surprised and delighted by these, upon our arrival after the game today.
Dave and I visited Phoenix ydy, going to three destinations: Poisoned Pen Press, where Dave touted his now "star-reviewed" novel, Miracle Myx; Cabela's, where I got some cute new clothes; and the Hall of Flame -- a firefighters' museum full of fire engines and other fire-fighting paraphernalia. It was huge, and we both loved it!
Friday, March 07, 2008
Goings on
What a fine few days I've had! On Tuesday, Dave and I began the day with a hike with the Hiking Club. We hiked up Ventana Canyon in the Catalinas, as far as the pools. We went pretty fast, too fast for my tastes, but we made it in fine shape. It was a hike with pretty "big up," as I like to put it -- about 1400 feet in elevation gain, according to Jack's GPS.
Dave and I hit the pool and hot tub, and then returned here so that I could get ready for the play.
The play went very well both nights (Tues and Wed), with plenty of laughs, many compliments for all the players, and tons of fun for all of us, too. On Tuesday, we did forget how our arrangement of "Clementine" went, but people laughed anyway, and we seemed like a group of happy hillbillies, which was what we were supposed to be.
Wednesday, Dave and I took in the Sonora Desert Museum. We saw no javelinas, but the coyotes were active and I got some of what I hope turn out to be good pictures. We dined at the Ironwood Cafe and saw the Free Flight raptor show with the graceful and beautiful Harris Hawks. What a cool place, and such a beautiful day it was!
Yesterday (Thursday) we went with the Foto Fun club to the Mission of San Xavier, southwest of Tucson for a photo op. While the left side is still in scaffolding, there were still nice photos to be taken. Fun day indeed!
We had supper last night at one of Michael and my favorite spots -- Sweet Tomatoes! We reminisced about Michael and shared some tears. It's great to have Dave here -- a real friend who knew Michael and loved him too.
Dave and I hit the pool and hot tub, and then returned here so that I could get ready for the play.
The play went very well both nights (Tues and Wed), with plenty of laughs, many compliments for all the players, and tons of fun for all of us, too. On Tuesday, we did forget how our arrangement of "Clementine" went, but people laughed anyway, and we seemed like a group of happy hillbillies, which was what we were supposed to be.
Wednesday, Dave and I took in the Sonora Desert Museum. We saw no javelinas, but the coyotes were active and I got some of what I hope turn out to be good pictures. We dined at the Ironwood Cafe and saw the Free Flight raptor show with the graceful and beautiful Harris Hawks. What a cool place, and such a beautiful day it was!
Yesterday (Thursday) we went with the Foto Fun club to the Mission of San Xavier, southwest of Tucson for a photo op. While the left side is still in scaffolding, there were still nice photos to be taken. Fun day indeed!
We had supper last night at one of Michael and my favorite spots -- Sweet Tomatoes! We reminisced about Michael and shared some tears. It's great to have Dave here -- a real friend who knew Michael and loved him too.
Monday, March 03, 2008
Great Day
Today Dave and I got an early (for me) start. We went walking and then Dave showered while I went to my play rehearsal. The rehearsal went well.
Then I gave Dave a choice of a city tour or a Saguaro East tour, and he chose the Saguaro East option. We did the Loop Drive, taking time to get out and read placards, take pictures, and even went on a short hike on the Cactus Forest Trail. Dave took a few photos of Myx for his blog and even had to pick cactus needles out of Myx's pages! Yow!
We went to the Visitor's Center, and verified that the little creatures we saw running across the road were ground squirrels.
Our tummies were rumbling, and Dave wanted a hotdog! Where better to get a hotdog than LaMesa RV? Darrin and Rich were there offering hugs and tickets to the lunch, which was just as good as I'd promised Dave.
We got back in time to get ready for the pool party. Janet and Pete had invited us earlier in the day. Although it was just in the low 60's and cool, we prepped for swimming!
The pool was grand -- 87° -- and we enjoyed our swim before soaking for a time in the hot tub. After that, we listened to music and ate some snacks with my friends. What fun!
Dinner was In-and-Out Burgers, and then we went to Target to get some supplies. Computer time and then bedtime! Great day!
Then I gave Dave a choice of a city tour or a Saguaro East tour, and he chose the Saguaro East option. We did the Loop Drive, taking time to get out and read placards, take pictures, and even went on a short hike on the Cactus Forest Trail. Dave took a few photos of Myx for his blog and even had to pick cactus needles out of Myx's pages! Yow!
We went to the Visitor's Center, and verified that the little creatures we saw running across the road were ground squirrels.
Our tummies were rumbling, and Dave wanted a hotdog! Where better to get a hotdog than LaMesa RV? Darrin and Rich were there offering hugs and tickets to the lunch, which was just as good as I'd promised Dave.
We got back in time to get ready for the pool party. Janet and Pete had invited us earlier in the day. Although it was just in the low 60's and cool, we prepped for swimming!
The pool was grand -- 87° -- and we enjoyed our swim before soaking for a time in the hot tub. After that, we listened to music and ate some snacks with my friends. What fun!
Dinner was In-and-Out Burgers, and then we went to Target to get some supplies. Computer time and then bedtime! Great day!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
