Desert in Bloom

This past couple of weeks have been fantastic for us. We had a relatively wet winter and now the desert is truly blooming, spring is here. We see wildflowers everywhere we go (even in the street median islands in town). The cacti are blooming in a variety of brilliant colors. And the weather is great; sunny during the day, a breeze most of the time, and cool in the evenings. This is the best time of year to go hiking to enjoy the desert wildflowers, and the local critters too... rabbits, tortoises, and javelinas. My husband especially loves the smell of the acacia tree right in front of our home.

We enjoyed the Open Studio Tour on April 3rd & 4th in Tubac. This is the second year the Santa Cruz Valley arranged for a Hidden Treasures Open Studios Tour. This event offered us an opportunity to see and experience the true creative process, in the studios of working artists throughout the Santa Cruz Valley. We picked up a brochure at the Tubac Center of the Arts and followed its map, and spent both Saturday and Sunday visiting most of the studios. My husband and I, and some good friends who came along, now really appreciate the hard work, time, and talent that go into the paintings, bronzes, clay and wooden sculptures, and blown glass pieces. During the Studio Tour we also very much enjoyed the live performance of Native American Classical Guitarist Gabriel Ayala.

Southern Arizona is well-known for its charitable fund raising events. The Rotary Club is one of the many organizations that raises money for good causes through a variety of ways in several venues. Last Saturday (April 3rd), The Tubac Rotary Club organized the Taste of Tubac at the Tubac Golf Resort. Most of the Tubac restaurants had booths with representative samples of their foods. It was a great event and enjoyed by all who attended. Yesterday (April 11th) The Rincon Rotary Club organized The Taste of Chocolate at the Double Tree Hotel at Reid Park in Tucson. About 25 different chocolate specialty stores and restaurants participated... lots of chocolates of all sorts (even chocolate chicken - Chicken Mole) for people to sample. We tasted for about two and a half hours. I think my blood got thicker and browner with all the chocolates I had!

The 32nd Annual Blessing of the Vine Festival is going to be on April 24th at Sonoita. Ministers and priests bless the grape vines to foster a bountiful crop at harvest time, free wine glass and samples, live music, dancing, $10, horseback riding is also available throughout the day, from 11 am - 4 pm. For more information call 520-455-5893 or http://www.sonoitavineyards.com

We'll see you there.