Hike

Took a break from making bowls for a gorgeous hike in the foothills. After this week's unsettled weather and more welcome rain last night-- the sun returned to make a day just begging us to be out and hiking

And then we treated ourselves to a stop at "Frost's" for some amazing Gelato. Mine was Salted Caramel, of course.

Bowls, bowls and more bowls. . 

all for "Empty Bowls."

Snow in Southern Arizona

Snow in Tucson! Well, in the he mountains around Tucson. Some neighborhoods in the foothills got measurable snow, some of our friends had snow in back yard but all we got in the valley was wonderful most welcome rain. 

It certainly is news when it snows here though. The locals make a big deal out of it and we "old midwesterners" just groan!!

It is pretty, have to admit. Maybe ski slope on Mt Lemmon will be open, right now the road up there is closed.

But following the snow is freeze warnings so am out there covering plants. Don't like that.

The weekend

Drought thirsty Arizona is soaking up this mornings rain. It really isn't much moisture, can't really see that it is raining on the picture, but I will tell you that it sounds nice. And more is promised and badly needed.

My last pomelo ready to pick. I got about two dozen off my tree this year, ate one a day. This one I am savoring. Lemons not so good this year but I noticed some blossom on the tree--which I think is too early. Maybe the tree decided to just start over.

My bowl factory still in the works for "Empty Bowls". Bowls everywhere in all stages of the process.

Break in the rain clouds for sunset.

And Will was able to get his first Covid Vaccine shot. Confusing to say the least to get the appt but the process itself was timely and efficient. Second shot scheduled for Feb 12. I can't register as yet, I am in the next age group. Hopefully soon.

Settling back at home

'Tis always nice to be home. Arizona sunshine and warmth is appreciated so much when you have been without it. I guess the temps on Gulf Coast were about the same and we had lots of sun, it's just different at home.

  First thing was to get out and bird the DeAnza trail near Tubac. Quiet but beautiful day to get some excersize in the woods.

Back working in my studio. Am making bowls for an "Empty Bowls" event coming up in March. Major fundraiser for Interfaith Community Service's, our local food bank. It's different this year since we can't have public gatherings so will be virtual. They are asking local potters to come up with 800 bowls--I promised a bunch and having fun experimenting.

And Will has been busy with projects--he fixed my sliding garbage can and so much nicer.

And sunset from my back yard!

Home again

Seems to be pretty predictable. . .last day, we are anxious to get home. Up early, still dark as we left Van Horn, Texas.

Thru El Paso, crossed into New Mexico. . . scenery pretty much the same. . .across Arizona and drove into driveway mid afternoon. All good at home. 

Unloaded the rig, and started laundry, and sorting and putting everything away. . .need I say, went to bed early.

So thankful for so much--precious time with family, safety, staying healthy, no mechanical problems, cooperative weather--traveling with my best friend--more memory making.

Onto San Antonio

Unless we have a direct destination we usually avoid driving the RV through major cities. It's just stressful, watching the lane changes, watching for right exits, can't make mistakes with the rig. But today's route on I10 took us straight through. We were amazed at the maze of concrete intersecting hiways overhead like giant tinker toys the scale of which I had never seen. Love sitting up high in the RV watching the world go by.

Pulled into RV park in San Antonio about 3pm. We quickly set up then walked across the street to bus stop and caught a bus to the old town of San Antonio. Strolled along the very pleasant "River Walk" and then found a Mexican restaurant with patio seating.

Just around the corner is the "Alamo."  By the time we got there it was closed for the day but we were just walking around and "looking".

Monument to the Texans who fought to defend the Alamo.

No idea what this building is but like it. As the impressive art piece that stands in middle of a plaza. Need to do some research. Those are pidgons roosting across the top.

Happy New Year--Now time to travel home

On the road again. Directly south back to Montgomery, Alabama, moved back into RV, short night sleep and on our way heading West. Caught I10 and stayed on it. Will take us to Tucson.

Crossing the Mississippi River at Baton Rouge.

Miles and miles of elevated hiway over the Achafalaya in southern Louisiana. So interesting.

Stopped for the night in Lafayette, Louisiana.

We kept seeing signs advertising "Boudin and Cracklings" --enough that it peeked our interest. When we stopped for the night we noticed a very busy Boudin shop right next door.  We had to check it out--we were up for something Louisiana Cajun!! Turns out Boudin (pronounced Boo'-dun) is traditional French/Acadian/Creole sausage made with pork and rice and spices. The basic Boudin morphs into all kinds of various added ingredients. We had fresh, hot Boudin balls which instead of stuffing the sausage mixture into pork gut casings, it is formed into balls, dipped into batter and then deep fried. We were both sweating from the heat but was oh, so good. 

Then we ordered some fresh deep fried Cracklings. Now, this is nothing like the crunchy, light Cracklings you can buy in the chip isle, these were 1/2 thick chunks of pig skin, battered and deep fried crisp. Pure fat--cholesterol bombs.

just doin' stuff

Movies. . . . 

We did a lot of eating. If anybody was hungry it was their own fault because we could have been an a army! 

Doug made his famous ribs!

Lia and Aeri decorated cookies and are all the leftover frosting.

And an occasional Korean drama! Tammy introduced me to an App where I can get ALL Korean D's, even current ones? These are the elite of all soap operas. 

  The weather was cold and nasty all week but fortunately it was cold rain and not snow--a little ice. But we were not going anywhere anyway. And it all passed thru by the time we all wanted to leave. The ice storm in the Northeast was pretty much melted by the time Doug and Tammy started their 12 hour drive back to New Jersey. And Steph and Reynard's "arduous" 20 minutes drive to their house.

  Spent the whole next day missing everyone!!

The whole gang's here!!