Up for a glorious sunrise over the Santa Catalina Mountain range,
which is the view out of the windows at the Nielsen-Rose abode this morning. We have an entire week stretching ahead of us and so much to do, yet so restful to sit poolside in the sunshine doing absolutely nothing! This morning Chef Kevin offered an amazing choice of repast with which to break our overnight fast. After discussing our plans for the day, we opted for a lighter meal of fresh fruit, raspberry pastries, yogurt and cereal. We enjoyed an orange juice Prosecco smoothie to go with our coffee.
Promptly at 11:00, the doorbell rang with a delivery of flowers for Deb. Abigail had arranged for the arrangement to be delivered in anticipation of Deb’s birthday tomorrow. When your children do something thoughtful and kind, such as this, you realize that maybe your attempts at parenthood were not such a failure after all. Next thing you know, they will offer forgiveness for all the times we refused to let them join their buddies at the mall or to purchase the newest piece of plastic plaything on offer.
Early afternoon, we climbed into Kevin’s white Avalon to drive the area. First stop was Tucson Cactus and Koi, the cactus nursery at which Kevin spends way too much time and money (according to Tom,) and where all the salespeople seem to know his name, Kevin’s Cheers. Never have we seen such a display or variety of cactus. Tall ones, short ones, flowering ones, dead looking ones! Kevin, a Master Gardener with Douglas County Extension when he lived in Omaha, has embraced the desert flora. He has spent countless hours restoring his small piece of the desert. His yard now encompasses 95 cactus and 16 pots of annual flowers for color and diversity. He is after a low water, xeriscape, style planting and his efforts are evident. During this stop, Deb acquired a small potted cactus, which she intends to wrap up and smuggle onto our plane home in her carry-on!
Next stop is an upscale open air mall where we spent too much time in Crate and Barrel. This shopping excursion was spurred on as a number of items on Meg and Ed’s wedding list were available at his store. Since we will be coming back out to the great southwest in another 60 days to celebrate their wedding, we used this excuse to wander the store and ponder all the wonderful goods available and decide what we might want to contribute to their happiness.
Next onward to our evening dinner location, the Original Guadalajara Cafe for some Mexican cuisine and a large pitcher of Margaritas. Mark chose a more sensible 20 ounce beaker of Modell Negra beer. The food was excellent - the only downfall was the table-side preparation salsa, guacamole and chips as appetizers. We enjoyed a taco salad, a plate of three sauce soaked enchiladas, a molcajetes (which is a scalding cauldron of seafood and meats to be wrapped in accompanying tortillas,) and Tom’s choice of tamales and enchiladas and a Gordita. All in all too much food. We should have skipped the hors d’oerves.
Just as the sun was setting, we returned to Casa Nielsen-Rose for evening cocktails and conversation under the stars. Amid a brace of dirty Martinis and a bottle of red wine, we tried to solve all the world’s, or at least just our own troubles. Luckily, the combination of activities, walking and good food tired us and kept our activities to a minimum. We were into our boudoir and bed at a responsible 10:00 PM.
