Not to rub it in, but I'm sitting at the PC and looking at the window. I've got hummingbirds coming to the window feeder and the bird bath outside the window is full of finches and sparrows taking a bath, and cosmos (pink and white) is blooming next to the bird bath! I am blessed and this is a great time to be in Tucson! Do you know that we have 57 different types of hummingbirds coming here? What a show! Of course, we swelter in the summer and thank God for AC! If any of you want a break. we're here - with room for guests! AND we're thinking of traveling down to the wineries south of Tucson for a little wine tasting soon - bet we could find some chocolate too!

I love Tucson, a lot more than Phoenix - and yes those hummingbirds. Have you ever taken the trip to Bisbee? Quite an interesting old town, especially with all those aging hippies inhabiting it now.

Oh Jeanne that sounds so lovely.  We get the ruby throats here on occasion but 57 different kinds is amazing (had no idea there were that many).  Wineries and chocolate, hmmmm, might have to re-think next year's vacation!

That is what I miss about living in the west, we get some here but not like the ones I used to see as a kid.  After your long hot summer Jeanne you deserve to love your climate.   Wineries really  I had no idea? 

Yep, Cathy, I've been to Bisbee. I love walking the wooden sidewalks and seeing people sitting outside the stores with dogs at their feet!  It's a very quaint old copper mining town. Phoenix doesn't have nearly the character that Tucson does - and the TRAFFIC!!!!!      

Yes, we do have wineries. As you go south from Tucson the elevation increases and it's usually a little cooler there. Last year I was on the activities committee for our senior group and I suggested we all go to one of the wineries. So, arrangements were made. They offered us lunch, wine tasting, tour and souvenir glass for a verynominal fee. Everyone had a great time and thought it was one of our best expeditions. I, of course, could not attend because we had to make a trip back to Utah for a retirement party! So, I've got to plan another trip!!!!    

Oh! I have to say that I saw the cutest thing - one of our hummingbirds taking a bath in the bird bath!! NEVER thought that I would see that.                                                                                                                                              

Ahhhhh....thanks, Jeanne!  You paint such a lovely picture of your home and Tucson in general!  Now me?  It's raining.  Heavy rain.  I let the dogs out on the front porch, and they just stood there mournfully.  Big tough German Sheps hate to get wet. 

I love to watch our hummingbirds too.  How cool that you saw one in the birdbath!  I can't even imagine 57 kinds.  Heinz Hummers, that's what you have.    I hope you have another gorgeous day today!

I was told about the 57 types from a bird expert - I don't have all of them in my yard - lol! but there are days when we are out on the patio that you think you should be wearing safety goggles and a helmet! Those little squirts really zip around. I also get a kick out of the quail and the way they run around our yard. I have no idea how many quail families have been raised here and those teeny tiny baby quail are so cute. We see them go from babies to toddlers to teenagers (those that survive, that is)! At least" Scruffy" our roadrunner seems to have abandoned our yard this past year and he's probably the biggest threat to the baby quail - grrrr.

OK -- I'm ready to book my flight to Tucson. But the question is whether you'll bring me coffee in bed? (My husband does.) Oh...and can we come for Thanksgiving??

Sure - we're doing Thanksgiving  (Brunch @ 11:45 AM) at our church since none of the kids will be here. Since the church is actually a retreat center, they have a chef on staff. This is the menu for Thanksgiving:

Appetizers

Salad Bar

Eggs Benedict

Seafood Station

Roasted Tom turkey

Leg of Lamb

Baked Salmon

Potatoes and Asparagus

A Bevy of Desserts

WINE along with hot and cold beverages

The cost for this? $20.00 per person. Think I should cook? NO WAY!

(BTW Deb - I'm not your husband! You would have to drag your butt out of bed for the coffee. lol!)

Wow -- Thanksgiving sounds great -- I wouldn't cook either if I could get all that for $20. But, I dunno...not getting served coffee in bed might be a deal-breaker.

Oh, no! Well, if you bring hubby, he could still wait on you.....