After picking up the car, we got to my Grandfather's house super late (nearly 2 am!) but he was very gracious about it. Friday morning we made a quick run to Trader Joe's and the one Kosher cafe/butcher in the Tucson area, and spending about $60 and an hour and a half in the kitchen we put together an awesome Shabbat menu:
Friday night: 12 bean and tomato soup, shake 'n bake chicken, vegetable rice pilaf, french beans and mushroom stir fry, green salad, banana bread
Saturday lunch: Barbecue spare ribs, sweet potatoes, asparagus, rice (again)
On Saturday afternoon we went out for a short walk around Tucson. The distances out here are just amazing. There are views of the pristine blue mountains from almost every angle, and cacti abound, and yet no one just walks around for the heck of it. There were one or two bicyclists, but that was about it- on a Saturday afternoon! We had a great time just breathing the fresh air and taking in the sunlight. We walked down a desert wash about a mile (the Alamo wash), filled with junk food wrappers and graffiti, but still lovely. Yishai parked down on the grass outside of a bank on the way back (well, what else is it for?), where we rested for a few minutes. All in all, a lovely afternoon. Early February and 75 degrees? Yes, please!
We went out this evening to a fancy Italian restaurant (NoRTH Tucson) with my uncle Mark and aunt Kathleen and their daughter Tori. We had some delicious fish and great company.
The most intriguing discussion of the evening (for me, at least) was with my uncle, who owns an amazing Native American art gallery in Tucson and Santa Fe. I mentioned my big wool spinning plans when we get back to Israel (more details to come), and he offered to use his artisan connections to set me up on a local Navajo reservation with some artists who could actually teach me the spinning craft. Now I just can't stop thinking about the opportunity. Who knows, maybe if my public policy MA falls through, I could camp out there for a year and do an ethnographic study. The very possibility is unbelievable!
Tomorrow morning we are off to Mark and Kathleen's to hike their backyard canyon, and then check out the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show, which is running now. Oh right, and Monday's camping trip outside the Grand Canyon? Only going to happen if we can get our hands on a tent. That's right, we forgot most of our camping equipment, tent included, at home! Luckily, Gloria lent us an awesome low-temp sleeping bag, and hopefully we'll be able to pick up a cheap tent at an army surplus store. It is supposed to be around 15 degrees there though, so better make it a warm one!
sounds lovely.......Ima
ReplyDelete