summer in the desert

The weather this week (and really, every week) is amazing here in Tucson. We're enjoying tons of beautiful sunshine and wonderful temps in the 70s and low 80s. I still can't get over the weather here. Today I experienced one of my very favorite moments - when I leave the downtown public library after lunchtime yoga and go outside into the gorgeous weather. The sun is shining, I'm relaxed and rejuvinated from yoga, and I feel at peace. Double bonus if it's a farmer's market Wednesday.

This beautiful week has me thinking about summer. People that don't live in Tucson love to rag on the summers here. Sorry guys, I love them. Sure, it's hot in June, but the monsoon brings those incredible afternoon thunderclouds and the downpours leave everything cooler and smelling like mesquite. And I can't even complain about June now that I have a pool.

Things I'm looking forward to this summer:

jumping in the pool every night when we get home from work

teaching Sunny to swim (cross your fingers)

home grown tomatoes and basil!

camping on Mount Lemmon

visiting Sonoita and Elgin to escape the 100+ temps

Oh, speaking of Sonoita, we're headed down there this weekend to Canelo Hills Winery for their Wine and Farm festival. If you live in Tucson and haven't been down to the wineries in Sonoita and Elgin, what are you waiting for? It's such a pretty place. Grasslands stretch for miles, dotted with vineyards and barns and the occasional horse (or 4). GO! And just a little hint - our favorite wines from that area come from Canelo Hills. Tim and Joan really know what they're doing.