Christmas in Tucson

I absolutely love my city.  Tucson is a little slice of heaven to me.  Here are some of the places I love to visit during the holidays.  Most of them are traditions that my family and I wouldn't dream of missing!  I've included links.

El Nacimiento, Tucson Museum of Art

This Mexican nativity scene takes up an entire room and takes months for its creator to put together every year.  She does it in honor of her mother.  I so appreciate that devotion she has for her mom, because I feel the same about mine.  The display stays up until early spring, then has to be dismantled and totally put back together again in the fall.

Old Town Artisans Galleries

Whenever we visit El Nacimiento, we make a point of browsing through this group of shops which is right down the street.  It's synonymous with Christmas for us.  The adobe buildings that the stores are located in were built starting in the 1850s and they are on land that was the site of a Spanish fort in the 1700s. These shops feature hand-crafted pottery, metal-work, jewelry, and home furnishings.  We never fail to find gifts here.

Winterhaven Festival of Lights

The huge light festival that the Winterhaven neighborhood has put on every year for the last 61 years is legendary around these parts.  Almost every house for blocks and blocks is decorated, some of them very elaborately.  Unfortunately, Winterhaven is experiencing financial difficulties in these hard economic times.  They are relying on community donations, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they will succeed.

Zoo Lights at Reid Park Zoo

We have been attending this event since my children were little.  There's something magical about walking around a zoo at night when every tree and bush has been draped with Christmas lights.  It's just breathtaking!

Enchanted Snowfall at La Encantada

This event is such fun!  It's rare that Tucsonans get to see a snowfall, but it happens at this upscale shopping center through most of December.  La Encantada is home to one of our favorite stores, A.J.s Fine Foods, where we find some of our most-loved Christmas goodies that just aren't around most of the year, such as marzipan.  Yum!

The Nutcracker Ballet

This timeless ballet, performed by Ballet Tucson, is a yearly tradition.  This is the classic version, and there's also a Southwestern Nutcracker that we sometimes attend.  It just wouldn't be Christmas without this event!

I hope you've enjoyed a glimpse into my world at Christmastime.  I'd love to learn about some of your traditions!

Pink Christmas

Well, since my job has me down, stressed, and overwhelmed, I'm going to concentrate on happy things today, since it's a day off for me.

I love Christmas and I love the color pink, so I've decided to find some lovely pink Christmas items and display them here.  There will also be a link for each item so that you can purchase them if you're so inclined.  I'm not doing much buying today...just window shopping for the purpose of relaxing.  Enjoy!

Mrs. Potts and Chip Ornament.  Favorite holiday, favorite color, and favorite Disney movie.  Score!

Pink Ballerina Dance Slippers Lights

Pink Christmas Bottle Brush Wreath

Pink Christmas Tree Ornaments

Blown Glass Ornament

Pink Christmas Tree

Pink Floral Stocking

Snowflake-Detail Pink Tree Skirt

Bead and Ribbon Garland

I hope something caught your eye.  More Christmas postings to come...after all it's the most wonderful time of the year!!

Thanksgiving

I had to use this graphic...it looks a little bit like me as a child LOL!

Have a happy, blessed Thanksgiving!

Homemade Glitter Ornaments

Aren't these pretty?  These are made with clear glass ornaments, glitter, and floor wax!  Go here for a video tutorial to see how Robyn from My Pink Stamper and her crew make these lovelies!

Cute, Easy Christmas Projects

Many of you out in Blogland are expert crafters who can whip up amazing projects in seemingly the blink of an eye.  Then there are people like me, who were born into the role of appreciator of other people's creations.

But I've discovered as I've been reading blogs, there are a few cute Christmas items that even I could make.

At "Craftapalooza" I spotted these cute button wreaths.

Over at "The Speckled Dog", I found this beautiful Christmas Ribbon Wreath

From "A Pumpkin and a Princess", I am in love with this simple Peppermint Garland. I'm envisioning alternating red and green candies on this one.

At  Fireflies and Family, I discovered a darling kid's project.

Birgit Kerr has created these simple, lovely Tinsel Filled Ornaments.

Look at these pretty Christmas Candy Trees I found at "Life is a Party".

Dreaming of a Decadent Christmas

I've been putting together a mental Christmas wish list.  Money is super tight this year so I doubt I'll be getting much of anything, which is absolutely fine.  I can't think of a thing I need.  It's fun to "window-shop", though.

Here are some items on my imaginary list.  These photos all come from Nordstrom.com

Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir Scented Travel Candle

MAC A Tartan Tale - Sassy Coral Lassies' Lipglass Set

Couture Couture by Juicy - Couture Holiday Set

Lagos 'Mini Torque' Caviar Sterling Silver Bracelet

Marc by Marc Jacobs - Totally Turnlock Large Zip Around Wallet

Philosophy 'Unconditional Love' Layering Set

NARS 'Sweet Disposition' Holiday Mini Multiple Set

Dior Deluxe Travel Palette

Swatch 'Full-Blooded' Watch

Nordstrom Glass Stretch Pearl Bracelet

Juicy Couture 'Yorkie' Charm

Well, that's more than enough for now!  I'd better stop before I get too carried away.

What are you hoping to see under your tree or in your stocking this holiday season?

Soup for A Cold Winter's Night

Okay, so maybe we haven't actually experienced a cold winter's night here in southern Arizona, but one look at the calendar says it's almost time!  After all, we're supposed to reach a high of only 70 degrees in a couple of days.  Woo hoo!  So I've listed a few of my favorite soup recipes for those wintry eves to come.  Click on the name of the soups for a link to the recipes.

Baked Potato Soup

Cheeseburger Soup

Crock Posole

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup & Curry Condiments

Most of these could be eaten as a meal, perhaps with some bread as an accompaniment.  Let me know what your favorite soup recipe is!

Fall/Winter Fashion for Plus Sizes

This post is not meant to be discriminatory, but the clothing I'm going to show and link to are for the...ahem...larger woman.  I am plus size myself, and it's really true that it can be difficult to find cute, stylish clothes in larger sizes. Some of these items can be found in Misses sizes, too, however.  I hope you find something you love!

Cropped Corduroy Jacket - Old Navy

Striped Cowl Neck Sweater - Coldwater Creek

Only Mine Cashmere Cardigan - Nordstrom

Ruched Shoulder Sweatshirt Tunic - Avenue

Wool-Blend Trench Coat - Old Navy

Zigzag Trim Swacket - Dillard's

Bloggy giveaway!

Melissa, at Melissa's Heart and Home, is having a wonderful giveaway to celebrate two years of blogging.  Head on over there!

Melissa's Heart & Home