A Visit to An Olive Mill

Yesterday I visited the Queen Creek Olive Mill just south of Chandler at the base of the San Tan mountains and a 2 hr drive from Green Valley. This is a very worthwhile trip. The Mill's primary business is making unique olive oils of many flavors including chocolate and bacon. It is advertised as one of the best olive oils in the world. Long sunny days and cool desert nights make an ideal climate for olive trees.

Thomas Jefferson said this about the Olive Tree

The Mill provides a tour and explanation of the olive oil making process. A large and wells stocked gift shop is on the grounds. One can picnic among the olive trees choosing from an extensive menu including salads, soups, sandwiches and even waffles.

A guide  tells us that harvesting is from October to December and the making of the oil is done in only 24 hours. The oil must then be stored without any light or oxygen waiting to be bottled for sale.

A perfect day trip would be to the Mill, have a picnic and then travel to just south of Florence to St Anthony's Greek Orthodox Monastery to see the beautiful architecture and gardens with citrus and olive trees.  Check out the blog of March 15, 2012 for photos of this very special place.

Taste of La Posada

The annual "Taste of La Posada" is probably a marketing tool for the community to be introduced to La Posada and what it can offer. However for me it was a time to meet and greet old friends and new.

Good food. Good music. Good friends.

Halloween at La Posada

One of the neat things about living in a community such as La Posada is that no holiday goes

uncelebrated. 

But all is done for you. Great decorations. Marvelous food. Servers in costume. People of all ages. Employes brought their kids in costume. Fun had by everyone.

La Posada Casita

Here is hoping that this will be the last home of Maggie, Ralph and Buddy.

We now have sunsets. Long walks along the Santa Cruz River.

Views of the Santa Rita Mountains

All we need in our post retirement home.

Six reasons I go to Mexico to the Dentist

#1 Of course it starts with the much lower fee structure.
#2 I learned they don't tell you you need procedures that you don't need.
#3 I met and liked Dr. T. periodontist for cleaning and Dr. Sergio for general dentistry.
#4 Always a pretty ride down. Today lots of Black Eyed Susan (?) flowers along the way.
#5 Nogales, Sonora is always interesting.
#6 Lots of neat restaurants for a late lunch in Tumacocori, Carmen and Tubac on the way home,
Today we enjoyed Wisdom's Cafe.

Major life changes

Just thinking about a move -exhausting. 

The sorting down to what is valuable in your life – emotionally draining. 

The physical labor, even with hired help -challenging to the maximum.

A year from now. The right decision.

But hardly priceless.

Thinking back over a life time

Major life changes

So many took place in the fall of the year

Starting first grade

Missed the kindergarden experience

Does it tell?

Starting many more years of school

High school, nursing school, college

Marriage

Moving to Green Valley, Arizona

Now moving to La Posada

Last move?

Maybe

Maybe not

Marriage - 1970

Swedish Hospital School of Nursing 1964

Evolution of a microburst at sunset