Ensalada de Noche Buena

I served this salad at our branding lunch.  It is really good and so good for you!

Ensalada de Noche Buena, serves 6-8
4 large navel oranges
1 large red grapefruit
3 cups 1" cubed peeled jicama (about 1 pound)
4 cups romaine lettuce
1 cup pomegranate seeds or plumped craisins (in hot water, then drain)
3 tablespoons unsalted pumpkinseed kernels
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Dressing:
1.5 teaspoons grated lime rind
3 Tablespoons lime juice
3 Tablespoons plain yogurt
2 Tablespoons light mayonnaise
1.5 Tablespoons honey
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
dash salt

Peel and section oranges and grapefruit, cutting all pith away and reserving juice for a snack.  Layer romaine lettuce, citrus, jicama, pomegranate seeds or craisins, pumpkinseeds.

Mix dressing ingredients in a small bowl.  Drizzle dressing over salad, sprinkle cilantro over top.  Yield:  8 servings.

100 Ranchers 100 Years

Today, Papa and I went to the Tucson Museum of Art for the second time in a month to see the exhibit, 100 Years 100 Ranchers.

100 Years 100 Ranchers ... Photographs by Scott Baxter

"For more than 100 years the ranching tradition has been an integral part of Arizona's history and growth. In celebration of Arizona's Centennial in 2012, Scott Baxter photographed 100 Arizona ranchers whose families have been ranching for a century or more.  Baxter's powerful exhibit of black and white photographs, now on display at the Tucson Museum of Art, documents 100 ranchers whose families have been ranching in the state since 1912 or earlier.

Photography for the project began in 2000. For over 10 years, Baxter traveled to ranches across the state, getting to know the individual ranchers and their operations. Baxter's collection of photographs is a tribute to Arizona's ranching legacy by preserving an important piece of Arizona character and history." http://www.scottbaxterphotographer.com/100-years-100-ranchers

Birds on Saguaros

It seems that most saguaros have a woodpecker or dove on top or "bird holes" on the trunk.  

Saguaros are one of the great treasures of the Sonoran desert.  Love them!

Blooming in August

There are months of the year that I associate with certain flowering plants.  In August, I expect to see lots of barrel cactus blooms.  This year's weather has been just right for barrel cactus and their blooms are stunning.  I took these photos on my walk through our Tucson neighborhood.

Trip Across the Ranch

Papa and I rode on Bob, our ATV, across the ranch after several good rains this summer.  The desert is turning green.  Summer flowers are blooming, small puddles are standing in the creeks, and the prickly pear fruit is quite ripe.  The ranch is beautiful!

Choppers Flying Low

We get choppers and airplanes flying very low over our house rather often.  This one flew over a couple days ago.  We live way out in the boonies, and it feels very weird when we get "buzzed" by low flying aircraft.

Windmills and Water Tanks

I love windmills and old water tanks too.  This windmill and water tank are just across 

the creek from Carly and Colter's house on Warbonnet Ranch.  Beautiful!

Textures

Living in the desert, we are exposed to many different textures every day.  I have also 
decorated our home with textures in mind.  A few textures of our day... 

Leather Pockets

Papa saves all the leather scraps from various projects, such as saddles, chinks, handbags, saddlebags.  When Sarah and Emily were visiting, Papa helped them make leather pockets 

for their Iphones.  They cut the leather to fit, glued the sides, punched holes on three sides, 

then laced them up.  The leather pockets project was a success!

Ranch Modes of Transportation

We have various modes of transportation to move about the ranch.  All are important!