The Middle of Nowhere

Sometimes when I get up I am chilly, especially my legs, so I turn on the little space heater I have. Well, apparently the husband has an issue with me using the heater when the windows are open and it is almost 70 degrees out because I got one of those looks that says "it is beautiful outside you crazy lady, and you are using up un needed energy". I always feel guilty when he gives me those looks but also a bit defiant. I want to say "come live in my faulty body for a day, then give me a look! Ha. He was right about it being beautiful outside though, the sun was even shining. But before I could get myself together enough to go outside and take pictures of my block, the sun was gone! So fickle that sun. My legs are still chilly but I won't turn that heater on! (unless he runs out for something or I can hear him snoring) he he
You know where the sun isn't fickle? Thats right, Arizona. I just have a few more things to show you and I'll shut up about it. Plus, it is almost "lake" time. I am sure by the end of the summer and all my postings of Lake pictures and stories you will be begging for more desert photos. Starting next weekend in fact. Woo Hoo! Ok, back to business.
A month or so ago I read on Kelli's blog about a day trip she took to Mexico where she stopped at this old Spanish mission just South of Tuscon. It was first visited in 1693 then deemed a special site to build a mission in 1700 by a Jesuit friar, Father Eusebio Fransisco Kino. Apparently there is a trail of missions all through Central America and up to California that Father Kino founded. At the time the only people living in the area was an Indian tribe, the same tribe the mission still serves today. I couldn't believe that in all my time living in AZ and traveling to Tuscon and Nogales that I had never heard of such a place. So on my dad's last day off we decided to take our own little day trip to San Xavier del Bac.
The web site is really great. It gives a full history of the mission and discoveries/renovations going on around it. But best of all, it has a tool where you enter your address and it gives you directions. I love functional! Exactly as promised, after a 2 1/2 hour drive, there arose out of the desert floor this amazing set of buildings. I mean really out of nowhere. They are doing renovations on the exterior of the main chapel, but it was still breathtaking. What amazes me is that even right now it is isolated. I mean Tuscon isn't far but it is really in the middle of nowhere. So in 1700, it really in the middle of nowhere, and these priests show up and decide it would be a great place for a chapel that can stand up to any beautiful Catholic chapel anywhere in the world. Amazing! So before I bore you any longer, I will let the pictures speak for themselves.I am just glad we went and saw this amazing piece of history. They are open to the public every day and it is all free, unless you want to buy and burn a candle. But they give away the burnt candle holders with a picture of the mission on it for free. Well you do get a scornful look from the nun if you don't buy a candle but take the freebies, but I think I am over it. It was a piercing stare though!

I have lots of fun planned for this week blog wise. I will have a tutorial of one of my favorite AZ foods, that I had to learn how to make for myself for survival reasons, some favorite blog highlights, and lots of sewing and crafts. Best of all though is my GIVEAWAY. I will post the official giveaway post in the morning, with pictures, so be ready! Enjoy the rest of the weekend everyone. Love Stacy