The Red Barn Country Store…and More

The Red Barn Country Store, located at 11011 East Tanque Verde Road, is more than just a store. It was developed by Old Pueblo Children’s Services (a non-profit 501(c)3 organization) to financially assist their care homes for children ages 3-17 and to provide a unique setting for Tanque Verde area residents and others to gather and enjoy each other’s company in a village type atmosphere.

The Red Barn Country Store

We start to go stir crazy during these hot summer months. Some days we just need to get outside for a little while in the middle of the day. We have driven by here a few times so today we decided to check it out.

There are two acres of interesting things to explore. Outside you will find antiques, old cars, tractors, statues, flowers, boats, fountains, bird baths, old wheels, birdhouses and more.

The huge trees offer a decent amount of shade. The two ponds were a hit with J.

The little pond.

The large pond.

The playground area has a little bit of shade around it.

Heading for the swings.

There is a livestock area but right now there isn’t any livestock to see. J did enjoy checking out the tractor and the old car though.

Riding the metal bull.

There are quite a few covered areas where you can sit and relax or throw down a blanket.

J thought the boat on the roof was funny.

A large shady spot.

Another shady spot.

The patio of The Red Barn Country Store also has plenty of seating and all kinds of nifty items to look at.

J had fun checking out all the stuff on the patio.

Inside you will find antiques, collectables, hand-made soaps, lotions, baked goods, jams, spices, old-fashioned candies and all kinds of random items for sale. All profits from the store go directly to the non-profit. There’s also a small snack bar.

An odd assortment!

I enjoyed poking around inside (I didn’t mind the AC either) but J quickly wanted to go back outside to see what else she could find that interested her.

Hey, this shovel has eyes!

This frog has golf ball eyes!

Big spoons!

Whoa! That’s a big wheel!

Everyone was very friendly and nobody minded that J was poking around and touching everything. There are future plans to have a farmers’ market, arts and crafts for children and special events. Pets are welcome, too!

If you are in the area, stop by and check out The Red Barn Country Store. Who knows, you might find something you just can’t leave without!

Art Sprouts at The University of Arizona Museum of Art

The University of Arizona Museum of Art (UAMA) recently introduced a new program called Art Sprouts that includes story time and art making for children ages two to five years old.

“Children will read a story, explore priceless works of art, move their bodies and make hands on activities. All of these components are designed to not only inspire, but to also foster cognitive, fine and gross motor skills, which are essential to child development. It’s also a great bonding experience for families.” ~Art Sprouts

The first session was Lines, Shapes and Oops!

If you arrive early, no worries! There is an area set up with activities pertaining to the topic of the session.

Plenty to do while you wait.

Working with magnetic shapes.

The program started with a quick review of museum etiquette, then we headed upstairs for story time. The book read was Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzberg, an interactive book that explores the endless possibilities that mistakes can be transformed into. I definitely recommend adding this book to your collection if you don’t have it already. It is a fun book!

Story time is always more fun when you are surrounded by art.

After the story we explored two paintings that look like they might contain some “oops!” The first was Number 20, 1950 by Jackson Pollock. The kids explored lines, shapes, colors and whatever else they noticed.

Exploring Number 20, 1950 by Jackson Pollock.

After a little bit of visual exploration, the kids were inspired to stand up and draw lines in the air with their fingers. Then they were given a piece of string so they could make their own lines on the ground.

Creating lines with string.

Next, we explored Berkeley #19 by Richard Diebenkorn. The kids were given paper shapes to match up to the painting.

Looking for the shape in the painting.

After this we all headed back downstairs so the kids could create some of their own art. The tables were set up with papers that had some form of “oops!” on them (paint drips, holes, smudges, etc.). The kids were then able to turn the “oops!” into their own works of art using different materials. I loved that this wasn’t a step-by-step craft. The kids were able to create on their own using the available materials, with plenty of time to really get absorbed into what they were working on.

Creating with shapes, markers and pastels.

Making a collage with contact paper and shapes.

Two new masterpieces to hang up at home!

J definitely enjoyed this program and we will definitely be going to the rest of the sessions. I hope it continues.

Art Sprouts is free with regular admission ($5.00 for adults, students and children are free). The next session is on June 19th. Schedule and contact information can be found here. Reserve your spot soon because space is limited! If you do go, parking is easiest at the Park Avenue/Speedway Boulevard parking garage. The museum is located on the southeast corner of the intersection.

“Let’s inspire the new generation of art lovers!” ~Art Sprouts

The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

The snakes are now active! We saw our first Western Diamondback Rattlesnake of the season in our yard.

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

During the day Western Diamondbacks spend most of their time coiled in shady areas such as under shrubs, rocks piles or debris. They will also hang out in the burrows of other animals. They are nocturnal hunters.

Notice the two diagonal lines that run from its eyes to its jaws. The band behind the eyes is narrower than the one from nostril to upper labials.

The Western Diamondback has a triangular-shaped head.

Its back is lined with dark-colored diamonds with pale white borders surrounded by lighter colored scales.

The tail has alternating black and white bands. The bands are more distinct in younger snakes and become more camouflaged as the snake gets older.

Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes ARE aggressive. They cause the most bites and the most fatalities out of all snakes in the United States. The good news is that they almost always attack while on the defensive so if you leave them alone you will likely be just fine. Statistically, most bites involve young adult males with elevated blood-alcohol levels.

You can read more about Western Diamondbacks here.

I always do a critter check when working and playing outside. It’s a great habit to get used to doing if you live in an area where snakes are common. You can install a rattlesnake proof play area by installing a rattlesnake proof fence. The bottom of the fence needs to be buried at least 12 inches (this number seems to vary quite a bit) and it must be at least three feet tall. Keep gates flush with the ground and don’t leave any gaps around them. You can use mesh that has holes no larger than 1/4″ or a smooth material, which snakes can’t climb.

Additionally:

Keep grass trimmed short (hopefully you are conserving water and don’t have any grass).
Keep bushes, shrubs and cacti trimmed so there isn’t a place for snakes to hide.
Don’t keep piles of wood, rocks or other materials in your yard.
Close any gaps around your home that are greater than 1/4″ (porches, foundations, doors, etc.) where a snake could hide or enter your home or yard.
Don’t keep bird feeders in your yard because they attract small rodents, which attract snakes.
Keep vegetation away from the fence because snakes can climb up it and into the yard.
Control pack rats and other rodents because they attract snakes.
Keep pet food and other sources of food inside your home.

There are plenty of services in Tucson that will remove rattlesnakes for you so please don’t try to do it yourself!

Always be on the lookout for snakes!

We just leave them alone. I actually find them to be quite interesting and beautiful!

Yume Japanese Gardens of Tucson

Instead of celebrating Cinco de Mayo, we visited Yume Japanese Gardens of Tucson to celebrate Children’s Day, a Japanese holiday that is celebrated on May fifth. It is a day set aside to respect children’s personalities and to celebrate their happiness. There were some special things happening as part of the celebration including origami, goldfish netting, making a carp wind sock and wearing an authentic yukata (light summer kimono).

Celebrate!

Yume Japanese Gardens of Tucson is located at 2130 North Alvernon Way, just one half block south of the Tucson Botanical Gardens. The gardens cover a peaceful three-quarters of an acre. There are five traditional Japanese garden styles, each a representation of nature being balanced by the human hand.

Yume means “dream” in Japanese, and as in a dream, the gardens conduct visitors through metaphors that summon the creative force of centuries of Japanese culture. ~Yume Japanese Gardens of Tucson

A small garden near the entry.

J’s favorite garden was definitely the Strolling Pond Garden. There are some huge koi fish lazily swimming around!

Beautiful and serene!

J definitely enjoyed the koi.

Feeding the koi.

Still watching the koi.

The two Courtyard Gardens are meant to be explored from within machiai (clay walled and shingle roofed shelters). Each machiai has a shady space to sit. Each garden has a stone wash basin carved from granite. The basins each create a different sound to add to the ambiance. A small garden of this type is called a tsubo-niwa and would often be found within the enclosing walls of a residence.

One of the Courtyard Gardens.

The inscription of four kanji characters on the basin in the other Courtyard Garden says, “I just know contentment.”

Within the walls of the machiai.

Outside of the machiai.

The Grass Garden is composed of sand and grass in the outlines of a gourd, a circle and a bean. The grass areas of this garden are not meant to be walked on.

The gourd is a Japanese symbol of good luck and success.

The Zen Contemplative Garden represents a Zen garden that would be used for meditation. It simply consists of gravel surrounded by a border of gray cobbles and granite edging. There is a viewing platform along the open edge where you can sit and relax, meditate or contemplate.

The Zen Contemplative Garden is meant to be explored mentally.

The Modern Garden is rooted in tradition but appears more contemporary.

A modern design based on traditional principles.

If you are counting you will notice that I’ve only covered four gardens. There is also the Stone and Gravel Garden but I failed to take a photo of it. Oops! You’ll have to go visit to see it!

An area with some mini Zen gardens for the kids to play with was set up in a corner. I don’t know if it’s always there or not.

Raking the sand with a fork.

There are a few visitor policies to think about when visiting here with kids:

You must stay on the pathways and within the viewing areas. Most of the gardens are cordoned off and you cannot walk on them. There are a lot of rocks here that are very enticing for little ones! I think it is hard for little ones to be around so many rocks and not be able to kick, throw and play around in them.
Cell phone use is prohibited unless you are just using it for the camera.
You can bring bottled water but no other food or beverage.

There are plenty of viewing platforms and some tables with chairs to sit at. There isn’t much shade though. The only bathroom is a porta-potty near the entrance. The parking lot is small but you can park around the corner on a side street if it is full.

Walking through the koinobori, wind socks shaped like carp, on our way out.

J enjoyed herself but this may not be exciting enough on a regular day for some little kiddos. You could always just make a mini Japanese rock garden at home. In any case, the gardens are a tranquil escape even if you decide to leave the kiddos at home. All that’s missing is a Japanese teahouse!

Postcrossing International Postcard Exchange

I love getting letters and packages via snail mail. J also gets excited when something comes in the mail addressed to her. After a little bit of online searching I discovered Postcrossing, an international postcard exchange. I’m always looking for enjoyable hobbies that J can participate in too because I don’t get much time to do things without her. Postcards are fun to get and fun to collect! I think it is fun to see the stamps, too.

Our very first postcard!

You can sign up for free and go from there! Here’s the basic process (taken directly from the website) once you sign up. The more you send, the more you will receive!

1. Request an address and a Postcard ID.
2. Mail the postcard to that address.
3. Receive a postcard from another postcrosser!
4. Register the Postcard ID you have received.
5. Go to number 1 to receive more postcards!

Our very first postcard came all the way from Australia. The sender works at a koala hospital where they rescue, treat and release sick and injured koalas from the wild. What an interesting job!

I’m sure that there are all kinds of ways to incorporate some fun geography activities into Postcrossing and we will definitely do more as J gets older. You can also use the maps on Postcrossing to see the route each postcard took. When I’m writing out postcards to send I give J a few old ones and some pretend stamps so she can “write” and “stamp” a few of her own.

Finding Australia on the globe.

I set up our account so that the postcards are addressed to J. I plan on keeping a scrapbook of them and when she is old enough to write she can take over. I explained in my profile that I’m doing this with my daughter. Our first postcard had some little stickers on it, much to J’s delight! I don’t know if the sender normally does that or whether she did it because she knew a two-year old was going to be looking at it but J sure was happy!

Look, stickers!

Each international postcard will set you back $1.10. There is an international postcard forever stamp so I think I might have to stock up and limit myself to how many we send each month. I think this will become addicting for us!

Happy Postcrossing!

Sweetwater Wetlands

Sweetwater Wetlands is a water treatment facility that recreates a water-rich, streamside riparian zone that supports a wide variety of wildlife while naturally treating and filtering water that is backwashed from the filters at Tucson Water’s Reclaimed Water Treatment Plant. It is located along the banks of the Santa Cruz River which once flowed year-round.

Construction of the wetlands has replicated some of the native habitat and wildlife that occurred along the Santa Cruz River before the 1900′s. Sweetwater Wetlands includes areas of deep open water, shallow water, shorelines and uplands. Each area serves a specific purpose and replicates the habitat of a natural wetland system.

Sweetwater Wetlands

A wetland is a place with soggy ground, pungent moist smells and lush green plants. There are wetlands that occur naturally in the desert, although rare: a seasonal pond or spring, a marshy cienega or a small backwater beside a desert stream. Although this is not a natural wetland you will still enjoy the lush landscape, shady pathways and wildlife. This is also a bird watcher’s paradise!

There are about 2.5 miles of pathways, all of which are easy to walk. Some are paved and the others are gravel and dirt. They are all flat and easy to maneuver on. You can easily do a half mile loop if you need to go at toddler pace. It is easy to backtrack or cut through the middle as well so a trip here doesn’t have to involve a ton of walking if you prefer.

There are some paved walkways.

There are also some gravel and dirt pathways.

The main ramada off of the paved pathway is covered. J had a great time watching the ducks and looking for turtles from this ramada. There are benches here and plenty of shade.

The main ramada offers plenty of space to relax and plenty of shade.

Looking for ducks.

The main ramada from the other side of the pond.

There are also a few other observation decks that overlook the water.

An observation deck overlooking one of the deep water areas.

This is the view from another observation deck.

There are plenty of shady spots with benches and a lot of the pathways are shaded by trees, too. There are a lot of Fremont Cottonwood trees, Gooding Willow trees and Velvet Mesquite trees.

Plenty of shade!

There is plenty of other vegetation as well and we enjoyed hearing the rustling of leaves as we puttered around.

There were Cattails everywhere.

There’s lush, green vegetation surrounding all the ponds.

Oh, the birds! So many different types, so many different sounds! We went in the morning and it was fantastic. What a beautiful way to enjoy the morning! There were bird watchers everywhere with their binoculars and expensive cameras. The Red-Winged Blackbirds were very active and fun to watch. They have a very distinctive call. You will spot the males easily but look for the females lower to the ground. They are more likely to be skulking through the vegetation and their brown feathers help them to blend in. J was more interested in the ducks though.

Male Red-Winged Blackbird

We also saw turtles, lizards, dragonflies and all kinds of other insects. There were bat houses in a few of the trees so I think it would be fun to go see the bats leave in the evening.

Red-Eared Slider Turtles and an American Coot duck (I think).

The recharge basins are off-limits to visitors but they are full of ducks. However, you will need binoculars or they will just look like little specks from most of the viewpoints.

One of the recharge basins.

J definitely had plenty to explore. She had fun crossing over a small stream-like area near the parking lot.

J had fun going back and forth on this little bridge.

The view from the bridge.

J also had fun climbing on the big rocks that are near the parking area. She collected a bunch of leaves as we walked around and filled up her little snack container. Green leaves! Green leaves! Yes, it is that exciting to find green leaves in Tucson!

Climbing on the huge rocks with her leaf collection.

Sweetwater Wetlands is open daily from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. The address is 2551 West Sweetwater Drive. The parking lot is small but you can park on the road if it is full. It isn’t a busy street so crossing to the wetlands is no big deal. There are bathrooms and garbage cans. You might be wondering if the water smells. We didn’t notice any funky water smells – just regular earthy pond smell. However, it is reclaimed water so don’t touch it!

There is an excellent Sweetwater Wetlands Activity Book and Field Guide that you can download. It explains our water cycle, wetlands in general and Sweetwater Wetlands specifically. It has a map and lists with photos of the wildlife and plants that you might see on your trip. It also has activities for older children or for you to do with the young ones. I definitely recommend checking it out before you go.

Mini Japanese Rock Garden

A Japanese rock garden, or Zen garden, is a “dry landscape” garden – perfect for Tucson! It can also be fun for kids and it’s simple to put together as long as you have a little bit of space outdoors. You could make one indoors but be prepared for a mess!

In Japanese culture there are different principles to follow as well as a lot of symbolism but we didn’t get into that aspect of Zen gardening. Not yet, anyway.

We used an area that previously had dirt in it. We covered the dirt with a thick layer of gravel.

Japanese rock gardens are usually arranged within a rectangular frame and they use gravel rather than sand because it isn’t disturbed as easily by the elements. It is also easier to rake and keep a pattern in the gravel.

We bought our gravel at Acme Sand & Gravel. Acme calls it Platinum Zen Sand but it is a limestone gravel. It cost us less than $10 to fill this area. You will need to bring your own bags or buckets to Acme or you can purchase bags there for a few bucks a piece. Be prepared though – this gravel gets heavy quickly!

We filled our Zen garden with limestone gravel.

Traditionally, you would rake patterns representing rippling water or waves.

Rippling water (or something like it).

We wandered around our yard and found some flat rocks that could be stacked easily for our Japanese rock garden. The most common arrangement is one or more groups of three or more rocks.

An arrangement of three rocks.

J has a fun time raking the gravel and creating different designs and patterns – definitely not always resembling rippling water or waves!

Raking the gravel.

She also has a great time stacking the rocks (referred to as setting stones if you want to get technical). She also enjoys knocking them down.

Stacking the stones.

Our mini Zen garden isn’t always peaceful. Some days J throws or kicks the gravel all over the place. Sometimes she digs and some days she plays with her trucks or other toys in the gravel. This gravel is fun to play in so if a Japanese rock garden isn’t appealing just put a bunch of gravel in a sandbox or plastic tub. It is easy to sweep up, too.

I always poke around in the gravel a little bit before letting J play, just in case anything creepy is lurking under the rocks. So far we’ve only found lizards.

I’ll end with a short Zen Buddhism quote that I like.

You should study not only that you become a mother when your child is born, but also that you become a child.”
- Dogen Zenji

FIVE SEASONS IN THE SUN: PLAYING, LEARNING AND EXPLORING

through the five seasons of the Sonoran Desert: monsoon summer, autumn, winter, spring and dry summer.

The Red Barn Country Store…and More

Art Sprouts at The University of Arizona Museum of Art

The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

Yume Japanese Gardens of Tucson

Postcrossing International Postcard Exchange

Sweetwater Wetlands

Mini Japanese Rock Garden

Follow “FIVE SEASONS IN THE SUN: PLAYING, LEARNING AND EXPLORING”