Hacienda del Desierto

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Berry-Orange Coffee Cake Muffins

November 21st, 2012 by tucsonbb

Cranberry Orange Muffins

 

 

We tried these muffins last week with our guests, and they were a hit.  Try them and see for yourself.  Better yet, stay with us and let us bake them for you at the Hacienda.

2 cups flour                                                                                                                                                            

1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/3 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup each packed brown & granulated sugars

1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese

1 egg

1 Tbs finely shredded orange peel

1 Tbs finely chopped crystallized ginger

1 recipe Orange Glaze

1/2 cup walnuts, toasted & chopped

Orange Glaze: Combine 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 Tbs orange juice, 1/2 tsp vanilla.  Stir in 1 Tbs melted butter and 1/2 tsp shredded orange peel.

 

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Baked Stuffed Apple

November 12th, 2012 by tucsonbb

Baked Stuffed Apple

This is a guest favorite at the Hacienda which can serve up to 12 people.  It is also ideal for one or two people since the dried mix can be stored in an air tight container for later use.

Dried mix ingredients:  

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1/2 cup diced walnuts or pecans

1/4 cup raisins

2 cups rolled oats

2 tbs. cinnamon

Other ingredients:

1-12 large size Macintoch, Fugi, or Rome apples

1 tbs. butter for each apple

1 stick of cinnamon for each apple

Directions: Core each apple, taking as little of the interior as possible but removing the seeds.  Pack the interior 2/3 full with baked apple mix.  Add 1 tbs. butter.  Then pack the rest of the apple with mix.   If the apple isn’t level on the bottom, thinly slice a bit off the bottom area that is too high.  Place the apples in a glass baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for about 15-20 minutes or until the skin of one of the apples begins to split.  Baking time depends on the type and ripeness of the apples.  When baked, place each apple in a shallow serving dish and pour a bit of  the cooked apple juices over each apple.  Garnish with a cinnamon stick.

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Attention all Bicyclists!

November 4th, 2012 by tucsonbb

El Tour de Tucson Cycling Event

 

Tucson is gearing up for the 30th El Tour de Tucson on November 17th.  If you haven’t registered yet, sign up for the 10, 5, or 1/4 bicycling event early.  Accommodations will fill up for this yearly event.   Our secluded property is near one of the routes and offers security for your bikes when not riding.  Stay an extra day and enjoy the beautiful weather.

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Desert Animals at Hacienda Animal Pond

October 18th, 2012 by tucsonbb

Bobcat at Hacienda pond

A large window in the Galleria Suite looks out to a wild animal pond which attracts birds, rabbits, javelina, and bobcats.  Last week our assistant innkeeper was servicing a room when a mother bobcat with her two young ones appeared at the pond for a drink.  Her little ones are hiding behind her.

Outside the same room appeared a Gila Monster, a bright orange and black desert lizard near the foot of the pool climbing over the rocks to get a drink.

Gila Monster drinking at Hacienda pool

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Tucson Bobcat Family

August 30th, 2012 by tucsonbb

Tucson Bobcat family

Those of us living on the edges of town with some acreage are sometimes treated to a very special sight, either a single bobcat or, in this case, a bobcat family.  This mother with young was seen at the home of a friend in the Catalina Mountain foothills, but last summer we saw two juveniles with their arms around some large potted plants on our back porch.  We’re sure they were attempting to keep cool in the shade.  They slept there for about 1-2 hours.  Unfortunately, we weren’t able to get good pictures like our friend did because we were afraid we would frighten them away by getting too close.

Guests are always intrigued with the local wildlife here at Hacienda del Desierto Bed & Breakfast.  Those who stay in the Galleria are most likely to see bobcats as there is a wild animal pond just outside the window.  The most frequently seen animals at the Hacienda are the Javalina.

Mother With Baby Javelina

 

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Hacienda Room Update

August 18th, 2012 by tucsonbb

Casita bathroom sink

In the Tucson area where business is slower in the heat of the summer, many inns take the time to update rooms.  This summer we upgraded our Casita bathroom by changing the tub, tiling the tub surround, and changing the sink area.  We’ve added a beautiful Mexican tin mirror, tiled the sink to match the tub surround, and changed the lighting.  We hope our guests this coming season will enjoy the changes.

Casita bath view

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Tucson August Birding Festival

June 30th, 2012 by tucsonbb

Front Gate at Hacienda

Avid birders should plan now to attend the Tucson Bird & Wildlife Festival, August 15-19. This event celebrates the unique biodiversity of southeast Arizona with exciting educational opportunities for birders and nature enthusiasts to discover and enjoy the Sonoran Desert and Sky Islands.  There will be workshops, dinner programs, expert-led birding and natural history field trips, and even youth birder outings.  You can register online at the Tucson Audubon website.  If you want to stay in a desert environment on 17 secluded acres with 53 different birds identified by birders on the property, we invite you to stay at Hacienda del Desierto Bed & Breakfast while attending the festival.

Back Patio Garden at the Hacienda

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Tucson B & B Adopts Eco-friendly Habits

June 15th, 2012 by tucsonbb

Although Hacienda del Desierto was built in the 1970′s when newer, eco-friendly building materials were unavailable, we do our best to protect the environment by recycling not only our own discarded materials but also those of our guests.  We have a note in guestrooms about our recyling habits.  Where we can, we also use the newer efficient light bulbs.  Unless guests request new towels every day, we replace guest linens for those staying multiple nights only after every third night.  Of course, linens are changed at the end of every guest stay.  We also have purchased new, more energy efficient front loading washing machines which we run only when we have a full load.

We also provide habitat for the wild animals of the desert, especially the birds.  We haven’t trimmed our palm trees in about five years because there are so many bird nests within the palm fronds.  Two wild animal ponds provide desert animals a place to drink throughout the year.

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Important Tucson Cultural Center

May 28th, 2012 by tucsonbb

Looking for something to do out of the summer heat?  Take a break and visit the Arizona Historical Society Museum at 949  2nd Ave. near the University of Arizona.  There is a parking garage just one block away at Euclid and 2nd with free parking for Historical Society visitors.  Find out how our state, and especially the Southern Arizona area, developed.  There are wonderful exhibits and even a hands-on area for children.  Find out from what old Tucson building the front facade of the building was salvaged.  We encourage visitors to our Hacienda to find out about the culture and history of our area.

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New Eastside Cafe Worth a Visit

May 21st, 2012 by tucsonbb

Because we live so far on the east side of Tucson, I wasn’t aware that the Paradise Bakery & Cafe had a location near the University of Arizona.  Last week I happened to stop at their new east side location at 6129 E. Broadway and was pleasantly surprised by their fresh bakery offerings, salad menu and wide variety of sandwiches.  Often guests at our hacienda want a good place to get fresh, appetizing salads or soup and maybe just 1/2 a sandwich for a lunch or dinner.  Without going to a large buffet, there aren’t many recommendations I’ve been able to make on the east side.  Check out their menu.  I have now added them to the restaurant list I provide in each guestroom at our bed and breakfast.

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