The Majestic red rocks of Sedona Arizona were on graphic display this past Saturday as Shelli and I traveled north. Sedona with all of its grandeur is located 1.5 hours north of Phoenix along I-17. However, Shelli and I were able to make the trip in about 3.5 hours by choosing to detour through Wickenburg, […]
Many of the blog articles for this website are about places to see and things to do in Arizona and New Mexico. So why, I have to ask myself, have I never written an article on the Heard Museum let alone the Hoop Dancing Championship at The Heard Museum? Because, until recently, I had never […]
Let’s face it. Phoenix has great climate, expertly groomed golf courses, world-famous spas and resorts, trendy shopping, and chef-inspired dining. Any one of these attributes explains why it’s one of America’s favorite cities. But in just a few weeks, we will once again host the Super Bowl XLIX in Phoenix ! The city has been busy making sure […]
Have you ever just wanted to get away and do something out of the ordinary? Save money and free up your lifestyle? That’s what has been hitting us lately. We have been looking for ways to minimize, simplify, and have more fun — without having to worry about the house, our jobs, or anything else […]
Every year, we spend at least two months with family in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The photographic architecture, crisp clean air, strikingly bright blue skies, earthy smells of lavender and sage, and, of course, the Balloon Fiesta make this one of our favorite destination spots in the Great Southwest. But let’s not forget that one of […]
As the summer season winds down, most people are taking last minute family excursions. And many of them are planning a trip to the 43rd annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in New Mexico. The dates for the event this year are Saturday, October 4th, through Sunday, October 12th. This hot air ballooning event is one of the […]
Heavenly smells of fresh-baked pastries wafting from the kitchen . . . the soft sounds of wind chimes in the garden . . . Victorian inspired cabinetry stocked with flowery dishes and graceful teapots. Guests lingering over morsels of goodness served on tiered china trays, each bite prepared according to preferences. The St. James Tearoom […]
New Mexico’s abundant wildlife is a huge part of the state’s attraction. Just to show some of the critters in our daughter’s backyard, Ron has posted a few photos of the quail families, the occasional roadrunner, soaring hawks, and various flowers. Many of these photos can be found […]
The scene is quite tranquil . . . the soft sounds of birds chirping . . . red plumed quail scampering across the path . . . cottonwood leaves fluttering in the breeze . . . beautiful blooming cacti. All experienced while biking the Bosque in Albuquerque. The Bosque is a Spanish word meaning “woodlands” […]
A charming eatery located in an historical neighborhood . . . Victorian gardens with lots of relaxed seating and high-top patio furniture . . . delicious organic and farm-fresh cuisine. The Vig at Fillmore in downtown Phoenix is a great local eatery that is just a little different from the norm. It’s delightful and trendy […]
New Mexico, nicknamed the “Land of Enchantment” is beautiful and distinctive in so many ways! The turquoise and terra cotta combinations are infinite. The history, folklore, customs, and traditions make New Mexico a melting pot of diversity. It is a paradise for artisans, painters, and photographers who try to capture the essence of the Great […]
Taking a road trip from Arizona to New Mexico is a special treat. There are several ways to get there but we like to take the scenic through some of the most beautiful mountains in Arizona – YES, ARIZONA! It doesn’t add travel time to go through the mountains – unless, of course, you decide […]
Summertime is almost upon us and many families are scrambling to enroll their kids in activities offered during the summer months when school is not in session. And one of the coolest activities I’ve seen in downtown Phoenix is a culinary camp for kids, ages 7 through 12 years old. It’s a four, half-day, camp […]
Australia is a distant land that’s captivated the hearts of travelers and explorers for hundreds of years. It’s a land that evokes a mysterious type of magnetism that makes us want to go there because of the legends and folklore that surround the historical nature of this place. It’s where one can “get away from […]
Just the other day, I read an interesting article on the Business Insider, an online publication, about saving for children’s or grandchildren’s college education through College Savings Plans. It provided insight and information about the different aspects of 529 state-sponsored plans and why they are so popular. When I first started to read the article, […]
Duolingo is one of the coolest ways that I’ve found to learn a foreign language! There are loads of foreign language choices and it takes very little time out of your busy day. Plus, it’s completely FREE to join! You have to sign up to join, and you can do that using your email, Google, […]
There are so many great places to see and so many things to do in the Phoenix area. And, one place that we’ve always loved to go to is Cave Creek. Cave Creek, Arizona is a small town nestled near the foothills of one of Arizona’s beautiful mountain ranges. Located north of the valley, it’s […]
This Shepherd’s Pie recipe is adapted from the “The Engine 2 Diet” book written by former firefighter, Rip Esselstyn. To his recipe, I also added carrots, celery, beets, and sweet potatoes, which makes it a perfect St. Patrick’s Day meal. The recipe makes a hearty meal and the leftovers freeze well. […]
St Patrick’s Day is celebrated all over the world. The wearing-o-the-green, Celtic music, shamrocks, and, of course, Irish food are all part of the scene, whether or not our heritage is actually Irish. So, what do vegetarians and vegans eat during the festivities? Recipes for corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s beef pie, and lamb stew […]
Whether it’s Spring Break, Major League Baseball Spring Training, golfing, shopping, or dancing in the streets of downtown Phoenix, March is a fantastic month to be in Arizona. The weather is picture perfect during the day for outdoor activities and the evenings are warm enough for patio dining. This week-end was no different. And it […]