Sara and Pat flew down for breakfast this morning from Tucson. The last time Pat attempted a visit I had to rescue him from Eloy’s covert Guinea Pig farms. So, a simple breakfast sounded nice. We met at Hangar Cafe, which is the diner style restaurant at the Chandler Airport. Not many (any) of my friends have babies except for Sara, so it’s always fun to see how fast the tot is growing and how fast he move.

They’ve conditioned him from birth to be in the air. Sara was 7 months pregnant and franticly trying to finish her private pilot’s license before she gave birth. Me on the other hand, if the commercials switch too quickly on the television I get a little queasy.

But I couldn’t resist an invitation to go up in the air and Pat is an excellent pilot. It was really a great experience. Pat was good about walking us through our safety briefing, explaining the instrument panel and letting everyone feel like they were taking part in the adventure.

I know I was green the whole trip, but I was so much fun going up with them. They’re so passionate about flying and made such an effort to make me as comfortable as possible. And as for the tot, do you think we already know what he’s going to be when he grows up?

One of my favorite Phoenix blogs is Lunch Bucket Bento. Lisa and crew are a bento toting, Daring Baking group. A few times a week, she posts snapshots of what I believe are the coolest lunches in town. Sometimes her posts are a simple list of what was packed and other times, she shares simple, but delicious recipies.

My work routine has changed this past quarter and my plans to ride the bus one day a week haven’t been working out. So, in thinking about how I can change just one thing in my day to help out Mama Earth, I’ve been taking my lunch to work more. I’ve been pretty good these past few weeks and as I was packing my lunch, I kept thinking how useful a bento box would be.

This weekend I acquired my very own bento box! I’m so freakin excited and it’s so much fun thinking about how much flavor I can pack in on little box!

This week I’m working through a batch of Sonoma Chicken Salad and Cantaloupe with Chili Powder and Honey.

I don’t know what website I was trolling when I saw this simple recipe for Cantaloupe with Chili Powder and Honey, but it’s super tasty and has really hit the spot this week.

Cantaloupe with Chili Powder and Honey

1 Cantaloupe (balled)
2 t locally harvested Honey and Mint
1-2 t chili powder

Method:
Mix it all together and enjoy!

Spring training baseball games in Arizona, hiking Camelback mountain and patio dining are all hallmarks of Arizona spring. We trade 4 months of 110+ degree days for 6 months of crisp autumn nights and bright spring days. So, when it seemed that my whole Twitter posse was kite flying and bicycle riding yesterday, I had to join in.

We headed to Tumbleweed Park in Chandler, the ride is only a few miles away, and it’s close to the new recreation center that just opened early spring.

A Boston Cooler seemed to be in order when kite flying was over. Boston Coolers are like a Root Beer Float, but made with ginger ale instead. Some sources site that the Boston Cooler came first and companies like McDonalds followed suit with Coca-Cola and ice cream. In Texas we’d make Coke Floats and you can even order them at Dairy Queens in Central Texas (along with tacos, but that’s a whole other story) or we’d make my favorite Dr. Pepper Floats. Can you imagine how good a Cherry Dr. Pepper Float would taste?

Boston Cooler

3 scoops vanilla ice cream
1/2 can Vernor’s Ginger Soda

Preparation:
Put ice cream in a highball glass and slowly add the ginger ale. Enjoy!

Mayday! Mayday! Keesha I’ve had to make an emergency landing in Eloy and I need your help. That’s how my Saturday night started. My BFF’s husband Pat was flying a super secret mission over Eloy and had to make an emergency (thank God, not crash landing) unexpectedly.

It’s only now that the mission has been declassified that I can even speak of it to you. You see Patric has special training in spotting and obliterating highly illegal Guinea pig farming communities. The work he does for mankind really is quite amazing and he’s that silent hero type. You see the explotation of these small creatures doesn’t often make mainstream news, but these little guys are often exploited as small pint sized Border crossing patrolmen. This program is being tested as an alternative to putting up that big $20Billion dollar wall.

So, this mission was highly important and secret. And, it’s only been now 8 years since he graduated from the Air Force Academy and two deployments overseas later had prepared him for this critical mission. It was during this flight that he was going to have to battle a local militant group of Flying Elvis’s- Eloy Chapter.

I don’t know what happened up there in that big blue sky my friends. All I know is that somewhere between the Timberwood Saloon and the railroad tracks, I found Pat on the side of the road eating beef jerky.

In a few months it’ll be 120 degrees in Phoenix, but for now it’s absolutely amazing and 70 degrees and sunny. It’s easy to get Spring fever right dab in the middle of February. I’ve already started planning out my Spring schedule with minor league baseball games, farmer’s markets and gardening.

It’s this time of year in Phoenix that the citrus trees ares are loaded with tangelos, oranges and lemons. People practically walk into the office with crates full of fruit to give away in hopes that it won’t all be wasted.

So, I’ve been toying around with what my Cupcake Hero entry should be for February’s theme of LIQUOR. First I started trolling mixology websites; B52s, Mint Julips, Purple Hooters were all options for a cupcake variation. Heck, I could go easy, make a chocolate cupcake with some Bailey’s frosting and call it a day. But that wasn’t really inspiring any creative juices in the kitchen.

Saturday morning came (only a few days till the deadline) and while I was making my grocery shopping list a little cookbook (drink book) caught my eye. Sangria: Fun and Festive Recipes. Rock on, right? It’s perfect. I’ve got tons of citrus that needed to be used and inspiration.

Here’s how it went:

For the cupcakes: I used an Orange Chiffon Cake recipe from the cookbook cupcakes! by Elinor Klivans. When I pulled them out of the oven, I brushed the tops of the cupcakes with Triple Sec an orange flavored liquor.

For the sangria inspiration: I used a mixology book called Sangria by Mittie Hellmich. I chose a white citrus sangria recipe that featured oranges and berries.

For the Frosting: I used a standard buttercream and added orange zest, homemade pomegranate grenadine and another 2 t. of Triple Sec.

Okay and one last close up simply because with produce this fresh and tasty, it deserves it.

Sweat equity. That’s how I’m approaching this next year with the Junior League. For those of you not so familiar with the JL, it’s a women’s volunteer group and our purpose is to engage in activities that help to build our community.

Activities can involve hands on volunteer hours, fundraising events and bonding with other women. This year, I’m going to try to dive in just a little deeper and work a little harder in the community.

I’m falling in love with the idea of helping however I can with these Junior League programs:

Phoenix Day-Phoenix Day has grown into one of Arizona’s most innovative and progressive child learning centers, today providing low-cost child care and health services for 3,500 children and working families. By offering subsidized childcare and early education programs, as well as free health screenings, referrals and meals, Phoenix Day helps families better meet the challenges of daily life.

Girl Scouts First Saturday- First Saturdays targets girls ages 5-12 from economically challenged and ethnically diverse neighborhoods in the East Valley. What started as a pilot program at one location five years ago serving 295 girls has grown to four locations and serves 500 girls a year. Current program locations are Tempe, Chandler and Mesa.

 Journey of Me- The Junior League of Phoenix and Arizonans for Children have teamed up to capture and document the life history of foster children in Phoenix. These books often provide the only history of a foster child’s life. In addition to documenting their life history, Life Books help foster children to focus on the positive and establish goals.

If you want to find volunteer opportunities in your community try volunteermatch.com or if you’re a woman who lives in the Phoenix Valley and want to consider joining the Junior League leave me a note.

From Dad: It’s all about market research. Look around and see what people are buying, pay attention to see who stops at your table. Learn about your target demographic.

What I learned from my analysis; I’ve got the same tastes as an 11-year old girl.

The hottest selling item this weekend in Arizona was one of my favorite offerings, the Cupcake metal dog tags: You can get them either as a cupcake necklace or key chain/charm.

One of my other goals was to meet my neighbors at the marketplace and get tips/scoop/insight on how to be successful at one of these things.

Michelle at The Pink Armadillo is a busy bee and she creates beautiful jewelry out of metal and beads that she hand crochets. I had no idea you could crochet metal. Her store is still under construction, but you can order anything via email.

Lisa was the show stopper in our row and was always busy with her Cookie Lee jewelry counter.

Mike at mepavlik@yahoo.com builds lathart and shared a whole list of free festivals I could participate in around Arizona.

African Kelli sent an invitation out this week for a $1 art class at the Mesa Arts Center. The workshop’s focus is on Latino culture and secondly this one showcased Frida Kahlo.

For me Frida’s work has always been so personal. I have art books with her collections showcased in them and I don’t put any of her replicas on my walls. For me, it seems too public for art work that feels so intimate.

But, there are so many things influenced by Frida and this workshop was a perfect way to have some fun with her image and learn new stamping techniques. Denise of HandsonPaper.com ran an informative workshop and we had a lot of fun with her.

I can’t wait to send these cards out to some girlfriends.  I can’t believe I made 5 different cards for only a DOLLA (holla).

I believe there will be a few more workshops running throughout the Spring. Let me know if you’re in the Phoenix area and would like to attend. I promise to dress appropriatly. Kinda…

Happy New Year Y’all! I’m big on tradition and for New Year’s I must have black eyed peas. I found this recipe to help make up for the fact that most black eyed pea soups call for a ham bone and I don’t have one handy.

This salsa is so refreshing and light and flavorful and it was a perfect snack after hiking Camelback Mountain’s Echo Trail yesterday. And not to brag, but temperatures were in the mid 70s, sky was crystal blue and this is the type of weather that makes you happy that you live in Arizona.

I think Carey and Corey were a little sun-struck too! We did a bit more sight seeing, had a margarita in Old Town Scottsdale and then headed home to grill dinner. Look at the love birds. Holding hands and hiking.

Texas Caviar
Active Prep Time 10 minutes/ Inactive 3 hours

1 can black beans, drained
2 cans black eyed peas, drained
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 pint plum tomatoes, quartered
4 stalks scallions, diced
cilantro to taste
8 oz zesty Italian dressing
salt and pepper

Mix all ingredients and allow to marinate for at least 3 hours.

Variations: Add jalapeños, green chilies, garlic.

Other recipies:

Old San Antonio Texas Caviar 

Texas Caviar 

Grandma’s Texas Caviar 

Cowgirl Hall of Fame Texas Caviar 

“Giddy Up!” That was the phrase that launched Carey and Corey deciding to come to Arizona for New Year’s Eve. I might as well said, “I triple dog dare you.”

They had no idea what they were in for a 23 hour drive from Texas to Phoenix. It was awesome having them help break up the time and for conversation.

We made a stop in San Antonio to have lunch on the Riverwalk:

Look at them, all smiling, happy, excited to be on a Road trip. Poor kids, they had no idea that there was another 20 hours ahead of them.