AZ Hiking 101: My 5 favorite hikes of Year 2012

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These were some of my favorite hikes this year in Arizona.  Pics were taken by my friend Paco and myself.  By far, the #1 favorite hike was the Chiricahua National Monument, 120 miles Southeast of Tucson, in Wilcox, AZ.  A magical and spiritual place with spires of balanced rocks. I just talked to a couple  who came back from the Chiricahua National Monument today.  They said there was snow there and the snow covered spires made the place seem more ethereal.  I bet it was so lovely!!  I wish I got to see that too.

I’d recommend going for a whole day.  Even better is to stay a few days in Bisbee, AZ and go to Chiricahua National Monument for a day trip.  We watched a short film at the Visitor Center after we arrived.  The wild flowers were in bloom from the rains few weeks back in August.  We brought a sangria mix, fruit, cheese, crackers, and turkey sandwiches to eat before heading out to do the 3 easy miles of Echo Canyon Loop.  There were so many Mexican Blue Jays fluttering about, that it felt like they were following us.

Second on the list:  Picacho Peak State Park, Eloy, AZ.  This boy has a steep incline of a two mile hike.  We got there too late to finish the hike.  The ranger said it would take 3 hours to make the round 4 mile trip.  Other hikers begged to differ.  They said plan on it taking 2 1/2 to 3 hours one way.  I can’t wait to go back and found out for myself.  This hike is difficult.  Bring plenty of water.

Third Favorite:  Mt Lemmon, Tucson, AZ…I absolutely love Mt. Lemmon.  Of course, you’ve gotta have a picnic with a bottle of wine, cheese, & lots and lots of fresh fruit.  I make a trip to the cookie cabin for hot chocolate, giant plate sized cookies, and pizza.  The ski lodge area for a ski lift ride is nice.  My favorite hike is Marshall’s Gulch.  The Aspen fire did not harm a tree there.  It’s lush, and has plenty of shade.  We like to stop at the Windy point and watch the sunset.

Fourth:  Sabino Canyon,  Seven Falls, Tucson, AZ.  This is in the beautiful hiker friendly Sabino Canyon.  You can take the tram partly to the beginning of Tram stop #3 at Bear Canyon Trail and start the half a day hike.  Even though we went when the river beds were dry, there was no shortage of beautiful views there.  I highly recommend this one.  This hike is medium in difficulty.

Fifth and Final is a very simple trail perfect for walking or biking.  The trail is below the road and all you see is the sky, the trail, and you.  The sunset from Rillito River Wash near River and Craycroft Rd in middle of Tucson is beautiful.

Ahhh…Life is Good when you are in beautiful outdoors!!!  Happy New Year’s!!!

Dating 101: Searching for Love Online

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So I’ve been searching for my new soul mate.  My sweetie passed away in an accident 3 and a half years ago.  I miss my honey.  He had a heart of an angel.  I am not just saying that.  Everyone knew him says so also. But even better than that, he loved me.  He really really loved me.  He opened up his arms and wrapped me in warmth.  I always felt beautiful when I was near him.  I could see it in his eyes.

I didn’t realize that I have been dating for 3 years looking for someone to call my own.  Lucky for me, I’ve met some lovely people along the way…but they are not the ones.  I cried today.  I even missed my last guy I broke up with.  He was a sweetheart also.  He and I wished each other happiness .  He said, “go and be happy…it’s what you deserve”.  With tears running down my cheeks, I thanked him and wished him the same.

In less than a week, I am flying to another state to meet a guy I met online.  It will be our first meeting.  Other than a few pics, both old and new, I really don’t know him.  We’ve talked many a nights on the phone, and have umpteen texts so there is a sense of intimacy…but we don’t know each other well.  So I am in search of the elusive chemistry and compatibility.  Will there be a sense of familiarity when I see him?  Wish me luck….with every meeting and date, I’d like to think I am closer to meeting the guy who will make me feel beautiful again….this could be him.

 

Entertaining 101: Fresh Fruit Trays

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One of my specialties is creating fancy cold food platters. Once you learn the basics, you too can create edible, color popping, fresh, delicious, party favorites as well.

I worked in big Resort Hotels and Country Clubs.  One of the kitchens had a 40 man staff. The kitchens in these big establishments follow the French kitchen model. Restaurant and Banquets are separate. Banquets staff are separated into Hot Food Banquets and Garde Manger (cold food). Here are two of my many fruit platters. Although the platters change, I follow a certain pattern and similar beginnings to give it shape.

There are three tools I use in these photos.  First is a sharp serrated bread knife; second is a Channel Knife; and the third being a small Chinese Cleaver. Channel Knife is a small Garde Manger tool you can buy online or a knife shop for about $10. I use it to put grooves in the fruit.  I use the serrated knife to peel the fruit.  It cuts well with the curves of the melons and is long enough to make clean cuts.  I just happened to find a small sharp Chinese Cleaver I liked from a local restaurant supply store for $25.00.  It is my go to cutting knife…just like a Chef’s Knife is for most cooks. The knife of your choice is fine. It should be sharp and big enough to pick up the lengh of the  fruit from the cutting board to the platter. I will in time show you how to do these kinds of platters step by step.  These two platters were made for a party of 100 people.  If less food is served, each platter will more likely only serve 25 people each for a total of 50.