Still not technically Summer

Contrary to the rising mercury, it's still not officially summer for a few more days...  someone forgot to tell the weather that.

I live in the desert, it gets hot. I get it. I have air conditioning at home and at work, and there is a pool nearby calling my name. I'm not complaining... too much anyway. This too shall pass, and I just remember, you don't have to shovel sunshine in the winter! 

I still enjoy the funny things I see on the internet about summer here in the desert...

The struggle is real my friends. It's 10pm, I had to take the garbage out.. it's 103°, I had to shower and change my sweaty clothes. Happy almost officially summer! 

It's Not Technically Summer...

The first official day of Summer is June 21st, which isn't too far away... but Arizona doesn't know that. In the valley of the sun, it's either summer or almost summer. Though it's been fairly mild compared to last year at this time, it's still been hanging out in the 100°-108°F which doesn't exactly scream let's all go outside and play. 

On top of all of that, this wave of training I have a part-time training class and work 12:30p-8:15p which has totally messed up my whole sleeping schedule! I do enjoy sleeping in, but it's still got my all jarbled up on when I should be sleeping and when I should be awake, hats off to those third shift workers of the world, I don't know how you do it! 

More on top of that even, I have been should have been studying for an insurance exam I signed up for as part of my continuing education for my job. Me and school... I'm what you would call procrastinator. I crammed for it last minute and had my test yesterday and by some miracle I passed! I'm very glad too, it's an expensive test if you have to retake it. 

I have been checking in on a friend's house while they are on vacation, I'm trying not to kill their plants, and taking care of their cats. Bonus is they have a pool! Which in this heat I have been taking full advantage of! I've decided my house MUST have a pool, what a great treat after a long day of not studying! 

A.Drama is coming to visit in a few weeks and we have lots of fun things planned, plenty of blog worthiness coming your way soon! Hope you all are keeping cool and enjoying the almost summertime! 

Blue Apron

Have you heard about this whole Blue Apron thingy? I had seen several promoted posts on Facebook about it and it looked cool. Basically it's a food delivery service and then send you pre-portioned meals for the week with a serving size for 2 people. The price comes out to be about $9.99 per serving, which considering it's really that bad. PLUS I don't have to go grocery shopping. 

Now I am no Chef Boyardee but I have a few kitchen tricks that I know, so I decided to give it a try. The only thing they assume you have (besides the needed utensils) is salt, pepper and olive oil, everything else comes in the box! 

Having completed my first week of meals, I thought I would give you a sneak peek at what I had cooking up in the kitchen and the opening of my first box! 

The meats in the box come sandwiched between two big ice packs and everything is in a freezer bag to keep the ingredients cool during shipping. I opted for the Saturday delivery so most likely I'd be home when it arrived, you know living in the desert and all. You do have the option to pick your day of delivery, I think it's Wednesday-Sunday to pick from. 

Here's all the ingredients measured out and labeled for each meal. Inside the box (not shown) are cardstock pages with the recipes and how to prepare them. I didn't take many during pictures but here are my first week of finished products! 

Dukkah-Spiced Salmon with Spring Vegetables & Oyster Mushroom Ragout

First off this meal was my first attempt at cooking salmon and I think I did ok. This recipe took the longest to prepare because there was a lot of googling of how to prepare these random 'spring vegetables'! Celery Root and Fennel bulb with fronds were not previously part of my vocabulary but they are now and I just might be able to remember how to prepare them.

Sirloin Tip Steaks with new potato, asparagus and radish hash

This meal was much easier to prepare as far as cutting the vegetables, and I had heard of all of them which helps. The only skill yet to master here is the art of the medium well done steak. Following the directions and checking with the meat thermometer when I went to cut them they were still quite pink and a little bloody yet, so I decided to err on the side of caution and threw them back on the skillet for a bit more done finish.

 

Laotian Larb Gai with sticky rice, peanuts and mint

This was by far the easiest as far as cutting all the vegetables and it was quite tasty and might even be my favorite of the three. I did have a bit of a learning curve here with cooking the rice. When preparing two different things on the stove top it's important to know which dish is on which heat setting, it can be quite confusing....

the vegetables are looking good on that medium high heat

uh oh, the rice was accidently sent on high instead of low to simmer :(

RIP sticky rice

Overall I was able to get one serving of rice saved from the heat, the rest was stuck to the bottom of my pot. Always something to learn in the kitchen right?! 

My opinion of Blue Apron so far is great! The meals do take a bit of prep time if you aren't familiar with fennel and how to cut it lol. I like that everything is pre-measured so there is not waste. The price is very reasonable considering everything you get. It would be better suited for someone who can use both servings at once. I was under the assumption that I would fix the two servings and save one for lunch or dinner the next day, but that's just not happening. The food is much better fresh and sometimes you just don't want the same thing back to back, especially when they are quite exotic to your palate that is used to pizza. 

The complexity of the meals hasn't scared me off, and I like that you have the option to skip a week if you are on vacation or just don't like what they have scheduled. My work schedule has changed for the next 5 weeks so I won't be getting home until 8:30 which really isn't ideal for preparing a 'fancy' meal. 

For me it was a good thing to try, but I don't think it has the long term likeability. I wish there was an option for just a single serving and I'd be totally in! If you decide to give it a try they do have family serving options as well. Let me know if you give it a try and how it went! 

bon appétit!

Dallas Trip

A couple weekends ago I flew off to Texas to visit my friend Pumpkin Runner! (I would have posted sooner but was having a terrible time uploading pictures) 

It was a beautiful evening to fly out of Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport... them views though! 

When I arrived I was greeted by PR's kitty Rukia, she just happens to be Oliver's half sister too! (She was from Oliver's mom's second litter of kittens) Isn't she cute!?

The Friday I was there it rained so we went shopping. Saturday was our big day! We headed to Grapevine to check out their downtown area. We spent a good amount of time mesmerized by the workers at the glass blowing studio. 

The Grapevine City building

Some wine tasting! There were lots of winery's around

A funny sign to one of them (not the one we went to)

The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza

This was my favorite part of the trip (other than seeing Pumpkin Runner of course!) I'm a sucker for history and have wanted to visit this museum for awhile. It did not disappoint! It was much smaller than I anticipated and we arrived about 45 minutes before closing (with about 200 other people) so the floor was crowded. It really is only the 6th floor of the whole building. We weren't allowed to take pictures inside the museum. Admission included the audio tour which was very insightful! The museum is set up with timelines leading up to the assassination and the audio talks about the different pictures and artifacts you see. It would have been much more pleasant if there hadn't been so many people. I would recommend going during the day and earlier if you ever plan to visit. Their website offers a lot of great information and archives, so check it out! 

The grassy knoll

An X in the street marks the spot of the two shots

(Pictured is the location of the 2nd shot)

Of course there would be a conspiracy theorist set up with a science fair type board telling how the whole thing was a coverup.

The Book Depository

After our visit to Dealey Plaza, we headed off to go see 'The Age of Adaline' total chick flick, but I liked it.

It was a quick and short trip, we didn't even get a picture together in! :( 

I'm sure I will be back again to visit, and hopefully Pumpkin Runner can make it out to Arizona for a visit too! 

It was a pretty flight back to Arizona over a bed of clouds...

TGIF

The other day when Gpa, dad and I were driving to the Dbacks game, I happened to notice the First Solar building that has opening and closing shutters on the side of the building spelled out TGIF. I have been here a year and have literally never noticed it before and I drive by this building every day on my way home. Thinking it could have been a one time thing I made sure to check again on my way home today, and sure enough! TGIF! 

After some Google research, I discovered they have a history of writing things on their building. I will definitely keep my eyes peeled for ya and share any new designs I see.

Happy Friday! 

Also a birthday shoutout to my favorite Great Uncle from Georgia, hope you had a great day! ;) 

I Read it Somewhere: 10 Truths We Forget Too Easily

I found this article in a suggested reading section of one of the employee group pages at work, thought it was worth a share....

It’s surprising how easy it is to lose sight of the important things in life. Busy schedules and weekly routines have a tendency to put the brain on autopilot.

Some of life’s essential truths need repeating. Keep this list handy and give it a read any time you need a boost.

1. BEING BUSY DOES NOT EQUAL BEING PRODUCTIVE

Look at everyone around you. They all seem so busy—running from meeting to meeting and firing off emails. Yet how many of them are really producing, really succeeding at a high level?

Success doesn’t come from movement and activity. It comes from focus—from ensuring that your time is used efficiently and productively.

You get the same number of hours in the day as everyone else. Use yours wisely. After all, you’re the product of your output, not your effort. Make certain your efforts are dedicated to tasks that get results.

2. GREAT SUCCESS IS OFTEN PRECEDED BY FAILURE

You will never experience true success until you learn to embrace failure. Your mistakes pave the way for you to succeed by revealing when you’re on the wrong path.

The biggest breakthroughs typically come when you’re feeling the most frustrated and the most stuck. It’s this frustration that forces you to think differently, to look outside the box and see the solution that you’ve been missing.

Success takes patience and the ability to maintain a good attitude even while suffering for what you believe in.

3. FEAR IS THE #1 SOURCE OF REGRET

When it’s all said and done, you will lament the chances you didn’t take far more than you will your failures. Don’t be afraid to take risks.

I often hear people say, “What’s the worst thing that can happen to you? Will it kill you?” Yet, death isn’t the worst thing that can happen to you.

The worst thing that can happen to you is allowing yourself to die inside while you’re still alive.

4. YOUR SELF-WORTH MUST COME FROM WITHIN

When your sense of pleasure and satisfaction are derived from comparing yourself to others, you are no longer the master of your own destiny. When you feel good about something that you’ve done, don’t allow anyone’s opinions or accomplishments to take that away from you.

While it’s impossible to turn off your reactions to what others think of you, you don’t have to compare yourself to others, and you can always take people’s opinions with a grain of salt. That way, no matter what other people are thinking or doing, your self-worth comes from within. Regardless of what people think of you at any particular moment, one thing is certain—you’re never as good or bad as they say you are.

5. YOU'RE ONLY AS GOOD AS THOSE YOU ASSOCIATE WITH

You should strive to surround yourself with people who inspire you, people who make you want to be better. And you probably do. But what about the people who drag you down? Why do you allow them to be a part of your life?

Anyone who makes you feel worthless, anxious, or uninspired is wasting your time and, quite possibly, making you more like them. Life is too short to associate with people like this. Cut them loose.

6. LIFE IS SHORT

None of us are guaranteed a tomorrow. Yet, when someone dies unexpectedly it causes us to take stock of our own life: what’s really important, how we spend our time, and how we treat other people.

Loss is a raw, visceral reminder of the frailty of life. It shouldn’t be.

Remind yourself every morning when you wake up that each day is a gift and you’re bound to make the most of the blessing you’ve been given. The moment you start acting like life is a blessing is the moment it will start acting like one.

After all, a great day begins with a great mindset.

7. YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT FOR AN APOLOGY TO FORGIVE

Life goes a lot smoother once you let go of grudges and forgive even those who never said they were sorry. Grudges let negative events from your past ruin today’s happiness. Hate and anger are emotional parasites that destroy your joy in life.

The negative emotions that come with holding on to a grudge create a stress response in your body, and holding on to stress can have devastating health consequences. Researchers at Emory University have shown that holding on to stress contributes to high blood pressure and heart disease.

When you forgive someone, it doesn’t condone their actions; it simply frees you from being their eternal victim.

8. YOU'RE LIVING THE LIFE YOU'VE CREATED

You are not a victim of circumstance. No one can force you to make decisions and take actions that run contrary to your values and aspirations.

The circumstances you’re living in today are your own—you created them. Likewise, your future is entirely up to you. If you’re feeling stuck, it’s probably because you’re afraid to take the risks necessary to achieve your goals and live your dreams.

When it’s time to take action, remember that it’s always better to be at the bottom of the ladder you want to climb than at the top of one you don’t.

9. LIVE IN THE MOMENT

You can’t reach your full potential until you learn to live your life in the present.

No amount of guilt can change the past, and no amount of anxiety can change the future. It’s impossible to be happy if you’re constantly somewhere else, unable to fully embrace the reality (good or bad) of this very moment.

To help yourself live in the moment, you must do two things:

1) Accept your past. If you don’t make peace with your past, it will never leave you and, in doing so, it will create your future.

2) Accept the uncertainty of the future. Worry has no place in the here and now. As Mark Twain once said, “Worrying is like paying a debt you don’t owe.”

10. CHANGE IS INEVITABLE - EMBRACE IT

Only when you embrace change can you find the good in it. You need to have an open mind and open arms if you’re going to recognize, and capitalize on, the opportunities that change creates.

You're bound to fail when you keep doing the same things you always have in the hope that ignoring change will make it go away.

After all, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.

Life doesn't stop for anyone. When things are going well, appreciate them and enjoy them, as they are bound to change. If you are always searching for something more, something better, that you think is going to make you happy, you'll never be present enough to enjoy the great moments before they're gone.

By Dr. Travis Bradberry {link}

What a Visit!

The family has returned home after their big AZ adventure and today sadly my vacation ended too, back to work for me. I dropped everyone off at the airport this morning, came home for a quick nap, and then off to work again! Everyone arrived safely back in Illinois to many a wagging tail, their fur-babies missed them all very much! 

Here's a few of the things we managed to squeeze in! 

We grilled...

We visited the Memorial Park downtown Phoenix in front of the Capital Building...

We saw one of the anchors and the signal mast from the USS Arizona...

We found the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine at Tortilla Flats...

We visited the Commemorative Air Force Museum...

We went to Organ Stop Pizza...

We visited with Oliver and Audrey...

 We swam...

We watched baseball...

Gpa and I got on the big screen... no big deal...

They cheered me at the Warrior Dash....

 We saw more WWII Planes...

B-24 (The only one still flying)

B-17

(sidenote: Dad and I have seen 3/8 remaining B-17s still flying)

P-51

I had so much fun with everyone visiting. I love that this was Gma and Gpa's first vacation since my mom was little! We got to see a lot in the time they were here but we have so much more to see when they come back! Hopefully my next big vacation will be to visit NiBo in Hawaii!

I even had the chance to read/finish a book while I was on vacation...

This was the first book I have checked out digitally from my Library. Very convenient to be able to download a book for free without having to leave the house. I actually first came across this book after I saw the video below on a photographer of abandoned places page that I follow on Facebook, and I had to read the book. The book is filled with real pictures the author has found and incorporates the stories of those photos into the book. I have just started reading the second book in the series, and just now discovered there is a third book due out in September. I read this book in two late nights, I couldn't put it down and it left off with a cliffhanger ending so I'm glad I was able to snatch up the second book (also a digital checkout on my Nook) and I just got notification today that Girl on the Train is in and ready for me to read (again, digital check out) Look at me being a reader and all.... well I'm off to finally sleep in my own bed again! (I was an awesome granddaughter and let Gma/Gpa have my bed)