Tasty Palindrome

For Valentine's Day 2009 the boys cooked up a special breakfast for us gals. Eggs, bacon and heart-shaped pancakes. Apparently it was a team effort. Isaac mixed up some homemade pancake batter and Adam fashioned a heart out of aluminum foil to give the cakes their lovely shape. It was muy yum---or---a very tasty palindrome.

After satiating our hunger we hopped in the car and took off north to Sedona making one stop along the way to get gas, Starbucks coffee and a Dairy Queen blizzard for Isaac. We asked each other questions of the "would you rather" variety...those of which I would rather not mention specifically. Once in Sedona, our first visit was to the Chapel of the Holy Cross where we took in a few pictures and an amazing view. The red rocks were dusted with a bit of snow, showing Adam and me the difference of seasons.

We braved the tourist trap of the main street and then took the tram to Tlaquepaque and browsed the many art-ridden shops. Katie and Isaac found a souvenir to remember their trip and then we all made our way back to the car. Adam also found a souvenir and insisted upon bringing the dead piece of cactus home in the trunk.

Being only a few miles from Flagstaff, we decided to drive the scenic route into that city. What an absolutely beautiful road! Only several days before there had been a snowstorm and while the roads were clear the heavy coatings on the high-elevation pines and rocks were not. So strange to only be a couple hours north of Phoenix and such a difference of temperature and topography! From Seguro cactus to Ponderosa pine-----from warm desert to cold mountain--- Arizona never ceases to amaze.

Grammy for Phoenix Chorale

The Phoenix Chorale won a GRAMMY today for Best Small Ensemble Performance with their album Spotless Rose: Hymns To The Virgin Mary. Laura Inman (the brunette looking gorgeous and absolutely ecstatic in red) performs with this fantastic group. Laura also happens to be the Assistant Director of The Phoenix Symphony Chorus. Congratulations! So happy for you!

The Snowman Told Me

Talked to Aunt Marcia today. Yesterday she told Christopher (3 yrs) to behave and he told her, "I can't behave." --"Why?"-- "Because I'm not responsible." She couldn't help but laugh and then asked who told him to say that? "The Snowman!" While she was telling me this I also heard him shout that the cat told him too. Ornery!!!!!!

Vibrant Color

One of my favorite places to peruse is World Market. Many of their items are vibrant in color and exotic in form. Kelli told me that the store nearest her home in Mesa was closing. I hope this is an isolated incident and won't become a trend for all of their locations. That would be sad----especially for little dog Dash, who counts on it for all his small, neighing horse baby needs.

Symphony of Psalms

If you click on the picture...it should take you to the Phoenix Symphony's website with the actual video. The Phoenix Symphony Chorus performs Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms two nights this week---Thursday and Saturday. The piece is hauntingly beautiful and sung in LATIN...fulfilling all my nerdy historian fantasies.

Qcumberz

A handwritten sign in the store said it all, "Yes, these really are our prices!" The dresser/buffet in the picture was only $65!?!...all wood and some pretty nifty hardware. Qcumberz---aside from its quirky name---has quite an eclectic collection of antiques and wonderful junk. While appearing small on the outside, it seems to never end on the inside. Nicole and I were very happy to have found such an interesting place. Northern 7th Avenue seems to have some other unique shops, it certainly warrants further exploration.

Must Read

What an amazing girl. Maybe all those courtroom dramas on television are useful after all!

Field of Dreams

Oh boy...oh boy...OH BOY!!!!!!! One can only wonder what green loveliness will sprout after all the ploughing today. Maybe soy beans? green beans? corn? I am all nerves!!!!!!!

Honey Gurrl

Yesterday, I finally found the disk I needed to reinstall our web cam. Our computer crashed right before Christmas and had to be rescued (Thanks Isaac!)---but some things had to be reinstalled. While talking wedding details on Gmail chat, Katie asked Grandma if she wanted to talk/see me. Grandma Betty is 92 years old. She was absolutely thrilled to see me but couldn't quite figure out how I was there but not there. The wonders of technology. "Honey Gurrl," she would squeal..."Where are you?" "Arizona!" "ARIZONA!!!!! OOOOOH!"

Meowy Thanks