Staycation... to Phoenix

On a little bit of a whim, my friend and I went to Phoenix for an overnighter, with shopping. We stopped at Ikea, picked up some napkins, pillows, and a solar powered desk/work lamp. The solar battery pops out so you can put it in the sun. I actually have it inside, but in a sunny window, and then it works at night as a reading light. Way cool... We went to Last Chance, the "last chance" for returns and stuff from Nordstrom, got Zoe some cute Uggs. Last Chance is in a basement, with announcents before they open about shoving, taking stuff out of other's carts, etc. But once you buy shoes there, it's hard to buy them anywhere else.

After that, we checked into our hotel, then Mondrian, a boutique hotel in Scottsdale, close to Scottsdale Fashion Square. This hotel was tre chic. Too cool for us, but we liked at least pretending we can hang with the rich and famous. We got a great deal through Hotwire.com, so we couldn't pass it up.

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Breakfast with Calexico

Zoe, her friend, and I went to a free breakfast concert with Calexico.

Here is a nice video with them and Iron and Wine guy...

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Delicious and Easy Recipe...

On a whim, Zoe and I tried this Slow Cooker Hot Fudge Cake... it was super easy and super delicious.  I used Hershey's Dark Chocolate cocoa powder. We served it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Ingredients

1 c all-purpose flour

1/2 c granulated sugar

2 T baking cocoa

2 t baking powder

1/2 t salt

1/2 c milk

2 T vegetable oil

1 t vanilla

1/2 c chopped nuts

3/4 c packed brown sugar

1/4 c baking cocoa

1 1/2 c hot water

Directions

Spray inside of 2 to 3 1/2 quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Mix flour, granulated sugar, 2 T cocoa, the baking powder and salt in medium bowl. Stir in milk, oil and vanilla until smooth. Stir in nuts. Spread batter evenly in slow cooker. Mix brown sugar and 1/4 cup cocoa in small bowl. Stir in hot water until smooth. Pour evenly over batter in slow cooker. Cover and cook on high heat setting 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Turn off slow cooker. Let cake stand uncovered 30 to 40 minutes to cool slightly before serving. Spoon warm cake into dessert dishes. Spoon sauce over top.

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A couple of pictures from last night's game...

Cienega 55 Catalina Foothills 0

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My first post...

Well today, my daughter is on an "official" college visit. She will be gone for two days. This gives me a chance to catch up on some odds and ends and enjoy the silence. I did a little of both.  I started a blog, paid some bills, finished two skirts for my daughter, and took a nap with my dog, Macy.  Later I will take photos at the high school football game. All and all a very successful day, is this my future?

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