Gilbert Riparian Preserve

This was a quick overnight for our Junior troop camping at Honey Bee Point. The closest water was at the bathroom which also has flush toilets. There were lots of benches, a grill and two campfire rings, but no table. A little rain didn't stop us from having a great time. The ranger even joined us for Dutch oven apple crisp and we got to learn a little more about the park. The girls were in the middle tent and I so enjoy that they apparently believe that if we can't see them, we can't hear them..

Summer Vacation- You never know what you'll learn

The kids are on summer vacation and have to earn their tv/ app/ game time and have about 8 ways they can do it. One of the ways is to visit a museum. This week we went to Deer Valley Rock Art Center and the Heard. I used to work at DVRAC and was thrilled that both kids said they liked DVRAC better than the Heard even with the Heard's Lego exhibit, Build.
At DVRAC there is an exhibit in the Green Room that has a desert supermarket. My kids took it a step further and decided they would cook with the food items. I was the customer in their restaurant as they prepared a variety of items and told me some of the benefits. Apparently prickly pear is very good for your cardio system and they are convinced we need to get some prickly pear fruit and pads for their grandpa who had surgery in April. The funny part came when they were going through some of the cards and came across a turkey vulture. Being a little silly I ordered a turkey vulture leg. When they delivered my "meal", I read the back of the card and learned that turkey vultures keep cool by defecating on their legs through a process called Urohidrosis. Once I read this, the kids informed me they had cleaned the turkey vulture leg and still expected me to "eat" it.

Buffalo Chicken Sub

1.5 lbs diced coked chicken thighs
3/4 c. Frank's original sauce
3 tbsp butter

3 celery stalks
1/2 c. tomatoes
3/4 c. carrots

1 c. feta cheese
1c. blue cheese dressing

1 long baguette or sub rolls

Warm chicken in sauce and butter. Dice veggies. Mix feta with dressing and spread on sliced bread and broil 2 min or less. Layer sandwich with veggies and chicken and put extra sauce on the side.

This was one of the appetizers I made for the progressive dinner and then again for the Ugly Sweater party on our street.

Black and Tan Beef Stew

3 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
3 pounds beef stew meat
4 medium carrots, sliced
1 large onions, sliced
1 can tomato paste
3 14.5 cans beef broth
6 oz ale
6 oz stout
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Brown meat in oil. Deglaze pan with onion. Put all ingredients in slow cooker on high for 6 hours.

Cheddar Beer Soup

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 medium onion grated
3/4 c. carrots grated
3/4 c celery grated
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 c. all-purpose flour
1 14.5 oz can chicken broth
1 (12 oz) bottle beer
1 c. milk
1 c. half and half
16 oz shredded sharp cheddar cheese (shred yourself for better consistency)
2 teaspoons cornstarch
popcorn, to garnish

Grate cheese and set aside. Grate onion, carrots and celery and sauté in melted butter over med heat. Cook about 10 minutes. Stir in the garlic, cooking about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Sprinkle the flour into the pan and cook for a minute or two to eliminate the raw flavor. Gradually add the chicken broth, beer, and the milk, whisking constantly to ensure you don't have any lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer then reduce the heat to low and continue simmering for about 25 minutes.

While the soup simmers, add all of the cheese to a large bowl and sprinkle with the cornstarch - toss to coat.

Gradually add the cheese, whisking until melted and smooth before adding more. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve garnished with popcorn, if desired.

Mother's day

This is an attempt at making homemade soap by my daughter after getting her first pocket knife and trying to find something useful to do with the soap shavings. She thought she could microwave them and mold them into soap for Mother's day presents.

Even though it isn't Mother's day yet, the best present was hearing the words, "I'll clean it up."

Night hike

Cottonwoods are my favorite tree. Venus was above this tree as we hiked last night waiting for the full moon and wishing we had packed some egg salad sandwiches.