Category Archives: Fountain Hills

by | February 28, 2011 · 9:03 am

The Morning After

     We had a big wind and rain storm last night in Fountain Hills. Before the show closed for the day, they repeatedly reminded us over the intercom to strap down the tents, lift everything off the ground that could be damaged from water, and clamp all loose fabrics. We listened.

Some did not.
I armed myself with hot coffee…
and a cup of bacon.
If you have to ask, you just don’t know me.
Uh-oh!
Ouch!
SPLAT!
     Overall, about fifteen booths were twisted into odd pretzel shapes and littered throughout the streets. Most of those vendors threw in their hats and just went home. The day was FREEZING cold, but I kept myself warm with hot coffee and freshly-cooked crepes with strawberries (the crepes booth suffered damage, but thank GOD they were able to salvage the stoves!!!). 
Oh yeah, and then it snowed.

     As soon as I got my camera out, the snow stopped. I’m sorry. Photojournalism skills = none. 
I shivered through the rest of the show, packed up the booth in record time and celebrated a wonderful show with a hot meal…
As well as a glass of merlot and my first ever tiramisu.
Shattered glass, twisted metal carcasses, snowflakes, sangria and tiramisu.
Farewell, Fountain Hills!

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Filed under angry snowflake, cup of bacon, Fountain Hills, rain, shattered glass, snow, tiramisu, twisted metal carcass, wind

by | November 13, 2010 · 7:39 am

Fountain Hills, Day Two!

     I went running this morning. It sucked. Massively. You tend to forget how much you hate running once you start getting that runner’s high, but I’m happy to remind you that it is AWFUL. I went for thirty minutes around Fountain Hills and stopped in the grocery store to pick up some sunscreen and eye drops, which are both a necessity when you’re in Arizona.

Post evil-death-trap run, I stopped in the hotel restaurant for some coffee and “The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest“.
I also was served a GIGANTIC plate of food. I ordered the pollo skillet that had chicken, green chilies, tomatoes, onions and potatoes, served with two scrambled eggs and a side of whole wheat toast. I ate about an eighth of this monster plate. WAY too much food for one person!
I walked by the beautiful lake to get to our booth.
Artsy picture-bomb begins NOW!
LOVE IT!
And now for the food picture-bomb:
These were so good! I’m not sure I can rationalize six bucks for a bag though…
These greyhounds were not part of the food section. Just in case you were wondering…
     I went to back Sofrita for lunch.
I ordered a tuna melt – something I used to think was disgusting, but was just craving today. It was delicious! As was the chickpea, kidney bean and corn salad topped with cilantro.
The lake has a fountain (Fountain Hills, what a concept…) that shoots up every hour on the hour. I think it’s very smart of them to use all that energy to shoot water up into the dry, arid Arizona air where it can evaporate. Appearances are very important.
I get paid to hang out here. It’s a rough life I lead!
     After the show wrapped and we zipped up the booth, we headed out with some of the other artists for dinner.
First things first…
I’ve never had Chianti before. Pretty durn good!
This place is a little hole in the wall with just enough seating for about fifteen people.
Eggplant parmesan with garlic rolls. I had about three bites of this before I was stuffed. I’ve been sampling pecans, gelato, wild strawberry-lavender jam, tropical salsas and fudge all day.
And I’m officially done in.
Sports bar on a Friday night? I think so!
Please let there be a hockey game on. If it’s basketball, I’m going to fall asleep.

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Filed under caricatures, Chianti, Chocolate, Fountain Hills, gelato, greyhound rescue, greyhounds, Pottery, Redendos, running, Sofrita, sweet jalapeno pecans, The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest, turkey legs

by | November 12, 2010 · 10:21 am

Blurbin’ from Fountain Hills!

     It’s 10:40pm Arizona time, and I’m about to fall asleep on my keyboard, so how about another blurb post? Hint: your answer is, “YES! THERE IS NOTHING BETTER THAN A BLURB POST WHEN YOU’RE SLEEPY, BECKI!”

Ahhh, the beautiful mountains and buzzing power lines…
I am in love with these trees.
I also LOVE abandoned buildings!
This place was built as a racetrack for harness-racing, and has been unused for over forty years! I’ll definitely be needing to trespass and take some pictures on an upcoming trip :).
Random building in the middle of the desert.
Welcome to Fountain Hills, AZ.
A little slice of Native American/Retiree heaven.
Dinner time! Hello, Sofrita!
I LOVE the decor here!
I see selections for tomorrow’s meals too!
Any place that ties their napkins with tweed gets on my happy-list!
(I don’t know if it’s tweed. I just felt like saying tweed. Tweed makes my happy-list too!)
I got the vegetarian Guantanamera wrap which has grilled seasonal vegetables that have been chilled (apparently that’s a very popular thing in Arizona! I dig it!), served with hummus, lettuce, tomato and a ginger dressing.
After three hours of heavy lifting and power tools (‘cuz I’m badass like that…), I went for a beer with my friend Ben, whom I met at the Carefree Arts Festival. We’re on the same Arizona circuit for the rest of the year!
Nothing local, but I was willing to try something from Oregon!
I wasn’t up for another full beer, so the lovely bartender, Mo, gave me a half of the Mirror Pond Ale (also by Deschutes) for free.
Me as a little girl. 

THE END.

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Filed under Arizona, art festival, Black Butte Porter, Deschutes, Fountain Hills, Guantanamera, harness racing, mexican food, motorcycles, Native American, Retired, Retiree, Sofrita

by | November 10, 2010 · 11:43 pm

Recuperation!

     It is wonderful to be back home! I’ve been recuperating from the long weekend in Arizona, and now I’m packing up my suitcase again to head BACK TO ARIZONA tomorrow! That’s right, I’ve got another art festival to attend, this time in Fountain Hills. If you’re in the area, come see me!

This has been my staple breakfast at home: A hot-boiled egg (all the rage in Germany, where my roommate recently returned from), and a Pumpkin Pie Monsta!
     I spent all day yesterday running errands and took a break a few towns over to get some lunch.
I got a personal pizza with whole wheat crust, spinach, tomatoes, bell peppers and soy cheese.
My friend went all healthy on me and got a salad with heart of palm, carrots, bell peppers, walnuts, mushrooms and sesame dressing on the side.
PizzaSalad – All the ingredients here are completely organic and farmed locally! Love it!
     I’ve got to finish up laundry so I can keep packing, and head to the library to pick up some books I’ve been waiting for. Then I’m off to get my mane weed-whacked and get to end the day at my lovely retail job. Daily life is so NORMAL! I don’t know how to handle it!

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Filed under Arizona, art festival, Fountain Hills, green business, green monster, hot-boiled egg, organic, pizza, PizzaSalad, Pumpkin Pie Monsta, salad, soy cheese