Prickly Pear Cactus

My husband and I are spending the entire weekend celebrating Valentine’s Day. My husband isn’t what I would call overly romantic, but this year a few things caught his eye, and before I knew it he had an entire weekend of activities planned. Far be it for me to not take advantage of his warm and fuzzy mood!

Saturday:

We will partake of breakfast at The Farmhouse Restaurant in Gilbert. I’ve been wanting to check this place out for ages, I hear they’ve got incredible Belgian waffles, and my husband is an aficionado of biscuits and gravy.

In Queen Creek, the Peach Blossom Celebration at Schnepff Farms is open the weekends of February 10th-13th, 17th-20th, and 24th-27th. Admission is free! I’ve seen cherry orchards and apple orchards, but I’ve never seen a peach orchard in full blossom. It seems like it’s been AGES since I’ve had a really great peach – the produce in the grocery stores always seem to be mealy and dry.

We’ll be wrapping up the day with dinner at The Melting Pot in Ahwatukee. Nothing spells romance like raw meat on sticks and boiling oil. I may skip dinner and go straight to dessert, though. You can’t go wrong with chunks of cake dipped in melted chocolate.

Sunday:

After indulging in breakfast in bed, we’re taking a drive up to the Boyce-Thompson Arboretum near Superior. This weekend features their annual flower exhibit. Admission is $7.50 for adults and $3 for ages 5-12.

We’ll partake of dinner at one of our favorite Italian restaurants, Lo Cascio’s in Tempe. They have, hands-down, the best chicken marsala I’ve ever had. And the tiramisu is heavenly.

I’m one lucky, lucky girl.

Photo Credit: “I Heart Prickly Pear Cacti” by Andrew Atzert on Flickr Creative Commons.

Shopping at the San Tan Village in Gilbert, Arizona.

Gilbert Arizona is enjoying a considerable amount of commercial and residential growth, while still being able to maintain an approachable atmosphere. After achieving a position in the top twenty most secure cities in America (they rated seventeenth in 2010, up from twenty-fourth in 2009), interest in Gilbert as a vacation destination has grown. Gilbert draws its share of out-of-state visitors by virtue of its golfing, luxury accommodations, and proximity to the Phoenix metropolitan area. For locals, the town has become a shopping, entertainment, recreational, and dining destination.

It was the latter that turned my interest toward Gilbert. After visiting Wyoming back in 2009, my husband and I developed a taste for wild game. In the search for some fine game dining, we discovered a gem of a restaurant in the Gilbert area, just twenty minutes away from our home in Chandler.

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Dress your dog in holiday festivewear for the 1.2k Santa Sled Run.

The 12K’s of Christmas celebrates the “health, fitness, and joy of Christmas.” This Christmas run is being held in the town of Gilbert, Arizona on December 12th at the Freestone District Park. Every registered runner receives a free Santa hat to wear during the run. Chorale groups will be stationed along the route singing Christmas Carols, and prizes will be offered for those runners with the most inventive Christmas-themed running outfit.

Along with the 12k marathon is a 1.2k “Santa Sled Run” for the whole family to enjoy, including your four-legged friends. Decorate strollers, wagons, bicycles, and even your dog to run, walk, or stroll the 1.2k. Prizes will be awarded for the 12k’s of Christmas Judges Award, the Spirit of Christmas Judges Award, Santa’s Favorite Pet, Best Decorated Entry, and Individual and Child’s Christmas Spirit awards.

Non-runners can enjoy the Christmas Bazaar for some last-minute Christmas shopping, food, and drink. Downtown Gilbert will also be hosting post-event celebrations, so make a day of it and enjoy the 12K’s of Christmas!

Registration Fee for the 12k Race is $30 prior to race day, and $35 the day of the race. Registration includes water stations and snacks, Santa Hat and collectible finishers pin. Day of Race Registration is 8 am to 9:45 am, the race begins at 10 am, and the awards ceremony immediately follows the race.

Registration Fee for the Santa Sled 1.2K Run is $30 Team entry (4 people), $5 for each additional person.
Registration is from 8 am to 9:45 am, and the race Begins at 10:12 am.

Photo Credit: “I like my new sweater” by mbtrama on Flickr Creative Commons.

Feel free to bring your four-legged friends with you on your next vacation to Arizona! The state is very dog-friendly, with lots of hotels that permit animals, and even spas dedicated to pampering your puppy (that will be the subject of an upcoming entry)! Nearly every city in Arizona has one or several “bark parks” which allow your dog to stretch his or her legs, and some freedom from the leash so they can explore every olfactory nuance of their playground. Here is a small selection of those dog-friendly parks:

The PETsMART Dog Park at Washington Park in Phoenix offers a spacious 2.65 acres in which your dog can frolic. The six-foot high perimeter fencing keeps your dog safe, while the watering station and shady trees keep your dog comfortable. There’s even a separate fenced area especially for small dogs.

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