Bootcamp. Cooking Bootcamp.

Time to get serious folks. Aprons on, knives sharpened and hands washed.

Time for my first Cooking Bootcamp. Well, it's not so serious at all which is ironically the key ingredient.

Before I headed off to class, mom came over to watch Avery and they had such a fun night together! Avery slept till 5am! Apparently my mom's high energy plays into her babysitting skills :) I was so happy that got to share a night together!




Last Wednesday was the first class of 5 for Denise's Cooking Bootcamp and already I have learned so much! It was the "bras and panties" class as Denise refers to it because it focused on many basics of cooking. Cutting, preparation and even a vocab test that wasn't so basic at all. I am pretty sure we scored a solid F. NOT the kind of grade I am used to ;)

Of course, having 3 of my close girlfriends right beside me only added enjoyment to the class. Susan, Laura and Jordan took on the challenge and fortunately, were somewhat of beginners like me. However, I am still not convinced Susan is as much of a beginner and she claims. I love her cooking!

One class down and four more to go!...

Summer blues.

I have always thought of the Arizona summers as the East Coast winters. A recipe for melancholy attitudes, boredom and a feeling of being trapped.

I've never actually experienced an East Coast winter but the way I've heard them described, it's a spitting image of the feelings I know so well during 4 solid months in this dry, lonely dessert.

Ahhh, a continuation of my love/hate relationship with The Valley of the Sun. Every year, the same cycle. Naivly thinking..."hmm, maybe this summer will be different".

June's approach brings with it excitement for an annual trip to San Diego. Premature perhaps, but nonetheless, a trip I can't postpoine another day. And then back to reality. Yup. Still hot. Okay, well there are always the July birthdays and summer bbqs to look forward to!

Hmmm. Well, at least we are half way through. Just one more month of this heat, right?

But then mid-August comes and I am not only confused but seeing desert mirages on a daily basis. Yes, like the ones out of a movie.

Well this can't be right. 108 degrees on August 15th? It can't be. But it is. And now, boredom has moved into your guest bedroom and is looking awfuly comfy.

I dream of afternoon family picnics, morning jogs with Avery and the sound of kids playing outside. The crisp morning air, green grass and flowers standing tall with a renewed sense of hope. An evening breeze that calls for a thin cardigan and maybe even a log on the fire. Oh how I feel it at my fingertips.

The part of Arizona I love.

In the meantime, maybe just one more month? I will search deep for new summer pastimes. After all, spending weekends indoors, cuddled to a movie with your sweet family, isn't half bad.

In fact, it's quite wonderful.