Archive for June, 2010
Phoenix sandwiches: Hillside Spot
I’d read good things about Hillside Spot, but it took me a little while to check it out, mainly because of the Ahwatukee location. Luckily, it’s right on the other side of the I-10 from Ikea, so I can make up a reason to hit one of my new favorite lunch spots.
I might describe Hillside as a more down-to-earth La Grande Orange. The pastry counter and gift selections aren’t on par with LGO, but the easy order-at-the-counter-and-seat-yourself atmosphere is similar — as is simple-yet-delicious food.
And there are other good things as well. A large patio (which will be great when the temperature dips below 100), giant roll-up windows (which will also be nice come cooler weather), and organic and local ingredients from the likes of Maya’s Farm, The Meat Shop and MJ’s Bread (to name a few). My husband was immediately overjoyed, however, at the presence of beer and wine.
On a recent trip, we had the El Gallo Torta, $6, made with scrambled eggs, chorizo, tomato and avocado served in a soft bread roll and a Pulled Pork & Cole Slaw Sandwich, $7, which is made with the aforementioned ingredients and thinly sliced apples. All I can say is, “Mmmmmm.”
As I was leaving, I spied some roasted corn, which I learned is on the dinner menu served with cotija cheese, paprika and aioli. Hillside Spot has a whole other menu come dinner time, which includes peel and eat shrimp, pasta dishes, and a 1/2 roast chicken…but that’s for another time.
Hillside Spot
4740 E Warner Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85044
The patio…
The El Gallo Torta…
The Pulled Pork & Cole Slaw Sandwich…
How does my garden grow: June
While sometimes I feel like I’m garden failure — I do have some things growing at the moment. Some things that, if luck, pollinators, and weather align…I might be able to eat.
Here’s what’s growing now…
Corn…
Black-eyed peas…
Jalapeño…
Baby cucumber…
Diary of a bad journal-er
What’s Cracking Good — Journals
I’m a sucker for a cool journal. My office supply closet has more pretty notebooks than I can use.
That, however, is not a testament to my actual journaling abilities.
While I’ve always coveted cool sketchbook-style journals, I myself have never been good at keeping one.
At best, I’m an on again/off again journaler. I did have a 5-year diary which I faithfully kept for nearly 3-years, but really, that was the lowest common denominator in journaling. I had about 3 lines to sum up my day.
Still, it was fun to see how things had (or hadn’t) changed. I’d read entries to my husband from a year ago that would prompt responses like, “That was a year ago?”
I’d like to try again.
There’s a sketchbook project going on I could sign up for OR I could just start maintaining one of these cool journals:
- One Line a Day: A Five Year Memory Book, $16.95
- 5 Year Diary, $16.47
- 5 -Year Journal, $24
- What I Read, $8
- One Sketch a Day, $15.95
Happy napkin notes
What’s Cracking Good — Customized lunches
When I think about my childhood, one of the things that made me happiest was opening my sack lunch and finding a note from my mom or dad written on my napkin. Usually it was something like, “Have a great day” with a smiley face — or one of my dad’s goofy ghost guys drawn next to it. Nothing fancy — just a little surprise that made my day.
So when I saw the most recent Sharpie ad, I thought, “now THAT would be cool.”
Parents, take note!
Phoenix things to do: June 18 – 20
FRIDAY
Lunch @ Essence Bakery
The special of the day is Grilled Greek Meatballs (made with Power Ranch Grass fed beef) served with tzatziki cucumber sauce and a side Greek Caesar Salad for $8.95. I’m in!
Essence Bakery
825 W. University Dr.
Tempe, Arizona
(480) 966-2745
8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
***
Etsy 5th Birthday Craft Party and Swap @ Merry May Handmade and Butter Toast
Etsy, the mother of all do-it-yourself shops, is turning 5 years old! Celebrate their DIY spirit with crepe paper, crafts, cake and fun people. For an inspirational push, bring some craft supplies and swap them for something new and different.
Merry May Handmade and Butter Toast
908 N. 6th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85004
7 p.m.
Free
***
I have mixed emotions about Miniature Tigers rapid success. Yay! they’re touring with great bands and I can hear them on Sirius radio. Boo! No more frequent local shows. Oh well, the front-man is playing a solo acoustic show — right before the release of their second album, Fortress.
Heard Museum
2301 N. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
8 p.m.
Free
SATURDAY
Flowers in the Attic @ Mapcap Theaters
I remember reading Flowers in the Attic in middle school. I was engrossed in the tales of 4 startlingly attractive children imprisoned in their evil grandmother’s attic. There was intrigue, incest — which, by itself was enough to keep my 12 year old mind interested. It was made into a horrible movie with plenty of camp value.
Madcap Theaters
730 S. Mill Avenue
Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 355-6060
8 p.m.
$8
SUNDAY
Do something nice with your Dad!
Summer style for the boys
My husband is one of the most stylish people I know.
He’s always been that way. Even in high school, he pegged his slightly baggy jeans, untucked his shirt just so, and had an easy way of carrying his backpack that made his whole look seem effortless and cool. You never get the idea that he stood in his closet for hours wondering what he should wear — or whether his jeans make his bum look big (for the record, he’s never done either of those things).
When my guy friends ask me about men’s fashion, I often point to him as a model of what I think a boy should wear: equal parts rumpled prep school student and street kid, with a dash of nerd.
Here are a few things that are in his summer rotation:
Tops:
- Polo shirts, $8
- Button-down shirt (in blue and white striped, white or blue), $59.50
- Madras shirts, $95
Bottoms:
- A not-so-baggy khaki, $54
- A not-so-baggy jean, $54
- A thin-legged short, $41.99
Shoes:
- Sneakers, $30
- Saddle Shoes, varies
- Oxford Laceup, $245
- Flip- flops, $22
Accessories:
- A giant watch, $135
- A preppy tie, $45
- Belt, $18
Favorite men’s stores:
If money is no object:
