Author: thecharmingjay

Categories
Lifestyle

Halloween Pumpkin Carving Party

I love almost every holiday, and Halloween is no different! One, I love any excuse to get family and friends together, and two, I love the tradition of carving pumpkins, making costumes and eating yummy treats together. As fun as pumpkin carving can be, it can also turn into a big mess and take away from the fun. Here are some tips to help you plan a fun, festive, low-stress, pumpkin carving party you and your guests will love.

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First, start with your guest list and invite guests providing them with the party details. This year, our party was BYOP-Bring Your Own Pumpkin. All party guests arrived with their own pumpkin or pumpkins and everything was set up for them to get to work. Second, if possible, pick an afternoon or evening warm enough to work outside. I don’t know about you, but over here, pumpkin carving can get messy and being outside helps with the mess and clean up. Luckily, we have an outdoor chiminea to help keep everyone nice and warm, especially when the sun goes down. I’m thinking of setting up a station to make s’mores right by the fire next year.

Next, set up a carving table for your guests to work and have easy access to all the tools they will need for carving. Here’s a little tip, cover the table with a plastic, disposable table-cloth. You can find them at Target, Party City, even the Dollar Store. This will save you so much time when cleaning up! Have guests dump their seeds and pumpkin guts directly onto the table and when everyone is done you can wrap up the plastic table cover with all the pumpkin guts inside and toss right into the trash. Easiest clean up ever!

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I like to have tool stations on the table for easy access. I used mason jars I had around the house and filled them with pumpkin carving necessities, knives, picks, pumpkin scrapers, large spoons and scissors. We also had a station to carve your pumpkin using a power drill! I’ll have to write a separate post on how to do this because the pumpkins came out awesome and the drilling method is so easy and saves so much time if you are in a hurry. If possible set up several tool stations along the table so everyone can work at the same time. I always have a book of patterns for guests to look through and pick out a design. I’ve gotten smart and made copies of the patterns so I’m not looking for new patterns or buying a new book every year. Make sure to have candles on hand to light up your pumpkins and you are all set!

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Finish up the fun with festive holiday treats. My best advice is to keep it simple. This year I went with pizza, salad and Halloween caramel apples. Easy, festive and lots of fun!

Hope all your traditions are off to a great start and these tips help you plan a little Halloween fun!

Categories
Travel

Arizona Travel Guide

Arizona, my fellow neighboring state, is one of my favorite places to visit when I’m looking for a fun road trip or a quick weekend getaway. Arizona is beyond beautiful and full of adventure. Here are some of my bucket list places to visit across the state.

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First up, the area I was most shocked by, for its surprising beauty. A great place to visit when you are up for an adventure and some outdoor time. Page, Arizona, located on the North Central border of the state, less than 20 miles from the Utah boarder, is filled with more outdoor beauty than you can imagine. Horseshoe Bend is of the beautiful, natural attractions you will be able to see while visiting this Arizona town. Horseshoe bend is super easy to get to, only a few miles into the town of Page and a short hike/walk from the parking lot to the bend. It is gorgeous!! Beautiful red-orange colors surrounded by the deep blue water down below.  It will leave you in awe. You can also make your way to the bottom of the bend, to hike, paddle board, get in the water if you choose. There are several excursion companies offering activity packages in town you can try if you are interested. Regardless, just the pure beauty of this attraction is a sight to see!

As if Horseshoe Bend was not enough, Page, Arizona is also home to Antelope Canyon.  A slot canyon, formed by erosion of the Navajo Sandstone from flash flooding is separated into two canyons, Upper and Lower Antelope Canon. Located on Navajo land, just east of Page at the Navajo Tribal Park, this is one attraction which can only be experienced exclusively by guided tour. Trust me, it is more than worth it! This is a popular attraction and it is a good idea to get your tickets early if you are planning on going at a certain time of day. If not, you may have to wait till the next tour opening, which may be several hours away. Especially, during peak season in the summer. You will be loaded on to Chevy 4×4 trucks and driven across the desert to the Canyon. The drive and transportation are an experience in itself. Definitely, adds to the fun. You will be guided on a tour of the canyon, allowed to take pictures, the really good tour guides will point out where you can take the best shots from, and you’ll enjoy a walk from one side of the canyon to the other. You will then be driven back to site and have completed your tour. You could easy see Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon in one day, even morning or afternoon depending on your schedule.

While in the area, you might as well make your way over to Lake Powell for some fun on the water.  Lake Powell, a reservoir on the Colorado River, also, sits the border between Utah and Arizona.  Most of Lake Powell,  is located in Utah but is only miles away from Page and will be the cherry on top of your trip.  The reservoir is the second largest to Lake Mead in the United States and is one of the most beautiful lakes I have ever seen. If you are lucky enough to have a boat to truly enjoy the water, many are available to rent for the day, you will discover rock formations and crystal blue water, making it hard to believe you are in the United States. It’s beauty on top of beauty and is a perfect addition to any road trip around Northern Arizona.

Next up is my favorite small town to visit and stay for a few days. Sedona, Arizona. Located in the North central area of Arizona, the city has a backdrop of an array of red sandstone formations. The formations appear to glow in brilliant orange and red colors when illuminated by the rising or setting sun. The red rocks form a popular backdrop for many activities, hundreds of hiking and mountain biking trails, sliding rocks, river activities, dining, shopping and lots of exploring. Home to many popular attractions such as Devil’s Bridge, Sliding Rock and Seven Sacred Pools, Sedona will awe you with its natural beauty.

Sedona, is one of my favorite Arizona towns, not only for it beauty but also because of the cozy feel of the town and town square. The town square is filled with local places to eat, shop, listen to music and find something to take back home with you. It is perfect after a day of hiking, biking or off-road adventures.  Sedona has local hotels, AirBnb rentals and camping spots to help you enjoy your visit.

If you can believe it, there is even more beauty to find in Arizona, probably the most wondrous of them all, the Grand Canyon!! Located along the Colorado River in Arizona the Grand Canyon is more than 277 miles long, 18 miles wide and nearly a mile deep. Of all the Arizona attractions I have talked about, the Grand Canyon is at the top of the list. It is massive and all you see is canyon as far as the eye can see. There are several areas along the canyon, known as the South and North Rim for park goes to enter and explore. We visited the North Rim, not far from Flagstaff, Arizona where we stayed during the evening. This is, for sure, an all day affair. Depending where you stay it will take a while to drive to the park, pay entrance fees, park and start exploring. The museum at the site is a must see, as it gives you tons of information about the canyon and something I will never forget, how the canyon was formed as boulders the size of semi trucks raged down the Colorado River. It is truly magnificent. There are many trails to hike throughout the park, just remember going down into the canyon is the easy part, you still have to hike all the way back up! None the less, you can experience even more spectacular views the further down into the canyon you hike. You can also schedule hikes to the base of the canyon, but must have made camping accommodation reservations, as you cannot hike down and back up in one day.  If you are not sure where to start when exploring Arizona, the Grand Canyon is definitely a great place to start discovering what Arizona is all about.

Last but not least, I could not write an Arizona Travel Guide and leave out the capital city of Phoenix! The largest city in Arizona, Phoenix is where you should go to enjoy the city life and all its attractions. Major League Sports such as, football, basketball and baseball, music concerts and music festivals, shopping, restaurants and night life. If you ever happen to be in the area in October as an added bonus you can also enjoy the Arizona State Fair.  With all of the life of the city, although Phoenix is a big metropolitan area, the city has plenty of outdoor beauty and activities to enjoy, including several trails and peaks to hike throughout the city and Tempe Town Lake for some outdoor fun.  All depending on the time of year you visit the city! Phoenix being one of the hottest cities I frequently visit, with summer temperatures close to or over 110 degrees Fahrenheit, you have to be prepared for the heat and plan out your activities accordingly. I love Phoenix and have been to the city too many times for me to write about you can experience in the city in such a small area of this post. Phoenix certainly deserves a post of its own and I will have to follow-up with a future post about the Best Things To Do In Phoenix, Arizona.

Hope you enjoyed reading about the many wonders of the state of Arizona and it helps you when planning a trip to explore for yourself!

Categories
Travel

Puerto Rico Travel Guide

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I will forever love Puerto Rico! If you haven’t had the pleasure of traveling to the island, it should be on your bucket list of Caribbean Islands to visit. Not only is Puerto Rico beautiful with it’s show stopping beaches and aqua blue waters, but the food, people, and ambiance of the island will leave you with an experience you will never forget. Puerto Rico will go down as one the top islands I cannot wait to visit again, and a whole summer later I’m still craving the food!

There are many options in deciding where to stay when traveling to Puerto Rico. The capital, San Juan, is alive with attractions, music, food, shopping and sight-seeing throughout the day and night. It will not be difficult to find many things to do and attractions to see. A must see on anyone’s list when visiting San Juan, is touring El Morro. The World Heritage sight is a grand castle designed to guard the entrance to the San Juan Bay and defend the Spanish colonial port city of San Juan from seaborne enemies. If you are a history buff you will love El Morro and if you are not, you will be amazed by the condition of this site and it breath-taking views.

Visiting San Juan you are surrounded by colorful buildings and outstanding murals throughout the downtown city. Pictures truly, do not do it justice. The buildings are so vibrant and full of life, the murals tell a story of the city and can be found on every street and around every corner. There are many shops open with souvenirs, jewelry, local products from Puerto Rico, art, and clothing, most anything you can think of. It is a great place to find a little bit of Puerto Rico to take home with you.

Downtown San Juan is a great place to try local restaurants, experience night life and try traditional Puerto Rican cuisine. I’m still talking about the food I ate in Puerto Rico! One dish you do not want to miss is Mofongo, made from plantains, picked green and fried, then mashed with salt, garlic, and oil in a wooden oven and usually accompanied by shrimp or pork and a rich sauce. Although, I had never been a fan of plantains, this dish changed my mind about plantain dishes forever. It’s delicious and can be ordered to your liking with the typle of meat and sauce you prefer and is available at almost every authentic Puerto Rican restaurant. Other food items to add to your list to try while visiting the Caribbean Island are arepas, tostones,  croquettes and flan. Puerto Rican food is outstanding and there is something savory or sweet for everyone.

Puerto Rico has beauty at every corner and it would be best to have a car or hire a driver to view popular attractions across the island or staying in different citiies during your stay to be able to experience the different attractions you are interested in. During our stay we stayed in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, and hired a driver to take us to San Juan for the day to explore. Aside from the beautiful beaches, Puerto Rico is home to the El Yunque National Park. Located on northeastern region of Puerto Rico, El Yunque is the only tropical rain forest in the United States National Forest System and the United States Forest Service. The forest is beyond gorgeous and one of my favorite attractions I visited while in Puerto Rico. You are surrounded by luscious green vegetation and can hike the paved trail throughout the forest. You will come across a large waterfall La Mina, where you can jump in and swim, as many do.  It is such an experience. There are several tables and places to stop along your hike to eat, rest and drink water if you have packed some with you. El Yunque is definitely worth seeing while visiting Puerto Rico and your chance to visit the only tropical rain forest in the United States National Forest System.

Lastly, as you might have guessed, there are many beaches and water activities on the Caribbean Island. If you can book a boat rental it will be well worth your trouble and you will be able to see some of the clearest, aqua blue water you have ever seen. There are many popular beach destinations across the island, Flamenco Beach, Fajardo, Culebra, and  Aguadilla to name a few. We were lucky enough to find a charter from Fajardo and experience the best snorkeling I have ever experienced, honest. The water was amazing, and not only do you get to see a variety of colorful fish but the coral reef is unbelievable.  I have never been able to snorkel so close to the reef you touch it (which you should not do in order to preserve the reef.) It was amazing!

Although, I was able explore much of Puerto Rico and some of it most popular attractions, there were so many things I was not able to do and want to go back for, like the entire other side of the island.  Not to mention the delicious food. Definitely, visit Puerto Rico if you are looking for a Caribbean Island full of beauty, adventure and culture.

Categories
Travel

Giggling Springs Mineral Water Pools, Jemez, NM

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As you may have figured out by now, I love me some hot springs! Not only are they relaxing but they have amazing health benefits. Soaking in hot mineral springs increases your circulation bringing blood to areas that may not have been receiving enough of it. It also has a relaxing effect on the muscles, calms the nerves, relaxes the mind, and pulls toxins out of the body through the skin.

If you are a New Mexico Resident, planning a trip to the Southwest or just love yourself some hot springs like me, Giggling Springs Mineral Pools are some of the best I have experienced recently.  Tucked away in the Jemez Mountains, Giggling Springs is a serene outdoor paradise surrounded by nature. A quick hour drive from Albuquerque or Santa Fe makes these mineral pools a perfect destination for a quick week day or weekend getaway.

There are four pools geothermic pools on the property which are heated from a natural water source. The Inner Peace Pool, Meditation Pool, Fountain of Youth Pool, and The Reflecting pool, all vary in temperature, all containing  therapeutic mineral water.  The 142 degree (F) geothermal source water on this property is rich in calcium, magnesium, lithium, potassium, iron, silica and several other minerals, and offers a variety of benefits as these minerals are absorbed through the skin during soaking.

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An added bonus on the property is it location to the river, which you can see and hear from a few of the pools, but is also available for guests to sit and lounge on chairs and take in the Southwest landscape and calmness of the river. You do not need to make reservations to enjoy Giggling Springs, in fact they don’t take reservations. If planning a trip it would be best to look into peak hours and or plan to wait or grab a bite to eat if the pools are full for the when you arrive, however, the earlier the better. If you are lucky enough to arrive with a rain storm looming you may find you have the entire place to yourself, just like we did. The cool rain drops hitting my skin as I soaked in the hot geothermal water make for a perfect mineral spring day.

Definitely add this to your list of mineral springs to visit in New Mexico!

Categories
Travel

Traveling Sydney Australia

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Australia had long been on my bucket list and I was super excited to finally be able experience Sydney and all it’s magnificance. I traveled to Australia in mid June, summer in the United States, but the start of the Australian winter. The climate felt like fall in the Southwest, chill in the morning, warm during the day, chilly, needing a jacket or sweater in the evening.

I confirm, as you may have heard before, Australia is one of the friendliest countries you will ever visit! Seriously, Sydney is a city with a great vibe, people are friendly, active, the food is delicious and there is no shortage of things to do. Finding a hotel close to the Sydney Harbor is ideal if you are not renting a car. You’ll have many restaurant options and it will have you within walking distance of the most popular attractions, food and shopping.

Among the many things to do in Sydney you can’t miss the world-renowned Opera House. It is open each day for visitors to walk around and explore the building. They have a small history museum inside, as well as a gift shop to carry away a few souvenirs. I also could not pass up catching a show during the evening at the famous opera house. They have a variety of shows throughout the week, operas, musicals, and musical performances to choose from. You can easily research shows, dates, times and purchase tickets on their website.

Another great thing to do while visiting Sydney is to book a whale watching tour. Many tours are available for booking in and around the harbor and offer a variety of tours all throughout the day light hours. I must tell you, the whale watching tours do not disappoint. Not only do you get amazing views of the city as you sail off into the horizon but you’ll catch plenty of whales along your journey. And boy, do they put on a show! Calling out for each other, blowing water out of their blow holes, jumping out of the water and flopping back in, slapping the water as if they are “waving.” It is truly spectacular to watch and an experience you will not forget.

Sydney is also home to one of the world’s most amazing zoo’s, the Taronga Zoological Park. If staying close the harbor the zoo is only a short uber ride away and is located in a cute and different area of town where you might enjoy grabbing a bite and exploring the neighborhoods to get a sense of how Sydney natives live. The Taronga Zoo, unlike any other I’ve ever seen, allows you the opportunity to pet and visit with a Koala, as well as, joining animals, such as Kangaroos, in their cages, I might add,  as they hop around freely. It’s a zoo like I have never experienced. Sydney is also home to a great botanical garden with many plants and free roaming parrots. It also is a large major city and you will not be short-handed when it comes to shopping. Most all popular department stores can be found a mile or two from the harbor. This is also convenient if you forget to pack something for your trip, you will have no problem finding it easily in the city.

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Another attraction you should try to catch on your visit to Sydney is one of it amazing beaches and certainly Bondi Beach if possible. Regardless of the time of year, you will find people out at the beach enjoying the water. During the winter months the water is cold if you want to try to get it in but it did not stop me from enjoying a warm coffee and enjoying the waves one afternoon. 

Lastly, one of the best experiences during my trip to Syndey was the Vivid Light Tour (post to follow.) This amazing light festival is held during the winter each year in Syndey and is undescribable! The entire city lights up with images and lights projected onto building throughout the city, including the world famous Syndey Opera House. Not only is this an amazing site to see but it is free! You don’t need tickets but only have to visit the harbor in the evening during the festival to experience this amazing attraction.

Sydney is an amazing city and definetly goes on my list as one of my favorite cities I’ve ever visited!

Categories
Food

Peach Blueberry Greek Yogurt Cake

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Fall is near and nothing puts me in the baking mood more than the fall season.  The cool crisp air, maybe a family get together, and that’s all I need to get me geared up for baking. This beautiful Peach Blueberry Greek Yogurt Cake is a show stopper. Not only does it look beautiful but is super moist and tasty.  This is a perfect holiday, special occasion or brunch bake. Or if you’re like me, you don’t need a special reason to serve up something yummy and sweet!
Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 oz butter softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
  • 2 peaches sliced into wedges
  • 6 oz blueberries
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
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  1. Use 9×3-inch springform pan or a 9 inch round cake pan.

  2. Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle. Grease the side and the bottom of the pan with butter or baking spray.
  3. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, together into a medium bowl.
  4. In a separate bowl, beat butter, sugar, and 2 eggs until very light in color and fluffy, 2-3 minutes on high speed. Add vanilla and Greek yogurt and continue beating until creamy and light in color, for about 1 more minute.
  5. Slowly mix in the dry ingredients and mix until combined. Do not overmix.
  6. Transfer the cake batter to the springform pan. Top with sliced peaches, and scatter blueberries evenly on top in the spaces between the peach slices. Sprinkle the fruit with 1 teaspoon granulated sugar.
  7. Bake until cake turns golden, and the tester comes out clean in the center, about 1 hour, depending on your oven and altitude. Once the cake is done baking, let it cool (still in the baking pan) on a wire rack. After cake has cooled for about 40 minutes, release the cake from the springform pan. If you want to place on a cake plate you can line the bottom with parchment paper or run a long knife carefully across the bottom and transfer carefully.
  8. If using a 9 inch round cake pan, cook in pan for about 40 minutes or more (up to 1 hour, depending on your oven), then invert onto a plate.