Mesa Redux

On Monday afternoon, we returned to Mesa for a couple of more days. Grandmother had delicious beef stew waiting for us. Tuesday we saw The Fifth Estate, which has not had good reviews, but we liked it because it helped us understand the whole Wikileaks thing. We made Costco and Target runs in the afternoon and met the Boyntons for dinner at Rositas. It was good, but no cigar. Wednesday we made yet another Target run and then had lunch at Tia Rosa's: they get the cigar. Thursday early, we headed north to Utah. The scenery along the way never fails to amaze. We stopped for lunch at the Jacob Lake Inn and were home by evening.

 Superstition Springs Harkins

 Not a thriller, but informative

 Lunch at Costco with hundreds of other seniors

 The Boyntons

 Tia Rosa's

 A Mesa favorite

 Yummy

Up before the sun

 Lunchtime

 View of the Kaibab from the dining room

View from near Maynard Dixon's studio/home in Mt. Carmel

This was a fun trip! Thanks to Grandmother and Maren and Gavin for the hospitality. That's all for now.

OXO

D.

Weekend in Peoria

Friday afternoon we headed to Peoria in the midst of rush-hour traffic. Fortunately the HOV lanes were functional and we were eligible. We had dinner at Grimaldi's in a new upscale shopping center called Park West. It was excellent! Saturday morning we headed out early for team photos, soccer matches, and T-ball games. Everyone did splendidly and the weather was delightful. That evening we went in search of a good Mexican restaurant (they are remarkably scarce in that part of AZ). We gave Abuelo's a try and would give it a solid B+; I would go back again, but nothing compares to La Casita. Sunday we went to M&G's ward for church. Sacrament meeting was great with an excellent talk by a high councilor. From a historical perspective, he talked about these being great times, rather than the usual saw that these are the worst and most dangerous times EVER! It was so refreshing. After a home-cooked Dickie Sunday dinner, we went for a ride to see the Phoenix Temple. This morning, Monday, we went to Westgate to visit a new outlet with a happening H&M. I found some shade and waited patiently (seriously). We picked up Gavin and went to a near-by pub for lunch. It was great.

 Two of the Young boys at Grimaldi's

 They give each kid a wad of dough to play with

 Beck looks excited

At the pitch

 Harry David

 It was a hit

 Safe on 1st

 Supper at Abuelo's

 A bit of spit an polish before church

 Off on a Sunday drive

 It's getting close

 K&M

 The Youngs and Grammy

 We made Anna's pumpkin cream chocolate cake in Mesa and

it made enough to share with the Peoriaites

 Beck smacking his gob

 That was a bit of fun

 A little gathering

 Johnny Fox's Public House for lunch

 Some of these bits were imported

 English country architecture in middle of Peoria

 Fish and chips, Guinness braised beef, corned beef and cabbage

 More bits and bobs from Britain

 This was a solid A- and I can't wait to go back

 Goodbye until Christmas

We have now returned to Mesa for a couple of more days so more will follow. This, however, is all for now.

OXO

D.

Mesa in October

On Tuesday, 15 October, we headed to Mesa, AZ for a fall visit. It coincidentally happened to be the one year anniversary of our trip to England. The trip down was scenic and we had a fun lunch up near the north corner of the Grand Canyon along the Vermillion Cliffs. We spent a few days with Grandmother visiting, shopping, watching (TV and movies) and, of course, cooking and eating. We also had a very late and good visit with Chip and Sandy.

Utah looks mellow in the fall

The Vermillion Cliffs

The Cliff Dwellers Restaurant: 5 stars on Yelp

Al-fresco dining

Avocado pie

Shopping and lunch at Dana Park

Pete's is a Mesa institution

The ladies ready to tuck in

Nothing like English fish and chips, but good if you

think of them as something entirely different

Mesa Temple

Movies with the Aunties and some cousins

Really liked this film

Traditional Friday burgers at In-n-Out

Bonnie, Kevin, Carol, Raye, Lynna, and Kris

After lunch we headed to Peoria. There will be more to post from there, but this is all for now.

OXO

D.

Before We Hit the Road Again

This is a quick post before we take off for Arizona tomorrow. Winter is coming on and we want to head south before the roads get bad. My camera is currently in McAllen, Texas undergoing a small repair. Consequently these images are all from my iPhone and the quality is not what I normally like. Oh well. 

On the home front, things of note include a lecture for the BYU College of Humanities given by Brigham, who was the college's distinguished alum this year. He did very well and it was exciting to learn what he does for Disney. In addition, we had our monthly get together with the dinner group, and tonight Jamie and Achilles came to family home evening at Tom and Katy's. Will was here earlier in the month and now it is Jamie's turn. It is a chance for a visit with family and Achilles can bond with his cousins.

 First snow of the season

 A visit from Will

 Katy shows Bea how it is done

 The snow just keeps creeping lower

 Sweet rolls on conference morning

 Helping Katy and Daniel with their Halloween costumes

 Brigham at the BY

 Fun retro-style poster for the event

 Terra Mia for pizza, etc.

Achilles and Jamie

I'll be posting form AZ, but this is all for now.

OXO

D.