Seven Yard Sale Observations

Remember my bucket list that I've discussed before?  Its really long and not actually written out.

I should add that to my bucket list: "write out bucket list" and then do it.

Anyways on it was something like "host a garage sale, at least once".

True story:  I have never shopped at a yard sale.  Yet I decided to host one, with KM's and my mom's help, of course!  These are my partners in crime. 

Here is what I figured out:

Seven Yard Sale Observations From A First-Timer

1. Prices should be set high, and haggled down.   This was the hardest part of the whole event for me.  I had no idea what was the going rate for ugly southwestern pottery!  So we guessed and argued and then guessed some more.  Things I thought were over priced by myself, I sold!  Things I thought were under priced by the sticker got haggled down to way less.  You just never know, I guess.
2. People will buy anything.  A little cosmetic case full of girls headbands.  Again, I knew who's head they were on and what diseases she doesn't have...but people just trust away!  Best $2 that lady ever spent on her kid.  Also, used candles?  Really?  So weird.
3. Excellent signs make all the difference.  KM made them, she is very proud of them and we still have them for the next time, should we do it again.  We drove around to make sure they worked and they were easily the best signs EVER.  Legible, clear, concise.  Also: pink.
4. People will buy anything.  A bath mat.  The thing you put in your tub and stand on while you bathe.  The thing you don't dare think about what is living in and growing on.  Granted, it had never been used and we knew where it came from...BUT the lady who bought it didn't know. 
5. You need to learn Spanish if hosting a yard sale in southern AZ.  How mush?  Lower? Es bueno?  Que talle?  WHAT?  Try telling a young Latina woman that yes that tv works, no I don't have the remote, yes its color and its 10$.  That was a fun conversation.  My spanglish is laughable but I think it gets the point across.  I was very proud.  So was my mother, I think. 
6. People will buy anything.  A leather jacket with mystery "stuff" all over it.  It was very dirty, I have no idea how you clean leather, so I figured...let's try to sell it!  (A family member donated it.)  It sold.  For a whole $1.  I couldn't believe it - I almost let the lady just have it since I was in such shock. 
7. Fridays are very big yard sale days!  We made 4/5ths of our money on Friday.  We were spoiled.  We expected so much on Saturday since Friday was so great, but we were let down.  Still, we are thrilled to have made 5/5ths. It was approximately 5.5 times what I was expecting to make.

Next, I gotta cross  "shop at a yard sale" off my list.  I gotta get brave.  I like thrift store shopping, but yard sale shopping just feels...different.

Are you a yard sailor?  (see what I did there?)

PS: Totally forgot that my 100th post is coming up...and this was it!  So much for doing something special to celebrate?!  yay me!

Seven Best Potato Fries

Wednesday again, ya'll!

Why do people call Wednesday hump day?  I will not google this...I want my readership to explain it to me.

I love Wednesdays but don't like that nickname for them...maybe I need to understand it better.

Today I am gonna go back to my fast food ways and discuss fries.  Nothing pairs better with a burger.  NOTHING.

Sometimes KM and I would go on a fast food picnic and get burgers from one place, fries from another, and beverages from another and dessert from a fourth.  It was a fun way to spend time and enjoy a meal in the car and expand our waistlines.  I need to patent the idea, so much fun - try it!

Without further ado, here they are!

Seven Best Potato Fries:
 

• Chik Fil A's Waffle Fries.  These fries have some (potato) meat to them!  They're perfectly salty and have a high crispy to tender ratio which puts them one step closer to perfection.  You must try these, you'll wonder what you were waitng for.
• Arby's Curly Fries.  How do they do it?  How do they make them curly like that?  My family has a strong Arby;s tendency for many reasons but nobody can tell me how they curl them.  And why does every order only have like two of the perfect 4 inch long corkscrew ones?  A rip off.  What's the spices?  So gosh darn good, why is it only 9am?
• Eegee's Crinkle Cut Fries.  A Tucson staple, enjoyed with your sub from the same place and a fruity slushy Eegee.  Great, and now I've drooled all over the keyboard.
• McDonald's.  Do I need to describe these to you? They;are the most consistent fries and are often oversalted(love it).  Nothing makes a better snack than these with an ice cold coke.  Yep, I said it. 
• Fuddrucker's Potato Wedges.  My family used to go here for a lot of our life celebrations and I haven't been in years...like 5?  I have this image in my mouth and taste on my tongue of how I remember this place.  Afraid it won't stand up to my expectations but still willing to try again!  These wedges are much meatier than the waffle fries but seasoned with magic and finished off with some wonder.  SO FREAKING GOOD!  (Why do I do this to myself?)
• Honey Bear's Sweet Potato Fries.  Best sweet potato fries I've ever had. Probably lose the entire healthier aspect of the sweet potato in how they are prepared and seasoned but I'll be damned if its not completely worth it.  Never had sweet potato fries?  This is a good place to start. Let's go.
• Five Guys Cajun Fries.  You can get your potato fix here in one of two ways: regular or Cajun.  Well what is cajun?  Its spices and herbs.  It lingers.  It makes you eat more.  I don't know what it is but I do know that its de.lish.us.  And going with my melt in your mouth burger there its pretty much a slice of heaven here in the land of concrete and pavement. 

Did I miss any?  Do you have a problem with my list?  Take to the comments!

Seven Randoms About Devyn

T'was the night before the big day, when all through the house not a creature was stirring not even a mouse.

The bags were packed and ready by the door, anxious to go in hopes that go-time would soon be there.

The special girl was nestled all snug in her bed while visions of yet another birthday danced in her head.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, she sprung from my bed to see what was the matter.  Right to the window she flew like a flash, she tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!

When what to her wondering eyes did appear, than a pimped out pink Cadillac with spinner wheels and KM bedazzled on many surfaces!

A stiletto-ed leg was the first to exit the chariot, and KM pelted a paper airplane that hit the special girl square between her eyes and this is what it said...

"PUT THIS ON YOUR BLOG $&@%$!!!"

...and so she did...

image here

Seven Randoms About Devyn 

by KM

6 years I have known Devyn. I still remember making her a birthday card in culinary school when we first met. I have been lucky enough to celebrate the past six birthdays with her, whether we were in Tucson, Phoenix or Vegas. When she told me about her birthday week theme, and asked me if I wanted to do a post, I thought of course....but what to do...so many themes I could do. Finally I decided that I couldn't just pick one. So my post is just random Devyn. I am thankful for all she has brought into my life especially her family who has adopted me as their own and been one of the best things about being in Arizona. She has been such an amazing friend to me, that I hope these things make her smile a little bit. Happy birthday Squish!

1. Ask Devyn to wink. She is definitely getting better than when I first tried to teach her, but it still needs a little work. I am pretty sure I break out into laughter every time I see her wink. I tried to teach her by telling her to close both eyes and then just open one. She closed both eyes and then deer in headlights opened both...ask her to do it...I promise you will laugh.

2. Road trips. Devyn and I have gone on many road trips. Of course, she does all the driving which I am eternally thankful for. We have gone to Tucson more times than I can count. Disneyland for a weekend. Utah for the day, just because. Sedona, Flagstaff and other random places just because we were bored one day and wanted an adventure. Vegas multiple times. We saw the Oscar Meyer Wienermobile on the Hoover Dam people. Awesome music, awesome snacks and awesome conversations.

3. Devyn loves t-shirts. She has tons of them. My favorite that she owns is one that says "Teach me how to Domo". Makes me laugh every time I see it. She also loves Domo, if you didn't know that then you fail as her friend =]

4. She is one of the smartest, selfless people that I know. Her whole family is so smart it is ridiculous...and Dev usually says she is the dumb one of her family. She has been my nerd herd, my accountant, my financial planner, my roommate, my landlord, my driver, my therapist, my everything. She would drop anything to help those who really matter to her, I am thankful everyday that I am one of those people.

5. Ask her to say "Hefeweizen". Hi.lar.ious.

6. She has taught me so much. She has been with me through culinary school, a move to Vegas, a move back to Phoenix and multiple moves around Phoenix. We have moved 5 times together. Without her, I wouldn't have been as successful in school, in my first pastry job in Vegas or the job I have now.

7. She is the ying to my yang. If you break us down, we are total opposites. She likes romantic comedies, I like action. She dresses casual, I dress up. She likes electronics and fixing things, I like sports and beer. We balance each other out. We keep each other grounded and boost each other up. She is the sister I never knew I wanted, but so happy she came into my life.

A note from the editor to KM:  Your methods of blog entry delivery are questionable yet entirely effective.  Thank you so much for this entry!  Devyn appreciates the kind words and is only slightly embarrassed at the secrets you have unleashed on the poor readership.  As always, I truly enjoy your writing and look forward to many more birthdays and signature KM entires! 

Seven Beloved Shows From The 90s

Howdy!

Can't complete TV week yet! 

Not without a post about the great television from the nineties.  KM is our resident expert on that, and she's here today to tell you all about her favorites! 

Sit down, buckle up and hang on tight, KM is driving!

Seven Beloved Shows From The 90s

Pepper Ann- Also most of ABC's One Saturday Morning. Including Recess and Doug. I loved these shows. I used to wake up in the morning,  fix some Eggo waffles and sit and watch OSM. Pepper Ann was more geared towards girls, always entertaining. Recess was amazing. Kids getting into all sorts of shenanigans. I loved the Ashley's. And Doug, well really doesn't need an explanation. Patty Mayonnaise was awesome. Kids cartoons suck compared to these. For reals.

Clarissa Explains It All- Melissa Joan Hart in her teen years. She narrated this show, talking to you, the viewer. Her family was crazy and her best friend, Sam, always used a ladder and climbed through her bedroom window....kinda weird in hindsight but also kinda cool. I loved her clothes...they were so wacky but made her, her.

The Secret World of Alex Mack- Do you remember this show? Do you know who Alex Mack is? Larisa Oleynik. She was in 10 Things I Hate About You. Do you know what GC-161 is? It's the chemical in the truck that almost hits her and gives her super powers. She could like zap light out of her fingers and turn into this silver liquid....this show should come back as reruns.

California Dreams- Not many people know this show. If you do, you move to the top of my list. It came after the amazing show Saved By The Bell. But that's a different topic. This was about a random array of high school kids who had a band....called the Dreams...it took place in California....can you guess why it has the title it does? I didn't like Sly...he really creeped me out.

Dharma and Greg- I loved this show. My mom and I used to watch it together. A quirky free spirit sees a handsome uptight lawyer at the train station. They lock eyes, go have pie and get married. They moved in with each other and have to deal with each others different lifestyles. Every character was interesting and hilarious in their own ways.

TGIF including Boy Meets World, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Two of a Kind, Hangin' with Mr. Cooper- Raise your hand if you loved TGIF*raises hand*. I know this is cheating because its not just one show but i cant just pick one. First, Boy Meets World....who was not in love with Sean? I know I was. And Topanga was hilarious and had an awesome name. LOVE THIS SHOW. Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Melissa Joan Hart in her mid to late teenage years. She was a witch and going through high school...not easy. But she had a hot friend/boyfriend in Harvey. Plus the totally real looking cat, Salem. Ok Two of a Kind was a show with Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen. I loved anything with them in it. A single dad raising twins who get a "nanny" who helps take care of the girls. And finally, Hangin' with Mr. Cooper. An ex NBA player moves in with his two friends and becomes a substitute teacher. You know what I remember most about this show....in-between scenes, cars would drive by and there would be colorful little squiggles behind the cars...don't ask me why I loved this, but I did.

Walker Texas Ranger- ok so I know that this is a really odd show for a kid to watch....but I absolutely LOVED this show. I was head over heels for Chuck Norris, pre Chuck Norris jokes. I used to go up to the tv and kiss it when he came on. So weird, but I am what I am. You can make fun of me all you want but the fighting scenes were kick ass and the plot wasn't too bad.


Sooo...she kissed the TV...did you? I never did.  Strange girl... she also said she had to "fix" waffles.

WERE THEY BROKEN KM????

Seven All Time Favorite Sandwiches

I am so very sorry.

In advance, for what may happen to the interwebs as soon as this post is released...

THREE different lists(with a lot of similarities) in one post!

No, its not a listmania, since these are all the same topic. 


THREE PEOPLE have written about their favorite sandwiches for you today.  Me, KM, and our beloved Herc. 

We have all banded together in honor of August being National Sandwich Month.  They both submitted these posts, but I am the genius one that has sewn them all together into one massive, internet-breaking post.  I'd like to encourage you all to celebrate the month's end by enjoying one of your own favorite sandwiches.

You like sandwiches, right?  Don't even tell me if you don't.  I don't want to hear it.  Sandwiches are proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.  Believe me.

image from here

HERC EATS: My 7 All-Time Favorite Sandwiches

Many many people claim the classic PBJ as their first and best sandwich.  Others like a spicy chicken or a Dagwood, which as far as I can tell is one of those cartoony sandwiches piled high with EVERYTHING, the kind that Scooby and Shaggy used to make whenever they came across a kitchen in whatever haunted building they were exploring.  Sandwiches rank right next to pizza as the prefect combination of different food groups coming together to form a new food group.  (Sorry, stir fryers.)  And like pizza, there is ample room for creativity in constructing a sandwich - your rules rule.  Anything goes.  Here goes my list:

Home Division:

Jif Creamy Peanut Butter And Karo Light Corn Syrup Sandwich - I’m sure I was raised on traditional PBJs (ask My Moms) but somewhere along the way things done changed.  I used to be a Crunchy peanut butter man as well.  I experimented with Apricot Jam for a while and still enjoy honey as a spread with my peanut butter but my ultimate end-all, be-all make-it-myself sandwich consists of Jif brand peanut butter mixed in a small bowl with a small amount of Karo Light (clear) Corn Syrup spread over two slices of honey wheat bread.  Haven’t had one in years and years and, yes, years but I fondly remember them.

Oscar Mayer Ham and Cheese Loaf with Kraft Sandwich Spread and an extra slice of Kraft American Singles - The loaf is basically a processed ham with dots of cheese all over it.  Very organic, very natural.  The Sandwich Spread is basically a weak Thousand Island dressing, a mayo with relish concoction.  The American Singles - don’t call them “cheese” - merely amplify the tiny cheese nodules in the loaf.  

Tuna Salad Sandwich - This one’s been mentioned before, in the Essential Summer Foods post.  I like to dice up sweet onions, bread & butter pickles, red delicious apples and toss them with a few cans of tuna and a dollop or two of Miracle Whip.  I’ll make a huge batch and eat it all week.  My colon thanks me.  While I do enjoy a whole wheat pita pocket packed until its bursting at the seams, honey wheat bread is often the go-to choice.  And yes, I do often apply a slice of Kraft American Singles to each slice of bread or each side of the pita.

Away Division:

pretty much any BBQ brisket sandwich ever - As long as it is served either on a soft hamburger bun or white bread.  Pickle on the side and slaw on sandwich is optional, I can take them or leave them as the meat, the sauce and the bread are the star attraction.  A root beer or Dr. Pepper washes it all down so nice.

Sweet Onion Teriyaki Chicken Sandwich [Subway] - Foot long Honey Oat, double meat warmed but not toasted with American cheese, lettuce, bell peppers, onions and that tangy Sweet Onion sauce.  It all comes together nicely, very nicely.

Double Meat Double Cheese [Whataburger] - Aficionados may question the inclusion of a burger within a sandwich list but I would counter with the classic “write your own damn list” argument.  I like mine with no mustard but with ketchup and mayo instead.  A distant second is the Double Western from Carl’s Jr.

Albuquerque Turkey Sandwich [Baggins] - My dying wish is to unplug the machines/IVs keeping me alive and be force-fed these sandwiches by the gorgeous Mrs. Herc as if I were a toddler (“Open the hangar. Here comes the airplane”) until my heart cannot get any happier and simply stops trying.  It is a grilled slice of nirvana with turkey breast, sweet and hot peppers and onions and BBQ sauce and cheese coming together on a sub roll to make the ultimate sandwich.  Everything about it: the aromas, the texture, the consistency and the tastes are wonderful and delightful.  For the Ultimate Old Pueblo Meal, grab an Albuquerque Turkey, a Sonoran Hot Dog and a Cherry Cider eegee’s and find a shady spot with someone you love and a view of the mountains and enjoy it all.

KM EATS TOO! Seven All Time Favorite Sandwiches:

1. Roasted turkey sandwich from Panera. It's a simple sandwich that I get on sourdough with tomato, mayo, salt and pepper only. Simple but so delicious. I love it. The sourdough bread really makes it. If you've never had Panera, you should, it knocks Paradise out of the water. It is one place I always manage to go to when I'm back home.

2. Turkey Philly from Zuppa. This has to be one of my all time favorite sandwiches. It is AMAZING. It goes on this big giant white bread. Throw some sliced turkey on the flat top and throw some cheese on it. Put it on the bread and throw some ranch type dressing on it. So so so amazing. This was a go to place for me in high school. Sadly, it has since closed.

3. Turkey sandwich from Eegee's. I see a turkey trend. I had never heard of this place until I became friends with Devyn and she took me to Tucson. It's more sub like than sandwich like but delicious none the less. I get mine with lettuce, tomato, no pickle and add provolone. This is one of the few sandwiches that I will eat lettuce on. The sandwich also has mayo on it and for some reason tastes so yummy to me. I love this sandwich.

4. Herby turkey from Bruegger's Bagels. Oh man do I love this. I am known to get two when I go here because it is so rare that I get it. Picture this...plain bagel, toasted with a garlic herb cream cheese, sun dried tomato spread, tons of turkey and a big piece of lettuce. It comes with red onion to, but I never get that. My mouth is watering just describing it. Mmmmm...

5. The Unforgettable Baggins and The Afternooner from Baggins. I know this is two sandwiches but they are both so good and from the same place. This was also introduced to me by Devyn since it's a Tucson place. I have never had anything bad there. The first is turkey, cream cheese, mayo, bacon, sprouts and avocado and sourdough bread. The second is ham, turkey, provolone, Parmesan and olives (which I forgo) and some sort of sauce all on a croissant. You put anything on a croissant and I am pretty sure I would eat it. Plus when you order anything from here you get a slightly under baked chocolate chip cookie in your bag. It is the perfect end to a perfect sandwich.

6. Chicken Carbonara from Quiznos. Oh yum. I love this one. I have been eating and enjoying this sandwich since high school. I used to eat it after school on Friday before a night of drinking. Their white bread with chunks of chicken, mushrooms, bacon, mozzarella and a creamy bacon Alfredo sauce. Then they put it through their magical oven and it comes out all hot and melty. The best is when they put a little too much sauce on and it just starts dripping down your hand....

7. BLT. From nowhere in particular. I love a good blt. Lightly toasted bread, mayo on both sides, crispy bacon, juicy thick cut tomatoes and crisp crunchy lettuce. Sonic has a pretty good one surprisingly. There is just something so simple and so perfect about this sandwich. As long as the ingredients are good, you really can't go wrong.


Devyn's All Time Favorite Sandwiches:




Those sandwiches are good and all, but I've clearly saved the best for last.  Here is my definitive list of the best sandwiches as I see them.  Guess what, I broke my own rule and made a list of eight.  Eight with Devyn today!

PB&H - Me AND PB&J - Grandma D.  This just has to be on the list to pay homage to the sandwich that made me the connoisseur that I am today.  I make a delicious peanut butter and honey sandwich(preferably with chunky pb).  Sometimes I have been known to make it a triple decker.  Then, my grandma d made me the best peanut butter and jelly sandwiches all through my childhood - sorry mom!  She would make us picnics for the backyard and give us lays potato chips and somehow me and my cousins or brothers decided to put the chips on our sandwich.  BEST.IDEA.EVER.
 
Anasazi Chicken - Baggins.  Baggins is a Tucson sandwich shop.  I love the vibe and pretty much anything from their menu.  I have sampled most of the menu through the years and the Anasazi chicken is my go-to.  Chicken breast cooked with whole mustard and lemon, green chilies, buttered and toasted sourdough bread and cheese.  I am honestly getting distracted just writing about this.  Its that good.  Come to Tucson and I will take you to Baggin's.
 
Herby Turkey - Bruegger’s Bagels.  Just like KM, I happen to love this sandwich.  I never loved turkey as a kid, but as a non-kid I have certainly embraced the non-ham.  This sandwich is not good for you though.  Too much goodness.
 
Chicken Carbonara - Quizno’s.  A sub, truth be told.  To me, a sub is a sandwich.  This one is melty and gooey and everything a toasted sub should be.  Its the perfect transformation of a meal that you eat with a fork into a sandwich.  I love the bacon bits and the sauce so so much.  And something about chicken chunks reheated in water is so incredible moist(must be the water - ha.ha.).  And the generous sprinkle of Italian seasonings. 


Fried Chicken - Lucille’s BBQ.  Lucille's is a BBQ chain and has a location in Tempe.  They make delicious barbecue but they are very good at southern food and southern hospitality.  Fried chicken is a southern staple but when you put a fried chicken breast on a soft potato roll with cheese and whatever else they slap on it, its pretty much heaven.  Served with a mason jar of sweet tea, I am in heaven. 

Chicken Caesar Sandwich - Panera.  I like the turkey sandwich that KM was telling you about, but I LOVE their chicken Caesar salad more than life itself so one day I ordered this sandwich.  I'm not gonna lie, it was divine.  Another example of fork food to sandwich food perfection. 

Pitts-burgher Cheesesteak(or anything really) - Primanti Brothers.  If you haven't heard of this place, scroll up to the top and take a look at that picture.  Those are french fries and coleslaw and tomatoes on top of the traditional sandwich innards.  You can get any sandwich you want there, really.  Its special because they put a handful of french fries and a handful of coleslaw on top of it and in between the soft Italian bread.  Its a Steel City tradition.  I had my first and HATED it.  I gave it a second try two days later and was in nirvana. 

Turkey with Provolone - Eegee’s.  Tucson's finest subs.  Their cold delicious Eegee's are the real draw here, but their sandwiches and french fries are also worthwhile.  Soft bread, ample amounts of mayo, turkey, too much lettuce, and pickles! Yes please!!!




And there you have it...the best sandwiches from the three top critics I could find!  Tell me your faves and let me know if you need further details on all of these. 

Seven Things I Miss About Back To School Season

Hi there!

I've got another guest post for you today.  This time its from KM herself!  She is a lifelong fan of back to school but not for the same reasons as everyone else.

Can you believe we are almost done with back to school week?  Its been one of my favorite themed weeks.  Are you, my beloved readers, enjoying my themed weeks? I hope you are, cause I'm having fun with them!

Enough about me and you, let's get to KM's seven.

Seven Things I Miss About Back To School Season:

1. School Supply Shopping. When I was in elementary school, we would go to my school and get a list for what grade we were in and then go around the cafeteria and pick out all the school supplies needed. When I got to high school, my friends and I would make an entire day of going to an office supply store and pick out things we needed...or wanted. It was always a great time

2. First Day Of School Outfit. Growing up, I always remember going shopping with my mom and getting to pick out an outfit that I was going to wear my first day of school. One outfit I specifically remember was for my first day of freshman year and I got a blue camo jean skirt from old navy and a black shirt. It was in fashion then I promise...

3. Getting A Class Schedule. I don't know why I loved it so much but I loved getting my schedule in high school and then posting it on IM as an away message (since this was before Facebook...say what?!) and seeing what friends I had classes with...because really thats all that really matters.

4. Autumn Time. I grew up in Ohio...where there are seasons. So when I was going into school it could be a nice summer feeling day in the 70's or 80's and then the next day it would be a brisk autumn day. I loved it. Autumn in Ohio is amazing because of all the leaves changing colors and such. Oh I also started school in September. ..not august like these kids in Arizona do.

5. Seeing What Teachers I Had. This was sometimes a scary situation for me. I would check with my older brother to see if he had any of the teachers and get his opinion which was usually negative. Then on the first day of school, the teacher would call my name, and ask if there is any relation to Josh Lusk (my brother). I would hesitantly say yes and then the teacher would give a look of approval which meant my brother wasn't a terror to them or a look of disappointment meaning they hoped that I was nothing like my brother...love you Josh!

6. Seeing The New Freshmen. I wasn't a mean person in high school...ok sometimes I could be a huge bitch...but I enjoyed seeing all the scared freshman every year. I know that I was one of them at one point, and people messed with me too. It makes you stronger...builds character. Don't worry, I didn't do anything really horrible, just gave them a wrong direction time to time and walked in front of them so they couldn't get by =]

7. Seeing All My Friends Again. Over the summer, I was always hanging out with my friends. But it's different when you are in school. You get to see more of them. All your aquientences that you don't hang out with but still like to talk to, you get to do that in school.

I miss school sometimes. I miss taking notes and going on field trips and recess. I had a blast in school most of the time...even in high school. I made great friends and actually learned a thing here and there. What were some of your favorite things about starting the school year?


Answer KM's question in the comments, ya'll!!!

Seven Best Pizzas I've Eaten

Silly question: Who doesn't like pizza? 

Everyone has their preferences.  Everyone has a favorite pizza.  Deep dish, thin, saucy, no sauce, cheeses, herbs, vegetables, fruits, meats, crusts, baking method, well done, underdone, etc etc. I have tried a lot of pizza and have compiled a list of my favorites as of this moment.  My list varies from gourmet to cheap frozen pizzas, but they are all delicious.

I love pizza.  I will probably never turn it down.  I don't like beer, but would take a six pack of Dr. Pepper and any one of these pizzas as my best easy meal.  If I ever go on a date ever again, I want to have a weekly pizza date.  So casual.  Some of my favorite moments happened over pizza or with pizza involved.  Birthdays, moving, family time.  Pizza might just be one of my faves. 

The Seven Best Pizzas I've Ever Eaten:

Barro's Mega Meat - Barro's is an Arizona phenomenon.  I was only introduced to their magical thick crusted pies about two years ago, but I have long since made up for the years I never knew it existed.  This pizza has every meat on it, along with plenty of cheese and sauce.  Their crust is thick and sturdy and can handle all of the meat and still taste great.  I love it.  Meaty goodness.


Peter Piper Pizza's Bacon Double Cheeseburger - This pie is a go to staple in my family's house in Tucson.  I have only had it once outside of Tucson and not in the company of my family and it didn't taste the same.  It must be Tucson magic at work again.  Beef, cheddar cheese AND mozzarella, tomatoes, onions, bacon bits all atop their thinner crust.  So.Darn.Good.  Peter Piper does carry out too.  We used to have our birthday parties at PPP for YEARS, but now its like a circus in there and I'd rather eat my pizza sitting on the curb and using my jeans as a napkin. 

Pizzeria Bianco's Wiseguy - This is one of the most popular restaurants in Phoenix.  Its tiny, they don't do carry out or take reservations and sometimes you can wait HOURS just to get a table.  Luckily there is a bar next door to help pass the time.  PB has been named best in the country many times.  Chris Bianco, owner/chef of this joint is so dedicated to quality that it puts others to shame.  Let me give an example: Ships his water from NYC, makes his own cheese, makes his own dough, makes his own sauce, makes his own sausage, grows all herbs right there on property and OH YEAH still can be seen at the restaurant every night.  The wiseguy pizza is one of only 6 pizza offerings.  It has caramelized onions, that homemade fennel sausage, smoked house made mozzarella cheese and no sauce all on their amazing chewy crust.  I am drooling all over my keyboard thinking about this pizza right now, I kid you not.  Please come visit me here and I will take you to this place.  My treat.

Kirkland Signature Frozen Cheese Pizza - Yes, this is the Costco house brand.   At that great big warehouse, $9.99 will buy you 4 ten-inch pizzas from the freezer section.  KM and I can polish off one pizza in a sitting together, so that's dinner for 2 @ $2.50.  SOLD.  Its a four cheese blend, on a better than average crust that has panko breadcrumbs on the bottom as opposed to cornmeal.  A pleasant surprise, and the very best part, I must say.  Costco has its flaws in our society, but this is definitely a step towards world peace, I just know it. 


 Red Baron Four Cheese Pizza - Another frozen delicacy.  This one hails from my childhood and I am pleased to say it still exists.  Its a boring thin crust pizza, with supposedly 4 cheeses on top of some tangy sauce.  The magic here comes from the green herb sprinkled all over the top.  Until I discovered that Costco pizza brand, this was my go-to.  Sadly it is not anymore, but I still have the memories from back in the day.


Mama's Pizza Supreme - This joint is hidden behind a shopping center, and adjacent to a high school in Tucson's east side.  My family has been going here for as long as I can remember.  They serve pizzas as big around as you can imagine.  Huge ones that a single slice of equals three regular slices.  They make this traditional supreme pizza that is just perfect every single time.  I really only go here for the doors that lead to the restrooms, they are swinging western saloon style doors.  I get such a kick out of barging through with my hands on my holsters, getting ready to go wrangle up some cattle just as soon as I finish my pizza. 

Pepperoni Pizza From That Bowling Alley - When I was in grade school, we had hot lunch every Thursday.  It alternated between pizza and either McDonald's or Eegees every other week.  The pizza you could order cheese or pepperoni and it cost $1.50.  You had to bring an envelope with your money, your name, your classroom and your order on it every Thursday.  Mom and Dad would write our envelopes out for us and help us decide our order and we would proudly carry them to school.  Then at lunch time, we got our treat.  The pepperoni pizza was always just a little too greasy but always DELICIOUS.  Guess where this pizza came from?  From the little cafe in the bowling alley across the street.  A bowling alley.  Go figure.

Runners up include: KM's vegetable pizza, Hungry Howie's anything, Papa John's garlic butter, and Pizza Hut's Pan pizza/lunch buffet/dessert pizzas

Seven Favorite Libations

Hi all!  Thanks for coming by.  This blog already has more page views than 3 of my other failed blogs after only three days live.  Let's pick up some momentum and get some more comments in here.  Even if you email me your private comments!  I have been thinking about this blog a lot and have a lot of really fun ideas planned.  Seriously, stay tuned.  Onward and upward. 

KM is my dear friend and roommate as well as today's guest blogger.  As I said, Devyn takes Sundays off.  Devyn also likes to refer to herself in the third person like a goof.  I am pleased to present to you her seven today, as emailed directly from her:


KM's Seven Favorite Libations:

1. Kiltlifter. It is the single greatest beer I have had, thus far. It is only made and sold in Arizona. It is a darker beer. Not very hoppy which I love. It's best on tap but the bottle is the next best thing. It just recently became available in cans...no bueno. Try it...it's delicious.

2. Cuco's margarita. Cuco's is a Mexican restaurant in Ohio. And they make the best margarita. They don't add any sort of special ingredients, that I know of....but the base mix that they make is just fantastic. The only way to get it is on the rocks with lots of salt. The food is amazing as well but I go there just to drink the margaritas.

3. Dr. Pepper. I don't drink pop, soda for all you non-midwesterners, anymore. I've been off it for over a year and a half. But I still miss the sweet sweet taste of an ice cold Dr. Pepper. With it's 23 flavors of goodness, it pains me slightly that they made it taste even better after I stopped drinking it. I have a sip from time to time and the flavors are intense and delicious (sigh).

4. Peppermint hot chocolate. It is my all time favorite winter drink. I usually get it from Starbucks, yeah yeah I know...Starbucks, but it is just so damn good there. If I'm near a Starbucks anytime during the season, it must be bought. It's the perfect balance of chocolate and peppermint...how much more classic can you get?

5. Arnold Palmer. Because I have given up pop, i have been forced to find other beverages to drink because water just doesn't do it for me. A perfectly made Arnold Palmer has become my go to drink. The sour lemonade with the sweet tea is just fantastic. (Add a little vodka to it and it is even better)

6. Sweet tea. It has to be the best thing that has come out of the south. What's great about sweet tea from places like Georgia is that is usually your only option of tea. They don't know what unsweetened tea even is. This stuff is so good, I've considered getting an IV drip of it. Yummm

7. Bloody Mary. A bloody Mary is an amazing drink and I will tell you why. It has the tomato flavor (duh) that is sweet. And then the spice and heat that just warms you all the way through. The only acceptable garnish for this drink is celery...no pickle, no onion...celery. If I could, I would start every morning with one.



Thank you KM!  I thought I knew you very well but I guess I didn't know all of your favorite libations as good as I thought.


Cherry Kool-Aid anyone?