Day One in Arizona

Day One in Arizona was on Friday. We flew in, got our rental car and headed up north to check in to the Motor Lodge, and meet up with my baby brother. Hubby and I were in awe from the moment we got off the plane. Arizona is just beautiful. As we headed north we saw less and less palm trees and more and more saguaro cacti and then more and more mountains.

For dinner that night, Hubby, baby brother and I ate at Guido's Pizza in Dewey. Okay, people if you are looking for a sinful snack on your way from Phoenix to Prescott or Flagstaff, stop here and get Guido's bread sticks with cream cheese dipping sauce. Their pizza is good, but their doughy, buttery, cheesy bread sticks are out of this world. Coupled with the aforementioned dipping sauce, mmm mmm mmm, it's pure heaven for a weary traveler.

After dinner, we did a little more visiting and then off to bed for us. All told we were up for 19 hours, and as soon as heads hit the pillow we were out.

the motor lodge

So if you are ever in Prescott, Arizona, or around Prescott, Arizona, or want to make a destination out of Prescott, Arizona, stay at The Motor Lodge. Upon driving up you are welcomed by the chic, retro color palette of green and orange. Park your car outside your room and check on in. You'll be greeted by your friendly hosts, and given a drink (now that you're off the road).

We checked into room #11, one of the "standard rooms". The rooms are cozy and quaint with more retro charm. Our room had a nice big bed with two end tables, a chair, dresser, TV, closet; a bathroom with a stand up stall shower; and a bonus room that is kitchen like, with a small fridge and coffee maker (with yummy stuff to make coffee, tea and hot chocolate.

The fact of the matter is they do it right here. Friendly service. Kitch, yet stylish decor. And nice soft toilet paper. If I had to list one negative, it would be the shower*. They have lovely rain shower heads that come from the ceiling...so cool, right. I was ultra excited when I saw them, but in taking the shower it was a disaster...drowning, soap in my eyes, the whole deal. It really comes down to, awesome shower head, wrong size shower. But please believe this small matter had not swayed my overall opinion one bit. This place rocks! Plus, they brought us fresh baked cookies to our room yesterday...and you know how I feel about cookies. If I wasn't sold before that evening snack, that sealed the deal. 

Prices here are reasonable. We ended up paying about what we would have at the Days Inn or Super 8 down the road, for more style and similar amenities (plus some bonuses like sweets). I highly, highly recommend this place.

*Moving the shower head towards the wall did help a bit. Now I have no negatives to state. Like I said before, the place rocks my socks!

Movie Switch: Broken Arrow

KW's Movie Pick: So the first movie I watched from KW's list was "Broken Arrow". Now forgive me, cause it's been a while since I watched it, but I did not like it. First of all, John Travolta. This was his follow up to "Pulp Fiction" and "Get Shorty"? I guess if he's not a mobster or dancing, he's not for me. Second of all, the rope-a-dope comeback seemed predictable and anticlimactic. Lots of exploding, and running, and boxing, but didn't keep my attention. Sorry KW, I give this one a 2/5 Stars.

My Movie Pick: I did not put this on my list to KW, but for a movie with action and double agent and exploding and all that fun action movie stuff, I would recommend "007 Casino Royale" and/or "007 Quantum of Solace". These are movies I totally loved. I'd only ever seen one other Bond movie, one of the ones with Pierce Brosnan, and I was bored to tears. But for my money, the new Bond films are as fun as they come--visually stunning (and I'm not just talking about Daniel Craig), fast paced, and bad ass. These two I would give 4/5 Stars on entertainment value alone.

#54: Hubby submit Fall teaching schedule

So we've been sitting on this a little while now. Now that Hubby is teaching at the local community college AND working his full time job AND going to grad school, life is a little different for us. Good news: he's not going to teach or go to grad school over the summer semester. Bad news (but very responsible news, mind you): During the fall semester, Hubby will be working Monday through Saturday. What a good guy!!!

Secrets of NIMH

KW watched "Secrets of NIMH" last night, and gave it 5/5 Stars. I'm glad she liked it. I don't know that she will like the next movie I gave her..."Lost in Translation".

#58: Make treats for work.

So something I've been meaning to do for a while now, is make treats to bring to work (and for Hubby to take to his work too). I used to make treats more often, but for some reason, I haven't been doing it as much lately. So tonight I made...drum roll, please...Margarita Cake!!! Here's the recipe:

1 1/2 cups coarsely crushed pretzels
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 box white cake cake mix
1 1/4 cups bottled nonalcoholic margarita mix
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon grated lime peel
3 egg whites
1 container (8 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed (I used Lite Cool Whip)
Additional grated lime peel, if desired

Heat oven to 350°F (or 325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Grease bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with baking spray. In medium bowl, mix pretzels, sugar and butter. Sprinkle evenly on bottom of pan; press gently. (Note: In below picture, the recipe is doubled.)

In large bowl, beat cake mix, margarita mix, oil, 1 tablespoon lime peel and the egg whites with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour batter over pretzel mixture.

Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until light golden brown and top springs back when touched lightly in center. Cool completely, about 2 hours. Frost with whipped topping; sprinkle with additional lime peel. Store covered in refrigerator.

Movie Switch

My co-worker, KW, and I both love movies. However, while discussing movies one day, we realized we both love very different movies. So we challenged each other to watch 12 movies picked by the other. Why 12? I don't remember actually, we actually set this challenge quite a while ago. We both started strong, watching each others movies and critiquing them back to the other. But somewhere along the way, we both slowed down a little more and a little more until we stopped. But now we are back at it!

KW's Movies to Me: 
Broken Arrow
Drumline
National Treasure
My Girl
US Marshalls
Gone in 60 Seconds
Last King of Scotland
Anna & the King
Freedom Writers
City of Angles
Double Jeopardy
Raising Helen

My Movies to KW:
Lost in Translation
Edward Scissorhands
Lars and the Real Girl (KW's rating was a 5/5 Stars)
Princess Bride (KW's rating was a 4/5 Stars)
Prestige
Crash (KW's rating was a 3/5 Stars
Kung Fu Hustle (KW's rating was a 2/5 Stars)
Secrets of Nimh
Inventing the Abbotts (KW's rating was a 4/5 Stars)
L.A. Confidential (KW's rating was a 2/5 Stars)
Shawshank Redemption
Stand By Me (KW's rating was a 4/5 Stars)