Apricity West 5

February 14, 2025 - Friday  HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY

Not happy with the scale today. I know I shouldn’t be surprised, but I do try to be true to WW during the week. So, up and out the door early this morning to walk 2 miles in anticipation of a big Italian eat-a-thon at Michelangelo’s in Oro Valley for Valentine's Day...

Wines and suds…


Took a bite before the picture. We asked to share a Caesar salad and they served it like this…


My Rigatoni Gorgonzola…


Rich and Terri ordered Fettuccini with Clams…


Jim’s Orecchiette with sausage and pesto…

...followed by the Frost Shoppe where all flavors of genuine gelato are served. This is one of three display cases…

The story goes that two young men, having grown up together, went off to the U of A majoring in communications. They always knew they would go into business together, but not sure what business. Their families played different roles in suggesting the business, the name of the business, the logo and the location. The key to their success is the chef they brought over from Italy for their opening - he ended up staying a few months. They brought him back permanently as he could contribute much more to the venture in artistic ability, creativity, and teach more staff (primarily high school students). Jim remembers when Frost came to Tucson in this location and now there are 13 franchises. We all had a double scoop with two flavors to get the full experience. Rich’s included a bonus of a Chocolate covered Caramel in the salted caramel selection - he got two so offered me one. At the bottom of my dish was one of my own which I offered to all, but no one bit, so I got two! So it was a full day of amore.❤️ 

After dinner and before gelato, Jim took us to Western National Park Association so Rich could pick out an F# Indian Flute as suggested by Gary in North Ranch.

There were only two left in stock, so he scooped up this beauty with turquoise inlay. Now he just has to learn to play it...

Odell Borg is dedicated to introducing as many people as possible to native flutes.

We also stopped at a small popup Art Show where I found a very small pair of earrings for a second ear piercing which I had let grow in. Now to open it up again. It wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be.

 

February 15, 2025 - Saturday. HAPPY 16TH BIRTHDAY TO MY FIRST BORN GRANDDAUGHTER, LEANNA! ❤️

Laundry day at the Parsons. Took a walk with Terri - so much better than walking alone with my earbuds. When we got back, we had a fun mini-jam - Terri has a sweet voice which needs to get louder. Working on it! While playing, Leanna FaceTimed me and sister, Lily, joined us. We played/sang White Sandy Beach of Hawaii for them. Lily danced to it. The birthday pizza party will be at my house tomorrow...

 

Rich proudly sent this picture to Gary. He thanked Gary for his influence and he responded, “Whisper breath through it and enjoy the sound of your heart.” WOW!

After our cocktails on the patio, Terri served up her delicious Southwestern Chop Chop Chowder with artisan bread with olive oil dip. It was wonderful. 

February 16, 2025 - Sunday

Met T&J at Baja Cafe bright and early for Liege waffles (infused sugar crystals in the batter), eggs, hash browns and bacon. Oy! It’s official - our Valentine's Day eat-a-thon has become Valentine's Weekend. 😂 We are definitely foodies! 

Liege appetizer…

Main course…

Across the parking lot is Little Anthony’s Diner which is totally retro. 

Rich got his new flute out and watched a video by the gentleman who made it. He learned a lot and stuck with it for quite a while. 

 

Went to our 2nd ukulele meetup this afternoon - TUKU Proper. What fun it was with 36 players in the room. Rich was so moved that he played harmonica for 80% of the 21 songs! They kept telling him to play and gave him a solo for one of the songs (which we never heard before) too. He did great obviously playing by ear. I was shocked when he even sang one or two songs! 

New telescopic stools and cushions that fit in a bag for easier transport. We’re taking our cues from Keener and Carol for accessories. 

Colorful cushions…

Back at the Parsons’ party patio, we shared our experience over Jim’s delightful cocktails. 

We joked that Rich was a "super blowhard" today! Pork chops, harvest blend, and roasted Brussels sprouts were on the dinner menu tonight. And yes - we all skipped lunch after the enormous breakfast we had. 

 

February 17, 2025 - Monday

Today is a chill, do-nothing day. I did my walk, crocheted a little, and some tax stuff. Slept a solid 9 hours last night - feeling energized. 

 

February 18, 2025 - Tuesday

Up and out to Fry’s today before 8am. What a nice store! Very well merchandised, appealing, and great customer care even while the clerks are moving quickly and efficiently. We are planning to make dinner for T&J Saturday, so stay tuned. 

 

After putting everything away, I went for my walk. The weather is bright, warm, and sunny - good day to swim so I did. 

 

Practiced the new song list that came out for this weekend.

 

February 19, 2025 - Wednesday

Another gorgeous 70 degree day - walked and swam today even though I didn’t fall asleep until 2am. Sarah, banjo player, was walking her dog past our site and I asked her if she wanted to jam this week. She got verklempt and said not this week, as they have a quality of life vet appointment tomorrow. Bee Gee’s kidneys are failing. 🥺

 

February 20, 2025 - Thursday

And another good night of sleep - phew. The nights are in the 40’s so it takes a while for the sun to warm things up to short sleeve temps - usually by 9. If I wait much later than that for my walk, it quickly gets too hot for me. 

I sent a “thinking of you” text to Sarah and she replied that Bee Gee was so much better today that they cancelled the vet appointment! 

I made a batch of flourless, sugarless, WW chocolate chip cookies in the air fryer today. They are actually very good. I sure hope we have some left for Terri and Jim tomorrow night!

Watched La Dolce Villa on Netflix - a much needed feel good movie💕