Spring’s Secret Gem – Fresh Garlic Scapes Near Phoenix

We wait all year for the opening of local farmers markets, and it is finally here! We meander down the aisles, taking in the sights and smells, browsing local artisans and farmers who showcase spring’s fresh bounty; locally grown asparagus, juicy apricots, berries, fresh garlic scapes, chives and English peas!

Check out these local farmers markets and ideas on how to use one of spring’s delicacies; garlic scapes!

Open Air Market

Enjoy the Open Air Market every Saturday through the summer 8am to 1pm

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Uptown Farmers’ Market
Uptown Farmers’ Market is open this May on Wednesays and Saturdays from 8am to noon!

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Roadrunner Park Farmers Market
The Roadrunner Park Farmers Market is now open on Saturdays in May at 8am.

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Here are some easy ways to use Garlic Scapes, but don’t miss them, they go quickly! These grassy, garlicky buds of a garlic plant are only available in the late spring and you can swap them out when recipes call for garlic cloves, but their flavor will kick things up a notch!
Grilled Garlic Scapes

Throw the scapes on the grill until they are charred, then drizzle them with lemon juice, salt and paper! These make for a perfect side dish or topping for a grilled steak!

Salad Dressing
Whisk finely chopped garlic scapes into some home made salad dressing to add a delicious, grassy garlicky flavor to your salads.
Garlic Scape Butter
What could be better than butter and garlic scapes, we can’t think of anything!  Chop garlic scapes and blend them with softened butter! Garlic scape butter is perfect on fresh bread or on top of other spring vegetable like asparagus!

Get out to area local markets or farm stands to enjoy some of late spring’s delicious fresh produce near Phoenix, Arizona.

 

Great Phoenix Hiking Spots for Spring

Beautiful Hikes in Phoenix

There is so much to love about living at the Ironhorse at Tramonto Apartments, but one of our favorite things are the abundant Phoenix hiking spots! Sprinkled throughout the area are the beautiful landscapes, wildlife spring blooms and waterfalls just waiting to be explored!

Here’s a list of just a few of the best trails to explore this spring!

Deem Hills West – Located just 11 miles from your Phoenix apartment off the I-17 you will find one of the area’s newest trails. Perfect for beginners or those looking for quiet, secluded trails with spectacular views, choose between the full 6-mile hike, a 3-mile trail or the easier two-mile trails!

Waterfall Canyon – White Tank Mountains Regional Park—Jump in the car and head to this family-friendly and dog-friendly trail for an afternoon exploring Arizona’s wilderness! Great for first timers or groups with less experienced hikers, you will enjoy views of the beautiful waterfall and experience the splendor of Arizona’s flora and fauna.

Siphon Draw Trail – There is no better hike for aerial views and beautiful spring wildflowers. This trail is a bit difficult—with a distance of 6 miles—but, for those who want to be dazzled by brittle brush, poppies, lupine and strawberry hedgehogs and don’t mind a bit of mystery and intrigue, this is a great way to spend an afternoon! Bring water and plan on at least 6 hours!

What are your favorite Phoenix hiking spots? Drop a comment and let us know!

 

DIY Home Decor Ideas to Add Style to Your Apartment

Are you tired of looking at plain walls Looking for DIY home decor ideas for decorating your apartment?

apartment in Phoenix

Photo Credit: roommatesdecor.com

Why not consider stick and peel decals!

They are an easy and fun way to add style, color, and personality to your apartment and better still, they are easy to remove when you grow tired of the design or move out of your Phoenix apartment.

Here are some fun ideas on how to use decals and wallpaper in your apartment.

Create an accent wall with a geometrical pattern, available from roommatesdecor.com for instant style.

Add style and personality to a work area. Bed, Bath & Beyond has several temporary wallpaper options which can be cut to create YOUR own style.

Or, why not try these fun faux mirrors or picture frames.

apartment in Phoenix

Photo Credit: Home Depot

Available from Home Depot online and perfect for your Phoenix apartment at Ironhorse at Tramonto.

With temporary wallpaper and decals, it is easy to decorate your apartment without the risk of damaging walls!  Have fun, we hope we these DIY home décor ideas have inspired you.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Your Phoenix Apartments

This Valentine’s Day, whether you’re single or not, make it a priority to focus on self-love. This is the kind of love that seems to be the most overlooked in our society that’s obsessed with the kind of romantic love we see on TV. But what about you? What could you use to treat yourself and lift your spirits as you show yourself some self-love in your apartments in Valentine’s Day?

Perhaps it’s giving yourself a homemade facial, binge-watching one of your favorite shows, watching a funny movie, enjoying a good book with a glass of wine, or something else. The question is- what can you do to court yourself and make YOU feel like you’re the center of your world (without spending too much money)?

Some other forms of self-love could be writing in a journal, getting back in touch with thoughts and feelings you may have put on the backburner for a while. Something else you could do is to enjoy physical pleasure by going to your nearest adult shop beforehand and shopping for supplies that will bring you to ecstasy.

Can you think of any other ways to practice self-love in the confines of your beautiful apartments in Valentine’s Day?

Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Phoenix Apartments

Looking for some ways to really go all out with spring cleaning this year with your apartment in ? Follow some of the tips below:

1. Get rid of stuff. Anything that you haven’t used in 6 months to a year should be subject to being donated to the Goodwill or Salvation Army, at the very least so you can make room for something new.
2. Do your usual dusting, sweeping and mopping routine. No cheating by avoiding corners. Remember, the trick is to get all the dust out before the spring is here so you can avoid flaring up your allergies.
3. If you have a room that is simply too daunting for you to tackle, consider hiring someone on Task Rabbit.

For more tips on how to get the most thorough spring cleaning that you can, check out this site right here. Try not to see spring cleaning as a chore, but more as a form of self-care as you transition from one season to another. If you need some help staying motivated, consider creating a playlist on Spotify or YouTube beforehand so you can stay in the moment and finish everything you need to get done. How will you make the most out of spring cleaning this year?

Winter Activities in Phoenix, AZ

There is no better season than winter. The weather change, the holidays, the cozy feeling you get. You also get the pleasure of enjoying all the amazing winter activities there are to do out there. Don’t spend your entire winter hibernating and doing nothing, you can enjoy so much both indoors and outdoors. Head out on the town for some winter adventures you won’t forget. The city is filled with numerous things and events you can explore and join during the winter. If your a homebody don’t fret, there are tons of winter activities you can enjoy right in your home.

DIY Projects

So going out may not be your style, and you have everything you need at home, no problem. There are a variety of household winter activities that can fill up your day. Doing DIY projects are simple, fun, and a productive way to spend your time this winter. Come up with some creative ideas on some things you’ve been meaning to try. Whether it’s cooking, decorating, or simple arts and craft project, you can’t go wrong with DIY. If you need some help on how to get them done, tune in to a some Youtube segments or blogs to help you get started.

New Year’s Eve in Phoenix, AZ

Everyone is getting their things together and getting ready for the new year. People are using this month to wrap up all that they wanted to get done before the year is over. Time to finish up all the things we wanted to do before we give ourselves new goals and aspirations. The one thing we definitely want to do is celebrate the new year coming in and see this year off with a bang. Get loud, crazy, and have a great time celebrating New Year’s Eve with all the wonderful events happening in the area. If you’re thinking of bringing in the new year in a fun and exciting way in the city, here are a few ideas.

Head to a Restaurant Bar and Club

Shake things up when you celebrate this New Year’s and head to some great restaurants, bars, and clubs. Start your night of fun with a delicious meal so that your pumped and energized for the adventures ahead. Make your way to an exciting bar or club and dance the rest of the year away while you wait for that big countdown. Spend the last part of the year having the time of your life. Check out Eventbrite to see which clubs and bars have special events going on in your area.

Thanksgiving in Phoenix, AZ

The holidays are a busy time but you can’t forget to make time for all the great activities they have going on in and around the city. Sure you’ll be visited by family and you might even take part in a fun Friendsgiving but don’t forget to join in on all the great and festive things happening in the neighborhood. There is plenty to do and you can bring your friends and family along for the holiday adventures. If you’re looking to have a good time during the Thanksgiving holiday, here’s a list of things you can go to or get involved in.

Get A Head Start on Black Friday

Black Friday is usually the day after Thanksgiving but there are so many places that start day of or even before. Start your shopping early and get great deals on the things you want. Go out and have fun shopping at all the stores.

Local Parades

Some neighborhoods will host local parades during the holiday filled with floats, bands, local officials, and organizations. Take your family to the parade and watch all the exciting festive sights, and socialize with fellow parade goers. You’ll have a blast being out there and celebrating Thanksgiving

Whatever you decide to get into for the holidays it’s important to remember to be safe, and to have fun.

 

Haunted Attractions in Phoenix, AZ

Spooktacular things are happening this month and its stuff you don’t want to miss. October is the time for scary and creepy to come to life, and for everyone to enjoy a good fright. You don’t have to wait until Halloween to enjoy all too scary and spooky things they have out there, you’re haunted fun can begin right now. Phoenix is flooded with fun and frightening things to do during the month of October. You’ll truly enjoy going to see one of the many haunted attractions they have around Phoenix, AZ. Check out all the great local haunted spots to really get you spooky spirit going. The 13th Floor Haunted House Phoenix is a haunted attraction you’ll definitely want to visit.

If you dare to visit such a horrifying place be prepared to be afraid. This place is known as the premiere Halloween event throughout Phoenix. The house’s attractions this year are In The Shadows and The Possession. A decaying cesspool in a mostly inhabited town, in The Shadow, is the alleged location of a cure for the decay, and visitors to the attraction are tasked with finding that cure. The Possession is where visitors will find restless spirits that want nothing more to trap them in the house permanently.

 

Staycation in Phoenix

So you’ve decided to do a staycation instead of a vacation for once. You’re excited to enjoy yourself and experience something fun but you’re not sure what. Have no fear Phoenix, AZ is filled with great places to go that will make it a staycation that’s worth your wild. One of the better places to visit during your staycation is the Desert Botanical Garden. This magnificent garden is filled with fascinating local wildlife as well as other beautiful arid plants. It has a very unique atmosphere, perfect for sightseeing and enjoying nature. The garden features species from Australia, South America,  and Baja California. There are nearly 4,000 species of plants to observe at the Desert Botanical Garden.

The garden features numerous concerts and exhibits that are all exciting to see. One of the more exciting shows to witness is the beautiful night show they display. You can also walk the different trails and interact with the different plant life there. They also have a great place to rest, grab a bite to eat, and have a refreshing drink. The garden’s collection is always increasing so now is as greatest time as any to visit and learn all about these amazing plants.