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Settling Into Arizona

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view of sunrise in the dessert

By now I am sure that if you follow me on any of my social media platforms, you know that I am in the Phoenix area for the next three months. Mike and I both work at home as writers/bloggers/self-made-middle-classers and last year, oh, about this very time actually, we decided that we were going to spend part of the winter in the Phoenix area. My parents bought a house here and have started to spend the winters here themselves, so why not rent a house, get away from the cold Edmonton winters and get to see my parents more?

Why not indeed. We booked and paid for a three-month rental on an acreage house last January and have been waiting – impatiently- for winter to roll around. Which, I might add, is the first time that I can truly say I was wanting winter to arrive.

dark view of dessert sunrise

I have been barraging you all with sunrise and sunset photos on Facebook and Instagram, which are my favorite thing about this place now. Other than the fact that I’m wearing capri’s and sandals and writing this out on the deck at this very moment.

I’m sorry. I feel like a jerk for just typing that, knowing how miserable Edmonton winters are for all of you at home.

The sunrises here are however, truly spectacular. The house is set up on a hill and the views are amazing. This was yesterday morning, after coyotes woke me up at 7 am by howling and yipping right outside my bedroom. And I do mean right outside. I grew up in the country and have never heard a coyote party right outside my window like that ever.

amazing view of sunrise from hill

The house is older, in good shape and it is huge. It’s a good thing we have tons of company to keep it full and busy, because it’s seriously the biggest house I have ever stayed in.

The other side of the house boasts sunsets, which are not always as consistently beautiful, funny enough. This sunset, seen on our second day here, was simply spectacular.

view of dessert sunset with with the pink glow

The mornings on the other side of the house ain’t that bad either, with the pink glow suffusing the entire sky it seems, once the sun starts to come up.

This is the view from the kitchen window in the morning.

Not. Half. Bad.

large cactus view after the sunrise

The kids love it, of course. It’s a completely different playground, however, thanks to all the creepy crawlies that love to live here. There’s no poking around bushes, stick piles or even turning over rocks with your hands in this here part of the woods. While everything is very dormant now, starting end of February-ish, it’s going to be warm enough that those creepy crawlies are going to start moving around. Yick.

dad and daughter in outside the house

However the other wildlife has been entertaining us daily. The desert quail are always on the driveway first thing in the morning and rabbits, chipmunks and even a roadrunner have all paid us a visit. No wonder the coyotes love it here; there’s food beyond measure for them!

desert quail on the driveway

We started back to homeschool this past Monday, right on schedule with everyone else and let me tell you, those kids of mine didn’t want anything to do with it.  However I must say I am really proud that they settled into it right away and finished their work for the week this morning and now have Friday off to play around the house and enjoy themselves.

I have to get into a work rhythm here, holy Dinah. I don’t want to. I want to sit and drink coffee on the deck and watch the sunrise and the birds. Then I want a glass of wine (maybe starting at oh, around noon?) and sit on the deck some more until the sunsets, Ereader in hand all day long.

Alas, I have a cookbook to work on and this blog to run. I have to admit, after a very lazy three weeks at Christmas it feels good to be back in blogging business again!

So the recipes are a’ coming, I’ll try and write about Phoenix some more for you and keep you all entertained!

Love you more than the Phoenix sun,

Karlynn

 

 

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Karlynn Johnston

I’m a busy mom of two, wife & cookbook author who loves creating fast, fresh meals for my little family on the Canadian prairies. Karlynn Facts: I'm allergic to broccoli. I've never met a cocktail that I didn't like. I would rather burn down my house than clean it. Most of all, I love helping YOU get dinner ready because there's nothing more important than connecting with our loved ones around the dinner table!

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  1. MarcioWilges says

    The pictures of the sunset here are gorgeous! I hope moving and removals was easy for you and your family! After the removalists have all gone, all that’s left is just the exploration and the getting to know your neighbourhood and you guys look like you’re really loving it in Arizona! https://www.platinumremovals.com.au/removal-services/

  2. Plmitche says

    Calgary snowbird living in la Quinta, la. I couldn’t agree more re lovely sunrise and sunset. How exciting for you to spend 3 months in Phoenix. We have friends in Tucson who took us to Tubac and Tombstone. Check it out while you are here. Keep up great blog.

    • thekitchenmagpie says

      @Plmitche Oh right! I forgot about Tombstone! Thanks for the reminder!

  3. Corinna Turner says

    I went once, it is beautiful!! The air is so much better and fresher too.

  4. LorrieStad says

    oh so jealous right now after 7 ” of snow and windchill tonight of minus 30, how did you find youre rental house.  we do go to palm springs but i find all the add ons of cleaning fees and warming the pool fees is kinda crazy

    • thekitchenmagpie says

      LorrieStad I use HomeAway..and no pool here, I have noticed that’s a big extra charge too! 

    • KitchenMagpie says

      FairmontMAC I’m already missing my #yegfood peeps, but well… snow < desert sun.

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