In last week’s blog (Triple Header) I consulted my looking glass and posted the fun time yet to be had at TASTE Chandler.  Stupid, cheap ass looking glass!  Oh, don’t get me wrong, the event was outstanding.  However, the least that overrated, beefed-up sand ball could have shown me was the dust storm that would soon be rolling across the east valley just as the gates opened.

But guess what:  Those foodie folks and the great organizers from HDE Agency handled everything with the greatest of ease.  The storm subsided, the tents were re-erected (that sounds painful) and the show went on! I had a blast as emcee and cook-demonstrator, yet woke with an interesting yet intense pain in my right elbow.  Microphone abuse or bad glass raising technique? Guess we’ll never know.

Tuesday: Emily and I joined our new friends from Ceylon Tea at SLO Foods Organic Café at The Borgata in Scottsdale. We enjoyed Middle Eastern flat-bread with cilantro pesto, parsnip soup, beet salad with citrus and greens, and kobe beef kabobs with roasted vegetables.  Oh, did I mention the tea?  Best I’ve ever had – seriously.  Stop by SLO Foods for a cup or two with your meal.

Thursday: TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS!  I think I’ll leave the articulation of this iconic band to the pros and just say it was a magical moment in time.  Those guys have got the goods!  Oh–and the mastery of 3 chords–and the truth, baby!  Need I say more? 

Prior to the concert, Abbie and I stopped in at the new Lucky Strike bowling alley in CityScape.  It struck me (haha) as a combination of a 70’s sleek-bar with velour make-out couches and eye-level laser bowling.  The music was good and the scallops totally surprised and delighted me.  True foodies know that scallop preparation is an art , but taking a chance in an upscale bowling alley is what I’m all about.  WINNER!  The turkey sliders were also quite nice and I loved the fries–perfect salt!

Our last stop before the big concert was at Hanny’s!  Peter at the bar mixed up a delectable dry martini with olives and onions. Finally, it was time for Tommy Boy! What an outstanding concert and a great night out!  In case you were wondering, yes, I sang all the way homeJ

Friday: I spent Friday afternoon with my amazing husband and had a late lunch/snacks at PF Changs. I know, I know – no chains!  But this one’s from Arizona and they make a mean potsticker.  My husband, David, left a fortune 500 company one year ago to come on-board as CEO of into the Soup. We would be nowhere near what we have become today without his skills in business, marketing, and his ability to calm his wild-ass wife.  He’s my rock and my best friend and we both got a bit verklempt knowing that he’ll be on the east coast in his new-fangled corporate job while we’re filming our next 6 television segments tomorrow.  We’ll all miss you terribly, my dear.  I love you so!!