Beth Clauser-Roberson, Landmark Title | Arizona Homeowner | March 2023 Digital Newsletter

LOCAL VENUE

Mogollon Rim Arizona

Interested in seeing the Copper State like never before? Consider taking flight in a hot air balloon. In our modern era of jet planes and supersonic rockets, there is undoubtedly something romantic and nostalgic about a hot air balloon trip. You’ll never forget the incredible views from up above the breathtaking Sonoran Desert or the twinkling lights of Phoenix. Arizona truly is one of the greatest places to go hot air ballooning thanks to its dry climate and calm, beautiful weather. We’re ready for an adventure…come along.

The Mollogon Rim is an amazing topographical feature, forming the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau. The Rim is a combination of rock dating back to the Precambrian era, and spans over 200 miles between Yavapai County, Arizona and New Mexico. Enjoy breathtaking views over expansive pine forests with a robust system of hiking trails, beautiful mountain lakes, and wilderness adventures.

Source: visitarizona.com

Who would have guessed that a sheep, a duck, and a chicken were the first living creatures to take an eight-minute ride in a hot air balloon? The event took place in France in 1783, when two brothers with the surname Montgolfier designed a hot air balloon for King Louis XVI. A month later, two Frenchmen took a successful hot air balloon journey, while the first successful balloon flight in North America occurred in 1793 with none other than George Washington present to witness the launch. Today’s hot air balloons still employ the same basic components: a basket for its passengers, a heat source to get the balloon to soar into the air, and, of course, a colorful balloon.

What makes Arizona the perfect place for hot air ballooning? The dry climate and calm albeit hot weather make it an ideal location for the once-forgotten mode of flight. Most days of the year are clear to fly, though summer afternoons are usually too hot. Many festivals take place in the Copper State, including the Arizona Balloon Classic in Phoenix and the Albuquerque Balloon Festival. And the colorful scenery of the Grand Canyon State simply can’t be beat.

What can you expect when you a book at trip in Arizona? Thanks to the state’s incredible weather, trips are available most days. Most excursions last about one to two hours and will cost approximately $150-$300 per person, depending on the type of trip purchased. And many packages exist, for anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, and retirement gifts. Popular options also include sunrise or sunset trips, and some companies offer full moon night trips. Often a bottle of champagne is popped midflight for a memorable photo op. You can book trips online or on the telephone. So why not plan a hot air balloon excursion for your next big milestone? The memories will last a lifetime!

With the recent surge in grocery prices we have all contemplated buying an acreage on a hillside somewhere, with an Instagram worthy greenhouse, an a-frame chicken coop and fenced in garden where we can cultivate our own crops. Ok, maybe that is a slight exaggeration but what if I told you the last part isn’t as farfetched as you might think? You don’t need an enormous backyard or a greenhouse to grow your own fruits, vegetables and herbs. It’s even possible to grow them inside your home, in your very own kitchen, without soil or natural sunlight.

If it’s fresh herbs you desire and you don’t have much space to work with or an outdoor area, you may want to consider a garden kit. These are small enough to fit on your typical window sill and most come with their own full-spectrum grow lighting system. There are several reasonably priced kits for herbs available on Amazon, including the IDOO which is only $90.

If you have a little more counter space and you were hoping for some fresh veggie options, there are several indoor gardens specific to your needs.

The Veritable is user friendly with automatic water and lighting options controlled through an app on your phone. This model can grow four plants at a time. It is on the pricier end, available on Amazon at $250 but consider the savings when you are growing your own herbs along with lettuce, squash, cucumber, jalapenos, strawberries and more!

These can all fit easily on your countertop and don’t need to be in direct sunlight in order to thrive. Most of the brands do require the purchase of their own pods or they offer empty pods and you can use your own seeds.

One last model worth mentioning is the Miracle-Gro Twelve Indoor Growing System. This system is aesthetically pleasing and functions as a modern styled side table. It has the LED lighting system and connects to Bluetooth so you can control everything remotely.

There are so many options for indoor grow systems. Deciding on the best one for your home really depends on the space you have available. From a windowsill to an area the size of a toaster or even an end table in your living room, you could be growing your own herbs, fruits and vegetables in just a few days from an app on your phone, no greenhouse or hillside acreage necessary.

Deluxe Macaroni & Cheese

INGREDIENTS

1 pkg (40 ounces) STOUFFER’S Macaroni & Cheese, defrosted according to package directions

1 medium tomato, chopped

3 green onions, chopped

1 cup fresh breadcrumbs

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

2 tbsp butter or margarine, melted DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 375° F.

Combine macaroni and cheese, tomato and green onions in 2-quart baking dish.

Combine breadcrumbs, cheese and butter in small bowl; sprinkle over macaroni and cheese.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until topping is lightly browned and cheese is melted. GoodNes.com