Our patio structures will not warp, twist or rot! These products look like real wood and are durable and solid. They’re maintenance free, are available in 7 baked enamel colors and come with a lifetime limited warranty We install various sizes of interior faux beams to add custom touches in your home. The beams are available in various stains, patterns, and can be painted. We offer K-6 seamless and half round raingutter in 30 baked on enamel colors. We also supply and install custom radiused gutter for rounded entryways.
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20 op Five
FROM THE EDITOR
February is here and that means love is in the air! It also means the Valley of the Sun is gearing up for the Waste Management Open, and football fans are preparing for the Big Game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles.
BEVERAGE CLUB DELIGHTFUL DRINKS
The best thing about love is sharing it with someone else, whether it be your spouse, children, grandchildren, friends or complete strangers. This month’s issue of The Grand Season is focused on helping you love those in your life well.
While writing the content for this issue, I was reminded about what love should be. Contrary to popular opinion, love is not just a feeling or emotion, rather, love requires action.
I hope you have the opportunity to put your love into action, by encouraging someone who might be going through a hard time.
Thank you for your support of The Grand Season and our advertising partners.
Let love guide you!
CHOCOLATE MARTINI
INGREDIENTS
2 tbsp. chocolate syrup, plus more for drizzling
4 oz. Baileys
4 oz. chocolate liqueur
4 oz. Smirnoff vodka
Ice
Shaved chocolate (optional)
GIGGLE JUICE
INGREDIENTS
Melissa Whitton Editor/Associate Publisher
DIRECTIONS
Pour chocolate syrup onto a shallow plate. Dip rim of martini glasses into chocolate syrup to coat rims. Drizzle the inside of each glass with chocolate syrup. Combine Baileys, chocolate liqueur, and vodka in a large cocktail shaker. Fill with ice and shake until thoroughly chilled, about 20 seconds. Divide evenly between glasses. If using, top with shaved chocolate. Serve.
Lemon wedge, for rimming glasses
Sugar, for rimming glasses
1 (750-ml) bottle moscato
3 c. pink lemonade
1 can lemon-lime soda
1 c. vodka
2 c. sliced strawberries
1 lemon, sliced into half-moons
Ice
MIMOSA FLOAT
INGREDIENTS
1/4 c. melted white chocolate
Rainbow sprinkles
1 750-mL bottle of Champagne (or Prosecco)
1 qt. rainbow sherbet
All the Single Ladies
INGREDIENTS
3-4 raspberries and strawberries
2 parts Pink & Black Owl’s Brew Tea
1 part Tequila
DIRECTIONS
Rim glasses with lemon wedge and dip in sugar. In a large pitcher, stir together moscato, pink lemonade, soda, vodka, and fruit. Add ice and stir to combine. Divide among glasses and serve.
DIRECTIONS
In a small dish, pour melted white chocolate. In another small dish, pour rainbow sprinkles. Dip champagne glass rims in melted white chocolate, then in sprinkles. Add 1 to 2 scoops of sherbet to each champagne flute. Top with champagne and serve immediately.
DIRECTIONS
Muddle fresh raspberries and strawberries in a glass. Add tequila and Pink & Black Owl’s Brew Tea, using cocktail shaker, shake. Pour over ice. garnish with fresh mint.
St. Valentine’s Day Massacre
INGREDIENTS
4 fresh strawberries, hulled
2 ounces of Marquis Vodka
1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
Soda water
Cherry Kiss
INGREDIENTS
6 parts Sauza® Blue Silver 100%
Agave Tequila
2 parts JDK & Sons™ O3 Premium Orange Liqueur
40 bing cherries, pitted/stemmed
3 tbsp. agave nectar
4 parts fresh lime juice
8 parts club soda
DIRECTIONS
Muddle strawberries in a shaker. Add Marquis vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup and ice, shake, and strain into a glass. Top with soda.
DIRECTIONS
Muddle together cherries, lime juice and agave nectar. Strain into shaker, reserve the pulp in the bowl. Add the Sauza® Blue Silver, JDK & Sons™ O3 Premium Orange Liqueur, and ice and shake to chill. Spoon 1 tablespoon of reserved cherry pulp into each glasses and fill ¾ of the way full with cocktail mixture. Top with club soda and garnish with a cherry.
INSPIRE THE GREATEST GIFT
Love is a canvas furnished by nature and embroidered by imagination.
Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.
Lao Tzu
There is no remedy for love but to love more.
Henry David Thoreau
We love life, not because we are used to living but because we are used to loving.
Friedrich Nietzsche
Love is a gross exaggeration of the difference between one person and everybody else.
George Bernard Shaw
Voltaire
Love is like a beautiful flower which I may not touch, but whose fragrance makes the garden a place of delight just the same.
Helen Keller
To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.
Oscar Wilde
I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.
Mother Teresa
Love... it surrounds every being and extends slowly to embrace all that shall be.
Khalil Gibran
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•Backwash as needed
•Empty baskets (pump & skimmer)
•Test water chemistry
•Add chlorine and acid as needed
•Add up to 3 lbs. of shock
•Add salt as needed for pools
•Control best as possible CYA’s
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To kick the itch from bug bites, make a mixture of half lime juice and half water. Apply to bug bite on a soaked cotton ball.
Lunchbox tip: Assemble your sandwich the night before (without veggies). Wrap in waxed paper and freeze. Add veggies and a condiment packet in a separate bag. Your sandwich will thaw by lunchtime and will stay cold!
Plant banana skins in your garden, just below the surface. They rot quickly and provide nutrients for growing plants.
Always keep two needles threaded, one with black and one with white thread. When you have a rip, a button comes off or a hem comes out of your clothes, and you are in a hurry, you can use one of these for a quick repair.
When you get near the end of a roll of paper towels, save it to put in your car. Put together a kit to keep in the car with the following items: a small bottle of Windex or other cleaner, a squeeze bottle of water, some wet wipes and the short roll of paper towels. You will always be ready for a quick onthe-road cleanup.
1. Is the book of Ezra (KJV) in the Old or New Testament or neither?
2. From Proverbs 29, “But whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be ...”? Made whole, Blessed, Safe, Wise
3. What does God want us to keep as the apple of our eye? His law, Brotherly love, Faithfulness, Righteousness
4. Upon which mountain did Balaam build seven altars? Olives, Sinai, Pisgah, Carmel
5. What did David do to Goliath once he slew him? Stole his armor, Robbed him, Cut off his head, Buried him
6. Which is known as the “First Book of the Kings”? Judges, 1 Kings, 1 Samuel, 1 Chronicles
ANSWERS: 1) Old 2) Safe 3) His law 4)Pisgah 5) Cut off his head 6) 1 Samuel
FLASHBACK
Answers on pg. 36
1. Which artist released a cover of Don Gibson’s “I Can’t Stop Loving You” in 1962?
2. Who had hits with “Return to Sender” and “Good Luck Charm”?
3. What do “Little Green Bag” (by George Baker Selection), “Coconut” (by Harry Nilsson) and “Hooked on a Feeling” (by Blue Swede) all have in common?
4. Which group released “Along Comes Mary”?
5. Name the song that contains this lyric: “People say that love’s a game, A game you just can’t win, If there’s a way, I’ll find it someday, And then this fool will rush in.”
411 LASTING LOVE
We all know that marriage can be full of ups and down’s, but research suggest couples who’s relationships are falling apart have stopped asking the magic question, “How was your day?” If you want your love to last, here are some ideas that will help keep your love alive.
1. Check in every day. Asking “how was your day?” is the key to being part of your honey’s life. Don’t take that question for granted.
2. There is no auto-pilot for love. Flirt. Kiss. Hug. Remember that you create your relationship with every text, every wink, every “good morning” and every “can’t wait to see you tonight.”
3. Dream deeper instead of bigger. Dreaming deeper is asking how you would like to spend your time, not your money, and then finding ways to do more and more of that every day.
4. Pour love into pain as often as needed. Forgive. Forget. Let go. Move on. Love more. Open your heart to receive love when you need it too.
5. Remember that feeling you had on your honeymoon? So much joy and laughter and love. Feel that now. Yes, right now.
6. Say no to negativity. No criticizing, complaining or eye rolling. Ever. Make requests not complaints. Remember, at the end of a request you may get what you asked for. At the end of a complaint all you get is an argument.
7. Keep the sexy going. Studies show married people have better sex. You are married. The odds are in your favor. Practice.
8. Make deposits into your emotional bank account every day. Run little errands, bring coffee, take the dry cleaning. Be kind. Act like a team. Remember you are on the same one.
9. Let go of the idea of perfection. Expect marriage to be crooked and chipped and weathered. Expect it to grow and change and surprise you. Expect to be disappointed every once in a while.
10. Believe in the power of love and of that force to get you through tough times.
Olmedo, MD
James Barlow, MD Victoria Phan, PA-C
Brigitte Sledge, DO Anna Koester FNP-BC
DINING GUIDE
Chocolate-Covered Cake Balls
Cooking spray
1 box cake mix, plus ingredients called for on box
3/4 c. (1 1/2 sticks butter), softened
3 c. powdered sugar
3 tbsp. heavy cream
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
Pinch kosher salt
2 c. white chocolate chips
2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
4 tbsp. coconut oil, divided Sprinkles, for decorating
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350° and grease a 9”-x-13” baking pan with cooking spray. Prepare cake mix according to box instructions and spread evenly into prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Let cool then break cake into small crumbs.
In a large bowl using a hand mixer, beat butter until smooth, then add sugar and beat until combined. Add cream, vanilla, and salt and mix until smooth. (Add more cream if frosting is too thick.)
Line a large baking sheet with
parchment paper. Stir cake crumbs into frosting, then form mixture into tablespoon-sized balls. Place on a prepared baking sheet and refrigerate until firm, 1 hour.
In a deep-sided heatproof bowl, microwave white chocolate and 2 tablespoons coconut oil in 30 second intervals until melted. Repeat process with semisweet chocolate.
Dip chilled cake balls into melted chocolate, shaking off excess chocolate. Immediately decorate with sprinkles and return to baking sheet. Refrigerate until hardened, 15 minutes.
HEALTH
Are you searching for a healthy relationship? Before you download the next dating app, it might be wise to focus on what makes a relationship healthy, and how you can see red flags before it’s too late.
1. Healthy relationships complement your life goals; they don’t derail your focus.
Too many times in our lives, we try to justify a relationship. We are attracted to someone beautiful. They might have certain things going for them or we think there will be some opportunity with
them in the future. We form relationships with people that don’t complement where we are in life, and it ultimately derails our focus.
2. Healthy relationships never make you feel used. I’m not going to tell you that all of the relationships in your life should be
mutually beneficial. That’s just unrealistic. But you should never come away with the feeling that the only reason this person is in your life is because they want something from you.
It takes a strong understanding of yourself and your emotions to see the truth. If the relationship involves you constantly giving time and energy without acknowledgment or appreciation, then you might be in a situation where you’re being used. Cut those types of relationships out of your life.
3. Healthy relationships start with you having a healthy relationship with yourself.
Healthy relationships start with what you think and feel about yourself. Loving yourself is real and very important. If you don’t have a healthy view of yourself, you will attract and let relationships into your life that aren’t healthy. You must know and love who you are; your self-esteem must be strong. If you are attracting nothing but unhealthy relationships into your life, take some time to examine your feelings and relationship with yourself. Get honest about the areas of your life that you want to change and start taking the first steps. Spend time doing the inner work to develop you as a whole individual that loves who you are and won’t tolerate unhealthy relationships.
Dinner and a Movie!
GROWTH LIGHT A FIRE
Is your life so busy that your spouse seems more like your roommate than your lover? If you feel like your responsibilities with caring for your parents, grandchildren or volunteering you barely have time for anything other than a “good night” kiss, it’s important to remember, communication, affection, and time together are key to maintaining a happy relationship.
Take a few moments today to try these ideas to reignite the spark that once burned bright.
1. Create rules of connection.
When life gets busy, making plans to connect on a regular basis is key to reigniting and maintaining your intimate relationship. Make time to cuddle before you rush out of bed in the morning, or make plans to explore a new restaurant together for lunch.
2. Build in spontaneity and adventure.
While scheduled “together time” is important, you can also mix it up and keep things exciting with activities that are fun and spontaneous. Surprise your partner with a gourmet breakfast in bed. Crank up some great music and have an impromptu dance party in the middle of the kitchen
3. Make flirtation and intimacy a priority.
Send each other a text that say’s “I love you!” Or look through old photos of when you first met, then plan a date to relive some of your first outings together. When it comes to sex and intimacy, find time for moments when you allow yourselves to get close physically— even if it is simply giving each other shoulder massages before bed.
4. Be interesting and interested.
One great way to connect with your partner is to be genuinely interested in what that person is thinking, feeling and doing. When your mate is in the mood to talk, put down your phone and ask questions, discuss your favorite activities or make plans for your next adventure.
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Answers on pg. 33
1. Who created the retro TV series “Stranger Things”?
2. Which state is the home of Yellowstone National Park?
3. Which is the only planet in our solar system to rotate on its side?
4. What is the given name of the large bird in the animated movie “Up”?
5. Which three zodiac signs are considered earth signs?
6. What is the name of Hagrid’s half-brother in the “Harry Potter” book series?
7. What is the capital city of Australia?
8. What type of nut is used in the chocolate spread Nutella?
9. What kind of sports match is divided into 7-minute periods called chukkas?
10. What type of horses often are used in Budweiser beer ads?
U N L I M I T E D G O L F !
Pirouette®
LOOKING FOR LOVE
2. They’re generous with their support. When you’re struggling they are available for you. They listen. They are thoughtful. They defend you—or help you to see the reality of a situation.
Plenty of experts have given their full attention to this one: respect, openness, emotional maturity, honesty, good communication skills, vulnerability, empathy…the list goes on—and on. All are good, solid, qualities; all worthy of their place on “The Desirable Traits in a Partner” list. But, when you delve inside “happy” relationships, you’ll almost never find two perfect components of whatever it’s supposed to take. Instead, you’ll find supersized servings of tolerance, compromise and—most of all—generosity.
Not the splash-the-cash kind of generosity. That’s easy and has nothing to do with what you’re like to be with or live with over time. What matters is a person’s Generosity of Spirit which you can spot right at the start—as long as you’re looking. To help out, here are several meaningful signs to look for.
1. They’re generous with their time. This one’s hard to spot when you first get together because obviously you spend a lot of time together. At the outset, you’re both presenting your “best selves”— so you need to delve deeper. Look at the time they make for other people in their world: their close friends, their aging parents, or someone they’re mentoring.
3. They’re generous with their energy. They’re not most commonly located on the couch with a snack and the remote control. They’re up for sharing the load of—chores, responsibilities and opportunities.
4. They’re generous with their trust. There is no greater, more freeing, feeling than being trusted by someone. Except, perhaps, trusting them.
5. They’re generous to others. This means they treat all people with respect, including people who can’t improve their social status or help them get a better job. They offer their time, energy and expertise freely when they can.
6. They’re generous with your dreams. They encourage and support your unique, or quirky, interests—even if they don’t have a blind bit of interest in them.
Of course, relationships don’t run in one direction. And those that do are bound to fail. So, after you’ve considered your partner’s traits, there’s one question left to ask: are you generous too?
Have you ever felt like you’re stuck in the “dating rut?” Try these ideas for some fresh date nights:
Restaurant tour – Pick an area with a bunch of restaurants. Start with cocktails and appetizers at a restaurant with a bar or lounge, head somewhere different for the main course and finish up someplace else with fabulous desserts.
Rent a boat for the afternoon – If a sailboat is not your thing, rent a rowboat, paddle-boat, or kayak.
Host an indoor picnic – Serve dinner on a picnic blanket laid out in the living room. Open a bottle of wine with some favorite finger foods.
Take in amateur night – Visit a local bar, club, or coffeehouse and watch the amateurs display their talent. If you’re adventurous, get up there and try it yourself.
Learn a new activity together – Take a dance or photography class or learn how to play shuffleboard. Be tourists for the day – Go sightseeing around your city. Stop inside places you often pass but never go into.
Drive-In – Another old-school date idea that’s making a comeback of late. There’s something so cozy about watching a movie at the drive-in.
Visit the Aquarium – Aquariums aren’t just for schoolchildren, they’re also a great place for a date. Take a leisurely stroll while you survey the sea life.
Up, up and away – Take a hot air balloon ride. Glide over the roof tops pointing out sights of interest or just enjoy floating on air.
FLASHBACK
Answers from pg. 17
1. Ray Charles. His version was a chart-topper and won him a Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Recording. The song even climbed the charts in Australia, Sweden and Finland.
2. Elvis Presley, in 1962. The songs reached No. 2 and No. 1 on the charts. “Return to Sender” was featured in the soundtrack for the Elvis film “Girls! Girls! Girls!”
3. They appeared on the soundtrack for the 1992 film “Reservoir Dogs.”
4. The Association, in 1966. The song was their first hit.
5. “Put Your Head on My Shoulder,” by Paul Anka, in 1959. Singer-songwriter Anka saw his popular song recorded in different languages around the world but only reaching No. 2 on the charts.
FAMILY-RUN BUSINESS
Q: I adopted a puppy about two months ago. “Spencer” seemed to housetrain just fine, but for the last couple of weeks, he has been pooping on the bathroom rug. It’s not diarrhea, just regular healthy poos. He does it between walks —even though he poops as normal during walks! What is going on?
A: Even though Spencer seems healthy, take him to the vet to rule out any underlying health issues. In the days prior to the vet appointment, get out a notepad and write down his behaviors, what time he poops each day, if he’s doing a lot of barking—anything. Bring that to the appointment; it might give the vet additional insight.
Puppies go through phases during their growth, and it’s not too unusual to see some regression in housetraining periodically. For example, when they’re teething, or as they enter their “teen” phase at around 8 months or so, you may see a change in behavior patterns or “forgetting” commands you know they’ve learned.
George Washington had one remaining tooth in his mouth when he was sworn in as the first American president in 1789.
Cheerleading was once an exclusively male sport, and the first cheers, copied from military chants, began at Princeton University around the Civil War era.
Porsche’s first car, in 1898, was electric.
Motorola has developed an FDA-approved “edible password pill” which, once digested, is activated by the acid in your stomach and emits an 18-bit signal that is strong enough to communicate with and unlock all your devices.
Scientists can deduce information about a person’s lifestyle, including their grooming products, food and medications, from the chemicals found on the surface of their mobile phone.
The 1,400-page novel “War and Peace” was copied around seven times by Leo Tolstoy’s wife, Sophia, by hand. Now, that’s love!
The only difference between a fog and a mist comes down to visibility: If you can’t see farther than 100 meters, you’re in a fog.
As the planet heats up, flowers are emitting less scent.
YOU LOVE YOURSELF
In the hustle and bustle of life, it is easy to take care of everyone else before yourself. At the end of the day we all know if you don’t take care of yourself—it’s almost impossible to take care of those counting on you. This month, make it a priority to add some of these ideas to your day to help you feel better.
Stop over-thinking
You don’t need to have the answers to all of life’s riddles. Life is an unfolding, a discovering, an adventure. Sometimes over-thinking it all can get you into trouble. You miss out on the journey you’re on when you’re always stuck in your head.
Be still
Find somewhere beautiful—a park, the woods, your backyard—and just sit there. Be still. Absorb the sound of the wind through the trees, the light and the shadows, the peace, and just appreciate the stillness. It’s meditative and calming. Make time for stillness regularly.
Cherish true friends
Surround yourself with true friends. Friends who’ve seen you at your worst and love you even more for it. Friends who selflessly love you for you, without any agenda.
Exercise regularly
Regular exercise can transform your life. Make time for exercise, it will give time back to you in spades.
Forgive yourself and others
Forgiveness is one of our most powerful allies. Forgive the people in your life who harmed you and forgive yourself for your own mistakes and you will liberate yourself from pain, anger, resentment and negativity.
Embrace a positive mindset
Remember who you are and who you aspire to be. Be nice to people, to everyone. Support people and their dreams. Love as you’d want to be loved. We can all be kinder and do better.
Unplug
Create sacred spaces in your days or weeks where you unplug from everything. No emails, internet, nothing. Unplug regularly or you’ll burn out your emotional hardware.
AAA SENIOR PLACEMENT AZ
A Message from Sue Royer
“I was born and raised in inner city Chicago, the sixth of eighteen children with fifteen brothers. Being the oldest daughter, I was always a caregiver which I believe influenced me to pursue work in the healthcare industry. Today, I have three daughters and five grandchildren.
Years ago, I volunteered for hospice and knew immediately that helping seniors was my calling. I was soon employed by hospice but I felt something was missing. I realized it was the limited time I was able to spend with my clients. Having my own business allows me to provide the intimate hands on service needed in our community. I am committed to our seniors throughout their lives and I thank the community for the opportunity to serve.”
Sue RoyerDirector
About Us
Since 2002, AAA Senior Placement AZ has been offering FREE services helping seniors find safe, affordable and loving assisted living.
When it becomes too difficult for you or your loved ones to safely manage daily living and/or manage medical needs, call Sue Royer for help navigating the many options available.
We are specialists in all levels of assisted living care resources with referrals to Arizona’s best:
• Group Homes
• Assisted Living Communities
• In-Home Primary Care Physicians
• Home Health Care Therapy
• Transportation
• Private Duty In-Home Care
• Respite Care
• Alzheimer’s Care
• Memory Care
• Hospice
• Support Groups
Assisted living resources accepting:
• Private pay
• Arizona Long Term Care-ALTCS
• Medicaid
• VA Benefits
6 Reasons You Should Call
AAA Senior Placement AZ
• We are well known and respected in the medical community.
• All clients are given a thorough assessment to determine proper placement needs.
• There is never a fee charged to the senior or their family for our service.
• We are NOT contractually bound to any outside business. This allows us to serve our clients with only their interests in mind.
• Years of knowledge and experience in the field of senior care.
• AAA Senior Placement AZ is family owned, allowing us to give you quality, personalized service.
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W DUSTY TRAIL BLVD 13223 W GAUCHO DR 12935 W DESERT GLEN DR
