Arizona Wild Beauty

I drove through Arizona with my two girls in 2004, but didn't get a chance see the

Red Rock Country. 

Going to the Raw Spirit Festival seemed like a good excuse to go again.

I discovered that not all rocks in Arizona were red.

I found rocks in burgundy, green, orange, yellow, and black...

I finally met my first Saguaro Cactus, up close and personal.

I discovered that as long as I used my GPS, I had no clue where I was. (haha)

I discovered that the farther away from town I got, the prettier it got.

I was surprised by this little guy who found the flower before me.

The skies were intensely blue there.

All kinds of things growing.

I picked my own mesquite with plans to grind it when I got home. See recipe below.

I think this river view was on one of my postcards.

Somebody was already at the riverside having a morning dip.

One lonely dark green pine cone lying on the river side.

Early mornings with the promise of something new happening just around the corner.

Maple Mesquite Walnuts:

Soak 3 cups of walnuts for a few hours 

(this makes them less bitter)

Dehydrate them for a few hours 

(this makes them more absorbent)

Blend until creamy:

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup mesquite

1/2 cup maple syrup

1 tsp celtic sea salt

1 tsp cinnamon

pour over walnuts in a bowl

stir them gently until coated

lay out on dehydrator sheets overnight

Let them cool before storing in an airtight container.