OVERNIGHT IN FLAGSTAFF WITH A BABY AND A DOG

We survived our first overnight with baby A! We patiently waited 7 months to venture out and Atlas, Winter, Joe and I are so glad we did. A night in Flagstaff was the perfect family outing for us. We found great places to eat, drink and rest our heads. Here’s our quick guide and reccs especially during the new pandemic normal with a baby and a dog.

Where to stay?

That’s was top priority. The birthday queen in me was temped with a bougie glamping tent off the Grand Canyon, but the mom in me thought smarter. AirBnB to the rescue. We found a 100 year old A-frame home in the heart of downtown Flagstaff. It had original wood floors, a claw foot tub and antique fridge. But plenty of space for a a pack-n-play, a dog bed and all off Britt’s luggage. Side note: packing with a baby requires a lot of things! Stroller, seat, bed, bath, Breza, mat, toys, all the clothes, etc. We just did one night; it’s a 2.5 hour drive from Phoenix and great practice for car trips and overnights with Atlas. (& mom to practice pacting).

Where to eat?

Breakfast?

Biff’s-Bagel sandwiches. Get there early and take to go. Walk to a near by park or coffee at …

Late for the Train- Order the Coconino Mocha, thank me later.

Lunch?

Toasted Owl Cafe- Outside dining bring baby and dog. Order the Turkey Pesto on Ciabatta. Order dranks or water, the drinks taste like soda fountain.

Dinner?

Historic Brewing Barrel + Bottle House- Love at first flight. Sip some sours, IPA, rose, ciders and more. Nine brewed locally. Plus the food is delish: burgers, wings, fried pickles, chicken fingers, etc. you can eat inside or out and everyone is sooo friendly. The smallest of world moment happened when our waiter walked out with our food it was the same guy from lunch!

Desert?

Yet to find! Leave your reccs. We did the gelato at a pizza joint but i won’t not recommend, sorry.

Where to go?

Parks:

Wheeler Park- grass and beautiful trees.

Heritage Square- live music and great shops. Be sure to check out P.J. Chilcottage!

Shop:

P.J. Chilcottage- everything from littles to moms. Great tourist gifts and home decor. and homemade soap. Literally wanted everything in the store, EVERYTHING. Check out their IG.

Babbitts- outdoor gear, dog swag and souvenirs. Love the historical building too!

What a trip for the memory books. We even signed the AirBnB guestbook. Reading some of the entries on the travelers and their stays in the past were entertaining. Let us know if you recommend anything in Flag so the next time we head up north we can be sure to check out. Be well and continue to stay safe out there.

XoXO

Mama Britt

WARM RAYS AND LAZY DAYS

I once heard a saying "weekends are for waffles" and I could not agree more! I have never been the type to live for the weekend; in fact every weekend I am catching up on something work related because when you love what you do it never feels like work. But for us the weekend means being together and recharging!

Friday Jose is out of work by noon so we try and schedule a podcast when the light is perfect and the energy is high. Friday nights are for keeping it local. We have either a night out at a local restaurant like Farm & Craft or Halal Guys or check out a local event or completely veg out with a Postmates order and catching up on a binge worthy show  like Handmaid's Tale or Suits.

Saturday mornings we divide and conquer. I spend a few hours in Tempe for work and Jose gets in front of the Mac to post this week's podcast episode. By noon we are catching a yoga class and hitting up a thrift shop for a good find. Every other Saturday Goodwill's 50% sale (see previous post: THRIFTING) has us hunting for treasures for our forever home. But when the sun is high and temps are tripled we are in our pool cooling off: Jose diving for leaves and me reading and tanning. We find the quiet time of being together so relaxing. 

We also like to get in the kitchen together on Saturday. Jose will get on the grill and we will meet up in the kitchen for a taco bar for dinner or we will work together dissecting a recipe and jamming out to the latest Hospital Records Podcast. Alexa is part of our weekend fun too! We catch up on Jeopardy questions from the week and can just spend hours in the kitchen cooking and quizing. 

Lazy Sunday mornings are for us to sleep in. With a Diva like @Cat_linjenner that means 7:30 am if we are lucky. Once we are up we ease into a morning workout. (Um... you thought I said 'Lazy Sunday' LOL) Jose likes to run the cannal while I do a yoga flow in the den. But brunch is a must! Sunday Brunch means multiple courses, fresh drinks, warm waffles, and flavorful meats! Jose can make a mean breakfast but with our powers combined on Sunday's I am sure we are making the neighbors jealous. 

If you follow along our BTS InstaStories @FindingArizonaPodcast you'll know we sometimes hold meetings on Sundays for the podcast. Laptops, planners, notebooks, cell phones, everything scattered everywhere- organized chaos. That is when we map out what we are working on and any wild and crazy ideas we want to get out in the universe and see how they can be incorporated into what we do. 

Sunday evenings I usually have to meet on the other side of town for work so sometimes I bribe Jose with a Bosa Donut to join me for the ride. What I love about our relationship is sometimes just being next to him is all my heart and soul need. 

I remember to cherish these moments- weekend or not, waffles on the menu or not. Its days like this that keep our love growing and give life meaning. Make sure you give youself a recharge day soon. You deserve it! 

Check out these beautiful photos from Emily of Sahuaro Media  taken on a Sunday morning!