Journeys Near and Far

Tempe, Arizona: Wildflower Bread Company

Ahh... the scent of freshly baked bread...

My sister lives in Phoenix, and when we spoke yesterday she happily reminded me that our mom is visiting her soon. 

Of course, my first reaction, aside from being happy for my mom was, "I wish I were going, too!"  After all, my sister and I are close, my brother-in-law is funny, and I rarely get to spend time with my niece and nephew.

But wishing I could be with them goes deeper than that.  It's the fun of participating in their daily lives and sharing the experiences that they enjoy.

One of those experiences is eating at the Wildflower Bread Company.   Along with visiting the Changing Hands Bookstore next door, the Wildflower Bread Company is a favorite.  Why?  Their breads are handcrafted, and they never use additives or preservatives.  And they're baked fresh in each of their stores every day.

It's not just the bread, though.  They have a large and varied menu.  The kids love the Silver Dollar Pancakes; my sister and I love the salads and fresh pasta.  And then there's the breakfast (Feta & Roasted Vegetable Frittata anyone?  Or how about Whole Wheat Cinnamon Raisin Nut French Toast?)

We like to sit outside (when it's not sweltering hot).  They have a kind of  unique serving style:  You place an order, grab a drink and take your sign to a table.  They'll bring you your food, silverware and napkins.  It's easy.

Thinking about it as I write this not only makes me hungry, but leaves me with one question:   Hey, Wildflower Bread Company -- when are you going to open a store in New Jersey?

Note: For additional suggestions on where to eat in Phoenix check out Kaie Wellman's EatShop Guides.

Top photo courtesy of the Wildflower Bread Company. 

Visiting Phoenix? See Chihuly: The Nature of Glass

A stunning exhibit of renowned artist Dale Chihuly's unique glass works 

Chihuly reacquaints us with the experience of life --  Richard K. Nilsen, The Arizona Republic

Have you ever wondered how fast a saguaro cactus grows?   Or which plant is thought to be the oldest living plant in the world?  Well, one of the best places to get answers to these questions and to get a feel of the Sonoran Desert is at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Desert Botanical Garden is one of my favorite places, so when I flew to Phoenix last week to visit my sister, I was excited to learn that the Garden was hosting an exhibit by one of my favorite artists -- Dale Chihuly. 

Since my sister had to work the first day I was there, I drove to the garden with my friend Kathy, who had flown in from Las Vegas that morning.  We were thrilled to see not only one of the world's most diverse collections of succulent plants, but Dale Chihuly's innovative, vibrant glass sculptures as well.

Chihuly:  The Nature of Glass is a must-see exhibit if you are in the Phoenix area.  Featuring new and unique works of glass placed artfully among the Garden's 50,000 plants, this is Chihuly's first installation entirely within a desert garden environment. 

Chihuly's spectacular work is recognizable for it's grand scale and brilliant colors, and can be found in more than 200 museums worldwide.  You can see his creations in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, London's Victoria and Albert Museum and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. 

The Desert Botanical Garden itself sits on some 145 acres, nestled amid the Papago Park buttes.  I'm always surprised at how spread out Phoenix is; it took us about 40minutes to get there from my sister's home in Ahwatukee.