Echoes of the Southwest

Sharon and I are always looking for unusual cocktails to make that fit the season. She came up with a sea glass cocktail to go along with the sea glass trays we were making. I have to say, it was yummy. Ingredients: 3 parts pineapple juice, 1 part blue curacao, 1 part coconut rum, blue sugar for the rim and starfish gummies to embellish the drink.

 Materials needed: Clear glass jars or vases, mod podge or glue, sponge brush, and food coloring. Mix the food color and glue together until you get the color you want. The color may look dark but will dry much lighter and smoother. With a sponge brush, you paint the first coat one direction. After it dries, paint the second coat the opposite direction. If it isn't dark enough, paint on another coat. If you want to paint the inside of the jar or vase, add water to the mix, pour it inside, move it around to get an even coat, and then let it dry upside down. It is a fun and easy craft project to give your glass a beachy look. We got all our jars and vases at Goodwill for 99 cents each. Fully dried.

Cruising down the Carefree Highway while listening to Gordon Lightfoot’s song with the same name, it seems peaceful.  This highway is one of the roadways you must travel in order to get to Lake Pleasant Regional Park.  The lake is just north of Phoenix and where many like to head out for relaxation, fun, and escape from the heat.  It was in 1927 when the Waddell Dam was completed, and water from the Agua Fria River formed Lake Pleasant. Lake Pleasant Regional Park envelops over 23,000 acres with mountains, desert landscape, and water.  Many love the lake for boating, water skiing, jet skiing, scuba diving, sailing and windsurfing.  There aren’t many places to swim, but lots of places to fish.  Along with the many water activities, the park offers other amenities.   There are several places for mountain biking, camping, hiking, and picnics. Like many places, Lake Pleasant has its share of tragedies.  Maybe with the overwhelming...