Royal Palms

We have been spending a fair amount of time in Arizona this year.  Our hands down favorite place to
stay is the Royal Palms in Scottsdale.

It was nice to escape winter for a bit.  All the flowers were blooming and the temps were pleasant.
We hope to go back at the end of this month when the orange trees are blooming.  When our kids were growing up, we would make a trip to Phoenix every Spring Break.  My husband is a baseball fan, and some of the baseball teams are in Phoenix for Spring Training.  I'm pretty content to lounge by the pool.  There is nothing quite like a city that smells of orange blossom.

We have stayed in many different resorts in the Phoenix area, but the Royal Palms is always the one we love the most.  I love the architecture and the way the paths meander from one outdoor room to another.    The spa is also quite nice.

 Unfortunately, while we were away this winter, there was a deep freeze at our Texas house.  I follow the Austin, Texas garden blog - Rock Rose - so I wasn't surprised to come back and find the garden looking rather dreadful.   My orange tree survived, as did the Fig Vine, but the Sago and Fan Palms look half dead.  Hope they can rebound.   As I type this, a deer is just outside my window.  So many things I have planted have become expensive deer food.  I can't bear to keep them out though.  What a treat to see them come up from the lake to graze on my lawn, and everything else:-)  Part of the joy of living in the countryside.

Photos By: Ryannan Bryer de Hickman
Sotto Il Monte

FELIZ NAVIDAD

I unpacked all my Christmas decorations for this shoot for the Feliz Navidad Magazine in October and then packed them back into their boxes.  Now I'm left feeling late to the party as I've only now set them all out again
The house is once again all glitter and sparkle and I'm gearing up for the festivities - not to mention all the baking/cooking that is yet to be done for Christmas Eve and Christmas Brunch.  Pardon the slight blur to these images.  I moved them over from a PDF and it didn't work as well as I thought it might.

Empanaditas are a favorite to serve during the holidays in the southwest.  I'll be making these pork and apple ones again along with a chicken/apple/cheese recipe:

Chicken & Apple Empanaditas

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups diced cooked chicken
2 granny smith apples
   peeled and chopped
1 teaspoon thyme
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 red onion - chopped
1 garlic clove - minced
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
salt and pepper

your favorite pie dough

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees F

Fry apple, garlic and onion in the butter until soft.  Add thyme, salt and pepper and chicken.  Allow
to cool slightly and mix in the cheddar.

Roll out the pie dough and cut circles with a biscuit cutter or glass.

Place about a tablespoon of filling on each circle and seal the edges with egg wash.  Use a fork to
press down the seal.

Brush with egg wash and bake for about 25 minutes or until golden brown.

About 15 empanaditas

Wishing everyone joyous holidays!

Polo & Mint Juleps Aiken, South Carolina

 One of our favorite places to visit is Aiken, South Carolina.  Aiken is one of the original Winter Colonies dating back to 1719.  The Goodyear's, Vanderbilt's and Hitchock families escaped the winters in the northeast and built mansions and sports playgrounds here.

 It is an equestrian haven and hosts many events throughout the year.  In the spring and fall you can always catch a game of polo on Sunday afternoon.

There is a new pavilion at the polo field where you can have lunch and watch the game in the shade.  Most people tailgate along the edge of the field.  We chose to do that as well - I brought along some Mint Juleps:)

You can set up tables and umbrellas - it is a pretty festive atmosphere.  During half time everyone goes out to stomp the divots.

The horses are magnificent and it was a perfect day for Polo and Mint Juleps!

 You have to watch out for the occasional wild ball when tailgating and yes this one was heading right at Moi!  It stopped short - no harm done.

 We had intended to spend Thanksgiving this year in Aiken attending the Blessing of the Hounds.   Every Thanksgiving at 11:00 in beautiful Hicthcock Woods, 16 hounds, 65 prize winning horses and hundreds of observers come together to receive blessings before the fox hunt.  Don't forget to stop by the Wilcox Hotel for Bagels & Bloodies before heading over to the Blessing.  Afterwards there is an open table Thanksgiving Dinner at the Stables.  Our plans have changed with the upcoming move and we will be back in Texas for Thanksgiving:)

The Wilcox Hotel has hosted Winston Churchill, President Roosevelt, Fred Astaire, Bing Croxby and Harold Vanderbilt, to name a few.

Photos: Ryannan Bryer de Hickman
Bottom two Photos - 2Luxury2

ALYS BEACH ON THE EMERALD COAST

I've been intrigued by Alys Beach for some years now.  It has been on my list of beach locations to check out.  My sister was in Florida looking for a house to buy, so I decided to make a detour during one of my marathon cross country trips.  I was able to see my sister and her little one and explore Alys Beach.

Located on the Emerald Coast in Florida, Alys Beach is the brainchild of Andres Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk.  The architecture is built in the style of Bermuda with white stucco walls and plastered roofs that are better able to withstand hurricanes.

Bahama shutters in various colors add vibrancy to the white stucco. Paths paved with Florida Caprock meander through the village.

 Private courtyards have pools or fountains...................................................................................

 Agaves are nestled into oversize pots...................................................................

 On a morning walk through the village, you are lulled by birdsong and fountains........................

 sometimes, you can hear laughter coming from inside the private courtyards and the splash of someone playing in a pool...................................................................

 The architecture is just gorgeous...................................................................................

  Fonville Press has coffee and croissants in the morning............wine and tapas later on..............

 After coffee - or if you are like me - a good cup of tea - it is time to head out to the beach

 Through the grand entrance

 to the Emerald Coast

where the sand is like sugar..............................................................................................................

While there are no hotels in Alys Beach, there are a few vacation houses available to rent.

Photography By: Ryannan Bryer de Hickman

Winging It

Gone for a little while.......I'll be back


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The Masters Augusta, Georgia

Augusta National - Hallowed ground for my husband Jim.

This year we attended the Masters Tournament as invited guests of a very lovely Southern family.

Below - Crow's Nest

Cameras are never allowed on the actual tournament days.  Jim took these photos at the 2011 practice rounds.  I have watched the Masters Tournament every year on the tele - but had never attended.  Now I get what all the hoop-la is about.  This is by far the most beautiful course I have ever been on. The greens are immaculate and the way the concession stands, gift shops and rest rooms are set up is second to none.

We stayed to the very end on Sunday evening and watched Bubba receive his green jacket.  

Augusta is a really interesting place to explore and we have been enjoying our stay at the historic Partridge Inn, more on that in another post.  For now I'm about to hit the road again for a  couple of weeks and then Jim & I will meet up in Indianapolis for the Indy 500.

Cheers!

Ry

Photos: Jim Hickman