Temperatures are dropping, the leaves are starting to turn here in Flagstaff, and I am in full fall mode!
Despite it being fire season, I did have some time to do a few non-work things this summer.
Some summer highlights-
WORK
Well, summer actually started while I was working up on both the Hull and Ridge fires, and then after that I went to both the Scott Fire and the Brady Fire.
Work has, unsurprisingly, been mostly fires so far.
But with that said, we are well into monsoon season, so I’m looking forward to having time to pick back up on some long-abandoned work projects.
TRAVEL
I was lucky (?) enough to take two separate trips back to Michigan this summer.
I visited in both late July and early September.
I went back for some family time and a funeral, and while sad circumstances brought me back to the mitten state, I was still really glad I had a chance to spend time with family and show Ryan my home.
HIKING + OUTDOORS!
As per usual, I didn’t get much of a chance at all to venture to new outdoors places due to work.
I did some occasional biking around Buffalo Park, some paddling around Lake Mary and a good amount of running around McMillan Mesa.
I did get to go on a few new-ish adventures! I spent a weekend floating down the Verde River outside of Clarkdale, Ariz. with some friends, which was awesome!
I also hiked a bit during my trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and went on a little kayak excursion down the River Raisin with my mom during the first Michigan trip I took this summer.
Sleeping Bear Dunes.
— Randi (@RandiMShaffer) September 10, 2023#puremichigan pic.twitter.com/KkCwlTxNlA
DINING + FOOD
I made these maple-sweetened banana muffins for the fifth or sixth time this past weekend! I follow this recipe almost exactly. I use olive oil instead of coconut and sprinkle crumbled walnuts both into the batter and on top of the muffins before baking.
This is one of my favorite ways to use up leftover bananas.
Ryan and I have also been eating this kale and cabbage salad with maple miso tofu and dressing quite a bit lately!
I’m not a big fan of ginger so we skip the ginger in the dressing. We use a bit less rice vinegar and a bit more maple syrup and miso. We also fry the tofu in the maple/miso sauce/dressing for more flavor.
We also tried a new lasagna recipe a few weeks ago. I always love big Pyrex casserole-style meals because they’re great to make early in the week so we have leftovers on the nights I either teach yoga or just don’t feel like cooking.
This one is especially nice because it uses zucchini. Which… I have a lot of, because garden.
Otherwise, I finally got around to trying two new Flagstaff restaurants!
Plantasia is an all-vegan eatery that just opened downtown. It’s incredible.
Cafe Stella is also a new downtown restaurant focused on homemade pasta and sauces.
I went with my friend Lauren, and we both split the lemon ricotta pasta and the calabrian chile and burrata pasta.
HOME
Well, by the next time I post one of these seasonal recaps, Ryan and I will be moved out of our apartment complex!
So, we haven’t been doing much in the way of house stuff, short of normal seasonal gardening.
It’s a little bittersweet to think about moving out of this apartment (our first together!) after more than two years here, but we have some tentative big changes coming up and moving out of our apartment complex just makes sense.
BOOKS, MOVIES, MUSIC + TV SHOWS
I was lucky enough to catch one of my favorite bands, Flor, put on a show here in Flagstaff at the Orpheum earlier this summer!
I first saw Flor back in 2019 when they opened for Andrew McMahon when I was living in Chicago.
(Oddly enough, Andrew McMahon will also be coming to the Orpheum here in Flagstaff for a show in November.)
They’re so catchy and energetic and infectious and enthusiastic. I’m glad they came to Flag and glad I got to see them at such a small and intimate venue!
As much as I’ve been working lately, I have still found plenty of time to read.
You can recap my June and July and August reads.
My favorite book so far this summer has definitely been “Dark Matter” by Blake Crouch.
YUKON
Ohhh Yukon. This poor pup has been battling a nose infection for the past few weeks.
It’s always something with him!
MISC.
Big news to me: I got my Jeep paid off!
I financed my Jeep (her name is Liz) on a 3-year 0% APR loan when I ordered her brand new back in 2020.
She’s not the most fiscally responsible or practical vehicle, but she’s so fun to drive! I absolutely adore my Jeep and still look forward to getting behind the wheel, three years later.
Especially when the roof and doors are off.
Otherwise, life has been pretty chill and quiet, which is much needed to be honest. I haven’t had much time to dedicate to the Meetup group I run, and to be honest, I’m a little burned out.
Summers can be rough with my day job.
Aside from a few low-key dinners, bar nights and knitting sessions, I’ve mostly been chilling at home with Ryan, Yukon and a book.
(Speaking of knitting, I finished a new project a few weeks ago.)
I have a few fun things planned this fall — like visits from friends, more concerts and some outdoors adventures.
See you come winter!
My views are mine alone and don’t represent those of my employer, agency or the United States government. All photos were taken by me and/or credited photographer unless otherwise noted. You can read more on my disclosure and privacy policy page.
