Blog Posts

Summer Eats, Part I

These next couple of weeks on the Liv Ahwatukee blog are all about picnics! Picnics are a summertime staple. Phoenix is sweltering in the summer, but you can always plan a night picnic or a summer party right in your apartment! This week we’ve got five dish ideas for your next party; next week we’ll be featuring five dessert recipes. Mediterranean Pasta Salad from Little Spice Jar Let’s start our picnic with a salad! This Mediterranean Pasta Salad is a delectable blend of flavors, and it’s pretty easy to make. The only thing you really need to “cook” is the pasta — just throw the rest of the ingredients together, and you’ve got your dish! Little Spice Jar recommends adding chicken to the recipe for an “even heartier” salad. Chipotle Black Bean Tomato Corn Avocado Salad from Jeanette’s Healthy Living Mediterranean pasta salad is great, but sometimes you want something a little lighter. Chipotle Black Bean Tomato Corn Avocado Salad uses the freshest ingredients for a full and refreshing taste. We recommend using locally grown vegetables from a local farmer’s market to make this salad. Also — just as a side note — the dressing is to die for. Loaded Bacon Jalapeno Deviled Eggs from Inside Bru Crew Life These Loaded Bacon Jalapeno Deviled Eggs are our favorite picnic treat. Your deviled eggs just got an upgrade, with cream cheese and jalapeno. This spicy treat is the perfect side for any summer picnic with friends or as a snack for the big game. Pressed Picnic Sandwiches from The Crepes of Wrath Fancy up your picnic with this Pressed Picnic Sandwiches recipe. These sandwiches take a little longer to prepare than your “average” sandwich — you’re supposed to press them in the fridge for twenty-four hours — but the result is worth it, trust us. These scrumptious sandwiches will change the way to eat your cold cuts. Spinach Artichoke Hand Pies from Will Cook For Smiles If you love spinach artichoke dip, this is the recipe for you. It’s always smart to have a second main dish option at a party. The pressed picnic sandwiches we just mentioned are great, but not everyone likes the same thing. Accommodate all of your friends with this delicious dish. What are your favorite summer picnic dishes? What should we make at our next picnic? Give us your recipe recommendations in the comments!

All About Pool Part 2

Looking to spend some time this summer doing new and fun activities? You dont have to go far from home here at Liv Ahwatukee with a variety of entertainment resources at your disposal within our community, everyone can find something they enjoy! Come down to the game hub to try your hand at an assortment of games new and old, including timeless classic, billiards. Our pool table comes fully stocked and ready for your amusement. Below youll find a couple suggestions for games to enjoy with others in the Liv community this summer season. The most commonly played pool game in the United States is also the most well-known of the bunch: eight-ball. In this game, two players use the full rack of 15 balls the goal is to pocket all of your own designated balls, either solids, numbered 1 through 7, or stripes, numbered 9 through 15. After all of one players suit are pocketed, they may try to sink the black 8 ball to win the game. In some variations, a player must tell which pocket theyre intending on shooting the 8 ball into before making the shot for it to count as a win. If a player sinks the 8 ball before all their own are off the table or if they scratch when shooting the 8 ball by pocketing the cue ball, that player loses the game. Nine-ball is a rotation type of game, typically played by two players and using only the first nine numbered balls in a set. Created as a diamond-shape when racked with the 9 ball in the center and the 1 ball at the apex and all others randomly placed, the goal is to legally pocket the 9 ball. In order to do that, players must aim the cue shot for whichever is the lowest numbered ball on the table in essence, shooting in numerical order, though top tier players tend to utilize the target ball as a secondary cue. So long as the cue initially makes contact with the lowest numbered ball on the table, any other balls pocketed in that round are fair game. Have you ever played eight-ball or nine-ball before? Do you know any other pool games? Let us know in the comments section!

All About Pool Part 1

The assortment of world-class amenities and entertainment options here at Liv Ahwatukee are a key feature in living life to the fullest. If you havent taken the time to enjoy our luxurious game hub, now is the chance! Decked out with a variety of modern and classic options, theres something here that will suit anyones taste. The pool table in particular is a community favorite, both for the ease of play and for the opportunity it creates to mingle and get to know your neighbors with a little friendly competition. For those of you who havent spent much time playing pool, heres a list of a few things to keep in mind as well as some terms you may not be familiar with. Different types of billiards games have a variety of rule sets dictating what is or isnt allowed as far as shots go. Be sure to talk about the rules and regulations of each game before playing! A standard set of billiard balls contains the following: 15 numbered balls, seven striped, eight solid, as well as one white ball known as the cue. The cue ball is typically the only one allowed to be directly struck by a player. Some games deviate from this, but most follow the rule. The act of setting up the balls before play is known as racking. Using the triangle, all balls are lined up and must have contact with one another to be considered appropriately set up. At one end of the table, there is a dotted mark in the middle. This is known as the foot spot and should be where the apex ball in a rack sits when lined up. The first shot of any pool game is known as the break and is done with the cue ball. Typically, the player who is breaking can choose to shoot the cue from whatever angle they prefer as long as the cue ball is behind a line known as the head string. Along the edges of the table, note a series of three diamonds between each pocket these, while utilized for making angled shots, are also used to denote the line of the head string. The middle diamonds on the opposite end of the table from the foot spot and racked pool balls are the barrier of the head string. When breaking, players must keep the cue ball behind this line. Additionally, should a player scratch by pocketing the cue ball, some game rules say the cue must be placed behind the head string line when brought back onto the table. When playing, be mindful of other players by not standing behind a pocket or leaning on the table during another persons shot. Doing so is considered impolite and may distract the other player from their shot. Are you looking forward to playing pool in Liv Ahwatukees game hub? Have pool stories of your own to share? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below!

The Game of Swimming Part 2

With Phoenixs summertime kicking into high gear, theres no better place to be than Liv Ahwatukee. Our top of the line amenities make Liv the perfect spot for all your warm weather needs, from spending time with your beloved pets at the Bark Park to lounging the hours away by our three incredible saltwater pools. Spend some time treading water this summer season with a variety of pool games, guaranteed to bring laughter and an extra dose of fun to the everyday! The beauty of pool games is in their simplicity all you need for most of them is a group of friends and a little imagination. One in particular that never gets old is the classic game of Shark. No need for the Jaws theme here, unless you want to add it in for extra effect. One player, as the shark, tries to tag other players in the water to make them the new shark. Depending on the chosen rules, players are either allowed to be out of the pool for five seconds at a time to avoid the shark tagging them, or not allowed to leave the pool at all for added difficulty. For those of you whod like to add a prop to the games but dont want to spend time scouting pool stores, an easy and fun treasure hunting game called Invisi-Bottle might be exactly what you need. Fill an empty, clear 2-liter bottle with pool water to weigh it down usually bottles with a white or blue top work best since itll blend in more easily with the pool. Divide your group into two teams and put them on opposite sides of the pool, lined up with their backs to the water. The goal? Find the invisible bottle. Whichever team retrieves it first wins the round. When they hear the splash of the bottle hitting the water, both teams may turn and jump in to start the search. Have any fond summertime memories to share or favorite pool games to suggest? Let us know in the comments!

The Game of Swimming Part 1

Summer has finally arrived and with the warm weather comes extra free time for fun in the sun here at Liv Ahwatukee. With our three luxurious saltwater pools, theres no reason to stay cooped up inside! Grab your swim gear and beach towels, dont forget the sunscreen, and live life to the fullest this summer season with Livs welcoming community. Want an easy opportunity to meet your Liv Ahwatukee neighbors? Let loose your stresses and relive childhood this summer with fun and friendly pool games sure to have everyone smiling bright. What can beat a classic? Most everyone who has enjoyed time in a pool knows the name Marco Polo for the water-centered game. The easy call and response is simple enough to be understood even by very young children, making it the perfect candidate for family play time. Avoid being tagged by the explorer as they call out to try and find you, and remember, getting out of the pool is not allowed! Adding in objects like pool noodles and floaties to use as distractions for Marco is an easy way to add another level to the game. Just dont let your laughter give you away! For those of you looking for a new game to play, look no further than the Octopus game. The more players you have, the better! Every player in this game tries to get from one side of the pool to the other without being tagged by whoever is it. As players are tagged, they join its team, holding hands with them in the middle of the pool and effectively becoming part of the octopus to tag those swimming by. With enough players, youll soon find a long line of defense blocking the other side of the pool. The last standing player who is not a part of the octopus chain becomes the next it. Do you have any favorite pool games to play with friends? Tell us about them in the comments section below!

Upcoming Events in Phoenix February

We know why you love living in Phoenix: beautiful landscapes, warm winters, and little traffic, not to mention proximity to California, Vegas, and Mexico. But you dont have to go too far to have a good time. There is so much to do this month right here! Click on the name of the event for more information like time, location, and ticketing info. Almost Famous Film Festival The Almost Famous Film Festival provides the independent film community in Arizona and around the country with original challenges, festivals, and events, including the nation's largest 48 Hour Challenge each year in February. Founded in 2005, the A3F is one of the world's largest festivals of its kind. With yearly challenges for filmmakers, actors, writers and crew members, A3F sets the standard for festivals in Arizona, the Southwest, and beyond. Arizona Strong Beer Festival Saturday, February 13 Brought to you by The Arizona Craft Brewers Guild, the event emphasizes craft beer education, the artistry of brewing, and the unveiling of never-before-seen suds. Next year will continue the tradition, albeit on a larger scale, with even the farthest regions of the state catching the buzz. The Strong Beer Festival is the premier event of Arizona Beer Week and is in its 16th year. Arizona Matsuri Friday, February 27 to Saturday, February 28 Celebrate the art and tradition of Japanese culture. The two-day cultural event highlights include kendo exhibitions, kyudo archery, artistic exhibits, bonsai displays, Anime and Manga cosplay contests, J-Pop musical acts, drum circles, karaoke, folk dances, lion dances, and delectable asian cuisine. Devoured Culinary Classic Saturday, February 28 to Sunday, March 6 The Devoured Culinary Classic features culinary curators and purveyors who support the Arizona food, wine, and restaurant industries. Attendees will have the chance to partake in innovative culinary demonstrations, meet top chefs and restaurateurs, and taste an enormous array of culinary excellence from the regions best chefs, restaurants, local food artisans, brewers, and vintners. What are your favorite activities going on in Phoenix this coming month? Let us know in the comments because we dont want to miss a thing!