Tickers & Timbers is like an adult Chuck E. Cheese. Based in Barboursville, the axe-throwing & escape room business recently expanded to Charleston.



My friend Beth and I went to check it out. I've done axe throwing before. And escape rooms. And a rage room. And a paint splatter room. But never a neon, black light painting experience.



So, we painted up a storm, which mostly ended up as a wet canvas that was just a mixture of all of the colors. But after work, we grabbed a meal.



The menu is pretty basic with sandwiches and pizza. So we went with a classic pepperoni pizza, and some bread and cheese sticks.



These were both fine. They were pretty tasty after working up a bit of a sweat, and they're satisfying when you work up a hunger. But overall, maybe a tad greasy and the crust didn't speak to me.



Grade: B

How do you feel about dates? No, not the outing you go on to get to know another person. The dried fruit you may confuse with prunes. If you were like me, you might not think much at all of them.



I've had bacon-wrapped dates. And devils on horseback. But beyond that, I didn't know much. So, when a place in Scottsdale popped up as a must-visit for foodies, and their main item was dates, I was intrigued.

Sphinx Date Co. Palm & Pantry features locally crafted food & gifts specializing in Arizona grown Medjool dates, local food, wine, & Date Shakes.



Medjool dates are a large, sweet cultivated variety of date. It is a soft, toothsome fruit with an orange-yellowish flesh and jammy, sweet center. They are REALLY good. They are so sweet, it's almost as if you're eating candy.



You can eat them by themselves or you might find them pitted and stuffed with fillings such as almonds, walnuts, pecans, candied orange and lemon peel, tahini, marzipan or cream cheese. At this market, they even sell date shakes. I tried one, and it was fruity and sweet. I don't know that I would have been able to put my finger on the particular flavor, but it was all delicious.



Plus, I loved looking through all the local-to-Arizona products that were in the shop, including s'mores, nuts, hot sauces, and more.



Grade: A

"At BoSa Donuts, we’ve never believed in reinventing the wheel – or the donut – when it comes to creating the perfect donut. There’s a reason that donuts have been a time-honored tradition for more than two centuries, and BoSa Donuts is proud to carry on a sweet legacy by making the best donuts in Arizona. Skip the fancy donut shops and their disappointing, too-trendy donuts and stick with the classic donuts you’ve loved for years, perfectly made by BoSa Donuts. With more than 50 locations across the Valley, there’s always a BoSa Donuts near you. Plus, most of our locations are open seven days a week and 24 hours a day. You never know when a donut craving will hit, but thanks to BoSa Donuts, you have access to all your favorite donuts 24/7. Whether you’re in search of old-fashioned classics like apple fritters, chocolate cake, and glazed donuts or are hoping to discover the best vegan donuts in Arizona, you can count on finding exactly what you want at BoSa Donuts. In addition to donuts, you can also find a wide variety of baked goods, breakfast and lunch sandwiches, fresh fruit smoothies, hot and iced coffee, and boba tea."



I took a quick trip through the drive-through to order some donuts for breakfast. Sidenote: I love that they have photos of the donuts to help you visualize what you're ordering.



I went for a traditional, raised, glazed donut, as well as a blueberry cake donut – which is my favorite. The glazed donut is the soft, airy donut that is common.And this was a good one, though, I do wish that I had it warmer, so the glaze was smooth and not crackled. The cake donut, meanwhile, is more dense and has more substance, which is why I like it. It's like a hybrid between a muffin and a donut and a cake. It's a nice sweet treat paired with a cofee.



Grade: B

Raspados are like a Mexican version of snow cones. And considering how hot Phoenix gets, I was pleased to find "Raspados Solaris" while visiting.



From lemonades and cut fruit cups with spicy toppings to iced coffes and ice cream, there are a number of refreshing desserts on the menu.



I ordered the Victoria Raspado, which was "Organic Cream Cheese Berry Raspado topped with a Napolitano Flan."



This was so good. It was fresh and light, but it still felt indulgent. I've never visited Mexican dessert shops before traveling to Arizona, and I wish it was something we had locally.



They even have some savory treats, like chips topped with mayo/sour cream, cheese, chili powder and lime. That will have to wait for next time.



Grade: A

Here's my latest J.Q. Dickinson Appalachian Mercantile box! This cute key ring is made from an actual penny, and hand embossed with the mountains. Made in the foothills of upstate South Carolina.

Summer is wonderful but our insect friends like it too! This natural spray is made from citronella, cactus and cedar to keep them away. Made in Staunton, VA

Maple syrup is the best. Candy made from maple syrup is even better. This cute lolli comes from Brantview Maple farm in western Pennsylvania.

Mimi is a grandma turned baker. These soft pretzels can be made with beer, club soda or hard cider. A great summer snack. Made in Hendersonville, NC.

This drink concentrate is great to keep in the frig for a quick beverage, to quench that summer thirst. Made in Chatanooga, TN. Beef jerky is a great snack, full of protein and lots of flavor. Made deep in the mountains of North Carolina.