Welcome back to Arizona! We’ve missed our snowbird friends, and I’m already looking forward to that first “We’re back—come over for a drink!” text.
First, let’s make sure there’s coffee for the morning and something easy for dinner. I put together two ready-to-shop orders—first-arrival groceries from Fry’s and kitchen basics from Walmart—so you can settle in and get back to your friends.
Here for the shopping orders? No judgment—Jump to the Fry’s and Walmart orders.
Cook: Choose Tools That Do More Than One Job
Start with the basics. If you find yourself missing your favorite specialty machine, you can always add it later.
Give these a permanent spot:
A good skillet and a medium saucepan
A sturdy sheet pan and a baking dish
A sharp chef’s knife, paring knife, kitchen shears, and two cutting boards
A colander, mixing bowl, spatula, tongs, measuring cups and spoons, and a can opener
The coffee setup you’ll want to use before you’re fully awake
Host: Be Ready for “Stop By for a Drink”
When you’re ready to say, “Stop by for a drink,” have enough glasses, plates, and flatware for the friends you usually invite over. The Fry’s order has your first patio snack covered.
Your Arizona Shopping Orders
I’ve put together two orders: Fry’s groceries for your first day or two and quality Walmart kitchen tools to buy once and leave at the house. You can see what’s in each order below before opening a cart.
Check what you already have, remove what you don’t need, and make the orders yours. Your second-home kitchen may need a can opener; it probably doesn’t need a fourth bottle of olive oil.
I'm not affiliated with Fry's or Walmart. I just picked what I actually use.
The Fry’s First-Arrival Order
Fry’s First-Arrival Order for two—a small order to get through dinner and the first morning.
Dinner, ready to serve
1 cold deli rotisserie chicken
1 large, bagged salad kit
1 package of rolls
Leftover chicken? Use it in my Mango Chicken Salad the next day.
Breakfast and coffee
Coffee that fits the house’s coffee maker
Creamer or milk
Yogurt
1 small container of berries
For “Come over for a drink”
1 small package of cheese
1 box of crackers
1 case of sparkling water
Easy-to-forget basics
Butter — if you’ll use it with the rolls
Paper towels — 1 roll
Dish soap — 1 bottle
Open the Fry’s First-Arrival Order→
Open the cart, remove anything already at the house, and swap items to suit your tastes. Enter your Arizona address, review availability and substitutions, then choose Delivery or Pickup at checkout.
Flying into Sky Harbor or Mesa Gateway? Schedule pickup at a Fry’s on your way to the house, or book delivery for a time after you’ve arrived and can bring the groceries inside.
Dinner is handled. Your suitcase is on its own.
The Walmart Kitchen Essentials Order
A second home is still your home. You don’t need to spend a fortune outfitting the kitchen, but you do want a skillet you’ll enjoy using. Walmart has a great selection, so I picked a few quality basics at reasonable prices.
Cook
10-inch Tramontina tri-ply stainless-steel skillet — 1
2-quart Tramontina tri-ply saucepan with lid — 1
Nordic Ware half sheet pan — 1
9 × 13-inch baking dish with lid — 1
Prep knife and paring knife — 1 each
Kitchen shears — 1 pair
Cutting boards — 2
Colander, silicone spatula, tongs, and can opener — 1 each
Measuring cups and spoons — 1 set each
Host
Salad bowl that’s nice enough to bring to the table — 1
Platter — 1
Corkscrew and serving tray — 1 each
Plates, glasses, and flatware — enough for the number of friends you usually invite over
Store
Clear food containers with lids — 2 or 3
Open the Walmart Kitchen Essentials Order→
Choose your Arizona Walmart store, remove anything you already own, and check which items are available for Pickup. Add what your kitchen needs and choose a pickup time at checkout.
If your skillet is still doing its job, keep it. It passed the interview.
Leave for the Season: Help Out Future You
Do the kitchen check a day or two before you leave, while you still have time to deal with the half-full fridge.
Host a clean-out-the-fridge potluck. Last bits of cheese and vegetables make a great charcuterie board.
Write down what ran out, broke, or needs replacing.
If it’s in the budget, schedule a cleaning service for your last day or the morning after you leave.
Follow your property manager’s or home-watch provider’s instructions for the refrigerator, water, and other house systems. Then photograph the pantry and note what you’ll need on next season’s first grocery order.
Download the Snowbird Kitchen Arrival & Closing Checklist→
Your Arizona kitchen might not need everything your kitchen up north has. Give the things you use a place to live, make arrival day easy, and leave yourself a nice welcome back next season.
You’re back. The patio is waiting.
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