Hanging out at the California Avocado Festival

Arriving at the Festival. Photo by: Andrew

Does anyone else flip through their local AAA magazine to the back? I usually discover a ton of events there. I've found the Greek Festival, the Highland Games at the Queen Mary, the Clam Chowder Festival, the Garlic Festival, Boo at the Zoo in Santa Barbara, and most recently, the Avocado Festival.

Who doesn't love a good guacamole? It was time for the boys and I to head out to Carpinteria, CA (an hour's drive north) and bask in the avocado glory.

Scoping out the food. Photo: Andrew

The festival was held 5-7 OCT. We went on Sunday, arrived at noon and discovered it was packed. They had an arts and crafts area and 3 or 4 stages were the local bands played.

Our first mission was to find the food area. My husband and I had a fish taco. The boys ate hot dogs and fries.

Big Green Monster Avocado. Photo: Joe

After we finished, we found the avocado stands. I learned there was more to the green monster than just Hass avocadoes. There was a ton of different kinds. Avocadoes are pretty recent to So Cal, introduced in the early 1900's.

Interestingly, the green beast is considered a flowering plant and in the same plant family as cinnamon and camphor.

Festival Guacamole. Photo: Joe

Just in time, we found the guacamole truck. It was tasty, but I assure you, Andrew and I can fix up some guacamole that will make you drool. 

We also found avocado smoothies and ice cream. We discovered you could put avocado slices on anything from salad to fish. I wanted to buy an avocado festival t-shirt, but the money ran out. Avocadoes ain't cheap.

Avocado stands. Photo: Andrew

Avocados are art, too. The boys' local PTA was sponsoring the yearly "Reflections" campaign and they decided to enter this year. Joe, my 7 year old, discovered he likes art after an art class this summer. They decided to enter the photography category. I gave them a couple of lessons in how to take pictures and print from a digital camera and they were off.

(We were supposed to go to Yosemite for our photo shoot but the government shutdown.)

Andrew checking out avocadoes. Photo: Joe

 Armed with our Canon Photoshot, the boys took a bunch of pictures, printed their favorites and made collages.  Cross your fingers for them. The Reflections display goes up 17 NOV.

All in all, the boys and I had a nice day trip hanging with the 'cadoes.

Hanging with the 'cadoes. Photo: Joe

Guacamole, anyone?  What do you like to "fix" up with your avocadoes? I'd love to hear it. If anyone wants my guacamole recipe, let me know, I'm willing to share.

Smiles

Steph

PS – these pictures were taken by the boys and used for their Reflections project. 

California Thursday - A Visit to the CA Science Ctr and Endeavour

This past Monday I had a chance to visit the California Science Center and the Space Shuttle Endeavour. I was very excited to see Endeavor, too. I remember as a young girl in the 1970's going to the library and reading every book they had about Space.  One of my most vivid memories is in 1981, sitting through my 7th grade Science class and watching on TV the Space Shuttle Columbia rocket into space for the first time.

Here's a view of Endeavour as you first walk into the Pavalion.

Of course the Space Shuttle Challenger is forever etched in my memory. It was January 1986, Manchester, New Hampshire, and I was  a Senior in High School sitting in Math class waiting for the class to begin. My math teacher, Miss Mantineo was at the board, writing problems when the announcement came that the Challenger had blown up.  We lost Christa McAuffle that day, New Hampshire's hero, and first teacher in space. Even to this day, I'm easily overcome with tears when I think of it.

Brent and the Boys with Endeavour in the background.

I learned that Endeavour was one of the replacement shuttles after the Challenger blew up. A contest was held throughout America through the Elementary and Secondary schools to name the shuttle. Endeavour was chosen. Endeavour is spelled the British way, in honor of Cook's Endeavour that explored the Pacific Ocean.  There's a great picture in the Endeavour pavilion of President George H.W. Bush presenting the name plaque of Endeavour to the children of the winning schools.

Me and Boys Underneath, near the "crawler." 

Joe next to one of the rockets.

Endeavour as it travels down an LA Street, October 2012

Endeavour as it just slips by, Oct 2012

Endeavor on the Launch Pad

I also saw an IMAX 3D presentation called Hubble 3D where the space shuttle (I believe it was Atlantis) went up and fixed the Hubble in 2006. The Hubble has taken some great shots of the universe in space - one being a star nursery in the Constellation Orion's Belt. Gorgeous. If you are at the Science Ctr this is a great show to see. 

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the space shuttles if you have a second.

Smiles

Steph

California Thursday - Catalina Island & the 4th of July

You know one of my favorite ways to spend the 4th of July is on Catalina Island. I enjoy it so much, the family pretty much makes it our major vacation of the year. For me, the pleasure is in the fact that it's simple fun. There's a golf cart parade, the USC Marching band, BBQ, and my boys love the sense of adventure that they experience while on the island. So without further ado, here's some pics from this year's vacation.

This is a view from the balcony of the condo we rented.

This is a view from the top of Hamilton Cove looking down at the Casino. (And no, the Casino is not a place to gamble!) It's hard to see here, but the moon is in the photo.

Yes, I finally went Kayaking! Here's a view from my Kayak.

The boys on the 4th of July. Happy Birthday America!

One of the golf carts in the golf cart parade. :)

Brent BBQ'ing next to the Beach.

On the Menu: Steak, baked potato, corn and grilled onion. And Grapes! Can't forget the grapes.

Question: How did you spend your 4th? What's your favorite 4th of July? How about your favorite summer fruit? Love to your thoughts.

Smiles
Steph

California Thursday - A Visit to Solvang, CA

About 2 hours north of where I live is Solvang, CA, a town in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley. For those who enjoy California wine, The Santa Ynez Valley is home to several fine wineries including Alexander and Wayne and Blackjack. (seen in the movie "Sideways.")

I love to visit Solvang for several reasons. In fact, these last couple of years, it's been a rare opportunity to have a night with my husband. We usually like to go around my birthday which falls around the first weekend of June.

Solvang is a town that captures Danish ambience with replicated facades, Danish cooking, and old-fashioned charm. For me, personally, its strikes a romantic chord in my heart. My husband and I were married in the Danish city of Nykobig, Denmark in 1991. And while Nykobig and Solvang are miles apart, both have an ambience that endears itself to us.


Since my husband enjoys camping, we usually camp out at the local RV park in nearby city of Buellton. After we set up, we head off to Los Olivos to visit the wine tasting rooms.

One of our favorite rooms is the Alexander and Wayne winery. They do a wonderful job on their reds. The Pinot is my husband's favorite, while I tend to enjoy the Cuvee Five, which is a blend in the French style. This year, I tried their chardonnay and found it enjoyable. I don't care for an "oaky" chardonnay, but this one was light on the oak with nice fruit flavors.

Then it was off to test some olive oil. Usually we arrive when the town is having an Olive & Jazz festival, but we missed it this year. We popped into Olive Hill and sampled the flavors, buying a bottle of the basil and garlic. Think I just found a new novelty gift.


We then headed over to the Hitching Post for a steak dinner. I had the filet mignon. It was a bit pricey, but a nice treat. The steakhouse next to the Hitching Post, AJ Spurs, was also seen in the movie "Sideways."

My husband and I loved that movie. We adore Paul Giamatti, who is a great character actor.

The next morning, we grilled our breakfast, packed up the 4Runner, and hung around Solving. I enjoyed a "Danish waffle" and coffee while Brent had a doubt chocolate delight pastry with his java.

We walked up to the Santa Ynez mission. I usually take a mass at the mission, but I didn't this trip, just opting for a stroll. The rose garden at the mission isn't what you might think of as a traditional garden, since its surrounded by desert rocks and cactus.

The Santa Ynez mission is part of the missions established by Father Junipero Sierra. It has a traditional mission façade. The missions of California helped to settle the state in the late 1700's, early 1800's.


Solvang itself was settled in 1911 by Danish colonists wanting to avoid the mid-western winters. The name means "sunny fields."

On 5 June 1960, Princess Margrethe of Denmark visited the city. She returned in 1976, now Queen of Denmark. In 2011, Solving celebrated its 100 year anniversary. The Queen's husband, Prince Hendrik dedicated Solvang's centennial Plaza on 11 June, which was also his 77th birthday.

Other interesting facts:

Cyclist Lance Armstrong trained for the Tour de France in the area around Solvang since it provides a variety of conditions similar to the French challenges.

There's a vintage motorcycle museum in Solvang with bikes from 1910 on up.

My husband and I found a charming little shop with a Christmas-all-year theme. We also stopped into the Thomas Kinkcaide art gallery. I was surprised to learn Kinkcaide had painted a lot of Disney motifs, but my favorite was a portrait of Venice and St. Mark's Cathedral.

For me, Solvang reminds me of Denmark and my fond memories of Europe. Inspiration can be found everywhere. You go from the wineries, to the Olive tastings, to the mission, to the town itself and ideas just grow. Solvang is low-key, quaint, and charming. It's a nice getaway. Maybe next year I'll get 2 days to explore instead of one. ☺

California Friday - Santa Barbara

Joe and I at the SB Zoo last year

Santa Barbara is a beautiful city approximately 75 miles north of LA on the California coast. I've been there several times myself. I love the view of the ocean. The city is built on a set of gentle rising rolling hills overlooking the coastline. One of my favorite places to visit is the zoo. It's low-key and not very crowded. You can lazily stroll through it without feeling rushed and enjoy the animals.

Being a bit of a wino, I'm a sucker to visit the Santa Barbara Winery. I haven't been in a while, but I remember enjoying the reds and the ambience of the storefront. (Hard to now with a 4 year old.)

Santa Barbara is home to one of the missions, which were founded in the 1700's by the Franciscan monks that traveled up the California coast from Mexico. I visited the mission several years ago and was struck not only by it's beauty, but by its functionality.


Just a little about the mission's history. It was founded as part of the Franciscan Missions on 4 DEC 1786, on the feast day of St. Barbara. The intent was to convert the local native American tribes – the Chumash and Barbaernó. Over the years, the mission was devastated by earthquakes and rebuilt. The last time it was rebuilt was in 1927.

The city of Santa Barbara grew up between the mission and the coast. Presently, the mission still celebrates Catholic Mass. The local parish rents the mission from the Franciscans.


Whenever I visit the city, I try to swing by the winery and the mission.

Smiles

Surprisingly, I didn't take a lot of pictures this year at Catalina. The last picture was taken this year, us in our condo that we rented. Perhaps I was too busy, perhaps I forgot more often that naught. I can't say. I'm a little disappointed in myself for not taking more.

Anyway, I shared a couple of pictures that help give you the "flavor" of Catalina. The USC marching band opened up the golf cart parade and played the Casino on the evening of the 4th. I always enjoy seeing the marching band. (It's made me a USC fan!) But there's something about loud band music that's infectious. The next picture is the boardwalk next to the water.

This year the weather was overcast the entire time. We got the last remaining bit of what's called "June Gloom" in Southern California - that last dose of mild weather before the temperatures become scorching hot. It even misted on the 4th of July.

We took the first boat out of San Pedro on Saturday morning and both the boys did well. I watched old videos on my ITunes on my Mac when Joe got bored with cartoons. We took a taxi up to our condo in Hamilton Cove. The condo was nice. Plenty of room for us and MIL & FIL. And it was nice to have our own space.

Andrew's cousins, Sam & Sandy were there with their kids and the kids had a nice time. Joe played with Cody (who is Joe's age) in the grass at Descanso beach and tuckered himself out. He feel asleep at 430 and didn't wake up until the next morning. (It can be that way with a sensory sensitive kid)

On the 4th, my DH tried to fish but it was too misty old. Andrew caught a big big fish. Andrew & I went to mass then caught up with everyone for the parade. Andrew rode in Uncle Mike's golf cart and threw out candy. I stayed with Joe on the side o the road and watched him watch the parade. He stayed in the cart and wasn't too much of a pistol. That evening we BBQ at the beach, the kids played in the sand and we watched the fireworks over the bay from the side of the road. It was Joe's first fireworks. He clapped his hand and said "OHHHHHH." He watched them for about 5 min and then went back to playing his DS!

Monday we took the kids on the glass bottom boat and saw a lot of cool fish. Joe liked it but it was hard for him to sit still. Tues it was back to the mainland. It was a nice getaway and I was so glad Joe wasn't a handful like he was last year. Can't wait for next year....

Smiles
Steph

California Thursday - Catalina Island

The 4th of July is around the corner and that means it's time for the family to go Catalina Island.

I love spending the 4th at Catalina. It's low-key and relaxed, something I enjoy. I first went to Catalina for the 4th with my husband before we had kids in 2000. We had a BBQ buffet at the casino and enjoyed the fireworks from the balcony over the water. It was gorgeous. I remember at the time I said it was the best 4th of July I ever had.

Avalon is the big city on the Island. It's on the southern tip. Two Harbors is a smaller town on the northern part of the island and is geared for campers. Avalon has several hotels, restaurants, a couple of stores, and plenty of beach front. Avalon usually has bus tours that go around the island. They offer parasailing and underwater tours as well. *wink to Dani Thorne who loves the water!*
I've gone on a couple of underwater boat tours which were cool. I'd love to try the parasailing. Just recently they put a zip line in that takes about 2 hours for the adventurous types.

But nothing beats the 4th. The USC marching band opens up the Golf Cart Parade on the 4th of the July. Golf carts are the prefered method of travel on the island and everyone decks out their golf cart for the parade. The live band music is invigorating. A little later on, the band plays at the BBQ buffet in the casino. After the Golf cart parade we usually go back to Hamilton Cove (we usually rent out a condo for the weekend) and BBQ. When the lights get low, we go find a spot on the main drag and watch the fireworks. Last year, Joe, who was 2 1/2 at the time slept right though the fireworks.

We take off for Catalina on Saturday the 3rd and return back on the 6th.
Here are some pics from visits in the past and to everyone - have a Happy 4th.
Smiles
Steph

California Tidbit Thursday - Napa & Sonoma Valleys

You hear about Napa all the time - it's the hub of the California wine industry. In fact, some of the best California wines come from Napa. I've been to Napa on several occasions (it's been awhile) but I've always enjoyed my trips up there. For me, I find Napa and Sonoma very romantic. Traveling down the roads, visiting wineries, that's fun to me.

Napa is quaint, mostly rural, with goregeous views of the landscape. But what makes it so special? Because of it's unique climate, it's a perfect place to grow and harvest grapes for wines. In fact, the movie, "Bottle Shock," is a great movie about the California wine area and how Napa & Sonoma counties came to gain "respectability" in the wine world. I highly recommend seeing it, especially if you're a wine person.


Napa is a little cooler than Sonoma county. Napa Valley is widely considered one of the top American Viticultural Areas in California, and all of the United States. Robert Mondavi is probably one of the best known wine growers in Napa. His wine is world famous. I had a chance to go to the Mondavi winery and it's something special.


Napa Valley even has it's own website: http://www.napavalley.com/.

My favorite wines are the Cabinet Savingion's from this area. I much prefer reds. I also enjoy a good pinot and merlot. If you're ever up in the San Franscisco area, Napa and Sonoma counties are you're less than 30 minutes away from some of the best wineries in the US.

Info from this article came from Wikipedia.