Dec 13, 2012 |
I know. This is my buzzillionth post about the Mission Inn in Riverside. But seriously… you can’t possibly be tired of hearing how stunningly magical it is. My Most Favorite Place is all lit up for the holidays.
It’s always beautiful. Especially this time of year. From the day after Thanksgiving through the first weekend in January, The Mission Inn hosts its Festival of Lights. As over 3,600,000 lights light up the block-sized Resort, the sidewalks fill with a crowd that would challenge New York City during Rush Hour. Street venders peddle their wares. The aromas of roasted chestnuts, kettle corn and hot chocolate waft on the light breeze. Neon everything illuminates the surroundings. Performers serenade the immense crowd with guitars and voices.
And if you want to really partake in the Festival of Lights extravaganza, you have to get in line. Way down there. No, keep going. That’s it. There. Around the building. Down the block. Yup. There ya’ go. It takes about an hour to navigate the winding around, into, and out of the Lobby where Santa awaits and the tall Tree is displayed. It’s worth it.
But if long lines aren’t your cup of tea, stop in at Casey’s Cupcakes for a cupcake instead. Or wait two hours to be seated at the Bella Trattoria next door.
The best view of the Festival of Lights is from opposite sidewalks. There’s nothing quite like the scene lighting up against the night sky, with the clip-clop sounds of passing Cinderella carriages and wagons.
You can see as much or as little as you like; and do as much or as little. Stroll in the crowds and hum Christmas Caroles. Sit on a bench and enjoy people-watching. Revel in the flavors and noises of being thrown into another World. A World where history and celebration combine to bring Festivity to all to enjoy.
These are just a sampling of the Merriment you’ll find at
The Mission Inn’s Festival of Lights
Lobby Tree
Glamorous Gingerbread Cupcake and Gingerbread Coffee
Main Entrance
Around the Block
The Bella Trattoria
Sidewalk Lights
Stories Tall
Horse-Drawn Carriage
Fairy Tale Atmosphere
Gifts of Light
Festival of Lights
3500 Market Street. I just love this photo.
Fallen Leaves to Play In.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
You may also enjoy reading:
My Personal History of Coffee (and a Keurig Review)
Destination: Mission Inn, Riverside, CA
Destination: Mission Inn [“Tell ‘Em Tony Sent Ya”]
Destination: Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, Michigan
Dear Casey’s Cupcakes… Thanks For Being So Sweet!
Dec 10, 2012 |
Dear Casey’s Cupcakes,
Casey’s Cupcakes [Photo Credit: Hannah Realy]
But I can’t help share your sweetness with the World. At least, my little corner of it.
Casey’s Cupcakes
You’re on the internet. You’re on Facebook. Twitter. Pinterest. And even Instagram.
Coincidentally… so am I.
It’s the law of averages that we’d cyber-bump into each other in this neighborhood. I’m just thankful that you act and react as much as I do. I really don’t lurk. I just happen to be online. A lot. Like, a lot-a lot.
Can I just say, without sounding stalkerish, that I love love love your cupcakes?
I think you already know that. But in case you didn’t, I love love love your cupcakes.
I also love your store. It’s decorated so cutely for the Season.
Casey’s Christmas Tree
And all the wonderfully delightful pink and white and striped and confettied goodies! I’d mention my favorites, but I picked up a few to stash into Dot’s Christmas stocking. So you’ll understand when I say I really can’t talk about all that right now. (I can say we’re now the proud owners of the last two striped iPhone covers from the Riverside location! Dreams really do come true!)
Glamorous Gingerbread at Casey’s Cupcakes
I love bringing newbies to your Riverside location (being the Mission Inn junkie that I am).
Oh, I’m supposed to tell you, “What an adorable shop!”, “Dontcha just love all the pink and white?!” and “These folding boxes are amazingly cute!” My peeps think you’re magical. I think you’re delightful. What other eatery do know of where the people save the containers after savoring the contents?
Did you notice the exclamation points in those statements. Yup. We love our Casey’s Cupcakes.
You brighten my day. Daily.
It’s prob’ly a good thing I don’t live closer.
Cuz then you might hafta get a Restraining Order. And we don’t want that. We just want our cupcake order.
Casey’s Cupcakes: A Very Sweet Treat!
Yeah. On a very.regular.basis.
Don’t be afraid. Just give me cupcakes and no one gets hurt.
That’s a sweet exchange… dontcha think?
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Dec 8, 2012 |
Tonight we went to Riverside. We took three of our favorite people to see The Mission Inn’s Festival of Lights.
I’m too wonderfully exhausted to write today’s Blog post. So I leave you with these teasers instead.
Lobby Tree
Glamorous Gingerbread at Casey’s Cupcakes
Horse-Drawn Carriage
Entrance Lights
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Dec 4, 2012 |
Is one of your New Year’s Resolutions to eat better? Really… who’s isn’t.
How about adding some more fruits and citrus to your diet? Those vitamins are calling you! They want to party down with you in the kitchen!
Fresh!
Remember this lovely moment? It makes the whole Kitchen Party thing a bit… difficult.
Yeah. It’s always fun to work in the kitchen with a finger splint taped to your hand… not!
It’s even more fun when you’re trying to squeeze citrus juice good to the last drop. Unfortunately, my recurring early-onset arthritis is currently recurring.
Fortunately, Aroma Housewares sent me this great Electric Juicer to test drive for them.
Aroma Housewares Juicer
Can I just say, this will probably change my life? I mean that in a good way.
This wonderfully small kitchen appliance is, well, wonderful. The electric cord wraps around the base and secures on the bottom for easy storage.
Safe and Secure
There are two reamers, for all sizes of citrus. Just slice your citrus in half, and lightly push it down. The juicer is pressure-activated, and spins immediately. When you release the pressure, it stops!
Push Activated
As a compare-and-contrast, I tried squeezing juice myself. With my hand. With my currently-recurring-early-onset-arthritis hand.
Compare and Contrast
Guess who won.
No Contest
It took less than 30 seconds for the Juicer to juice half a lime, lemon and orange. It took me three times as long to get half that amount of juice with my own hands.
The Better Juicer
And their strainer caught the pulp! I wasn’t so lucky doing it the manual way.
What about the clean up? Just take the pitcher off the base and wash. It comes apart easily. No difficult corners or dangerous cords. The base shouldn’t need cleaning but if it does, a simple wipe with a lightly damp rag will do it.
I’m so excited. No more will my citrus turn bad because I’m unable to juice it in time. And because it’s self-contained, it stores neatly in the kitchen cabinet. Ready to be used quite frequently. Which, as you can tell, is the plan.
A Tablespoon of lemon juice for a recipe? No problem. A few ounces of Vitamin C to boost your immune system? Never tasted better. No preservatives here. Just a whole lotta pure, fresh, wonderful juice.
Just Juice
And now that you’re salivating, it’d be quite unfair of me to not give you the chance to get your own juicer, wouldn’t it? You’re lucky I’m not that kind of person. So just follow the links in the Rafflecopter widget below to earn entries for this wonderfully necessary Juicer.
You can thank me later.
BE SURE TO FOLLOW THE MANDATORY ENTRY OR ALL OTHER ENTRIES WON’T COUNT.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Nov 25, 2012 |
Take a look at these creative hand-made greeting cards and gift tags.
Winnie’s Inky Fingers
My camera doesn’t do justice to these beautiful originals from Winnie’s Inky Fingers.
When I first imagined my inaugural Holiday Gift Basket Giveaway, I immediately contacted Winnie. She eagerly created these one-of-a-kind sets to give to one lucky reader.
Look at this sample of her wonderful work:
Merry Christmas
Christmas Charm
Merry Little Christmas
Each card and tag is stamped, inked, colored, and embellished by Winnie. She’s been making them for family and friends and posting her work on her Blog, which is how I found her. She’s inspired me to try my own hand at card making. But hers are much, much nicer.
Let It Snow!
Snow Tag
Peace on Earth
Peace Tree
Joy
Joy Tag
Peas on Earth
Peas
I love the stories she has behind each card she makes with someone special in mind. Her cards are not only skillfully crafted, but done so with a backstory, with character and plot and memories and hopes.
One lucky reader will win all five sets: Merry Christmas, Let It Snow, Peace on Earth, Joy, and her humorous Peas on Earth. Each card and tag are individually sealed in a protective sleeve. Not only is she creative, she’s cautious!
This quality collection is perfect for mailing or hand carrying. You can use the matching tag on a gift or as an ornament. Winnie’s Inky Fingers Cards and Tags will be a delightful delivery to whomever you choose!
If you’d like to win this set of five matching greeting cards and gift tags, just follow the directions below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
