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!
Oct 20, 2012 |
I’ve been having this craving for weeks now. Something sweet. Something other than chocolate. Something that lends itself to the Fall feeling that’s going around. Plus, I needed a reason to use my Wilton Harvest Mini Cutter Set.
Wilton Harvest Mini Cutters
This will go in my Semi-Homemade Recipe Box. These fun little shapes are flakey, sugary, and just the right amount of sweet.
After preheating the oven to 400, I rolled out one box of room-temperature premade pie crust (two rolls) onto wax paper. Setting them as close together as possible, I continued to use the Cutters to fill up the entire crust with shapes.
Close Cutters
When there was no more room for cutting, I gently lifted the extra crust from around the shapes. This can easily be balled and rolled for more cutting!
Crust Trimmings
The crust held itself together quite nicely as I transferred the shapes from the wax paper to my cookie sheets. Because these aren’t like cookies that spread, I again could place them close to each other.
Before Basting
In just a few minutes, I had them basted with melted butter and sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon. It took just seven minutes in the oven to crisp them, and five minutes to cool before they were ready.
Baked Goodies
And the clean up? How hard is it to throw away wax paper and clean a cookie sheet? Super easy, just in case you doubted yourself.
They may be tiny, but each bite is more than satisfying. Paired with my favorite cup of coffee, and it’s a most wonderful snack.
Snack Time
Goes Well With Coffee
This is a fun snack to make and nibble. I’m looking forward to using colored sprinkles on other shapes for Christmas. What kinds of shapes would you use?
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
