Month: March 2015

Whine Free Wildflower Photography!

Very grumpy children. She is totally faking that smile and was as miserable as he was that day.
Very grumpy children, 2011. She is totally faking that smile and was as miserable as he was to go hiking that day.

Today The Husband and I did something we have never done. We went on a long drive to go hiking in the Anza Borrego State Park lands in the desert… without the teenagers. They asked to stay home, finish homework, and generally relax. We had a grand time eating pie, seeing wildflowers, stopping on a whim for tacos, all without anyone complaining about being too hot, too cold, bored, hungry or ready to go home.

The Amma (my mom) after being tricked into hiking up the Borrego Palm Canyon trail
The Amma (my mom) after hiking  Borrego Palm Canyon trail

All four of us have had a ball tromping through state parks, but rarely are all four people happy at one time. You want to see that old phrase “madder than a wet hen” in action? Add my mom to the mix. I have tricked her into hiking on short trails and have been surprised she was speaking to me by the end.

*Click on any of the photos for larger versions, the flowers are really pretty*

Julian Pie for a second breakfast!
Julian Pie for a second breakfast!
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More pie pics. Because, pie. That’s why.

For this day trip, we stopped in Santa Ysabel for apple pie à la mode at the Julian Pie Company. We carpool school trips to this area and I always try to bring my car load of middle schoolers to this shop for a snack. If you have the chance to visit, don’t miss it! Seriously, pie is my favorite dessert, and I prefer my own pie usually. This is the only pie I buy. I think they only hire the nicest people. Must be part of their hiring tactics.

I call this photo "Cholla Blooms, One Week Too Early"
I call this photo “Cholla Blooms, One Week Too Early”
Wildflowers of Anza Borrego Desert State Park
Wildflowers of Anza Borrego Desert State Park

Next on the agenda- hunt down some wildflowers. We’ve had enough rain to ensure a good year for desert flowers in all their beauty. Looks like it’s Yellow Flower Season to me. And can you see the citrus groves in the distance in the photo on the right? The groves were in full bloom and words cannot begin to describe their perfume that filled the air.

What's left of lunch from El Borrego.
What’s left of lunch from El Borrego.

We finished the day with a snack from El Borrego. This little taco shop had a great menu, but we went for the basics- tacos and a carnitas burrito. The Husband declared that he will be stopping at El Borrego every future trip to the desert. You’ll have to use your imagination to decide if the lunches looked as good as they tasted… they did, and I for got to snap a pic. I love a good, hard fried shredded beef taco, and they know how to make them here.

While I missed my kids, I’m glad they had a quiet day at home instead of being dragged out to the desert on a 92 degree day (but it’s a DRY heat!). If you are looking for a nice day trip, I love the Anza Borrego desert this time of year. Don’t forget the State Park Visitor’s Center, the day hikes, buy a bag of oranges and enjoy the fresh air if you come out.

More flowers, that's why we came...
More flowers, that’s why we came…
Ocotillo in bloom, Anza Borrego Desert State Park
Ocotillo in bloom, Anza Borrego Desert

Movie Review with The Boy- “Kingsmen- The Secret Service”

Google link for "Kingsmen- The Secret Service"
Google link for “Kingsmen- The Secret Service”

Took The Boy to an R rated movie… that’s a first. While watching previews at another movie,”Kingsman- The Secret Service,” came up and we all thought it looked great. So, before our Mother and Son Night Out, I read the preview information online, like a good mom does, and thought it sounded about as raunchy or violent as your basic action-adventure movie. Whoops!

You know what isn’t a first? The Boy sharing what’s on his mind and asking questions about EVERYTHING. And he had a bunch about “Kingsman.” While he will turn to his father, I am usually the parent of choice when he wants answers. His usual M.O.? Plop down in my car after school, wait about five minutes, then go straight to the heart of some adolescent query. No subject is off limits. I frequently have to remember Parenting Rule #1: “When 14-year-olds ask surprising questions, do NOT bug your eyes out or do a spit take. Especially when driving. Remember the magic words: “Why do you ask, dear?'”

Both The Boy and I are on the squeamish side. Movies featuring hundreds of head blowing up while the soundtrack plays our favorite pop tunes are a bit much for us. His parting opinion was “Eesh, that changes my opinion of humanity somewhat!” I felt that for a spy flick, Kingsmen was silly, with much of the comedy I wanted to see there, but surprisingly worked into the violence. I like silly, and comedy, and despite the violence, I’d see it again. The Boy? Probably not.

For a great review, check MoviePilot.com, which is where I lifted that photo up top…

On Coffee…

“Betty Gene, would you like me to bring you a cup of coffee in bed?”
The Husband to my Gramma

“Sure, kid!”
Betty Gene

The Husband proceeds to hand her a mug filled with coffee beans.

That exchange between my Gramma and The Husband happened years ago, around 1995 when she and my mom were visiting. They had the run of our bedroom while we slept in the living room. Gramma’s husband has always treated her like a queen, including bringing the morning’s first cup of coffee to her while she was still in bed. We all love to bring up that joke whenever someone offers anyone a cup of coffee… “remember the time Bryan brought you that cup of beans, Gramma?” 

I knew about her early morning coffee delivery and by the time I was a fan of coffee, too, I’d take advantage of it. Whenever Betty Gene and John drove their big RV to my parents’ home, usually for Christmas, I’d get out to their home on wheels, take over his side of the bed and sit there with my Gramma, demanding my mug, too. And he always brought it.

Friday evening, in the middle of the desert, I took advantage of a Starbucks to help break up my three hour drive home. I have high standards for coffee, and don’t care for theirs, usually. Like many people, though, I’m a HUGE fan of their concoction they offer every fall and winter, that chemical, probably crack-laced Pumpkin Spice Latte… two pumps, not three, easy whip, please and thank you! The rest of the year I find their basic coffee-shop brew over roasted, making it harsh and bitter.

What the heck, they finally got it right! Have you tried that Flat White? Are they using better beans? A different roast? Or have they just got the right amount of espresso to whole milk down, finally.

The Flat White is good. Especially when it is 90 degrees, you are in the middle of nowhere, and breaking up your long drive home.

Checking In or Checking Out… Not Always Simple or Easy

“Getting old isn’t for sissies, but it beats the alternative.”
Betty Gene Lamison

“Go play on the freeway, kid”
John Lamison, Betty Gene’s husband (to my brother and me)

**Update Easter 2015- Betty Gene passed away yesterday, on my daughter’s 18th birthday, at about 5:30 in the evening. Rest in peace, Gramma.**

Sometimes picking a New Thing O’ The Day is easy, simple and fun. A new restaurant? Love it. Act like a tourist in a new-to-me spot? Bring it on.

I took a little trip on Thursday and Friday, to see my grandparents. Every time I have stayed in a hotel, I’ve always had my mom, one of my kids, or almost always my husband along with me… for like, the last 30 years– that’s a long time! 

Thursday evening, after singing along with my brother’s keyboard extravaganza playlist in my grandparents’ living room, I checked into the hotel. By myself.

I’m hoping to make the three hour trip out to see her again, very soon.

Get Yourself A Round Tuit, You’ll Get the Muffins to the Firemen that way.

"This is a Round Tuit. Guard it with your life, Tuits are hard to come by. Now that you have one, you can accomplish all those things you put aside until you got a Round Tuit."
“This is a Round Tuit. Guard it with your life, Tuits are hard to come by. Now that you have one, you can accomplish all those things you put aside until you got a Round Tuit.”
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Grandad’s Round Tuit. Not only did he still have it, but he also knew where it was and texted a photo of it to me as soon as I asked. The guy has his stuff together… or we both just got lucky.

When I was a kid, my dad came home with a little wooden coin. He told me that it was a “Round Tuit.” It might have been something his father or grandfather had given him as a joke. I also remember clever story printed on one side. With a little searching, I found several sites showing the same clever coin, pictured left. When asked if he still had his, Dad found his original, pictured right.

I have been meaning (everyone say it with me, now) to get around to bringing muffins to the fire station ever since we had some nasty fires last May. Those fires came too close for comfort. Like, really close- see the photo on the bottom right? They closed The Girl’s school the next day, and many others in the area.

Pardon the profanity, but this is funny, yo.
Pardon the profanity, but this is funny, yo.
View from The Girl's school May 2014
View from The Girl’s school
May 2014

So, today I finally brought some goodies to the local fire station and thanked them profusely for their work. Took me long enough! This is a great example of better late than never.

I finally got a round to it.