A few days in Santa Ynez...

I'm always trying to get my mom out to see more. 

She's more of a home body, but I know there's certain things she would enjoy, and Solvang is one of them.

So for her Christmas presie this year, Pat and I gave her an all inclusive trip with yours truly for a few days in Central California! I booked us a cute little air bnb (She's never stayed in one) and we were all set.

 

Sadly - the 2nd day of our vacation my body decided to turn against me and I got sick. It was similar to when I get triggered, but we still don't know the what or the why. Is it menopause messing with my already crappy condition? I felt totally fine when I got up - all was well until it wasn't. I don't know - but that really sucked and put a damper on things since we ended up back at the bnb late Sunday morning and I was in bed all day. I was so upset about it, but my mom in her chippy look at the brightside way she is - still had a wonderful time.

 

And despite the damper - we indeed had a great time. I cherish time with my mom and I took so much joy in watching her light up at everything from horses to the beautiful countryside up there to even the marveling of LA when we drove through. Her childlike enthusiasm has never left her and that's one of the best things about her and one of the million reasons I love her.

 

She's already talking about doing another trip with me sometime! 

 

We left on a Saturday and breezed up. First stopped in Santa Barbara and wandered around (more than anticipated since my Google Maps is weird and I'm not the best map reader...) and landed at Finch and Fork for our 1st meal. It was inside a hotel and was some fun people watching. Then we found ourselves in a Farmer's Market that was quite immense. Then wandered the main street and in and out of some stores.

 

Not too bad!

Walking along the area

Lost somewhere...

We then headed into Los Olivos. It's such a cute little town I wanted to show her, and of course do a little wine tasting for myself. Since mom isn't a drinker - we just hit up one. Four Brothers Winery tasting room. They had lovely seating outside and the wines were pretty good! I ended up buying a bottle of the Syrah and mom enjoyed crushing on the oldest brother who was helping us. 

 

Loved the random decor

We found a pop up nursery! 

 We then headed into Santa Ynez and checked into our bnb. The host left us more goodies than I've ever received at a bnb including a bottle of wine! Yay! The place was really small and cute and perfect for us. It was on a lavender farm, but unfortunately the lavender weren't in bloom, but still so pretty. There were quails and squirrels all over.

 

Miss my little quails from Loftwood!

Dinner at Trattoria Grappolo that was quite good!

Sunday was the unfortunate "Jami got sick" day so we only got out to Solvang for the morning. We did have breakfast and walk around a bit, but we were back at the bnb the rest of the day/night while I recovered from whatever the hell happened to me.

 

Morning cup of Joe

Paula's Pancake House - this is supposed to be the place to go - but it was just "meh"

The pancakes were pretty good but wasn't blown away

The tiny museum with a big giant troll

Solvang

Monday woke up feeling much better and was hell bent on doing a re-do of Solvang. We started to do an Adventure Lab but it got kind of complicated. I ended up not doing any damn geocaching this whole trip. Sigh. We had a lovely time wandering Solvang and stocking up on cookies, pastries and candy. Then we kind of had that realization - it's really small. So we found ourselves tossing around different ideas. As you all know - LA - and LA on a weekday - sucks. So ya gotta be hitting the city by 2 at the latest or after 7pm. Since we didn't really have set plans and some of the places we were thinking of hitting up had closed, or weren't open yet, etc - we decided to just head on home. But not before stopping at the Ostrich Land on our way out. I've always wanted to stop here! It's very cute, just a few bucks to feed the Ostriches and Emu's. The Ostriches were a bit terrifying but the Emu's were cute

Hi Hans!

I love her

The crosswalks by the school were so cute!

Hans Christen Andersen Park...thought there was more too it, but it's just a park

Mom wants a Viking

Our stash!

Tourists

There's so many Ostriches!

Hungry Birds

Hai Friends!

Trying not to get murdered

The Emu's were nicer

After this we hit the road. We decided since were were coming home a bit early to have an early dinner somewhere. Mom chose BJ's and she got herself a free Pazookie Cookie for her birthday!

 

 It was really a great trip despite the setback. There were some lessons learned (plan ahead more. Learn to read a damn map) but we had a such a fun time. Mom and I travel very well together. I will always be grateful to make memories like these. Love you Ma!

 

 

 

Memories of March...

March!

Memories Made.

 

Hikes: 

One very windy morning we introduced Noel to our Weekend Morning Hike followed by Breakfast Burritos and Mimosas at OC Wine Mart.

 

So windy

I've learned how to to the .5 Picture thingie on my iPhone

 

Not a hike persay - but took a lovely long walk one morning. 

 

Dude was watching over his land

This came out of my new photo series I'm working on - you can see on this blog

One morning Rascal and I did a solo hike:

 

 The McDonald's joined us one morning for a lovely hike followed by our usual OC WineMart visit

 

 Terri has been doing a lot of Art Journaling and she showed me what she did on my birthday. How cool is that?! She's quite inspiring.

Cat, Theatre, Flowers...bout right!

Food:

Just watching my man cook.

 

Sooooo whatcha makin babe?

Shrimp Scampi! Pat did some different chopping techniques on this one and it was delish! The Fennel, Arugula and Orange Salad is another of our faves!

A Parmesan Pasta with Wilted Spinach

French Onion Soup!

Terri made these rolls and Pat made cornbeef sliders with them

Pad Thai - funny story here - right after I took this picture the pickled radishes that we had ordered finally arrived, and just as I had taken a bite Pat was like "NO! Back in the pot!" LOL. The radishes wouldn't make a difference in the picture but you certainly did taste the difference. My boy is serious about his recipes. 

Pat making a Tian

Chicken Picatta

I must share - I NEVER can successfully keep plants alive, let alone one of the most difficult ones - The Orchid. But for some reason - this beauty is so happy! The 1st set of flowers fell off, then a 2nd group appeared, and now a third group has appeared! I'm so beyond thrilled this beauty is still going!

The Fur Babies:

 

Bath time

I'm obsessed with her

Someone is getting spoiled and wanting to sit on the couch

Weirdo

So weird

 

Our Chapman Pets group sent a way to AI characterize your Pet - so I made Rascal a Superhero

Spoiled

So damn spoiled

Lovin on Terri one night

March 22nd was Rascal's 3rd birthday - so he picked out 2 presie's at Petco

March also brought one of our Supper Club Events. I seriously love this group so very much! Everyone commits 100% to what they bring. We always pick a theme and I'm thrilled so see what comes about! It's always a blast and the food is always amazing! This time was no different. Steakhouse Theme!

 

The Best Supper Club Group EVA!

Love these people

OMG

Terri's shot 

Butter mints made me think Steakhouse - LOL

Scott loves Rascal

These stuffed mushrooms were BOMB!

Scott/Tianna made Martini's!

Noel brought a Potatoe Bar

Terri's perfect rolls and my Steakhouse Chopped Salad in the background

Tini Time!

One afternoon I helped mom a bit at her show when Stacey had to back out.

 

Bowling Shenanigans:

A gal had my same ball! LOL! Luckily I have fingertip things in mine but I kept having to be careful.

 

When you bowl 3 splits in a row instead of a Turkey you get a Chicken - Jesse was so mad...

Libby keeps trying to win this damn alien 

Shots

 Had a wonderful brunch with Julie. We love coming to Bluewater Grill. Such great food and no corkage fee so we always bring our own Champagne.

 

Love her

Seared Ahi

Ponzu Scallops

Monday the 23rd Pat and I did our Wine Pick Up day in Temecula. Love when we do this!

 

Someone was tuckered

At Europa

Love Halter Ranch

 

One Friday night we decided to check out the Savannah Bananas. We bought tickets months ago when mom was so excited to be able to get them. I have to say - I was underwhelmed. I was expecting more fancy tricks and acrobatics out on the field, but it was just a bunch of lame gimmicks. I mean it was fun and we enjoyed ourselves for the most part, but it was super loud and just kind of chaotic. There were some fun things to watch, and the players seemed to be having so much fun and they were talented, but I guess I just wish they did more. I think they were sucking up too much to their sponsors. So - we won't be going again, but glad we checked them out.

The banana mascot was super creepy

Dude pitched on stilts for a hot second

The one and only lady pitcher

This band was dope. They played some New Orleans Jazz and they were fun

It's so loud

These are the dad bod cheerleaders - they were pretty funny

Stacey is in love with the bananas for some reason. LOL

Mom and her friend Lynn

Not sure what we were in for

We were a little late to the game to get good food, we basically got what was left, but I loved the little toothpicks!