Chef Wolfgang Puck Cooking Demo At Macy's Costa Mesa 10/5

Clear your schedules!  World-renowned master chef and restaurateur Chef Wolfgang Puck will be doing a cooking demo at Macy's in Costa Mesa, CA to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Macy's Culinary Council!  I can't think of anyone better - I remember being a teenager wishing I could have a meal at Spago.  My mom laughed at me, what was I thinking really... dreaming of Beverly Hills with my $20 a week allowance.  I wouldn't miss this for the World, see you there!  

Saturday, October 5 at 2 PM
Macy's South Coast Plaza
Demo Kitchen, Level 1
Costa Mesa, CA

With any $35 purchase in the Home Department on the day of the event, receive a seat for the demo*, a $10 Macy's gift card*, a copy of Chef Puck's cookbook* and a special Macy's Culinary Council cookbook*.

Reservations are required as space is limited. To save your spot, call (877) 550-MACYS beginning Monday September 30th from 8-4 PM PST. To learn more about the Macy's Culinary Council, visit macys.com/culinarycouncil.

Get social with Culinary Council:  @CulinaryCouncil on Twitter

Udon, Tempura & Karaage At Sanukiseimen Mugimaru

I rarely have cash on me.  And it's a drive to Mitsuwa Marketplace in Costa Mesa.  But when magic happens - it's lunch from Sanukiseimen Mugimaru.  Even on a hot day.  I planned on getting udon but when I got up to the counter to place my order I noticed a beef bowl on display.  I changed my mind on udon and asked for the beef bowl and was told I had to order an udon to get it.  No sweat, gimme a spicy tonkotsu udon.  With cilantro?  Yep!  I decided to get tempura and was surprised at the fresh selections (there totally was tempura eggs!) and the ginormous sweet potato tempura caught my eye and so did the onion lollipop tempura - I got a rather large shrimp tempura too for good measure.  I pushed my tray down the line to checkout and saw pieces of chicken karaage for .90 each and put one on my plate.  The total with 2 cans of Coke was a mere $15.  There was a lot of food but I figured my husband would eat some and I could always have the rest for dinner.

I dove right in to my steaming hot bowl of udon.  I absolutely loved the freshness the cilantro added to the spice of the broth.  The pieces of tonkotsu were tender and melted in my mouth.  The actual udon noodles were good and definitely made fresh.  I have a new year-round favorite soup!  So tempura is one of my favorites.  I grew up on it when I lived on Guam so it brings back good, good memories of family and now have a chance to make memories with my family...  Tempura from Sanukiseimen Mugimaru is legit.  The batter is no joke and the sizes are good enough to feed The Hulk (green one, not long hair blonde one).  So so fresh!  I absolutely loved eating a 1/4 of an onion on a stick.  I wish I could review the chicken karaage but my husband ate it all.  He insists it was good.  I guess I'll find out next time!

My tips for Sanukiseimen Mugimaru:

• The Mitsuwa Marketplace food court is always packed.  Get in where you fit in.  
• Bring cash.  
• If you can't eat with plastic forks and spoons, bring your own fork and spoon.  I kinda struggled with the noodles.
• Slurp!  Soup is good.  
• Take a look at the plastic food display case.  There are different broth and meat choices.  Get a tray, place your order and keep it moving.

Sanukiseimen Mugimaru is inside Mitsuwa Marketplace
665 Paularino Avenue
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 557-6699
Open 7 days a week from 11am-7:30pm

Disclosure:  I paid cash money for my food and would do it again.  All thoughts are my own.

Coca-Cola Swelter Stopper At Knott's Berry Farm

Today through May 8th from 11am-5pm - you can check out the Coca-Cola Swelter Stopper in front of Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, CA!  Experiences Include... "Perfect Serve" Ice Bar, Interactive Gaming, GreyScreen Video Studio, Photo Station and Energy Dance Floor!  And it is all FREE!!! 

We happened to pass by this morning on the way to the airport and the truck looks amazing!  I can't wait to check it out this weekend! 

For more information, visit swelterstopper.com

Like Coca-Cola on Facebook

@swelterstopper on Twitter

Instagram: swelterstopper

Disclosure:  This is not a compensated or sponsored post.  I love Coca-Cola!

Christmas Eve Lunch at Stonefire Grill

We finally tried Stonefire Grill.  On Christmas Eve.  And it was perfect.

We were total newbies.  We walked in, headed to the counter and asked for a table.  The cashier smiled and patiently explained to us that we could take a few menus, choose a table and come back to place our order.  Everyone wanted BBQ Ribs.  We decided on getting "Our Favorite" for $59.99 - Whole Chicken, Whole Tri-Tip or Full Slab of Ribs, 16" Two-Topping Pizza or 2 Large Sides, Large Salad and 18 Freshly Baked Breadsticks.

I chose "Our Favorite" because it feeds 6 or more and I have 2 growing teenage boys who can eat.  So $59.99 was a bargain.  I went up to place our order and the cashier suggested I split the whole chicken - half BBQ and half lemon garlic.  We wanted to get the potato salad as a side but he said it was only for catering.  Our next choice was cowboy beans - I was sold the minute the cashier told us it had chunks of tri-tip in it.  After I paid, I noticed a self-serve area that had plates, utensils, condiments, napkins with tea and soda machines.  My biggest Ty set our table for us.  

I'll tell you right now, before you see the pictures that it was worth every penny.  The food was hot, fresh and tasty.  The 3 most important words in our family to describe food.  The portion sizes were perfect.  We enjoyed our food and ourselves.  The staff was wonderful.  And we had so much food to take home!

We're already talking about going back for Ty's 16th Birthday!  Thinking Stonefire Grill will be our new Christmas Eve tradition!    

Breadsticks are so good!

This was a full slab of ribs but Ty cut off 5 ribs before I even got my camera out!  YUM!  Our new favorite place for BBQ Ribs!  The ribs were absolute perfection!  Moist meat around the bone.  The ratio of meat on the bone was excellent and it wasn't drowning in sauce.  Mmm!

Lemon Garlic Chicken

BBQ Chicken

Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Cowboy Beans

Finding Our Way On The Holidays.

My husband loves the holidays.  When I met him, I was at a point in my life where the holidays were just ehhh.  I mainly did 'em for the kids.  He made me fall in love with Valentine's Day, Halloween and Christmas.  With a deep love for these special days, we don't have traditions.  Sometimes we celebrate Valentine's Day the day before or the day after and we're okay with that.  We never have a set plan for Halloween, Thanksgiving or Christmas either.  We have ideas in mind but thats about it.  Its not that we're spontaneous because we are both planners by nature but I think its because our families are in Texas and we just leave it up in the air and try new things.  We're still finding our way.

This Christmas we'll be doing it "A Christmas Story" style.  Lunch at our favorite Japanese restaurant.  No duck.  No turkey.  No roast.  I'm excited about it.  We're thinking about venturing up to LA.  One of the best things about living in Southern California is that we cater to tourists.  Disneyland is open.  Area hotels have restaurants that are open.  Chinatown is open.  The Lakers always play on Christmas so LA Live is bound to be open. (I tried to confirm via Twitter but haven't heard back)  And of course movie theaters are open on Christmas.

I won't be taking a break from blogging and social media, I admire those of you that are... I like being connected and so do my husband and the kids.  I have to admit, it is pretty liberating to be non-traditional.  We're cool like that.

Are you traditional or non-traditional?  What are your plans for Christmas?

Breaking tradition in 2009 with our bacon wrapped turkey.

Restaurants that are open on Christmas Day:
Canter's Deli on Fairfax in LA
Keno's on La Palma in Anaheim
All Downtown Disney Dining
El Torito, Marie Callender's, Shakey's, Del Taco, Sizzler, McDonald's - Please call ahead to make sure your location is open.

Knott's Merry Farm Coupon!

Knott's Merry Farm is from Thanksgiving Day to January 6

Knott’s Berry Farm is filled with the magic of the season as it transforms into Knott’s Merry Farm and celebrates “A Charlie Brown Christmas” with seasonal entertainment, spectacular decorations including a 65 foot tall Christmas tree, and a colorful Christmas parade.

Now a holiday tradition in Southern California, Knott’s Merry Farm is proud to present the holiday ice spectacular, “It’s Christmas, Snoopy!” The show, performed in the 2,100-seat Charles M. Schulz Theatre, is hosted by the famous skating beagle and his PEANUTS friends as they look for the true meaning of Christmas and features Knott’s ensemble skaters, dazzling sets, colorful costumes and plenty of surprises!

“A Peanuts’ Holiday Parade” offers seven elaborately themed floats featuring the PEANUTS Gang and accompanied by students from Orange County Song and Dance Company. Children and adults alike will be able to get into the holiday spirit with the Peanuts Gang as they get ready for the holidays.

Children and adults alike will enjoy “A Peanuts’ Holiday Parade” which offers seven elaborately themed floats featuring the PEANUTS Gang.  Join CHARLIE BROWN, LUCY, SALLY, SCHROEDER and of course SNOOPY as they partake in all the holiday festivities including cookie making, tree trimming, and even toy building.

Knott’s 1880s Ghost Town is transformed into Knott’s Christmas Crafts Village, inviting mall-weary guests to explore one-of-a-kind treasures created by more than 100 artisans in a Victorian holiday wonderland of strolling carolers, musical groups, community choirs and lavish holiday decorations.

Adding to the unique Village atmosphere are live performances of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” and O. Henry’s “A Gift of the Magi” in the Bird Cage Theatre. Additionally, the world famous Timber Mountain Log Ride is transformed into Elf Mountain giving guests an up-close and-personal view into the world of Santa’s Elves.

Guests can also experience the wonder of “Snoopy’s Magical Nights of Lights.” Hundreds of thousands of twinkling white and multicolored lights merrily light up the nighttime sky accompanied by a festive soundtrack that bring the Christmas spirit alive from dusk to Park closing.

My Readers Save Big At Knott's Merry Farm Running Nov. 22 - Jan. 6 - Only $37.99 Admission to Knott's Merry Farm with this coupon
Disclosure:  This is not a sponsored post.

10th Annual Noche de Altares in Santa Ana, CA

This will be our 3rd year attending Noche de Altares in Santa Ana.  It's an amazing Dia de los Muertos / Day of the Dead celebration in Orange County.  Santa Ana Art Walk happens to fall on the same night as Noche de Altares.  There is so much to see and do so we make a family day/night out of it.  I always encourage friends and family to check it out.  My friend Ariana came to visit last year specifically for California Halloween / Dia de los Muertos fun!

Here are my tips for Noche de Altares:

• Get there early!  Especially if you want to find good parking.  Noche de Altares starts at 1pm and it gets BUSY!
• Bring cash!  Almost all the street vendors only take cash.  
• Wear comfy shoes and bring a jacket/hoodie/coat.  Southern California weather has been weird, it does get cooler at night.
• Bring your camera!  
• La Catrina starts her procession at 4:30pm.  You do not want to miss the lighting of the candles.
• Bathrooms - GCAC, OCCCA and Santora Arts Building are your best bet.  
• I suggest checking out the altars in the day and again at night.  Trust me, there is a difference!  

El Centro Cultural de Mexico & Calacas Inc. proudly present
10th Annual Noche de Altares
Saturday, November 3rd, 2012
4th and Birch Streets,
Santa Ana, CA

Free/Gratis

Schedule of Events
1:00 pm – 1:20 pm              Santa Ana Youth Skit/Kids Cumbia Class
1:25 pm – 1:55 pm              Chinelos
2:00 pm – 2:40 pm              Centro Ballet Folclorico
2:45 pm – 3:25 pm              Mariachi de Santa Ana High School
3:35 pm – 4:20 pm              Son del Centro
4:30 pm – 5:10 pm              Olmeca

4:30 pm Sunset              
La Catrina begins Procession & Lighting Candles

5:20 pm – 6:10 pm              Santaneros
6:20 pm – 7:10 pm              Banda Estrella de Michoacan
7:25 pm – 8:20 pm              La Misa Negra http://www.lamisanegra.com
8:35 pm – 9:30 pm              La Santa Maria http://www.lsmmusic.com



Here is a compilation of art shows from galleries we love:  

Siempre Es Hoy at OCCCA
Curated by Sol Art Gallery
6-11pm

Bringing Out The Dead Group Show at GCS Santa Ana
7-11pm

Note*  GCS is located on street level at the Santora Arts Building.  There is a basement level that is home to The ARTbar and several other galleries.  Santora Arts Building is gorgeous, it is also home to Santa Ana College Arts Gallery on the 2nd Floor.  There are also other galleries on the 2nd Floor.    

Tony de los Reyes at Grand Central Art Center
Border Theory
www.tonydelosreyes.com
7-10pm



Shops: The ARTbar / Librería Martínez / The Road Less Traveled Store
Food: Memphis at the Santora / Lola Gaspar / Playground / Gypsy Den / Chapter One

Downtown Santa Ana

Here's a map I made of the areas for Noche de Altares and Santa Ana Art Walk.  Enjoy!

View Noche de Altares / Santa Ana Art Walk in a larger map

Disclosure:  This is not a sponsored post.  We love Santa Ana Art District and support Noche de Altares and Santa Ana Art Walk.

This happened...

Last month a couple of shiny new fruit carts showed up in our 'hood.  Right at the end of our block.  It was magical.  I don't think I'll ever leave the 'hood!  

Hubby finally got us a taste last week and the vendor told him that they confiscated the other cart and the property manager of the complex across us told him to get out.  Hood politics.  I hear business is good though.  Our huge cup was $5!  (Sorry for the cellphone picture. My camera is in the shop.)

OC Fair Family 4-Pack Giveaway - Start new family traditions!

The theme of this year's OC Fair is "Home Sweet Home" and I'm excited since the "OC" is my home!

I have loved the OC Fair ever since I was a little girl.  My parents used to take my siblings and I every Summer, it was our family tradition.  A couple of the strong points of my parents I have always admired is that they made time for us and did things with us.  They introduced us to people, places, things.  They made sure we were exposed to life, they made sure we were cultured.  And I thank them for that, I'm not sure they understand the impact it made on me.  And here I am, doing the exact same thing with my kids.

There is something for everyone at the fair.  I'm a fan of the handwriting analysis machine.  I love getting my reading.  The kids love the animals, rides and games.  My Husband enjoys the art exhibits.  And we all love the food!  Food snobs be gone!  There will be no talk around here about the disgusting unhealthiness of fair food!  I read there will be a deep fried beer battered bacon wrapped hot dog.  Whoa.  I'm so getting one!    

OC Fair is a great time for our family and yours - so I'm giving away a Family Four-Pack of General Admission tickets to OC Fair!  Create new memories and start new traditions!  Enter on Rafflecopter below - Good Luck!!!

FAIR HOURSJuly 13 – August 12
Open Wednesday – Sunday
Wednesday - Friday: Noon – Midnight
Saturday - Sunday: 10 am – Midnight

ADMISSIONGeneral (13–59) $11
Seniors (60+) $8
Youth (6–12) $6
Children 5 and under FREE every day.


You may bring snacks/beverages into the Fair. No glass bottles, cans, alcohol or hard-sided coolers will be allowed in. Drink bottles must be unopened.


OC Fair & Event Center
88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, California 92626.

Fellow OC Blogger Pattie Cordova is giving away a Family 4-Pack too!  Plus she has awesome money saving tips for OC Fair here.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  This is not a sponsored post.  I received complimentary tickets to the fair.  Thoughts are my own.

Tacos San Pedro

*moved from my old blog* 

we've passed this place a million times but it looked like a bad, BAD hole in the wall.  the area it's in is pretty sketchy too so that was another negative.  it always looks busy so i should've listened to the food network host inside me and given it a chance.  we went on saturday after an adventure at the cypress college swap meet - the tables were all taken and there was a mix of different cultures enjoying lunch.  i chalked it up to another positive sign of good food. i wanted carnitas with rice & beans but didn't see it on the menu so C asked if they could do that type of plate, yes.  C ordered a carne asada burrito with a side of rice and we decided to split a can of coke.  our total was about $14 and some change.  we went to stand near the door to wait for our order when a table opened up and we grabbed it, 10 minutes later our number was called and our plates looked SOOO GOOD.  the mexican rice was so good, orange in color and full of flavor - it was so fresh too.  the beans were just as good.  my carnitas were tender and not old, greasy or charred like i've had at other places.  i don't mind burnt ends but this was without, it was excellent.  C loved the rice too, we couldn't stop talking about it.  his burrito was huge and full of carne asada, they don't skimp on meat.  the carne asada looked fresh too - the way all food should be. i have been craving tacos san pedro since last week but we haven't been back.  i guarantee you more trips will be in the future.  AND if you know me, i usually read yelp reviews before trying a new place out but i didn't this time - in fact, i just checked yelp before i decided to blog about it and can co-sign the positive reviews. TACOS SAN PEDRO 3240 W. Lincoln Avenue Anaheim, CA 92801 (714) 484-0802

Angelo's Burgers

*moved from my old blog*

the best mom & pop burger i've ever had is from angelo's burgers.  C & i came across this place by chance, after leaving our college to check out art supply warehouse.  angelo's is out of the way from where we live but the burgers are THAT GOOD and worth the drive.  i think the hamburger, fries and drink special we get is $5.29  - they have the usual mom & pop fare like breakfast served all day, mexican food and new york steak dinners for $8.  we have yet to try anything else out because like i said, their burgers are GOOD. we usually go during the week and it's fairly busy but we went on sunday and it was super busy. lots of families having breakfast in the afternoon and friends just hanging out at the local burger joint. ANGELO'S BURGERS 11511 Westminster Blvd. Garden Grove, CA 92843 (714) 636-0277

Ice Cream: Neveria La Flor de Mexico

This was originally posted on 9/16/09 at my old blog textdrivebys.com

Stanton is a small city in Orange County to the west of Anaheim and it isn't known for much.  Other cities in Orange County point at them and laugh.  Well maybe not anymore, there has been a good growth of QUALITY food venues making Stanton their home.  Probably because of cheaper rent. One such establishment is a cute little Mom & Pop ice cream parlor called Neveria la Flor de Mexico.  The pink & white striped walls remind me of old school ice cream shops.  The people running the place are very helpful and friendly.  I had a ton of questions regarding their wide array of flavors and they didn't treat me like an idiot.  From what I gathered, they make all the ice creams and paletas (ice cream bar) right there. My favorite is Angel's Kiss (cherry ice cream with almonds, raisins & cherries maybe even marshmallows?).  I also tried coconut pineapple but didn't really care for the super frozen pineapple bits in it.  Their scoop portions are huge, for my 2 scoops I paid $2.60
Paletas!





Nevaria la Flor de Mexico

7151 Katella Ave Stanton, CA 90680

(714) 761-2813