Monday, March 26, 2007

Latest CA Trek

We had a great time in California! I was pleased that we were able to squeeze in a meal at Native Foods ~ CA Vegan in Costa Mesa. At the bottom, you see my plate of 'Tijuana Tacos' (soy taco meat, salsa fresca, Native cheese, shredded romaine lettuce and guacamole on grilled corn tortillas. $7.50) Across the table is Art's 'Chicken Run Ranch Burger' (crispy battered soy cutlets with Ranch dressing, lettuce, carrots, onion. $8.50) The food was delicious, and I know a special Pisces who also recently enjoyed a meal here...


Ahhhh, the simple pleasure of an endless sea of sand....


Some other highlights for the family were a visit to The Aquarium of the Pacific, The Wild Animal Park, Centennial Farm, and Griffith Park.






Busy days like that make for great naps. The girls were asleep in the backseat of the car as we were driving by Real Food Daily.

Spontaneously, Art says, "Quick, jump out of the car and go get dessert at the counter while I drive around the block and the girls sleep."

"You're on!"




Unfortunately, there wasn't an open seat at the counter, and waiting list. I asked about their cookbook, and the busy hostess said it'd be $27. No thank you. Strike two, and I was extra bummed after looking over the menu and wanting to try everything. We'll be back when we have more time.
I cheered myself up with a quick shop @ the corner Goodwill. I bought these shorts for $4, and the first time I wore them, I pulled a $5 out of the pocket. Whoot! It was folded neatly, and Art's mom thinks the donor left it so the buyer would have a nice surprise. I like that idea.

They are Old Navy - low waist and tan.

It was this little Diva's 2nd Birthday recently -- I'll tell more about that later.


Art and I even made a weekend get-away to San Diego - sans kids! When in town, we always hang out with our great friend, Chris, in his studio. Here's Art playing drums to some music Chris is spinning. Then they'll switch places, or Art'll play guitar or bass. It's always fun.


We ate at SipZ a couple times, which is where I met Kleo for the first time last year. And we were thrilled to be able to see KleoPatra again, but this time, we ate at.......




Kung food, which is conveniently located near Balboa Park, where Peter, was participating in an Art Show. He brilliantly paints palm frond masks, revealing the personality of mother nature's palatte, then giving each a name. Kleo generously bought me one I was oogling over, and we bought another which I couldn't live without. Visit Peter's site to see some of his work, some may even still be available for purchase... Sorry, 'Turkish Delight' and 'Frond 242' are in our CA pad.








Peter says we look like sisters, and I think that is the biggest compliment ever. Below the smiles you see identical 'Bacon Cheeseburgers' completely vegan with a side of sweet potato fries. You can read all about our great adventure
here. Thanks for sharing your day with us, Kleo, and introducing us to yet another awesome Veggie San Diegan restaurant! :o)










We capped off our San Diego stay with a bicycle ride on the boardwalk in Pacific Beach. Art and I lived in PB for four years, and were at the beach daily. It was so awesome to be back and doing what we loved so much. The sun was warm and the ocean breeze was refreshing. There were people of all sorts everywhere! All of them enjoying this amazing place in their own way. A big part of my heart will always be here in San Diego.

I've been busy the past couple weeks trying to catch up with laundry, cleaning the house, yard & garden work, daily stuff, and an elephant birthday party. Hope you are doing great - I'll be around soon. :o)

12 comments:

turquoise cro said...

mmmMMMMMM! That native cheese sounds yummy! GLAD YOU all had sooo much FUN! AhhhHHHH, I wish I was going to the ocean, Gina did just for the week-end, Folly Beach, S.C. Those fronds are COOL! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! to the little miss! So great YOU could get with Kleo again!!! Welcome HOME sweets! xoCinda

Taylor said...

Looks and sounds like an awesome vacation.

bazu said...

aw, what a nice trip. I know what you mean about leaving your heart in Pacific Beach- I've lived in a lot of places and feel that I've left a little piece of myself in each one...
And the food sounds delicious! And so cool you hung out with Kleo!

scottishvegan said...

Sounds like you have been having a fun time! I love the story about the shorts…how cool is that?!

theONLYtania said...

You're back! Looks like a fun trip :-) That is some cheap vegan eats! Great prices.
That's too bad about Real Food Daily, hopefully you'll get the chance to go back.
I like that idea about the money in those shorts.. I'll have to remember it next time I drop off a bag at Goodwill.
That's so cool that Art can get together with buddies and jam! Hehe, I like that. And you're so lucky to have met Kleo.. maybe one day I'll meet some bloggers too! Talk to you later!

Emmy said...

Wow, I wish all my thrift store finds "paid" me! LOL The shorts look great and what a deal. I've had zero luck at our local Goodwill store....the prices at the one near me are out of whack.

And Happy 2nd Birthday wishes to your darling daughter. Sounds like you had a great trip to California with some tasty food. What a bummer about Real Food Daily. And I have to agree with everyone, you and Kleo do look like sisters :)

Tanya Kristine said...

what a great trip you had!!! I'm so glad you've met Kleo a few times...already have built-in things in common.

chingching on the shorts! that woudl be a good idea...to turn in your clothes and put in a 5'er for a nice surprise for someone. kind of like paying the toll for the person behind you.

Mmm..buuurrgeeerrsss.....

KleoPatra said...

Great stuff! And can i just say that it is just fabulous to see you blog. I've been missing your words and photos so very much.

Go Art! He's the drummer extraordinaire in that photo, 'eh? I dig the big round lamp (i think it's a lamp) in the background there and the psychedelic poster. YEAH BAY-BEE!

Oh, Vicki... the photos of Liv & Abi in the sand is just precious times 1,000. I am a fan of all the places the family visited!! Gotta get to that Centennial Farm next time i'm up in that area.

Bummer about the Real Foods Daily. I've been there once. Good food! And I know that Goodwill store, too. That's a great one!! What a surprise to find the $5 bill. That is fantastic! "Pay it Forward" - literally, 'eh?

(Thanks for the e-mails and text messages and for the sweet letter and great magnet!)

Your CA trip was filled with a lot of fun stuff. I sure wish i coule have joined you on that OB bike ride. I'll bet you just loved it. The day was hot but i'm sure by the ocean it was a lot nicer than 'twas at Balboa Park!

I know from what you've said and written - and i do so appreciate!!! - that part of you is here in San Diego, and i'm so glad of that! It's a great place, made even better when you and Art are here. I hope next visit you can make it with the girls and even Jolie!!

You know how i feel about that Native Foods in Costa Mesa. It's a blast! Isn't it great to go out to eat there?!!?

(Mattie &) i had a great time dining at Kung Food with you and Art. And i'm so glad those fronds have a new home in SoCal!! I'm sure Peter'd thank you for the "plug" on your blog as well. He's busy creating more in his spare time (what little he has!)...

I agree about Peter's compliment sayin' we're like sisters. Totally cool...

Anonymous said...

what a nice trip you all of you have!
great to have you back!

Theresa said...

Sounds like a great time. And, wowie! I can't believe how cheap that mexican food was!

aTxVegn said...

I saw Kleo's pics on her blog. What a fun weekend and great food! Your daughter is precious!

urban vegan said...

What a great time you had--meeting up with Kleo and enjoying all that vegan yumminess. I hope I get to meet you all someday!