B and I were walking thru the spectrum when we started to notice the amount of people walking around in blankets… sleeping bags along the parking structure…. people camping out. How could I have forgotten about New Moon opening?

New Moon has already broken records for presale tickets.  What always surprises me is the mixed audience.

According to these ladies (who kindly let me lurk around them) the people at the front of the line got there at 8:30 am!

They had been in line since 6:30 pm and they had quite the layout.  Do you see the luminaries?

See more of the New Moon mania after the jump…

Lets take a closer look at those handmade luminaries….

They were set out in a circle around their group.  Prepared with chairs, blankets, coffee, snacks and magazines these ladies were waiting the 5 1/2 hours until opening in as much comfort as possible.

I apologize now for the craptastic pictures… its either blown out with flash or blurry without.

In line I saw men, women and lots of teenage girls.  Mother and daughter cuddled up together watching something on a laptop sitting next to a circle of girls stretched out on blankets reading books and playing games.

I almost forgot the candies!  Provided by the same lovely ladies with swanky set up…

Are you Team Edward or Team Jacob?  Ummmm…. Team Edward.  The question took me by surprise and I stuttered my answer.  But it seems to have been a good one because I got the reward of these candies.

Each has a picture on the front and a saying from the book on the sides.  As I was taking a picture of them someone brushed by me and called me a freak.    It made me laugh.

Do I have a point?  Not really.  This much anticipated movie has a huge fan base and there definitely was excitement in the air outside the theatre.  I can only imagine the cheering when the curtain rolls up.

That blur in the middle is a man trying to dodge my camera.  Excuse me sir, I’m here to retrieve your man card.  I believe he was just dropping off provisions but I’m not quite sure.

I’m really curious to find out the numbers New Moon pulls in this weekend.  Tell me, have you seen the movie?   Have you read the book?

Last Saturday we went to Eat Chow in Costa Mesa.  It actually shares a space with The Closet not far from Triangle Square.

This is what I went for.  Fried Green Tomatoes.  I had never had them and have wanted them since seeing the movie in the early 90’s.

I’d read rave reviews about these and really, they did not disappoint.  I saw plate after plate leaving the kitchen.  I’ll be honest, I don’t have a basis of comparison but I will definitely be back for more.  Cornmeal crusted, warm and topped with a chili herb aioli.  I’m hungry all over again.

See what my favortie was after the break….

We also had the Housemade Turkey Chili Cheese Fries.  Actually, now that I type that out I don’t recall having any cheese on our fries.  Do you see any? 

Hmmm, either way they were delicious (although cheese only makes things better).  I love those thin crispy fries.

French Dip with prime rib, a toasted brioche bun, horseradish cream and some verrrry tasty au jus. 

I have to say I really loved their Caesar salad.  Very garlicky and I love garlic.

Next up the Macaroni and Cheese.  I have to admit I am on the fence about this one.  It was a five cheese mac and cheese and the flavor was all there.  For me though, it just wasn’t thick enough.  It was more like pasta in a sauce.  Tasty but not exactly super creamy.  This and the need of spell check on the menu (and website) are the only negatives and really… that won’t stop me from going back.

Oh the BLTA with honey mustard and blue cheese mayo.  Rave reviews from my sister!

Oh but I’ve saved the best for last.  The Reuben with the house made corn beed (just kidding, I know its supposed to be beef!), swiss cheese, thousand island and the reD cabbage kraut was amazing.  Seriously.  I want it now.

Have you been?

Well, not yet, the first week of December.

If you’re a frequent reader of this site, I’m sure you know the husband and I were looking to purchase a house. I say “were,” because we are no longer looking to buy for several reasons. Here are some of them:

• Didn’t want to deal with a Short Sale and the time period it takes to close escrow. Unfortunately, Short Sales are currently the norm;
• Not interested in buying a REO/Lender Owned property, they’re typically in need of thousands of dollars in improvements;
• We’re not the type of people to make a giant investment decision based on a 15 minute walk-through, which is basically what you need to do, if you like a house and want to get it … etc., etc.

So after months of looking and one more, which turned out to be final, disappointment we put looking on the back burner for a couple of months. We just needed a break. For us, wanting to purchase a house in the current market was very stressful, time consuming, and ultimately unsatisfying. Sure we could’ve settled, but we know we would not have been happy with our decision. Settling and compromising are two different things. The way I see it, settling is buying a house just to buy it (it’s a great price or it’s in a great neighborhood), whereas compromising is buying the house that might not have all of your must-have features (hardwood floors or a foyer). The bottom line, buying a home is a very personal thing and you should only do it if it feels right.

After our self-imposed house hunting timeout, we decided to continue to rent, but move out of our current place. We wanted something bigger and closer to the beach. Once we made our decision, I couldn’t believe how easy it was to find a house. We looked at several places, all found via craigslist, and signed a lease within a week. However, I’m not so sure that it would’ve been so easy had we not seen 200+ houses over the past several months.

The best thing, it’s exactly what  and where we were looking to buy. So, for us it’s a win-win. We got the house we wanted and get to keep our down payment in the bank. For all of you who are still looking to move to your ideal home in the ideal neighborhood my advice to you is to look at alternatives, it just might pay-off.

Laguna Culinary Arts

One of my favorite things to do on the last Saturday of every month is go to a wine tasting at Laguna Culinary Arts in Laguna Beach. For $5.00 LCA offers one-ounce pours of eight different wines.

I love going because I always find the atmosphere so relaxing (warm mustard-yellow walls, airy and rustic), the wine good (an excellent way to try new and/or different wines), the cheese wonderful (a huge selection from all over the world) and the staff very knowledgeable (they always describe the wines and cheeses).

The "white" cheese plate

LCA always has a “white” and “red” cheese plate to compliment the wines they are featuring in the tasting. The cost is $12 for two-three people and $18 for a plate that serves three-four people. Wines by the glass and bottle are also for sale.

I’m not an oenophile, by any stretch of the imagination I just enjoy wine. Full Disclosure: I pick my wine based on what the label looks like. I know, I know that’s probably blasphemous, but whatever.

So  mark your calendars now for Saturday, November 28, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., which is when the next tasting will take place. Laguna Culinary Arts is located at 845 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 and their phone is 949.494.4006.

If you go or have been, let me know what you think. I hope you like it as much as we do.

It is being reported that it is a 25+ acre fire that is out of control. However, no structures are currently in danger.  There are 100 OC firefighters fighting it with 100 more on the way. The cause is thought to be downed power lines, although this has yet to be thoroughly investigated.

Stay safe everyone!

I took the following photos from my porch.

Fire, as seen from my porch

View of the fire from my porch

Have you come back to stay?

Its that time of year when the air is cold enough for an outdoor ice skating rink in Irvine Spectrum!

Well, maybe its not cold out but that isn’t stopping Irvine Spectrum from starting in on the holiday cheer.

Located in front of the ferris wheel is the annual ice skating rink.  Check here for schedules and pricing.  I’m happy to annouce they are closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas and will be open every other day from now until January 17th.

This is the only outdoor skating rink in Orange County so be sure to stop by!

There is no doubt that now is the time to support local independent businesses.

Patchwork Indie Arts and Crafts Festival happens twice yearly and its happening this Sunday.

You’ll find handmade goods from local vendors including: clothing, accessories, home goods, affordable art and more.  What festival would be complete with out good food and drink… and music!

So support your local vendors and give unique gifts this holiday season!

The festival will be held in Santa Anas Museum District near Bowers Museum.
2022 North Main Street
Santa Ana 92706
Sunday November 15 from 11-5 pm

For those of you that haven’t already been out there.. the Hurley Warehouse sale is going on now!

Items are running from 50%-75% off!

Also, rumor has it that the sale will be running next Wed-Sat and perhaps the following weekend.

November 13th: 12 pm- 8 pm

November 14th:  9 am- 3 pm

2323 Main Street, Irvine 92614

Cash, Visa, Mastercard and American Express Accepted.

Get some of that holiday shopping done!

Days like this I am amazed that the rest of the country is preparing for winter.  They are bundling up against the wind and the cold.   Yet here we are, enjoying a gorgeous Saturday at Crystal Cove.

We may not get the fall foliage that so many do but I have to appreciate this time of year at the beach. The crowds are gone and you are left with stretches of beach to yourself.

All you hear are the waves. All you smell is the ocean. Life is so good.

I hope you are enjoying your weekend.