The app I talked about yesterday is here! http://bit.ly/1P5fyde D and I are excited to get our free chicken sandwich. Also, for local peeps, Receipt Day is June 10 at the Marketplace. Whatever you buy on June 10 is free if you present your receipt any day in July!
Chick Fil A Moms DIY Upcycling Project
As a Chick Fil A mom, we were challenged to create a project that reuses the plastic container from their salads. I decided to make a bank that we can store extra loose change and bills in. I called it our Rainy Day Fund, so we have some extra cash when we want to something fun. As an example, for Memorial Day yesterday, we went to Yogurtland. Maybe with our future savings we can go to Chick Fil A! Also, I am curious to see how Chick Fil A’s new app works out. It rolls out tomorrow, and I believe you can get a free chicken sandwich with it. I do not have much room on my phone, so an app needs to be really useful for me to keep it. #chickfilamomsDIY
Team Mazda
We celebrated our twelve year wedding anniversary at the Long Beach Grand Prix since Mazda gave D two tickets. The tickets came with meal vouchers. For lunch, we split a mediocre salad and sandwich.
Next we checked out the Mazda tent and said hi to some of the drivers, who were signing autographs.
We watched part of a race with jumping mini trucks.
Then we headed to the exhibition hall and hung out in the Mazda lounge for a bit since it was nice and air-conditioned with one of D’s co-workers. We also ran into one of our church friends who works for Mazda’s ad agency.
After that, we walked around and took in the view of the Long Beach Harbor.
Finally, it was race time. We used up our other voucher on hot dogs for dinner. Mazda had a pretty decent showing, so that was exciting. Of course, it was incredibly loud. We didn’t stay for the whole race, but it was an enjoyable day.
Jelly Belly Factory With a Camera
Since it was on the way back to Napa, we stopped in at the Jelly Belly Factory in Fairfield again. Last time, as you may recall, I was upset because my camera broke right before we went last time. It turns out that they do not allow cameras on the tour anyway, so I was not too upset. We took the tour again, but this time it was self-guided, so we could go at our own pace.
Still have no desire to try these absolutely disgusting flavors!
Crescent City
Crescent City might be the farthest north in California we have ever been. Oregon is just a short drive away! We ate dinner at the Chart Room. It is a casual seafood joint on the water.
Someone was tired from all of that driving!
At first, all of the tables near the windows were taken. However, when I saw one opened up, I requested that the waitress move us and she graciously obliged.
What were they looking at?
Sea lions! They’re the ones that bark, right? I always get confused about that.
We split a kids fish and chips, adult fish and chips, and grilled crab sandwich.
I especially enjoyed the fried fish. The batter was light and crispy–yum!
I had to make n wear his sweatshirt. He claimed it was hot. That boy!
On the way to Crescent City, we passed a black sand beach that looked interesting, so we stopped on our way back south to the hotel. As you can see, rain was imminent.
My limited internet research leads me to believe this is called Crescent Beach.
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Mendocino State Park & Glass Beach
Just a short drive from the main town, is Mendocino State Park. We basically just parked in the (free!) parking lot and hopped out for a few pictures and to take in the view.
Then we drove north a few miles to Fort Bragg in search of Glass Beach.
We climbed down a small cliff to find this secluded cove. There was a couple looking for sea glass, and friendly D struck up a conversation with them. They had driven from Los Angeles with the sole purpose of looking for sea glass to make jewelry.
It is pretty fascinating that beer bottles, etc. that are carelessly thrown into the ocean can become such objects of beauty!
k said Glass Beach was her favorite stop of that day.
Photo credit: n!
Idllyic Mendocino
Sunday morning we left Napa bright and early at around 5:45. It would be another full day of driving for us. Our first stop was Mendocino. This stop is not on the most direct path to Redwood National Park, but D and I wanted to see what it was all about.
Although we brought along food for breakfast on the road, we stopped in at GoodLife Café and Bakery for a breakfast treat/bathroom break.
This blueberry Danish was one of the best I have had, mainly due to it being chock-full of juicy blueberries!
We also shared the more subtle orange cardamom morning bun. The cardamom was a nice twist, but I could have used a little more orange flavor.
I believe the café is on the main drag of “Mendo”, as D and I came to affectionately call it. Look at that view!
I believe this is the bank.
Even the fire station is cute!
1st Stop: Napa
We’re back from our spring break road trip! Our first leg of the trip was to Napa, to visit D’s parents. D’s brother and his son also met up with us there. We ate at a new restaurant, Heritage Eats.
The restaurant is fast-casual, and the food is prepared Chipotle-style, right in front of you. We ordered a falafel pita, lemongrass pork Banh Mi
Early Easter
Celebrating Easter in March felt so early. However, it is never too early (or late) to celebrate Jesus’ victory over the cross!
On Good Friday, we went to service at church. There was a speaker from Jews for Jesus that explained the meaning behind the traditional Passover meal.
The kids’ Easter baskets consisted mostly of my prize winnings; hehe. I did add two crocheted bunnies made from the pattern written by Posie Gets Cozy. Having never crocheted a three dimensional object before, I did not really know what I was doing. I think they came out pretty different from the original, but they are still super cute! And they made fun photo props!
Seven!
n had two more birthday celebrations: one on his actual birthday at home and one the weekend after, at my parents’ house.
Here’s a leftover picture from his Chuck E. Cheese party.
k made him a sweet card.
I know I say it every year, but I cannot believe that n is another year older. He is still my little guy, and I love that he: still likes to cuddle and snuggle; is funny like D; is becoming quite a bookworm; is always a willing helper; has a kind heart.