Food and Travel: Apple Hill in Camino, CA

 

Our family loves going up to Apple Hill in Camino, CA every Fall to visit the Apple Orchards, Wineries and Bake Shops. It takes about an hour and a half from Roseville up the 50 to get to the little area of Placer County. It is a nice environment to spend quality time with family. We start off in the morning by grabbing an Apple Cider Donut and Coffee and Rainbow Orchards. They also offer wine tasting at Rainbow Orchards but usually we are there too early to want to drink wine.

 

 

I like to stop every year to look at ornaments from Boa Vista Orchards. I can't wait to start my own family and get an ornament every year like Connie does. At Boa Vista they also have a huge variety of Apples to choose from. They also have a little wine stand in the back where they offer wine tasting. They have good Apple Wine here.

 

Then we wander down the road to Jack Russell Farm Brewery & Winery. This area is cool, there is a lawn with picnic tables and vendors in booths along the out skirts. They have a cave for you to wine taste or try hard cider in and then a "log cabin" where you do your beer sampling. Connie has a beer growler that she likes to fill up every time we are in the area.

 

 

Around lunch our favorite spot for a picnic (partnered with a glass of wine) is Lava Cap winery. The view overlooking the vineyard is beautiful and so peaceful.

 

 

One awesome place that is often very crowded is High Hand Ranch. There is an outdoor trout pond where you are allowed to fish (with the proper license), a large shopping area, fresh baked goods, chocolate fudge shop, pony rides, hay rides, a little pumpkin patch and our favorite Apple Cider Milk Shakes from the Cider Shack.

 

 

Below are some past memories in Apple Hill. One year we went to Apple Hill and it started raining on us, it was really cool because it wasn't crowded at all!!

 

One of our favorite spots for coffee & apple donuts in the morning.

 

 Checking out pumpkins @ High Hand Ranch (circa 2010)

 

Mom & Dad enjoying a moment in Apple Hill.

 

We also love to go wine tasting in Apple Hill. There are a lot of nice little wineries in the area. This photo was taken on my 28th birthday (circa 2012).

 

Until we blog again, XOXO, The Sisters Connie & Jenn

Travel: Baltimore, Maryland

Travel: Baltimore, Maryland

On Tuesday January 8th, 2013 - Friday January 11th, 2013 I took a work trip to Baltimore, Maryland. We stayed at the Renaissance Baltimore Harbor Place Hotel in the Inner Harbor.

 

A picture from my hotel room. It was a wonderful view.

 

 

I even got a view of the sun rising in the mornings (I had to get up early for a convention).

 

 

When in Baltimore they have a water taxi that makes it easy to travel from the Inner Harbor to Fells Point. (below is Jenn on the Water Taxi)

 

 

We went out to eat a lot and all the restaurants were good. The Thames Oyster House in Fells Point, which I highly recommend. The scallops were great! My favorite bars in Fells point are the Cats Eye Pub & the Waterfront.

 

 

In Canton I would recommend going to dinner at Bo Brooks and getting the blackened scallops, oyster sample, flounder & crab cakes. Everything was good here!

 

 

I would also recommend visiting Fork & Wrench a bar in Canton. It is very eclectic with books along the walls. It's a little cramped but worth it if you get a spot.

 

I would also recommend M & S Grill for happy hour in the bar area. Great deals!

 

 

Until we blog again, xoxo, Connie & Jenn

 

Travel: Cannery Row in Monterey, CA

I can't believe it is already Nor 1st, 2012! I hope everyone had a happy halloween last night!

Did I tell you that I LOVE to travel??? Well I do. This past weekend my boyfriend Matt & I went to Monterey, CA for a friends wedding. We left Friday evening after work on a direct flight to the small Monterey Airport (MRY). We got a rental car quickly and were on our way to check in.

That night we headed out to Cannery Row Brewing Co.

 

 

After meeting friends and hanging out Matt & I headed to a bar with live music called Bullwackers. These are two great spots for a fun night out!

 

 

Saturday afternoon before the wedding Matt & I went on a bike ride along the coast. It was a gorgeous day out. We rented cruisers at Bay Bikes. We saw many animals, sea otters, squid, birds and a star fish in a birds mouth (pictured far right).

 

After the bike ride we went to Louie Linguini's for lunch with an ocean view. We both got yummy clam chowder and shrimp tacos to share.

 

The ceremony started at 3p.m. at The Monterey Plaza Hotel and the reception was after. We had a great time celebrating with college friends.
 

 

Sunday we decided to drive to Carmel, CA. We walked around the shops of Carmel Village.We went to watch the Chargers game at an American/Irish Pub. They ended up losing :( After that we took a drive to Big Sur, stopping at the beaches and to get a bite to eat and a drink. On the way back to Monterey we did the 17-mile drive through Pebble Beach. It was beautiful (& cost $10 toll). We saw wild deer roaming, beautiful beaches, the Lone Cypress Tree, The Ghost Tree, harbor seals, beautiful golf courses and large homes.

Monterey, Carmel and Big Sur are beautiful places to visit in California.
Until I blog again, XOXO, Jenn

Travel: Palm Springs

I just got back from the HOT desert today... This week I had to work in the Palm Springs area so I went on a little road trip. It's about 2 hours and 30 minutes away ,which isn't a bad drive. I was working along the way but I saved some time for fun. On the way there are a few places to stop.

The 1st place to stop is the Desert Hills Premium Outlets in Cabazon. The stores are located off I-10. It's about 20 miles away from Palm Springs. If you love a good sale they have all the top designer shops!

 

 

The 2nd place to stop is at the Cabazon Dinosaurs. These dino's are right off of I-10. If you have children this is a must. A fun fact is that these dinosaurs have been in a few movies as well as in the background of Brad Paisley’s music video, "Without Love." Possibly another reason to make you wanna stop.

There are many Casinos to visit once you reach Palm Springs. If you want to stop before reaching your destination Casino Morongo in Cabazon, is a great choice... if your feeling lucky!

 

Along your drive you will also notice many windmills.

I stayed at the Miracle Springs Resort & Spa in Desert Hot Springs. It was a great choice for a business trip. It's a somewhat large hotel about 100 rooms. With indoor and outdoor dining. The Resort also has 8 natural mineral water pools and hot tubs, a hot sauna and steam room and a Spa with many services. Below is a picture of the view I had from my balcony for a few days. Not bad.

 

One of the best things to do in Palm Springs is to laying out by the pool relaxing with a cocktail and swimming in mineral pools. While I was in town the weather was HOT like 95 degrees hot. Which is crazy because it's mid-October.  Below is a picture of me soakin' up the rays each day.

 

 

Another favorite is getting a spa treatment. There are so many great spas in the Palm Springs area. The Miracle Springs Resort & Spa has a nice spa with a LARGE selection of treatments. From Facials, Clay Body Masques, Mineral Wraps to Massages, Manicures and Pedicures they have it all. This time I got a Swedish Massage. It was wonderful.

 

 A fun thing to do with friends is champagne brunch or ordering room service if your alone. While on my business trip I ordered a Swiss cheese, ham and bell pepper omelet with breakfast potatoes on the side. It was really good. Which inspired me to make my own at home! Below is the recipe.

 

 

******

Swiss Cheese, Ham and Bell Pepper Omelet

 

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1/2 cup mixed bell peppers
• 2 slices shaved ham, torn roughly
• 1/4 cup grated low fat swiss cheese
• 1 slice swiss cheese

Directions: Crack the eggs in a bowl with the milk and mix. Set aside (Don’t let the mixture sit for too long).

Spray a small non-stick frying pan with extra virgin olive oil spray and place over medium heat. Add the bell peppers and cook for 1-2 minutes or until lightly darkened. Remove from pan and wipe pan clean. Spray pan again and return to the heat.

Pour in the egg mixture and cook for 2-3 minutes. Put the ham, bell peppers and cheese on only half the omelet, then fold over the other half and “hide” the filling. Add swiss cheese slice to top and serve immediately..

 ******

Rosemary Breakfast Potatoes

Ingredients:

• 1 pound potatoes, skins on and diced into 1/2-inch cubes
• 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• Handful of rosemary sprigs, (We’re lucky to have them in our garden)
• 1/8 tsp. black pepper
• 1/4 tsp. seasoning or garlic salt

Directions: Blanch (put in boiling water for a few seconds in order to loosen the skin or to kill enzymes) the potatoes. Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet, add potatoes and salt to pan and uncovered for about 20 min. at medium heat. Stir occasionally, until browned. Turn heat to medium-high and rosemary, and pepper. Cook for about 3 minutes and serve.

******

While in the mineral spa a lovely couple from Miami whom have been married for 48 years said if they could only recommend one thing to do while in Palm Springs it would be the sky tram. They Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is West of Palm Springs at 1 Tramway Rd, Palm Springs, CA 92262. They say it is worth the $ for the spectacular views!  Visit the website for more details. http://pstramway.com/

 

If your in town during spring (season starts March 2013) or summer a fun thing to do is visit Knott's Soak City. We have one in San Diego as well. It's fun for the young or young at heart!

 

 

There are many museums to check out in Palm Springs such as, Palm Springs Art Museum, Cabot's Pueblo Museum and The Living Desert Zoo & Botanical Garden... if that is your thing. One museum that I checked out is the Palm Springs Air Museum. My grandfather was in the air force and after walking in I knew this is something he would love.

 

 

Of course while in the desert you'll need a night out! One of my favorite places to unwind is Azul Mexican Bar & Grill in downtown Palm Springs. Good food and great atmosphere!

Until I blog again, Xoxo, Jenn