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by Johanna Lack
Saturday February 6th, 2010
My husband and son were out of town on a camping trip, so I figured I would have a special mommy-daughter day with my six year old. Unfortunately, we woke up to pouring rain, and even though I had all kinds of activities planned around Temecula, the idea of slogging it out in an ark-worthy downpour wasn’t my idea of fun.
It was tempting to let Marissa just marinate in front of the TV while I did some much needed cleaning but then I figured that really wouldn’t win me the mom-of-the-year-award (and I’ve given up on ever coming close to winning housekeeper-of-the-year). Plus, I had promised Marissa a mommy and me day and that’s what we were going to do.
We made a framed picture with pressed flowers. We had a tea party that went on and on and on… then – thank you! – the sun came out. We quickly changed out of our pajamas and jumped in the car.
First stop was Target so that the little girl could spend the gift card she got for her birthday. With that out of the way, I promised her a surprise destination and made my way over to Old Town Sweet Shop’s grand opening.
We stepped into this candy land and Marissa’s eyes popped open wide. There was bulk candy and jelly bellies and old fashioned packaged candy and fudge and… it was enough to make any six-year-old’s head explode.
We made our way to the back where they were offering ice cream. The friendly lady behind the counter told us they were selling it for the first time and as a kick off were giving out free tastes all day long. Marissa had a scoop of the Cotton Candy flavor and I tasted a scoop of a delicious concoction called Espresso Explosion. The nice lady went on to explain that it was the Cascade brand ice cream made in the Pacific Northwest, and they selected it out of a zillion others because it was so especially good.
We then moved over to the fudge counter where they were also offering free tastes. So, why not? We each tried a bit and yes it was to die for. Then it was time to go to town filling up sacks of bulk candy. We grabbed a couple of extra large lollipops for good measure.
With my diet out the window, it was time to move on. Since we were right next to Granny’s Attic Antique Mall, I thought we’d go into my kind of calorie-free candy land.
I love this place. You never know what you’ll find and though I had absolutely no intention of buying anything, I saw the perfect jewelry armoire. I’ve wanted one since forever and the price was right. Marissa was a good sport during my sojourn here but after a while her patience wore thin. I could have easily browsed another hour but it would have been too much for any kid to take. I juggled the little armoire and held the little girl’s hand as we darted across Front Street to our car.
(Question to The City of Temecula: Would it be so hard to have a few more pedestrian cross walks in Old Town? Hmmm?)
After a stop at Michaels we headed over to Painted Earth. I can’t believe it’s been so long since I’ve been there. It was heaven for my arty child who’ll happily spend hours drawing and painting.
After her masterpiece was done, it was time for dinner. It had started raining again, so we dashed to the car and my mind started spinning. Where to go? Where to go? Then I remembered that my brother-in-law Leo had recommended El Taco Nazo. Leo knows his Mexican food and I figured he wouldn’t steer me wrong. He told me it was in the K-Mart shopping center but I didn’t know where exactly. We drove around in circles until I found it next to Bella Cappelli hair salon.
Now here are some things about El Taco Nazo:
1. Its name has been changed to Senor Baja but the sign outside still says El Taco Nazo. Curious.
2. It’s a no-frills place when it comes to interior decorating. We got our food to go.
3. The fish tacos are absolutely fantastic and very affordable (and on certain days they’re only 99 cents!)
4. Last but not least: marinated onions at the salsa bar. Need I say more?
We wrapped up our excursion with a stop at Hollywood Video to pick up Ella Enchanted. Back home again, we settled in to inhale our tacos and watch the beautiful Ann Hathaway struggle with fairy spells and true love. My heart was full when Marissa agreed; it was one of the best, girliest mommy and me days ever.
Tags: El Taco Nazo, Granny's Attic, Johanna Lack, Old Town Sweet Shop, Old Town Temecula, Senor Baja, Temecula
It’s 6:00 p.m. on a Saturday night, and instead of having my usual glass of red wine and a few crackers and olives, I am tucking into bed for a nap.
Yup, you read right: a nap.
We are going to see Joel McHale at Pechanga tonight!
The 8 p.m. show sold out, and they added a 10:30 p.m. show, and that is where we will be in a few hours.
But first….sleep. Sweet, restorative sleep.
Rain is drumming on the roof. Wii is uncomplainingly and reliably babysitting the kids. Most of the emails and all of the phone messages are answered.
Earlier today, I drove up to Riverside for a baby shower. I saw several rainbows on the way, which I think is a wonderful omen for Baby Girl Schultz. She will be the first girl born into this particular family in over 70 years! Needless to say, there was a lot of pink at the shower.
On the way home, I saw fellow writer’s group participant Lisa Musick’s husband Kurt Musick’s paint company truck.
At the exact moment I saw him, I saw a rainbow, and I saw a couple walking across the Rancho California freeway overpass walking a dog dressed in a full-on leather jacket.
I wished Kurt Musick and I had been walking instead of driving in our separate cars so I could tell him how I know his wife, and we could ask the couple about the dog dressed like a biker. But this is So Cal, even if it sometimes feels like a little village, and we drive everywhere, and he doesn’t know me anyway, so we drove on and now I’m ready for my nap.
Seriously? Where did January go?
We had our 11th anniversary in January and this weekend we are enjoying my gift from Scott, tickets to see Joel McHale at Pechanga. (His show SOLD OUT so they added a late show beginning at 10:30 – quite late for our little corner of the world.)
We will have to find somewhere to have a casual dinner before the show. I wanted to check out new(ish) The Collective for some wine tasting, but Scott reminded me that I get a little sleepy after even a small glass of wine, especially for a show that STARTS at 10:30.
(Ten thirty is practically three a.m. when you have little kids.)
So what else has been going on while I’ve been busy forgetting my Wordpress password?
* I attended the Paloma del Sol homeowner association’s annual meeting. I mailed something in several months ago and forgot all about it until I saw my name on the ballot. I was running for “District Delegate” and it wasn’t immediately clear what my role would be. (Luckily: minimal.) The whole process is really fascinating. I learned that River Springs Charter School is taking over the newly-constructed, never occupied office complex on the corner of Margarita and Pauba in August. Also, Paloma is getting a ginormous 50-foot T-Mobile cell phone tower disguised as a fir tree.
* I started writing for a fantabulous new local site, Taste of Temecula. Read it! Follow on Twitter. (And of course if you don’t already, follow me too.)
* I’ve been doing a lot of yoga. I did more yoga in the first ten days of 2010 than I did in all of 2008 and 2009 combined. I discovered a well-kept secret: Erica Myers-Russo’s weekly classes through City of Temecula Parks & Recreation. You’ve heard of “hot yoga,” right? (Yoga done in a room heated to Barstow-in-August temps.) Well, in January, her class is more like “cold yoga” (we wear layers), but trust me! We do yoga OUTSIDE, in the streaming sunshine, under the bright blue sky, and in April, it’s going to be glorious. Even in January, just the fact that you can do yoga outside at 9:30 in the morning is so remarkable that it’s worth it for novelty value alone.
* I’ve been reading, and writing, too. My favorite reading spot at this time of year is the comfy view chairs at the floor-to-ceiling glass windows at the Pauba Road library in Temecula. For writing, there is my hardy little group. Love them! We meet at Murrieta’s own gem, Eclectic Books. Coffee…tea…used books…new books….jewelry….handcrafts…postcards….open mic night…and my favorite “Bad Tinka” painting by local artist Katinka Clementsmith.
So it’s not an excuse, but it’s a reason. I’ve been busy. More than one person has said to me: It’s DAILY Temecula! Write!
To them I say: Fine, I’ll write. But you’ve gotta hold up your end of the bargain, and READ.
XOXO,
Juliet
winter in Temecula: Old Town civic center is on its way!
I am curling up with my glass of Mount Palomar 2006 Meritage (if it says “produced and bottled in Temecula,” does that mean the grapes were grown here?) and starting out fresh with a new home for Daily Temecula.
Welcome!
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Juliet
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