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California Adventure: DisneyLand Style {2 hrs.}

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Samantha and I bought Disney Land Passes last month. 
Or, I should say that I bought a pass, and little Miss S gets to go for free until she is three. 
Score!
The first time we went with our passes we went on a Wednesday afternoon with our best buddies. 
We spent our time over at Disneyland Park, in Toon Town, Tea Cups, and Dumbo.
Ending the afternoon with a Chocolate Banana of course. 
Just getting “acquainted” the first time around, I went to all the spots I remembered. 
Now, I am on a Quest to discover all the best and brightest that the 
Happiest Place on Earth has to offer. 

My most recent trip to Disneyland was solo. 
Samantha and Mama style. 
We went when the parked opened, 10 a.m. last Wednesday morning. 
I took carpool both ways from Ladera, and we FLEW to Anaheim. 
We spent under two hours at the park, with lunch at Downtown Disney. 
It was the BEST morning. 
So, yes, Disneyland can be done in under two hours, and still be a GRAND ol’ Adventure!
We spent our whole time in California Adventure. 
We started at the Starbucks.
I mean, this is the way to do it!
I had already gotten my coffee for the day, but wanted to get the “lay of the land” for future visits. 
This Starbucks is unique in that it doesn’t look like a bux AT all. 
Starbucks Melody features all the inside information on everything Bux. 
Obsessed. 
Loved her review of the Disney Starbucks…I felt well prepared for my visit!
It was exactly as she desrcibed. It felt more like a Disneyland restaurant, with food items available, and lots of open seating. No lingering mama’s sipping latte’s while their kids were at school. This was a stop for mama’s and daddy’s in need of a caffeine fix in preparation for a serious day at the Park.
It looked like they had all the normal drinks available, but next time I stop by, I will bring you a review. 

Califonia Adventure has just gone through some serious renovations.
Its not the CA Adventure that I remember.
I love all the new changes. I felt myself falling for all the adventure on the
“right” side {CA Adventure} of the HPOE.
{Happiest Place on Earth!}

We started off the morning at Monsters Inc. {it opened at 10 a.m}, but park hours change daily.
From there, we had a short walk to the LIVE showing of “Disney Junior”.
Basically, all the under “fivers” favorite Disney Shows…
Mickey Mouse ClubHouse
Jake & The Never Land Pirates
Handy Mandy
Little Einstein’s.
Samantha cried when it was over and begged for “One More Minute” that’s how much she adored the show!
We got to “wave” to Minnie on the way out. She was dancing and preforming on stage. 
We were supposed to meet her, {first in line and all} but miss-communication left us with some tears. 

Grizzly-Bear over at the Hotel saved the day while we were walking out. He magically “spotted” Samantha, and started dancing for her to get her out of her funk. He must have stayed with us for five minutes. He pretended to “drink her water” and for days she told everyone when we asked her about Disneyland that Grizzy Bear was her favorite character. 
Move Over Minnie, there is a new Bear in Town!
We ended our two hour adventure with a quick lunch at the “mini” restaurant of Tortilla Joes at Downtown Disney. 
It’s really called their “Taqueria” but it was right off the side of the main restaurant, so I am naming it the “mini” eatery. 
Having a need for a fast bite, this spot was just perfect. 
The chicken salad with delic, and the chips and salsa got me my carb “fix” I was craving. 
And, we were in and out of their in under 20 minutes. 
Essential with a toddler in need of a nap. 
I almost succumbed to a chocolate banana on the way out {yes, they still tempt you with these treats on the walk out towards your parking spot}, but I decided have to save something for next time!
Looking forward to my next D-Land, or CA Adventure!
xoxo
OCGoodmama

Starbucks Style {2}

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Today, Day 2, I begin with an iced FAV, sweet and now a bit spicy, a place near and dear to my heart. 
Yes, you right, you knew it would be…
Starbucks!
But, hey, wait, you say, this is supposed to be OC Favs?!
Yes, my friends, this OC’er wouldn’t make it through much of her days without this sweet spot. 
I diverge the normal, and super “local” bux spot, to bring you the bux of my high school days. 
The one where I learned to linger. 
The one where I pondered life, love, and next steps for leaving the bubble. 
(Only to come back….And NEVER want to leave!)

For me, stepping into this store is always like stepping into my past. 
I feel the need to always pause, take a long breath deep and look around. 
My eyes dart to the “chairs” that I sat in for so long before I high-tailed it off to the 
great unknown of college. 
The chairs that nursed my wounds of breakups, bad grades (always in math), and held the heart of a girl who hoped of a future burning with brightness.
 This really is a little sacred OC sweet spot… 
The Starbucks in RSM was recently remodeled, and is now one of the two locations in OC (the only one in south OC!) to be serving small bites and wine flights in the afternoons and evenings. 
(Noon on the weekends friends, noon…Yes, I asked!).
Now, this is what I call a compromise.
Coffee and Caprese?
Yes, please.  

From industrial lighting, to long tables to study on, to high-tops in the back near the wine bar, this Starbucks wins the cake for an OC Sweet Spot. It’s always packed, and your bound to run into someone you know sipping a latte. For my friends with kids, just off the end of the store offers a huge open space (away from the traffic!) to run around.  A beautiful fountain, tons of seating, and a large green-belt area for our little runners and dancers to enjoy while we sip our iced coffee or vino. 
Custom Riedel wine glasses are sold boasting phrases such as-“Escape Your Plans, Permission to Relax, Breathe Out…Drink In, and Take a Moment or Three”.
Cute!
I love the “winey” selection in the front. Fun gift ideas…Why not combine coffee and wine together?!
A Morning Treat…and Evening Toast.
Sweet!

The Menu looks delicious. 
Truffle Mac & Cheese.
Smoky Chipotle Hummus Dip. 
Artichoke and Goat Cheese Flatbread. 
And…Chocolate Fondue for Dessert.
Where am I?
The Starbucks in RSM?
Or…
A little slice of sweet OC Heaven. That’s right.
Love it. 
xoxo
OCGoodmama  

A Joyful End to January

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Just Perfect. 

Yesterday, Samantha and I ended the month of January with some of my favorite things. 

It was what I will call, a true Joyful end to January.
And before I too quickly kick January to the curb, (because I am a bit obsessed with February- with all its hearts, pink, and Valentine’s day dreaming). I want to press the pause button on January.
We started the day with a serious run (when I say “serious” I mean, I didn’t pretend to be running- you know that feeling when you get back from a run-and you realize-did I even get a good workout in?…Well, maybe that’s just me?!)
All I kept thinking of was two things.
1. Pintrest Running Pictures
(embarrassing to admit, that these are motivation?)
2. The Possible “Triathalon” Training that might be beginning soon with some dear mama friends
(ladies, now that I am saying this here, its official.)
🙂
This has been circulating quite a bit on Pintrest.
It’s so funny, I just have to share if you haven’t seen!

I took the run seriously, Samantha wasn’t the happiest being pinned to the BOB, but I fed her lots and lots of snacks which kept her pretty calm and promised her lots of “friends, birdies, and puppies” to be seen at Starbucks afterward.

(Is is strange that my daughter’s favorite part about visiting Starbucks is friends, birdies, and puppies?)
Isn’t she missing one key ingredient?
Coffee?
Oh yes, that’s right, she gets a “clear coffee” every time we visit.
(Yes, this is how I have established her visits to Bux).

(via) 
Iced Coffee for Me. (Or iced espresso these days, I have been changing it up!)
Clear Coffee for SG. 
Free “clear coffee’s” for Sam every time we go!
(See, check that J Good, I am saving money, you didn’t even realize I was saving!)
We got our day going at a good speed. 
Mama got her endorphin high & Samantha got her chance to visit with friends, pet some puppies, scream at the birdies, and enjoy her version of an iced “coffee” toddler size on the way home.
We met some friends at the beach, oh my goodness, did we have fun! 
It was an unexpected glorious, gorgeous day.
(Weather report called for clouds…Not a cloud in the sky!)
We had a delicious lunch (thanks Brynn!), the girls ate some sandy snacks (and actual sand as well…what is wrong with our children?), attempted to not get literally attacked by the birds, played with toys, and ran in the waves. My child of course wanted to go swimming. Why? OH why, Sam?
It was beyond a blast. So much fun playing with friends at the beach in January!

Cuties. 
Sammy saying “cheese”! Sawyer & Harps in their perfect white spring attire. 
Mama & Me.
(We both need “bang trims”…yes, Gram, I know!)
We came home and fit a quick nap in, and then headed to the mall to meet up with another girlfriend and her baby boy. He was just precious! Samantha kept pointing at him and yelling “baby, baby, baby”!
Sorry T for waking up J.
Samantha doesn’t understand the meaning of “quiet”.
Once again, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

We scoured some super, sweet spring items for our closets.
I mean, Samantha needed some new little items to “spruce” up her spring closet. 
(And so did mama).
Clearly.

We just had the best day. Its so fun to sometimes put aside the chores, laundry, piles, cooking, and cleaning to play for a day.
So, as we play catch up today, I will do my best to keep the Joy of January tucked sweetly in my heart.
xoxo
Mama 

I. Love. Iced. Coffee. (And Anything Else Iced).

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My obsession with iced caffeine is an issue. 

Not a world issue.
But, more like, 
PULL over now I need something on ice STAT issue.
I love multiple beverages, I love having lots of drinks within my reach at all times. 
Always water.
(Sometimes with a splash of lemon).

Then the rest of beverage consumption goes by the clock.

In the a.m. its some sort of coffee (straight up brewed or espresso-over iced of course).
In the p.m. its usually ice tea, but sometimes I’ll splurge on a D.C.
In the LATER p.m. I switch from the iced to a cooled beverage (pinot gris, thank you).
(But that’s a separate post).
🙂

A lot of our monthly budget goes to my beverage consumption.
“Say, it ain’t so”.
-Goodmama
“Yup, look at mvelopes, H”.
-J Good

So, I did. And huh, I do spend quite a bit on bevs!
Interesting.
Unfortunately, Not shocking.

So, when summer hit, Starbucks announced that they were releasing their special iced coffee blend.

Yah!

I had visions of turning green
(not green, like the color, but green like the movement).
and then I remembered…

(who am I thinking i am?!)
Earth to Goodmama!

*I would just like to note, I used earth & green in the same paragraph. 
Maybe I am greener than I thought?

Iced Coffee.
Yes, that’s where I was.

So, with some encouragement from Starbucks (to just buy more of their product), I purchased the iced coffee blend.

I tried making it several times. Lots of different ways.
Nothing tasted like the real deal.
Sigh.

Back to bux I went.

So, I needed some new inspiration. My SIL suggested this lovely blog, Joy’s Hope , and I was
a. reminded again of how much I love her blog (have you checked it out?)
b. totally motivated to try again.
At first you don’t succeed, try, try, iced coffee again!

She recommended heading over to the incredible, the amazing, 

a. She is amazing.
b. I can’t wait to read her book.
c. I love how she incorporates pictures into her posts. Especially her recipes. Love.
And guess what?! I LOVE it.
I made a giant pitcher-and seriously, drank the whole thing.
I went to bux less, and saved a few bux.

All the Goodies, Ready to Go.

All Poured IN.

J Good’s Head is the Size of the Canister. That’s a lot of coffee!
KISSING it goodnight. Sleep tight, my brewing friends. 
Cooling & Brewing Overnight. 
Pouring into the (PINK) Pitcher. 
The Grounds Left Over.
Ready to Take On a Day with a Toddler. 

What I love about her recipe is she suggests using a espresso coffee. Very strong. Yum, Yum.
I also love that I can grab the coffee the minute my toes hit the ground in the a.m., before my lids have even really opened. That’s, even better!

AND while I do love visiting bux still…
I mean, who makes drinks, the experience, the ambiance, the friends, the visiting, & the community better than them? I just love it there.


I am just going less.
But, when I go, I love going.

I mean, look at this masterpiece courtesy of my near & dear “L”…

Doesn’t She have the prettiest writing in the world?

Now, since my attempts to become my own barista have begun,
J Good has decided we should start attempting to make our own pumpkin spice latte’s.
Umm, that would require using my wedding-gifted espresso machine
that has been used so much.

Ooops.

Well, will see how that one goes.

xoxo
Barista Mama