mmm-yoso!!!

Get Out There! The 2023 San Diego County Fair (Part one: before opening)

mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog, is being written by Cathy today. 

Yes, it's that time of the year.  In two days, the 2023 San Diego County Fair opens. The opening gate looks a little different, going with the theme:
 'Explore the outdoors and get s'more of what life has to offer' is the idea behind the simple entrance decor.
 The Theme building, to the right when you walk in, has a friendly looking entrance.



 Not much was set up as of last Wednesday.  The rides and food booths had been at the Los Angeles County Fair during most of May until Memorial Day and all had been packing up for the move to San Diego.

The only 'special food' for this Fair that I have seen is Chicken Charlie's is selling a 'deep fried s'mores on a stick' (batter dipped and fried marshmallows topped with chocolate sauce and graham cracker crumbs).

 Home Made (formerly Home and Hobby, formerly Home Arts) was setting up.
 Displays are finalized after judging, so as to focus on the Competition participants and winners.

Collections, needle arts, preserved foods, baked goods and cake decorating will all have ribbons displayed when you get to the Fair.  

Home Arts and animal auctions are why we have County Fairs; farmers and their families proudly showed off the fruits of their year of labor.

 2023 San Diego County Fair June 7-July 4.  Closed Monday and Tuesdays in June. Website (tickets and parking are cashless and available online)

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Last year, I only wrote one post about the County Fair.

 The Theme of "Heroes Reunite" was a continuation of the canceled 2020 Fair with the "Heroes Unite" theme. 

Decor around the Fairgrounds had capes and various heroes depicted. 

There was something The Mister and I noticed when we attended on a Thursday.  

 

 It turns out that every booth on Thursday had a $3 special.  There were pieces of paper, most handwritten, with a $3 Thursday special listed and taped to the booth behind the cash register.  There was nothing written on the Website nor on the Daily Fair Events handouts listing this pricing. I highly suspect the same will be happening on Thursdays during the Fair this year and will update asap. If you notice, most of the $3 specials are small (battered veggies, mini cream puffs, mini Dole Whip, fried pineapple and fried Oreos), but that fried pineapple from Chicken Charlie's was the whole $9 item! I hope that remains the Thursday special. (Remember there are five Chicken Charlies booths; each had a different special).

    Of course, we also purchased our 'regular' items, which included fried pickles, grilled vegetables, the artichoke sandwich and an apple tower.

In the meantime, I hope you can Get Out There and enjoy the San Diego County Fair!

2023 Rose Parade Floatfest and Portos for lunch

mmm-yoso!!! is a food blog.  Sometimes the post explains why we got to the food.  Today is one of those days; Cathy is writing.

 The 2023 Tournament of Roses with the theme "Turning The Corner" has concluded.  The Rose Parade was held on January 2 (the Parade is never on a Sunday; the first parades in the 1800s had floats that were horses pulling carriages and horses were needed for church on Sunday; the tradition stands).  Following the Parade, the floats line up at the end of the five mile Parade route, end to end, and are displayed after the Parade and the next day.  This year, I drove up with my friend, cc (The Mister had to stay home).  It had rained overnight.

 The Sweepstakes Award, for the most beautiful entry encompassing float design, floral presentation and entertainment, went to the float sponsored by Donate Life, "Lifting Each Other Up".   A spectacular asian street dragon is the centerpiece of the float.  There were 44 memorial floragraphs representing those who had given the gift of life.  Those were removed before the rain, so the families could have a memory. 
 You can see the empty circles, where the floragraphs had been, in this photo.  

   Trader Joe's entry, "Onward" won the Wrigley Legacy Award for most outstanding display of floral presentation, float design and entertainment. The three piece float was magnificent and whimsical. 

 Walking along the floats: an alligator, a shark and crested birds were some of the many details not seen during the television broadcast. 
 The Kiwanis entry, "Catching the Wave of Service" was so beautiful.
 The City of Alhambra entry, "Together We Rise" received the Tournament Volunteer award.  
 Elks U.S.A entered "Elks Investing in Our Communities"- a magnificent float. 
 More details- hummingbirds, snails and bees might have gone unnoticed during the quick TV viewing.  Yet so much work was put into the design and decoration of each and every one of the 39 floats in the 2023 Parade.  (I have photos of all the floats if you want any specific pictures).

Now, it is time to start planning for 2024.  Yesterday, the President of the 2024 Parade, Alex Aghajanian, was introduced and he introduced the Theme and logo of the 2024 Rose Parade:

 "Celebrating a World of Music: The Universal Language".   The float designs are being submitted and construction will begin.  As an aside, each float always has recorded music while it drives down the Parade Route.  This theme will have the floats designed and coordinated with the music.  It should be fun. 

If you would like to see the 2023 Rose Parade Float Road Tests, This Post links to all.

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 cc was looking forward to going to Portos after our morning of walking. 
 She and I needed lunch.  A cubano sandwich, cuban style black bean soup, turkey and cheese croissant and (to go, for The Mister) a rustic chopped chicken salad (which includes house candied bacon-yum!).  There were, of course a few bakery items.  However, we were here on January 3-just before Epiphany, the 12th night after Christmas and the 'end' of the holiday season. 

 Traditional celebratory sweets to celebrate Three Kings Day were for sale; however the Rosca de Reyes was already sold out.  We each purchased a Galette des Rois.
 Puff pastry filled with a layer of almond frangipane cream as well as a touch of guava jam (for a Cuban twist).  The 'baby' could be hidden into a slice by us (if there were more than two of us sharing this tart) and whoever found it could wear the crown.  The Mister and I shared wearing the crown. 
 There were no Roscas, but the seasonal Rosquitas, a sweet bread topped with dried, candied fruits made some nice bites for us this year. 

Portos Bakery, multiple locations in Los Angeles County. Website

 Honda is a Sponsor of the Tournament and their float is not judged; that's why it is not completely covered in organic materials.

2023 Rose Parade Float Road Test #5, Breakfast at Portos and Dim Sum King

mmm-yoso!!! is being written by Cathy today.  This blog is about food as well as reasons leading to the food.  

On the last Saturday of October, The Mister and I drove up to Irwindale to observe the fifth road test of 2023 Tournament of Roses Rose Parade floats.  

Link to 2023 Road Test #1

Link to 2023 Road Test 2

Link to 2023 Road Test 3

Link to 2023 Road Test 4

On this day only a few floats were being tested for mechanics and maneuverability.
 Here is the Elks (a fraternal organization) 2023 Rose Parade entry, which needs to collapse to go along the Parade Route.  The size of the door leading to the Phoenix Decorating Barn is the exact maximum height and width to allow passage.
  It is a magnificent float when fully expanded.
 Fezzy Bear, the Shriners Hospitals for Children mascot, and their 2023 float, is still in its rebar stage.
 Apparently this float will be highlighting the annual Shriners Golf Tournament fundraiser.


 The Lions Clubs International float, "Bridging the World Through Service" was tested with weight (people) onboard for the mechanics and maneuverability as well as the ability to exit the float within 45 seconds in case of a fire. 

All in all, a short day.  So, we headed out to look for breakfast.

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 It is so easy to get to the West Covina Portos (six miles South on the same road as the decorating barn). 
 Getting here before 8 a.m., there are no crowds.
 We ordered a medianoche (Midnight) sandwich ($7.19); a Cubano (pork, ham, Swiss, pickles and a mustard/mayonnaise dressing) on a sweet, dark bread (instead of a lighter Cuban roll).
 Also a ham and cheese omelette sandwich ($5.95) (on a fresh, buttery croissant). Of course, I had to get a loaf of bread (walnut raisin ($4.15)).
Also a few other items (apple strudel ($1.55), gingersnap cookies (0.85), a pumpkin spice danish ($2.49) and three pan de muerto ($2.45 each) along with a dozen turkey-gravy potato balls ($18.79)).
   I also noticed the guava rose cakes ($3.85) so very pretty- and delicate and delicious (guava mousse with a chunk of guava in the center on top of a thin sponge cake, topped with a white chocolate).

Of course, some of these items were shared with friends.  Portos Bakery, many locations, Website

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Then I remembered our breakfast after the Fourth Road test and wanted dim sum!

Once again, The Mister was navigating via his phone, searching for "Dim Sum".  Soon we were here. 
 There is no eating area, which is fine since we were full and heading home. 
Quite unassuming and very popular, this was a perfect place to pick up some Dim Sum to go. 
  There is a small interior with a small selection shown, the kitchen is behind the steam trays.  
Photos are on the front window.
 Menus with pens are at the front.  Not many descriptions are available.  
 Steamed Fun Guor (ground pork, dried shrimp, peanuts, chives, mushroom and radish in a tapioca wrapper) ($3.98)
 Shrimp Har Gow (only shrimp in a tapioca wrapper) ($4.38)
 Baked BBQ pork pastry ($3.98)
 Shiu Mai (ground pork and minced shrimp, water chestnuts, mushroom in a flour/dumpling wrapper) ($4.38)
 Rice noodle roll with shrimp ($3.98)
 Everything held up well on the drive home and we had a wonderful lunch!

Dim Sum King 11230 Garvey Ave, Suite D El Monte, CA 91733 Website Closed on Thursdays, opens 8 a.m. other days. 

2023 Rose Parade Float Road Test #4, breakfast at Ocean Bo (El Monte)

You are reading mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog.  Cathy has the helm today while Kirk takes a break.

Link to 2023 Rose Parade Road Test #1

Link to 2023 Road Test #2

Link to 2023 Road Test #3

The last Saturday in September had The Mister and I wide awake and driving North on I-5 before 5 a.m..  There were several traffic problems mentioned on the radio and we cut back across the 78 to I-15 and took a different-than-usual route to Irwindale and Phoenix Decorating Company, arriving at about 7:15.  Floats were on the street and being tested for mechanics and maneuverability.

 The final float of the parade 'announces' the Rose Bowl football game which will start four hours after the Rose Parade ends  (on January 2, 2023, because there is never a Parade or Game on a Sunday).
Here is the same float on December 31 last year; it is not judged but always freshly decorated.
 The Mutual of Omaha Wild Kingdom float, "Protecting The Wild" was being tested.  You can see the tree in the back of the float 'collapses' to be able to fit down the Parade route. (See how other  floats collapse in the Road Test #3 post). 

 Here is the artist rendering of the Mutual of Omaha float.

 In the front is the

skeleton/rebar version of the Elks 2023 entry to the Parade.  It is backing into the barn, to the right (you can see the driver of this float, if you enlarge the photo-he is past the middle, to the far right).  You can also see the Wild Kingdom float (with the trees in position) and the Royal Court float behind this Elks float. (Royal Court float being decorated on December 31)

 The Trader Joe's 2023 entry is a multi-piece float.  
 The front appears to be a 'chopper' motorcycle.
 The attached second part of the float is a pirate ship; I see the ships wheel, collapsed sail, giant pelican, a banana and a collapsed palm tree.  It will be interesting to see the progress. 

On October 13, Former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords was announced as the Grand Marshal of the 2023 Rose Parade.  The theme of the parade, "Turning the Corner", epitomizes Gabby's remarkable recovery from traumatic injuries. 

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On to the food portion of this post.  I was not craving a 'traditional' breakfast.  Since The Mister is a navigator, I told him to type in "Dim Sum" on his phone and direct me.  Soon, we were in El Monte, parked, walked in and were able to get a table right away.
 The other entrance door lead to the steam trays and take out area of the restaurant. 
 Each table had a menu and a pen; we ordered.  Soon, everything was brought out to our table at the same time. 
 I was not the only person taking photos of food. 
 The salted chicken porridge ($6.89) was wonderful with a great chicken stock base; you can tell the porridge had been simmering a long time.  The chopped pieces of bone-in chicken were plentiful.
 Pork Shiu Mai ($4.29) were quite large, very well flavored (didn't need additional soy nor chili sauce). In addition to the chopped pork and shrimp, the filling had crispy water chestnuts, carrot and mushroom.  
 The Seafood Gow ($4.29) were particularly good.  The crisp, pan fried dumpling, filled with pieces of fish, shrimp and crab as well as (spinach?) greens; turned out to be our favorite bite of the morning.
 The shrimp rice rolls ($5.39) were each filled with two plump, large, flavorful shrimp.  The rice noodles and sauce complimented each bite in flavor and texture.
 The shrimp Har Gow ($4.29), steamed in tapioca flour wrappers.  Filled with very plump, large shrimp, this 'staple' of Dim Sum restaurants was a delightful treat. 
 The baked egg tart ($4.29) was a perfect ending to the meal.  The still warm and eggy custard inside the multi-layered Chinese puff pastry (less oily/more flour-y than traditional puff pastry) was just so perfect. 
 The tea, very fresh.

Ocean Bo 3944 Peck Road Suite 1, El Monte 91732 (626) 452-1818 Website
 For those of you wondering, we just drove right past Portos on the way home (!)

2023 Rose Parade float road test #3, breakfast at Dollis (Covina) (and a stop at Portos)

Thank you for reading mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog.  Today's post is written by Cathy, because she does these posts.. 

Link to 2023 Road Test #1

Link to 2023 Road Test #2

It was the last Saturday in August and The Mister and I woke at 4, left the house at 5, stopped at Cream Pan and got to the Phoenix Decorating barn in Irwindale by 7.   

  Floats were already on the road and others were preparing to leave.  Here is the City of Hope's 2023 entry, "Expanding Hope" preparing to test mechanics and maneuverability with body weight on board.
 The Rotary International 2023 entry, "Serving with Imagination and Hope" is ready for decorating following passing of this Road Test.  (Decorating begins December 3 this year; check the Phoenix Decorating site link in the first paragraph to sign up).The City of Alhambra float was tested; the riders, Driver and Spotter all  had to leave the float within 45 seconds during the Fire Drill.  Following this float back to the Phoenix Decorating barn gave me an opportunity to explain things in photos which I had mentioned in (years of) prior posts. 
 The doorway into the float decorating barn is the maximum height and width of some parts of the Rose Parade route.  Each float must be able to fit through this doorway so that it can fit along the parade route.  You can see this float needs to "collapse".

 the float does indeed collapse!
 
Lions Clubs International 2023 entry, "We Serve" is small enough to not have any mechanics (other than the engine, steering, brakes and fire prevention) involved in this float; it fits without needing to collapse. 

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Now, the food portion of the blog.  First the obligatory stop at Portos in West Covina.

A "new" item, cinnamon citrus bun ($2.29) was really good- large, fluffy layered sweet bread pastry with distinct citrus flavor which compliments the cinnamon.  A great treat.  
  A bit of shared breakfast-a Chorizo omelette ($5.95).  This was wonderful.  A great chorizo (you know I am a bit picky-see the end of this post) mixed with egg omelette and cheeses on a fresh baked Cuban roll.  
As always, a bread was purchased; this time it was walnut raisin ($4.15), which is made with rye flour and sourdough starter.  The crisp crust is just a perfect texture.
I asked The Mister to choose something from the refrigerated case and he chose a slice of  Parisian cake ($3.55).  A very moist chocolate cake with a chocolate ganache filling and topped with more wonderful chocolate frosting.  

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So, we began looking for a breakfast someplace different.  There were various obstacles while driving (road repairs, emergency vehicles, law enforcement action-that sort of thing) and I just told The Mister to type in "breakfast" on the 'maps' icon of his phone. The directions were given to this nondescript location close by.  It had been a Sizzler restaurant. 
This doorway was indeed the entrance. 
Yep, looks like a Sizzler.  
A two sided, laminated menu had a good variety of choices.
I chose the carne asada and egg sandwich ($10.99).  This was quite large and very good.  Not a torta bread, but also not a burger bun, the toasted sandwich was filled with quality ingredients and we took home half for a small lunch.
The Mister ordered the Meat Lovers omelette ($13.99) which was filled with bacon, sausage, ham and cheddar, plenty of each and good quality.  The hash browns were standard.  The salsa was wonderful. 
His platter also came with a choice of toast or pancakes.  Very good pancakes. 

A great find in a nice neighborhood.  Glad we stopped. 

 Dollis 900 N. Citrus Covina, CA 91722  Website Open Wed-Mon 7-2 (Closed Tuesday)

2023 Rose Parade float road test #2 and a food snack adventure.

mmm-yoso!!! is being written by Cathy for a few days; Kirk and His Missus are out and about, researching for more posts for you to enjoy. 

Link to Road Test #1

At the end of July, another road test for 2023 Rose Parade floats was held.  Instead of The Mister and I driving up, friend and fellow blogger, cc  drove to our home, arriving at 5 a.m. and then she and I headed North to Irwindale.  We arrived after some floats had completed testing, but were able to still see a few interesting things. The float barn is filling up.  It looks like Phoenix Decorating will build 22 of the floats which will be in the Parade on January 2.  Decorating begins on December 3 and there is a link on that website.
 The Kiwanis International float is painted and essentially ready for decorating (this second road test had 'weight' (people) on board and the maneuverability, mechanics and fire drill all passed).  You can see the door open under the wave, for the "spotter" as well as the open door near the center, where the "driver" gets to his seat under the float.   
 Unsure which float this is, but you can see the 'spotter' in front and a bit of the 'driver' all the way to the left and back in this photo.  This float is small enough to drive the parade route without having to 'collapse' under street lights and the freeway bridge along the way. 
The float which will carry the Royal Court was being tested.  It's the same float used the previous three years and is not judged for any awards.  It is 'redecorated' each year. 
 The Petal Pushers and Lutheran Hour Ministries float, "A New Day With Jesus" was tested and passed.
Rotary International float, "Serving with Pride and Imagination", finished its testing and is also ready to be decorated.  "Hope for Peace", sponsored by the Oddfellows and Rebekahs was also tested.  I took this screenshot from the Phoenix Decorating Facebook page, which posts short videos of the floats on testing day. 

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Now, on to the food portion of this post.
 First, the obligatory stop at Portos, six miles South of the Float Barn.  A few days before, the County of Los Angeles had put another Covid ruling in place and we had to wait before entering the bakery.  We thought we wouldn't be allowed to eat inside. 


 So we waited in line and ordered, did see we could sit down for a moment and photographed some of our purchases.
 We shared this 'new' item-a chicken and rice ball; excellent!
 Then we started driving- cc always has a Plan A as well as a Plan B for our adventures.  Turning South out of Portos and driving to Amar Road was new to me!
 Yes we did!  The choices and prices and wow!  Everything was so fresh.  (These three donuts were $6.25) The Donut Hole 15300 Amar Road La Puenta 91744

 This mall, located between Amar Road and Manila Way, anchored by a Seafood City was filled with many, many Filipino businesses.  Some restaurants don't open until later in the day and we will have to return. 
 We purchased pieces of lechon (slow roasted suckling pig)-perfectly cooked with a flavorful moist meat and crackly skin.  We also purchased fried chicken skins; the chicharron were large pieces and perfectly lite and crisp.  Toto's Lechon Manok 1545 Amar Road West Covina 91792
 On the other end of this mall is a quite large building, part of a local chain, DJ Bibingkahan. 

A Turo-Turo (Point-Point) business, where you order, pay and find your own seat.
Corned beef silog and longsilog, served with hard cooked eggs and garlic rice, made a great breakfast.  The corned beef was in chunks and in a flavorful broth with tomato, onion and potatoes.  The longanisa was boiled, not pan fried, but the 'skin' still had a good 'snap' and the flavor was more sweet-I think it was made with pineapple juice. 
To the right of the steam trays is a small doorway labeled 'Bakery' and in there, we found a nice display.  

  We asked the friendly man behind the counter if he had regular bibingka (since the name of the place is Bibingkahan) and he went into the back and brought out the cutest small rice flour coconut milk cake made with a dollop of cream cheese baked in banana leaf.   We took three-only $1.50 each!  I also bought a large container of garlic peanuts ($4.95).  Perfect treats when I got home.  It is the 50th year in Glendora and also peach donut time for The Donut Man.  We stopped here, too.  

What a day of adventure and new places as well as 2023 Rose Parade floats!

2023 Rose Parade Float Road Test #1, breakfast at Portos

mmm-yoso!!! a food blog, being written by Cathy while Kirk and His Missus are driving to a vacation destination. 

Link to Road Test #2

Link to Road Test #3

Link to Road Test #4

Yes, it's that time of the year.   The Theme of "Turning the Corner” celebrating the unlimited potential that each new year brings, was announced by the Tournament of Roses in January by the 2023 President of the Tournament of Roses, Amy Wainscott.  “The 2023 theme celebrates turning a corner. Whether that corner is actual or figurative like the unlimited potential that each new year brings—we all enjoy the opportunity of a fresh start,” explained Wainscott. “Turning a corner means rising above – alone, or with family, friends and community. This year, as we turn the corner together, we share in the hope, beauty and joy of what 2023 will bring.”

 There was a poster drawing contest and the above logo was debuted in May. 

Organizations that will participate in the Parade began submitting designs to be approved by the Tournament and Phoenix Decorating Company, one of three companies which construct floats for the parade, (six organizations also build their own floats) had its first Road Test last Saturday.  The floats were tested for mechanics and maneuverability and will undergo at least two more tests before decorating begins the first Saturday in December. 

 The Oddfellows and Rebekahs entry is "Hope for Peace".  This symmetric float is a beauty.  Second photo is of the Driver, who drives the float by looking down at the 'rose colored line' along the parade route.  The small rectangular 'window' at the front is where the Spotter is seated. 
 The Spotter for the Petal Pushers and Lutheran Hour Ministries float is inside the right cube at the front (second photo). This photo of the back of the float as well as that first photo show where the collapsing parts are.  Each float has a maximum size so it can fit under signal lights, street lights and under the bridge along the Parade route. This float is sponsored by Kiwanis International and I haven't found a link to its title.  The surfing bear is wearing board shorts decorated with flags of the many countries that the Kiwanis serve.  You can easily see where this float needs to collapse to stay within the size restrictions of the parade route. 

 The Rotary International float, "Serving with Imagination and Hope" will look like a carousal horse.  You can see the Spotter seated at the front of this float. 

 No idea who has sponsored this float, but can see the the Spotter will be standing at the front and can also see the driver now while this float is in its rebar/pencil rod stage. 
 This is the City of Alhambra float entry.  Spotter is seated at the front and the driver is on the left side-near the red fuel tank. 

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There was no announcement of the Road Testing and The Mister and I drove up not expecting to see any floats.  Our goal was Portos for breakfast.  The West Covina location is six miles from the Phoenix Decorating barn.

 Well.  Turns out at 8:05 a.m., there's not much of a line.  I ordered pastries, breakfast and beverages all at one counter. 
 The meat pie ($1.15) is filled with the same picadillo that is in the famous potato balls, but is baked in flaky pastry.  A nice snack while we waited.
 Also ordered: cheese roll ($0.99), apple strudel ($1.45) and a refugiado (guava cream cheese pastry) ($1.09).  We took the sweets home.
 Soon, the beverages were delivered to the table.  Portos cortadito ($2.89) (espresso with sweetened condensed milk) and a summertime item- iced strawberry matcha latte (large) ($4.89).  Both beverages are quality and flavorful. 
Soon, the ropa vieja sandwich ($7.50) was brought out.  Served on fresh soft Cuban bread, the 'Cuban birria' (Cuban-style stewed beef with bell pepper, onion, olive, tomato sauce, and Spanish seasonings) was excellent and quite large.  The plantain chips (mariquitas) are seasoned with garlic salt and are a perfect side to the sandwich, breakfast time or not.  The ham and cheese (cheddar-jack blend) omelette ($5.50) is served on a fresh buttery croissant with a mayo-mustard spread and is also quite large.  

Always quality, friendly, efficient.  This family owned, six location, Los Angeles legacy is always a great stop.

Portos Bakery, multiple locations. website (this location is 584 S. Sunset Ave West Covina 91790) Open daily 6:30 a.m.- 8 p.m.

The 2022 San Diego County Fair-Heroes Reunite! (part 1)

mmm-yoso!!! is primarily a food blog.  This post (written by Cathy) does have many mentions of food with photos of menus, but no criticism because nothing to be sold at the Fair has yet been tasted. 

The front gate is ready! The 2022 San Diego County Fair Officially opened yesterday.  It's been a long time since I wrote the 2019 San Diego County Fair initial post, the 'during the Fair' second post and wrap up post, because 2020 happened. The planned Theme was "Heroes Unite"; that Fair never happened. This year, the Theme is "Heroes Reunite".
 The Midway was still being set up earlier this week.  (You can see the Ferris Wheel way down there at the West end).
 There are quite a few areas around exhibits where you can take photos with Superheroes.
 Some things have changed.  At the far West end of the Vendors Halls (next to Bing Crosby Hall), the new location of the Adult as well as Youth crafting, cooking and hobby exhibits has a new name- Home Made.

The "Heart of the Fair" -reasons we have State and County Fairs- has returned!
 Of course, Preserved Foods
as well as Baked Foods
 and Decorated Foods had to be judged. 
 There are some amazing collections.
 The Quilt display is original.
There were so many needle art items entered this year- Sewing, spinning and weaving, knitting, crochet and more.  The displays are great. 

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Of course, the Food Booths have returned.  Some photos for now; menus and things to note...

An "Express Line" if you are purchasing a turkey leg only!
 The slices of 'Ten Pound Buns' are very large-the amount of avocado on that piece of toast...

Lemon mini donuts- we will definitely try those!

A 'themed' sandwich choice!

There are many other food booths and all areas have something interesting.  See you at the Fair!

 2022 San Diego County Fair 2260 Jimmy Durante Boulevard Del Mar.  Open Wednesday-Sunday until July 3 plus Monday July 4.  Gates open 11 a.m. daily, close at 10 p.m. Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday, 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday.  Fair entrance and parking tickets MUST be purchased online in advance.  There is free parking at Torrey Pines High School. Website

2022 Tournament of Roses Rose Parade floats and a few meals

mmm-yoso!!! is being written by Cathy today.  She's the one who does these Rose Parade posts. Kirk is taking a break.

So, it's 2022!  Happy New Year.  A time to start anew, change habits.  For starters, most of the photos in this post were taken on December 31, unlike when The Mister and I attended the Showcase of Floats-following the Rose Parade in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019  and 2020.  

With Covid-19, not many people were volunteering to decorate the floats and we had been receiving daily emails and noticing all of the float builders asking for volunteers.  We had helped decorate floats in early December, and were wide awake around 1 a.m. on December 31, saw a live video of the float barn and how much help was needed, especially since final judging is around 10 a.m. on the 31st.  We got in the car and drove to Irwindale.  

Here are some photos of floats and details at the Phoenix Decorating Company barn.  

 Trader Joe's, "You're Invited"
 Kiwanis International, "Dream To Achieve"Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day, "Seeding Tomorrow"

Lutheran Hour Ministries, "Jesus Teaches"
 Oddfellows and Rebekahs, "Arctic Adventure"
 The Century anniversary of Shriners Hospitals for Children, "Celebrating 100 Years of Believing in Dreams". This float depicts a young girl with scars from Spina Bifida repair, spinning in a looking glass, dreaming of being the spinning ballerina in a jewelry box.  There were three color florographs on this float, celebrating the providing of care to children with complex medical conditions regardless of their ability to pay.

 "Wild Kingdom" by RFD-TV and Mutual of Omaha. 
The Closing float, reminding people of the Rose Bowl Game.
Rotary International, "Changing Lives Through Education"

Lions Clubs International, "Quest For Kindness"


Best wishes to you and yours. Dream, Believe, Achieve.

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It was after 11 a.m. and The Mister and I still had not had breakfast so we left and began driving to a favorite stop, The Peppertree Cafe. Another Covid-19 survivor.

 Since it was a Friday, the regular menu (and specials) were available.  We were so tired and overwhelmed.  The Soup, Salad Half Sandwich ($9) was great- clam chowder, ranch dressing, turkey sandwich. There was a half order hot beef sandwich available ($9) so I tried it.  Just enough food.  A very long day. Peppertree Cafe website

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In November, we finally made it back to Porto's, where we had not been since October, 2019. So happy it survived Covid.

 The menu (bakery and meals) is limited,  dine in capacity is at 50% (tables removed), most cold beverages are bottled but the food items are consistent.
 Torrejas (Cuban French toast) was just perfect-crisp exterior, fluffy interior. 
 Pan con Lechon- slow roasted pork with pickled onion and a green garlic mojo sauce on the fresh Cuban bread was a nice, salty contrast for breakfast. Portos Bakery Website

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Also in November, The Mister was craving a good pastrami sandwich, so we drove up the 15 to The Hat, which also survived Covid-19. 

  Things are about the same, other than you have to ask for condiments.

 The sides are still enough to share-a large serving.  The pastrami is still kind of perfect. The Hat website
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2022 Rose Parade Float decorating, dinner at Costa's

 mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog with some reasons as to how the meal occurred. Cathy is posting today.

I've posted about Rose Parade float decorating for the parades of 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.  Last year, there was no parade to celebrate 2021, but things are a bit more 'normal' and this past Saturday, the first 'Dry Decorating' day happened at Phoenix Decorating Company, where The Mister and I volunteer with hundreds of others as Petal Pushers. The Kiwanis  also coordinate volunteers for decorating at Phoenix). They need volunteers, so if you aren't doing anything this Saturday or next, sign up now-it's fun and an easy way to cross something off of your 'Bucket List'.

Since you've seen some 2022 float road tests (all linked on this post), I'll try to be a little different this year with photos. Some floats are not ready to be decorated. At all.
But by the end of the day on Saturday, quite a bit was accomplished on the Rotary float.  Many materials were used for this owl! 
 Lentils had been tediously applied on this 'urn'.
 Cotton for the polar bear fur.
  The Mutual of Omaha/RFD-TV float "Wild Kingdom" had every other feature being decorated, even the Burmese python.
 Shriners had a few volunteers.  Tedious work!
 The dark purple statice petals were carefully applied.
More beans!


 The Lutheran Laymans League (and organizer of Petal Pushers volunteers) has their  71st float in the Rose Parade.  It's the only Christian themed float in the Parade, this year themed "Jesus Teaches".
 You Are Invited! by Trader Joe's has so many features to be decorated.


 So many floats, so many details, so much more work to be done! 

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After we finished for the day, we were cold and exhausted and drove to a close, familiar place for a meal, Costa's Family Restaurant. The last time we were here was after our visit to the Showcase of Floats, following the 2020 Rose Parade, unaware of what the year had in store for us.   We were seated when the sun was still out, but it was dark when we left. 
 Starting the meals with a bowl of house made vegetable soup and beet covered salad had us reminiscing the familiarity of this home style restaurant and we are happy it has survived. 
 Just a simple side of dinner rolls with butter.

 Beef and Gravy ($12).  Served with wonderful, lumpy, mashed potatoes and the vegetable of the day.  Tender meat, thick brown gravy, comfort food. As was the Liver and Onions plate ($12).  Tender calves liver, thin, light crusted, pan fried, caramelized onions and the same mashed potato and vegetable sides. We really enjoyed this.Each meal includes dessert. I chose tapioca pudding, The Mister chose chocolate pudding.  Both were made here...and were wonderful. 

Costa's Family Restaurant 851 E. San Bernadino Road Covina, CA 91723 Open Daily 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. Website

 

Costa's Family Restaurant 851 E. San Bernadino Road Covina, CA 91723 Open Daily 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. Website