Mustard Fields in the Napa Valley

Napa Valley Mustard Fields 

late winter & early spring bloom of the mustard fields

From late January to early March, the mustard fields are in bloom in the wine country. The flowers are scattered throughout the fields and it's breathtaking.

Last year we headed out to see the mustard fields very late in the season, after I read an article about them. We stopped at field just off Hwy 29, just outside of Yountville. There were other people taking pictures and there was even a group of painters that had just finished there session in the fields.

It's that time again and we're planning to go soon and next time I hope to get better pictures.

I clipped this article from the internet about the why the mustard seed bloom in the wine country: 

Spring Mustard Bloom in California Wine Country

Every year the fields in Napa Valley and Northern California Wine Country a bathed in yellow. Myth has it that the origin of the mustard blooming in abundance in California is from the Mission Era in California. Each Mission is in theory a days walk apart. The missionaries, or so its told, sprinkled mustard seeds along their path so that after winter, when the spring grass and foliage grew and covered the trail, a swath of yellow would be the guide. There is an intensity of the bloom along certain sections of the Highway 1 and Highway 101 in the spring that would have been the same as the Mission Trail. The historical marker for the Mission Trail, the bell, can be seen on the side of the highway. Mustard is a part of California history, and its very fitting to find it blooming in the heart of food, wine and epicurean culture.

Gluten Free - Recipe to Try - Cornbread Muffins

 

http://www.vansfoods.com/Blog_Detail/id/357/Gluten-Free_Cornbread_Muffins

Red Tricycle - San Francisco

I love this blog site. It's where I get a lot of ideas of things for us to do in the bay area. 
http://redtri.com/san-francisco-kids/ 

Restaurants to Try - Prubechu - a Guamanian inspired restaurant in SF

Prubechu Restaurant

2847 Mission Street, near 24th Street, San Francisco (415) 952-3654
--additionally, they are accepting reservations via email --Prubechu@gmail.com
http://insidescoopsf.sfgate.com/blog/2014/02/04/prubechu-opens-tonight-bringing-a-guam-inspired-restaurant-to-san-francisco/#comments
 
New Restaurant to Try!

I was just telling my husband how there are no Guamanian restaurants anywhere in the Bay Area. The nearest that I have found is a Food Truck that was featured on the Food Network Show, but it's in Oregon -- which, I think is just a tad bit far LOL --  http://www.pdx671.com

My family is from Guam. My father has long passed and I so crave the dishes he used to make. My cousin just sent me this link about a new Guamanian restaurant in San Francisco. Thanks Monica! I am going to go as soon as we get a free weekend. Reviews coming soon. I'm so excited! 

Gluten Free - Kay's Review

Van's Natural Foods "Say Cheese"  gluten free crackers

Yummy tasting savory type foods have been hard to find for Kay - especially convenient snack packs. I found these gluten free snacks at Walmart and wanted to see what Kay thought of them.The snack pack box comes with 5/1oz packages and the cost was $3.98.

Kay tried them first and said "yummy" right away. She ate the whole bag and asked if I had more. I also tried them and I also liked them. The texture is good and they weren't "too cheesy" ... which is good thing because your fingers don't turn orange!

Kay Review: Yum! I love them -- buy MORE! 

 
      

http://www.vansfoods.com/our-products-all-gluten-free

A Unique Book Store -- Tom's Used Book (&New) Store

Tom's Used (&New) Book  Store

108 N. School Street, Lodi  (209) 369-1453

I took Kay after school to get a couple books from Tom's Used (& New) Book Store in downtown Lodi. It's one of Kay's favorite book stores. They have a nice little selection of used and new kids books. Prices are reasonable and the staff is friendly.

Something unique about this book store is that they have 4 cats that roam around freely. They are super friendly and curious.

 

Lego time - Lego Creator Set #7347 - Highway Pickup

Yesterday, we let Kay pick one Lego set from the Toy Safari store. She chose a Lego Creator set #7347 - the Highway Pickup. 

Kay decided to build it this morning, since we got home so late last night. She started to build it as soon as she woke up @8:30 am and was finished in a mere 4 hours. I was amazed when she came rolling by with her newly constructed truck with lights. 

http://www.amazon.com/LEGO-Creator-7347-Highway-Pickup/dp/B007Q0OMPG

Downtown Alameda - Park Street

For Kay's great report card, participation in the Geography Bee, and getting student of the month for December & January, we surprised her with a trip to her favorite toy store, Toy Safari in Alameda.

It wasn't until we crossed the bridge into Alameda that she figured it out and she said "are we going to that toy store?" I didn't acknowledge her and said we were just having lunch and then headed into town to get something.

Tomatina Italian Restaurant  

1338 Park St, Alameda · (510) 521-1000
http://tomatina.com/ 

We had a late lunch first at Tomatina, which is just down the street from the Toy Safari. Lunch was great. We'll definitely go back or even head out the other location in Walnut Creek.

   

Still unsure we were actually going to the toy store, Kay asked us to just go peak in the toy store, since it was just down the street. As we were walking, I told her the reason we were in Alameda was to take her to the toy store. I told her she could chose a Lego for all her great achievements at school. She was so happy ... but, truthfully, I think she knew all along.

Toy Safari  

1410 Park St, Alameda · (510) 522-1723
http://toysafaritoys.com/wordpress/
 

                  

 

 

                                  

Tucker's Ice Cream Shop

1349 Park Street, Alameda, (510) 522-4960

http://tuckersicecream.com/

Afterwards, we wandered the rest of Park Street and got ice cream at Tucker's Ice Cream Shop (even though it started to get cold). It's one of those "must do when on Park Street" things. 

http://www.shopparkstreet.com/
http://tomatina.com/
http://toysafaritoys.com/wordpress/
http://tuckersicecream.com/

... a little known fact that I did not know until now -- that Alameda is an island. I guess I should have figured this out the number of times we've been there, since we cross different bridges depending on which way we come into town

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alameda_%28island%29