B and I were walking thru the spectrum when we started to notice the amount of people walking around in blankets… sleeping bags along the parking structure…. people camping out. How could I have forgotten about New Moon opening?

New Moon has already broken records for presale tickets.  What always surprises me is the mixed audience.

According to these ladies (who kindly let me lurk around them) the people at the front of the line got there at 8:30 am!

They had been in line since 6:30 pm and they had quite the layout.  Do you see the luminaries?

See more of the New Moon mania after the jump…

Lets take a closer look at those handmade luminaries….

They were set out in a circle around their group.  Prepared with chairs, blankets, coffee, snacks and magazines these ladies were waiting the 5 1/2 hours until opening in as much comfort as possible.

I apologize now for the craptastic pictures… its either blown out with flash or blurry without.

In line I saw men, women and lots of teenage girls.  Mother and daughter cuddled up together watching something on a laptop sitting next to a circle of girls stretched out on blankets reading books and playing games.

I almost forgot the candies!  Provided by the same lovely ladies with swanky set up…

Are you Team Edward or Team Jacob?  Ummmm…. Team Edward.  The question took me by surprise and I stuttered my answer.  But it seems to have been a good one because I got the reward of these candies.

Each has a picture on the front and a saying from the book on the sides.  As I was taking a picture of them someone brushed by me and called me a freak.    It made me laugh.

Do I have a point?  Not really.  This much anticipated movie has a huge fan base and there definitely was excitement in the air outside the theatre.  I can only imagine the cheering when the curtain rolls up.

That blur in the middle is a man trying to dodge my camera.  Excuse me sir, I’m here to retrieve your man card.  I believe he was just dropping off provisions but I’m not quite sure.

I’m really curious to find out the numbers New Moon pulls in this weekend.  Tell me, have you seen the movie?   Have you read the book?

Last Saturday we went to Eat Chow in Costa Mesa.  It actually shares a space with The Closet not far from Triangle Square.

This is what I went for.  Fried Green Tomatoes.  I had never had them and have wanted them since seeing the movie in the early 90’s.

I’d read rave reviews about these and really, they did not disappoint.  I saw plate after plate leaving the kitchen.  I’ll be honest, I don’t have a basis of comparison but I will definitely be back for more.  Cornmeal crusted, warm and topped with a chili herb aioli.  I’m hungry all over again.

See what my favortie was after the break….

We also had the Housemade Turkey Chili Cheese Fries.  Actually, now that I type that out I don’t recall having any cheese on our fries.  Do you see any? 

Hmmm, either way they were delicious (although cheese only makes things better).  I love those thin crispy fries.

French Dip with prime rib, a toasted brioche bun, horseradish cream and some verrrry tasty au jus. 

I have to say I really loved their Caesar salad.  Very garlicky and I love garlic.

Next up the Macaroni and Cheese.  I have to admit I am on the fence about this one.  It was a five cheese mac and cheese and the flavor was all there.  For me though, it just wasn’t thick enough.  It was more like pasta in a sauce.  Tasty but not exactly super creamy.  This and the need of spell check on the menu (and website) are the only negatives and really… that won’t stop me from going back.

Oh the BLTA with honey mustard and blue cheese mayo.  Rave reviews from my sister!

Oh but I’ve saved the best for last.  The Reuben with the house made corn beed (just kidding, I know its supposed to be beef!), swiss cheese, thousand island and the reD cabbage kraut was amazing.  Seriously.  I want it now.

Have you been?

Have you come back to stay?

Its that time of year when the air is cold enough for an outdoor ice skating rink in Irvine Spectrum!

Well, maybe its not cold out but that isn’t stopping Irvine Spectrum from starting in on the holiday cheer.

Located in front of the ferris wheel is the annual ice skating rink.  Check here for schedules and pricing.  I’m happy to annouce they are closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas and will be open every other day from now until January 17th.

This is the only outdoor skating rink in Orange County so be sure to stop by!

There is no doubt that now is the time to support local independent businesses.

Patchwork Indie Arts and Crafts Festival happens twice yearly and its happening this Sunday.

You’ll find handmade goods from local vendors including: clothing, accessories, home goods, affordable art and more.  What festival would be complete with out good food and drink… and music!

So support your local vendors and give unique gifts this holiday season!

The festival will be held in Santa Anas Museum District near Bowers Museum.
2022 North Main Street
Santa Ana 92706
Sunday November 15 from 11-5 pm

For those of you that haven’t already been out there.. the Hurley Warehouse sale is going on now!

Items are running from 50%-75% off!

Also, rumor has it that the sale will be running next Wed-Sat and perhaps the following weekend.

November 13th: 12 pm- 8 pm

November 14th:  9 am- 3 pm

2323 Main Street, Irvine 92614

Cash, Visa, Mastercard and American Express Accepted.

Get some of that holiday shopping done!

Days like this I am amazed that the rest of the country is preparing for winter.  They are bundling up against the wind and the cold.   Yet here we are, enjoying a gorgeous Saturday at Crystal Cove.

We may not get the fall foliage that so many do but I have to appreciate this time of year at the beach. The crowds are gone and you are left with stretches of beach to yourself.

All you hear are the waves. All you smell is the ocean. Life is so good.

I hope you are enjoying your weekend.

You may have seen Boogie Box Fitness on the news or in the paper lately. Its the latest work out to hit Orange County and classes have been popping up everywhere.

Care to burn up to 1100 calories in less than an hour?
“This workout is a high intensity fusion of hip hop & Latin dancing, mixed with kickboxing, plyometric exercises and military drills choreographed in intervals in order to really burn off those calories!”

All I have to say is be ready to sweat. Its not a ladies only class either, so guys head on out!

This Friday is a launch party and free class in the Lake Forest area at 6:30 pm.
Xtreme Dance
26439 Rancho Parkway South #175
Foothill Ranch, CA

I’ll be there, but don’t expect me to be able to hold a conversation once class has started…

I’ll be honest and say I haven’t been exposed to much wildlife ’round these parts. I still get excited when I see rabbits and squirrels. So when we saw deer a couple of weeks ago I couldn’t stop snapping pictures.

We were scoping out Riley Wilderness Park for an engagement photo shoot and I am so happy our photographer pointed this place out. Also known as Wagon Wheel Park it is off of Oso Parkway just before the entrance to Coto de Caza and its awesome. There are short trails to walk on or to ride,wildllife to see and hardly any people the couple times I’ve been.

We must have seen more than 20 deer roaming around. So if it must be 80 degrees in November you might as well make the best of it and head here for a picnic or an early morning walk.

LA Boxing in Lake Forest is offering a free class here!

Classes available are boxing, kickboxing and mixed martial arts and are scheduled throughout the day and evening. There are classes for men, women and children.

Grab a friend and check it out, there will be a bunch of us newbies on Wednesday at 6:30 pm!

Located off the 5 Freeway at El Toro
24320 Swartz Drive
Lake Forest, CA 92630
949-859-4269