Back to Santa Barbara this Sunday. All Aboard the Vino Train! Woo! Woo!

The beginning of this month was spent on the Santa Barbara Vino Train.  I celebrated my half birthday-a first for me, and as we stepped off the platform in Santa Barbara to tour the Urban Wineries, another group got on to ride up to San Luis Obispo and celebrate a grandmother's birthday.

The Vino Train is a ride in style. My trip was in a private lounge car and on bigger group days, a second observation car with a dome is added.  I am interested to see what that looks like this Sunday when I guide this time around.

Our group hit two wineries just steps away from the train platform.  Santa Barbara Winery was a great first stop- lots of gifts for the food and wine goer- cheese plates, olive oil, and of course wine.  They had a great deal on their 2009 Riesling and I plan on opening that bottle, partnered with some of my favorite Thai food when Mom comes to visit in the next few weeks.

Across the street, the group went over to an old tire shop, converted to the Oreana Winery.  It looks as if the place reflects the owner, with a pacman arcade game and an interesting "library" collection and artwork on the walls.

Our day continued with a leisurely walk over to a block of other wineries including Municipal Wine (Muni) and by that time my tasting buddy and myself were feeling why you shouldn't drink all of the tasting.  We hit Mac's Fish and Chip Shop.  The food hit the spot and we ducked into one last tasting (Kalyra) before waiting for the train and heading home.

Both rides- to and from- was beautiful as the day was clear and you could see the Channel Islands all along the coast.  It's a great adventure and I look forward to Sunday, seeing what happens.  I can not believe that this April, for me, has included three trips to Santa Barbara! (all with a little wine) _______________________ _________________________________

Cowboy up! Senses and Cowboy Poetry Festival

So this is what's happened in Awesometown (aka Santa Clarita) in the past few days:

Thursday was a perfect storm of warm weather and good food, not to mention the coming weekend for Cowboy Poetry.  The city had been on local tv that morning for KTLA and so Senses on Main in Old Town Newhall was a crowded night.  I worked so no drinks, but I was eying the Whiskey Girl themed drink the Vu had.  Food trucks did well and I made the conscious decision to go for Kogi's sweet chili chicken quesadilla- a dish I've broken out eating before.  No blisters this time but my dogs were tired at the end of the night,- almost as tired as my friend's dog Bailey, who greeted everyone and was ready to leave or fall asleep at the end of the night.

Saturday and Sunday was Cowboy Poetry Festival.  The City of Santa Clarita has been doing this for years and doing it up right.  I saw lots of interesting things while working one of the stages.  My favorite two was the man who tucked his suit pants into his boots and the woman on a segway in her purple track suit, jazzed up bicycle helmet, and blinded out red, white and blue bag.  

I was at home wearing the jeans, boots and hat.  The crew is always the hardest working but they know how to get along, and play hard too so Saturday night was a good gathering of the crew and then Sunday as the festival goes into autopilot for a few moments, corn hole games and jokes were exchanged.  So if you've ever wondered about Cowboy Poetry Festival- it's worth going-plan on it next year!

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Free Day on Tax Day

Found my new boyfriend-look out!

It was scenes from a mall.

I had cashed in on the food court Panda Express at lunch. Shanghai Angus Steak was the tax day freebie and I met the girls after they had cashed in on their portions for their "after school snack". I had had a day where only a milkshake would cure the feelings I had--so we headed over to Chick-fil-A and used their free WiFi and waited 'til six when the Cinnabon had two free minis.  It was the way freebies should work- I tried things I wouldn't otherwise try and will return to have more.  This United Way poster was near the line for Cinnabon and I've never seen a group of teenage boys more uncomfortable at seeing adult women being silly and taking snaps and posing- Kodaking as my grandmother would say.  I think they were just jealous they didn't think of it first!

We then headed to the newly renovated and newly located Disney store and colored and posed for some more snaps.  I never was a "mall rat" as a kid and was surprised that two hours of freebies and fun could make a good evening! _______________________ _________________________________

Back to Santa Barbara

Second Sunday in a row to go to Santa Barbara and I met one of my best gal pals and we had our own version of a Sideways Tour- Solvang and State Street--what a wonderful way to spend Easter.

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Lavender Memories

On my walk to work I always see the lavender and think of a hot Savannah night two summers ago and walking to my house with a very special fella. The smell reminds me of how electrified the air was with anticipation.

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Surprise Photos this afternoon

Looked at my camera roll and apparently I took these as I walked home

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View from Barnsdall Art Park Los Angeles

Made it to this month's meeting of Los Angeles Final Cut Pro User's Group and this was the view as I walked into the meeting.  It was a great time to see and hear editors from American Horror Story as well as Christine Steele and Monica Daniel- where we learned that making things "shit sparkles" keeps producers happy. _______________________ _________________________________