An ongoing adventure of travel and living while using a wheelchair. Tim has been disabled from birth. Darryl is his father and caregiver who travels with him.
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This week's cocktail is a traditional Basque drink. While Basque restaurants are renowned for their great food...and equally awesome portions...they are also known for the bars that everybody hangs out in while waiting for meal service to begin.
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Although most of them offer traditional table service these days, most Basque restaurants also set aside some meals to be served "family style." That means everybody sits at one long table and passes the dishes of food, just like going to your Aunt Gloria's house on Thanksgiving. It's a wonderfully social way of dining but you will be sitting with strangers. What to do? That's right...a "Cocktail Hour!" Most arrive a little early to enjoy a tipple in the bar and get to know the people a little bit before the meal is served and for many, that means the traditional but strong Picon Punch.
Picon Punch uses a liqueur called Amer Picon as a base. This is an orange based libation that is very hard to find in our area so we substitute triple sec and bitters. Here's the recipe:
INGREDIENTS: 2 1/2 oz. - triple sec 1 oz. - brandy 2-3 oz. soda water 1 oz. lemon juice dash of bitters dash of grenadine
In an old fashioned glass half filled with ice, pour in bitters, triple sec, grenadine, and lemon juice. Fill with soda water. Float brandy on top.
(Please read our Covid 19 Statement first - Ed) If you're a Californian, you know who Huell Howser is...or was. Sadly he passed away of prostate cancer in 2013.
If you're not from this state, Huell...although not a native to California...could be called 'Mr. California. A reporter originally hailing from Tennessee, the very friendly and folksy Mr. Howser took his camera to every nook and cranny in this state and celebrated every inch and person in his various shows on PBS, such as California's Gold, Visiting, California's Golden Parks and more (see bottom for how you can stream all these shows on your PC, you won't regret it, perfect for binging).
It may be harder to find someone who didn't meet him here than someone whose path he never crossed. We met him twice while dining at one of his (and our) favorite restaurants, Philippe's in Downtown Los Angeles. Someone at Chapman University had the bright idea of inviting Huell to speak at their commencement, an act that impressed him so much that he willed his entire estate to the school. This included not only all of his shows, money, and personal belongings but also two houses in the desert that the university eventually sold to endow scholarships in his name. Today, we're trekking down to the City of Orange (in the heart of Orange County, natch) to see what they've got. Although 'museum' might be a stretch, there is a big museum quality to the Huell Howser California's Gold Exhibit in the campus library's basement.
Mr. Howser was quite a collector of found art (a more charitable term for 'junk') and as you exit the elevator on the basement level, you'll see much of it hanging on the wall. Right as you walk out, you'll see a right-angled piece of rusted metal with light sockets hanging on the wall. This is part of the letter 'L' from the original Hollywood sign that Huell found lying on the ground when he did a show on it. He took it with him since no one else seemed to want it. There is an old radiator, some corrugated metal, interestingly shaped pipe, and more from his kitschy collection mounted on the walls. In the door, the docent...Tommy...comes rushing over to welcome you. He's a font of Huell knowledge although he is the rare Californian that never got to meet the man.
We see a wall highlighting his three cameramen...never seen but very familiar to viewers ("get a shot of this, Louie!")...Luis Fuerte, Troye Jenkins, and Cameron Tucker. There are knick knacks scattered around, gifts from those he visited and highlighted on the show such as a wall clock from the Carmelita Chorizo factory, a die cast wagon from See's Candy, a figurine from Phillipe's and much more. A Simpson's script, autographed by creator Matt Groening and the cast sit in a case. The Simpson's used to roast him mercilessly but the good-natured Howser gladly took it in stride and even provided his voice to the show when they satirized him again. This script is from that episode.
His office furniture and editing dock have been arranged in a recreation of his office and the over 1,800 books he collected are available for browsing. Two computers are set up to watch episodes of his shows. It's only two-rooms and a hallway but very worth visiting. Afterward, we had planned to have an early dinner at Cafe Felix in downtown Orange but we're not too hungry yet so we head north on the 57 freeway to Pomona.
Old Stump Brewery sits in a former factory on Bonita, just west of Garey. There is somewhat of a beer garden set up in the back parking lot.
They seem to specialize in blonde ales here so we try a few. They're very good and refreshing but we're still not hungry enough to partake in the tri tip being barbecued outside. The Huell Howser California's Gold Exhibit and Archives are located in the basement of the Leatherby Library Building, very close to the Lastinger Parking structure on Walnut Street in the City of Orange, California. It's on the campus of Chapman University. There is no admission fee but there is a small parking fee on campus. Find out more at this link: California's Gold Exhibit and Huell Hoswer Archives There is very handy handicapped parking in the bottom level of the structure which is right across a sidewalk from the library. An elevator across from the circulation desk at the entrance will take you down to the exhibit. Accessible restrooms are available as well. You can stream almost every show he did from the comfort of your own computer at this link: Huell Howser Video Archives (NOTE: The Huell Howser Archives is currently closed to visitors during the Covid-19 pandemic)
Darryl Musick Copyright 2017 - All Rights Reserved
I've been avoiding cutting back the cara cara orange tree while it was producing fruit but it's been blocking access to our back yard. Now that we've harvested the fruit, it's no problem. Just use the walkway as a guide.
Just in the nick of time as the next crop is starting...the flowers will soon be open and looking for bees.
All done and now the walkway is clear. Darryl Copyright 2016 - Darryl Musick All Rights Reserved
Just a quick post to cover the last of our crop of Cara Cara navel oranges. That big one in the middle is my blue ribbon fruit, it's as big as a grapefruit.
Now that the tree is bare, I'll prune those branches back off of the sidewalk. Darryl Copyright 2016 - Darryl Musick All Rights Reserved
Late fall...winter starts next week...and in the middle of a big drought, not a lot to do in the garden but we can find something. December in Southern California is citrus season and our three trees are producing! The cara cara navel orange tree (at the top of this post) has put out the most fruit it's ever given us.
Our Meyer lemon is not far behind.
We harvest just enough to last us for a week or so and let the rest of the fruit stay on the tree til we're ready for more.
Along with the oranges and lemons, I also find a few rogue Anaheim chiles that will go into tomorrow's eggs.
These tart but sweet cara caras are just the ticket for a nice, healthy shot of vitamin C on the side of this sandwich. Darryl Copyright 2015 - Darryl Musick All Rights Reserved
This trip contains one of the most popular videos we've yet produced. Why? I don't know, apparently you all like the beach! Personally, I think our video on Morro Bay is a bit better, but you be the judge. Anyway, here is my pick for the best beach in Southern California...
Watch the Video for this trip
It has the makings for a boring, frustrating day. The day after Thanksgiving usually presents us with nothing to do, unless you want to join the mobs at the mall. Not really our cup of tea (to be fair, my wife loves to shop but even she can’t stand the Black Friday stress).
It’s days like this that are made for a day trip. I know “staycation” is the new buzzword, but I just can’t stand that. Occasionally, though, we just like to go out for the day and see what we can find in our general area. That’s what we’re doing today. Hopefully, if you have a trip planned with Southern California…especially Disneyland or Knott’s Berry Farm…as your destination; you’ll find this information valuable.
I had always wanted to try the Original Pancake House, especially for their Dutch Baby pancakes, so we head down to the City of Orange for our closest location. While waiting for the server to take our order, the table next to use gets their Dutch Babies delivered and they looked burnt from having been in the oven too long.
Instead, we order a stack of regular buttermilk pancakes, some crepes with lemon/strawberry filling, and some “49er” cakes, which are very thin pancakes…sort of like a crepe that has not been rolled. All three are very delicious and we’ll give the edge…just a slight edge…to the 49er cakes.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia
Robert A. Estremo under CC-BY-SA license
Fully nourished and really stuffed, we head out on the road. Our next stop is the little town of San Juan Capistrano in Southern Orange County. This is roughly half way between Los Angeles and San Diego. We find a parking spot next to the train depot, across the street from the town’s mission. Easily reached by wheelchair accessible trains run by Metrolink and Amtrak, all the attractions in town are within a block or two of the station.
The mission grounds are very beautiful but the original church was destroyed by an earthquake in 1812. A side chapel has the twin distinctions of being the oldest California building still in use and is also the only documented existing building that Father Junipero Serra said mass in.
We’ve seen the mission many times before, so today we concentrate on the Los Rios neighborhood. This is the street time forgot, sitting across the tracks from the train station. Years ago, I would come here and walk down these shady, tree-lined streets and wonder how much longer it would last with the exploding development happening in this part of the county.
The residents must have wondered the same thing, now it’s a protected historic district. It’s still a neighborhood…families still live in the houses, small shops and a couple of cafes crouch up to the tracks, and it’s a place like no other you’ll find in the area.
Homes dating back 200 years line streets so quiet you can roll your chair along with few worries. A collection of fountains sits in front of little beauty salon. Around the corner, an ancient pickup truck sits in a chicken wire encased garage. Dozens of finches fight over the birdfeeder out back. A huge wall of bougainvillea lines the street.
Around the corner are a sleepy looking nursery and a petting zoo. Llamas sit in the sun waiting for food. A curious emu strolls up to see my camera. The luckiest turkeys in the world strut their stuff on the day after.
The 12:20 to LA arrives and we leave.
Back in the car, we head south to Dana Point and then double back up Pacific Coast Highway to our next stop, Laguna Beach. Even in late November, traffic still snarls in the downtown stretch that has traffic lights on every corner, none coordinated with the next. After the knot of traffic, we turn up a side street and find a spot at the curb to park about a block from the main beach.
Laguna is made up of a series of coves, the largest one, about a half mile long, makes up the main beach in the heart of town. An accessible boardwalk runs the length of the beach. On the north end, a step-free but steep access leads to the next series of smaller coves. When the water’s calm, these small coves attract hordes of snorkelers and scuba divers.
On the main beach, we find a concrete ramp that you can use to go to the high-tide line next to the northernmost life guard tower. In the summer, you can borrow a sand chair from the life guard to go all the way to the water. The mid-beach is a hot bed of beach volleyball, so we take a few minutes to watch. No pros practicing today, however. A musician plays for tips and a bird trainer puts on a pretty good show on the edge of the boardwalk.
We continue up the street where artist Wyland, the whale mural guy, lives and has a gallery. We stop to take a look at the art and to use his very nice, clean accessible restroom. A secret spot is located here. Outside the gallery is a hallway…continuing to the end and you’ll come out onto a private, quiet deck where Wyland has set up a small telescope overlooking the beach. It’s a nice place to come and get away from the crowds. Back out front, we wander around the town a bit, doing a little window shopping and have a quick drink at one of the local pubs. I won’t name the pub…it’s a brew-pub…because the server tacked on an extra six dollars to the tip (which I found out while balancing my checkbook). That burns me up because the total bill was $9, to which I added $3 for tip…plenty, don’t you think?
Later, we head back up PCH and then inland to Placentia where we have dinner at one of our favorite Pizzerias, Tony’s Little Italy. This is a real hole-in-the-wall with only 8 tables and a giant mural of Wrigley Field covering an entire wall. The other walls have Cubs, Bulls, and Bears memorabilia along with a smattering of Angels, Cal State Fullerton, and other local team pennants, surrounding the two flat-screen TVs…usually showing whatever sports are going on in Chicago. This little piece of Chicago has some of the best deep-dish style pizzas around.
As Tony himself brings out our pizza and drinks, we bid farewell and hope to see you on another trip soon.
-Darryl
Copyright 2009 - Darryl Musick Pictures courtesy of Wikimedia Commons Robert A. Esterno under CC-SA license
Here are some of the deer that have been coming down from the nearby mountains to feed on my front yard rose garden. This one is helping itself to my nextdoor neighbor's holly topiary. The drought is serious, folks. These animals, and many more like them, are really feeling the brunt of it. They can have my roses until the rain returns. Luckily, the bulk of my garden is behind a tall wall in the backyard, let's see how it's faring this week.
Tomatoes! I'm loving my tomato plants this year. Here, the hanging cherry tomatoes are reddening up. My son and I sampled but they're a bit tart at a redder color than this so we'll let them ripening for quite some time before harvesting. There are a ton of them on the basket.
That's in contrast to last year where I could count my entire tomato harvest on one hand. This hybrid is giving the cherry tomatoes a run in the numbers game and the big ones are the size of a baseball.
I was sweating a little over the heirloom plant but it's getting some nice fruit on it too, now.
In our citrus grove, we've got Myer lemons on the branches...
...more fruit on our Cara Cara orange...
...and a few late blooming Cara Cara flowers, too.
I had a micro-sprinkler clog and I think it affected our corn adversely. I replaced it but I don't know how this will do. In this drought-affected garden, however, it's sink or swim. We'll see if we can get anything edible out of it.
Darryl Copyright 2015 - Darryl Musick All Rights Reserved
Ah, the sweetest smell of spring. I'm talking about citrus flowers, or orange blossoms if you will. Nothing smells like it and it's heavenly. Our little citrus grove is in full bloom. Well, the orange and lemon, anyway. The tangelo is still just in bud.
The Cara Cara orange has these gorgeous white flowers.
While the Meyer lemon isn't to be outdone with its pink-tinged flowers. Last week, I planted some lavender nearby to attract bees.
It may be working. Let's hope these busy pollinators give us a lot of fruit this year.
Darryl Copyright 2015 - Darryl Musick All Rights Reserved
Storm clouds are on the horizon for this Oscar's Sunday here in Southern California. While the rich and beautiful crowd undoubtedly have some poor production assistant to hold an umbrella over their freshly coiffed head, I have no such assistance so I'd better get what little gardening I have to do done.
I should also turn off the sprinkler timers until drier weather arrives to save on our precious water in this dry region. I'm trying to fix my poor citrus production dilemma. My three-tree citrus grove just doesn't produce the way I want it to. I get hundreds, may thousands, of very fragrant blossoms each year but just a few fruit from each tree. When I say few, I mean hardly any...two from the cara cara orange; three tangelos; and about ten Meyer lemons.
During the blooming period, I rarely see bees on the plants. You'd think such fragrant flowers would really attract the little honeymakers. One place I do see them...tons of them, actually...is on the lavender plants. Last summer, our backyard lavender plant died so this year, I need to replace it.
I bought two small plants like this a Lowe's.
I dig an appropriately sized hole, knock the plastic pot off, and just stick it in the ground. I planted a lavender between each citrus tree to attract the bees and, hopefully, they will notice the nice looking plants next door and go looking to do a little pollinating, if you know what I mean and I think you do.
Dirt tamped down and plants watered in, we'll keep our fingers crossed for a better citrus crop this year.
Darryl Copyright 2015 - Darryl Musick All Rights Reserved
Well, maybe not killer. I'm not even 100% sure it's mockingbirds but something's been eating my tomatoes and I've heard their calls mocking me in the morning (mockingbirds are an ongoing pestilence in our garden).
Before I get to that, however, we've got to take a look at the status of the backyard.
Our last in-ground tomato plant has just been played out. I was going to harvest it this weekend before pulling it out but, as you can see from the top, something beat me to it.
No use delaying the inevitable, out it goes.
Now, it rests on the top of the weekend's clippings in our green waste barrel.
Next, I'll need to prepare the two blank spots in our side garden, above. Zucchini on the right; onions, tomatoes, bell peppers, and something else to be determined on the left. I think I'll skip the corn this year, maybe some nice, big pasilla chiles instead. Those are delicious!
It's citrus bloom time again. Here's the Meyer lemon buds...
...and here's the Cara Cara orange blossoms. Finally, I'm able to scrounge this little last harvest. The last Meyer lemon, some tomatoes from our Cherry Falls hanging basket that'll go on some burgers I'm grilling tomorrow, and a tiny little zucchini I'll chop up into tomorrow's eggs.
Darryl Copyright 2014 - Darryl Musick All Rights Reserved
Just a quick hit to show you this week's harvest...
Still a lot left on the plants but this week we've got a couple of Cara Cara oranges that are just perfectly sweet and juicy, a couple of Meyer Lemons, tomatoes, guavas, and a bell pepper plus a pepperette.
The bell peppers are done with this week's picking but the hot chile peppers just keep going and going and going...
Darryl Copyright 2014 - Darryl Musick All Rights Reserved
I love citrus, especially those of the orange variety. There's almost no dessert that can compare with a perfectly ripe orange, picked from the tree, and eaten on the spot. No soda can compare with the lemonade you make with the fruit you just harvested from the tree. A cocktail just isn't a cocktail to me without a squeeze of fresh lime in it. Our house resides in a former lemon grove. All traces of that farm are long gone, although some of our neighbors still harvest and sell their oranges.
While I don't get the quantity of fruit I'd like, the quality is sure there. We have three trees...a navel orange, a tangelo that I rescued from a trash pile, and a Meyer lemon. All three are dwarf trees. I definitely have my idea of what a perfect fruit from each tree will be... On the orange, it has to be round. Like a globe, not oblong like an egg. The navel has to be small...almost non-existent (this gives you a bonus of a large, interior navel made exclusively of tasty, juicy pulp). The skin should be rather thick to make peeling easy, I like to peel and eat the sections more than I like to cut it up into pieces with a knife. The color should be a dark orange, signifying that it has absorbed all the UV the sun could pour on in and converted that into life-giving ascorbic acid. The orange at the top of this post looks like it meets most of these qualifications, I think I'll pick it today.
A tangelo should also be dark orange for the same reasons. They're easy to peel naturally, so the skin doesn't have to be as thick but it helps to have a large head of rind on the top. Now, you pop that off like the pin of a hand grenade and strip of from top to bottom. This last fruit from this year's crop meets that criteria. It's coming off today too.
The Meyer lemon needs only to be a deep yellow. It's naturally sweeter than most lemons. I don't have a use for it this week, so I'll leave them on the tree a couple of more days before we take them off and make lemonade or maybe lemon cake. Mmmm....cake...
Darryl Copyright 2014 - Darryl Musick All Rights Reserved
