Road Trip with Mushck

For honeybun's birthday, I decided to take her for a lil roadtrip (which required quite a bit of driving). It was amazing to spend the time with my mom without any external pressures of school/kitchen remodeling. This was the first time we had taken a trip together and I hope it will be the first of many. My mom was an easy travel partner. As long as she had coffee and sunglasses and the promise of a cold lager and tasty food at the end of the day, she was golden.

On the itinerary:

Day 1: San Simeon, Cambria
The Morgan Hotel: We had ocean views and could hear the waves at night. Super clean, comfy, and accommodating. Would def go back.

Indigo Moon: We ordered the fig-olive tapenade brie crostini, pepper-seared ahi, blue crab cake, goat cheese and leek tart, and green salad. It was easily the best meal of the trip. Delicious, fresh, complex flavors and amazing cheese. I loved the brie (duh) and my mom was over the moon about the lightness of the tart.

Harmony Zin: tart and refreshing.

Day 2:
Moonstone Beach: pretty and foggy for our coffee run.

Linns: We got the benedict (standard.) But the raspberry lemon meringue pie was phenomenalllllll. I generally loathe meringue - they tend to be chewy. This was light and toasty and wonderful. And the raspberry was an amazing complement.

Grow: This is my heaven. A gorgeous well curated nursery with rare succulents. My mom and I collected 8 new types to add to her already impressive collection. Also the owner was a lovely man and so funny and great.

Firestone Brewery: We had a tasting of the 805 (my mom's fave, light), Pale 31, the DBA and UDBA. The UDBA was one of my fave beers ever. It's unfiltered and only served at the brewery. I couldn't get enough of it.

Figueroa Mountain Brewery: My mom got the pilsner and I got my Hoppy Poppy. We ate pretzels and mustard in the lovely beer garden and they played Ingrid Michaelson while we watched people play horseshoes. So lovely.

Hotel Capri: Tots wants to be Ace Hotel. Clean but a bit too modern for honeybun and I. Great location and views though.

Some Italian Restaurant: with amazing mushrooms and live music (Carole King anyone?)

Day 3: Ojai
Knead Baking Company: We got the breakfast cake with raspberry and candied orange. Fucking amazing. My mom loved the cheddar dill scone and we got the honey chocolate nut bars for Jas. A lil pricey but wonderfully flavorful and perfectly executed.

Ojai Roasting Company: I had the latte. The espresso was too light for me, but mellow. Mom's drip was great, although a lil burnt.

  

{Inspiration} S'More Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies, Jello Shots, & Succulents

Coffee and an almond croissant in the library. Just ordered another air mattress for my guests! Counting down the hours till I get to see Lexi and looking forward to a shopping trip tomorrow. Still working on my annotated bibliography and recovering from reading" The Hidden Face of Eve." I can believe I'm headed home in two weeks and I get to see all my loves! (Also looking forward to posting my birthday wish list - you guys are going to love it :-) )

Jello shots in a strawberry? yes please

Source: livlifetoo.blogspot.com via Amber on Pinterest

I have an obsession

Source: etsy.com via Amber on Pinterest

and finally the newest recipe I need to try: smore stuffed chocolate chip cookies! DELISH

Source: picky-palate.com via Jessica on Pinterest

S’mores Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies from Picky Palate
2 sticks softened butter
1 Cup granulated sugar
3/4 Cup packed light brown sugar
2 eggs
1 Tablespoon vanilla
3 1/2 Cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 Cups semi sweet chocolate chips
24 graham cracker quarters or 12 full sheets separated at perforations
3 Hershey Bars, broken into rows of 3 bars
12 large marshmallows cut in half lengthwise
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and line a large baking sheet with parchment or a silpat liner.
2. In a stand or electric mixer, beat the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, continue to beat until well combined.
3. Place flour, salt and baking soda into a bowl; mix to combine then add slowly to wet ingredients along with the chocolate chips.
4. Layer a graham cracker quarter with 3 Hershey chocolate squares and 2 marshmallow halves. Close with another graham cracker. Top s’more with a large scoop of cookie dough. Place in hands and place another large scoop on bottom then front and back sides as needed. Form dough around s’mores. Will get messy, but stick with it, it does not have to be perfect. S’mores will move around but it’s no big deal. Place large cookies onto prepared baking sheet and bake for 15-17 minutes or until edges are golden and centers are cooked through. Let cool for 10 minutes before transferring to cooling rack or serving plate.
Makes 12 large stuffed cookies.

Beautiful

source