Travel and Adventure Await You

Join us at the Travel and Adventure Show. Where will you wander this year?

video by: EncinoMom Productions

Our productions are paid for by our advertisers and sponsors. All opinions expressed are our honest thoughts and experiences. Any promotional content is clearly identified as advertising. If you are interested sponsoring an EncinoMom video, please inquire at: info@EncinoMom.com

Happy Holidays from EncinoMom - Best of 2012

Wishing you the happiest of holidays! For more of our stories, recipes and videos visit us today at:
EncinoMom.com

Our road trips are paid for by donations from viewers (like you) and sponsors. All opinions expressed are our honest thoughts and experiences. Any promotional content is clearly identified as advertising. If you are interested sponsoring an EncinoMom video, please inquire at: info@EncinoMom.com

Figure Flattering Blues From Seeley

 

3/4 sleeves and pockets, too!

LA Fashion Week - Burlap Ballgown From JHausBrand

Video highlights, plus an interview with JLynn Haussman - coming soon! Stay tuned.

JHausBrand Plays High Note at LA Fashion Week

JHausBrand Plays High Note at LA Fashion Week

Electric-blue jeans from JHausBrand paired with plugged in violin, screaming intrumental strains of Katy Perry's Extraterrestial rocked the runway at Vibiana in downtown LA! When the Entertainment Capitol of the world takes on Fashion Week, this designer from Nebraska brings the whole country together with denim designs inspired down on the farm that play from sea to shining sea.

 

Photo by: Lisa Keating for EncinoMom

Isn't It Romantic?

You've got to love a man who leaves garden flowers and the secret heart discovered inside a walnut, on a corner of your desk. Everyday expressions like these don't cost much, but speak volumes. Don't wait for Valentine's Day to slip a sweet note or token of affection into your beloved's pocket or under his pillow. Thoughtfulness counts.

photos by: Lisa Keating 

Our road trips are paid for by donations from viewers (like you) and sponsors. All opinions expressed are our honest thoughts and experiences. Any promotional content is clearly identified as advertising. If you are interested sponsoring an EncinoMom video, please inquire at: info@EncinoMom.com

Red Delicious Baked Apples

Here's something warm and wonderful for chilly mornings or after-school treats - simple and satisfying; baked apples.

Start with Red Delicious apples. This recipe makes 4 1/2 apples, you can easily double quantities if desired. Preheat oven to 350˚. Oil small baking dish.

2 apples - cored, cut in half and drizzled with fresh lemon juice
2/3 cup quick cooking oats
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 T butter (softened)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 lemon (juice squeezed onto apples, peel for garnish)

Combine ingredients using a fork. Mixture will be crumbly. Stuff into apple halves. Pop into the oven for 30-35 minutes (longer if you use large apples or larger quantities of apples).

Plate and serve warm from the oven, or room temp. Great with Greek yogurt, a glass of milk or a cup of coffee or cocoa. Enjoy!



photos by: Lisa Keating 


Our road trips are paid for by donations from viewers (like you) and sponsors. All opinions expressed are our honest thoughts and experiences. Any promotional content is clearly identified as advertising. If you are interested sponsoring an EncinoMom video, please inquire at: info@EncinoMom.com

Scarecrow Alternative

It's that time of year when my mind turns to the harvest and scarecrows begin to crop up around doorsteps and driveways in my neighborhood. Here, in this garden plot, a pair of sun ravaged umbrellas turn their summer jobs to a twist on the familiar motif. As their skeletons begin to show, I imagine cobwebs may extend their useful life through the end of October!



photo by: Lisa Keating 

Our road trips are paid for by donations from viewers (like you) and sponsors. All opinions expressed are our honest thoughts and experiences. Any promotional content is clearly identified as advertising. If you are interested sponsoring an EncinoMom video, please inquire at: info@EncinoMom.com

Classic Cars Coming This Week To Route 66 Rendez-Vous

Stater Brothers' Route 66 Rendez-Vous rolls into Riverside, California this week with a Classic Car Show. Get a virtual glimpse of the annual event in this video and plan to join us this weekend! 

video by: Encino Mom Productions 

Our road trips are paid for by donations from viewers (like you) and sponsors. All opinions expressed are our honest thoughts and experiences. Any promotional content is clearly identified as advertising. If you are interested sponsoring an EncinoMom video, please inquire at: info@EncinoMom.com

Back To School

Funny how September invokes feelings of heading back to school - even when school's been out for a decade (or two, or three). When you have kids, it's understandable since gathering up school supplies and hitting the back-to-school sales for new clothes and shoes that fit is a part of the end of summer ritual. But even if you don't have kids, or if yours are grown and gone, there is still . . .  something in the air that stirs longings for new binders, clips, unsharpened pencils, reams of paper and such.

It's especially odd when I find myself lingering over photos of warm woolen sweaters, caps that cover your ears and faux-fur lined boots. It's over a hundred degrees outside! And while there will be a chill in the air, who know when it will finally come. . . January, February? And when it does come, it won't stay long and it will only be a chill, not the face freezing cold captured in those photos with the sweaters. But the longing for seasons persists. Is it human nature? Is it all marketing? Is it just me?

If you live somewhere, where cold weather is as certain as spring rain, you might like to visit our apparel partner Eddie Bauer Weekly Specials: A New Deal Every Monday, now offering their durable coats and caps and things for kids! I haven't purchased any of their kids wear, yet (it's brand new), but I did purchase an amazing pair of aforementioned faux-fur boots! I may have to take a trip to the snow to wear them, but they are wicked cute and comfy, too. :)

photo by: Lisa Keating


Our road trips are paid for by donations from viewers (like you) and sponsors. All opinions expressed are our honest thoughts and experiences. Any promotional content is clearly identified as advertising. If you are interested sponsoring an EncinoMom video, please inquire at: info@EncinoMom.com 

Super Sweet, End Of Summer Watermelon

Fresh from the Farmer's Market, this super sweet watermelon keeps the taste of summer in the house even when the kids are back to school. Try cutting it in bite sized cubes (or balls) and mixing with some crumbled Feta cheese, a drizzle of olive oil (to keep the melon from getting mealy), mint leaves and a little freshly ground black pepper.

photo by: Lisa Keating


Our road trips are paid for by donations from viewers (like you) and sponsors. All opinions expressed are our honest thoughts and experiences. Any promotional content is clearly identified as advertising. If you are interested sponsoring an EncinoMom video, please inquire at: info@EncinoMom.com 

In Celebration Of Independence!

Wishing you a wonderful holiday weekend, from EncinoMom!

photo by: Lisa Keating 

First Tomato Of The Season!

Here it is; the first tomato of the season. This sun-ripened Lemon Boy was the first to the table from the vine. Right from the garden, sliced and sprinkled with a little freshly ground salt and pepper, a squeeze from a lemon and a sprig of fresh basil for garnish the flavor of this tomato was as juicy and vibrant as it looks.

photos by: Lisa Keating 

Sausage & Peppers Recipe

Cooked on a cast iron skillet, these chicken sausages will also do well outside on the grill! Once the sausages were cooked thoroughly (about 30 minutes), I kept them warm in a Tequila bath inside the oven. Next up; red peppers and green onions hit the heat. On another burner a pot of boiling water for whole wheat corkscrew pasta. Served, as seen here, with a drizzle of olive oil and artichoke hearts (in the polka-dotted dish) served on the side. Simple and satisfying.

photos by: Lisa Keating 

Road Trip!!!! EncinoMom Heads Up The California Coast

Take a ride with EncinoMom on this virtual 4-day road trip up the California coast. From Encino, California to the Beach Boardwalk in Santa Cruz this quick video trip highlights some of the great stops along the way.

We left late in the day and stopped for dinner at the harbor before heading north along the coast to Cambria. We searched online for a place to stay for the night and called ahead to secure a room at the Pelican Cove Inn. How our stay could have been nicer than the hospitality we got over the phone is hard to imagine, but it was!
Our room was lovely and welcoming with a fireplace and sitting area. The grounds were perfect for our laid back mood, with care and attention in evidence everywhere. Exuberantly blooming plants and flowers created lots of visual pleasure and a feeling of privacy around the heated outdoor swimming pool and spa areas.

After a hot breakfast, (included in the price of the room) a swim and a stroll on the beach, we headed back down the coast a bit (Highway 1 is still recovering from recent storm damage) to connect with the 101 north to Santa Cruz. The drive was hilly and inviting with vineyards and wine tastings along the way. We made a note to revisit this area with time to explore! We stopped for lunch in Paso Robles, California and were overcome by the urge to buy cowboy boots, which we did. :)

Driving up the 101 through Steinbeck country, I was reminded of all the great things to see and do in this part of California. For every spot we check off our to-do list, two more get added! This is artichoke and garlic country, with lots of dusty history yielding to sandy, seaside hamlets along the way. East of Eden, Cannery Row and Of Mice And Men spring to mind as we drive through their backdrops.

We rolled into Santa Cruz just as the Boardwalk was closing up for the day. Snapped some great pics in the fleeting light of sunset and got the lay of the land. We had a classic seafood dinner on the pier, right out of another era - the kind your grandparents might have ordered back in the day.

We spent the night a mile or so away from the boardwalk at a Hampton Inn, where we were greeted by one of the nicest young men on the planet, Josh, a Santa Cruz native. We opted for the $10 movie fun pack, which included a DVD to watch in the room, a bag of pop corn and I forget, what-all-else, wrapped up in a great big blue bowl - for sharing the popcorn and taking home for a souvenir! What a bargain!

In the morning, after breakfast, we rode ourselves silly on the rides and attractions at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. :) We decided on a late lunch away from the beach and found ourselves in one of the fanciest Chinese restaurants I've ever seen! The food was great and so plentiful, we had to pack some of it in doggie bags to have for dinner!

Our next stop; San Juan Bautista, California. We didn't enter the mission itself on this trip, but toured the grounds and adjoining museum. There are separate entrance fees (less than $5per person) and free admission after 4 pm. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to peak back into California history like this. No crowds or lines, just amble through at your own pace, take pictures, take your time - I love it.

With our drive home scheduled for the next day, we made the short trek to Casa de Fruta, a fruit stand that has grown into a village, and took lodging at the Casa de Motel. This is not a luxury stop, but silly, kitchy fun, for sure! You can easily walk from the motel (or campground) to the cafe, fruit stand, sweet shop, wine shop, carousel and other Casa de attractions. The pool was closed during our visit, but there was an arts and crafts fair that provided a surprise shopping opportunity. I always say: "If you can't swim. . . shop!" lol

We foraged for food at the various Casa de "fill in the blanks" and had a picnic in our room with all of the goodies we found. Warning: the Dulce de Leche fudge is so good, if you buy some for your house-sitter, it will be gone before you get home! Whooops. The ride home was a speed trip down highway 5 - less than 4 hours.

Ah home sweet home! Thanks for tagging along with us. I hope you got some good ideas for your own road trip. :) We'd love to hear them! Drive safely and join us again next time, when EncinoMom hits the road!


video by: EncinoMom Productions 
photos by: Lisa Keating


Our road trips are paid for by donations from viewers and sponsors. All opinions expressed are our honest thoughts and experiences. Any promotional content is clearly identified as advertising. If you are interested sponsoring an EncinoMom video, please inquire at: info@EncinoMom.com

New acupressure shoes from Chinatown

You can steal a pair of your own! $10 buys this treat for your feet. Wear these around the house for a little foot massage on the fly. NOT recommended for long periods of time, walks, or marathon runs! If I could read Chinese, maybe I'd see that in the directions. lol
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

photos by: Lisa Keating


Our road trips and editorial videos are paid for by donations from viewers and sponsors. All opinions expressed are our honest thoughts and experiences. Any promotional content is clearly identified as advertising. If you are interested sponsoring an EncinoMom video, please inquire at: info@EncinoMom.com

Hahahahahha! EncinoMom Goes To Comedy School For Kids: Studio LOL

video by: EncinoMom Productions





Our road trips and editorial videos are paid for by donations from viewers and sponsors. All opinions expressed are our honest thoughts and experiences. Any promotional content is clearly identified as advertising. If you are interested sponsoring an EncinoMom video, please inquire at: info@EncinoMom.com

Happy Mother's Day From EncinoMom!

Pitcher's and flowers waiting for a party. :)

Wishing you the Mother's Day your heart desires.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

photos by: Lisa Keating


Our road trips and editorial videos are paid for by donations from viewers and sponsors. All opinions expressed are our honest thoughts and experiences. Any promotional content is clearly identified as advertising. If you are interested sponsoring an EncinoMom video, please inquire at: info@EncinoMom.com

Rusted Railroad Bridge In Santa Cruz & Seaside Snaps In Cambria

photos by: Lisa Keating

Encino In Bloom

An overcast morning stroll through the neighborhood with a dear friend and my new iphone yielded this evidence of Spring.



photos by: Lisa Keating