Cakes By Bless, Pleasanton

11/11/14

A new legal secretary at our law firm recently volunteered to pick up the dessert for an office birthday party for one of our partners, who happens to be vegan.  Cakes By Bless prepared the cake at her request and it was delivered the day of the party. What happened next was a flurry of excitement as we called in other people from our building, and even delivery people to come look at the cake!



Chocolate vegan cake

The cake was designed to look like legal books with a piece of notepad paper and even an edible pen.





The chocolate-filled books had a frosting layer under the fondant (all vegan) and moist chocolate cake with a layer of chocolate fudge in the middle.  It was really good and much easier to cut into than we expected.  It was a really big hit in our office and more than one person asked for the number to show other friends and family.  Even took pictures of the outside and inside of the beautiful cake.




The amazing art cake showed a true talent of baking. I could never do something like this and was really impressed at the taste and design. I would recommend Cakes By Bless (Bless is the lady's name who bakes the cakes) to any friend with a themed party or celebration.  You will truly be the hit of the party if you show up with one of her pieces of delicious art.

Delicious, moist inside

Los Pinos, Port Chicago Hwy, Concord

11/11/14





I have enjoyed this little spot for a few years - they have very consistent service and quality. I only order their tacos and hit up the salsa bar.

On Saturday morning my husband made the mistake of asking what I wanted for breakfast. It was almost 11 am, and I responded tacos.

We were near Los Pinos so we stopped in, even though I could tell it was NOT what he wanted for breakfast.


 I ordered two veggie tacos (soft) and he had 3 carnitas, which he ordered well-done, hoping for crispy meat.






We both started with our own basket of chips. The salsa bar has fresh limes (and lemons) and pickled jalapeno/onions, and 4 different salsas. Usually I really enjoy their salsa, but it was really watered down this time. All of them except the tomato/marinara-like one. The salsa verde and the hot salsa were both like water. They also have a pico de gallo that's okay, but I was pretty disappointed with the hot. (Chips were good though!)

My two veggie tacos were beautifully made though and made up for the salsa. Husband had 3 soft shells that were kind of crispy, but soggy meat, so perhaps they misunderstood his special request.  My tacos were super duper good and I'll definitely return to this place for more of them when I'm in the area.

Contra Costa Blue Star Moms, Concord

11/7/14

Contra Costa Blue Star Moms (Chapter 20) is a local organization for mothers and fathers who have children serving in the US Armed Forces.  They promote patriotism through the support of active duty military and volunteer work with veterans organizations.

They send care packages twice a year to our deployed servicemen and women. You may provide them the address of a loved one and their "end of deployment date" and they will send a package in their next mailing (one is coming up in December, for the holidays!)

The group meets for social support, as well as meeting for sewing groups. If you don't know how to sew you are still welcome to join and learn! They make quilts for the babies of military families in need and also personal-size quilts for the severely wounded.

In celebration of Veteran's Day 2014 and in an effort to raise awareness and show support for our many local veterans, CC Blue Star Moms is hosting a 5K/10K Walk/Run at Hillcrest Park in Concord on November 8, 2014.  I will be one of the happy volunteers helping with the race at one of the two aid stations.  All registered participants will receive a dog tag finishers' medal (and a great t-shirt!) Post-race snacks and drinks will be provided.

They are a non-political, non-discriminatory group who work together to support local families and veterans. More information about their care packages and where you can donate requested items and money for postage is available on their website.

Fireside Lounge, Peppermill, Reno, NV

10/12/14

This little bar within peppermill is prime real estate if you're still awake with all the other night owls. Cozy up to the bar and make sure troy is working. He's friendly enough to ask where you're from and tell you about the week's upcoming specials, even when every seat is full (at 2 a.m.).

$1 food specials are killer. Free drinks if you're gambling go really well with dollar prime rib sliders and crispy French fries. Don't go to bed when you're done in the casino. Come here and make it a night!











UPDATED FROM 6/8/14:

There are a couple of lounges at peppermill that I think are really "under-signed", meaning you can walk right by and miss them if you aren't looking for them. This trip was out first discovery of a couple of these hidden gems.

Fireside is located near cafe Milano and the no-smoking section hallway. The fire pit to your left as you enter will catch your eyes first, but as they adjust to the darkness you'll see a bar to your right and lots of comfortable seating all around.

It was late last night when we came in so we just wanted to sit and relax while we waited for a friend. It's a great, comfortable spot to do that. Restrooms are also conveniently located at their entrance

Biscotti's, Peppermill, Reno, NV

10/12/14

Wedge salad $10 - 2013

I have dined here on three separate trips to Reno, but i can't explain why I keep coming back. The mediocre service and average food dishes would usually encourage me to try somewhere new, yet I keep coming back.




I guess the convenience of an American bistro inside the hotel is nice, but you're still going to pay premium prices for your soup and salad, so be prepared for that.

Monte Cristo sandwich

The $10 wedge salad is pretty good, and prime rib sliders were popular at our table, more than the over salted soups. But since I love over-salting, I have enjoyed the French onion, clam chowder, and tortilla soups all equally.



Service is spotty and slow but I have a feeling you will find me here again on my next visit to the Biggest Little City. So it's not all bad.




Wedge salad $10 - 2014

Susie Foods, Inc., Reno, NV

10/16/14


My family happily discovered Susie Foods last weekend at the Great Italian Festival in Reno. Drawn to their table with the lure of free samples, my mouth happily found two flavors of Susie's Original Syrupdipity Spread.

The woman watched as my husband went to pick up a taste of the Butter Pecan Syrupdipity-covered waffle and offered him a hot sample afterward - encouraging him to enjoy the two different textures and tastes produced by the same flavor.  I also tried a Butter Pecan, but found my real love to be for their Caramel Macchiato.  I feel like a could put this on more than just waffles - fruit perhaps! It was so good. (Also available to test were: Maple, Blackberry Cheesecake, and Strawberry Cheesecake.  I wish I'd tried them all.)

We only spoke briefly with the people working for Susie Foods. Judging from their facebook page when we got home they attend festivals and farmer's markets to sell their products, as well as online. Custom flavors are available in addition to the five flavors they currently stock. (What a SWEET gift idea!) Check them out online if you can't find them in Reno!

Cleveland Cascade, East Oakland

10/26/14

The Cleveland Cascade in Oakland has a wonderful history, and photos of her  glory days (1920-30s) are easy to find online.  The water is no longer running down the hill, but  certainly lots of people are.

I walked up and down the stairs once, and then ran them up and down, holding onto the handrail for safety as I descended. There are garbage cans at the bottom of the stairs and thankfully we didn't see any trash around or on them. All we saw were the pretty views of the lake, the plant life around us, and a couple other people walking/running the stairs.



A view of Lake Merritt from the top