Adventuring // Castro Valley Farmers Market

Finally getting around to checking out our local farmers market {is there an apostrophe there or not? I always get confused}...

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Who: Janelle, Dad, and I
Where: Castro Valley Farmers Market
When: Saturday at 10:30 AM

The Place: Every Saturday morning, from 10 AM until 2 PM, the Castro Valley Farmers Market is set up along the street in the BART parking lot. A single aisle of vendors and stalls, this is one of the smaller farmers markets in the surrounding area, but the people are friendly and the parking is plentiful.

While most of the stalls are produce-centric, there are also several baked goods places and a few hot food stands on the ends of the aisle. For a couple years, there were food trucks as well, but those have recently started going to neighboring farmers markets because they get more clientele over there. Hazards of being a small town. :P


What We Did: Wandered. Made one trip up and back down the aisle to check out what was available and what the prices were like at different stalls, and then made another trip to actually purchase whatever we had decided on.

I had read in several different places online that one has to try the pot pies, so we got a few of those. They were really good; we had them for lunch yesterday after Easter service and the crust was amazing and the filling excellently done. We are not usually pot pie people, but we would definitely recommend these.

I liked the look of the greens that were available at a couple stalls-- for one to two bucks per very good looking bunch, that's not bad at all. We got some yu choy {they're the greens to the left in the photo above} and kale. Janelle and I lingered over those cosmetically challenged apples for a moment and thought about whether we'd actually make something during the upcoming week or if we should come back another Saturday when we had a recipe in mind. We decided on the latter. Those apples ARE really good though-- we tried the samples. Delish.

The padre ended up buying some rye sourdough bread at one of the stalls because it's super low carb/low sugar, which works for him. Janelly picked up some cilantro/avocado hummus. She and I tried that on the vendor's garlic pita chips... yes.


Tips: A few suggestions...
+ Go a bit closer to when they open because some of those stalls were almost out of their bestsellers by 10:45 AM. This Farmers Market IS a bit smaller than others you can go to in Hayward or Dublin, but that slightly smaller selection means that the produce and goods that ARE there go quickly. For instance, there's a bread/baked good booth that had three long tables worth of stuff when we started our first trip down the aisle and by the time we made it back to her stall, she had a single table's worth. Impressed.

+ Don't go TOO early though because then a bunch of the vendors won't have finished setting up yet. It's a delicate balance.

+ Bring your own bags to carry your purchases in. Makes life a lot easier if you don't have to balance everything in your arms.

+ Parking isn't really a problem since it's Saturday and you're in a BART parking lot and it's free on weekends. You should be fine on that front.


Conclusion: While I am a big proponent of sleeping in whenever possible, I also think that this was worth waking up early for every now and then. We unfortunately won't be able to go back these next two upcoming Saturdays since Janelle and I will be helping run Ruth's wedding party bonding day this week and next week she'll be at the San Francisco Cherry Blossom Festival, but maybe the week after we'll try to go back and get some apples for baking. I'm not sure if I'm a hardcore Farmers Market person, but I definitely enjoyed myself this weekend.

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Castro Valley Farmers Market
3301 Norbridge Drive
Castro Valley, California 94546

Adventuring // Impromptu Golden Tee Mini Golf with Janelle

^ Is that super Californian or what? Those palm trees, man. ^

^ Shadow selfie! And group picture, too, cause Janelly's shoes are right there! :P ^

^ Celebrate! ^

^ I never realized how derpy/dorky these dragons looked until now. From afar, they're iconic Castro Valley. Close up... O.o ^

^ This hill. Ohmygerd. {Janelle would like to point out that I did get a hole in one here, but... still}. ^

^ Gorgeous day, no? ^

^ Tickets! All the tickets! ^

About six months ago, the madre bought some mini golf tickets-- four were for #STSSWinterAdventure2014 and two were for whenever. Earlier this week, we realized that those last two tickets would expire Tuesday and that we had to use them or *dundundunnnn* lose them forevahhh.

Since the madre had things to do and the padre had to work, I needed a mini golfing buddy. Thankfully for me, Janelle was free and responded to my "Mini golfing today? Yesyes?" text at one in the afternoon with "Like, right now? O.o How about in an hour?" She's the best.

Both of us have lived in Castro Valley for years and have gone mini golfing previously {occasionally together!}, so we're familiar with the more popular course that I'd say 85% of people do when they're here. The quieter side, closer to the street, looks less exciting and everyone's heard it feels shorter {even though it isn't}, so it's got a lot less traffic. HOWEVER. Since it was just the two of us and there was no one to really impress with our ahmazing mini golf skills {O.o} and I trusted her to not laugh too-too hard if I knocked the ball into the bushes and/or down a hill, we decided to try that course out for the first {for me} and second {for her} times ever.

It was fun. Both of us agreed that if we're taking out-of-town friends here, we'd still go with the more popular course, but the quieter side isn't too bad. You can take your time, no one's rushing you, and while there are less pretty structures and obstacle things built into this course, the holes seem a bit more technical than the popular side... like there are a lot more sneaky slants to this side that make your ball roll in directions you didn't hit it. D:

The wind was majorly blowing Tuesday afternoon, which made our mini golfing attempts even more hilarious. At one or two of the holes, I hit the ball almost all the way to the hole and it was looking really good for me and then... instead of stopping inches from its destination, the ball would catch the wind and seriously roll ALL. THE. WAY. BACK. TO. ME... SLOWLY. It was killer. I was like, "No... no... no... nonononononoNOOOOOOO," while Janelle laughed her head off next to me. So bad. *sigh*

We didn't keep score {well, we sorta did, but we didn't tally it up in the end and we weren't really trying to beat one another} and it was pretty nice to just play for the sake of playing. Watch out for the eighth and thirteenth holes. Those are the tricky ones.

After finishing the course, we went inside to the arcade to use our game tokens. Similarly to when I came midnight mini golfing during #STSSWinterAdventure2014, Janelle and I solely played skee ball and Harpoon Lagoon. And guess what?!? She got the jellyfish during a round of Harpoon Lagoon and got a ridiculous number of tickets! Pooling our pile together, we ended up with enough tickets to get 17 Gummi Hamburgers. Whoot. :P

I'm so so glad Janelle is available to play and work and keep me company right now. We've seen a lot of each other recently since we're helping plan Ruth's wedding party bonding day {it's coming up soon!} and it was so fantastic to get together and not have to think about any of that {long story short, the plans for the day keep getting more and more elaborate (not our fault-- we're not in charge) and it's kind of stressing us out. A lot}. Thanks for hanging out with me on a random Tuesday, Janelly, and acting like it was normal that I stop a lot to take photos of things! :D

Adventuring // The Best Building in Downtown San Leandro

On the corner of a busy San Leandro intersection, there's a pretty white three story building with one of those sharp angled fronts reminiscent of New York's Flatiron Building. Last week, Joy, Janelle, and I snuck in and wandered around its silent, empty hallways.

Technically, we didn't sneak. It's open to the public {there are law offices in there right now}, but it's one of those buildings where you feel like you're trespassing if you don't have an appointment. Not that anyone inside makes you feel that way-- it's the building itself that makes you feel in awe.

There are black wrought-iron curlique gates guarding the entrance and once you've walked up the short marble staircase and past those gates, your face just goes slack and your eyes wide because... all that warm, shiny, polished mahogany. The slightly worn, still thick, dark red and cream patterned carpet. The vaulted ceilings with a giant skylight. The intricately carved staircase railings lining the entire way up to the long, quiet hallways, where footsteps are muffled and all you hear is the slight hum of the air-conditioning.

We didn't encounter another soul the entire time we walked around. The law offices were labeled, but we never heard voices or the click-clacking of computer keys.

Rereading that, the place sounds really creepy, but it's so not. It's just old. And impressive. And so full of history, that you feel a bit out of place. It's peaceful. Everywhere you look, there are more details that make you nudge your companions and go, "Look at that!"

I would think golden hour must make the light inside that building just... wow. Everything is so warm-toned already that when the afternoon sun comes through the windows, the place has to glow golden.

We really have no reason to ever go back inside the Best Building {it's named after a guy named Daniel Best who was known for his work in tractor manufacturing}, but if you're ever in the neighborhood, it's a gorgeous place to peek into and so many people don't even know it's there.

Tip: There are two side entrances that will get you to the upper floors of the building where all the above pictures were taken {the main floor has been taken over by Citibank, so going in the front won't help you at all}. There's an entrance on both the East 14th side and the Estudillo side. Just look for those iron gates!

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The Best Building

1300 East 14th Street

San Leandro, California 94577

Adventuring // Downtown San Leandro and Its Hidden Mural

^ Hidden mural along the San Leandro Creek. It's pretty, but the underpass is kinda creepy. Maybe it'll be less creepy when there's actually water in the creek and it isn't just this really echo-y, long, dark tunnel? ^

^ I think the pink ones were supposed to be papaya. While they did taste like fruit, that fruit wasn't papaya. Dunno what we had exactly. Still good though! Janelle had bits of real mango in her popsicle! ^

^ Wearing pigtails. Because I'm a grown up. ^

^ Can you find the Joy? ^

^ Reenacting Romeo and Juliet. ^

Ruth's wedding is in three weeks, so Janelle and I were enlisted to help plan and direct her Bridal Party Bonding Day. Joy, Ruth's sister, is in charge, and she wanted to scout out potential scavenger hunt locations around Downtown San Leandro. So the three of us went out Wednesday and just wandered around and stopped whenever something caught our eye.

I took a bunch of pictures, so these are the San Leandro government buildings and a hidden wall art/mural called "Nature's Hidden Treasure."

We also got Mexican ice cream popsicles at a small carniceria near Mike's Feed and Pets. The lady behind the counter looked at us a little strangely because we walked right in, knew exactly where to go in the store to get what we wanted, and definitely weren't Hispanic. *grins* Joy and Ruth used to go there back when Ruth was still in high school and pick up popsicles every now and then, so Joy knew what she was doing. The popsicles were great and if I'm in the neighborhood, I'd definitely stop by again.

Foodie Adventuring // Los Panchos Mexican Restaurant in Danville

Another Danville lunch spot discovered with the OT peeps...

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Who: Daddy and I
Where: Los Panchos Mexican Restaurant in Danville
When: Friday at 2:45 PM

The Restaurant: Tucked away in a small strip mall, Los Panchos is a Mexican restaurant with jewel-toned patio decor and strings of white lights outside, and a brightly lit, vaulted ceiling interior. Their staff is super friendly and their food es muy bien.

The first time I went there, we sat outside during lunch hour on a weekday and the place was packed {always a good sign, yes?}. The chairs outside seem to be a tad too short for the tables, so be forewarned if you're semi-vertically-challenged {like moi} because you'll feel like a kid at the adults' table for the first time. Pretty sure our table was higher than my chest when I was sitting down...

Inside, you can see your food being made, since the kitchen runs the entire length of the restaurant and is open to the rest of the room {I'm 85% sure about this. We didn't eat inside either time I went, so I just caught a glimpse while we were waiting for our take out order}. I promise that next time I'll take a closer look of the interior and report back to you guys! (:


What We Had: The first time I went with Collin and Mae, the OT aide and receptionist of CHRC {one of the places at which I volunteered}, our boss recommended the Happy Burrito. And she was right. It's excellent.

Mae got one of their lunch specials, which was more than enough for lunch and for an afternoon snack later. Collin and I both got carnitas Happy Burritos-- while I was more than content to bring most of mine home, he felt it a challenge that Serenity said no one can finish a Happy Burrito in one sitting. He definitely felt that food coma after we got back to work. *hah*

The parentals liked my leftover burrito so much, Daddy and I went back on a Saturday to pick up dinner. Happy Burritos come with rice, beans, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole, sour cream, and your choice of meat. With the padre being unable to eat too much of the burritos {because tortillas, rice, beans, and a bunch of the other ingredients contain too many carbs/sugars}, two of the Happy Burritos lasted us several meals, which was nice.


Tips: A few suggestions...
+ We realized on our way back home that we're actually closer to the San Ramon location. Like, ten minutes and a whooole bunch of miles closer. So. Next time. Headed to that location instead! I'll let you know how they compare. (:

+ If you eat there, you get {theoretically endless} warm, crispy chips and a garlicky-cilantro salsa that's really, really good. If you get your food to go, you get a five-by-five inch paper baggy of chips and no salsa. Just fyi.


Conclusion: The Mexican restaurant the parentals and I used to go to in Hayward closed last year and we had yet to find a proper substitute. Well, now we found it. I think this is our new go-to Mexican food restaurant and we're definitely looking forward to trying out some of their other dishes.

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Los Panchos Mexican Restaurant
480 San Ramon Valley Boulevard, Suite H
Danville, California 94526

St. Patrick's Day Parade 2014

^ Pretty sure the guy closest to us ISN'T asleep, but he sure looks like he's napping... ^

^ Don't remember who this is the mascot for exactly, but yay, otter friends? ^

 ^ Mr. Larry and the padre! Yes, the padre is wearing two hats. O.o ^

 ^ I promise Zoe is fine in this picture. Sometimes, lots of noise and people make her a little O.o though. ^

Sooo... these are photos from last year's St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin, California.

We were originally planning to attend this year's as well, but since the parentals AND Zoe were supposed to be in the parade, and Zoe is no more, it just didn't happen. Mom didn't want to go without the dog and I haven't been sleeping super well recently {probably BECAUSE the house is so quiet without the Fuzz-- falling asleep at seven in the morning probably isn't considered normal}, so the padre went by himself.

Happy belated Pi Day and Ides of March, friends, and I hope you all had a great weekend!

Adventuring // Therapy Shop in Berkeley's Elmwood District

^ Narwhals, narwhals, swimming in the ocean, causing a commotion, cause they are so awesome... ^

^ Two days after I took this picture, Steph sent me a photo of the Nessie magnet. Bestie telepathy. ^

^ Yeah, NorCal. ^

^ Possibly Tommy's next birthday/Christmas present. ^

Checking out the Berkeley location of this particular store...

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Who: The parentals and I
Where: Therapy in Berkeley's Elmwood District
When: Sunday at 5:00 PM

The Place: Way back when, the parentals and I stumbled across the Pleasanton location of Therapy and while we weren't able to go inside because they'd already closed for the day, I was intrigued by the eyebrow-raising, smirk-inducing items they had in their window display.

To be honest, Therapy is decently similar to Treehouse Gifts a few storefronts down, but with a more quirky, irreverent vibe and not as focused on "green", environmentally friendly items {not to say they don't have those, just that it's not their main draw}.

The front table in the entry way is used for seasonal or themed displays. We were there the day after Valentine's Day, so everything was red and heart-covered. To the left is a bookcase filled with pretty notebooks and interesting, usually illustrated, nonfiction paperbacks. To the right, there are very pro-California card stands and some of Therapy's slightly oddball, kitschy products that would make great gifts for your friends {I really considered getting those chemistry shot glasses for Tommy. Even if you don't use them for their intended purpose, they're still mini beakers and Erlenmeyer flasks. I mean. D'aww}.

In the back of the store {which I only got a glimpse of as we headed back out}, they have a clothing section and changing stalls. I'm assuming indie-esque, small label, mostly locally produced apparel, like a better quality Urban {also, I could be totally off, although having been inside several of these types of stores, I'm decently sure I'm correct}.


What We Did: The padre was getting restless at this point, since we'd been out and about window shopping for a couple hours now, so we didn't actually spend as much time inside as we had at previous shops. Additionally, a bunch of my time was spent waiting for passers-by to clear the front of the store so I could take my photos. Heh.


Tips: A few suggestions...
+ Same as the ones I suggested for Treehouse Gifts-- try to park on the main street, even though spots are sparse, and take the time to wander the shop since there's so many items to check out.


Conclusion: Another excellent place to go gift-shopping for friends. Prices are pretty on par with the other places along this Elmwood strip, so know that you're supporting small businesses, purchasing quality things, and getting unique presents when you spend your money. (:

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Therapy
2951 College Avenue
Berkeley, California 94705

Adventuring // Treehouse Green Gifts in Berkeley's Elmwood District

^ Ohhoho, check out my leggy shadow. ^

^ May I just point out-- SLOTH CLOCK. It is my everything. ^

^ "Whale, whale, whale... what have we here?" ^

^ The madre really wanted this for her piggy collection. She's still thinking about it. ^

Came back to the store I couldn't stop thinking about since our last visit here years ago...

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Who: The parentals and I
Where: Treehouse Green Gifts in Berkeley's Elmwood District
When: Sunday around 4:30 PM

The Place: I don't exactly recall when the parentals and I last visited Berkeley's Elmwood District, but it was at least three, four years ago. Back then, we picked up a few ice cream cones at Ici Ice Cream {there was no line the time we went! Like... whaaat?} and wandered a few stores, but the only store I remember clearly was Treehouse Green Gifts.

It's an eco-friendly, unusual-gift, aesthetically gorgeous place, that leans more towards "cute" than "kitschy". Their kids' section is fantastic, if a little high on the price scale for this recent college grad. This is the kind of store you'd buy your best friend's baby shower gift because you want it to be different, yet adorable and well-made and very kid-safe and chemical-free {not that you'd buy all the chemical-laden things for non-best-friends, but I'm saying, you know, this is for when you want to go above and beyond Target's baby aisles}.

I tend to ignore the tables in the middle of the shop since I don't have much use for dishware and pottery at the moment, but all along the walls are products and companies you don't see in your large, chain stores. A lot of the items are local or made by people who started their small businesses out of their home and grew quite successful over the years.

And again, in case you missed my caption up there... SLOTH CLOCK.


What We Did: The madre and I walked around and oohed and aahed. The padre lasted longer in here than in any of the other small shops we went into that day {high praise indeed!} before going to wait for us outside. We didn't really have anyone to shop for when we went in, no birthdays or anniversaries or major holidays, so we just spent most of our time looking and mentally cataloging options for future gifts.

Their employees are super friendly {at least, the girl behind the counter was. the lady behind the jewelry counter looked kinda bored, which was awkward} and are happy to chime in when you're trying to decide if you REALLY NEED those hedgehog dryer things. Apparently, the rubber hedgehogs make excellent cat toys, too, if that's something you're into. (:


Tips: A few suggestions...
+ Parking is not the easiest in this area, with so many stores and restaurants packed so closely together. I would still suggest trying to stay on the main thoroughfare, however, since we saw a car or two with smashed windows on farther away side streets. O.o I'm not sure if that's a norm or an anomaly, but still...

+ This is a store you'd want to take your time in. There is so much to see, so make sure you remember to look up! And down! Fantastic things everywherrre.


Conclusion: We'll probably be back. Elmwood District reminds me of Venice Beach's Abbott Kinney, with all its cool kid shops and small businesses. I'd take out-of-town friends here to wander and explore this neighborhood because there really IS something for everyone {I feel very cliche for saying that, but it's true!} and it's close to a bunch of other Berkeley sites-to-see. If you've got an afternoon free and you want to adventure, this place works quite well!

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Treehouse Green Gifts
2935 College Avenue
Berkeley, California 94705