Santa Cruz and Monterey with Jalyn and Jacqui

In January, Jalyn turned 17! I can't believe it. Time goes by so quickly. As I was trying to think of a fun gift for her, I decided I wanted to take her on a trip. The child loves critters and what could be better than a visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Conveniently, my surrogate child and Jalyn's sister, Jacqui, moved from Wichita, Kansas to Monterey, CA. She also conveniently purchased a membership to the aquarium that allowed her to bring TWO friends! The Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of my favorite places to go but it has gotten quite spendy. I want to take all my kids out there but $50/per person times 8-10 people (depending on who can make it) is not worth it to me. It is worth it if you can go for FREE on your friend's membership. Jacqui is the best! 

There may have been a selfish reason for going out there, too, but that will come in the next post. 

Jalyn and I stopped in Santa Cruz on the way down to Monterey. I wanted to show her the boardwalk and the town and beach I would visit with my friends in high school. I may or may not have cut school numerous times to go sit on the beach and hang out on the boardwalk. Don't tell my parents!

For nostalgia purposes, we took a quick ride on the Big Dipper roller coaster and played some games at the arcade. It was late when we got there and everything was shutting down. We walked on the beach for a short time, listened to the waves, but then I told her we needed to leave. You know what happens there when it gets dark? The vampires come out! Lost Boys movie is the proof. If all the vampires were as cute a Kiefer Sutherland, maybe we would have stayed but I didn't want to take my chances. 

The weather was perfect in Monterey. The aquarium did not disappoint and we had a great time. Thank you, Jacqui, for having us. We will be back so I can love on that grandbaby of mine!

National Pie Day 1/23

Happy National Pie Day on January 23! It's 1/23...get it? Easy as 1,2,3...easy as PIE!

That's the Pie Day I celebrate...not Pi day! I hate math. Why would I celebrate 3/14? 

Of course I had pie. But Marie Callendar's doesn't make it on my list. We know they are good and I know I can get it anytime I am craving a pie. Those cravings usually come in February, June, and October. Those are the pie months when it's on sale. I've sadly watched the prices increase and it is now up to $8.49 per pie. Remember the days of $5.99 pie month? Me, too. I miss it. 

More pies in LA

 Pie #36-37

While in Los Angeles, we asked the Google for the top pies in the LA area. Below are two of the pies that were on that list. We stop at Cake Monkey and had the most amazing apple pie I have ever had. The cider soaked apples fill the most amazing double cheddar crust. I cannot brag about this pie enough. It was so, so very good. My preference on pie is the filling. Zane's preference on pie is the crust. We make a good team because I always get the point and he always gets the leftover crust. However, we battled over this piece of pie. The filling and crust together were a perfect match and I had to distract Zane so I could have the final bite. Thankfully, he loves me and didn't get too upset. However, we should have purchased the entire pie. It was THAT good. Go get this pie!!

Another place on the list was Pie 'N Burger in Pasadena. It has been around since 1963 and I think the pie made the list for nostalgia reasons. I didn't think it was great. It was average. The place is a little hole in the wall with a long counter and a handful of tables. It was busy since the Rose Parade just finished and people were coming in for the Rose Bowl (we picked the wrong day to be in Pasadena) so I got the pie to go. I asked the server for their best pie and she recommended the boysenberry. So we got it. It was OKAY. I wouldn't go out of my way for it again and especially not during the Rose Bowl.

New Year's in LA

Pie #35

Zane and I have a fun tradition of heading to Las Vegas over the New Year's holiday to go to the Maroon 5 concert. I am a huge fan of Adam Levine and I love spending time with my husband so it is a win-win tradition for me. 

We also found a list of the top 17 pies in the US put out by Time Out publication in 2015. One of the pies on the list is at a restaurant in Los Angeles. We decided to take a quick jaunt over to LA to try it out. The description on the website sold it for us...

"That one of L.A.’s best slices of pie comes from a breakfast spot specializing in charcuterie is besides the point. Salt’s Cure’s take on Key lime pie—swap out the limes for grapefruit—expertly walks the line between sweet and tart, with a to-die-for graham cracker crust holding it all together."

Divine!! One of my favorite pies I have tried, for sure. It was so different and original and delicious. I would definitely travel out to LA to eat it again. The lunch we had was good, too. It's worth the stop!

Southern Utah Pie

Pie #33-34

When Zane and I did our Utah pie trek back in May, we really wanted to get down to St. George and Veyo. But we were pie'd out and didn't have the time to make it down. In November, my surrogate daughter, Jacqui, was sealed to her husband, Brandon, and baby boy, Bryson. Some of us were able to drive down to attend the sealing and we took advantage of the moment and took a quick side trip to Veyo. It was just Mariah and I since the rest of the family came down later in the week. St. George has a pie place called Croshaw's, which is pretty good. However, Veyo Pies are better! At least the two we tried. They had an amazing Pumpkin pie that was heavy on the nutmeg which is what I like in a pumpkin pie. Then we also tried the signature Volcano Pie. There is a defunct volcano in Veyo and what better way to celebrate it. The pie was creamy with a layer of chocolate and butterscotch. Add the whipped cream and chocolate and caramel sauce on the top and it's a cream pie of perfection. It was definitely worth the side trip and I highly recommend it. 

Homemade Goodness!

Pie #30-32

Homemade pie is the best! I know people that have amazing pie-making skills. It is something I lack but I am really good at TASTING the homemade pies. Over the summer, I was lucky enough to try 3 different and delicious pies. 

Zane's mom has health issues and is confined to her bed in her home. She has home healthcare workers that come in and assist her with all her needs. One of her workers, Pat, brought in an amazing peach pie made with the peaches from her tree. Look at that cinnamon on the top of the crust! It was delicious and perfect with a dollop of whipped cream on top.

A pear tartlet made by one of my friends and fellow leader in the Young Women's program in my ward, Hannah. Delicious! The pears were picked from the tree that overhangs in the backyard from her neighbors. I used to live in that house and picked many pears from that tree. They were delicious and even better in a tartlet. 

The final homemade pie of the year came at our Young Women in Excellence program. Vanesa, one of our advisors, made this delicious lemon meringue pie. The lemons were tart and the meringue was perfectly toasted. It was a treat to enjoy her talents and a delicious add to my pie list. Thanks to all the amazing home bakers with pie talent! I admire you!

Girls Camp 2016

Pie #28-29

I am the Young Women's president in my ward and each year we take a few days and camp in the mountains. It is dirty and spiritual and the event of the summer. We had a great time as we always do. However, this year had a bonus for me. We made Fire Pies and were treated to a delicious, home-made Key Lime Pie from John Benson. It was epic! Who knew that two pieces of buttered bread with cherry pie filling roasted over a fire would be so delicious? Apply a layer of buttermilk frosting on top and it is pure heaven!

John's Key Lime pie is legendary in our neighborhood and this time at camp was no exception. He does a great job and we were so grateful he not only brought us pie but he cooked us up some amazing brisket, corn, and potatoes. Best night of camp, for sure!