Atotonilco el Alto | Las Calles Compuestas, Jalisco, Mexico

“Las Calles Compuestas” is an annual tradition which celebrates the feast of the Immaculate Conception from November 30 to December 8 in Mexico.  Atotonilco el Alto is a province of Jalisco, Mexico, that is more famously known for this celebration.

Calles Compuestas Atotolinco

The literal translation of the name of the celebration is “Composed Streets”.  The origin of the name for this tradition stems from the fact that this feast is not just celebrated in churches or the city plaza, but instead in the city streets.

Calles Compuestas Yellow

Calles Compuestas Green

Each street is adorned with paper mache flowers and cloth overhead .

Calles Compuestas Upclose

Calles Compuestas Flowers

Calles Compuestas White

Music, food, drink, and fireworks are also used as part of the celebration.

Calles Compuestas Churros

Calles Compuestas Blue

Some of my relatives recently traveled to Mexico and were able to attend this celebration.  They were kind enough to share their photos so that I could share them with you.

Please feel free to ask any questions.  Hope you are having a great day. 🙂

XOXO

Julienne | Eggs & Creme Brûlée French Toast in San Marino

Feeling a little fancy, I decided to dress up and venture out to Julienne’s in San Marino to enjoy a nice breakfast with fancy toast.  The weather was just a bit crisp but sunny.  We opted to sit outdoors since the overhead heaters made for a comfortable environment.  This was my first time trying the restaurant, but I had heard great reviews about it.

Julienne's Coffee

Julienne’s is well known for their breakfast.  Their signature dish is a creme brûlée French toast served with fresh strawberry sauce and creme anglais.  Of course, this was the first item I had to try!


Baked Crème Brulee French Toast with Fresh Strawberry Sauce and Crème Anglais


Creme Brûlée French Toast

This dish is so decadent and sweet!  I would recommend sharing it so that you don’t end up in a sugar coma.

Poinsettia

The ambiance of the restaurant is intimate and quaint.  The restaurant consists of a dining patio and three adjacent store fronts, one of which serves as a gourmet market and gift shop.  During this particular visit, holiday music played in the background and the restaurant was decorated with twinkle lights and garland.

Raisin Rosemary Toast with Butter and Jam

Complimentary Rosemary Raisin Toast with Butter and Jam

After looking over all of the egg options, I opted for an omlette.  While all the egg dishes sounded delicious, the Green Omlette caught my attention since it was served with avocado.

Julienne's Green Omlette

Green Omlette – Asparagus, Broccoli, Spinach, Scallions, Avocado, Feta and Roasted Pepper Salsa

Everything was fantastic.  From the complimentary toast to the ambiance.  Julienne’s is a great place to start your morning with your girl friends chatting over a hot cup of coffee. Or a nice date place to take that special someone or even mom and dad.

Breakfast is served Monday – Friday from 7:00 am to 10:45 am, with an intermission menu available from 10:45 am to 11:30 am. Brunch is served all day Saturday and the restaurant is closed on Sunday.  Check out their website or Yelp for more information.

RECIPE: Hot Spiced Apple Cider

What smell is more comforting than that of cinnamon apple lingering throughout the house.  It is a wonderful combination that is associated with the holidays and hopefully has the ability to transport you in time.

Wanting to get into the mood of the holiday season, we took a Trader Joe’s spiced apple cider mix and took it up a notch.  By adding allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and lemon slices, and boiling the mix on the stovetop, we were able to highlight the flavors of the ready made cider and bring forward the hints of citrus.


Baby it’s cold outside!


Hot Spice Apple Cider Recipe

Ingredients

1 Teaspoon Allspice

1 Tablespoon Cinnamon

1-pinch Nutmeg

5-7 Cloves

1 Quart Spiced Cider (Trader Joe’s) – Or substitute apple juice

Optional:  Slices of citrus to taste – lemon, orange, or pineapple.  Or substitute a splash of juice.

Directions

Bring the spiced cider to a simmer.  Add all of the dry ingredients and optional citrus flavors, and whisk.  Simmer over medium heat for 15-20 minutes.  Serve in mugs and enjoy!  Yields 3-4 servings, depending on the size of your mugs.  🙂

Happy Holidays!

Plan Check Kitchen + Bar | Burgers and Churros in Los Angeles

When my friend first asked if I wanted to try out Plan Check Kitchen and Bar, I thought maybe he typed too fast and autocorrect had changed the name of the restaurant… but no, Plan Check it was indeed!

Plan Check is a quirky neighborhood restaurant,

“serving modern American comfort food in a small plate format along with unique cocktails, premium whiskeys and craft beers.”

Their claim to fame is their ketchup leather, a dehydrated square of ketchup with a fruit roll-up texture.  (Tomatoes are considered a fruit right?)  I had to do a doable take when seeing this on the menu, but knew I had to try it right away.

PCB (Plan Check Burger)

PCB (Plan Check Burger) – americanized dashi cheese, ketchup leather, schmaltz onions, mixed pickles, crunch bun.

While I opted for the Plan Check Burger, my friend was more adventurous and tried the Chefs Favorite Burger; served with a fried egg and topped off with hot sauce!

Chefs Favorite Burger

Chefs Favorite Burger – cheese two ways, bacon two ways, ketchup leather, sunny fried egg, hot sauce.

To compliment the entrees we decided to split a goat cheese plate, sweet potatoe fries, and churro dessert.

Goat Cheese PlateSweet Potatoe FriesCruller Churro Donut

We both agreed that the ketchup leather was delicious.  However, the most tastiest treat on the menu has to be the churro donut!  Dusted with cinnamon and brown sugar, the crunchy outside hides the vanilla flavored lightly moist texture on the inside.  I’m not quite sure why they call it a “cruller donut” because true cruller fashion would consist of a dense filling, whereas this donut is light on the inside.  Served on top of cream with fruit, asking for it a la mode is really the only way to go.

Inside donut churro

If you are visiting Los Angeles and looking for your burger and churro fix, make sure to check them out.  They have three locations within the area, with one conveniently located in downtown.  Visit their website or check out their reviews on Yelp.

Happy eating!

3-Day Quote Challenge | Day 3


Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.

Howard Thurman


 

Morning Coffee Phuket Thailand

Kamala Beach, Thailand


Do what makes you happy.


I was nominated by the lovely Rae from Pastel Carousel for the three day quote challenge. Pastel Carousel is a lovely lifestyle blog about family, fashion, and fun. 💕

XOXO