Posts Tagged ‘Temecula’

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I am a Cradle Catholic so Lent is my way of preparing for Easter, but many Christian Churches observe Lent as well. I guess you could say “Lent, It’s Not Just for Catholics Anymore”. Here are my top ten ways to observe Lent. If this list doesn’t work for you I hope it at least peaks your interest enough to ask your church or place of faith how it prepares for the Easter Season. In all weeks , but especially this week my top ten is never in order.

• Observe Ash Wednesday. I attend Mass on Ash Wednesday, and receive the ash cross on my forehead after Mass. I do not eat any meat, and have only a main meal and two smaller meals with no snacking in between. I also do this on Good Friday.
• Know what Lent is: According to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, “Lent is a 40-day liturgical season that begins on Ash Wednesday and concludes at the Great Vigil of Easter. Sundays are not included in the 40-day count because every Sunday is a joyful celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. Though not biblical, Lent has long been a tradition in the Christian Church, and it is thought that the tradition of the 40 days recalls the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness, fasting and being tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:1-11). Lent is considered a time of penance and discipline.” This is a pretty general description but with a quick Google Search you can find out so much more.
• I decorate my home in some purple decor; this reminds me of the suffering and death, but also royalty and hope of the resurrection.
• I Spend Lent with additional prayer, reflection and repentance. Lent is a time for soul-searching, facing great challenges and overcoming mistakes. This may be the perfect time to get back in touch with your spiritual life if you have strayed. We all fall off the wagon start with some forgiveness for you.
• I follow the tradition of Lent by fasting, done in honor of Christ’s own 40-day fast in the desert. I do this by giving up meat on Fridays and just being more aware of my intake. You can do this in whatever way seems appropriate to you – its intensity varies from total abstinence to refraining from eating meat. Many churches focus less on fasting and encourage charitable deeds.
• Give up something you love for the 40-day period or add a daily deed of faith, symbolizing the Lenten season’s return to simplicity and purity. I have given up gum as a child and as an adult I have given up Diet Coke and drive time radio and music – as long as the meaning of its absence or addition holds significant value to you.
• I make room for Easter and the new life of spring. While this season might be tinged with solemnity, it should also be a time of looking forward to renewal and triumph. I like to start this season with gardening getting back in touch with the rebirth of Spring.
• Meat Fast on Fridays: The fast food restaurants start with Fish Sandwich specials and Catholic Churches everywhere will be having their Fish Fries. If I make an oops and have meat by accident on a Friday, I start over again on Saturday.
• Understand Good Friday: According to churchyear.net, “Good Friday is the Friday within Holy Week, and is traditionally a time of fasting and penance, commemorating the anniversary of Christ’s crucifixion and death. For Christians, Good Friday commemorates not just a historical event, but the sacrificial death of Christ, which with the resurrection, comprises the heart of the Christian faith. The Catholic Catechism states this succinctly: Justification has been merited for us by the Passion of Christ who offered himself on the cross as a living victim, holy and pleasing to God, and whose blood has become the instrument of atonement for the sins of all men (CCC 1992).
• Prepare for Easter: I love hiding eggs for the kids, pretty Easter dresses, and planning Easter Dinner, but don’t forget the reason for the season. Easter is the amazing season of forgiveness. Remember if Jesus did all that He did so you can be forgiven; bring forgiveness into your life for yourself and others.

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Monday Night we got a pleasant surprise when we went to Islands in Temecula … Monday Night is kids eat free ….. coooool total bill $16.18. I went on a quest to find what nights some of my favorite restaurants will feed my two girlies for free.

Now I know that businesses are always changing their promotions so call ahead to be sure the night is still the same and there are no other stipulations. As always my top ten list is in no particular order you know I could never pick a number 1.

Monday: Islands  http://www.islandsrestaurants.com

My favorite meal is the Moa Eke (Grilled Chicken) but the menu offers tons of tasty salads, burgers, sandwiches, soups, and beverages. The décor is Hawaiian and there are big screens everywhere showing extreme sports. My kids love the food and the entertainment

Monday: Macaroni Grill  http://www.macaronigrill.com

Macaroni Grill is always an awesome pick for the kids. They can write on the tablecloth which is always good. Macaroni Grill is Italian Cuisine and the kids menu is full of pasta, pizza and ravioli. The special does require you to purchase and adult entrée to receive the free children’s meal.

Tuesday: Pat & Oscars  www.breadsticks.com

Ohhhh, the breadsticks are straight from heaven. Kid’s meals at P&O are just as yummy as the adult entrée. Pat and Oscar’s is located right above the duck pond and the patio has an amazing view at Sunset. The menu offers Pizza, Breadsticks, Salads, Breadsticks, Sandwiches, Breadsticks, Ribs, Breadsticks, Chicken, Breadsticks, and oh yeah yummy breadsticks.

Tuesday: Philly’s Best http://www.eatphillysbest.com
Cheese steaks and Hoagies. Are you hungry then head to Philly’s. The Hoagies can be served warm or cold and chips and POP are always available. This may become a kids favorite because of the soda in a bottle.

Tuesday: Chick-fil-a (from 4-7 p.m.) http://www.chick-fil-a.com
Are you looking for a quick dinner on Tuesday night? Chick-fil-a is a quick stop for all things chicken. Salads, Sandwiches, and yummy ice cream are just a few of their highlights. Their ice tea and lemonade are as fresh as a summer’s day so give it a try while you are there.

Wednesday 5pm-close: NOW Noodles of the World http://www.noodlesoftheworld.net

Okay, time for a cultural moment: Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, & Thai noodles are yours for the tasting. Let your kids try something new. You never know there may be a new favorite on the menu.

Wednesday: Oggi’s Pizza and Brewing Co. http://www.oggis.com

It is a Temecula Favorite. Oggi’s has everything from Pizza to Chicken to Sandwiches. There is always a game on the TV to watch and the mood is relaxed and fun.

Thursday: Hometown Buffet http://www.oldcountrybuffet.com/whats_new/family_night

This is not necessarily in my top ten, but my kids and husband love the buffet. Prices have recently gone up at Hometown Buffet and drinks are no longer included in the price, but Thursday Nights are the perfect night because only the grownups pay. The kids can eat chicken, ribs, fish, and mac & cheese all on the same plate at the same time.

Saturday: El Torito http://www.eltorito.com/menu.asp?page=KidsMenu

My new favorite is their Steak Fajita Salad…. Yummy! Now I can get that while the kidlets are choosing tasty kid size meals from the kids menu. My girls like the tacos and quesadillas. Get their early kids only eat free until 3pm.

 

Sunday – Thursday: Filippi’s Pizza Grotto http://www.realcheesepizza.com

Not free for kids but a family meal at this price , the kids might as well be free. This meal feeds two adults and two kids with leftovers to take home. $20.95 10 inch Cheese Pizza, Spaghetti, Lasagna, Salad & Italian Bread. Available Sunday Thru Thursday, Not Available Friday or Saturday, Dine-in Only. I love this place!

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This list is in no particular order. They are all yummy I couldn’t possibly choose my favorite. Try them all on your next trip to the Temecula Wineries.

Mount Palomar Limited Reserve Port

Made from Zinfandel and Petite Sirah grapes from our estate vineyards, the Port is fermented like a red wine, then fortified with high proof brandy resulting in an exceptional wine with diversity and finesse. Dark in color with classic port aromas of cooked red fruits, figs, caramel and brown sugar. Our Limited Reserve Port is spicy with some oak accent and a smooth, long finish.

Mount Palomar Solera Cream Sherry

Since 1978 Mount Palomar has produced handcrafted sherry wines in our outdoor aging solera.  This is a forgotten winemaking method in California that harkens back to an earlier era.  Using the classic Palomino variety and patient aging of at least three years under the sun creates rich hazelnut and caramel flavors and a long smooth finish. Many people enjoy this Sherry as a simple aperitif or with shortbread cookies or roasted almonds, but it is also a good match for Baklava and similar desserts.

Ponte Zinfandel Port
Late night relaxation requires a little something extra. Uncork a bottle of our Ponte Zinfandel Port. This delicious Port is the perfect ending to a good meal and pleasant evening.

Ponte NV Sherry

The Ponte Sherry is the perfect aperitif before sitting down to a good meal and a pleasant evening. This luscious wine is excellent served at room temperature or over ice and makes a great match to traditional hors d’oeuvres.

Wilson Creek Decadencia Chocolate Dessert Wine

  Indulge yourself with a Premium, Old Vine Dessert wine that will surprise you by its flavor, yet relax you with its smoothness. We took an astonishing 100 year old vine Zinfandel, made it into a dynamic Port, and then added a touch of Essence of Chocolate to make it even more delectable

Wilson Creek Angelica Cream Sherry

Made from 100 year old vines. Angelica is considered the first wine made in California. It was used in ceremonies by the Padres in the California missions. Flavors of caramel and hazelnut.

Wilson Creek Almond Champagne ( I know not “officially” a dessert wine)

This white sparkling wine is naturally fermented, with just a hint of pure almond added so it’s guaranteed to dazzle your guests. A must-have champagne to make any occasion extra special. Great with desserts, cuddling, hot tubs, picnics, fireplaces, brunches, and parties.

South Coast Winery Black Jack Port

This blend reflects opulent ripe berry fruit and nutty aromas, along with a warm silky finish; character that only these styles of wine possess. Cheers! And here’s to Jack! Blended to emulate a late bottled vintage port, the Black Jack Port has rich fruit character and dense extracts that give wonderful mouth feel and flavors. Subtle nuances of chocolate and berry meld with delicate oak aromas to give the sensualand decadent experience that Jack would expect.

Leonesse Cinsaut Dessert Wine, Tucalota Vineyard

Cinsaut Dessert Wine is crafted in a traditional Port style, offering layers of ripe plum, black cherry and blackberry accented by hints of cinnamon and creamy vanilla. Rich and elegant flavors of blackberry and black cherry are influenced by just a touch of dark chocolate. Aged in small French oak barrels for thirty-four months, this wine is soft and decadent throughout the palate with a silky lingering finish

Maurice Carrie Sweet Christa’s

A Late Harvest Chardonnay and boasts an apricot, banana blend with tropical fruit characteristics. It is a superb dessert wine or aperitif.

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Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

Pauba Ridge Park

Ponte Winery Smokehouse Restaurant

Eagles Nest at Pechanga

Barnes & Nobles

Mount Palomar Winery Patio

South Coast Winery Spa

Duck Pond

Springtime Nighttime Drive through Wine Country

Hot Air Balloon Ride

The Tuesday Top Ten is never in order. It is always too hard to pick my favorite

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