Jul 07 2008
Staycation
Justin and Renee are going on a cruise to Mexico so Jeff and I and the dogs are going to go down to Justin’s this week and have a little “staycation.” That’s the new term coined because of our rising gas prices. People are choosing to stay close to home and enjoy the sights and attractions nearby. There are so many fun things to do down in Orange County. First of all, we are taking the dogs with us so we will take them to the dog beach at Newport Beach. Jeff’s birthday is on Tuesday, July 8th, so we will probably do the dog beach during the day and then have a birthday dinner at our favorite restaurant chain: Roy’s. There is one in Newport Beach. On Wednesday, we will either go to the Sawdust Festival in Laguna Beach or to Disneyland. Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Balboa Island… all gorgeous beaches and charming towns with lots of shops and restaurants. We’ll be back Thursday night. Audre will hold down the fort here with the cats and Jessica, Pat and Ryan may come and stay to get a little relief from the valley heat.
Last night, we had a fantastic summer dinner at Chris and Liz’s. They invited us for some white wine tasting in their backyard and after that we had poached salmon with a pesto like sauce made of parsley, capers and olive oil. We also had fresh tomatoes from their garden with basil (also homegrown) and balsamic vinegar and a delicious macaroni salad. For dessert, vanilla ice cream with a rhubarb topping. I wish I had my camera with me because it was all so colorful and pretty. A perfect summer meal!
I have to write a little bit about our 4th of July at Justin’s. His townhouse complex sits up on the bluffs overlooking Huntington Beach. He’s on the first block that is within the Costa Mesa city limits and Costa Mesa is one of five cities in Orange County that allow fireworks. The fireworks are sold by youth groups- schools, sport’s teams, etc… as fundraisers and they are “safe and sane” fireworks. Well, I dion’t know where all the neighbors buy their fireworks but they were NOT of the safe and sane variety! They were pretty much like the fireworks you would see at a professional show- big bombs bursting in air! The random M-80′s which are like little sticks of dynamite. People had these handheld wands that were like little rocket launchers. It was unsafe and insane but lots and lots of fun! You couldn’t even see down his street for all the smoke. The fire engine and police drove by and they were given cheers by the residents and they waved back. And the BBQ before the festivities started was great, too. It was like a little block party and there were tables set up and 2 BBQ’s going. One cooking beef and one cooking fish. There’s a professional fisherman in the complex so there was more fish than anyone could eat and there was lots of steak and also Korean BBQ. All the accompaniments you could want, too. Plus Margaritas, beer and wine. A good time was had by all!
July 7th, 2008 at 1:06 am
ooh, sounds fabulous! 4th July celebrations sound so nice. We have nothing like that in England.
Bill and I have had ‘staycations’ for the past few years, and will have another one this year. I don’t mind one jot, I love being home, we eat out when we can (gorgeous girl in tow) and get little jobs done around the house. I love it! We are currently planning this years, as the furniture we ordered will be here at the start of August instead of halfway through as previously told.
Right. little one has gone quiet downstairs,which is never a good sign! have a great week, lots of love to you xxxx
July 7th, 2008 at 1:07 am
oh, p.s yes, we do have Babies R Us, it’s inside Toys R Us, not a separate shop (not sure if it is for you, but from the way your wrote, I assumed it to be seaparate though part of the chain). My little brother works at TRU and has done for around 10 years or so now.
xxxxx
July 7th, 2008 at 4:13 am
Wow, sounds like you had a great 4th of July. Enjoy your staycation at Justin’s.
July 7th, 2008 at 4:14 am
I forgot Happy Birthday to Jeff!
July 7th, 2008 at 5:24 am
Your staycation sounds great! I would love just going to all the beaches. We always play tourist here and spend the day in the French Quarter, but the summer time is not the time to do that here…only when it’s cool. Have a great staycation and bring your camera! Hugs!
July 7th, 2008 at 5:33 am
Sounds like you had a super weekend with Justin, and Liz and Chris. I like your idea of a staycation at Justin’s. I have pics of me on Huntingdon beach the year Jason and I came to LA to get married. We got married in OC too but I can’t remember the name of the place! I should look at my invite and let you know. His mom arranged it all and it was all new to me.
:-)
July 7th, 2008 at 6:00 am
Hi sweetie !
Your staycations sounds lovely & except taking the train to go to our parents’, we do staycation there. Anyway, with two little ones, you can’t do as when you’re two grown-ups alone.
Wishing you a great start to the new week !
Sounds you had a fab 4th of July !! OXOXOXOX Big hugs !
July 7th, 2008 at 6:16 am
July 7th, 2008 at 6:43 am
Hi Darylynn, we were at Balboa yesterday and it was nice. Enjoy your staycation! :surfing:
July 7th, 2008 at 7:57 am
Hi There,
You are going to my old hometown. As you know, my dad’s house is in Costa Mesa behind the South Coast Plaza. My mom likes to go to Fashion Island, Dana Point, and Carlsbad besides Laguna. As a teenage, I rode my bike around Balboa Island with my friends and walked many times on the pier talking about boys. Have fun! HUGS
July 7th, 2008 at 9:04 am
Hi Darylynn!
Sounds like our neighborhood on the fourth. There were lots of big fireworks too. I’m amazed at what people will spend just to blow it up. lol It’s totally illegal in our city to have fireworks, but you never would have known it.
Hope you have a fun week at Justin’s! ((Hugs))
July 7th, 2008 at 11:14 am
oh your 4th of July sounds like a ‘blast’ literally lol!
: and i love M-80′s hahahaha it sounds like you might have a 4th of July tradition going on! all the seafood you could eat? oh i missed that one!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to JEFF!! (on Tuesday of course, and i am off to check out Roy’s. :chef: Have a wonderful min-staycation, i know you will! (((hugggs)))
July 7th, 2008 at 11:22 am
aha just checked out Roy’s, now i know why your going there, almost like going to Hawaii! what a beautiful site that is, not to mention the restaurant part of it all
The Sawdust Festival sounds fun and interesting too. that’s as far as i got so far 
2: ((((hugggs))))
July 7th, 2008 at 11:46 am
wow, sounds like an awesome 4th of July at Justin’s. Gotta love those M-80′s. They scare the crap out of our doggies. lol
I’m curious to know just how much gas is over your way. We’re at $3.99 won’t be long til we see $5 bucks huh? sheesh
I checked out Roy’s, nice joint, not my bag though since I’m not much of a seafood fan. ewwww lol The only seafood I’ll ever eat is Red Lobster’s Shrimp Scampi. yumma! Weird I know. Have a great Monday! *hugs*
July 7th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Hi Darylynn,
: Happy Birthday to Jeff! We are about 6 hours away from Zion right now!
Enjoy your time at Justin’s!
Hugs, Dru
July 7th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
I hope you guys have a great week and Happy Birthday to Jeff. How nice you’re able to get some days away to enjoy together. It sounds like your 4th July celebrations were wonderful fun.
July 8th, 2008 at 12:36 am
:anybodyhome: Hi Darylynn:
Sounds like the perfect “staycation” I’m sure you’ll have a perfect week. Happy Birthday to your good-looking firefighter.
:
Hope you take loads of photos. Have a great week my friend. See you when you get back. ~Hugs~
2:
July 8th, 2008 at 4:11 am
happy birthday, jeff!!!!
:
enjoy your staycation!!!!!
July 8th, 2008 at 5:33 am
Your staycations sounds wonderful!! Happy Birthday to your dh. Have a wonderful time!
{{Big Hugs}}
Cathy
July 8th, 2008 at 6:11 am
Happy birthday to Jeff & enjoy your staycation. My spell checker doesn’t like that name
I hope you’re having a wonderful time & enjoy the beach. Hugs
July 8th, 2008 at 7:55 am
Hi Darylynn! Sounds like you had an awesome 4th. Hugs!!
July 9th, 2008 at 12:38 am
WOW, sounds like you had a great 4th of July, Darylynn! Happy belated one to you and also happy b-day to Jeff! I’m glad the wallet was retrieved safe and sound. Restores hope and faith in our society when people show honesty and kindness
I have a post for this Wednesday. Last Wednesday and week slipped/blurred by me, sorry if you stopped by and saw my old post. Has Justin done any more with that neat part of his home that has the skylight? I can’t remember what you’d called that room. But you showed some pics of it, just before he moved in and mentioned you thought something special should happen with it 
I was quite fascinated with that airy room/space! Have a super week. Tons of hugs xo
July 9th, 2008 at 7:15 am
Hi, Darylynn, Sounds like your 4th was a lot of fun. I had a lot of “fireworks” on my street as well. Some went up pretty high. Hope you and Jeff enjoy your “staycation”. Gas prices here are bad and I won’t be going very far on my days off. Have a great day!
July 9th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Hi Darylynn! you are very lucky! your “staycation” are my dreams, Laguna Beach is my second place in the world on my heart- Go to Las Brisas and drink a Margarita to me. Have a GREAT GRAET time! HUGS :surfing:
July 9th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Hi Darylynn,
I don’t know about “staycation” All the National parks are loaded with people!! It is so crowded in Zion you can’t even drive in without a long line. I have never seen so many rented motorhomes from all over the US!! Hope you are having a nice time!
Hugs, Dru