Alive in Wonderland

Dude Ranch at Kay El Bar

We just got in tonight from Kay El Bar and even though I was exhausted, dusty and I'm pretty sure smelly, I couldn't wait to make this video from our trip. It's set to the tune of Plain White T's 1,2,3,4, which matches perfectly the mellow, happy-go-lucky feel of the ranch. Even the cowboys got into the act on this one...

 

Photos are on their way. Hope you all had a wonderful Easter!

Wish you were here...

We are in Nevada at my Mom and Dad's house for the week, I might be a little sparse on the posts until we get back.  

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My post today at OC Register: Even Better Than The Real Thing. 

My photo on OC Daily Photo today. 

Praising Arizona

A few more pictures from our trip to Kay el Bar in Arizona. I've never been to Arizona and I love it.  It was one of those places that is exactly the way you picture it to be.  

 

Old abandoned motel lined the highway, just as how I imagined they would.

A blooming cactus in now one of my top ten things in life, now.  

 

Cowboy boots and an patina chair.  Everywhere I turned there was a shot just waiting to be captured.  

The Little Church of Hope in Hope, Arizona. That solitary tree makes this photo.  

We caught the DC Riders riding down  the main street of Wickenburg. This is when I decided I love cowboys. 

I even got my picture taken with on of them.  They are such gentlemen.

Fine. That's Woody and me at Disneyland last Friday. 

I did adore Arizona and can't wait to visit again. 

An OC Girl's guide to dude ranching

I just returned last night from a trip to Kay el Bar Ranch in Arizona. It's one of those Dude Ranches where you can go for a few days and live like a real cowboy girl. That is if cowgirls can soak in the jacuzzi every night, get a fresh lemonade on the trail and have room service make their beds. It was spectacular. It has been pretty well covered here in this blog that I'm not a "roughing-it" type of person. But, I can do this kind of "great outdoors." If you're a girl from Orange County--like me--who doesn't have a lot of experience with horses or nature I've put together these tips to help you conquer this new frontier: An Orange County girl's guide to Dude Ranching --- Freshly applied lip gloss + dusty trail ride = mistake. --- Your horse is NOT giving you "the stink eye" or "evil eye," and does not think you are an idiot. They look at everyone that way. --- You can't possibly say "look at that cactus!" too many times to your trail guide. He truly appreciates you pointing them out to him. That's why he says, "Yeah, would you look at that!" with heartfelt enthusiasm. ---That's the dinner bell, not the fire bell. No need to panic or call ranch manager. --- A can of Diet Coke does not travel well in a saddle bag. If you simple MUST take it with you, I suggest you take many, many giant steps away from your horse before opening it. Horses don't like surprises. --- The "cowboy" at Boot Barn in Orange who sold you your boots was 95% right, it really doesn't matter how cute your boots are, they just need to be comfortable and keep you on the horse. --- If you get the Dixie Chicks song "Wide Open Spaces" stuck in your head during your stay, immediately start listening to Jason Mraz repeatedly on your iPod until it is gone. --- Make sure to appreciate the quiet, slow pace of your horse, the easy, casual way of the ranch, and the awesomeness of the blooming desert. You are a lucky girl to be able to experience such beauty and spend this time with your family.

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Other outdoor adventures I've had...

"Say it isn't snow"

"The Broughton family experiences nature in the Anza Borrego Desert."

To see more of my photography from our trip you can go to my Flickr page: here.

Wine Valley Inn and Cottages in soggy Solvang

We packed up the family and set off on a work/play weekend in Solvang last weekend.  I have been doing photography and video for Larry's company and The Wine Valley Inn and Cottages is a Broughton Hospitality Hotel.  I took over 600 pictures and one hour of video.  This is the collage I did for the blog and email campaign.  

K, so it rained almost the whole time, but it just seemed to add to the European feel of the little town.  I prefer traveling to tourist spots on their off season, anyway and since it's in wine country, we had no trouble warming ourselves from the inside out at the wine tasting in the lobby.  

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We heard this song  on "Coffee House," which is my favorite XM station at the moment. I love Dave Matthews and this version of "Crush" just oozes his brilliance. Perfect "driving on a rainy highway" music.

                                                                                          

Santa Monica Sunday

 

I spent yesterday in Santa Monica shooting pictures and video of The Georgian Hotel for Broughton Hospitality's website and blog. 

No kids. No dogs. No Larry. Just me, my camera and my Flip. It was restoring to get out and get in a creative zone for an afternoon. I needed it. Ever since I took my Christmas break it has been hard for me to start up again. I'm learning I'm the type of person who recharges by spending time alone.  

I ran down to the Third Street Promenade to buy these shoes and a dress to shoot in a  room. Sadly, they will have to go back to Anthro and then home to an owner who will hopefully give them a better life than I can.

The Georgian is my favorite hotel not only because of its Art Deco architecture and decor, but because I love spending time in Santa Monica. I lived for 10 years in San Francisco and I sometimes miss the energy of living in a city. What I loved most about living in San Francisco was the feeling that you could walk out your door and anything could happen. But then, when we wanted to start a family the idea of walking out your door and ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN wasn't exciting, just ominous. So we started making our way to Orange County. 

Living in Irvine there is a mix of only about three or four things that could happen and one of them involves Starbucks--so not so thrilling. But that's okay. That's why I like going to Santa Monica now and then. To get my fix of freaks, great shopping, and jaywalkers--love it all.

 

After getting frustrated with myself while shooting some pictures I realized I'm going to have to make some decisions coming up soon. I either need to go forward with photography or just be happy working with the skills I have now. I haven't ever taken a class (except in high school) and got lost when I traipsed into the mystifying and scary world of Photoshop all alone. So if I want to continue, I think I will have to get a little more serious--which as you might have figured out by now, I don't like to do. 

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Listening to The Petshop Boys' "Being Boring"

Dinner with Libby at Hungry Cat in Los Angeles

Last night...another trip into Los Angeles.

With a Mapquest perched on my lap Larry and I hit the 405 to the restaurant Hungry Cat on Hollywood and Vine. We were meeting our old friend from San Francisco, Libby Spears. (Please click here if you want the lowdown on how we met.)

She has completed her documentary "Playground" about the child sex trade in the United States. Libby's now working on distrabution of the film and building The NEST Foundation, an organization that will help raise awareness of the problem of commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) of American children and also create shelters for these kids. I know. I am beside myself with admiration of her sacrifice and commitment to this issue.

It's always fun to see her and don't let the stark, weighty nature of her work let her be mistaken for a "Debbie Downer." (Which she has unjustly been called at dinner parties after explaining what she does. Rude.) Her big heart, quick laugh, and easy, southern temperament makes her a fine dinner companion.

Libby is a professionally trained chef, so when she said Hungry Cat had THE BEST food in Los Angeles you gotta take it seriously. Everyone knows chefs RARELY say that unless it's about their own restaurant, so we were ready to be dazzled.

Hungry Cat is known for its cocktails and Libby and I both ordered this: Hot Tamale. It's like a margarita, but with all fresh juices and a nice big red chili pepper plopped right down in it. If Scott Glenn in Urban Cowboy can make something "icky" in his tequila look good, then so could Libby and I. It was the best cocktail I've had since Bing Crosby's.

Totally organic and earth friendly is Hungry Cat. "We don't kill the fish to get our caviar. We perform a c-secion on them, take the eggs out, sew them back up, and send them on their way," Roxanne, our waitress explained. (Don't worry, totally got that on tape.)

Given the Karma, the food was outrageously scrumptious.

We must have stayed at that table by the front door for 3 hours talking, laughing, enjoying freshly pressed coffee...

(Today's snapshot: French Press)

and me secretly waiting for Craig Ferguson to come crashing in, grab me by the waist and pose for a picture with me. Never happened-- but that was truly the only disappointment of the evening.

Our girl's Palm Springs weekend

Our forth annual trip to Palm Springs will go down in the books as one of the best. We stayed at Leann's freshly built house, which rivals any hotel (sorry Larry) in town. The house done in a Mission Style, with large stone floors, heaving drapes and wrought iron, was a perfect, cool refuge from the hot-even-for-Palm-Springs weather.

We drove out on Saturday morning after fueling-up at Starbucks. One of my favorite things about Palm Springs is that the directions getting around town can sound something like this:

Turn left on Bob Hope
Then make a right on Dinah Shore
Flip a U-turn on Gerald Ford
But if you come up to Frank Sinatra, you've go to far
Just take Gene Autry all the way back to Bob Hope...

After spending the entire afternoon eating, chatting and pretending it wasn't too hot to lay in the sun, we decided it was time to wash off the 110 degree heat that covered us and go to dinner.

Vicki has long harangued me about my lack of...well, more talent than enthusiasm about getting dolled-up, so I gave her carte blanche and she did my hair and make-up for the night...

(Leann, Jana, me, Vicki, Jen and Jill)

We dined at Bing Crosby's Restaurant and I'm happy to report a good time was had by all. The 40's decor and atmosphere were impeccable, complete with large black and white photos covering the walls and a hat rack brimming (ha-see what I did?) with fedoras.

The only buzz-kill of the evening was when--sharply at 8:00 pm--the swank-factor was obliterated by the band's turn in musical genre. They switched from Old Blue Eyes to Cool and The Gang.

This was a travisty I could not let go unexplained, after calling over the manager for a little "chat" about the disgraceful turn of events..."What is with the music?"...he said this is what the locals liked--dance music. Oh, and dance they did.

All was totally forgiven when I got my "June in January" drink, a house special...

I happily sang "Well she's a brick howwwwwse" while enjoying its bubbly goodness.

We spent Sunday morning crowded under the umbrella in the pool talking about what 80's fashions should make a come-back--creepers, wrap around skirts and Dolphin shorts being among some the winners...I mean talking about the upcoming elections. Then we headed back to Orange County; a little tanner, a little plumper, and a little happier having spent a whole weekend with friends who we love.

Swanky Palm Springs Weekend

Getting ready for a swanky weekend in Palm Springs with my girlfriends. It is our bi-yearly get-away without kids and husbands. Palm Springs is one of those places that actually lives up to its retro reputation.

We are going to eat at Bing Crosby's Restaurant and Piano Bar on Saturday night.

I am hoping to talk the girls into stopping by M Modern Gallery while there. It is having its Annual Tiki Exhibit along with a solo show by Derek Yaniger, who I like very much and not just because he discribes himself as a "toothless hillbilly," but that does add to his appeal.

We fled to Santa Monica at Christmas--Read Santa Monica Weekend Here.

Baby it's cold outside, but I refuse to accept it

I am sitting in the Disney Wonder's adult lounge "The Cove" writing this to you. It is freezing, but I refuse to give up hope of seeing the sun I saw on the cruise's marketing DVD. So, instead of breaking down and shelling out $50 for a cheesy, yet cozy, Disney sweatshirt, I walked around all day in my "Caribbean wear," which is my swimsuit, cover-up and flip-flops--it's 61 degrees outside right now.

We were unable to land at Castaway Cay, Disney's private island, today due to inclement weather. We will go tomorrow instead. The word from a chatty employee who was "guarding" the Captain Jack Sparrow line--which is a thankless job--is that usually we would normally just skip the island altogether and just have another day at sea, but Roy Disney, Jr. is on board. According to chatty line guarder, they have only come back to the island one time--ever. I suppose BEING a Disney has its perks.

So, thanks Roy, Jr. Skipping the island would have been a heartless move--though, I am sure, clearly detailed in my five-page Disney contract.

"Baby it's cold outside" by Ray Charles and Betty Carter (my favorite version of this song)

Wish you were here

Dear my blog,
I miss you so much! I haven't been able to write on you for so long--three whole days! I know, I desperately miss you too. I can see by the stats meter that hardly anyone is coming to visit you while I have been away. Don't get discouraged. They do love you, they just need something fresh to look at...you know we blog readers...new content hounds and all...
I am having a great time. It has been colder than expected, but it still is beautiful in the Caribbean and all the activities have kept us busy. I have eaten a mountain of food already, which makes me less than eager to put on my bathing suit every day. The kids are deliriously happy and having the time of their lives. Each night they are falling asleep in an instant and snore a happy tune.
Internet access has been difficult to come by, I am a little disappointed in Disney for that--for heaven's sake, they are Disney. Disney! So, I can't tell you exactly when I when I will be able to write again--or if I will be able to. The Pirate Party scheduled for tonight is said to be brutal.
Love you ALWAYS,
Suzanne
P.S. Can't send pictures due to previously mentioned internet snafu.

"Wish you were here" by Pink Floyd

Soaking up the sun in Florida

I just wrote something on The Mom Blog at ocregister.com. It will post on Saturday at 7:30 am: OC Moms getting their just rewards in Florida.

There we are, Jana, Jill and I lounging at the "beach" at the not-at-all-tacky Dolphin Hotel Resort. (Note slight sarcasm in tone...will explain...later.) As you can see, I have ditched the purse. I heard your shrieks of horror and have replaced it with a backpack (and NO I will not post a picture).

Men weren't meant to ride with clouds between their knees

We are off to the Disney Cruise tomorrow. We go to The Disney World Resort first for two days and then board the Disney Wonder on Easter Sunday.

I am hoping to be able to post a least one picture a day.

I don't like to fly, so my stomach is already in knots thinking about the five hour flight to Florida. I try my very best not show my kids I 'm scared, but I am certain it's on my face. Hiding my feelings isn't one of my talents (I know you are shocked by this news).

Larry always talks me through it. "That's the doors closing," he calmly assures me, "That's just turbulence."

"Superman" by Five for Fighting

I'll remember it, Dublin in a rainstorm

Happy Saint Patrick's Day. I feel like telling a little Irish story--my very own Irish story.

When I was nineteen I went to Germany to visit my brother and, for reasons that are too complicated to explain now, I ended up traveling alone to Ireland.

Armed with a Youth Hostel pass, an enormous backpack and limited common sense, I hitchhiked my way through most of the country. I spent about a week and a half there and I'm happy to report, they were some of the best days of my life.

When it was time to leave, I boarded the ferry that would take me back to the train, that would take me back to Heidelberg. This song, Troy, by Sinead O Connor, was playing in my ears as Ireland disappeared between the two grays of the sea and the sky.

So what if I cried? I cried my eyes out, okay. I never wanted to leave.

Sometime I have to tell you the story of the filthy-mouthed truck driver, Pat, who drove me from Dublin to Galway...where I was stung by a bee while eating a Nutella sandwich...which was almost all I ate while there...oh,oh..and about how I stood for hours in the rain, just outside Dublin, waiting for a ride to take me to Belfast. Then, finally, a nice couple stopped, leaned out their window and said no one would take a single American girl to Belfast--too dangerous. Apparently, they could tell I was American by my shoes, which I took as a compliment, but realized later it probably wasn't. They drove me back into Dublin and treated me to tea. (Well, that's really the whole story about them.) Oh, and the mime! William Kennedy, the Irish mime. Don't let me forget to tell you about him. I spent DAYS with him...

If You're Going to San Francisco...again

A few more pictures and suggestions if you are, well, going to San Francisco.

Every Anthropologie is not the same, each location has its own local flair. SF's Anthro was sleeker (less crafty) and had more winter weather clothes then what is offered here in SoCal.

A short trip always exaggerates the importance of every meal. If you are going for just two days-- that's approximately five meals-- the pressure can be immence. I don't think every one has to be big and pricey, but I do like to get the most out of each. A bad choice can sour my mood as fast as piped-in Kenny G.

For breakfast in San Francisco you can't beat Dottie's True Blue Cafe on Jones.

There is ALWAYS a line so get yourself some mercy coffee before heading out.

We walked to North Beach (yes, we made it!) from Union Square for dinner at Golden Boy Pizza--by far the best pizza in the city.

I really wanted to stop by Savoy Tivoli to see if it had changed in the eight years since I had been there. I am happy to report they have done a little cleaning and actually have painted the place ***background info- I worked there from 1991 to 1995ish***

After dinner we stopped at Stella Bakery on Columbus and nabbed a coulple éclairs to eat back at the room. They made it through the door, but not much past there.

For our last meal there we stopped off at Max's Opera Cafe and had their Matzo Ball Soup, with the tiny flat noodles and the shredded chicken, so good...

And then there is Bob's Donuts on Polk Street. When we walked in the gal behind the counter greeted Larry like the regular he is/was/will always be. Their cinnamon donuts were apparently a staple in his diet as a student (and for some time after that it appears.)

If You're Going to San Francisco

A trip to San Francisco can be a little overwhelming if you don't know your way around. One wrong turn and you are being proselytized by a shabby-looking Mary J. Blyth. I thought I might be able to help, just a little, but then again, maybe you really like Mary J. Blyth, in any form.

Since Larry and I just got back, I have fresh tips. We stayed at Hotel Monaco, in Union Square, (website here.)

These are the robes offered in the room--very Rod Steward 1983. It was a fun place to stay.

We spent most of Saturday on Fillmore Street and a good portion of that time in the store "Nest". It was beautifully decorated and stocked full of stationery, unique arts pieces and children's toys.

The big "find" of our trip was a shop called Bittersweet, (Bittersweet Website Here.) It is like going to a chocolate beauty pageant, with the drink competition and the bar competition... Any kind of chocolate you can image, in all kinds of forms.

And the winner is..."The Classic"

("It's like drinking a chocolate bar," said Larry Broughton of Irvine, California, as he tried to steal his wife's drink.)

We ate lunch at Crepevine. It is a casual restaurant that specializes in Crepes.

This is their specialty, The Tuscany--Yum!

Start making you reservations and booking flights and I will share more tomrorow.

San Francisco

Very, very quickly, we are back from San Francisco. We had a wonderful time remembering our life there. I lived there for nearly ten years and Larry almost thirteen. It really is a great city. I am glad I lived there when I was young (and could take all that hill walking.)

I had my camera with me the whole time there and took some nice pictures, but I felt like I had to explain to everyone I wasn't a tourist, "I used to live here," I told the disinterested bell boy or busy waiter.

We also met up with our dear friend Annie Galvin (Wexford Girl) and her dashing husband, Eric (The Lonely Robot). I wrote about our enduring (and endearing) friendship, (here).

Being there again, after an eight year absences, was inexplicably comforting. I will share where we stayed, what we ate and where we shopped in another post. I have to go start the laundry, pack the kid's lunch for tomorrow...

Santa Monica Weekend

Just back from my twice-a-year weekend trip with Jana, Jill, LeAnn and Vicki. We went for the first time to Santa Monica and stayed at the beautiful Georgian Hotel. Build in 1933, this hotel has just been restored to all of its glamorous Art Deco glory.

We (J, J & I) stayed in the Carol Lombard Suite.

The weather was glorious; cold, brisk and sunny. The views from our suite were spectacular:

This is the view from the bedroom--actually from the bed:

We shopped along the Third Street Promenade. It is a spot famous for being frequented by stars and freaks, which all of us love. We thought we had a Josh Groban sighting, but it just turned out to be a fellow Saturday shopper in serious need of a haircut (or at least a courtesy brush through.) We did watch plenty of street performers and odd characters: The likes we don't see in Orange County Malls.

You won't see "Silver Man" eating at South Coast Plaza.

We had lunch at Cafe Crepe. The service was as slow as pond water, but they made up for it with their downright delectable chocolate banana crepe (with coconut!)

I never drink before 4 pm, unless I have a nap scheduled in pen for later in the day, so I stayed with my usual: Diet Coke.

(A toast made with a Diet Coke has the utmost veracity and meaning. This one was made to Ray Brooks, who passed away four years ago today. I miss you Mr. Brooks.)

More shopping-- The Anthropologie Store was dressed-up real pretty for Christmas.

On our way to dinner we were, as usual, stalked by the relentless paparazzi. Why can't they just let us have one night in peace?

We had dinner at Ocean Avenue Seafood, which is stumbling distance from the Georgian. Jill and I had the Maine Lobster, and that East Coast Fella was delious-- $45 of springy-white-dipped-in-butter heaven!

After dinner we went back to our room, slipped into our warm jammies and curled up in our "Cuddle Blankets" provided by the front desk. We watched the horrible "Nanny Diaries" which was neither romantic nor a comedy.

Just an aside, I consider myself kind of a connoisseur of Romantic Comedies. In my opinion, they have to have at least these three elements to be good: a) The girl has to be dressed cute and stylish, otherwise, it's too distracting, "Why in the world is she wearing that?" b) The leading man can't be the obvious choice, we have to fall in love with him along the way, and c) It has to be filled with clever comments, embarassing (but adorable) moments, oh, and friends who are funny and caring.

We should have stayed with our original plan and watched "Roxanne," which I had stowed away in my luggage. (THAT is an example of a great romantic comedy with all the elements.)

The next morning we had breakfast in the cozy lobby of the hotel.

(Doesn't she make a cup of coffee look luxurious?)

Here's LeAnn, modeling her favorite accessory...

It felt a little like cheating; getting away smack-dab in the middle of the hectic Christmas Season. But it was refreshing to be able to actually enjoy it. We have unofficially made this our new tradition.

Palm Springs Weekend

We went to Palm Springs this weekend. We had a great time and I picked up this great pair of shoes at Oh LaLa on Palm Canyon.

While there, we visited our friends Jim and Melinda (thanks guys!). I discovered Jim and I share similar interests in 1950's advertisements. Besides being the nicest guy you ever met, he collects very cool menus and postcards from the vintage days of Palm Springs.
Jim introduced us (figuratively, not literally) to an artist that I just loved, known as Shag. I eagerly looked through a few huge books about his work Jim had on his coffee table. I just love it!
Jim has this print called "Desert Polynesia"

I also love these

Oh, and this one

How can I just let you walk away....

I love to listen to "This American Life" on National Public Radio. I can't find it on the radio here in Orange County, but listen to it online whenever I can. If you have 20 minutes to spare (ha) or wish to negligently avoid some pressing task like rinsing the shampoo out of your child's hair, then listen to The Breakup .
The show is usually broken up into "acts", in this episode the first is Ira Glass interviewing a gal about her break up, the second is Starlee Kine's story, which is beyond awesome.
It is free, just click "full episode". Enjoy!
Larry and I listened to this while on our way to Palm Springs for the weekend (The Springs Hotel and Spa).
We stopped to see these prehistoric roadside jems on the way. Gotta love Palm Springs!