Blueberry Picking at the Temecula Berry Co

We kicked off Mother's Day weekend with a visit to the Temecula Berry Co to pick farm fresh blueberries. Our drive started gloomy but by the time we reached the farm, the sun was out in full force and we had a nice sunny afternoon of berry picking. The farm is very clean and the plants are well maintained. To Parker's disappointment, there wasn't a bug in sight! This year's berry season opened on May 5 and the bushes are currently laden with big blue berries to pick. They are so ripe they basically fall into your hand once you touch them. After picking berries, we stopped for lunch at Burger Lounge and little man napped all the way home. Scroll down for pics and links to the recipes we've made with our berries! 

Temecula Berry Co

http://www.temeculaberryco.com/

39700 Cantrell Road

Temecula, CA 92591

Mom tips:

- Blueberries are $6 a pint. Cash or check only. There is an ATM onsite in case you forget. You pay after you pick.

-Bring quarters to purchase goat food. The goats are very friendly. 

-As always, sun hats, sun block, water and closed toe shoes are recommended. 

-Backpacks are not allowed. They will hold your backpack at the check in stand where you pick up your buckets if needed. 

-There are less people picking from the bushes behind the barn. Make a left once you enter and you will see what I mean. 

[Blueberry dance, dance, dance.]

[Teaching the kids which berries to pick was part of the experience. We kept saying "big and blue!" and then laughing afterwards because we're mature.]

[We picked 2 buckets of blueberries and ended up with approx 3 pints of berries.]

So far we have used our berries to make blueberry muffins, buttermilk banana blueberry bread and lemon blueberry oatmeal bars. What are your favorite blueberry recipes?

Snapshots from the Weekend 5/13-5/14

Follow me in Instagram @parkerproject to follow our adventures in real time!

 

 

[I love my Mother's Day card this year. Parker drew a picture of me and him in Snake Land.]

 

[Banana blueberry bread! Gotta use up all those blueberries.]

 

Seems like every year there is a new little one sitting on my mom's lap. // #parkerprojectblog #mothersday #momlife #mom

A post shared by Mary Chu (@parkerproject) on May 14, 2017 at 4:47pm PDT

Moms only. // #parkerprojectblog #mom #momlife #mothersday

A post shared by Mary Chu (@parkerproject) on May 14, 2017 at 4:37pm PDT

 [My sisters and I learned from the best!]

 

 

Snapshots from the Weekend 5/6-5/7

Follow me in Instagram @parkerproject to follow our adventures in real time!

 

Congrats to my niece Audrey on her 1st Communion!

Sunday was rainy and cold so we headed to the New Children's Museum for an indoor play date with Parker's cousin Mia. We were able to get in free because of The Big Exchange that is happening this month. It pays to be a member of the Nat!

  

   

Mia was very impressed with Parker's build. 

 

 

My favorite art installation this time around was the Sketch Aquarium. Parker loved designing sea creatures and seeing them come to life on the projection screen.

After the museum, we headed to Rakiraki in Little Italy for some hot bowls of ramen followed by coffee at Bird Rock Coffee Roasters.

Parker is appreciating the beauty of this pretty latte @birdrockcoffeeroasters ☕️. // #parkerprojectblog #yelpsandiego #youstayhungrysd #sdeats #sddrinks #sandiego #sandiegofood #futurefoodie #latteart #latte

A post shared by Mary Chu (@parkerproject) on May 7, 2017 at 4:35pm PDT

Take a Hike at the Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve

The Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve encompasses 4,000 acres between Rancho Penasquitos, Sorrento Hills and Mira Mesa. In less than 10 minutes, I can get from our house to a preserve that includes a waterfall, a babbling stream full of frogs, fish and crayfish, giant sycamores and oaks and so much more. How rad is that? Parker and I recently went on a short hike to explore the preserve and it did not disappoint. When we arrived, the ranger informed told us to watch our for rattlesnakes and rattlesnake babies which look like small sticks. Apparently, they are breeding right now. Yikes! We spent most of our time hiking along the Streamside Trail which was shaded by oak and sycamore trees. We hiked for a couple of hours and covered about 2.5 miles before Parker started getting tired. I hope the photos below inspire you to get out and explore this wonderful urban gem.  

Los Penasquitos Canyon Preserve

12020 Black Mountain Road

San Diego, CA 92129

Parking $3

https://www.sandiego.gov/park-and-recreation/parks/osp/lospenasquitos

Mom tips:

-Bathrooms are limited once you get passed the entrance. There are only porta potties.

-The trail is stroller and dog friendly.

-Closed-toed shoes are recommended. 

[A solo fence lizard soaking in the morning sun.]

[Into the wild.]

[Anyone in there?]

[Blooms along the Cactus Trail]

[Can you see me, Mom? I'm camouflaged.]

[The elusive crayfish. Easy to spot and hard to catch.]

[Mom. Mom. Mom. I have a great idea. If I sit right here with the net, the fish will swim right in.]

[Our great catch of the day was a California Toad. We put him in the critter keeper for observation.]

[Streamside afternoon snack with Mr. Toad.]

Get Outside and Explore the San Elijo Lagoon

Did you know that no matter where you live in San Diego, a nature trail is only 15 minutes away? Spring is the perfect time to get out and explore our local trails and the San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center Trail is a great one to explore with kids. Get them hyped and educated in the Nature Center and then grab a guide and try to spot as many animals and plants as you can along the trail. Parker's favorite part of our hike was spotting fence lizards and running after butterflies. I loved learning about the unique habitat this salt marsh provides to so many fish, birds and plants. Scroll through my mom tips and photos below to get a glimpse of our visit.

San Elijo Nature Center

2710 Manchester Avenue

Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA 92007

760-634-3026

https://www.sanelijo.org/naturecenter

https://www.instagram.com/sanelijoconservancy/

Mom tips:

-The parking lot is small and parking is limited. You can find additional parking a long the main road.

-The 1 mile Nature Center loop is completely stroller friendly. 

-Birds and other animals are easier to observe with a pair of binoculars.

-Well-maintained bathrooms are located in the Nature Center. 

-Every Saturday from 10-11 AM a volunteer naturalist leads a free Lagoon Discovery Tour.

[There are lot of quiet places to sit and observe.]