Hello, Gourd-geous: 2018 Visit to Bates Nut Farm

Happy first day of October, Readers! I've been looking forward to this month all year and am planning to immerse myself in all things pumpkin + Halloween until I bleed orange. October this year means the final countdown to baby Harrison's arrival, Pokemon costume making, spookifying our house and the start of some intense trash talking with my family as we prepare for our annual pumpkin carving contest.  

Yesterday, we drove out to Valley Center for our annual visit to Bates Nut Farm. The fields of Big Macs were much more impressive and plentiful this year and we did something different. Contrary to the advice I have been giving you for years, we visited at the end of the day, right before closing, and it was fantastic! 1. No parking fee 2. Less crowded 3. Better lighting for photos! This time next year, Parker will be posing with his baby brother and I am so ready for it. If you are looking some fun Fall activities to do around town, check out my Fall bucket list! Happy Fall, ya'll.

Outfit details:

Tee: Old Navy

Flannel: H&M 

Jeans: H&M

Shoes: Zara Kids

[1 more month until I pop!]

Snapshots from the weekend 7/15

[Bang burger from Stuffed. SO GOOD!]

[La Jolla Shores]

[Hubba hubba]

[Sand pit at The Crack Shack in Encinitas.]




[He wants to be just like his dad.]


[Buttons from our visit to Wonderspaces.]

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?

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.]