Adventuring, at home and away

Mom, M and I went out to Julian yesterday, braved the 100°+ heat, and wandered through the Old Town. We stopped at the egg ranch to grab a flat of jumbo eggs, some of which might have double-yolks. Double-yolk eggs hold a nostalgic excitement for me. When we were young, Mom would take Thing 2 and I on this same drive, and double-yolk eggs meant fascinatingly googly-eyed fried eggs the next morning.

We stopped at Dudley's, with its broad wood-floored rooms and fans going full-tilt. The interior has changed a bit over my 30-year lifespan, but most of our favorite breads are still in production. I religiously get Sheepherder; M has a fondness for their German Black. Growing up, Mom always loved their Date Nut Rasin (which I could take or leave, because I have no affection for raisins whatsoever).

Manzanita Ranch is no more. It's been taken over by a snooty winery that no longer stocks our favorite cider, jams, jellies cheeses and local fare. While their tawny port is passable, it's not worth dealing with the lady behind the counter! We didn't even wave as we drove past. Boo.

Out in town, we ate at the Julian Cafe, told lots of stories about when we were younger, stopped in the Cider Mill (Out of Cider Til September! Woe!), visited the bakery than made our wedding cake (where we are still welcomed with open arms and broad smiles), and wandered up to the gemologist's storefront that's been there as long as I can remember.

Then we wound our way home again. Mom met my piano, then journeyed homeward to Encinitas. Happy belated birthday to me.

When I woke up this morning, M had sneakily gone off to the grocery store and stocked up on things to make a surprise brunch! Usually I'm the one that pushes culinary adventuring, so I was surprised when he had me pick a bread and displayed his prepped workstation:

Mascarpone-stuffed French Toast with Maple Syrup.

Yum.

Good thing it's tasty. It will also be dinner. And dessert. It's so filling we a lot of left-overs!