An hour north of San Diego, California, surrounded by mountain ranges in a quaint little valley, is the pituresque shopping and dining delight of Old Town Temecula.

I first started visiting Old Town Temecula as a very young girl. Twice a month my parents would take my brother and I to visit our grandparents in Ontario, California. One of my favorite things about making the trip from San Diego was stopping in Old Town Temecula on our way and getting an ice cream cone from the Corner Deli. That particular shop closed down years ago, but Old Town Temecula has continued to grow and develop into a popular Southern California destination.

Old Town is a wonderful place to visit for unique shopping, fine dining, and a quaint small town atmosphere reminiscent of the Old West. Some of the fabulous vendors include: The Temecula Olive Oil Company, the Rancho Fruit Market, The Farmer’s Wife Gifts, Cafe Bravo Coffee House, The Gambling Cowboy’s Chophouse and Saloon, the Dog House Hot Dogs, Sweet Lumpy’s Western BBQ, Saturday morning Farmer’s Market made up of locally grown produce and products, several antique stores, the Temecula Cheese Company, Cactus Flower Apparel, Rosa’s Cantina Mexican Food, The Rootbeer shop,  Palumbo’s Italian Bistro, the Swing Inn Cafe, The Edge Fine Dining Restaurant, and among many, many more vendors, one of my personal favorites… the Spice Merchants.

This is one of my favorite places to shop. Every time I visit I always find something new and amazing!

At the Spice Merchant you have a chance to experience a sensory journey through the spices of the world!

Over 350 fresh, high quality spices, herbs, and blends.

A variety of rices from around the world.

Here is a perfect example of the inspiring ingredients you’ll find that you never even knew existed.

At least, I never knew green bamboo rice existed.

Unique gifts including unusual utensils, spice racks, grinders, mortar and pestles.

A variety of honey.

I bet you never thought about Honeys having different flavors based on the different flowers bees who make them, retrieve pollen from.

Orange Blossom Honey, Clover Honey, Mountain Sage Honey, and by golly out here in good ol’ California we even have Avocado Blossom Honey.

Who knew?

Not me… that’s who… er… not knew…. I mean….

Never mind!

A wonderful assortment of loose-leaf teas and accessories.

And beautiful gift boxes for all occasions.

And speaking of gift boxes…

The generous Spice Merchants are offering this great gift box, to one of YOU!

Let’s see what’s inside shall we?

Oooooooh! Aaaaaaaah!

Want to see more?

I knew you would.

Now let’s take an even closer look.

This is a bottle of Tahitian Vanilla extract. I used some (not out of this bottle… I have my own Baker’s Gift Box) in my Christmas sugar cookies, and it was wonderful. You might think Vanilla is Vanilla is Vanilla, but you are mistaken. This Vanilla tastes and smells wonderful. It makes you sit up and take notice.

Yum, yum, yummy!

You also get a bottle of Dutched Cocoa and Allspice. I’ve been experimenting with these two in a recipe for New Year’s. I can’t give you the details now, but it’s gonna be GOOD.

This is Vietnamese Cinnamon. It’s much stronger than most… perhaps all… cinnamons you’ve dealt with before. This bottle will last you quite a while and the taste and smell is wonderful.

And last, but CERTAINLY not least is this magical stuff.

Cinnamon Sugar.

It’s pure cane sugar in a raw crystal form that has been infused with cinnamon flavor. Just imagine this sprinkled on whipped creme in your coffee, gracing the surfaces of Snicker-doodle cookies, or beautifying the top of an apple pie, crumble, or crisp.

Flavored sugars are one of the most inspiring things I’ve seen at the Spice Merchants.

Cinnamon Sugar, Lemon Sugar, Lime Sugar…

Raspberry Sugar – recommended for sprinkling on cookies, cupcakes, and cakes. Also can be used to coat the rim of a glass of lemonade or other beverage. Try mixing some into a green salad with Raspberry Balsamic Vinegar Dressing.

Hello! Are those awesome ideas?

And check out this one…

Sweet Onion Cane Sugar – I knew I had to have this the moment I laid eyes on it. I love savory with sweet dishes and this one opens up a whole new realm of possibilities. Some of it’s suggested uses are to sprinkle it on buttered popcorn, cooked asparagus, or grilled prawns.

Now these last two lovely sugars – raspberry and onion – are not part of the giveaway. But… don’t worry your pretty little head.

Anything mentioned in this post that has caught your attention can still be yours.

Just call the Spice Merchants and place an order – Mon – Sat 10am – 5pm and on Sunday until 4pm: 951 587 2223

Mention that you saw the Spice Merchants on MommyTopics.com and get a 10% discount on your order when you call or stop in!

You can also view available products at www.spicemerchants.biz, then make the call to place your order from the Old Town Temecula, California Store.

They love it when people call and place orders… really… they do. They are waiting for your call.

The Spice Merchants products make fantastic Christmas presents and of course will add flavor and flair to any of your holiday dishes.

Now… back to the GIVEAWAY.

All this can be yours.

All you have to do is place a comment at the bottom of this post telling me how your Christmas shopping and gift wrapping is going. Inquiring minds want to know… Have you been done with all of it for weeks and is it all neatly placed beneath the tree? Are you still in need of some last minute gifts? Are you like me and haven’t even started yet? Are you completely stuck wondering what to buy for that one person who already has everything? Or, are you someone who doesn’t purchase Christmas gifts… if so, tell me what you’ve been doing with yourself lately, instead!

This GIVEAWAY is open to all U.S. residents and runs now through Thursday, December 17 at 9pm Pacific Standard Time.

Only one comment per person please.

One winner will be chosen randomly and announced in the GIVEAWAYS section of this blog on Friday, December 18, 2009 at 10am. Please check back then to see if you won and to exchange information so I can get this lovely Gift Box to you before Christmas.

Happy Commenting! And shopping… and baking…. and wrapping… and shipping…. and…. all the craziness that is your life during this wondrous holiday season!

Happy, happy, happiness to you!

And by the way….

If you can make it to Old Town Temecula this weekend you wont be disappointed!

Outdoor Ice Skating in the New Town Square begins this Friday the 18th and runs through Dec 31. The whole street is decorated in Christmas Cheer and when the sun goes down, Old Town is all aglow with Christmas lights everywhere. Take a horse drawn carriage ride, enjoy the music of strolling Dickens Carolers, Visit Santa’s Cottage and take a family picture, shop till you drop, and enjoy dinner out… in Old Town Temecula!

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While you’ve been working hard to prepare food for the big Thanksgiving Feast, I’ve prepared a recipe for great Thanksgiving Day discussions.

Q: Do we have any real documentation about the Pilgrims or is it all just legend?

A: Thankfully we don’t have to rely on contemporary history books who love to change facts in the name of Political Correctness to try and sort out the truth about the Pilgrims. Original Pilgrims who made the journey from Europe to this new world created great written records of their experiences which can be purchased and read today.

Two of the greatest Pilgrim documenters and historians were Edward Winslow and William Bradford. Their books are available for purchase online.

Skip the textbooks and go to the original writings!

Q: Was there ever really a Native American named Squanto? Who was he?

A: Yes, Squanto existed. He was a Native American living with his tribe at what would later become Plymouth. Years before the Pilgrims arrival in America, Squanto was captured by Thomas Hunt (A European, but not a Pilgrim) and taken to become a slave in Spain.  Squanto escaped Hunt and arrived in England where he was well treated and learned English. Squanto eventually made it back to his homeland in America 6 months to a year after the Pilgrim’s arrival at what became Plymouth.  Now with the help of Squanto and another Indian named Samoset who had learned English from English Fishermen who had visited America prior to the Pilgrims arrival, the English speaking pilgrims could speak with the Native Americans. William Bradford referred to Squanto as “a special instrument sent of God for their good beyond all expectation.”

Q: Were the Pilgrims cruel to the Native Americans or did they get along?

A: There were other groups of Europeans landing in America both before and after the Pilgrims arrived on the Mayflower. Many Europeans treated the Native Americans with hostility and violence, but the history of the Pilgrims shows that their particular group of pious Christians strove for peace with the Native Americans. A formal Peace Treaty was signed by both the Native American’s Chief named Massasoit, and the Pilgrims, in March of 1921. The successful relationship formed between the Pilgrims and their Native American neighbors provided protection and education in agriculture from the Indians, which greatly aided in the Pilgrim’s survival in America.

Q: Why do we eat Turkey on Thanksgiving and not Hamburgers, Steak, or Spaghetti?

A: Thanksgiving is not a widely recorded event. There is ONE SIGULAR detailed explanation of the event recorded by a Pilgrim by the name of Edward Winslow. Here is his account of the first Thanksgiving… you’ll notice they killed and ate “fowl” which is where we get our Turkey tradition from. Looks like venison would also be an appropriate choice to recognize the Indians meat contribution.

“Our harvest being gotten, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner; rejoice together after we had gathered the fruit of our labors. They four in one day killed as much fowl as, with a little help beside, served the company almost a week. At which time, amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest king, Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted; and they went out and killed five deer; which they brought to the plantation, and bestowed on our governor; and upon the captain and others And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God we are so far from want, that we often wish you partakers of our plenty.”

Q: Why do Turkeys have gizzards?

A: Turkeys don’t have teeth to chew up their food with… just beaks to take the initial BITE. That’s why they have gizzards. They swallow rocks and the rocks stay in their gizzards. Then when they eat food, the food goes into their gizzards and gets mashed up and chewed up by the rocks to make the food easier to digest, when it moves from the gizzard to the stomach. Most all birds have gizzards because none of them have teeth, but in other birds the gizzards are internal so you can’t see them.

Thanks to two books in particular for a lot of this knowledge:

“Of Plymouth Plantation – Bradford’s History of the Plymouth Settlement 1608 – 1650” by William Bradford

And

“Plymouth in the Words of Her Founders – A Visitors Guide to America’s Hometown” by Dr. Paul Jehle

Both of these books are tremendous, highly recommended additions to home libraries for annual recognition as to the origins of Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving to you All! God Bless!

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Today I went to meet my blogging Mentor. Her name is Ree Drummond, and to those of us who follow her blog online, she is The Pioneer Woman, or PW, or P-dub.

She recently published a BEAUTIFUL cookbook which hit #1 on the New York Times Best Seller list. We’re all so proud of her. “We” meaning her fans, and her un-authorized apprentices. She has taught us how to cook, take great pictures, use Photoshop, Home school our children, love our hubbys, and laugh with her at ourselves. You can check out her blog here.

She has been on a book tour for the last few weeks and on Sunday she made a So Cal appearance in Torrance. Of course, being one of her un-authorized apprentices and all… I had to be there.

I got my Starbucks for the road… a Venti, Iced, Caramel Brulle, Latte to be exact. It’s a new flavor and let me tell you… It is FRIENDLY! Yum!

Keys in the ignition…

Radio tuned to 92.9 FM KFROG, my favorite country radio station…

Time is 4:03 PM…Drive should take an hour and thirty one minutes according to the GPS… Book Signing starts at 5:00 PM… I’m perfectly on time according to my “always running just a bit late” schedule.

Hey check it out… those things in the backseat are empty. Amazing! That almost never happens. Hmmmm… now if only I had a hot date…

There he is!

Look at that handsome driver. Such a good sport.

Yes… he was laughing at me and my star-struck ways, saying to himself,”Are we really about to do this?”

So nice of him to escort me to my book signing in Torrance. What a good husband.

I’ve got everything I need… let’s roll!

As we drive, I’ll tell you a bit more about The Fantabulous Pioneer Woman.

For those of you who are just now hearing about Ree, she is no ordinary blogger.

You see this special “Country” issue of People magazine…

Here is Ree. She has a four page spread.

She is the blogger many of us other bloggers aspire to be… someday… when all of our blogging dreams come true.

And her new Cookbook… oh my…

It’s full of delicious recipes, with step by step photos on every page.

She is married to a Rancher whom she lovingly refers to as the Marlboro Man. Her cookbook is filled with down-home comfort food, and fantastic country cookin’ that she learned to make while feeding a slew of hungry cowboys.

Look at this recipe for Red Velvet Cake! I can’t wait to try it on some cupcakes this Christmas. This one is going to get me off those darn box mixes and into the adventure of making cake from scratch. If anyone can get me to do it, it’s Ree.

By the way… everyone (and I do mean EVERYONE) should check out all of Ree’s SENSATIONAL looking, Thanksgiving recipes, here.

Hey Ree, there’s an idea for your next cookbook… a Holiday Cookbook:

Thanksgiving Feast, Christmas Dinner, Easter Brunch, 4th of July BBQ, New Years Eve Tapas Dinner Party, Cinco de Mayo Fiesta… you get the picture. I need that book!

Hey! Is this our exit? It should be…. but the GPS says keep going.

Here we are… Borders Bookstore in Torrance, CA.  It’s 5:17 PM… only a little late.

There’s the sign. She’s here…

I’m getting nervous.

Look at all of those Cookbooks. Boy! If you need a good idea for a Christmas gift… this is a GREAT ONE!

Whenever you buy a cookbook, what is the one thing you just can’t get enough of? Pictures of course! Who wants a cookbook with hardly any pictures?! Well,… In the Pioneer Woman Cooks, you don’t just get a picture for absolutely EVERY RECIPE, you get several step-by-step pictures for EVERY RECIPE.

It’s very possible that there has NEVER been a cookbook on the market before with as many FANTASTIC photos as Ree has put into this one. It’s especially great for those of us less confident cooks. As we follow the recipe we can compare what we’re making to her pictures and see if we’re on the right track.

Ok, so let’s go find her.

Hubby, you find the end of the line and hold my place. I’m going to go find Ree.

Eeek! There she is.

Ok, I better get in line. Hmm? It must be back there somewhere.

Husbands are wonderful creatures aren’t they?

The things they do for us silly girls. He just looks so thrilled doesn’t he?! My camera bag slung over his shoulder and my Pioneer Woman Cookbook in hand, in a bookstore, standing in a line of cooking, blogging women.

He’s the best!

And now all we can do is wait. And chat. And gush over PW.

I found out that I had missed her talk. She spoke to the crowd before she started signing books.

I was told by the new friends I made while standing in line that she gave her Ethel Merman impression. Apparently she also made the announcement that she will be publishing her love story about she and Marlboro Man’s romance titled, “From Black Heels to Tractor Wheels.” You can read all about it on her blog here.

(Update 3/26/2010 – Not only is Ree’s love story being turned into a book due out February 2011, rights to her story have been purchased by Columbia Pictures and Reese Witherspoon is considering playing Ree in “From High Heels to Tractor Wheels the Movie.” You can read more about that here.)

And if you want to see her famous Ethel Merman impression, click here.

This is Jennifer. She works at Borders and she came by to ask if any of us needed to step out of line for a bathroom break, or to grab a drink. She offered to hold our place for us. What a dear.

Silly Jennifer… that’s what husbands are for.

Once we reached this point in the line it was almost 8 o’clock.  You see over there in the top left corner where I drew all the arrows? That’s where PW is sitting signing books. We’ve still got a ways to go.

At about this stage in line, I met the dearest woman who had driven all the way up from San Diego just to meet Ree. We were so busy talking about the Pioneer Woman and how we Home School our kids, that we forgot to exchange names. For that… I am ashamed!

Dear San Diego friend, if you happen to stumble upon this post, I so enjoyed talking to you, and I’m going to look up those Home School books you told me about.

Once we got very close, some crazy fans started getting everyone in line to do the “Wave”.

It was fun.

This is Sabrina and her husband. What a beautifully photogenic couple. Sabrina writes a blog at Sliceoflemon.com

Ooooh! Oooh! Oooooh! I’m next.

That’s Donna sitting next to Ree getting her books signed. I met her while standing in line too. We talked all about Ree and how her blog has changed our lives. We also talked about Donna’s niece Rachel, or maybe it’s Rachael, who is currently in France studying art history.

Hi Rachel/Rachael… great name!

Ok… time to focus.

Pass the camera to my hubby. Dry my sweaty palms. Wipe my shiny brow. Think Rachael think! What are you going to say?

“Hey Ree, D’ you know that the human head weighs 8 pounds? D’ you know that bees and dogs can smell fear? D’ you know that my next door neighbor has three rabbits?”

Yep… I charmed her.

And then we became best bosom friends for life and smiled for a picture.

I’m sure she’s inviting me to Lodge very soon.

So, my night was made complete. My goals had been achieved.

At about 9:15 PM Einstein (that’s my hubby) and I rolled out of Borders and headed to a late dinner.

When I got home at 11:30 PM I cracked open that Cookbook and took a look at what she had written.

See the big hearts she drew… I’m sure she only did that for me.

Told ya we’re bosom friends.

I’ll never put it down.

PW… you’re the best! Thanks for coming to So Cal.

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Boy am I loving this fall weather!  It feels so crisp and lovely outside, and I can sense the holidays quickly approaching.

I have this issue with the fall and winter holiday seasons.  I just adore them… every other year.  During the in between years when I don’t adore them, it’s because they seem to come too quickly when I’m still exhausted from last year’s holidays. That’s how I felt last year.

So, this year… I’m excited!

I can hardly wait for all of the decorations, festivities, cooking and baking to begin.

One of the things in life that thrills me to no end, at any time of year,  is the dear wonderful Crockpot.  When I have dinner made and cooking by 9AM I feel powerful, invincible, and like nothing can beat me!

When the weather gets cool like this I love to make Pot Roast.  It’s warm, hearty, makes my whole house smell great and is fantastically easy to prepare during this busy season of back to school and midweek soccer practice and Awanas.  I make this meal often enough that I could do it in my sleep… which is good, because sometimes after a night up with a teething baby or kids having bad dreams… at 8AM, I am still asleep.

I buy my meat from Costco.

I can get two or three pieces in a package like this for somewhere between $15 and $21 depending on the weight.

If there are any vegetarians present… I’m sorry for this offensive display.

Please turn back now!  It’s only going to get Yummier… I mean… Meatier from here.

Lawry’s and McCormick both make great seasoning packets for Beef Stew and Pot Roast. You can use any of those to make a really good flavorful Pot Roast and then not have to deal with a bunch of individual spices and measurements.

These pieces of roast meat from Costco always come with a full side of fat on the bottom.  The first thing I do as I begin to prepare this meal is completely cut the fat cap off, and get rid of it.  I then rinse my pieces of meat under running water in the sink and place them in the Crockpot.

I know that a lot of people like to brown their roast first in a skillet… I’ve tried it, and it doesn’t seem to make any difference in taste or tenderness… or anything!…Except, perhaps causing the meat to be ready to eat sooner.

But if you’re going to let the roast sit in the Crockpot from 9AM until 5PM or longer, you don’t need this extra step.  It just makes your prep time in the morning longer.  Try skipping it. Trust me… it will be fine, and you’ll realize you never have to bother browning your roast again.

The next step is to generously sprinkle all the sides of the meat with salt.

I always keep little lunch size packages of baby carrots from Costco in my fridge. Remy loves snacking on them.  When it’s time to make Pot Roast I simply cut open about seven of those little bags and toss the carrots in the pot.

You can also add peas, potatoes, celery and onions.  To keep things simple and inexpensive, and to make room in the pot for more meat so that this one roast lasts for four dinners, I’ve started just doing meat and carrots.  If you want to see what I do with my left over pot roast to make a second dinner, click here.  I’ll also show you what I do for potatoes later down this page.

I’ve never paid any attention to the instructions on the back of one of these seasoning packages.  I just fill up a measuring cup with four cups of water…

Add in my seasoning…

Stir…

(Yes, I realize there are some random objects in the background of this picture, a lint roller, Clorox wipes, a shopping list, bags from my carrots.  But this is not a gourmet kitchen… this is my guest house kitchen people!  Real life is happening here… and in a very small space!)

And pour.

Mmmmm!  I’m getting hungry.

Now set it and forget it!  8 hours on Low.  Do what you gotta do.  Life is busy.  Live it up.  Head on out.  Conquer things. Dinner will be ready when you get home!

Put the lid on and walk away.

See ya later alligat… I mean… uh… cow.  Hmmm? What rhymes with cow?

See ya down the line, bovine. Ha ha ha… uh… heh.

Sorry.  My mind just does these things…

Moving on.

Seven hours later….

Time to make some mashed potatoes!

I always take the easy route with mashed potatoes and just use red potatoes… no peeling necessary.  It’s really the peeling that takes all the fun out of mashed potatoes.  If you can skip that dastardly step their as easy as using a crock pot.  Simply quarter the potatoes, throw ‘em in a pot of water, crank up the heat, and ditch em for an hour while you catch up on some news and fold laundry….

Oh laundry… my Nemesis!  We meet again! How I loathe you.  Detest you. Why if I had my way when you’re not looking I would….

Ahem…

Excuse me… I”m sorry.  I told you, my mind is not quite right.

An hour later when the potatoes are cooked and tender I dump them into a strainer to drain.  Then I pour them into my Kitchen Aid bowl.  No… I am not getting any sponsorship money from Kitchen Aid… wish I was… but I’m not.  However, if you happen to run into to someone from Kitchen Aid and you want to tell them that I love their products, and use them all the time, and they should definitely check out my website and become a sponsor… go right ahead!  No one is stopping you.

So as I was saying…

I dump my potatoes into the bowl and turn the mixer on low.  After a minute or two I crank the mixer up to high and start adding in butter, salt, and milk.  I don’t measure any of these.  You really can’t go wrong with how much butter or milk you add.  It’s the salt you have to be careful with.  You can always add more, but if you’ve put in too much… it’s ruined.  Blech!  No one wants pot roast with uber salty mashed potatoes.

Just look at that creamy goodness.

Carbs, what carbs?  Not in my food.  Ha!  Not even in my kitchen.

Boy it makes me feel better when I say that.

I’m convinced.

Let’s eat!

Viola!

Now you’re a hero.

And if you want to really be an extra special, super, fantastic hero…

Make some Jell-O at 9Am too.

I know there are tons of books and websites with Crockpot recipes, but I always like hearing what recipes mom’s are really using in their homes, that their families love.  Mom’s usually have also updated, changed, and tweaked book recipes to make them more affordable, and practical.

I really need to add more Crockpot recipes to my repertoire. If you have some that your family LOVES, and that you LOVE making… PLEASE, PLEASE, oh PLEASE help us moms out and pass it along here in the comments.

Share the love!

Now, to get the recipe for another dinner you can make with Pot Roast leftovers, click here.

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A good sized Pot Roast from Costco provides enough meat to feed my family of four (the baby doesn’t eat it yet – too much flavor for his brand new little taste buds) for three dinners… and then some.  But, instead of eating the same exact thing each night I’ve discovered that Pot Roast can be turned into some excellent Mexican Food.

In my fortunate family situation, if I cook Pot Roast on Monday, I barely have to do any dinner prep until the following Monday.  Here’s how:

Monday – Pot Roast for two adults and two kids

Tuesday – Pot Roast a second night for two adults and two kids

Wednesday- Enchiladas for two adults and two kids

Thursday- Left over Enchiladas for two adults… Mac and Cheese or PB&J for two kids.

Friday – … let’s eat out!

Saturday – Homemade pizza with Nana and Papa – a weekly tradition from Einstein’s childhood.

Sunday – Po Boy Sandwiches with Nana and Papa – a weekly tradition from Nana’s childhood.

After dinner on the first night before I put the left over Pot Roast in the fridge, I pull out some of the meat and put it in a separate container. Next I add a package of whatever taco seasoning I have in my spice cupboard.

I leave the carrots from the Pot Roast out and just use some of the meat and broth.

(Although if you’ve been reading enough “Where’s Waldo” or “I SPY” books with your kids, you might be able to notice one little carrot that snuck into this batch.  Oh well.  That’s life.  I’m dealing with it.)

Next I add a half, or a third container of salsa.  If you want to make sure it’s kid friendly remember to use a salsa that is mild.

And that’s it!

Just stir it all up, put a lid on it, stick it in the fridge and let it marinate.  Then on the following night, or the night after that, you can use it to make beef enchiladas, tacos, taquitos, burritos, quesadillas, or fajitas… which ever way you like to fold, wrap, or roll your tortillas.

It’s pretty much all the same when you think about it.

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