Weekend Happenings: First Night Escondido

What: First Night Escondido
When: Monday, December 31, 6:00 PM - Midnight
Where: Historic Grape Day Park, Escondido City Hall and renowned California Center for the Arts, Escondido.

Gather at the Main Stage at Midnight for the Spectacular fireworks show! *Dance the night away under a laser-lit sky in Grape Day Park! * Buy fun & wacky New Year’s Eve novelties at family-friendly prices! * Turn a paper grocery bag into a top hat with pizzazz for FREE! * Feeling regal? Design & wear a crown with jewels, sequins and more! * Kids of all ages can make felt puppets for FREE in the Center’s Studio II * Enjoy a visit to the Escondido Children’s Museum during their extended hours, 6-10 pm. * See the amazing high-in-the-sky Walking Tree Man! * FREE Face Painting in the Conference Center’s Hallway! * Professional Balloon Sculptors will make wacky hat creations for FREE ! * Giant Food Court Open All Night!

After the Holidays: Christmas Tree Recycling

Check out this post at the San Diego Travel Tips blog about San Diego's Christmas Tree recycling program!

Holiday Treats: Homemade Marshmallows

This year I vowed that I would make a holiday treat I never made before...so I decided on homemade marshmallows. I plan on using making the homemade candy-cane marshmallows featured on the blog, Your Heart Out. And, they have even created a cute recipe card to download...check it out!

I let you know how mine turn out next week!

Holiday Wrapping Paper Ideas

Christmas is only 6 days away, and if you are like me, your shopping is almost done, but nothing is wrapped!

Every year I make my own wrapping paper - it sounds crazy, but it is so fun, and always original.

This year, my 21-month-old daughter, Amelia, got in on the action. I bought a big roll of brown kraft paper (you can buy it at Walmart or Michaels), a bag of sponges cut in various shapes, and brown and green paint. We cut a huge piece of paper and proceeded to sponge green and brown stars all over it. Amelia didn't quite catch on, but we had a blast, and Amelia thought our wrapping paper was "sooooo pretty."

Check out these other D-I-Y wrapping paper ideas from Martha Stewart's Blueprint Magazine.

Image Courtesy of Blueprint Magazine

JCC Winter Specialty Camps

Are you looking for a way to help keeps your kids occupied during the winter break? Check out the winter specialty camps at the Jewish Community Center. There are science, theatre, basketball, tennis, multi-sport and dance camps...something for everyone!

Holiday Appetizers

I am a big fan of chips/crackers/breads and dips...so I always plan my menus around those when I entertain...I spilled all the beans about my favorites on the San Diego based blog, This Week for Dinner. Check it out!

Also, check out the fabulous post about hot chocolate...also a good crowd pleaser...

Calendar Pick of the Week

What: Festival of Lights
Where: San Diego Wild Animal Park
When: Every evening through December 23, and December 26-30, 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

I plan on visiting the park this weekend to see the animals, check out the lights, and have fun when the animal park isn't sooo hot!

Here are a few highlights:

• all-new light features - family of life-sized elephants, as well as giraffe, tiger, zebra, and other animal light sculptures
• Santa will be on hand to take holiday wishes
• guests can fly on Balloon Safari
• a storyteller shares holiday fun
• up-close exotic animal encounters
• nighttime Journey into Africa tours
• holiday crafts, and face painting for kids
• Snow Hill now has two sides, one for big kids and one for little kids
• a kiddie snow area to play in.
• Holiday Hank will entertain kids with his street theater, telling stories, performing magic tricks, and hosting contests

With so much to do, this is the perfect time to go! See you there!

Calendar Pick of the Week: Christmas Light Displays

Since the weather is a bit colder this week, I plan on staying cozy in my decorated home....or car...

There are plenty of christmas light displays throughout the county...check out this list.

I'm headed out of town for an early family celebration, but will be back posting on Tuesday, December 18.

See you then!

Weekend Picks

Since the weather is cold and rainy I had a hard time picking an event from our calendar...it seems like all this weekend's holiday events are outdoors!

Take a peek at our calendar for our full listings of activities both indoors and out!

Enjoy this "wintery" weekend.

Meet the San Diego Mama Behind...

While the woman behind Stills by Hill isn't a Mama at the moment, she sure knows how to beautifully capture a mom's most precious possessions with her camera! Take a look at her extensive photography portfolio...

Meet Hillary - the woman behind Stills by Hill!

How long have you lived here?
I have lived in San Diego for 21 years. I was born in LA and moved to San Diego when I was 4. I jumped around from San Diego to LA for a few years but discovered I wanted to be close to my family

Why did you start your business?
I got my business name from my Uncle who got me into photography when I was about 8. I then took pictures of family and friends and really got into it when my oldest niece, now 9, was born. I went full time with my business this year and it’s been a blessing.

What is your favorite thing about writing running your business?
I love meeting the different people…helping them document their memories and giving them a small piece of something they can look back on in many years and pass down and say, “I did that!”

What is your all-time favorite thing about living in San Diego?
All my family is here… and my friends and family out of town are not THAT far away. We have such great freeway access to anywhere really… beach or mountains. We also have great shooting locations!

Where is your favorite place to eat in San Diego?
How to choose? Depends what I am in the mood for. Traditional family feast: DZ Akins… we’ve been going there for ever. Vegetarian meal: Jyoti Bihanga (sp?) in Normal Heights. Quick meal: Trader Joes premade items or Submarina.

Where is your favorite place to go with your child/children in San Diego?
I only have nieces as of now. I take them to my house to play or swim.

Where is your favorite place to go without your child (with your husband or girlfriends)?
We don’t go out much…my friends and I or my husband and I just really go out to eat or sit at a coffee house and talk

Any insider San Diego secrets to share? Shopping tips, eating tips, driving tips, etc….
Learn to drive in the rain people! Find great restaurants by referrals or try something only with an A rating!

Calendar Pick of the Week: A Celtic Christmas

Check out this free holiday performance, A Celtic Christmas, at the Escondido Center for the Arts. Wednesday, December 5 4:00 PM & 7:00 PM For More Information visit: http://www.artscenter.org