Mark and Carol help at a B & B in Paso and at times have tried out "new" dishes for their guests.  Today, we were introduced to a Dutch baby.

A Dutch baby pancake is a sweet popover that is normally served for breakfast. It is derived from the German pfannkuchen. It is made with eggs, flour, sugar and milk, and usually seasoned with vanilla and cinnamon. It is baked in a metal pan and falls soon after being removed from the oven. It is generally served with fresh squeezed lemon, butter, and powdered sugar, fruit toppings or syrup (complete with bacon bits).

According to Sunset magazine, Dutch babies were introduced in the first half of the 1900s at Manca's Cafe, a family-run restaurant, owned by Victor Manca. While these pancakes are derived from the German pancake dish, it is said that the name Dutch baby was coined by one of Victor Manca's daughters, Manca's Cafe owned the trademark for Dutch babies, although the cafe later closed in the 1950s.

It's easy to impress me. I don't need a fancy party to be happy.

Just good friends, good food, and good laughs. I'm happy. I'm satisfied. I'm content.

In lieu of presents, we've decided "presence" is the greater gift.  Today, we spent the afternoon in the delightful town of Encinitas for an Italian lunch with Steve's brother and sister-in-law.  Our favorite restaurant was worth the 50 mile drive.

We have loved Trattoria i Trulli for years and this gorgeous "summer like" day was a beguiling way to enjoy our Saturday.  Their cuisine is southern Italian, with lasagne delizioso e saporito!

For me, no trip to this beach town is complete without seeing the "Boathouses".  The buildings are prime examples of what's called vernacular architecture, local historians say. That architectural category includes sweet shops shaped like giant ice cream cones and Mexican fast food places in the shape of a taco.  And I absolutely love the thought of them.

Miles Kellogg, an architect whose father was a sea captain, built his ship-shaped structures in the late 1920s using old timber from the Moonlight Beach dance house (1919). That once-famous local night spot failed to survive the dry years of Prohibition.

We were extended a wonderful invitation to join John and Renee's Thanksgiving festivities, and since our boys were celebrating, together, in Santa Rosa, we were excited to be included.

This branch of the Haerrs, the San Diego cousins, are a family of seven children, and with their children, it was a grand gathering of wonderful relatives.

John and Renee are the hosts with the mosts.  The theme of the day was "being British" due to the fact that all of these cousins just received dual citizenship with England.

Nothing says British than funny mustaches. We felt quite festive!

We are thankful for this day of reconnecting with all the cousins.  It was "bloody marvellous".

Dan, the proprietor of  Fezziwig's Brewing Company is our daughter-in-law's brother and he happens to make great beer.  We met a group of very fun partakers, for an afternoon of fun.

The theme of Fezziwig's is based on the character, of the same name, in Charles Dickens' novela A Christmas Carol.  Mr. Fezziwig was created as a contrast to Ebenezer Scrooge.  He represents everything that Scrooge is not.  He is giving, jovial and well liked... just like Dan's beer!

"He was a wise man who invented beer." -Plato

"Friendship is like standing on wet cement. The longer you stay, the harder it's to leave, and you can never go without leaving your footprints behind."