Field Tripping with Grandma: The Mission at San Juan Capistrano

"When the swallows come back to Capistrano," Grandma began singing when I told her we'd be heading to San Juan Capistrano to field trip at the mission. Interestingly enough, this song was written and released in 1939 when my Grandma was 13 years old.  This is the same age as our oldest son.  It's fun to think of my little grandma as a 13 year old girl singing this song.

Homemade Hummus & Pita Sandwich

I tend to be of the belief that everything homemade tastes better than store bought.  I think it's because I know exactly what is going into the food and can practice our own quality control.  Fresh is usually better than canned, but sometimes canned is just more convenient.  This is the case in today's easy lunch idea.

Fresh Hummus & Pita Sandwich

1 can (15 oz. size) garbanzo beans (a.k.a. chickpeas), drained, but reserve liquid.  Do not rinse beans.
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons reserved garbanzo bean liquid
1-2 cloves garlic (if the clove is small, go with two)
1 tablespoon almond butter
lemon juice from wedge of a lemon (maybe 1/8-1/4 of a lemon)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

pitas
cucumber slices
tomato slices
alfalfa sprouts
mint leave, optional

If there's time and I'm planning ahead, I prefer to buy dried garbanzo beans (chickpeas) and soak them overnight and then boil them the following day until done.  I honestly think they have a better flavor, but I'm rarely that organized for a lunch meal option, so I stock canned garbanzo beans.

Drain garbanzo beans, reserving the liquid.

Garbanzo bean liquid

Place garbanzo beans, garlic, olive oil, garbanzo bean liquid, and almond butter in the food processor.  Traditionally hummus is made with tahini.  We don't use a lot of tahini, but we almost always have almond butter on hand.  I think the taste of the almond butter is great in the hummus.

Blend until smooth.  You may need to add another tablespoon, or so, of olive oil or reserved liquid. 

Hummus makes a great veggie and/or chip dip too.

Hummus should look about like this.

Take pitas and lightly warm/toast.  I just throw mine on the gas cooktop and heat for a couple seconds.  Careful not to burn them.

Pita over the flame.

Transfer pita to a plate and spread hummus over entire pita.  Top with sliced cucumber, tomato, alfalfa sprouts, and mint, if desired.  You could definitely add some grilled chicken to your pita too for added protein.

Ready to eat!  Enjoy!

Summer Staycation San Juan Capistrano Pt. 3

After visiting the Historic Los Rios District, we walked across the tracks toward the Mission.  The kids were very hot and tired of walking.

Mom, please.  No more walking.  We need shade.

In the distance we saw a church.  I don't think the word church can adequately describe what we saw.  It was the Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano.  It was founded by Spanish Catholics on November 1, 1776.  The original building was destroyed in the earthquake of 1812.

We didn't have the opportunity to tour the mission, but did escape the heat and take a moment to pray in the cathedral.

The new construction was completed in 1986.

Upon leaving the mission we had to decide where to go next.  My parents had to figure out how to work the camera.

What do you see?

Did it work?

Are you sure?

While they figured the complex technology out, I took random pics of the kids.  Can't get enough!

The Mission

Our next stop was Starbuck's.  Our next stop is always Starbuck's.  I continued to drive my family bonkers with picture taking.   Some days I almost feel sorry for them.

This is called, "Isn't there just one more drip left in the cup?"

This is called, "This is what I do when you continue to take annoying photos of me."

This is called, "Just ignore the lady with the camera."

This is called, "I love this guy."

This is called, "Oh no, the kids have the camera."

And they still have it. 

That's about the end of our staycation in San Juan Capistrano.  We had a great time, but clearly there's a lot more to see.  Maybe another trip to the mission is in our future.

San Juan Capistrano Staycation Pt. 2: Los Rios Street Flowers & Shops

A sign found along Los Rios Street

I love the simple beauty of flowers.  I will never tire of looking at a little sprout emerging from the ground or a burst of color from a beautiful flower in bloom. 

Flowers are the sweetest things God ever made, and forgot to put a soul into. ~Henry Beecher, Life Thoughts, 1858

There are always flowers for those who want to see them.
- Henri Matisse

How can there be too many children? That is like saying there are too many flowers.
- Mother Teresa

Flowers have an expression of countenance as much as men or animals. Some seem to smile; some have a sad expression; some are pensive and diffident; others again are plain, honest and upright, like the broad-faced sunflower and the hollyhock. ~Henry Ward Beecher, Star Papers: A Discourse of Flowers

These sedum planters inspired our backyard redo.  Love them!

I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers.
- Claude Monet

I will be the gladdest thing
Under the sun!
I will touch a hundred flowers
And not pick one.
~Edna St. Vincent Millay, "Afternoon on a Hill"

I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck. ~Emma Goldman