Sunday, December 15, 2013

The Best Lemon Bars On Earth! - A Favorite Recipe...



Photo courtesy: http://www.cooksillustrated.com/

Ahh...what memories. Back when I was single and fancy free, before trading cookbooks for Dr. Seuss books, I lived and breathed from one dinner party to the next. Baking trays and trays of scrumptious desserts. A tried and true recipe from Cook's Illustrated still tops my list as an all-time favorite. Give it a try. Find a neighbor with a lemon tree. Glean a few for the food pantry. Make friends and bake yummy lemon bars!

From Cook’s Illustrated, May/June ’98.
The crust:
1 ¾ cups flour
2/3 cup powdered sugar, plus extra for decoration
¼ cup cornstarch
¾ tsp. salt
12 tbl. unsalted butter at very cool room temp., cut into 1-inch pieces

Lemon filling:
4 large eggs, beaten lightly
1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
3 tbl. flour
1 tsp. finely grated lemon zest from 1 large lemon
2/3 cup juice from 3 large lemons, strained
1/3 cup whole milk
1/8 tsp. salt

For the crust: Lightly butter a 13-by-9-inch baking pan and line with one sheet of parchment paper. Dot paper with butter and then lay a second sheet crosswise over the first.

Pulse flour, powdered sugar, cornstarch, and salt in food processor to blend. Add butter and process to blend, 8 to 10 seconds, then pulse until mixture is pale yellow and resembles coarse meal, about three 1-second bursts. Sprinkle mixture into lined pan and press firmly with fingers into even, ¼-inch layer over entire pan bottom and about ½ inch up sides. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake crust until golden brown about 20 minutes.

For the filling: While crust is baking, whisk eggs, sugar and flour in a medium bowl then stir in lemon juice, zest, mile and salt to blend well.

To finish the bars: Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees. Stir filling mixture to reblend; pour into warm crust. Bake until filling feels firm when touched lightly, about 20 minutes. Transfer pan to wire rack; cool to near room temperature, at least 30 minutes. Holding edges of parchment paper, lift whole cake out of pan and transfer to cutting board, fold paper down sides and cut into serving-size squares or bars, wiping knife clean between cuts. Sieve more powdered sugar over bars, if desired.

P.S.
To find a food bank or local food pantry, zip code search, nationwide, CLICK HERE.

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Holiday Winter Wonderland, Build a Real Snowman close to home - Today! Saturday, December 14th...


It's been a while since we've played in the snow so close to home. Today, we're off to a fun, snowy event in Orinda, California, only 20 minutes from Clayton.

Friends: Check it out! It's a FREE event, sponsored by the Orinda Theatre Square shopping center. They have several delicious restaurants for your dining enjoyment.


Saturday, December 14: Snow Fun Begins at 3pm

The forecast calls for snow at Orinda Theatre Square, so make sure you bring your mittens! 
Be sure to stop by and help your kiddos build a snowman right inside Theatre Square! 

3pm - the snow melts : Real Snow Fun provided by SpecialIce.  Please note that due to limited space and snow, the area is designated for building snowmen and better suited for younger kids.

5:30 - 7:30pm : Horse and Carriage Rides Around The Square

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Fruit Donation Service. SHARE Fruit. Feed The Hungry...


Donate fruit in California:
CLICK HERE for food bank locations accepting fresh fruit from local trees.

Donate fruit, zip code search the United States:
CLICK HERE for food bank locations across America accepting fresh fruit from local trees.

Donate fruit in Concord, California:
CLICK HERE for neighborhood food pantries accepting fresh fruit from local trees.

Donate fruit to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano:
CLICK HERE for website, warehouse, donation information, food bank resources.

Glean a little goodness.  HARVEST Fruit.  SHARE Fruit.  TAKE ACTION. Feed The Hungry!

FREE Pick-up and Delivery. Harvest Help.
Register A Fruit Tree:

Contact:
Anna, The Lemon Lady
Jefferson Award Winner
Email: AnnaAndAva@gmail.com 
Cell: (510) 406-1625
Office: (925) 672-1988
www.thelemonlady.blogspot.com 

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Farmers' Markets! The week is just beginning. Fall Harvests Have Arrived...



Farmers' Markets SEARCH BY ZIP CODE

Did you know there are farmers' markets almost every day of the week, all year, rain or shine in California?

We LOVE the farmers and the markets. So much fun to be out and about! Breathe crisp morning air, listen to music, delight in the beautiful assortment of farm-fresh fruits and vegetables. Have fun. Visit a market soon! Support a family farmer.

CLICK HERE to FIND A MARKET in a city near you.


TUESDAY
Martinez, CA: Contra Costa Regional Medical Center
12pm-4pm (Seasonal) Visit website for exact dates

TUESDAY
Concord, CA: Todos Santos Square
10am-2pm 

WEDNESDAY
Martinez, CA: Veteran's Medical Center
10am-2pm (Seasonal) Visit website for exact dates

THURSDAY Night
CONCORD, CA: Todos Santos Square
4pm-8pm (Seasonal) Visit website for exact dates
http://www.pcfma.com/market_home.php?market_id=3

SATURDAY
ORINDA, CA: Orinda Village. Opening Day, Sunday, May 4th
9am-1pm
http://cccfm.org/pages/orinda.htm

SATURDAY
WALNUT CREEK, CA: Diablo Valley / Shadelands Farmers' Market

SUNDAY
CONCORD, CA: Concord High School Market. 
http://cccfm.org/pages/concord.html
9am-1pm (Seasonal) Visit website for exact dates

SUNDAY
WALNUT CREEK, CA: Locust Street, Near Target

SUNDAY
MARTINEZ, CA: Main Street at Estudillo

Monday, October 28, 2013

Buy One Get One Coupon Abc Tree Farm. Good now thru Halloween 2013....


Buy One Get One Coupon abc tree farm. Pick of the Patch Pumpkins.
Best deal out there for All Day, Unlimited Jumping Fun.
Even Groupon and other daily deal sites can't compare to this 2 for 1.

CLICK HERE to PRINT coupon!

CLICK HERE for all Bay Area locations to serve you!

Simple as Fun. Fun. Jump. Jump. 

This is fantastic jump house amusement area!
No pumpkin purchase necessary. 
Happy Halloween.

Saturday, October 26, 2013

FREE Tickets to the Fall Home & Garden Show at Sleep Train Pavilion in Concord...

UPDATE: April 2014.
If you are linking to this page from an internet search, there are FREE Admission tickets available for the 2014 FALL Home & Garden Show, CLICK HERE.

Free Printable Tickets to the Contra Costa Fall Home & Garden Show this weekend!
October 25th • October 26th • October 27th, 2013
Ticket information below:


Print your FREE Tickets:  CLICK HERE.
Thank you. Have a wonderful day!

Friday, October 25, 2013

Contra Costa Certified Farmers' Markets. Harvest Festival Sunday, October 27th...

So many fun activities this weekend. Do remember our local farmers' markets have fantastic Harvest Celebrations this time of year. All are welcome.

Contra Costa Certified Farmers' Markets, Sunday, October 27th in Walnut Creek, CA on Locust Avenue (near Target.)


Celebrates 31 Years with a Harvest Festival.
South of Target, N. Locust Street, Hours 9-2pm

Featuring: Live Music, Kids Zone & Petting Zoo, Birthday Cake, Cooking Demos & Apple Tasting, Green Light Giveaways, Sponsored by raved, Photo Booth & Costume Contest, Free Parking all day.



Visit: www.cccfm.org for more information.
Serving local Contra Costa communities since 1982

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Orinda Theatre Square Haunted House October 26th - 30th, 2013...



October 26-30, 2013
Perfect for Kids Ages 5 - 13

- Saturdays from 5:00pm - 8:00pm
- Weekdays from 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Admission is $2 and will be donated to the Food Bank of Contra Costa County.
Please bring canned & dry goods to donate to the Food Bank of Contra Costa County

For more information,
CLICK HERE to visit Orinda Theatre Square website.

Orinda Theatre Square 
2 Orinda Theatre Square 
Orinda, CA 94563

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Pumpkin Jubilee. Saturday, October 26th 2013, 11am-3pm...



Danville Livery Pumpkin Jubilee

Location: The Livery Mercantile
Address: 440 Sycamore Valley Rd. | map it!
Date: Saturday, October 27, 2012
Start Time: 11:00 AM
End Time: 3:00 PM

Event Description:

Don't miss the Livery's Annual Pumpkin Jubilee!  Dress the kids up and bring them to the Livery for trick-or-treating, entertainment, free pumpkins, arts & crafts, wagon rides, live music, face painting, balloon twisting and more!  You don't want to miss this!  For more information visit www.danvillelivery.com or www.facebook.com/danvillelivery

Monday, October 14, 2013

Carnival Saturday, October 19th 2013. Across from Larkey Park, Walnut Creek, CA...

For More Carnival Information, Please click on the following:
Contra Costa Christian Schools Harvest Carnival in Walnut Creek, CA
Saturday, October 19th
The 2013 Harvest Carnival should be the biggest yet!

A fabulous fun-filled community event with lots of family games, food, music, photo opportunities, inflatables and entertainment including the Ultimate Gaming Truck www.gametruckparty.com Visit the food plaza for delicious and tasty food including a baked potato bar, hot roasted corn-on-the-cob, tri-tip sandwiches, home made lemonade and ice cream sandwiches from downtown Walnut Creek's Cream www.creamnation.com. Our main stage will be rocking all afternoon with continuous live entertainment and contests. Check out some local vendor booths and take home a pumpkin plus an armful of prizes. Exciting for every age. Come and be a part of it!

Sign up to enter an apple pie for the contest here
Apple Pie Entry is open to all ages. For rules, prizes and judging click here



Thanks, Diablo Reporter for the carnival tip. I didn't see too much around town about this fun, local, neighborhood event. Cheers!

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Magic Mike's Magic Show. FREE Events For Children. Thursday, October 24th...



Every day is on the go with school and children's activities. Not to be missed are the wonderful, free library programs within our extensive network of Contra Costa County Library locations.

Lucky us! There's a FREE magic show at the Walnut Creek Library, 644 N. Broadway, Walnut Creek, CA downtown on Thursday, October 24, 2013 at 4pm. These are truly special events, sure to delight all the children!  First 150 people will be admitted.

Contra Costa County Library Event Information, CLICK HERE:

Magic Mike's Magic Website, CLICK HERE.


Michael Stroud, aka "Magic Mike", is a 12-time award-winning magician. He has appeared on radio and television across the US, Japan, Europe, and India and has been featured on a Bill Moyers PBS Special. He has headlined at hotels in Las Vegas and at the famous Magic Castle in Hollywood. His best-selling "Book of Magic" through Klutz Press has sold over 2 million copies. Don’t miss this magical opportunity for some mysterious Halloween fun. Ages 3 and up.

First 150 people will be admitted.
Funded by the Friends of the Walnut Creek Library.

Thursday, October 10, 2013

FREE Organic Corn Harvesting with Harvest Festival Admission this weekend...

Ardenwood Historic Farm Annual Harvest Festival. Beautiful rows and rows of ORGANIC Indian corn and popcorn. Harvest and take home all you can carry for FREE. Enjoy magic shows, cider pressing, old-time music and crafts. This is one of the Bay Area's best harvest festivals we've ever attended. Word to the wise: Bring bags, containers, boxes, and sunscreen. Pack a picnic lunch, lots of chilled water and make it a memorable day out with family and friends!

Ardenwood Historic Farm is part of the East Bay Regional Park District.

Harvest Festival - 2013
Date:SATURDAY, October 12, 2013
SUNDAY, October 13, 2013
Time:10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Location:Ardenwood Historic Farm Map it
34600 Ardenwood Blvd.
Fremont, CA

CLICK HERE for festival information.














Friday, October 4, 2013

FREE Museum Days OCTOBER 2013. Free Admission For Fun...




Got weekend plans? There is often a FREE MUSEUM DAY located in a town near you. San Francisco, Bay Area, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Seattle, Portland, Boston and beyond. First Weekend of the month has many FREE Admission opportunities. Have fun. Be inspired.

CLICK HERE to find other FREE MUSEUM DAYS in a city near you.


Oakland Museum is Free FIRST Sunday to the general public.

Chabot Space & Science Center w/BofA Card FREE First weekend

Contemporary Jewish Museum w/BofA card FREE First weekend

de Young w/BofA card FREE First weekend

Legion of Honor w/BofA card FREE First weekend

San Jose Museum of Art w/BofA Card FREE First weekend

Tech Museum w/BofA Card FREE First weekend

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Oktoberfest & Carnival in Clayton, CA Half-Price Discount Tickets...

If you've found this page in error, and are looking
FOR 2014 Clayton, CA Oktoberfest information, CLICK HERE.


 

Clayton's Annual Oktoberfest is Saturday, October 5th and Sunday, October 6th 2013. The Carnival rides open on Friday, October 4th from 6-10pm, one day before the Oktoberfest festivities.

A weekend of fun with parade, keg tapping, biergarten, German food, live music, California wines, arts and crafts show and carnival. Location: Main Street, Clayton, CA 94517.

CLICK HERE for 2013 Oktoberfest Activities.

Purchase your half-priced discounted carnival ride tickets in advance before the carnival begins. Half-price discount tickets are only for sale until they run out! Discount tickets for the Carnival Rides will be presold at $10.00 for 20 tickets and are available at the following downtown merchants in Clayton, California:


Early bird gets the worm discount tickets!


Clayton has most of these rides. Click below for pictures of all the carnival rides offered by Paul Maurer Shows:
http://paulmaurershows.com/rides.php

Sunday, September 29, 2013

The Ruth Bancroft Garden - Upcoming FREE Admission...



The Ruth Bancroft Garden Office is located at 1552 Bancroft Road in Walnut Creek, CA, (925) 944-9352. They garden is open for visitors 7 days a week, from 10am-4pm. Please use this entrance when visiting during regular operating hours.

How many of us drive by the Ruth Bancroft Garden daily, yet never stop to admire this beautiful garden? The garden's history dates back to the 1880s. Read about the HISTORY of the garden, here: http://www.ruthbancroftgarden.org/rbgarden/pages/about-history.html

FREE admission is offered on the FIRST TUESDAY of each month. Mark your calendars for October 1st, 2013. Stop in on your lunch hour, after work or school.

Another wonderful program, Contra Costa Library Discover and Go provides FREE admission to the Ruth Bancroft Garden. With my library card, the Ruth Bancroft Garden has complimentary tickets available every weekday this month! Check it out, here: http://ccclib.org/discovergo/

If you enjoy the garden, consider supporting their work through fundraisers, admission and plant sales.

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Donate Books! Or, Buy Books at Concord Library Book Sale, September 28 thru 29, 2013...



Do you have any old books just gathering dust around the house? 
This is a perfect opportunity to make a real difference in our Concord Community. DONATE TO THE LIBRARY. The Friends of the Concord Library accept book donations from your home collection. In turn, they are sold at Library Book Sales to raise funds for special programs at the Concord Library. The library book sales are an awesome time to purchase gently used books at incredible prices, most books $.50-$1.00, children's books $.25.

Have you visited the Library lately? SEARCH EVENTS to find magic shows, puppet shows, arts and crafts events, special guest speakers and dozens of other exciting programs for children and adults. Free use of computers and internet. Open a book. Visit the Library. There's a great big world out there.

DONATE BOOKS, please. If you have books to donate, you may bring them directly to the Concord Library year round, or I'd be happy to pick up and deliver for you. Your donation is tax deductible. CLICK HERE for more information, or to join the Concord Friends of the Library Foundation.

BOOK SALE IS SEPTEMBER 28th - 29th 2013, Concord Library 2900 Salvio Street, Concord, California. CLICK HERE for times/details.

In the meantime, DONATE BOOKS. Recycle your old books.

The Concord Community needs our support. Thank you.

(510) 406-1625

Friday, September 27, 2013

East Bay Regional Park District 2013 Trails Challenge. Fun Included & A Free Organic T-Shirt...


http://www.regionalparksfoundation.org

Get Started Today on the Trails Challenge 2013


Sign up for this popular self-guided hiking program and enjoy your Regional Parks at the same time! Thanks to a special partnership between the East Bay Regional Park District, Kaiser Permanente and the Regional Parks Foundation this program is FREE* to residents of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties and Kaiser Permanente Employees. The Trails Challenge program is a great way to stay active and keep up with your fitness goals. Best of all - participate on your own schedule, when it is convenient to you. 
Once Registered, you can download the complete 2013 e-Guidebook from your home computer and pick up your free t-shirt at selected visitor centers. Each Guidebook includes detailed descriptions of this year's featured trails. You will also be able to download the FREE mobile application onto your iPhone or Android Smartphone and bring the Guidebook in its digital format wherever you go!

Ready to Register? CLICK HERE to login and register today!
Trails Challenge is FREE* to those who meet the following requirements:
  1. Register for an online Regional Parks Foundation account (This step does not need to be repeated in subsequent years)
  2. Register for the Trails Challenge 2013 program 
  3. Have proof of residency of Alameda or Contra Costa county OR, you are a Kaiser Permanente employee and you are a resident of Northern California
  4. You are a non-resident of Alameda or Contra Costa counties who declines a T-Shirt during registration
  5. Download the Trails Challenge guidebook off of the Regional Parks Foundation Web site
  6. Pick-up an organic T-Shirt at a Visitor Center or decline the T-Shirt 
Note: If you do not fit the above criteria, you may register for Trails Challenge for a fee. You will be asked to pay a fee if you choose a hardcopy of the Trails Challenge 2013 guidebook, or if you are unable to pickup your T-Shirt at one of our Visitor Centers.
Read more about Trails Challenge 2013.



Sunday, September 22, 2013

Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day. FREE Admission September 28, 2013. Print your tickets...



Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day is Saturday, September 28th 2013. FREE admission to 1,500+ museums Nationwide on this special day. Something so fun to look forward to. We've printed our FREE tickets. Have you printed yours?

CLICK HERE to select a favorite museum and PRINT your tickets!

CLICK HERE to find a participating museum near you.

For free museum admission, you must print a required ticket in advance.

This is a nationwide offer, so friends and family near and far can enjoy their own complimentary tickets. Just to name a few Bay Area Museums on the FREE TICKET list:

Bay Area Discovery Museum, Sausalito, CA
Bedford Gallery, Walnut Creek, CA
Blackhawk Automotive Museum, Danville, CA
Cartoon Art Museum, San Francisco, CA
Hiller Aviation Museum, San Carlos, CA
Legion of Honor, San Francisco, CA
Lindsay Wildlife Museum, Walnut Creek, CA
National Steinbeck Center, Salinas, CA
Pacific Coast Air Museum, Santa Rosa, CA
Pleasanton's Museum on Main, Pleasanton, CA
San Jose Museum of Art, San Jose, CA

Saturday, September 21, 2013

California Academy of Sciences - Upcoming FREE Admission, September 29, 2013...


California Academy of Sciences Free Admission
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Quarterly Free Sundays
Mark your calendars!

EXPLORE The Academy: Just one ticket lets you explore the aquarium, planetarium, natural history museum, rain forest, 40,000 live animals and engaging exhibits all housed beneath a living roof.

FREE Museum Tickets / Admission for September 29, 2013.
General Admission Price for a Family of 4 is $100.00.
$100.00 reason to go on a free day! Need I say more?

From http://www.calacademy.org/visit/ "The Academy is free to everyone on selected Sundays throughout the year. Admission is on a first-come, first served basis, and early arrival is recommended due to the likelihood of high demand. Please note that final entry to the museum on free days is 4:00 pm."




Friday, September 20, 2013

Pick of the Patch Pumpkins - Buy 1 Get 1 Free Wristband. Fantastic fun at a fantastic discount...



This is a fantastic, $25.00 value - no strings attached offer - a full day of fantastic non-stop pumpkin patch, jumping fun.  2013 Pumpkin Patches are now open.

Coupon Offer, Buy 1 Get 1 Free Wristband
Coupon is valid 7 days a week from 9/28 - 10/19 and from 10/20 - 10/31
on Monday - Thursdays only for children ages 2 -12 to play on the inflatable amusements.

CLICK HERE to PRINT BUY 1 GET 1 FREE WRISTBAND COUPON OFFER. 

CLICK HERE to PRINT TWO FOR TUESDAYS COUPON OFFER. 

CLICK HERE to visit ABC Tree farms website for a list of their 2013 Pumpkin Patch Locations.
They have 19 Bay Area, California locations, from the South Bay, Peninsula, East Bay and North Bay to choose from.

Concord: 1096 Oak Grove Rd. at Monument Blvd., Concord, CA 94518 (Contra Costa County) -9/26/2013 
Martinez: 5041 Blum Road at Pacheco Blvd., 94553 (Contra Costa County) - Opening 9/13/2013
Antioch: Delta Fair Blvd. at Century Blvd., 94509 (Contra Costa County) - Opening 9/26/2013

Happy Halloween!
We loved the super fantastic slides last year and we'll love them again this Halloween.



Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Donate Your Garden Produce. Lettuce feed the hungry today! Free pickup and delivery...

Photo Credit: Anna's Garden Produce, Clayton, CA.
Contra Costa County: Concord, Clayton, Pleasant Hill, Martinez, Lafayette, Orinda, Walnut Creek, Alamo, Danville, Mt. Diablo Country.

The beautiful summer growing season brings abundant harvests for many backyard gardeners.

Are you a gardener or urban farmer with too much of a good thing? A ton of tomatoes, a zillion zukes or cukes, beans coming out of your ears? One tomato, two tomato, three?

Call the Lemon Lady for immediate pick-up and delivery.

I deliver homegrown produce to local food pantries who feed the hungry. Chances are I have pick-ups right around your neighborhood too. If you need boxes, I can even donate boxes.

Grow it. Box it. Porchside pickup seven days a week! "Lettuce" feed those less fortunate throughout our community.

Daily pick up and delivery to food pantries throughout Contra Costa County. Call today!
(510) 406-1625

Monday, August 5, 2013

The Ruth Bancroft Garden - FREE Admission First Tuesday of Each Month...



The Ruth Bancroft Garden Office is located at 1552 Bancroft Road in Walnut Creek, CA, (925) 944-9352. They garden is open for visitors 7 days a week, from 10am-4pm. Please use this entrance when visiting during regular operating hours.

How many of us drive by the Ruth Bancroft Garden daily, yet never stop to admire this beautiful garden? The garden's history dates back to the 1880s. Read about the HISTORY of the garden, here: http://www.ruthbancroftgarden.org/rbgarden/pages/about-history.html

FREE admission is offered on the FIRST TUESDAY of each month. Mark your calendars for August 6th, 2013. Stop in on your lunch hour, after work or school.

Another wonderful program, Contra Costa Library Discover and Go provides FREE admission to the Ruth Bancroft Garden. With my library card, the Ruth Bancroft Garden has complimentary tickets available every weekday this month! Check it out, here: http://ccclib.org/discovergo/

If you enjoy the garden, consider supporting their work through fundraisers, admission and plant sales.

Saturday, August 3, 2013

John Muir National Historic Site. Camp Fire Programs For Kids Saturday Nights...

Families can explore the historic fruit and nut tree orchards year round. Ava reports the grapes are soooo good. John Muir House in Martinez, California is a fantastic place to have a quick picnic under beautiful shade trees, collect a few bay leaves, too. Free Admission every day! There are Family Days, Full Moon Walks, Kids Programs and Camps.

Saturday evenings bring Camp Fire Programs: August 3rd and September 7th, 2013. We often forget the local gems in our own back yard. Seize the day! Have fun.


Camp_Fire

John Muir National Historic Site
4202 Alhambra Avenue
Martinez, CA  94553

Thursday, August 1, 2013

FREE Museum Days AUGUST 2013. Free Admission For Fun...



Got weekend plans? There is often a FREE MUSEUM DAY located in a town near you. San Francisco, Bay Area, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Seattle, Portland, Boston and beyond. First Weekend of the month has many FREE Admission opportunities. Have fun. Be inspired.

CLICK HERE to find other FREE MUSEUM DAYS in a city near you.


Oakland Museum is Free FIRST Sunday to the general public.



de Young w/BofA card

Legion of Honor w/BofA card


Tech Museum w/BofA Card