After a good night’s sleep we arose pretty refreshed but with plans for a quiet day as Carolyn had organised for guests for dinner that evening. So, we did what Americans do, and hit the malls, well, one anyhow.
Sue was, in fact, interested in looking for shoes because she’s had trouble finding shoes to fit in Australia. We also had a shopping errand from Evan for an item he wants for his classroom. Given my shoes goal, Carolyn suggested we go to the Walking Company at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. We had been to that mall in years past – because when in America you check out all the neighbouring the malls over time – but not on our last trip to the USA, so that suited us.
Len once again braved the multiple freeways with Carolyn navigating. She managed to park us right at the mall entrance nearest the Walking Company, where Sue got a pair of good (I hope) Abeo shoes at a very acceptable “closeout” deal. She was also talked into a special pair of “pure performance … arch support and memory fit” socks. Time will tell how they go! We were not so lucky with Evan’s errand but we’ll keep trying. After checking out various stores but with no more purchases, we had a tasty lunch at the Nordstrom department store cafe. Sue particularly appreciated her grilled salmon. Before completing our restaurant crawl with coffee and dessert (a shared cinnamon custard pie/flan for Len and Carolyn) at Pacific Whey Cafe, we enjoyed the Easter decorated court on one of the floors. Americans do love to decorate their celebrations.
Then it was back up the freeways to Yorba Linda and a short rest before dinner. And what a lovely dinner it was. Carolyn invited over a friend and her husband, BJ and Ron, whom we’d known in our California days. Sue had served with BJ on the elementary school PTA committee for two years. Carolyn handled the various dietary requirements (not just Sue’s) with eclectic aplomb! We had a variety of sushi, edamame salad, egg rolls, spring rolls, quinoa and cauliflower salad, and skewered baked prawns all preceded by a lovely guacamole made by BJ. Dessert was a gluten-free apple crisp. The food was wonderful. Oh, and there was wine, including a very tasty Beringer Chardonnay with “toasty oak”.
Best though of course was the conversation with old friends – about what our kids are up to, travel, retirement plans and, yes, even politics, as fortunately we are all pretty much of like minds.
Carolyn and I tried to go to that Nordstrom Cafe once for cake, but the line was toooooooo long. Isn’t it fun that we’re traversing the same paths, albeit six two months apart?
PS Lovely happy photos 🙂
I guess we were lucky, Hannah … And of course it was mid-week. I don’t think department store cafes are anywhere near as popular in Australia.