12/20/2023 - The Mission Inn With The Duda's
As tradition dictates, the Liles' and Duda's are off to Riverside for an evening at the Mission Inn. We began the day with a walk in the garden and then the Elks Lodge with the gang before heading to Corona to get Bob and Robin!
We got a half inch of rain last night!
The cauliflower is beginning to grow.
Lettuce everywhere.
Studying the grape vines.
Rain on the roses!
Our table was full!
Mama and the boys joined us.
Mary paid them a visit!
It was a 30 minute drive to Robin's home where we picked up Kayla, Nick, Bob and Robin. We took our van making it easy to transport everyone. We stayed there for about 30 minutes before heading to Riverside.
The Disney Tree was magnificent this year, new additions all the time.
This is an oldie!
Everyone gathers in the kitchen.
We are ready!
The family tree has a G-Gauge train.
Brings back memories.
It must take hours to set up!
Checkout Nick at the bottom.
Each ornament has its own story!
See the camera?
OK, out the door and to the car!
A parting shot!
We got there before sunset and could see all the lights.
A new display across the street from the main hotel!
The sky was clear for us; the rain came later.
The trattoria was just about to open.
In the past, a trattoria was a more casual dining location while a ristorante was elegant and formal. Currently, these words can be used interchangeably as trattorias have become a bit more formal. However, you can still walk into either and notice distinct differences.
We waited about 10 minutes before entering.
The concrete walls are ageless!
Did You Know? - Mission Inn Hotel & Spa began as a quaint adobe boarding house in 1876, becoming a full-service hotel in the early 1900s. Opened by Frank Miller, it expanded in 1903 with over 200 guestrooms and the addition of the Mission Wing, built in Mission-Revival style while incorporating architectural features from more than 20 different California missions. Three more wings materialized as demand grew, including the Cloister, Spanish Wing and the Rotunda Wing, completed in 1931. Miller filled the hotel with valuable items from across the globe, including artwork, furniture and religious relics. Mission Inn still houses the oldest bell in Christendom, dating back to 1247.
We had a great table.
Looking good!
"Rubba-dub-dub, I'm ready for some grub!!"
Nick and Kayla, a cute couple.
Mary found the bread!
"When will the lights go on??"
4:44 the lights will turn on!
Christmas trees everywhere!
Cold outside; warm inside!
Poof, the place was transformed in a matter of seconds.
All the gardens had their own displays!
Cannoli for dessert.
What is cannoli dessert made of? - A cannoli is a tube-shaped Italian dessert that consists of fried pastry dough stuffed with a sweet, creamy cheese filling. The crispy pastry shell is made with the usual suspects: flour, sugar, whole eggs, and butter. It's usually spiked with marsala, a fortified wine that adds distinct flavor and sweetness.
We were ready for a walk!
"That is an improvement!"
Just us!
We are gathered...and full!!
Lead the parade Bob!
It's not junkin', its really antique shopping at the stores nearby. There is one we have to go to and it is three floors of junk, oops, neat antiques.
The hotel is lit up now!
$4,000,000 lights so the advertisements say!
Be prepared to be amazed!
Welcome to Mission Galleria Antique Shopee - a four-story antique and collectible store located in the heart of Downtown Riverside, California! This place is a treasure trove for collectors and antique enthusiasts. From jewelry, accent pieces, toys, lamps, books, clothing, vintage items, and much more, you'll find it all here!
One of the best things about Mission Galleria is the outstanding customer service and friendly staff. The vendors here are knowledgeable and passionate about their collections, and they're always happy to help you find that special item you've been searching for. You may get lost browsing through the four floors of antique goodness and lose track of time!
We walked around for an hour searching for treasures.
The store was a little bit of everything!
The dolls are quite intriguing!
Remember these?
Santa is watching.
$325 dollars. they must be kidding.
Gater with glasses?
We meander through the displays.
Antique ornaments.
Did we say pink?
Mom would have snapped this up in a heartbeat!
Santa was everywhere.
Mary found a shawl dating back a few years!
That's going home with me, the shawl and the girl!
Someone is happy!
The street was blocked off, a first!
The hotel entrance was a fairyland of lights and displays!
"Please Mary, can we ride on the Mary Go Round?"
Guarding the entrance!
Enter here at your own risk.
Picture time!
Come on in!
We need brighter lights,
He watches everywhere.
The backside of the hotel was also lit up with displays.
