Christmas 2015 Visit To Temecula & The Mission Inn

Nothing's as mean as giving a little child something useful for Christmas.  ~Kin Hubbard

Temecula & The Mission Inn

So.... We headed to Brian and Jan's home to pick them up before heading south to Temecula!  We made it just in time for lunch at Falkners. Jeanette and Connor joined for for lunch and we laughed and giggled a bunch! Join the fun!

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Did You Know? - It is the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, where it is the shortest day of the year. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is the summer solstice and the longest day of the year. December Solstice in Sunnyvale, California, U.S.A. was on. Monday, December 21, 2015 at 8:49 PM PST

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
Time to visit the wineries and sample the goodies!

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
We headed for Falkner first! Pinnacle, best dining in the valley!

Temecula at Christmas 2015
if we would have waited a little bit the vinyard would light up

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
"Through these doors....."

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015 They were ready for us.... We got our corner table
(We thought it was special.... Found out its' where they put the bad people!)

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
Connor and Jeanette joined us... Made lunch special!

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
Great giggles start the day!

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
The appetizer and wine got the ball rolling

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
The big state test is this afternoon!

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
We did a short taste at Falkner

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
Champagne at Thornton Winery

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
"OK... Let's hit the road!"

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015

We Are Off To Riverside

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
We fight the freeway traffic for 80 minutes finally arriving at Riverside
about 20 minutes late.... Robin and Bob (and Nick) saved the day!!

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
Great seats right by the heaters!

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
We sat next to the entrance and watched the folks waiting in line (with no heaters)

Temecula at Christmas 2015
Perfect seats

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
"Hey Bob.... How about a drink?"

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
At the Bella Trattoria Italian Bistro   Bob does additional wine tasting
Bob was getting ready for his ANINO CON POLPETTE which is...
House Made Meatballs, Chili Flakes, Marinara Mozzarella Cheese

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
The wine is flowing... Life is good!

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
Nick polished off his wine rapidly!
Nick was awaiting his Pepperoni Pizza

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
It was one degree warmer in London than here!

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
We all got a big laugh out of the weather report

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
Making selections was easy! Oodles of choices!

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
That would be us!

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
Paul kept his head nice and toasty!

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
The red wine works just fine!

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
The bread was excellent!

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
Bob and Nick, what did they have? Pizza time!

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
Sue and Paul found a super veggie pizza!
Goat Cheese, Eggplant, Artichoke Hearts, Zucchini, Spinach, Roma Tomato Pesto

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
What? Being serious? This has GOT TO STOP!

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
Romance is in the air!

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
Nick gives Mom a hand with her sling!

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
All that effort pooped Nick out!

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
Bundled up and on our way for a walk to the carriages!

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
Bob does NOT look convinced!
(Pergaps it is the antlers!)

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
Robin gets the camera ready yo go!

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
Bob is sneaking a peek down Robin's sling!

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
"What! We are ALL going to fit inside that thing?"

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
Bob looks like he needs a seat belt....
Robin asks the cabbie is we need one!

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
"OK guys.... Breath in!"

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
Nick is up top assisting the driver..... Oh oh!

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
Looks like a biker gang with all the leather jackets

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015

Did You Know? - In the early 1900s, brown leather flight jackets were worn by aviators and members of the military. During the Second World War, they became known as "bomber jackets" and were heavily insulated and prized for their warmth. The jacket was often part of an overall uniform ensemble meant to protect bomber pilots from exposure to the extreme climate conditions found at high altitude, and sometimes incorporated sheepskin, using the intact fleece on the inside for warmth.

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
Bob attempts a picture of Nick!

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
We drove around the Inn and the lights were magnificent!

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
Someone is enjoying the view!

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
Like a fairly land!

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
Out front the lights were ablaze!

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
We spotted Santa

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
Looking right a looking left!

Did You Know? - The property began as a small cottage hotel called the "Glenwood Hotel," built by civil engineer Christopher Columbus Miller in 1876. In 1902, Miller's son Frank Augustus Miller changed the name to the "Mission Inn" and started building, in a variety of styles, until he died in 1935.

Miller's vision for the eclectic structure was drawn from many historical design periods, revivals, influences, and styles. Some are Spanish Gothic architecture, Mission Revival Style architecture, Moorish Revival architecture, Spanish Colonial style architecture, Spanish Colonial Revival Style architecture, Renaissance Revival architecture, and Mediterranean Revival Style architecture.

With one section over another, addition upon addition, the result is a complicated and intricately built structure, comparable to the Winchester House. It contains narrow passageways, exterior arcades, a medieval-style clock, a five-story rotunda, numerous patios and windows, castle towers, minarets, a Cloister Wing (with catacombs), flying buttresses, Mediterranean domes and a pedestrian skybridge among many other features.

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
Loads of traffic coming to see the lights!

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
We escaped!

Did You Know? - A carriage driver sits on a box or perch, usually elevated and small. When at the front it is known as a dickey box, a term also used for a seat at the back for servants. A footman might use a small platform at the rear called a footboard or a seat called a rumble behind the body. Some carriages have a moveable seat called a jump seat. Some seats had an attached backrest called a lazyback.

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
A little memory for Jan!

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
The engine was idling!

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
...and she was decorated!

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
We are ready for the cold.... It's about 50 degrees and falling!

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
We found the que to enter the hotel grounds

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
Mr. Froggy kept an eye on us!

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
Inside the decorations were amazing, as usual

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
Going somewhere?

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
From inside the lights simply covered everything!

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
Boom?

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
Who wants the electric bill?

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
Serious is getting to be serious.... Time for a drink!

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
Let go inside and visit the President's Lounge

Did You Know? - Given The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa's rich history, it only seems fitting to have a Presidential Lounge that pays homage to the 10 U.S. Presidents who have passed through the hotel.

Designed to reflect the stature of these esteemed guests, bronze gates frame the entrance into the interior of the Presidential Lounge. In addition to portraits of the Presidents who have visited the hotel, the décor features a heavy beamed ceiling and dark paneled walls that are brightened by an unusual skylight dome crafted from blue and gold stained glass.

The Presidential Lounge was originally built in 1902 as a luxurious four-room apartment. President Roosevelt stayed in this residence when he dedicated the initial structure in 1902.

President William Howard Taft enjoyed the seclusion of the suite in 1909 before attending a grand banquet.

In 1926, Crown Prince Gustavus and Princess Louise of Sweden occupied the suite briefly before being escorted to a festive dinner party in the outdoor Spanish Patio. By 1939, the apartment had been converted into a large room suitable for meetings or other functions.

In 1940, Richard Nixon and Patricia Ryan were married in a simple, Quaker ceremony on June 21. The space was remodeled in 1957 into a cocktail lounge and completely renovated again during the 1985 restoration.

If you stop in the Presidential Lounge for signature cocktails like a JFK Cosmopolitan or a Herbert Hoover Lemon Drop, will leave leave feeling quite stately indeed — and in very good company. Plus, you can savor your drink along with live jazz music Friday and Saturday evenings.

Join us in celebrating The Inn's 112th anniversary in 2015! As a salute to our past and future, we have created an exclusive cocktail menu, just for the Duda's and Finch's.

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
"I like inside!"

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
"Do you think thy will have a Merlot?"

Did You Know? - Merlot is a dark blue-colored wine grape variety, that is used as both a blending grape and for varietal wines. The name Merlot is thought to be a diminutive of merle, the French name for the blackbird, probably a reference to the color of the grape. Its softness and "fleshiness", combined with its earlier ripening, makes Merlot a popular grape for blending with the sterner, later-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon, which tends to be higher in tannin.

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
"Guys! They have everything!"

Did You Know? - The Mission Inn has drinks specials, twelve to be exact, in celebration of Christmas.

Called the 12 Days of Christmas, these holiday drinks are available this season for $9 each.

The Partridge in a Pear Tree features Absolut Pear Vodka, Pear Williams, Pear Funkin, simple syrup and is garnished with a caramel bell. Next is the Two Turtle Doves with Van Gogh Dutch Chocolate Vodka, milk, Crème de Cacao and a mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cup for garnish.

The Three French Hens is made up with Remy Martin V.S.O.P. and champagne, garnished with a lemon slice and sugared rim.

Four Calling Bird has Jack Daniel's, sweet vermouth, bitters, sugar orange juice and club soda, with an orange candy slice for garnish.

Five Gold Rings features Goldschlager, Tuaca and hot apple cider, and is garnished with a cinnamon square.

Six Geese a Laying is made up with Jack Daniel's and egg nog, garnished with a peppermint bell.

Then Seven Swans a Swimming has Chambord and champagne and is garnished with a chocolate raspberry stick and sugared rim.

The Eight Maids a Milking features Van Gogh Dutch Chocolate Vodka, Kahlua and Baileys, blended together and topped with a chocolate swirl, whipped cream and a caramel bell.

Nine Ladies Dancing has Peppermint Schnapps, Absolut Vanilla Vodka and Crème de Cacao and garnished with a peppermint bell.

Ten Lords a Leaping is made up with Bombay Sapphire, Aperol, cranberry and lime juices and a bit of tonic, then garnished with cinnamon square.

Eleven Pipers Piping has Bacardi, hot buttered rum, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, garnished with a cinnamon square.

And the last beverage is the Twelve Drummers Drumming with Kahlua, Crème de Cacao, milk and hot chocolate with a mini Reese's Peanut Butter Cup garnish.

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
"Merlot please!"

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
Romance is definitely in the air!

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
We are warming up!

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
Stories are shared

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
Brian has an audience and tells us about his Gingerbread House

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
This is a good story!

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
Robin is working hard to capture her chocolate martini!

Did You Know? - Ingredients: - 2 oz base spirit (vodka, light rum or brandy) - 1/2 oz chocolate liqueur - 1/2 oz white creme de cacao - Chocolate syrup to coat rim of martini glass Coat rim of martini glass with chocolate syrup. Mix all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and strain into a martini glass.

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
Ah.... Perfection.... Now to drink it!

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
The phone is working overtime

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015
See you later

Temecula at Christmas 2015
"See you in a few days!"

Temecula and the Mission Inn December 21st 2015