The Trader Joe’s Taster: Mexican Hot Cocoa Cookies, Dark Chocolate Chipotle Hazelnuts and Edamame Hummus

Lucky we live in the land of Trader Joe’s, right? Every week we stumble across another unique — and most of the time, tasty (but not always) — treat. And then we usually blog about it.

My latest loves include the Mexican Hot Cocoa Cookies, which yes, taste about as good as they sound. I love Mexican Hot Chocolate (with that nice, cinnamony spice) and I love cookies… so yes, the merger of two equals works out well. The consistency — similar to Mexican wedding cake cookies — makes for a nice crumble in your mouth as well.

Oh yeah, it’s the holidays… so yes, we’re going a little crazy with the sweets. But again, I couldn’t pass up the promise of spicy dark chocolate “with a hint of cinnamon and cocoa.” Sense a trend? Again, I was pleased with the results. I can do without the hazelnuts; I’m really here for the spice. And although this item promises “mild, smoky heat,” I was actually impressed with how spicy they allowed it to be. I’m a big fan of mixing chocolate with other flavors (except orange, don’t ask me why), and this wins.

I was also pleased with my edamame hummus selection, even though the edamame flavor may be too subtle to notice. I find that I tend not to like flavored hummus these days… it always leaves such a lingering, garlicky taste in your mouth. But the edamame hummus flavor was pleasant, and didn’t leave a long-lasting aftertaste. I approve as well.

Wow, three for three. That’s why we heart the TJs.

MEANWHILE, thanks to the Atwater Village Newbie for his holiday hint: TJs goodies are great gifts for people who don’t live anywhere close to the chain.

Got any new Trader Joe’s finds? Leave your comments below.

A Victorian Christmas at Glendale’s Doctors House

With Christmas fast approaching, I’m still having a hard time getting into the holiday spirit. But the holiday food is helping — thank you, Trader Joe’s — and our Saturday night visit to Glendale’s Doctors House also helped instill some seasonal cheer.

It’s a Glendale tradition: The Glendale Historical Society opens up the Doctors House next to the Brand Library for a holiday-themed candlelight tour. The restored Queen Anne-Eastlake style home is decorated the way its inhabitants might have celebrated Christmas a century ago, and docents — dressed in Victorian holiday garb — narrate.

It was perhaps the best holiday bargain: Just $1 per person. The entry also included refreshments (hot chocolate and coffee) and a cookie.

A few pics of the Doctors House, as we toured on Saturday night:

Above, the glass pickle ornament — “considered one of the most special tree decorations by many families in Germany. For good luck, it was always the last ornament to be hung on the Christmas tree (and symbolized fertility). (Children) knew that whoever found the special ornament first would receve an extra little gift left by St. Nicholas…”

A bit of history about the house:

The Doctors House, an authentically restored Queen Anne-Eastlake style home built about 1888, is the result of a community-wide endeavor to preserve a reminder of Glendale’s earliest days.

The two story house originally stood at 921 East Wilson Avenue. It became known as The Doctors House because it was residence and office space for three prominent early Glendale physicians.

When it was threatened with demolition in 1979, citizens, including the newly reconstituted Glendale Historical Society, banded together to relocate it to Brand Park. They then restored the house to its late 19th century appearance, and furnished and decorated it in the style of the period.

The Doctors office contains numerous medical implements and supplies of the era. The living rooms recreate the pleasant domesticity of late Victorian times.

One room is set aside for the sale of books and materials pertaining to local area history. The house and grounds are frequently the scene of special events and exhibits A garden and gazebo provide a delightful period setting for the house.

The Doctors House has finished its holiday run… but if you’re interested in checking out the home, it’s open on Sunday afternoons throughout the year, for — once again — just $1 per person.

Treat of the Season: Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s

Maria and I snarfed down quite a few of these the other night… while watching “The Biggest Loser,” natch. Thanks to Trader Joe’s Candy Cane Joe-Joes, I do believe I’m finally getting into the holiday spirit.

In Search of L.A.’s Best Nog

(Flickr pic by Santos.)

‘Tis the season for Egg Nog, and over at Metblogs L.A., Will Campbell reminds us that there’s no contest: Broguiere’s, in the glass bottle, is beyond compare.

One problem: Will searched high and wide the other day for a bottle… and came up empty handed. It was then that he became a man on a mission:

I’m telling you, once you’ve sampled the best, a waste of time and taste are the rest.

But check it: I’m through biking/driving/crying around town on such a futile and frustrating search for the sought-after chalices of the famed elixir. So don’t tell call me an idiot for not hitting the Super King in Glassell Park or the Gelson’s in Sherman Oaks or the Bristol Farms/Whole Foods wherever they are…

Give up? Oh hell no: I’m goin’ proactive. I’m going pilgrim. I’m going to Montebello. Because it is nothing less than a bonus for all of us in the greater Los Angeles area that Broguiere’s is within reach. That’s right, the very dairy wherein the nog-of-all-nogs is lovingly extracted by magic velvet elves directly from sacred singing cows into hand-sculpted buckets of ice imported in blocks directly from the North Pole before being poured into bottles of polished crystal for distribution* is in our midst. Your mileage may vary but according to The Google, Broguiere’s Farm Fresh Dairy is 12.7 miles from my front door to their portal of deliciousnessishness.

It’s worth the trip, Will says.

Playing in the Snow, Los Angeles Style

As Franklin Avenue readers know, we’re big fans of driving up the Angeles Crest Highway to play in the snow during the winter — especially since the white stuff can be found just 45 minutes away from our Franklin Avenue HQ. (That remains one of my favorite things about L.A. — it could be 70 degrees at home, but we’re still less than an hour away from snow.)

And after Monday’s downpour and freeze, I’m assuming the snow is ready for us should we decide to head up next weekend.

But for people who don’t want to make the Angeles Crest drive, there’s another snow option in L.A.: The man-made variety. Evan’s preschool threw a Winter Festival on Saturday.. and brought in the big guns for the occasion. In this case, the Union Ice Co. — very busy this time of year — came in to create a snowy wonderland for the kids:

The fun part of the job: Blowing snow onto bales of hay to create a snow ramp to slide down.

Here’s how it works: Massive blocks of ice, shaved down into snow.

Kids wait in anticipation.

Testing out the new snow.

The finished product — yep, it was quite a hit with the kids.

Total cost of the man-made snow? About $1300.

Busy Holiday Weekend: Mark Your Calendars

– Pershing Square’s Winter Holiday Festival — located adjacent to the Downtown on Ice skating rink — takes place this weekend, both days, from noon to 8 p.m.

The Saturday and Sunday event includes real snow, outdoor ice skating, festive arts and crafts, tree decorating contests, music and puppet shows.

Pershing Square, Downtown Los Angeles

– “Save the Puppets: A Fundraiser to Benefit the Bob Baker Marionettes” takes place Saturday, Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. As you’ve probably heard, Baker’s famed downtown Marionette Theater is in a financial bind, and needs some help. The day-long event will include:

Bob’s famous puppet shows all day long, musical acts and special guests, arts & crafts, celebrity silent auction and raffle, art auction including works by many well-known artists, circus performers, food and drinks, etc.

The Bob Baker Marionette Theater, 1345 W. 1st Street, Los Angeles

– Silver Lake Art, Craft & Vintage: Art, crafts and vintage vendors, selling their wares Dec. 13 and 14 (as well as the 20th and 21st). Ghettogloss and Citibank sponsor; portion of the proceeds go to the new Silver Lake library.

Corner of Silverlake Blvd. & Glendale Blvd., 2450 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles

– MOMS Club Glendale West holds its 3rd Annual Holiday Boutique on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 10 a.m.; entrance is $2 (children are free). Holiday gifts such as toddler/children’s clothing, jewelry, gift baskets, chocolate, etc.

Grandview Presbyterian Church — 1130 Ruberta Ave., Glendale

Los Feliz Cancels Its Holiday Festival, But Atwater Village Carries On

One of our favorite neighborhood holiday events, the annual Los Feliz holiday festival, has been canceled this year.

According to the Los Feliz Business Improvement District, the festival was scrapped because the group is “re-evaluating our festivals and fairs.” But it also came down to money: The city’s no longer waiving its fees, and “street closures are expensive.”

(Flickr pic by Jory.)

Good news now: The 17th annual Atwater Village Tree Lighting Ceremony is still on.

Event takes place this Thursday, December 4, 2008 starting at 6:30 p.m. Details:

The tree lighting ceremony will be accompanied by a Holiday Festival in the Wells Fargo parking lot at 3250 Glendale Blvd. The evening’s program will include children’s choirs from local schools, the world premiere of a new locally produced song, a fashion show featuring local merchants and citizens, a short film about the Atwater neighborhood, and traditional Christmas harmonies by the Tam O’Shanter Singers. Santa Claus is scheduled to arrive on a Los Angeles Fire Department fire truck, heralding the lighting of the tree at approximately 7:30 p.m.

Also this year: The Old Bank District Holiday party takes place 6 p.m. to midnight on Dec. 6. It’s free. Details:

- Main Stage presented by Little Radio with live performances from The Like, Whispertown 2000, The Afternoons, Restaurant, and special guest headliner performing from 6 pm – 12 am.

- An outdoor Beer and Wine Garden on 4th St., with seating for partygoers to enjoy the lights and entertainment.

- Harlem Place Alley will be transformed into an intimate Jazz Bar with performances by Pablo Calogero and band, hosted by Pete’s Café & Bar.

- Comme des Garçons, Blends, Orange 22, and Fremont Apparel, as well as other neighborhood retailers including those on Main St. like Banquette, Blossom, Raw Materials and others, will be offering specials and discounts for holiday shoppers.

- An Art Bazaar will be hosted in the historic Farmers and Merchants Bank, featuring the work of over 30 local artists. The Bazaar will be cash only and all work will be $200 and under.

Downtown on Ice Returns This Thursday

It’s one of our favorite L.A. holiday traditions: Pershing Square‘s annual “Downtown on Ice” skating rink. Yep, we’re biased: It’s where Maria and I got engaged in 2001.

Last year, Evan enjoyed the rink as well — Daddy, of course, assisted. This year, we drove by Pershing Square this weekend and saw the rink under construction, and now the Blogger Preschooler can’t wait to return. The good news: The rink opens on Thursday, Nov. 20, and will continue operating through January 19.

Prices: $6 for a one-hour session, and $2 skate rentals. A word of advice: Go really early, or really late to avoid the crowds. I love hitting the last session of the day — there’s something about skating under the L.A. downtown skyline that provokes holiday cheer.

Pershing Square
532 South Olive Street
Los Angeles, California 90013

Free L.A.: Holiday Drinks Tonight at the Coffee Bean

Get yerself to The Coffee Bean this evening between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. The coffee chain is handing out 12 oz. holiday-themed drinks for free — including their Peppermint ice blended, which I’m all about.

(Thanks to Joe for reminding me!)

Happy Presidents Day

Happy Presidents Day to William Henry Harrison, our ninth president. As you remember from history class, Harrison spent just 31 days in office — pretty much sick the entire time. But hey, on the bright side, that means he’s better remembered than Zachary Taylor, and his name hasn’t been bastardized into the title of a horribly unfunny comic strip.