Strolling Along Candy Cane Lane in El Segundo

Posted on December 31, 2016 by Kiera Reilly

After sixteen years of living in the South Bay, I finally visited El Segundo’s Candy Cane Lane on Christmas night. Every holiday season since 1949, the 1200 block of Acacia Lane in El Segundo, California transforms into a festival of lights.

Closed off to vehicle traffice, Candy Cane Lane attracts all ages to wonder at the beautiful Christmas light displays.

On my way home from a family Christmas dinner in Santa Clarita, I decided that I should stop off to see the lights. Driving south on the 405 Freeway, I took the 105 Freeway west and exited at the first exit past the end of the Freeway (California Street). Acacia Lane is only a few blocks away. Luckily, I was able to find a parking spot on Acacia Street only a block from Candy Cane Lane, perhaps this was because it was Christmas night. I hear parking can be a challenge during the weeks leading up to Christmas.

House decorated on Candy Cane Lane in El Segundo, California

A simply decorated house on Candy Cane Lane. I love the greenery around the front door, lit wreath overhead and Christmas tree in the window.

The street is blocked off to vehicle traffic so pedestrians can walk freely and appreciate the lights without worrying about being hit by a car. There were a fair amount of people the night I went, but it was not overwhelming. Many families with children were enjoying the lights.

Candy Cane arch on Candy Cane Lane in El Segundo, California

The Candy Cane arch at this home was a popular spot for taking pictures

Every house had a different look or theme, but all of them were covered in lights.

Animals in the yard at Candy Cane Lane in El Segundo, California

Animals in the yard at this home

Simply decorated home with Christmas lights on Candy Cane Lane in El Segundo, California

One of my favorite light displays – I love the lighted jars and chandeliers hanging from the tree.

The lights might still be on for New Year’s Eve, and some homeowner’s have started taking down their displays. But, the opening date for Candy Cane Lane in 2017 is already announced – December 9, 2017.

It is well worth a visit if you live in the South Bay, or if you are traveling through LAX Airport in December. Candy Cane Lane is a short drive south from LAX!

See more photos from my visit below the details!

Details

What: El Segundo’s Candy Cane Lane, 1200 Block of Acacia Lane, El Segundo, CA

When: Opens nightly, 7:00 – 9:00 PM, starting December 9, 2017

Parking: Street parking in El Segundo (be prepared to walk several blocks on peak nights leading up to Christmas)

Cost: Free

Note: Santa visits on certain nights – be sure to check the schedule on their Facebook page.

Christmas lights decorate a home on Candy Cane Lane in El Segundo, California

One of my favorite decorated houses. I love the wreaths in the upstairs windows

Santa's Theater on Candy Cane Lane in El Segundo, California

This home hosted Santa’s Theater, and had movies playing on the front of their house!

Now playing, “Elf”

Mele Kalikimaka home El Segundo Candy Cane Lane

The Mele Kalikimaka home

Christmas lights on Candy Cane Lane in El Segundo

I loved the lights in the trees on this home.

Polar Bears Camping on Candy Cane Lane in El Segundo

These polar bears are ready for a Christmas camping adventure

Model trains and Christmas lights on a home on El Segundo's Candy Cane Lane

This house had several train tracks running trains on their lawn

This home had a North Pole Airport theme, appropriate since it is only a short distance to LAX Airport

Cocktails for Fall and Winter

Posted on January 25, 2016 by Kiera Reilly

The winter chill in Southern California has subsided for a bit, but cooler temperatures and rain are forecast for this weekend. I often look to the internet to find new cocktail recipes made with the spirits that suit the season. Here are the recipes I discovered and am adding to my cocktails repertoire.

Hot Toddy

While suffering with a miserable cold in December, I searched for Hot Toddy recipes hoping that this hot drink might provide some relief. This recipe posted on Liquor.com by top bartender and mixologist Jacques Bezuidenhout features a video on how to make it. I liked the lemon twist with cloves as it gave the drink some cheerful color.

INGREDIENTS:

Boiling water
4 to 6 Cloves
1 Lemon twist
2 tsp Demerara sugar or brown sugar
.25 oz Lemon juice
2 oz Knappogue Castle 12 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey
Glass: Mug

PREPARATION:
Fill a mug with boiling water and let stand for a minute or two to warm. Meanwhile, stick the cloves into the lemon twist and set aside. Empty the mug and fill about halfway with fresh boiling water. Add the sugar and stir to dissolve. Add the prepared lemon twist and stir. Add the lemon juice and whiskey, and stir again.

Irish Cider

Over Thanksgiving, I was looking for a drink that included whiskey. As I happened to have some apple cider on hand, this Irish cider recipe fit the bill, especially since Jameson Irish Whiskey is one of the key ingredients! It was created by Bill Ward at the Dream Downtown hotel’s Marble Lane bar and restaurant in New York City. The recipe was posted over two years ago in this NY Daily News article on Irish whiskey cocktails for St. Patrick’s Day by Gina Pace; it looks like Marble Lane has since closed.

Irish Cider – using seasonal snowman glasses!

Irish Cider

Created by Bill Ward at Dream Downtown’s Marble Lane

1½ oz. Jameson Irish Whiskey
¾ oz. Blackwell’s Rum
½ oz. apple cider
½ oz. lemon juice
½ oz. agave syrup
Ground cinnamon

Combine the cider, lemon juice and agave and simmer until it’s reduced by about one-quarter to one-third. Let cool. Put all ingredients into an iced cocktail shaker and shake vigorously. Strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass and top with ground cinnamon.

Blackberry Fizz

Shortly before New Year’s Eve, I read Spencer Spellman‘s post on 7 Easy Champagne Cocktail Recipes. Spencer is frequently posting drool-worthy cocktail photos, and this Blackberry Fizz recipe intrigued me since it included one of my new favorite spirits, gin!

Instead of champagne, I made our fizz’s with Cava and served them on New Year’s Eve while we were enjoying a quiet evening at home with the dogs. I really enjoyed the mix of the gin and cava, and with the blackberry and lime mixed in, I think this would be a perfect celebratory drink for the warmer months as well.

Spencer Spellman’s Blackberry Fizz – the blackberries and lime garnish make for a colorful, festive cocktail.

Spencer Spellman’s Blackberry Fizz

Quoting Spencer:

This may just be my favorite champagne cocktail on the list. Alright, so perhaps that’s because it’s one that I came up with. But it’s really so delicious, refreshing, and fruity. Additionally, it’d make a great summer champagne cocktail for making in batches. Because everyone likes champagne, right? You’ll want to first muddle the blackberries in a cocktail shaker good enough to break up the berries and release the juice. Next you’ll add the rest of the ingredients (except for the champagne) with ice to the shaker and shake. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice and top with champagne.

2 oz. gin
.75 oz. agave
.75. oz. lime juice
Several blackberries, muddled
Champagne

Making the Blackberry Fizz with Bombay Sapphire and Cava.

Candy Cane-Kahlua Hot Chocolate

Believe it or not, winters in Los Angeles can be chilly. When the temperature dips into the 40s and we turn on the heat, it is a perfect time to make hot chocolate. I wanted to make something a bit more involved than regular hot chocolate, and since we had not had any Kahlua in a while, I searched for hot chocolate and Kahlua recipes and found this by Natalie Migliarini on Delish.com.

I love the addition of the candy cane – perfect for all the candy canes that you receive for Christmas and never end up eating. I served the hot chocolate in my Christmas markets mugs from the Christmas market in Budapest and the Schloss Schönbrunn Christmas market in Vienna. It pairs perfectly with my home made sugar cookies for a decadent dessert.

Candy cane-Kahlua Hot chocolate served in mugs from European Christmas markets.

Candy Cane-Kahlua Hot Chocolate

Ingredients

1/2 c. whole milk
1/2 c. heavy cream
1 candy cane
3 tbsp. sipping chocolate
1/4 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 oz. Kahlua
whipped cream
candy canes

Directions

In a saucepan over low heat, warm whole milk and heavy cream.
Add 1 candy cane and stir until melted.
Stir in sipping chocolate and vanilla extract.
Remove from heat, stir in Kahlua, and pour into glass.
Garnish with whipped cream and candy canes.

Do you have a favorite winter cocktail? Share the recipe or a link in the comments below.

Flashback: Woof! Woof! Happy Holidays from our Furry Friends

Posted on December 18, 2015 by Kiera Reilly

This post from three years ago shares photos of our four-legged friends dressed to celebrate the holidays. The last time I took Koa and Lau Lau to see Santa was in 2012, and I decided they needed an updated photo this year. As usual, Lau Lau is looking a bit shell-shocked.

Koa LL Santa 2015

The post was originally posted on the Frankly Penn blog on December 28, 2012.

Woof! Woof! Happy Holidays from our Furry Friends

By Kiera Reilly, C’93 @KieraReilly

Here in Penn’s Western Regional Office, we love our pets . Like any proud parents, we often share photos of our “kids.” Our furry friends obliged us and allowed us to dress them for the season.

Elizabeth Fields, Director of Penn’s Western Regional office, said her dog Leinie wasn’t too excited about this Hanukkah sweater, but she consented to wear it long enough to take her picture.

Felicity Woods, C’93, a volunteer with the Penn Club of Northern California’s Sacramento chapter, shared photos of her two dogs Jack and Minimus in their holiday finery.

Jack lives in California, so of course he has bling-y shades to ring in the New Year:

Jack’s cousin Minimus is looking festive in his red bow tie. He received a dollar for his dancing abilities!

Minimus looks good in both red and green, as evidenced by this festive green collar he’s wearing here:

Jack and Minimus’ cousin Payton likes wearing a tiara.

Lisa Cohen, C’85, PAR’15, co-president of the Southern California Regional Advisory Board, shared her family pet photos.

In the Cohen household, Penn is prominent – they named their dog Penni!

The Cohen bunnies, Quaker and Ben, were excited to celebrate Hanukkah.

Lisa tells me that Ben (the brown rabbit) is a little chunky, just like his namesake Ben Franklin. And, “Quaker likes the limelight so much (like the real Quaker mascot!!) we could barely get her off the couch and back in the rabbit carrier.”

Finally, here are my “angels,” as we affectionately call them when they’re running around the house barking at the possum in our yard. Standing in line at the mall with a bunch of other dogs around was a bit overstimulating, so I’m amazed they were able to sit still for this photo with Santa. Koa and Lau Lau are trying to be on their best behavior so that they’ll be on Santa’s Nice list.

Best wishes for a wonderful holiday and a very happy New Year from

Leinie, Jack, Minimus, Penni, Ben, Quaker, Koa and Lau Lau!

Woof! Woof!

Travel Treasures: Budapest’s Christmas Markets

Posted on December 1, 2015 by Kiera Reilly

Last December, I made a solo trip to Europe to see the holiday lights, sip mulled wine and shop the fabulous Christmas markets. It was my first time visiting Budapest, and while I had heard wonderful things about the city, I did not know much about the Christmas markets there and what to expect.

What I discovered was a very pleasant surprise – festive markets with mulled wine and delicious food, live performances, and many stalls with local handmade ornaments, crafts, ceramics and more.

My favorite market in Budapest was the one in Vörösmarty Square. It was large, always filled with people, and featured traditional wooden stalls.

I discovered this booth with felt ornaments, small pouches and pillow covers, and I was in love.

TT Budapest pillow stall 2

These felt ornaments and bags were so pretty. I purchased several of these white and gold star ornaments (on the left in the photo below) and some of the angel ornaments as gifts for my family. I would love to decorate a Christmas tree in red and white ornaments only.

TT Budapest pillow stall ornaments

These felt pillow covers captivated me. It took me a long time to find the right ones to bring home – and what great souvenirs too – they are fabric (and lightweight), they fold, and they won’t break in your luggage!

TT Budapest pillows

The pillows are a great way to decorate for Christmas.

TT Budapest pillows couch

Have you been to the Christmas markets in Budapest? What was your favorite find?

Manhattan Beach Pier Lighting

Posted on November 25, 2015 by Kiera Reilly

Last week, Manhattan Beach hosted their 21st Holiday Open House and 26th Annual Pier Lighting. It was a relatively warm night, so I threw on a sweatshirt, put the boys in the car and drove down to join in the festivities.

Local streets were closed in downtown Manhattan Beach, and as we parked and started walking, we saw many other people headed downtown as well.

Most of the stores were open until 9:00pm and were decorated for the holidays. Many had snacks, treats and drinks inside, but since the dogs were with me, we were only able to window-shop.

It was a festive atmosphere as the streets were filled with adults and children of all ages enjoying the shops, carolers, and music playing outside.

York Town on Manhattan Avenue. I liked their wood houses and white light display.

The window display for the Rolling Hills Flower Mart featured a ‘living’ flower dress, but all these children cared about was the snow that was falling outside.

It’s snowing!

Snow dance.

Carolers wandered the streets singing holiday songs. Here is a group in front of Manhattan Beach Creamery.

I reached the intersection of Manhattan Avenue and Manhattan Beach Boulevard and saw the traditional “Season’s Greetings” sign across Manhattan Beach Blvd., but the tree and the pier was yet to be lit.

Looking west toward the pier – waiting for the tree lighting.

And then, promptly at 7:00 pm the lighting began – it took less than a few minutes, but you can see there was a large crowd to watch.

Looking west and there are no lights yet…

Then the trees lining the pier and the ‘pier tree’ were lit.

And then everything!

I continued walking around to see more of the holiday windows.

A snowy window-scape at Dacha.

Lush and festive floral displays at Growing Wild.

The windows at Udderly Perfect featured an old-school TV.

In the Metlox complex, Waterleaf had pretty stars hanging in their windows.

I love Fringe, the new store on Manhattan Avenue. They also have a location in south Redondo. How cute is this oven display with cookie ornaments?

Bo Bridges Gallery seemed to be having quite a party inside the studio. This striking photograph of the Eiffel Tower was touching in light of the recent terrorist attacks in Paris.

Manhattan Denim decorated their windows with disco dancers. They kept moving so it was hard to take their picture. I want a wig like that!

At Katwalk there was a large elf blowing kisses to all who passed by (and obliging selfie-takers).

Prizes were awarded to the best window designs, detailed here in The Beach Reporter. Rolling Hills Flower Mart won “Best Overall.”

There is a beautiful photo gallery, also by The Beach Reporter, with more images from the tree lighting.

It was a fun night to be out enjoying downtown after dark, although I wish the holiday season started after Thanksgiving!

Kiera Reilly

Planes, Trains and Formula 1

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