Donate your Used Bike to a Great Cause - The Bicycle Tree

This Holiday Season will bring new bikes to children across the Nation.  Many already have a bike but have out grown it.  Nobody wants to collect a garage full of unused bikes just sitting and collecting dust.  You might be able to sale your old outgrown bikes on a local used online ad site but many end up being donated to a local thrift store.  Why not donate your unwanted bicycle to an amazing non-profit cause.

The Bicycle Tree not only donates bikes to the less fortunate who rely on it as their source of work & school transportation, but also educates the community on bicycle repair and maintenance.  The Bicycle Tree is a community of volunteer and bicycle enthusiasts who help those in need repair their only source of transportation and teach them how to complete repairs.  Through the organizations Wrench and Ride program, participants choose a bike and learn how to complete all of the necessary repair and maintenance on the bike.  Many who have bicycle repair issues typically discard the bike however those who go through the program find a deeper respect for the mechanics taking better care of the bike after completing the program.

Are you looking for a great organization for you or your teen to volunteer?  Contact The Bicycle Tree to see how you can help.  As a non profit organization, they are in constant need of monetary donations as well as labor.  Volunteer times are typically Friday afternoon and evenings but call ahead to see what they may need help with at any other time.  The organization is looking for experienced bike mechanics but even if your skills aren't that sharp, you can always hand a wrench or grabbing parts from the storage bins.  Listen, there are tons of helpful tasks to complete from putting parts away to organizing the shop, outreach and marketing assistance, grant seeking and fund raising and graphic design and flyer distribution for a variety of hosted events and rides.

Today, we donated our older BMX bike because let's face it, kids grow up and they need a proper fitting bike.  These are some of the friendliest individuals.  You can see and hear the passion when talking with them.  We are very proud of what this organization is doing for the community and hope you will help with a monetary or bicycle donation.

The 2018 Tax season is coming, if you are needing to make some last minute tax deductable donations, please help this amazing organization.

To donate with a card or debit card, visit their website at http://www.thebicycletree.org/donate/ or you can make check donations out to:

"SEE" - with The Bicycle Tree in the memo line

Send your check donation to:

Social and Environmental Enterprenuers

23532 Calabasas Rd., Suite A

Calabasas, CA 91302

To visit their Orange County shop, you can find them at 702 W. 17th Street Unit C Santa Ana, CA 92706.  Call 714-760-4681 or visit their website at www.thebicycletree.org

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. We are not tax experts, please consult your accountant for tax advise. Field Trip Mom wishes you an amazing holiday season. 

3 Hours of Christmas Music Classics and Holiday Scenery

Christmas songs that will keep you happy for three hours.

Holiday Favorite Dish - Chicken Pozole made with love

Making Chicken Pozole is super easy. If you have ever made soup for the winter, then you can make Pozole with no trouble. What is Pozole you ask? It is a hearty Mexican style soup or stew. To start, I cook the chicken with onions, garlic, fresh oregano and chicken broth separately from the hominy. While I am cooking the chicken, I steam the chiles for 15 minutes or until the stem can be removed easily from the body of the Chiles. The Chiles are then placed into the blender and well blended into a smooth sauce. This sauce can be changed by adding different types of dried Chiles, onion, garlic and spices to give a different flavor profile. Once your Chile sauce is well strained into a smooth sauce, add it to the hominy that is cooking separately. The chicken broth and Chile sauce will blend together and make a delicious meal. Don’t forget your garnishes. Choose fresh cabbage, dried oregano seasoning, and a fresh wedge of lime or lemon juice, finely chopped white onions and sliced radishes. Slice your cabbage into fine ribbons or chop finely. Slice large radishes into thin round circles and dice a white onion which will all be used later for garnishing.

I usually cook my Pozole without measuring. I am the type of Mexican-American cook who can cook by sight and taste. So, I highly recommend that you taste the soup as you add ingredients. Here are the ingredients and detailed cooking instructions.

Chicken Pozole with Red Chile

1 whole Chicken cut up approximately 3 to 4 lbs.

1 Can of Hominy (I used Juanita’s 110 OZ or 6 lbs 14 OZ can)

4 large white onions (peeled and cut into halves)

3 dried Guajillo chiles (steamed and seeded)

3 dried California Chiles (Steamed and seeded)

Dried Oregano and fresh

3 small garlic cloves

2 chicken bouillon cubes

Menudo Seasoning-salt, coriander, oregano, the crushed red pepper, and black pepper

1 radish bunch

1 medium size cabbage

Tips and suggestions:

Most Menudo Seasoning include  salt, coriander, oregano, the crushed red pepper, and black pepper read the package before purchasing because not all have the same ingredients. 

Dried Chiles to consider for sauce - California (Mild heat) , Guajillo, New Mexico and Pasilla  and Hatch. 

Garnish options - shredded purple cabbage, shredded lettuce, Sliced Avocado 

Side options - Corn Tortillas, flour Tortillas, Tostadas

Wash the chicken well and place in a stock pot with 12 cups of cold water, (1) coarsely chopped onion, (2) small peeled garlic cloves, (1) chicken bouillon cube, (2) sprigs of fresh oregano and a pinch of dried oregano.  Cook the chicken for 30 minutes.  In a separate stock pot, add the other chicken bouillon cube, (1) coarsely chopped onion, (5) cups of water, the strained stock broth from your cooked chicken, and an extra-large can (6 lb. 14 oz. can) of strained Hominy.  The cooked chicken should be placed in a bowl to be added later. While the hominy is cooking in the chicken stock, let’s work on the Chile sauce. In a separate pot, add 2 cups of water to steam the Guajillo and California chiles for 15 minutes.   While you are cooking the Chiles, get the blender read by adding (1) peeled garlic, (1) coarsely chopped white onion, a good pinch of menudo seasoning and (1) cup of chicken broth from the hominy pot.   Once the chiles are soft, remove the stem and seeds.  Add the steamed and cleaned chiles into the blender and blend until smooth.  After the Chile is blended, use a fine strainer to strain the sauce well before adding to the hominy soup.  Once you have added the Chile sauce to the cooking hominy, stir and bring back to a boil.  Allow the hominy to hard boil for 20 minutes.  The chicken should have now cooled enough to handle to the touch.  Start shredding the chicken and add to the hominy when you are ready to serve to prevent the chicken from being over-cooked.  As an option, you may add or remove the skin of the chicken dependent on your preference.

Pork red sauce Pozole

Don’t forget to garnish your Pozole dish with shredded cabbage, sliced radishes, diced onions and dried seasoning. My family usually adds fresh chopped cabbage and lime juice only. I love to add fresh shredded cabbage, sliced radishes, dried oregano seasoning and finely cut onions along with lemon juice to my hot Pozole. 

We want to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!!!!

Third Chance Pet

We adopted a "Third Chance Pet." Originally, we wanted a kitten but when we saw her sitting there looking so sad and lonely our hearts spoke to us. She was a medium size white cat with brown spots. She was 18 month old according to her biography. Kitty aka Cookie was at the bottom of all the cages. In order to see her, you needed to bend down and sit on the floor. She was hard to find. Our first visit was not good. She scratched and was a bit wild. Everything about her that day said that she had been through something traumatic. We were impulsive and said, "YES," we will take her to a forever home.

What followed next was amazing. The first six months, we cared for her with compassion and kindness. Cookie was extremely clean, followed bedtime routines and food schedules but was still shy and would scratch us here and there. We would have family over for visits and she would come out to greet them by nudging up to them on their legs. Friends that had visited would get a "let me check you out" sniff and nudging. As time has gone by Cookie and our family have formed a bond that is incredible. We love her so much that we talk to her as though she is another person. The fun thing is that she talks back to us. Cookie has transform how we see animals and the "Third Chance Pets."  

Cookie is loving now in her own special way.  She talks to us with quick, short "PRRRR" growl when you enter a room, she meows aggressively when she is out of food and she runs up to the patio slider, sits down, places one paw on the door and turns with a "RRROOOAAWW" when she wants out on the patio to sun herself.  We can leave the door open and she doesn't leave, she knows home.  If she does walk out the door, it only takes a call by name for her to come running back inside looking guilty and apologetic.  Cookie isn't a lap cat by any means however occasionally she jumps up on the kids beds to cozy up for the night. 
We are extremely thankful that we found her.   

If you are in the market for a pet, consider looking into The Third Chance program.

The city of Irvine Animal Care Center has so many pets waiting for a forever loving home. Please visit their website to get more information. http://www.cityofirvine.org/irvine-animal-care-center/programs-services#third

"The Third Chance for Pets program transfers animals from overcrowded Southern California shelters where they may have limited chances for adoption, and brings them to the center for a chance at finding their forever home. Over the years the program has expanded to include rescuing animals from hoarders and disaster situations. Since these animals come from outside of Irvine, their care is partially funded through donations. Why the name Third Chance? Their first home was their first chance, the shelter they were brought to was their second chance, and the center is their Third Chance."

Christmas Holiday Lights and more fun activities.

It is the Christmas holiday season and there are so many fun things to do with your family. One of our family traditions is to visit neighborhoods that have festive Christmas light displays. We usually stop by a local coffee shop and buy hot chocolate and cookies before we start the Christmas light tour. We are never disappointed by the Giant Santa or the thousands of twinkling little lights that decorate a single house. Some neighborhoods offer hot cocoa, churros and tamales as part of their celebration. On one of our previous visits, we were given candy canes. Yes, there are so many people out looking for Christmas light displays that sometimes it becomes a social gathering. We have met several kinds of homeowners that will come out and visit with us. It is a great experience for all of us. We highly recommend it as part of your holiday tradition. Here are a few light displays you can visit with your family.

Aliso Viejo

King Elder Lane

Bough Avenue 

Glenwood Community

43 Woodswallow Lane

Anaheim Hills

Bel Air Neighborhood (Santa Ana Road & Weir Canyon Rd.)

Anaheim

306 Barryknoll Street

151 S. Jeanine Way

2118 W. Minerva Avenue

Symphony St.

Balboa Island

327 Sapphire Avenue

Brea

515 Cedar Avenue

Birch Street

Buena Park

8073 Calendula Drive

Costa Mesa

3150 Bear Street

467 East 19th Street

Lilac & Santa Ana Avenue

77 Fair Drive (City Hall) – Peanut’s House

Codo De Caza

Gooseberry Court

Cypress

5208 Cumberland Drive

Dana Point

Monarch Beach Homes

Fountain Valley

16559 Euclid Mile Square Park

Brookhurst & Heil

18323 Stanislaus Street The roof of this place is CRAZY!

Fullerton

Woods and Amerige

Mountain View Avenue & Fullerton Creek Road

Sparkle Ball Street

Garden Grove

6531, 6541, 5521 Belgrave Avenue

12112 Wutzke Street

Huntington Beach

La Cresta Drive

Bolsa Chica Avenue 

16889 Algonquin Street 

La Cresta Drive

Ladera Ranch

Shively Street

Bramford Street

Laguna Hills

Mawson Drive

25276 Orellano Way

Laguna Niguel

Nellie Gail Road

Elder Court

5 Tunis

Lake Forest

22981 Belquest Drive

Ashbrook Street

Buckwood

24952 Greenbay Drive

Rimrock Street, Peachwood & Tamarisk (Trabuco Canyon & Lake Forest Drive)

Rushford Drive

25141 Steinway Circle

Mission Viejo

23446 Bolivar Street

Bough Avenue (Nightmare Before Christmas House)

Via Amistoso Street

21602 Criptana 

26152 Cordillera 

23446 Bolivar Street 

27093 Pinario 

Via Amistoso Street

Newport Beach

El Paseo Street on Lido Peninsula

Harbor Island Drive

Saphire Avenue

Rancho Santa Margarita

22 El Corazon

20 El Corzo (Candy Cane Land)

11 Twilight Lane

16 Calle Liberacion

Orange

451 N. Citrus Street

1431 North Shaffer Street

Locust & Glassell

Pine Street

7633 E. Saddlehill Trail

1767 N Lindenholz Street

584 S. Laurinda Lane,

Placentia

444 Normany 

Rancho Santa Margarita

22 El Corazon

20 El Corzo 

11 Twilight Lane

San Clemente

Talega Seaside Neighborhood

Talega Stella Mare Neighborhood

Trabuco Canyon

Wagon Wheel Neighborhood

23 Kingfisher Court

Tustin

Red Hill Avenue & Olwyn Drive

2351 Caper Tree Drive

1151 Windsor Lane

Westminster

Bolsa Chica & Westminster Boulevard

5755 Westminster Boulevard

Yorba Linda

East Lake Village We love these lights!!

W. Oriente Drive 

18665 & 18974 Seabiscuit

4712 Via Del Rancho

Other Fun places

Rancho Cucamonga

 210 Freeway at Carnelian Street, police will direct you south on Carnelian, west on 19th Street, and north on Sapphire Street before letting you in to see the lights in the Thoroughbred and Jennet neighborhoods.

Riverside

Mission Inn Light 

3649 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, CA 92501

Palm Springs 

Robolights Palm Springs Crazy Christmas Lights Display

Disclosure: Information was collected from different sources. See below to get more information on your local city Christmas lights. 
Sources:

https://www.dailybulletin.com/2018/12/06/visiting-thoroughbred-christmas-lights-this-year-heres-5-things-you-should-know/

https://www.orangecounty.net/html/christmas_lights.html

http://californiachristmaslights.com/MyCommunities.asp?c=Orange_County

https://www.costamesaca.gov/residents/annual-events/snoopy-house-holiday-display 

http://fullertonlightshow.azurewebsites.net/find_us.html

https://www.christmaslightfinder.com/

https://www.cityofrc.us/cityhall/police/news/holiday_lights/default.asp

Holiday Skating in Southern California

It is cold outside and it is time to practice ice skating. Southern California offers several public places to skate with your family and friends. Skating is a fun activity that will get your kids and yourself laughing and just having pure fun. Prices vary from place to place. We suggest calling ahead to find out the best time to skate and what is included with the price of admission. The average we have found is $20.00 per hour. Continue reading to get more information on local skating rinks. 

We are sharing a short list of Ice Rinks in Southern California. Our experience has been a positive one with The Rink in Irvine and the Spectrum. So, we recommend them if it is near you. We also enjoyed skating at the Pershing Square in Los Angeles last year during a very busy time and it was a fun social activity. 
For the best experience possible call ahead to get times and prices. Dress warm and wear gloves to keep your body protected from the cold. Continue reading to get more information on Skating in Southern California. 

Pershing Square

532 S. Olive St.

Los Angeles, 90013

https://holidayicerinkdowntownla.com/

www.laparks.org

Holiday On Ice

Irvine Spectrum

71 Fortune Drive

Irvine, CA 92618

(949) 753-5180

https://www.irvinespectrumcenter.com/entertainment/attractions/ice-rink

The Rinks - They have several locations in Southern California. Each one has their own schedule and events page. Please call ahead for prices and availability.

The Rink

3150 Barranca Pkwy

Irvine, CA 92606

https://irvineinline.therinks.com/general-info/directions/

Ice Town Riverside

10540 Magnolia Avenue

Riverside, CA • 92505

951.637.3070

https://www.icetownriverside.com/public-skating/open-skating-sessions/

Ontario Ice Skating Center

1225 West Holt Boulevard

Ontario, CA 91762-3639

(909) 986-0793

Moonlight Rollerway

5110 San Fernando Rd, Glendale, CA 91204

Southern California Children's Museum that offer holiday events.

Southern California is filled with great Children's Museums. These museums offer great holiday activities. Some offer Snow Days, Christmas activities, Hanukkah games and more. There are so many great opportunities to teach kids all ages about traditions, cultures and history. 

The Children's Museum, La Habra - They are offering Posadas, Christmas crafts and other hands on learning. 
LOCATION: 301 S Euclid St, La Habra, CA 90631

http://www.lhcm.org/

Kid's Space Museum in Pasadena - Snow Days are just around the corner. They offer a great play area that this extremely fun and filled with touch and feel items.
LOCATION:480 N Arroyo Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91103

https://www.kidspacemuseum.org/

Pretend City in Orange County - A great place to bring your toddler to play and explore. This week they are offering photos with Santa. Great place to bring a picnic lunch. Toddlers are encouraged to play until they fall asleep. 
LOCATION: 29 Hubble, Irvine, CA 92618

https://www.pretendcity.org/

Discovery Cube aka Discovery Science Center - The Science of Gingerbread. This is a great time of the year to visit the museum. It offers so many hands-on activities as well as fun play areas. 
LOCATION: 2500 N Main St, Santa Ana, CA 92705

https://www.discoverycube.org/

Zimmerman Children's Museum - One of the most outstanding places a child under (8) years old can play and explore art and science. It is a must see this winter break. They are closed on Saturday's, so make sure to check their schedule before traveling to visit them. 
LOCATION: 6505 Wilshire Blvd #100, Los Angeles, CA 90048

http://zimmer.sharewell.org/

National Parks - Free Entrance Days for 2019

Free Entrance Days in the National Parks for 2019.

National Parks will be fee-free on (5) separate holidays. On five days in 2019, all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. 

Mark your calendar for these entrance fee–free dates in 2019:

• January 21: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
• April 20: First day of National Park Week
• August 25: National Park Service Birthday
• September 28: National Public Lands Day
• November 11: Veterans Day

From the National Parks website: "National parks are America’s best idea, and there are more than 400 parks available to everyone, every day. The fee-free days provide a great opportunity to visit a new place or an old favorite, especially one of the national parks that normally charge an entrance fee. The others are free all the time. The entrance fee waiver for fee-free days does not cover amenity or user fees for activities such as camping, boat launches, transportation, or special tours.

The annual $80 America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass allows unlimited entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including all national parks that normally charge an entrance fee. There are also free or discounted passes available for senior citizens, current members of the military, families of fourth-grade students, and disabled citizens. Learn more about the variety of passes offered by the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass series."

https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Each December 12th, the Mexican Catholic community celebrates the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. This celebration commemorates the appearance of Mary to the Mexican peasant Juan Diego in 1531. The feast day is an important day for Mexican-American Catholics to celebrate their religious and cultural identity.  
Santiago de Compostela Catholic Church is hosting this amazing celebration beginning on December 11th, 2018 at 11 PM. There is midnight mass, Rosary, serenade, Aztec Dancers and Food.

Why you should attend this celebration. This is an important moment in history when our Mother spoke to the Indigenous people of Mexico to build a church in her honor. Watch this short video to find out more information on how the Catholic Church gained the trust of the Mexican people. 

You can attend any part of the celebration as your schedule allows. However, I 
highly recommend attending the mass. The Church is located at
21682 Lake Forest Dr, Lake Forest, CA 92630 near Irvine Blvd (Trabuco Road) and  Lake Forest Drive. 

To find more Christmas Posdas, mass, prayer groups or  holiday celebrations make sure to visit the Orange County Diocese website:

https://www.rcbo.org/worship/#Parish%20Locator

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