This morning Ben and I headed up the California coast to Paso Robles. He had a 4 day work week and wanted to do something fun with his 3 day weekend. So even though I wanted to stay home and watch House Hunters all weekend, I agreed.
I packed lunch for the road – an apple, salad and some stolen chips. (Stolen from Ben, not the store…)
And since we could not go one more day waiting for the Hunger Games movie we made a pit stop for a matinee showing! I mixed up half home popcorn with half movie theater so I could get my volume eating fix and buttery goodness fix.
I LOVED the movie. I read the book end of last year and completely became obsessed. I got way too invested in those characters and have been waiting to see the Hunger Games since then. (I don’t to say how many times I’ve watched different clips and cast interviews and tried to get Ben to reenact scenes from the book with me.)
It’s funny, but even though I knew what was going to happen I was dying of anxiety with each scene. What’s going to happen?!?!?! AH!!!
I ended the books team Gale because of a certain Peeta / Katniss altercation but this movie did remind me I love Peeta too. 
After a little more driving we stopped for dinner at Panera. That “any baked good for 99 cents deal” (with an entrée and drink) is too good to resist. Well, at least for Ben. He ordered the cheddar scones and a chocolate chip cookie. I swear the cookie was all him. Seriously. 
We ended up sharing the cookie. Here’s my thoughts:
The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Criteria:
One a scale from 1 to 5
Presentation: 3.5 – plastic wrap, made me feel like it was store bought. I at least want the illusion that it’s fresh.
Size: 5 – Perfect! Bigger than my palm, smaller than a car.
Thickness: 4 – Not thick enough 
and I want it chewier.
Amount of Chips: 4 – Good amount, good size.
Other: The sign read 440 calories. I like that info – especially helps me share with Ben. Normally I’d dominate.
Overall Taste: 3.4 – Not the one.
The drive was long, but since Ben wanted to drive most of it I was able to read my latest copy of Runner’s World and take pictures.
Now we’re settling into our hotel room. Not sure what the plans are for tomorrow. 
When we were dating Ben and I would just take off on road trips without a plan. Well, my brain was obviously flooded with love chemicals at the time and I didn’t care – now, I kinda do. But, he wants to ‘go with the flow’ this weekend and I’m going to reluctantly play along.
See ya later!
I used to be in search of this website last several days and nights wonderful webpage proprietor excellent posts every little thing is fantastic
Best chocolate chip cookie ever: Levain in NYC on UWS. Hands down best cookies I have ever eaten. (Notice that was plural.)
You MUST get there and try one. I would send one to you, but part of what makes them amazing is that they are always fresh from the oven, and therefore warm, so it just can’t be eaten any place other than in their store. Trust me. You won’t be able to consider any other cookie in the running once you try one.
And now I’m drooling just thinking about it
I thought hunger games was soooo good too. I was also in a constant state of panic / anxiety / fear / tears even though I knew what was going to happen!
I love your idea of mixing home popcorn with movie popcorn, so clever! No matter how full I am, I find it impossible to turn down movie popcorn…it’s so addicting and delicious!
thank you for providing us so many information, i always learn something here.http://www.gustavolima.org
Oh Paso Robles, how I love you. Glad you guys are getting in some wine-focused trips before having kids. We almost never make it up there anymore even though it’s not that far! Drink up 🙂
You didn’t drive 101?! Shame! I-5 is just so dang boring for me 😉 Enjoy NorCal! It’s supposed to rain up here, but we need it, so except for while I’m running the race on Sunday, I won’t complain 😉
We did the 101! We’ll probably drive the 5 back though…
Boys are always so much better at “going with the flow”…I always need a plan!!! YUM to that choc chip cookie!!!!
There is the paso wine country half marathon tomorrow. You could always show up and register on site! 🙂
I’m in Paso this weekend too! I’m visiting my parents. It’s my hometown so let me know if you need any fun suggestions.
Hey hey! I just saw this comment and we’re leaving tomorrow, but we love this area. Def send on any insights for next time 🙂
I’m not a go with the flow kinda girl either, although sometimes it is nice to just let things happen as they may! Well, providing I don’t have work or something coming up that could get in the way.
I am glad someone else thinks that watching House Hunters is a perfectly acceptable way to spend the weekend. Have fun!
Have fun! I’m dying to see the movie. I just finished book 3 of the Hunger Games about a week ago. My husband does not want to see it so I need to find a friend to go with me…or go by myself. I’m not above that. 🙂
I was always Team Peeta.
I can’t wait to see that stinkin’ movie. I started re-reading the series a couple weeks ago (only a week after I’d just finished all three books in 4 days). I was that obsessed.
I’m also Team Gale, especially because he looks like one of the beloved baseball players (Joe Mauer) from the MN Twins. Although, I didn’t know about what Heather said in the comment above since I haven’t read the 3rd book. I thought it was a great movie though and can’t wait for the second one to come out.
Have fun on your long weekend getaway!
LOVE LOVE LOVE Hunger Games…went to the midnight premiere
Crap, I’m assuming that you read all three books. If not, then I totally made up the above comment. Sorry.
Yeah, I read all the books. I am in denial that it was his “tools” that got her killed. I’m talking in code, I think.
Team Gale?! He gets Prim killed! Sigh. He is better looking than Peeta though.
I don’t think it was his fault. I’m not convinced.
Team Peeta!
I got invested with the characters, too. I took my time reading the last book because I just didn’t want it to end!
Have fun up north. I miss road trips on a whim. Now that we have a kid, that’s so tough to do! Love wine tasting too! Have fun.
Ahhh Hunger Games was so good.
I’d give anything for a weekend trip like that!! You just can’t do that with kids, so let Ben take you where he wants!
Have a fun weekend! PS- Have you ever tried the toffee chip from Panera? Im not even a huge cookie lover (I know it’s crazy) but that cookie was outstanding!
I am also TEAM GALE!!! Have you seen the previews for Housewives of NJ-UNREAL!!!!
That picture from the California Incline makes me homesick for my Santa Monica. Yes, I am “Monica from Santa Monica” .
9:45 tickets tonight! I can’t wait. But I did land on team Peeta.
I always need to know, on a trip, that we have a decent place to stay. Those arrangements have to be made in advance. I am a snob about accommodations and once, we took off without reservations and landed in a place that makes shudder to even think about it. Yuck!
The Kidless Kronicles
That chocolate chip cookie looks good to me! haha, guess you are very picky!
Love, love, love the Hunger Games! Love the book! Loved the movie!
I’m team Peeta, all the way. But, the movie Gale? OMG….wow.
Actually “running away” for a weekend sounds wonderful!
OH you drove right past my school, Cal Poly SLO! It’s such a beautiful area! Have fun in Paso Robles..
Do you go there now? Susan’s sister does 🙂
Yeah. We are on spring break, so I’m at Palm Springs and was at Mammoth earlier in the week. I’m a second year Nutrition major there.
If you head back down the coast via PCH, consider stopping at Neptune’s Net (just north of Malibu). SO YUMMY. 🙂
Hahaha, love chemicals. Are those the same chemicals associated with love weight? Because I can’t take this anymore!
Wait. Who are you in love with?! We must gchat on Monday!
Going with the flow stresses me out!!! Good luck with that 😉
Loved the movie, too! Now I can’t wait for the next one. Any idea when it will come out?
And now I want a chocolate chip cookie!
wait, what peeta/katniss altercation made you team gale? hint, hint.
Yeah, inquiring minds are dying to know!