2022 Rose Parade Float decorating, dinner at Costa’s

 mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog with some reasons as to how the meal occurred. Cathy is posting today.

I've posted about Rose Parade float decorating for the parades of 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.  Last year, there was no parade to celebrate 2021, but things are a bit more 'normal' and this past Saturday, the first 'Dry Decorating' day happened at Phoenix Decorating Company, where The Mister and I volunteer with hundreds of others as Petal Pushers. The Kiwanis  also coordinate volunteers for decorating at Phoenix). They need volunteers, so if you aren't doing anything this Saturday or next, sign up now-it's fun and an easy way to cross something off of your 'Bucket List'.

Since you've seen some 2022 float road tests (all linked on this post), I'll try to be a little different this year with photos. Some floats are not ready to be decorated. At all.
But by the end of the day on Saturday, quite a bit was accomplished on the Rotary float.  Many materials were used for this owl! 
 Lentils had been tediously applied on this 'urn'.
 Cotton for the polar bear fur.
  The Mutual of Omaha/RFD-TV float "Wild Kingdom" had every other feature being decorated, even the Burmese python.
 Shriners had a few volunteers.  Tedious work!
 The dark purple statice petals were carefully applied.
More beans!


 The Lutheran Laymans League (and organizer of Petal Pushers volunteers) has their  71st float in the Rose Parade.  It's the only Christian themed float in the Parade, this year themed "Jesus Teaches".
 You Are Invited! by Trader Joe's has so many features to be decorated.


 So many floats, so many details, so much more work to be done! 

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After we finished for the day, we were cold and exhausted and drove to a close, familiar place for a meal, Costa's Family Restaurant. The last time we were here was after our visit to the Showcase of Floats, following the 2020 Rose Parade, unaware of what the year had in store for us.   We were seated when the sun was still out, but it was dark when we left. 
 Starting the meals with a bowl of house made vegetable soup and beet covered salad had us reminiscing the familiarity of this home style restaurant and we are happy it has survived. 
 Just a simple side of dinner rolls with butter.

 Beef and Gravy ($12).  Served with wonderful, lumpy, mashed potatoes and the vegetable of the day.  Tender meat, thick brown gravy, comfort food. As was the Liver and Onions plate ($12).  Tender calves liver, thin, light crusted, pan fried, caramelized onions and the same mashed potato and vegetable sides. We really enjoyed this.Each meal includes dessert. I chose tapioca pudding, The Mister chose chocolate pudding.  Both were made here…and were wonderful.