Thanks for stopping to read mmm-yoso!!!, this blog about food. Cathy is writing today because she has a post about food (and some other things) while Kirk is busy with work.
This past Saturday had us waking at 4, leaving at 5 and getting to Irwindale at 7; the start of what we thought would be an efficient morning.
2024 Rose Parade Float Road Test #1
A few floats were being tested for mechanics and maneuverability.
The Oddfellows and Rebekahs float, "All You Need is Love", passed with flying colors! I can't wait to see which natural materials are used to decorate the unicorns.
The Kiwanis 2024 float, "Serving in Harmony" passed its third road test, with people (weight) on board and will be ready too decorate with 'dry' materials and glue on the first Saturday in December. You can volunteer to decorate by signing up HERE.
The Lions Clubs International float, "Changing the World Through Music" has a great rendering of the Parade theme (Celebrating A World of Music; The Universal Language) and float title.
The Royal Court float was also tested; seven members will be seated here as part of their year long reign of community service.
Stored inside the float barn, the Elks Clubs float with headless and handless Fife and Drum Corps is painted in (usually human 'skin' decorating, done with various spices, is separately worked on and I suspect that is why the heads and hands are not attached).
The Petal Pushers and Lutheran Hour Ministries entry, "Make a Joyful Noise Unto the Lord" has been further painted in.
The Rotary International entry, "Clean Water, the Music of Life" with the ducks and umbrellas looks to be a winner. It's cute and conveys the message of the Parade and of Rotary.
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Being efficient, we were on the road South and got to Portos before 8 a.m..
Plenty of parking, no lines, a quick pick up of the seasonal peach tart, a blueberry croissant, cranberry orange scone, cheese roll, walnut raisin bread and a Cuban quesadilla (pretty much another form of cheesecake).
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We started on the 10 West, toward El Monte, took an exit and I made a quick stop upon seeing this signage.
The menu was outside, inside and at the counter. 
We ordered #1, #3 and #7 (Shrimp Har Gow, Shrimp Shiu Mai and bean curd wrapped meat) ($18 total) and put the bag in the car. It would be a late lunch.
Very good, fresh, quite large pieces. Glad we stopped.
Hong Kong Dim Sum House, 9505 Garvey Ave, South El Monte 91733 (626) 350-7099 Open Wed-Mon 7-3, Closed Tues
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Since it was early, and we wanted Dim Sum, we we decided to try Ocean Bo again
The menu is the same, prices slightly higher by 30¢ ($4.59) than in October.
The drill was the same; check off your order on the menu and everything is brought out at once. We knew what was in the car so ordered different things here. 
Steamed Fun Gor, Ham Sui Gok, Shrimp and Chive dumpling, Seafood Gow and baked egg tart (each $4.59). Hot tea was $1.80 each and the pot was constantly kept refilled.
Cross sections; different skins on each item, everything very fresh and very efficient service. A great place.
Ocean Bo 3944 Peck Road El Monte (626) 452-1818 Open daily 8 am-9 pm website
Even though we were done at 9:29 a.m. and thought we would get home quickly, that didn't happen. We drove over to the 15 and ended up getting in at 12:45. Crazy traffic! Still a nice day.
The Missus loved Her coffee and wanted to buy a bag. So, we went in and took a look around and could not find the coffee. So we asked Brian who told us he had two bags left behind the counter. He sold us one. It was $95! The Missus just absolutely loved this coffee.
We were interested to see what effect the "time of Covid" had on Suisan and it was soon evident. Gone are the tables out front. You wait in line in front of the shop, there's a limit to the amount of folks they let into a shop at any one time.
The facades of buildings on Main Street in Ramona are quite interesting. The Miles Mercantile building (on the West side, between Sixth and Seventh) is the home of Ramona Country Bakery, which opened in October, 2022. The bakery is family owned. 
It's next to the Town Hall and across the street from Turkey Inn, if you need a better visual.
Sttep inside and there's a beautiful area of antique furniture pieces filled with fresh made bread, right next to a small condiment area (for the coffee served here).
Behind (as well as on) the counter are cloche covered fresh baked treats.
I did order a plain cheese danish ($3) the other day (blueberry cheese was also available) and it was excellent with a light puffy, crisp laminated dough as well as a flavorful creamy cheesecake filling; not too sweet.
In February, I chose the Cranberry Walnut Bread ($7). Soft crust, springy texture and just enough raisin and crisp walnuts to make a slice taste good plain (with or without butter), toasted (with butter) or as the base of a chicken salad sandwich. 
Yes, mini huaraches with adobo rabbit. Loved the mild adobada seasoning with the "corny" huarachitos, the acidity of the salsa verde, and the calming avocado salsa. Even though the rabbit was on the chewy side, the interplay of flavors was quite nice.
The eggs were nice and runny. The chiptole harissa flavoring was interesting, not as acidic, quite smoky. Man, that baguette was quite good as well. This prep really brought out the citrus-peppery tones of the cilantro.
We managed to get a high-top for two. And along with the standard menu, the menu del-dia was presented. There was a nice, easy going, yet joyous vibe here. Folks were having fun. There was a group of folks, it seemed like employees from a company having a "very" happy hour. They asked me to take a photo of them. Of course, being American, I told them to say "cheese"….perhaps I should have had them say "fromage"?
This "interesting" building is 
The croissant was dark, flaky, and light. But it really lacked the butteriness I like and was on the dry side.
Along with several stela some of which were used as astronomical devices.
