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I was checking out my food items in my drawers earlier today and noticed that I had a can of pumpkin puree that was. expiring soon. I didn't want it to go to waste, so I baked a pumpkin pie today in the middle of spring!

I used this one recipe from Minimalist Baker that's vegan and gluten-free for last Thanksgiving and my older son liked it. I also enjoy it as I find that vegan recipes can be much better for my waistline! I don't always eat vegan but I do have a high cholesterol problem, so I enjoy my vegetables and the art of different ways of cooking things. The link to the recipe is here: https://minimalistbaker.com/vegan-gluten-free-pumpkin-pie/ but in the event that the website is down, I'm going to list the ingredients down below too in this post.

What I especially liked about this recipe is it requires less ingredients than the typical pumpkin pie recipe!

For the crust, I used:

• 1.25 cup of gluten-free flour
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 6 tablespoons of cold water
• 6 tablespoons of Miyoko's vegan butter

I knead that and then make it into a disc, wrapped it in plastic and chilled it in the fridge for 30 minutes.

For the pumpkin pie puree mix, I used just 1 can of pumpkin puree this time but the recipe calls for:

• 1.5 cans of pumpkin puree (about 2.75 cups)
• 1 teaspoon on pumpkin pie spice mix, 1/4 cup of maple syrup
• 1/4 cup of brown sugar, 1/3 cup of almond milk (unsweetened)
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 2.5 tablespoons of arrowroot powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Mix all of that into a blender. (I have used a blender or a whisk for this part. If the puree is from a can, I just use a whisk to mix.)

After the crust dough has been chilled, I take it out and knead it a bit and used my rolling pin, using wax paper to cover the dough and roll on top of that to flatten it out. I have a square glass pan that I was using so I tried to roll it out to a square. With this gluten-free dough, it does break easily so I just try my best to shape it into the square to fit my pan but of course as I transfer it over to the pan, it broke in a few pieces. However, I just use my fingers to shape it back together. Then, I use a fork to crimp the edge of the dough.

After my crust has been shaped to my pan to my satisfaction, I poured the puree mix into the center of the crust and then bake the pie for 60 minutes in the 350 degree oven!

That's it! 

Once I take the pie out, I'll let it cool down for several hours before chilling it in the fridge.

See my instagram reel to see a video of when I baked this vegan and gluten-free pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving last year.

See a list of grocery stores that I've found gluten-free ingredients for cooking in San Luis Obispo County.

I called Madonna Inn this morning as I'm so excited about our upcoming and second Madonna Inn staycation! We've only stayed at the Madonna Inn once before at the room named San Francisco, Room #121. (Read my personal review of this other room;  Room #121.) They have an outdoor pool for room guests and last time we didn't bring any fun toys for the kids so this time, I wanted to see if we could bring them.

I called their main line and a lady answered. I asked her "We're checking in later today and I wanted to see if it's okay to bring our own pool toys for your pool there?"

She quickly responded back, "No, you may not." No sorry, or we apologize type of thing. I feel like it's a teacher scolding me. I was not shocked that we can't bring them but I was taken back by the abruptness of that response. Okay, I won't bring them, no problem.

I'm still excited about this staycation! We're staying in Room #111 this time. The theme is Antique Cars and the room is quite a contrast from the first room we stayed at. We had our Madonna Inn cake fix over the weekend when I brought home a Coconut Lemon Cake from their bakery for a family birthday (read about my experience with picking up a whole cake from Madonna Inn via this blog link) and I also reserved this hotel room stay as part of the birthday surprise for a few days later.

Before we entered our Antique Cars guest room, we ate at the Madonna Inn's Copper Cafe for dinner. It was a busy Monday night as many people are on Spring Break right now. I love how they have such a wonderful restaurant that's open from breakfast to dinner so we really don't have to go far to eat. However, during this staycation, we really wanted to also dine at a downtown SLO restaurant that we've never tried before as well. (Read all of my restaurant reviews.)

3 Days Later, Recollection of our Madonna Inn Stay at The Antique Room #111

When we entered our Antique Cars guest room #111, I really loved how it was literally across from the entrance to their Secret Garden! It's so wonderful! It made this staycation experience that much more memorable. The Antique Cars is definitely a more masculine theme, compared to many of the other guest rooms of Madonna Inn.

This weekend is going to be a very eventful Easter weekend with my husband's birthday tomorrow and Easter happening on the following day.

I had put in an order for a small Lemon Coconut Cake at the Madonna Inn online a month ago for pick up today at 11AM. I had a few things to do today so I decided to pick up the cake last to avoid any melting frosting. 

First, I went to Ross, a block away from Madonna Inn, to pick up some small chocolate bunnies as it is Easter Day on Sunday and I still need to fill up some plastic eggs for an egg hunt at home. 

Then, I went to Buffalo Wild Wings, located in the shopping center next to Ross, to order 30 wings for take out. They said it was going to take 15 minutes for them to be ready so I walked over to Sprouts across the way to pick up some sushi to eat for those 15 minutes in their eating area. One thing that I want to note is that I prefer to order wings directly from Buffalo Wild Wings in person or on the phone versus online because the waiting time is noted less when I order it in person. I was already in the area so walking in to order was convenient for me. Remind them to include the carrots and celery! (This is now an extra cost at Buffalo Wild Wings but at the time the carrots and celery were complimentary with my order.) Wings is going to be my dinner tonight!

After picking up the 30 wings, I drove a couple blocks over to Madonna Inn to pick up my cake. I always love seeing the Tesla Charging area here as you enter the Madonna Inn property as it's like a fun display of a Tesla auto show. Today, it was particularly busy so I saw at least 20 Teslas being charged. 

Then, I parked my car on the second row from the Copper Cafe at Madonna Inn and there were a couple of people sitting outside so I knew it's going to be really busy inside, plus some schools are on Spring Break already. Madonna Inn is a top tourist spot and as a local, I love coming here too for their wonderful cakes. I went inside and people were walking around and exploring. The place was very busy with diners eating breakfast/lunch. It was around 11:40AM when I finally got inside after running a few errands. There was a line of 3 groups behind the bakery so I made my way to the end of it. I overheard someone wanting to order a cake and a Madonna Inn team member said their orders are full for cakes today so they were out of luck. Remember to order cakes online ahead of time if you know you want one from Madonna inn! I always order online at least 2 weeks ahead but usually, I do it a month ahead.

Since I was going to have to stay in that line for a little while, I couldn't help but eavesdrop the conversation the ladies were having in front of me about the shops inside the property. I chimed in and said there is a gift shop upstairs and she was excited to hear that and asked me where the stairs are. As a local I come here a lot so I knew and said it's past the EXIT sign in the back of the Copper Cafe and you'll see the stairs up immediately to the left. I also mentioned that even though there is hype about the basement restrooms downstairs, I actually prefer the restrooms right by the Copper Cafe that's closer to the entrance. It's much bigger.

After a few more minutes, a bakery chef asked the customers in front of me if they made an order. They didn't so the chef moved on to me and asked me if I had an order and to my delight of this expedited service, I said "yes" and showed my receipt on my phone. She asked me what time is pick-up and I said 11AM and since it was already around 11:45AM by this point, she was happy to get my Lemon Coconut Cake with my personalized birthday message to my husband. I watched her boxed it carefully. She walked it over to me and I happily accepted it with a "thank you". I walked out of the Copper Cafe at the Madonna Inn with my well-prepared cake order that's in their famous hot pink Madonna Inn box. I placed it carefully inside the cooler in the trunk of my car and still in a good mood, hit the highway and drove back home.

Read about my staycation experience at Madonna Inn.

Update: After hiding the cake in the fridge overnight, we were able to sing a "happy birthday" song and eat the Lemon Coconut Cake the next morning. Here's how it looks in the inside below. It was delicious!
 (Picture of the Lemon Coconut Cake that I pre-ordered from Madonna Inn)

See my pictures of the 6 different cake flavors that I've tried from the Madonna Inn.

Read About All of Our Travel Adventures and Reviews:

• Birthday Weekend at LEGOLAND Castle Hotel Review and LEGOLAND California Amusement Park Review


• Birthday Celebration at Great Wolf Lodge in Southern California


• Universal Studios Hollywood Family Trip During Spring Break


• Ensenada Cruise on Carnival Cruise for 3 Days


• Ensenada and Catalina Island Cruise on Royal Caribbean for 4 Days


• Alaska Cruise on Princess Cruise for 11 Days


• Moon Palace The Grand Family Summer Vacation in Cancun for 5 Days


• Cabin Trip in Monterey


• Staycations at the Iconic Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo on the Central Coast of California: Madonna Inn’s San Francisco Room Review OR Madonna Inn’s Antique Room Review


• Staycation at the Granada Hotel & Bistro in Downtown San Luis Obispo


• Staycation at La Quinta Inn in Downtown San Luis Obispo


• Staycation in Atascadero at The Carlton Review

Jump to SLO Easter Brunch List

This year, Easter Day is on Sunday, April 20, 2025. Most of the egg hunt events are going to be during Easter weekend or the week before.
(I took this picture at the Egg Hunt event at Dinosaur Caves Park in Pismo Beach)

2025 Upcoming Egg Hunt List

• April 12, 2025 (Sat) - Community Easter Egg Hunt at SLO Ranch Farms starting at 10AM with egg hunt starting at 10:30AM. Afterwards, there will be a visit from the Easter Bunny. Free entry. Address: 871 Froom Ranch Way., San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

• April 12, 2025 (Sat) - Spring Fling at Meadow Park in San Luis Obispo from 11AM - 1PM. Egg hunt starts at 11AM for ages 0 - 8 years old. Bring your own basket. Stay after the hunt to buy food from lunch trucks or play some fun activities. Bunny and Roman the Romaine will be there. Address: 2333 Meadow St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401

• April 12, 2025 (Sat) - Hop To It to Meet the Easter Bunny from 11AM - 2PM in Downtown Paso Robles City Park.Not an egg hunt event; only a picture with the Easter Bunny photo opportunity! Address: Spring St &, 12th St, Paso Robles, CA 93446

• April 19, 2025 (Sat) - Oceano's Egg-Cellent Egg Hunt at Oceano Memorial Park from 10AM - 12PM. Bring your own basket. Free event. Egg hunts are separated by age. Times are: 10AM for 3 years old and under, 10AM for 4 - 6 years old, 10:30AM for 7 - 9 years old and 10:30 for 10 years old and up. Learn more about Oceano. Address: 1330 Dewey Dr, Oceano, CA 93445

• April 19, 2025 (Sat) - Egg-stravaganza at Dinosaur Caves Park in Pismo Beach from 10AM - 1PM. Free event with bounce houses, games, crafts and more There are 4 different egg hunt events with the first one at 10:10AM for the little ones.
  (I took this event at the egg hunt event at Dinosaur Caves Park.)
  I went to this event last year. See my photo from instagram of the egg hunt. Address: 2701 Price St, Pismo Beach, CA 93449

• April 19, 2025 (Sat) - Kids Day 2025 & Egg Hunt from 11AM - 2PM at Nipomo Community Park. here will be a variety of booths, carnival games, a magic show, inflatables, and BBQ by the Rotary. I've even to this event many times with my kids. Here are pictures that I took below.
  
  Egg hunts are by time with 0 - 2 years old first, 3 - 5 years old is next, 6 - 8 years old is after that and 9 - 12 years old are last. Heavy rain cancels event. Bring your own basket and leave your pets at home. Address of park: 904 W Tefft St, Nipomo, CA 93444

• April 19, 2025 (Sat) - Easter Eggstravaganza at Nipomo Presbyterian Church from 3PM - 5PM. Egg hunt for 0 - 12 years old organized by age groups: 3PM for ages 0 - 2 years old, 3:30PM for ages 3 - 4 years old, 4PM for ages 5 - 7 years old, 4:30PM for ages 8 - 12 years old. Address: 1235 N. Thompson Rd., Arroyo Grande, CA 93420

• April 19, 2025 (Sat) - Egg Hunt & Festival at Elm Street Park in Arroyo Grande starting at 10AM. Free BBQ hot dogs. There will be 3 different egg hunt races, broken down by age with the first one for ages 2 - 6 years old Elm Street Park at 10AM, but egg hunt for ages 7 - 9, 10 - 13, 14 - 17 and adults will be at Soto Sports Complex (about half a football field walk away from Elm Street Park). Egg hunts are free, but other activities may not be so bring money.
  (I took this picture at the egg hunt event at Elm Street Park.)
  Address: 1221 Ash St., Arroyo Grande, CA 93420

• April 20, 2025 (Sun) - Reggie Perkins Memorial Easter Egg Hunt at Shamel Park in Carmel from 12PM - 2PM. Fun, games, activities and egg hunt for ages 0 - 12 years old. The egg hunt starts at 12PM. Address: 5455 Windsor Blvd, Cambria, CA 93428

This is a growing list!

Lucky for us, Santa Barbara is only an hour and fifteen minute drive south from our area as it's only the next county over from San Luis Obispo County.

We've learned more about MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation, from Blippi, the clown from YouTube! We really wanted to encourage the kids to visit a museum again, now that the mask mandate has been lifted and things are getting back to a more normal. At first, the kids were not up for a drive so I showed a video of MOXI from Blippi's video of his visit there and after about halfway through watching, they were ready to change clothes and get ready for it!

There are many kid activities at MOXI. It only took us about 2 hours to visit all three stories of MOXI but we could have easily stayed longer and revisit the floors again. Daddy got hungry and there were a lot of restaurants to pick from right outside luring us to shorten our visit to enjoy a nice, big lunch.

Rooftop at MOXI
There is a rooftop (3rd story) at MOXI that has fun exploration activities and a great view of the pier, ocean and the mountains of Santa Barbara. I really enjoyed coming up there! MOXI was going to close off the rooftop for a special event at 2PM for a private party so we made sure to visit the rooftop earlier on during our visit before they closed that part. I'm glad the front desk told us that as we were paying for our tickets to get in.

There's a lot of sections for kids to create crafts and build things, along with interactive play. Coming out of our area and into a public space again reminded me that there is some catching up to do as far as lessons to remind the kids about, such as how to appropriately share and behave politely when we're in public. The way they sometimes behave at home, like being loud and rambunctious, is not okay when there are other kids, especially those with sensory processing disorders, and other adults in the same room.

Outside Snacks Can Only Be Eaten on the Second Story at Mountain View Terrace
For any drive beyond 30 minutes, I usually try to pack snacks for the kids and bring them with us in my bag. I'm so glad I did this for our visit to MOXI because after a 1 hour and 15 minute drive and an hour of play at MOXI, one of my sons got hungry. We found a sign that said snacks can only be eaten at their Mountain View Terrace. It's located on the second story. You'll find a door that takes you outside to the terrace, near the race car tracks. The Mountain View Terrace had two benches to sit. We sat on one of their orange benches and my sons were able to fuel up with our snacks and breathe in some fresh air. They don't sell snacks or drinks there at MOXI so bringing snacks with us was a life-saver. It was quite busy at MOXI so navigating around the crowd and playing with the kids meant no free hands to take a lot of pictures of our visit. However, you can find pictures of MOXI and their current prices from their website: https://www.moxi.org/visit-and-learn/hours-admission. Kids under 2 are free and EBT cardholders only have to pay a minimal fee compared to regular admission.
(Another view of Santa Barbara from MOXI's rooftop)

All photos at MOXI on this blog post were taken by SanLuisObispoMom.com.

See family-friendly things to do in San Luis Obispo County.