"Stressed spelled backwards is desserts. Coincidence? I think not!" - Author Unknown

Life is sweet, isn't it? Surely, there are times that are bittersweet and some times, honestly, are just like sour milk. Whether good or bad, there's something that always lifts our collective spirits. Let's admit it. There's nothing like some good comfort food. Good, gooey, sticky, sweet food that melts our butter.

We were sifting through our minds for a "TIP" for this week, when a little food angel told us about one spot that even we had not known about. Stop the presses! We did not know. Hey, we're big enough to admit that!

You'd have to have heard about this place or live in the area to know about it. Get ready to hit "print" because this one is a 3-for-1, maybe a 4-for-1. It is your lucky day to be whisked away. At one little corner of San Diego County is a place that has existed since the 1970's. It has been growing on the community since way back. In 2006, it got sweeter. Real sweet. The property is Sunshine Nursery and you can imagine what goes on there. Things are coming up roses and flour.

Just within the property under the red roof of the building structure, is a secret to many and a recipe for success. Come in closer. We'll whisper it.In the oddest location this side of...well, just about anywhere.. is the Elizabethan Desserts bakery. Yep, a full-fledged raging bakery that has blossomed into

Elizabeth Desserts

quite a thriving business. The owner is into creating all the 'comfort foods' that bring smiles to our eager faces. C'mon, you know you knead it. Throw away discipline and the commitments to your personal trainer, and check this place out. We won't ever tell.

When was the last time you had a Magic Bar (aka Hello Dolly)? Elizabeth does them right and huge! She's also baking up specialty cakes, pies, cupcakes, and cookies. Folks drool over her Hostess cupcake knock-off and red velvet cake. You get the picture? All syrupy comments aside, this place has buzz attached to it.

Most people love Extraordinary Desserts in Hillcrest and feel it can't be beat. Others believe the sweet spot is in North County at the Elizabethan Desserts bakery. How often do you see a line of people streaming into a nursery for dessert? Here you see it often. We witnessed it.

We never proclaim our culinary expertise, but you'll find something here that puts the cream in your coffee. If you don't live in the area and you're not comin' for a visit, check out the Elizabethan Desserts website. It's a throwback and to quote Martha Stewart, "it's a good thing."

Just adjacent to Elizabethan is twigs by teri. Teri has a floral design shop with a very creative flair. The shop has only been open since late October 2008. One of Teri's unique touches is to incorporate client's special memorabilia into custom arrangements. There's something special about her and her shop. We spent an inordinate amount of time with her with the heavenly scent of baked goods wafting through the building. Teri, by the way, for those who'd appreciate it, is committted to using USA-made products as much as possible.

Finally, if you have nothing to do after spending the day up at this corner of the world, go on up to the Quail Botanical Gardens across the street and explore. It is a special place for people who love that kind of thing. We sure do!

We don't know how this "TIP" measures up with those in the past, but we love to mix it up and keep 'em from getting stale.

Elizabethan Desserts
In Sunshine Gardens nursery
155 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas
Tue-Sat 10 am-5pm
Sun 10 am-4 pm