Meet Our Vintage Canvas Tent

In his relentless pursuit to vintagafy our entire life, Aaron has been scouting out vintage camping gear.

We have our picnic basket and lots of vintage camping dishes, we've got vintage thermoses, and some vintage wool camping blankets.

But there is so much more out there.

I found this set of vintage pots at the thrift store.

Aren't they awesome?

Part of me wanted to keep the labels on, and save these pots to display in the trailer we're going to get someday.
Just display, not use.
Collecting vintage can become a sickness.
So I resisted the urge and we used them on our most recent camping trip.
Even without the labels I love them and was happy every time I used them.

We also used our vintage canvas tent!
A vintage, canvas tent has been high on the list of coveted camping accessories for a long while now.
Aaron put out the word that he was looking for one and a friend of ours said his parents had one they'd sell us.
It's in perfect shape even though it's 40 + years old.
The tent is the colors of the Swedish flag and it's huge.
The 6 of us fit in with room to spare.

Why don't they make canvas tents anymore?
Yes, they're heavy, but it's not like I'm backpacking with it, so who cares?
Canvas tents are vastly superior to nylon.
Unless you're backpacking.
Or caught in a rainstorm.
But we weren't.
So it was awesome.
And, it's been approved by Sir Edmund Hillary.
Definitely a keeper.

Aaron, along with a lot of help from James, got the tent up easily.

The kids raced inside to check it out.

They approved.

But the best part of the tent is the awning!
Isn't it the cutest thing you've ever seen?

I was dying about that awning.

Do you know how many vintage trailers I've seen with awnings like that and just longed for one of my own?

I never dreamt of a tent with an awning!

So until that day when the trailer of our dreams comes along, cute awning included, of course, I'll rest happy under the awning of my vintage, canvas tent.

The tent was pretty popular at the campsite.

We got lots of questions and compliments on it.

But the rest of our campsite is in need of work.

Right now it looks like this:

But we have dreams of making it look a lot more like this:

Are we crazy?

Maybe just a bit.

Crazy for vintage camping gear!

Aren't you?

Love from,

Greta

Back Roads in The Golden State

It's been a while since I've posted here.

There have been more posts over at Lilly and the Brothers.

Sometimes there are posts I just have to write over there, and there isn't time for a post here too.

But I am looking at pictures from our camping trip this weekend, and I just have to share them, and write a bit.

Because I live in such a beautiful place and sometimes I can't help wanting to talk about it.

I love this Golden State.

Here goes.

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Aaron and I love to drive country roads.

We search them out.

You know what I mean, the kind of roads that meander.

They are often narrow.

And tree lined.

They twist and turn, and don't lead to anywhere, but somehow always hold an amazing discovery for us.

These kind of drives make up a part of almost every vacation we take--big or small.

Thankfully our kids are good sports, (almost) always up for an adventure, and excellent car travelers.

And we don't even have a tv in our mini van!

After all, who'd want to waste time looking at a tv when there are glorious vistas to feast our eyes upon?

There are not a lot of these kind of drives where we live.

You have to hunt for them, and put forth a bit of effort.

Los Angeles and its suburbs really do sprawl.

That's why we love the coast north of Santa Barbra and on, so very much.

As soon as we're just north of Santa Barbra, the hills open up, and I feel as if my very soul is taking great gulps of the emptiness.

Those rolling, empty hills fill me.

I love wide open spaces.

We camped last weekend at Refugio State Beach.

It was a marvelous time.

We had the kind of weather that makes beach camping perfect and makes me want to stay there forever.

Even with the gross campground bathrooms, and a perpetually filthy 1 year old.

One night after dinner, we hiked the trail above the beach to look for whales and dolphins, and to soak in the views.

It was that magic hour just before the sun is setting when the light is absolutely golden.

I looked at the hills just inland from the ocean.

Covered in the burnt grass of summer heat, they glowed in the golden light.

"This is why they call it The Golden State," I thought.

It made me so happy I almost cried.

Then a kid wandered too near the cliff edge and the moment was over.

Still, the siren call of those hills was too powerful for us to resist.

On Monday, after we left the campground, we headed east on Refugio Road.

Just moments from the ocean, we found this.

And then we crested a small hill and the view opened up to this.

Golden light bathed the hills surrounding this beautiful valley, and we felt like we had found a little piece of paradise.

Both Aaron and I gasped.
Then sighed.
We're both from Fallbrook.
And these kind of views remind us of home.
Perhaps that's why we love country roads so much.
They are a piece of our childhood, our family, and some of our dearest memories.
Fallbrook has changed a lot since we were kids, but the rolling hills haven't gone anywhere.
And there are still citrus groves, and avocados, big skies, and meandering roads.
It's still a beautiful place.
And so was this place.
On one side of the road this.

On the other, this.

We immediately began discussing how we could move to this valley.
The citrus grove is part of this ranch, El Refugio Ranch.

We continued on down the road, with promises that our next stop would be at our favorite park in Santa Barbara.

The road narrowed and grew shady from the live oaks and sycamores growing alongside it.

James and William both said, "are we in Fallbrook now?"

There are roads just like this in my home town.

Fallbrook is a second home for them and they know it well.

I like that.

The road opened up again to more golden fields, more oak trees, and more quiet emptiness.

I loved it.

As we continued the drive, we found the Circle Bar B Guest Ranch where you can spend the night, ride horses, or attend a dinner theater.
It looked like a pretty great place.

The road goes on quite a ways from there, until the pavement ends at the top of the hill, and it turns into a dirt road.

From there you can park and hike or ride your mountain bike along the dirt road for more spectacular views of Santa Barbra countryside.

Our kids, however, were not up for that, so we turned around and headed back to the 101.
The views going back were just as beautiful and I soaked them up.
We were going to be driving back south, to our urban/suburban life, and we'd be saying goodbye to country roads for a while.
I'm glad for these little escapes down country roads to fill up that part of me that needs them.
I love my little house in the burbs.
I love our trips to the city.
But I might love these rolling hills best of all.

I'm curious, do you love exploring country roads?
What are some of your favorites--in The Golden State or somewhere else?
Maybe one day we'll get to try them.
More camping pictures and stories to come.
I've got lots!
Love from,
Greta

At the Fair

I take lots of photos at the fair.

The Fun Zone is where I take the most.

Here are a few of my favorites.

If you want to see more of this year's trip to the Orange County Fair, head over to Lilly and the Brothers.
Our photo booth pics will be up there soon.
Happy weekend!
Love from,
Greta
PS.  Don't you just LOVE that strong man?

Glorious Greens! Purple Mizuna and Dinosaur Kale Salad

I am falling in love with greens.

Our trip to Amy's Farm really helped.

You know I've been a huge fan of arugula for ages.

And a nice red leaf lettuce in my salad makes me happy.

I even like some Swiss chard in my soup.

But I'm not really sure about greens beyond that.

Collard greens?  Kale?  Mustard greens?  

Can you really make that stuff taste good?

Nevertheless, I left Amy's Farm with a basket full of greens.

Their farm stand is full of really good veggies.

Our guide at the farm, Farmer Heidi, loaded me up, tantalizing me with her tales of the most amazing salad ever.

I packed a basket full.

The salad started with Purple Mizuna greens.
"You're going to love it," she promised me.
OK.
It sounds exotic.
It is.  A bit.
Purple Mizuna is from the Asian greens family.
It is full of vitamins A and C and rich in folic acid.
It is supposed to be mildly peppery--less peppery than arugula.
I didn't find it to be peppery.
But the flavor was really, really good.
There just isn't anything like a fresh picked lettuce or green.
If you've never experienced it, grow some lettuce in a pot and then pick it for a salad.
You never knew lettuce had a taste, did you?
You just thought it was salad bowl filler.
But it's more, baby.  Much more.

"And you have to add this Dinosaur Kale," Heidi added, handing me a bunch.
"Kale?" I thought.
"In my salad?"
But I took it because I didn't want to seem like a food coward.
And because I like a challenge.

Then Farmer Heidi proceeded to write down the rest of the recipe, including the home made dressing.
I couldn't wait to get home and make it for my late lunch.
Which I did.
Immediately.

It only took a few minutes to put it all together, dressing included.
And man, oh man, it was good!
Kale and all.

I made another big bowl of it for dinner and Aaron declared it one of the best salads ever.
I wanted more the very next day.
I've made trips to 2 different farmer's markets and Whole Foods, searching for Purple Mizuna and Dinosaur Kale.
No dice.
Amy's Farm is about 45 mins from my house, or I'd just hop in the car and visit their stand.
I'm craving these greens now.
I have hopes that the greens lady at the Sunday farmer's market might have the Purple Mizuna.
And I have hopes that I'll be able to make it there to see her next weekend.
A sick baby and rain kept me away this weekend.


I guess the other option is to plant my own.
I found the seeds here and here.
I think I want a raised bed dedicated just to greens.
Cause we're eating them a lot now.
And not just in salads.
The other night I made this with some Swiss Chard.
It was so delicious that Aaron and I fought over who had the last helping.
I'm craving some right now.
That's saying something people.
Thank you, Farmer Heidi, for the inspiration!


So tell me, what's your favorite way to eat greens?
Love from,
Greta


If you find these greens, you must make this salad.
If you can't find the greens,  at least make the dressing.
It is soooo good!
It's worth it.


Recipe for Mizuna and Kale Salad
For the salad:
1 Bunch Purple Mizuna greens
1 Bunch Dionsaur Kale, ribs removed
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup candied pecans (or other nut of your choice)
6 oz of feta cheese, crumbled.


For the dressing:
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
2 Tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Put ingredients in a jar and shake until combined.

Prepare greens by washing and tearing into bite sized pieces.

Add fruit, nuts and cheese.

Dress salad now, if preparing to serve it right away.

Enjoy!

The Sunset Drive In

The first, and only, drive-in movie I saw was Mary Poppins.
I was little.  Mabey 5?
But I remember it well--the speakers, munching the popcorn my mom brought in a big paper bag, the thrill of watching those silly penguins on the big screen. (you know the penguins are the best scene in that movie)
It was so much fun.

We went to the drive-in in Oceanside.
Some of you fellow Fallbrook or North County readers might have gone there too.
The screens are still there.
So is the parking lot.
Except now it is home to a swap meet every weekend.
It bums me out every time I drive past it on my way home for a Fallbrook visit.
Why did the drive-ins die?

The Sunset Drive In

The first, and only, drive-in movie I saw was Mary Poppins.
I was little.  Maybe 5?
But I remember it well--the speakers, munching the popcorn my mom brought in a big paper bag, cuddling under the blankets, the thrill of watching those silly penguins on the big screen. (you know the penguins are the best scene in that movie)
It was so much fun.


We went to the drive-in in Oceanside.
Some of you fellow Fallbrook or North County readers might have gone there too.
The screens are still there.
So is the parking lot.
Except now it is home to a swap meet every weekend.
It bums me out every time I drive past it on my way home for a Fallbrook visit.
Why did the drive-ins die?


We see this old drive-in sign every time we drive up the 101on our yearly Central Coast vacation.

It is just south of San Louis Obisbo.
We never remember it until we are sailing past and then we say, "Oh!  The drive-in sign!  Let's get it on the way home."
And we never do.
No longer, my friends.
This time, when we were sailing past on our way back home, Aaron said, "don't you want to stop and get a picture of the drive-in sign?"
I did.  Terribly.
But there were 2 kids asleep and I didn't want to wake them, and I didn't want to ruin the momentum we had by stopping just for some pictures of a sign.
But my man is sweet and he pulled off, backtracked and explored until he found the sign.
I love that man.

But the coolest thing was when we pulled forward to get the sign from another angle and saw this:

And we peeked in and saw this:

And then I saw this:

And I kind of squealed and said, "this is SO cool."
And I might have kissed Aaron to thank him for stopping.
Or I might have just kept on taking photos.
But if I did that, he would understand.
Because he was the one who helped me fall in love with old signs in the first place.
(do you think I am a total dork, or are you with me on this?)

Isn't it a great sign?
I dream of owning an old sign like this someday.
To hang up somewhere--inside, outside--anywhere would look good.

AND, this drive-in theater is still operational.
How cool is that?

I have been wanting to take the kids to a drive-in movie for ages.

Who knows, maybe one year there will be a movie we'll actually take the kids to see, during the one week a year we're on the Central Coast.

It could happen.

I'm an optimist.

If you're headed that way, check out their Facebook page for what's playing now.

I'm glad not all the drive-ins are dead.

What do you remember about the drive-ins?

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I have so many fun things to blog about from our trip.

But the posts may be sparse again this week.

My baby brother is getting married this weekend!

And 3 of my kiddos are in the wedding.

I have a lot to get ready.

The past month has been a blur of activity.

Good stuff, all of it.

But it will be nice to settle down to a regular schedule.

And to have time to blog regularly, too.

In the meantime, check back for posts about our favorite Central Coast drives, eats and the 2 awesome, vintage treasures I found.

Love from,

Greta

Road Trip Rule # 1: Always Stop for Cool Signs

We drove north this morning.

After the LA traffic, the road opens up and there are golden hills, rolling and empty.

Before long, the ocean appears.

Today the sun was out and the water was almost turquoise.

Driving the California coast was our honeymoon drive.

We've done it, or parts of it, at least 6 other times since.

I never, ever, tire of it.

Road trips are one of our favorite ways to travel.

Yes, even with 4 kids.

There are some things we like to do to make our time on the road more fun.

Maybe I'll do a full post on that later.

But for now I'll give you one of the most important rules for our road trips: 

Always Stop For Cool Signs.

Yes, even if it is on the other side of the freeway, even if you missed the exit and you have to back track, even if you are making good time, even if you're making bad time.

Even if.

Because you might never be back that way.

Or, even if you will, the sign might not be there next time.

So stop already.

Today, we saw this place.

Just south of Santa Barbara, right off the freeway, and a place we've been meaning to stop for years.
That was before the rule was instituted.
We always drove past with plans to stop on the way back, or next time.
And then we'd forget, and drive past and....
But not this time.
We stopped.
And I snapped.
And then I messed around with photo shop tonight.
Which one is your favorite?

1.

2.

3.

4.

I'm doing research so I really want to know. 
(yes, I know I need to remove those power lines--isn't photo shop amazing?--but I didn't feel like doing actual work, just playing with colors)


Then the stop got even better because right next to the bowling alley was this place.

I so regret never taking pictures when the restaurant was still there.
Do any of you have pictures of it when it was still open?
Did you eat there?
Check out this picture here.
It was so great.
At least the sign remains.
For now.
Hence the rule, people.
If we hadn't stopped this year, and next year the sign was gone, there might have been tears.
You think I joke.
Look at this awesomeness.

We spent a few minutes driving around the area of these 2 signs and found this little ghost town.
There were all sorts of abandoned, mid century buildings.
Great roof lines, colors, and what was once a bustling area, now all empty.

I'm glad we stopped before everything is gone.
What are your road trip rules?
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Are you thinking it's weird that I'm blogging on vacation?
Let me tell you, to actually have the time to write at night, sitting next to a warm fire, without one chore hanging over my head, well, that's my idea of vacation!
But tomorrow night I might opt to go to bed before 10.
Who knows.  I'm on vacation.
You can see more about our trip today over at Lilly and the Brothers.
And come back on Thursday for some fun news.
See you then.
Love from,
Greta