Easter Colors

Easter has the best colors.

And oh how I love color!

Sometimes I don't realize how color saturated our house is until I am in another home, like this one.

And then I come home and I look around and I think, "wow.  Our house is bright."

We have a turquoise front door.

We have a red kitchen floor.

And turquoise counter tops.

Our living room has a bright green wall and orange chairs.

There are turquoise frames on the walls.

We have a bright yellow lamp.

And an orange one.

We love color.

Our house probably makes some people nervous.

But I wouldn't have it any other way

Because all the color in my home makes me happy.

It energizes me.

It inspires me.

I suppose it could also feel chaotic and overwhelming.

Perhaps that is why I am so careful about clutter.

I balance the bright colors in our home by keeping clutter to a minimum.

I think without that balance I would not find my home a place that felt relaxing.

But it is.
I love walking in the door and feeling that sense of calm wash over me.
I'm home.
If every surface is covered in clutter, then I don't feel that way.
And I don't just mean that pile of junk mail that needs sorting. (I actually sort it the moment it comes in the house and chuck it right away.  Cause I'm serious about clutter like that)
That kind of clutter makes anyone nervous.
I'm talking about visual clutter.
I edit down the items atop my shelves and dressers often.
Too many things, even the things you love best, can be too much.

Besides controlling the visual clutter, another way we've used color in a controlled way is with our wall color.
Most of the walls in the house are paler versions of the bright colors we use as accents everywhere else.
We used a very pale green in the public rooms and hallways.
In the bedrooms we used a slightly brighter turquoise.
Those 2 colors are used often in the rest of the house.
So the backdrop of those same colors, in a less bright version, makes sense.
I know every design article says you should have white walls and just add shots of color with your accessories.
But I'm here to tell you that you can have color on your walls and color on your things.
You just have to be smart about it.

All these bright Easter pictures got me thinking about color.
These are some of my favorite pictures from the myriad I took at Easter
You can see the rest and read all the stories on my other blog, Lilly and the Brothers.
My kids got an insane amount of candy.
And they organized it all.
They are so my kids.

So, what colors are your favorites?
Do you find color to be overwhelming or invigorating?
And speaking of color, this is one of my favorite color blogs.
Mr. Bazaar really understands the power of color.
He always inspires me.
I know it's a bit late, but Happy Easter!
Love from,
Greta
PS. I just redid my Facebook page for this blog.  I'd love it if you head over there and give it a like.
Also, if you want to see all the colors in our house, take our house tour.  You can find it here.
Thanks!

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?

.........................................................................................................

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

A Custom Built Trellis for the Blackberries

On Monday, I wrote about getting fruit and veggies from the Farmer's Market.

I really love going to the Farmer's Market.  It's a highlight of my week.  

There are enough around here that in the summer I sometimes go twice a week.

One of my favorite vacation destinations is a favorite in part because it has one of the best Farmer's Markets ever.  (SLO town, see here)

But you know what is even better than fruit and veggies from the Farmer's Market?

Fruit and veggies from your own yard.

The avocado tree in our backyard was one of the major selling points for us when we bought this house.

I am not exaggerating.  Way, way up there on the list.

And if you tasted one of our avocados, you'd know why.

They are like no avocado you can buy at the store.  

Not picked while still hard as a rock, rolled around in the back of a truck and then a box and shipped north from Mexico or Chili, right to your table.

Our avocados ripen on the tree until they fall, with a thud, to the ground.

We fight with the possums and raccoons to get them and when I see a half eaten avocado on the ground in the morning, it's the only time in my life that I really think about buying a gun.

Just kidding.

Kinda.

I have avocado on toast for breakfast every morning when it's avo season.

And our oranges.  

Let me just say that, picking an orange that is still chilled from the night air, peeling it open over the sink, and inhaling the sweet, clean fragrance that fills the kitchen is one of life's greatest pleasures.

Clearly, having access to homegrown fruit and vegetables can be addicting.

So it was high time we did something about the blackberries.

We have a sad, neglected blackberry vine struggling to grow in a shady corner of our yard, under the orange trees.

Last year it produced a handful of big, juicy blackberries, tempting our tummies and leaving us longing for more.  So this year we (aaron actually) took action.

In a former life, this long wall was covered with blackberry vines.

I don't know why they were taken down, but we decided to resurrect the vines and hang something along the wall for the vines to climb on.  They'd be exposed to lots of sun and warmth from the brick wall.
A while back, Aaron and his helpers covered the cinder block wall with stucco.  (see here)
Next, he painted it a clean, crisp, beautiful white.
Then it was ready for trellises.


Which, of course, he had to build himself.

After visiting the box stores, he came home with lumber and paint and set to work.
Ready made trellises were not attractive, expensive and just not exactly what he wanted, he explained. 
(of course the time he spent designing, painting and building was not factored into the $ equation, but it never really is when you are doing it yourself)


So he found some wood originally intended for fence pickets, painted it, cut it down with his table saw, nailed them together in the exact size and design he wanted and voila!

Girls, when you're looking for a man, finding one who can use tools should not be low on your list of important qualities.  I'm just sayin.
Besides, who doesn't love a man wearing safety eye glasses?  It's so hot!

This is the dark, damp corner where our vine originates.  
Aaron took town the remnants of the old, rotting trellis and put in a new one.
(can't WAIT to get our neighbor's garage wall painted white like the rest of the walls around our house)
It required a masonry drill bit to get into that cinder block.

And then, around the corner, along the sunny side of the wall, he hung another trellis.
It's the first of 5?  Maybe 6?  It's a long wall.
I like the way he used the small pieces of wood to set the trellis out from the wall.
That way the vine can grow all around the trellis.
Which it already is.

Within a week of having more sunlight, there were more blossoms, 

And even more berries!

But my favorite part of the new trellises is the view I have of them from my kitchen window.

I look out when I am standing there washing dishes, or preparing food and smile to see my husband's handy work and the vines that are already covering it.

It hasn't even been a month, and already there is so much new growth on the vines as they push forward, wanting to cover our walls and grow us lots and lots of blackberries.

This summer we might still only have enough berries for a cobbler or 2.

But by next year, well, I have big dreams.

Who's ready for jam?

Love from,

Greta

PS.  You can still vote for my other blog right here.  I so appreciate your support.  And I'm closing in on 100, so keep it up.  You can vote every day until June 8th.  Thank you so much.

The Makings of a Perfect Meal

One of the very best things about summer is the food.

One of the very best things about living in Southern California is the weather.

The weather here is already warm enough to find this kind of food at the farmer's market.

That's a pretty perfect combination if you ask me.

Yes, our taxes are stupidly high.
There is traffic.
House prices are really, stupidly high.
But people, would you please take a look at those apricots?
And these tomatoes.

They are tomatoes that actually taste and yes, even smell, like tomatoes.
What's a little traffic now and then when you can get summer time tomatoes in May?


I was getting giddy when I walked around the farmer's market this morning after church.
I was acting almost tipsy.
Let a very large, very pregnant woman loose around ripe apricots and you might be embarrassed by her response.  I tried to keep the moaning to a minimum.
I've been craving summer fruits and veggies.


Then I found the summer squash.  All the different varieties I love.
More than boring, old zucchini.
I am in love with squash.


And this cheese.

Handmade cheese. 
It was their first day at our farmer's market and they were almost sold out by 11.
Next time I'm going to get the smoked Gouda.
But this is good too.  So.  Very.  Good.

But really it is the fruit that did me in.

I am at the point in my pregnancy now where I can't eat a whole lot.

There just isn't much room left.

This is the only time where I slow down, or even stop gaining weight. 

Some times I even loose a few pounds. (take that doc!)

All I want is lots of cold beverages of all sorts.

And fruit.

Summertime fruit.

It's been over a month that I've been longing for it.

But aside from the early strawberries, there hasn't been much else.

And the strawberries haven't been that sweet.

Until now.

Be still my fruit loving heart.

The cherries are in.
Aren't they just beautiful?
I had to take a zillion pictures of them.
James and William were very patient with me.
For a while.

But when I started snapping photos of the apricots, James said, "mom, can you stop taking pictures of the food and just make us lunch?  Please."
Apparently I am not the only one who suffers for my art.

What?
Isn't everyone in love with their fruit?

All these things add up to another favorite part of summer.

The Perfect Meal.

It's easy.  It's fresh.  It's fast.  

It is utterly and completely delicious.

And I should know.  

We just had it for dinner.

1.  Squash of some kind (not just zucchini) sliced thin and grilled or roasted with olive oil, salt and pepper.

2.  A good cheese

3.  Fresh, ripe, summer tomatoes

4.  A loaf of good bread (home made or otherwise)

5.  Grilled meat or even a quality salami.  There's nothing wrong with a little chartrucerie.

6.  Fresh fruit for dessert.  Served alone or with cake, cookies or ice cream.

I could eat that meal all summer long.

And we do.  A lot.

Thankfully I have a husband who doesn't sit down to a meal of caprese salad, salami, bread and roasted veggies and say, "where's my real dinner?"

I would have to slap some sense into him.

So yeah, I'm a bit of a food freak.  

If you haven't noticed that already.

Hope you are close to getting summertime fruit--even if it's not quite summertime in your neck of the woods.

Happy Monday and happy eating.

Love from,

Greta


In other business, if you haven't seen the kids' room redo, go here.  
It even made it to the cover photo for Shelteriffic's Blog Watch last week.
That made my day!
I am linking up the bedroom post with Life Made Lovely this week, so head over there for more lovely inspiration.


Also, if you read my other blog, Lilly and the Brothers, or even if you don't, I'd so appreciate your vote.
Go here to vote for me.
I really have no chance in winning, but it is still fun to give it a try.
Because even if I won't win, I still want to tell stories.
You can vote every day until June 8th.


I think that's it.  Now that we've talked about the perfect summer time meal, I have some vintage inspired grills to show you.
See you tomorrow!

Hello Spring--I'm Sick

I know I promised pictures of our new lamps.

But my throat is on fire and my nose is running.

It hit me this afternoon--like a ton of bricks.

Aaron was sick on Sunday night and he shared with me.

But it seems like it was a 1 day thing--he felt dramatically better after a lot of sleep (I made him go to bed at 8:30) and woke up with the throat of fire gone.

So I'm off to lay on the couch, drink hot tea and try to finish the BBC version of Emma. 

I have been watching it in bits and pieces for over a week and have not yet been able to finish it.

I'm sure tonight will be more of the same.

Hopefully tomorrow I'll feel up to taking pictures of the lamps.

I know you'll love them!

And to make up for making you wait, I leave you a picture of one of my favorite parts of spring.

Nasturtiums.

We picked them today at Gum Grove Park.
The hillsides are covered in them.
Don't they look beautiful with turquoise?
Doesn't everything?


Hoping to wake up healthy.
Love from,
Greta

Happy Easter

Happy Easter friends!
We rejoice today because He is risen!
Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Greta

Forget Pastels--How About Jewel Tone Eggs?

We love to dye eggs. I could dye dozens. They are just so beautiful. And watching that white egg turn into a bright, beautiful color is just magical.

I never, ever tire of it.

This year, I decided to add a little something new to our egg dying traditions.

Just the smallest addition. It required no extra work on my part. And I am so happy with the way it turned out. I came across the idea in one of my favorite magazines, Sunset.

Jewel toned eggs. don't you love them?

All you have to do to get these magnificent colors is use brown eggs.

That's right! Brown eggs.

So we picked up a dozen brown, dyed them along side our white ones and I am in love. Their colors are rich and deep and almost seem to have a patina.

I like them a whole lot. That's really saying something because the bright, cheery pastels are nearly impossible to beat in my book. These jewels don't beat them, they just add a nice difference to our Easter egg repertoire.

So if you haven't done your eggs yet, or just want to do more because it is so fun (I am not kidding--really is one of my favorite holiday activities of all time) then try some brown eggs.

You'll love them.

Thanks Sunset!

Greta