The OC Fair

The Orange County Fair is in full swing right now in Costa Mesa, California.  After all, it is summer and it is fair season.

The OC fair offers lots of fun things besides games and rides.  If you go just to walk around like I do there are several areas dedicated to animals, livestock and agriculture, like their very own Centennial Farm.  They also offer a bunch of different exhibition buildings that display art, crafts, and products.

If you go for the music, near the exhibits is The Hanger that offers live free music to everyone at the fair.  When we were there, an Elton John tribute band, called Elton-The Early Years, was on stage and they were very good - only playing Elton's classics.  They also have The Pacific Amphitheatre which has a full line up for the whole summer.

And then there is, of course, the food.  We all go for the food - whether it is good corn on the cob, a deep fried something, or the chocolate cover bacon and cotton candy, it is all good (or bad, depending on how you look at it).

I enjoy the animals mostly, maybe a ride and some greasy food.  We always go at night, so there is someone playing at the Hanger and we take a stroll through an exhibit or two.  Here are a few shots of some of the cute animals I found.

Photo Credit: Maddie Dierkes

They even had some fireworks going off.  It is a great way to spend a summer night, it is something different from the normal everyday, and it only comes once a year, so might as well enjoy it! :)

Read More

Staycation

For the first post of year I am confessing my new obsession with Sunset magazine...

www.sunset.com

First of all they are all about living here in the west which is great because we do love living here, right???

They have everything from traveling to Utah for a canyoning excursion to exploring the apple orchards of Oak Glen, California...day trip anyone???

Then comes the design stuff..need I say more. Things like gardening, creating the perfect outdoor space as your escape from the world to making your house a home inside out.

Lastly comes the food. Some good stuff for any occasion that definitely makes me hungry.

For a closing thought...they are all about local beauty...where you live in the most beautiful place in the world you just have to get out there and find it (they give you all the info you need you just have to go do it) and it might just be your own backyard. Even though it is a little late considering it is already February! but here is to a new year of celebrating where you live and supporting local sellers, artists, and cities. And to being at home and loving it... with a few vacations here and there to places you have been dying to go to forever even though they may just be a weekend trip away.

Happy New Year and have fun being home!

Read More