Escondido!

Summer = Road Trips! (at least on the weekends...)

So, for last weekend, it's south to San Diego county

and the city of Escondido.

Our good freind, Debbie, whom we run into all the time,

thrifting =) has a booth set up @ this place called the Urban Barn.

It was yet another great drive down.

(if you ignore the stop and go traffic b/c of the 4th of July Holiday)

Hey! Not going to let a little traffic spoil our fun!

Finally, we got there and it was so worth it!

Take a look...

Fun Shabby Chic Look

Picnic anyone?

World Traveler

Paris Flea Market!

It's a collection of various artists and vendors that set up their

own "showrooms" of the items that they have for sale.

It's a great concept and allows the consumer to shop different styles all in one place.

SOOOOO Much Fun !!!

Make sure you check their blog. They have a monthly Street Faire where more vendors 

come out to play!

Time for lunch!

On the suggestion of the ladies @ Urban Barn, sis & I tried out El Nopal.

Cute Ambience. Lots of tequila bottles on the walls.

chicken taquitos lunch special

chorizo con huevos.

Good comfort food that will leave you full and satisfied.

Time to drive home...

but we did hit up Anthropologie and the outlet in Carlsbad on the way around.

Guilty! =P

Lates! Have a weekend!

Summer Pennant Wreath

So...recovered yet from the 4th of July partying and eating?!

Summer has decided to come in with full force here in So Cal.

Thought we should have something more "summery" to decorate the doors with.

As a side note, I did start off this wreath back in March with the intent on it being a spring / Easter wreath but that project went no were fast.

It was perfect for this project!

Hey, better that than on my floor half done!

I decided to make this wreath bright.

Went to my local hardware store and got myself an assortment of yellow paint chips.

yeah free!

Then, I had to decide on what flower shape I wanted.

I looked thru my binder of stuff and went with a

paper iris pattern from Amy Butler.

 free again!

I traced it on card stock to make a template. Cut it out.

Trace the template on the paint chips.

You can vary your placement to get various shading on your iris. 

Trace, trace, trace, trace some more. Did I mention trace? 

You know what's coming next ....Cut! Cut!

Put all the cut parts together and decide what looks good to your eye.

They don't all have to be matchy matchy.

Staple the petals together (large on the bottom, medium on top).

Glue on the circle on the middle to cover the staple.

Assembly time!

The wreath that I had was already covered in burlap.

(Remember, spring incomplete?)

I just had to arrange the flowers and hot glue them on.

Voila...

Duh...Almost forgot about the pennant.

I made that out of leftover posters and some twine.

 Just cut triangles and glue them on.

It's a nice pop of yellow and makes me happy when I see it!

Enjoy!

linking to: The DIY Showoff,  Tea Rose Home, Tatertots and Jello

Lavender anyone?

Sis had planned an adventure last Sunday. She didn't tell me what it was...just that it was about 1 1/2 hours away and that we were driving south, towards San Diego. Why no?! The weather was gorgeous and the drive ain't half bad. Ocean view all the way down! Heck ya.

We started out early on the trip. Navigation is your friend. But Sis did also print out directions, just in case.

Well, this is the site that greeted us. Gorgeous Huh?! Reminds me of the lavender fields in Provence, France. And the smell!!! The air is permeated with lavender!!

It's local (in So Cal)! No Passport Required! And it's free!

It's Keys Creek Lavender Farm in Valley Center, northern San Diego County.

If you have time this next 2 weeks, they are extending their schedule till July 10th. You can thank Cali's unseasonably cool weather! At least the June gloom and the May gray went for some good!

They have over 12 types of lavender in bloom here. They're always planting.

They can get approx 5-6 years of good blooms from the lavender that they plant.

The tour is extremely informative and the grounds are so lovely. All on 8 acres of land. They make use of it.

Signs to guide you.

If your lucky, you can see them harvesting fresh lavender blooms to sell.

They have a distillery on site, but if you're a DIY'er...

As a forewarning, there are LOTS of bees on site.

But no worries, there is so much lavender that they don't pay much attention to the humans.

They do give them a home here and the honey is delich!

Notice the purple bee hive crates in the back? They blend in nicely.

Just about here, we got hungry. They serve scones, tea, and lemonade at the farm...But we weren't feelin it. We wanted something heartier. The peeps on the farm recommended the The Yellow Deli right when we get back on the main road. The Morning Star Ranch , which runs the deli, are neighbors to Keys Creek Lavender Farm. They said the breads were to die for and the woodwork was superb. Sold!

We ordered the cranberry salad and the lamb sandwich on an onion roll.

We'll let the food speak for itself...

It was fresh, organic and yummy!

Have a great 4th!