Apple Farmin' in Oak Glen... A Fall tradition

Not being a tradition seeker myself, gypsy blood and all, it is rare that besides general places themselves, details rarely stick around year to year.  I am much more likely to sway my tribe to new things than rely on old comfort spots.  

Chris is amazing.  I mean, in so many ways, but the fact that he somehow encourages and embraces the change and risk in sailing out of the harbor (wind sailing so to speak:)) and yet still has anchored me enough so that I can enjoy the comfort... this is a balance that baffles me.  

Balance seems to be his superpower these days.

So without specific intention, apple picking and all the farming feelings and folk of Oak Glen has become a tradition in the Fall for us.  And, I kind of love it - both the place and the events, but also the fact that its tradition.  I am warming up to this idea that same can be good, that there can be great contentment in comfort.  The swallows adventure in far off places I'm sure, but they return to Capistrano still, don't they?

We start the day at Apple Annie's where the service is classically quaint and the apple pies weigh more than my first born.  They have awesome soup and chili in bread bowls and extra salty thick cut fries.  But when we asked for a side of avocado (basically its own food group in our household - spoiled Californians, no shame), they looked like we asked if they could whip us up a creme brulee fresh from the south of France... so there's that... But we love you anyway Apple Annie, avocado or not.

There are pictures from last year on this bench.  We didn't know Avalon very well then, but she took up a lot of space in my tummy and made it so there was no coffee with my pie. Welcome to Oak Glen, sweet Avalon, and welcome back COFFEE with pie).

Their faces in this one are priceless.

Cheyenne's smile.... sigh....

How long do you have to do something to make it a tradition?  With my limited experience, I would say if I do anything the same one year to the next, it counts... But what about you traditional friends?  Is it 3 years? 5 years?  How much of the experience has to repeat itself to claim the "Tradition" title?  Can it just be the place, or does it have to follow a similar itinerary?  And, is there a difference in saying "annual event" vs. saying it is a "family tradition?"

I'm new at this.  I want to be good at it.  Kids like tradition.

I think I got this one though - Three times, same place, same restaurant, same aggressive goats AND same time of year...

Here is 2013  AND  Here is 2014

Perfecting the Flat-Hand Feeding Technique...

 I lived on a ranch when I was about Cheyenne's age, and in adulthood refection, I think that experience had a more profound effect on my childhood than my whole elementary school experience.  I mean, if nothing else, it has created a love in me for cows that runs deeper than any playground or kickball game.

Because babies cry...

Unless you are Cheyenne.  Cheyenne never really cries.  It is a mystery we don't ask about.

Drive In (Retro Romance Redux)

About a year and a half ago, we had discovered an awesome retro-romantic date idea that did not even require a babysitter.  The Drive-In Movie, however so hard to find these days, was a way for Chris and I still to keep up with new movies in a way that we could still bring Cheyenne.  We have since frequented this spot, Vineland Drive-In, with varying success.  This last time, barring a potential glow-stick fiasco*, was a perfect trip.  This time we got there nice and early, so that Cheyenne could share in the whole atmosphere of getting all set up in the trunk, eating our dinner like a picnic, and then by the time the movie started, she was pretty sleepy and we could relax in this pseudo-date night.

*The glow stick fiasco consisted of us, mid-movie, realizing that Cheyenne had broken a glow stick and was on her way to dreamland while her shirt and pants were lighting up the back seat with a neon pink glow.  We changed her clothes in a panic (which she thought was hilarious) and frantically searched the dark car for the package that we finally found and resolved that it was non-toxic and we didn't need to call poison control, or call child protective services on ourselves.

Zoo Child

The LA Zoo.
Totally manageable in a day.  Not intimidating like many zoos.
AND a six week old giraffe cuddling with her huge mama and daddy.
Good trip.

This guy's name was Reggie.  Wouldn't want to run into good ol' Reggie in a parking lot.  Crocs are my most feared animal - they are so regal from afar, but they scare me most in dreams, more than sharks or bears or mountain lions.  With other animals, you can stay out of their territory for the most part, and they won't bother you.  But the sly crocodiles... you can step out of your car in the morning at your local cafe and they are sitting in the parking spot next to you and ready to get you!  Terrifying.

Cheyenne, sweet lover of goats

and speaking of loving and goats, this one loved this man dearly

Is this elephant smiling or what?!

The Bear is trying to smile, but it's clear it is just a fake to please the crowds

I mean, just imagine it!  The parking spot next to you!

This sweet baby and her mama made the trip for me.

Just like sweet Cheyenne though, a Daddy's girl, through and through

Griffith Park and Gamma Airplane

Cheyenne has been obsessed with airplanes since Gamma G came to visit.  We thought for a while that she thought Gamma's name was airplane!
It was a great weekend.  We didn't pack it full like we normally do, and that was quite a pleasant and refreshing way to spend a weekend with a visitor.  It was so nice to sit and have coffee and relax without feeling like we had to speed out for the next event.
The big adventure that we did attempt was Griffith Park Observatory.  It was beautiful. Truly.

Oh L.A.

you really should quit smoking - it is so bad for your health.