The Fair here on the Central Coast of California is over. And I went. I know, I made my case earlier in the month for the reasons I had about not going. But, there was family pressure. So against my better judgement,I got in the car and we headed north to Paso Robles. My husband, John likes to go on what is called "jazz night". I don't like jazz. But I wasn't worried 'cause I knew I was going to take a different path.
Lucky for me John's brother kept him company on this night. The evenings entertainment was provided by Dave Coz. I actually kinda like him. I even have his Christmas C.D. But tonight I had nothing to do with him. I wanted peach jam. Sorry Dave. I'd rather go look at pigs and goats. So sorry.
So while everyone else was getting their "jazz thing on", I headed for the barn.
And I struck gold right off the bat. The pig barn. SCORE. I spent the next 2 hours, just me and my camera taking in all the old fashion farm fun. Barnyard animals of every nature, chickens, goats, cows, rabbits, hogs....all of it.
I made my way past the corndogs and slush puppies and eventually found what I had been looking for. HOME ARTS. It was there that I really hit my stride. Corn, apples, pumpkins,scarecrows, pies, breads, jams, pickles, home sewn housecoats and quilts.
And you know what? I had a good time. Yea, I did.
And I hope Dave had a good night too.
There he is. Isn't he adorable? I have to admit it..I have a crush on him. I couldn't resist taking pictures of him from all angles. He is just so cute. Yesterday we took a drive out to The Avila Barn. All the pumpkins are stacked. The barn is filled with apples and pears and nuts of all sorts. We played around, got ice cream cones, watched the kids on the tractor rides, and fed all the barnyard animals. With extra helpings to the donkey. It was a beautiful October afternoon. After we came home I rolled out our pizza dough that had been rising on the drainboard. John called and said he was going to be late. So I built a fire in the woodstove and read my Gooseberry Patch cookbook. You see, today I am pretending that I am on a farm in Vermont. My gate is bolted shut. I have a pot roast with Lipton Onion soup in the Crock Pot. No Thomas Keller or Alice Waters fare tonight. Just pure comfort. My kittys are laying in the early morning sun...all stretched out getting all that warmth. Butterscotch is laying by my side. I am going to go upstairs and put on my red plaid flannel L.L. Bean sheets on the bed. Might make a chocolate pie this afternoon. Newspaper says a big rain storm is on the way Sunday night from Alaska. That means COLD ! Finally. Pot roast sounds just right. With gravy. I wonder if I should make biscuits?
.JPG)
