julian

Thank goodness for little Julian, California.

As you may have gathered thus far, I love fall. The colors, the crisp air, the fresh and inspired food, and especially the trips. Every October when I was growing up my entire Tucson family would drive out to Wilcox, Arizona to pick pumpkins. We'd leave early in the morning with flannel shirts tied around our waists, lunches packed in the cooler, and some sort of Allison Krauss or Dixie Chicks song playing on the radio. Jamie and I would bop around in the back seat of our van, contemplating pie choices at Apple Annie's and playing potty humor mad libs. 

After taking a tractor out to a big pumpkin patch and picking the heaviest and most ridiculous pumpkin and then complaining about it, we would wander through apple orchards (maybe sneak an apple or two), buy some fresh apple bread, and hand-pick some veggies to take home for dinner. By the time we got home we were dusty and tired and full of apple cider. It was October perfection.

Wilcox is a long drive for me, now that I'm in LA. Luckily my brother suggested camping in Julian for the weekend to satisfy any autumnal pangs I was having. After work on Friday it was just a short three hour drive away to country perfection.

If any of you are familiar with Gilmore Girls and their 'hometown' of Star's Hollow-- Julian looks and feels a lot like that. This sweet little Oktoberfest gives you a good peek into the spirit of the town.

This oom-pah-pah band played non-stop for two days. Median age : 82 years old.

Little Mason and I eating bratwurst! (with actual German mustard!)

We wandered through the town... visiting little shops and resisting knick knacks we didn't actually need...

This shop is actually built into someone's garage! **Please note my brother's adorable little family.

...And took every opportunity to savor the autumn treats and smells in local stores.

"One man's toxic sludge is another man's potpurri!" (Anyone?)

Pies at Mom's!

It was lovely to just get out of the city for a while and do normal human things like eating, playing games, walking in nature, and generally enjoying each other's company.

Here we are being angels.

When there are kids around, every rotten stump is a photographic opportunity!

Look at these lovable scamps.

Silly brother playing washers with Emma's Mom.

Watching the festivities and stuffing our pie holes with treats.

And then my boots made an appearance.

I'm in love with these boots. And in love with awkward photos. 

He does this to himself, really. Spanakopita and Julian hard cider anyone?

Wild turkeys!

Sleepy turkeys!

After packing up the car and grabbing a pie to go, we headed back to civilization and traffic jams and responsibilities. Weekend trips are an LA working girl's saving grace!-- and Julian really hit the spot.

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Have a lovely day, friends.

Kisses, 

me