Classic Knotts Berry Farm

Thursday, November 11, 2010

I love going to wonderful Knott's Berry Farm located in Buena Park, Cali.  I have tons of memories as a child when my mom and grandma would take us for the day just so they could shop at Virginia's gift shop and all those cool old storefronts that used to exist along the sidewalk out in front. 
There used to be so many amazing places to explore at Knott's but alas, as they always do, all the really great places of interest change.  But I can revisit those lost places in my memory and by spending time browsing this wonderful website dedicated to vintage Knott's.

A couple of weeks ago, Frankie and I took the boys and we made sure to tell them about the way Knott's used to be as we strolled through the streets of Ghost Town, or when we parked in the lot across the street that used to be the lagoon and Jungle Island. 

Frankie has also spent several happy days here as a child especially during the time that his grandma worked for Mrs. Knott.

We spent most of our day in the "old" section where little has changed...
This is the most wonderful spot there in my opinion...
The Waterfall Grotto behind the jam shop. 
The warm, old musty smell never changes no matter how many years go by...I love it!

 This is the millstone room next to the grotto.  The little pond still turns the waterwheel.  I remember the charming dimness to this room as a child and it still gives me that certain kind of mysterious feeling.



Here is the old fireplace that is a part of the millstone room. 
Just to the left, there used to be an open doorway that led to a wonderful polynesian gift shop, but it is now sealed up. 
There used to also be a live bee hive on the wall behind plexiglass in this room.  It was so fun to watch the bees doing their thing and my mom could always find me here whenever I was MIA.


Ahhh, Ghost Town...they have done a great job at retaining this original part of Knotts


I lost the boys for a second and this is where I found 'em...
where else?



Dead Wood Dick...RIP! 
As you can see we visited during the Annual Halloween Haunt evident of the faux spiderwebs.


I like my men old and grey and she better keep her distance. 

I'm not sure where these two originally sat, but they are here for now just across from Ghost Rider.



Of all the additions to Knott's over the years I have to say that Camp Snoopy is a fav of both mine and the boys. 
Levi is a Peanuts-a-holic!


He got in trouble for kissing the bench lady!!!


We ended our day by enjoying a tasty chicken dinner at
Mrs. Knotts Chicken Dinner Restaurant
where we sat in the back room next to the waterfall.  If you ever have the opportunity to eat here you won't be dissapointed.  The food tastes genuine just like it did when you were a kid.

If you are a So Cal native or if you ever got the golden opportunity of visiting Knott's as a child,I  urge you to spend some time looking around here
You will enjoy yourself as you are transported back to a time that is dedicated to Knott's Berry Farm in its glory days. 

SPOOKY?

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

IT'S ALMOST HERE...CAN YOU FEEL IT*?

The months chug by and each year I tend to forget  the magical

 feeling that surrounds the Halloween season. 

It's an innocent thing for me as I recall the exciting memories from

 my childhood that this time of year holds. 


 My amazing grandma's always made the season extra special by

 spoiling us with creative and fun

Halloween parties. 

And oh those decorations of ol'...I think I define the magic most to

 those colorful vintage creations. 

So now I am on an eternal mission to capture the

Halloween

 party scenes from my memory and stuff my attic each year

with all that I can find. 

Here's a sampling of my collection so far...enjoy!

Like my grannies I in turn, treat my friends and family to a party

 each year and here's just a portion of the scene

with the lights on...


Now comes the fun part...lights off!


It has such a different feel...don't ya think?





Most of the die cuts are repo's from

Beistle. 

They have such a great archive of stuff available now. 

I adore these black cats with thier smirking grin!

Sometimes I find cute new stuff with a vintage look like the owl,

he came from Wal Mart.

It's really fun to mix-it-up!


Check out my Empire blowmold.


Found it at a thrift store...lucky me!


OK it's not really poison. 

It's how I serve hot chocolate to my guests from my vintage orange

 West Bend coffee percolator. 


The pumkin candle is a Gurley.


I love the black cat quartet...another

Beistle item. 

How do you like my spooky chandelier? 

Gotta have tons of flameless votives, it's only way to "glow".



These cute owl plates are from Target's

 Halloween line...'bout 4 years ago.

See... I save everything!

I hope I have evoked some of your special


Halloween

memories with my images...

There is so much more to show ya...but you have to wait

until after Saturday night's party. 

Let me leave you with one last shot...



And one last thought...



How I did it:
Everything is draped in black plastic sheeting found at Lowes
I tea dyed, tattered and shredded old lace curtains found at thrift stores
I tea dyed and shredded basic cheese cloth found at any fabric or craft store
I scour my cupboards and shelves for anything orange or black such as the coffee percolator
I use lots of cans of flat black spray paint on candle sticks, metal serving dishes, etc.
I use tons of flameless votives and flameless pillar candles
Beistle die cuts can be found online - http://www.beistle.com/
Vintage Gurley candles from estate sales or ebay - Vintage Gurley Candles
Vintage Empire Blow Molds from thrift stores or ebay - Empire Blow Mold Images

Lusting, Yearning, Dreaming...Darn you ebay!

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Featuring the
1961 PINK Maytag Washer and Dryer Set
with Lighted Dial Face and original Owner's Manual.


Dear Me...
I'm squealing, I'm drooling, I'm dreaming...

My vintage mommie dreams would come true if I had these beauties to perform my laundry chores...but alas, the price is outta my budget and they are in Florida. 
Only like 3000 miles from me. 

If I was a braver woman I would ask my hubby for 'em, but he may hock the dog to get them for me, so I will just keep quiet and fantasize in silence.

Click the link here to view the ebay posting of these true
American MidMod creampuffs.

If you have the means and are fortunate enough to win these darlings, please comment so I can reluctantly congratulate you... sniff, sniff, teary eyes.

LA...Again?

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

I've been yearning for LA again...so on Saturday we went...again.  Lucky me, this time we visited the
and we took with the whole fam. 

It was a challenge to navigate the busy freeways while caravanning in two vehicles, but we made it! 
This is my second visit to this wonderful museum, but was a first to everyone else in our group...

First floor:  Wonderful city scapes and street scenes from the "era".  You are transported back in time to a kinder, gentler Los Angeles as you stroll along.




Vintage Car Dealership Circa 1940's


Hey, I can dream, can't I?



My dad and my 94 year old grandma in front of the
Helm's Bakery Truck


Why don't these funky buildings still exist? 
They tear down all the good stuff!


Frankie's favorite was the Hot Rod Exhibit.


Levi's favorite was the Hot Wheels Exhibit...I had to drag him out!


My dad's favorite was the motorcycle exhibit...in his dreams!


They have these awesome "snapshot in time" exhibits...this one is a typical Southern California garage in the 1960's.  I loved it! 
Check out the station wagon in the garage.


This is a typical LA meat market from "the day".


I have an appointment with my auto insurance man and I'm a little late...but he doesn't care, he will wait forever!


On a clear day...you can see forever! 
Uh hum, not since the early 1950's that is.


WOW!!! 
My favorite...The Green Hornet Mobile
It was so dreamy and I can't get it out of my head!





I want this dress... and hat... and gloves!



Fur lust!


1958 Fireball 
(This one's for you Cat, The Vintage Housewife!)


My Beautiful Daughter, Tiffany and Shamous, my grandson
It was such a lovely day, so after the museum we ate lunch at Cliftons
and then headed to
one of my all time favorite LA hangouts.

Outfit details:
Hilo Hattie Hawaiian Sun Dress
Black Cashmere Beaded Sweater
Black Penaljo T-strap Sandals
Isabella Fiore black and white checked handbag inherited from my beautiful mother.
MAC Redd Lip Pencil


Get Your Kicks...

Thursday, September 23, 2010

On Friday, our little vintage family made the 30 minute drive to downtown San Bernardino. 

Our destination???   
The 21st Annual Route 66 Rendezvous 

This yearly event features tons of great classic, vintage, crazy cars from the past.  
So, we got all spiffed up and jumped in the car...sadly, not the Packard. 
We had planned to enter her in the show this year, but she is still in the shop.   
We had such a fun, fun day together anyway oogling all the beautiful cars and meeting the wonderful people who owned them. 

Here is a sampling of the day...hope you enjoy!

There was this neato section of vintage service vehicles...this was a 1950's city bus...

I'm decked out in my cute little vintage yellow plaid sundress with ruffles ($5 at the Rosebowl)
and my yellow patent handbag ($1 at an estate sale). 
I'm wearing not vintage (but that's OK) yellow daisy sandals and yellow tinted rhinestone sunglasses. 
Levi is in his red plaid vintage button down shirt ($5/Rosebowl) and black converse tennies...of course!


Me and a 1941 Ford in beautiful Garnet Red...
I'm courting her with a 
vintage turquoise and sunny yellow silk umbrella
with a bakelite handle...one of my treasures!


My hot hubbie doesn't care about the color of the car or my dress...he want's to see what makes her go...go fast!




Me and a cutie 51 Studebaker...love that nose!



Honey, please tell whoever that is on the phone that you are at a very important car show and simply cannot be disturbed...those red beauties behind you are needing your attention at the moment!



My absolute favorite car of the day was this
1955 Oldsmobile Rocket 88
proudly wearing Salmon and Ivory. 
You have to be bold when you have a name like Rocket.



Frankie and Levi in front of "The Rocket"...ME WANT!


The day ended gloriously when the local press caught sight of us and ask to take some photo's. 
Click here to see our debut in the San Bernardino County The Sun newspaper...we made front page...woo hoo!



If you ever plan to motor west, travel my way, take the highway, that's the best. 
Get your kicks on Route 66!