View of the dining room with the fireplace in the foreground.

Halloween Time at Home

October 3, 2023, 1 Comment

October is here and it is time to showcase our home all dressed up for Halloween! Despite haunting local antique malls, I’ve bought very little fresh decor this year, but that’s fine! The few items we did acquire bring me so much joy, including a fabulous vintage blow mold owl that has been on my…

Myself standing in the middle of the exhibit space.

Looking back at Halloween in Anaheim

September 28, 2023, Leave a Comment on Looking back at Halloween in Anaheim

This year mark’s the 100th anniversary of Anaheim’s Fall Festival, and to celebrate this occasion, the Muzeo has put together not one, but two exhibits showcasing not only Anaheim’s Halloween history, but some Halloween’s earliest traditions in a unique antique postcard exhibit. Halloween at the turn of the 20th century looked much different than today,…

A UFO flies overhead beaming up three Jack o' Lanterns. Text reads "Atomic Redhead presents 10 Unearthly Halloween Tunes"

Ten Unearthly Halloween Tunes

September 26, 2023, Leave a Comment on Ten Unearthly Halloween Tunes

I can’t believe October arrives this weekend! I feel like I’m so far behind in fall festivities! But as long time readers know I always kick off the Halloween season with a sampling from my extensive Halloween playlist! So here we go! While aliens and UFOs aren’t strictly Halloween, many people decorate with aliens for…

View of myself on the porch of our room.

Our First Visit to the Kitschtastic Madonna Inn

September 20, 2023, 3 Comments

For as long as I can remember I’ve always wanted to stay at the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo. Since its opening in 1958, this sprawling complex has become iconic, beloved by generation after generation. And recently Patrick and I had the perfect excuse to stay there, as I was in a wedding in…

Myself, wearing a pink and red floral stripe sleeveless maxi length dress with a light brown lace duster over, standing in front of a green wrought iron gate.

Swamp Witch Summer

August 30, 2023, 1 Comment

For one reason or another, the month of August always reminds me of the south. Perhaps it’s that it tends to get more humid in late summer, or that I begin to start thinking about the Halloween season, which lends itself to the eeriness of the south. I find myself rewatching films and shows that…

Close-up of the brooch, a hatchet with "Carrie Nation" embossed on the blade.

Remembering the Hatchet Brandishing Carry A. Nation the Unsung Heroine of Prohibition

August 23, 2023, Leave a Comment on Remembering the Hatchet Brandishing Carry A. Nation the Unsung Heroine of Prohibition

When the majority of Americans think about the era of Prohibition, we think of the roaring 20s, with flappers, speakeasies, and flowing illegal hooch. However, the push for outlawing alcohol started before the arrival of the 20th century, and part of it was spearheaded by a formidable woman, towering at six feet tall, dressed in…

Overall, angled view of the Baskin Robbins, with its pink roof and palm trees out front.

A-Frame Icon: The Scoop on Baskin-Robbins History

August 16, 2023, Leave a Comment on A-Frame Icon: The Scoop on Baskin-Robbins History

Amid a plethora of auto body shops stands a bubblegum pink A-frame building, at first glance someone could mistake it for a life size version of Barbie’s ski shop mistakenly plopped near LAX instead of the mountains of Mammoth. But you won’t find Barbie here, this is a Baskin-Robbin’s and it’s said to be the…

Myself, wearing a set of black coveralls, with a patch on the upper left featuring Andy Anaheim, and text reading "Anaheim Halloween Festival" sitting inside one of the floats under construction, holding a paint brush.

Working on a 100 Year Old Anaheim Halloween Tradition

August 2, 2023, 2 Comments

It may only be August, but trust me, Halloween is on the minds of many! Including Patrick and myself. Lately we have been spending our weekends volunteering to prepare for the Anaheim Fall Festival and Parade, and it’s a big deal this year, because the Fall Festival turns 100! I hope to do a large…

Myself standing outside of the bright yellow and red Munch Box building, wearing a white shirt with a clown marionette on it and text reading "From Hollywood Bob Baker's Marionettes" and red shorts with yellow pockets.

The Munch Box: A 1950s Chatsworth Icon

July 19, 2023, Leave a Comment on The Munch Box: A 1950s Chatsworth Icon

Just past the railroad tracks of Chatsworth sits a small bright yellow burger stand, The Munch Box. This tiny walk-up has been serving Chatsworth locals and others since 1956. Today the ketchup and mustard colored building continues to be family owned and operated. When The Munch Box opened in 1956 it made root beer on…

Carla and I standing in front of Independence Hall.

Fourth of July Reflections

July 12, 2023, 1 Comment

Last week was the Fourth of July, and Patrick and I spent the day with our dear friend Carla (who seriously always brings out the best in me, I love that I can wholly be myself around her) at Knott’s Berry Farm. What started out as a cloudy morning gave way to sun before the…