The Good Life ~ Sacramento
Exploring a City with a Small-Town Feel and World of PotentialArchive for Holiday Magic
Stuffed. Now What?
Forget the big box stores this weekend; shop local, small and enchanting!
Rather play than shop? Then SEE one.
Rather beer than browse? Drink up.
Cool MOVEMENT or classic MOVIE?
Holiday LIGHTS or Hmong NEW YEAR?
Live MUSIC or little River CRUISE?
Maybe see how much you can stuff in one weekend… If you’ve got room in your schedule, that is.
HAPPY HoLiDaYs, y’all!!!
Spontaneous Fits of Song
Christmas carolers. When was the last time merry people wandering the streets stopped outside your door singing?
Until last night, I couldn’t remember the last time it happened to me.
Although I do (just now) recall 100 or more people marching through Main Street Woodland one mid-night a few years back, waking me from a deep slumber and leaving me with an inkling of lingering intrigue.
When was the last time I took to the streets singing and laughing, arm in arm with friends and loved ones?
There have been bouts of spontaneous songs and serenades throughout the years, for sure… Although now I think not nearly enough.
If you have a song in your heart – no matter what time of year – why not share it with those around you once in an enchanted while!
Apple Hill, Here We Come Again
Apple Hill is an annual Autumn tradition in the Sacramento region ~ Whether for picking perfect pumpkins or choosing that ‘just right’ Christmas tree… Stocking up on fresh produce or savoring a sliver of pie…. Perusing artisan booths or pairing a picnic with some just-sampled local wine ~ All beneath the vibrant umbrella of red, green and golden leaves.
Check out a few of our favorite picks in the”pix” to the right>>>
And then ‘click’ below to find out more:
A Wonder-Full Life
The holidays bring comfort and joy, music and light, food and frivolity – for those who are able to keep their inner Grinch in check, or at least slow down and savor the little feast-ly delights before them.
And the Fall/Winter season in Sacramento is particularly awash with spirit when we open our ears and eyes to the heart of the matter…. Which is that we all deserve some comfort and joy. Especially when the darkness and chill fall sooner and harder, and we are forced to look within for a different kind of softness and warmth.
The wise ones say that if you are in need of something, give that which you seek to someone else. For similar blessings will encircle back to you eventually; in the meantime immersing you in something larger than yourself.
Why not keep this in mind as we engage with the twinkling world before us ~ sharing gentle gestures when possible with those who might just need a friendly little boost. Because we can all use some shelter from the storm once in a while.
The Great Pumpkin Patches of Sacramento
From where I live in Sacramento, I can walk along the bike trail and/or levee while seeing the city-scape to my left… farmland to my right. I can be Downtown in 5 minutes by car… or arrive at a farm stand in about 5 minutes by bike. For a gal who loves the country and a guy who loves the city, it really is the best of both worlds for this outskirt scooting couple.
And now that autumn has arrived, I have pumpkins on the brain. Followed by scarecrows, corn mazes, hay rides, petting zoos and all sorts of hay bale fun. That’s when living so close to some rural land really comes in handy – pumpkin patches abound!
Here are a few worthy of checking out.
UNCLE RAY’S PUMPKIN PATCH
19376 Old River Rd., West Sac
* Very friendly, very affordable, very low key. Plus, it’s a pretty drive along the river.
U PICK PUMPKIN PATCH
5415 Kenneth Ave., Fair Oaks
* Overall Uh-maze-ing, old fashioned pumpkin patch experience. I highly recommend it, and so do lots of Yelpers.
BATIAO FARMS
3845 El Centro Rd., Natomas
* Probably best for really young kids. And although it’s costlier than most, there’s a mini Old West village to explore – a unique bonus.
Hopefully, your pumpkin patch farm fun experience will be topped off with the perfect pumpkin discovery and exclamation, ‘It’s the great pumpkin, Charlie Brown!”
HAPPY FALL, Y’ALL!
Family, Friendly & Furry Fun on the 4th
I know it’s a fitting time to celebrate our patriotism… but how about a little love for our diversity this 4th of July/Happy-Independence-Day-to-Us weekend?!
Fairytale Town’s Day of International Dance takes place this Saturday with nonstop dance performances from around the world, including Chinese lion dancing and drumming, Scottish highland dancing, ballet folklorico, and more.
Here’s the Performance Schedule:
11AM Eastern Ways Martial Arts
11:30AM Kyla’s School of Highland Dance
12PM Fenix Drum & Dance
12:30PM Ka Pa Hula O Kalama
1PM Folklorico Aztlan de Sacramento
1:30PM NCT
2PM Pagmamapaas Ng Pilipinas
2:30PM Minyo Tanoshimi Kai
If you need something to do the rest of the weekend, something a little more like apple pie on a red and white checkered cloth… Old Sugar Mill’s All American Picnic Weekend might just have what Uncle Sam ordered.
Just bring blankets, chairs, friends and family; and then stick around for some entertainment, wine tasting, and mobile food trucks.
Schedule:
7/4 Friday: Clarksburg Americana Parade
7/5 Saturday: Food & Ice Cream Trucks
7/6 Sunday: Live Music with Ron Matthews
For more festivities, fireworks shows, pub crawls and other Independence Day merriment visit DowntownGrid.com.
Be safe and have fun, Everyone!
And don’t forget about your pets this festive, light-up-the-night weekend. Make sure they too are safe and sound and in good care, as those explosions in the sky tend to rattle cages and ruffle feathers.
Happy Birthday, America!
Snowflakes on the walls, Stars in the eyes
This is your last chance this season to partake in the FREE Old Sacramento light + sound + story + music show, Theatre of Lights!
So bundle up, grab a cocoa from the cart, learn some local history, and immerse in the magic of the holidays.
While it’s not Disneyland, it is still pretty impressive nonetheless. After all, just being authentic has a certain magic of its own ~
[See IMAGE Gallery of the light show to the right>]
http://oldsacramento.com/special-events/theatre-of-lights
Thursday, December 26, 6:15, 7:45 p.m.
Friday, December 27, 6:15, 7:45 p.m.
Saturday, December 28, 6:15, 7:45 p.m.
Sunday, December 29, 6:15, 7:45 p.m.
Tuesday, December 31, 7:00, 8:30 p.m. (New Year’s Eve)
Also, be sure to take advantage of the parking deals that include a validation program, free parking in selected areas, and $5 flat rate garage parking.
Sight See, Sleep Tight, Shop Free
Kay District Christmas Tree
I’ve got to say, even as a local I love these hotel + shopping deals that crop up during the holidays. There’s something so life-refreshing about a night away from home. Especially at a nice hotel or B&B. Especially within walking distance to great shopping, sightseeing, dining and nightlife. And especially during the especially-spirited season!
Sacramento gets just cold enough in the winter to feel like the holidays, but not so cold that your appendages are in jeopardy of falling off. There are also a lot of fun activities that include warm drinks, creative gifts, and special holiday + history happenings. So once you’ve settled on your hotel of choice – with all the fantastic food options and merriment-making events at your mittened fingertips – you might decide that one night of fun “away” deserves another.
Click here for some hot holiday hotel specials!
http://stayinsacramento.org/2013-holiday-specials/
Comfort & Joy (& not necessarily in that order)
Holiday Shopping in Sacramento comes in all shapes and sizes, from malls to historic spots, boutiques to vintage shops, galleries to antique stops. Whether you’re in search of whimsical gifts or just want to reward yourself royally, sometimes the journey is the best part of the adventure. As for the destination, nevertheless, there are some really great shopping + hotel packages currently available for those wanting to immerse in the holiday cheer. http://pages.exacttarget.com/SacramentoWinter2012Deals/
For your shopping options, here are a few local favorites, as well as a few images to your right to stimulate the shopping appetite.
Malls:
Arden Fair, Downtown Plaza, Pavilions, Roseville Galleria, Town & Country
Historic Spots: Old Sacramento, CA State Railroad Museum
Specialty:
Evangeline’s, Lumens Light + Living, Collected Works Gifts
Boutiques:
Felicia Strati, Cuffs, French Cuff Consignment
Vintage Shops:
Thunderhorse, Crimson & Clover, Racks
Galleries: Crocker Art Museum, Artists’ Collaborative Gallery, Spanglish Arte
Antique Stops:
Sacramento Antique Faire, Fringe, 57th Street Antique Row
(Don’t forget your comfy shoes!)
Food, Shelter & Curiosity
Take a Nice Autumn Stroll…
Are you looking for a place to have a nice Thanksgiving meal?http://sacramento.downtowngrid.com/events/index.php
Are you looking for a nice place to rest your weary head? http://pages.exacttarget.com/page.aspx?QS=38dfbe491fab00eaeef96aa0cf2aef64b0732a4cdc94047ff8ef05f40e7b5adc
Are you looking for a reason to be grateful? “We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” — Thornton Wilder
Are you wondering why Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday?? Thanksgiving was established as a National Holiday by President Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War, and he specified that the last Thursday of each November should be set aside as a day to give thanks for the founding of our nation.
Ok…. but why?
Because that was the day President Abraham Lincoln observed the holiday when he declared Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863.
Still not satisfied?
It is apparently not known on exactly what day the Puritans celebrated Thanksgiving, but it is believed to have occurred in October. “It may be that Thursday (and November) became tradition in order to distance the event from the Sabbath day among the Puritan colonists. Thursday was also a typical day for lectures in New England, with ministers giving a religious talk each Thursday afternoon.” Practically speaking, Washington celebrated Thanksgiving on a Thursday, and Lincoln continued the tradition.
Well, you can’t say our country isn’t at least interesting…
Bountiful Blessings, Everyone (and tip top digestion to you)!
The Good Life ~ Sacramento 