ODE TO MUSIC, NATURE and PORK SLIDERS

(How We’ll Spend Our Summer Vacation)

With the Mid-State Fair, Concerts in the Park and Vina Robles bringing in some fantastic music (hello Avett Brothers and Jason Mraz, we’ll be there!), we know one thing we’ll be doing lots of this summer: enjoying live music under the stars. But what to do with the rest of our time?! Think of it as the grown-up answer to the grade school essay prompt: “What  did you do over summer vacation?” Except in this version it’s completely acceptable to say you sipped Firestone Rosalie beer while waiting for your Fable Soap Co charcoal face mask to dry. Other ways we plan to rock the summer in Paso:

INSPIRING READ — We ordered the whole team Abby Wambach’s “Wolfpack,” an exploration of leadership and bravery written by the World Cup soccer champion and Olympian, who also happens to be the all-time leading scorer in international soccer history. We’ve got copies if you need a quick book you can knock out in an afternoon.

SHRED — Okay, this should be a surfing reference but we are talking pork. Super easy dinner on a blazing hot night? Smother a pork shoulder in our Santa Maria Red spice, drop it into the crock pot and (this is essential) plug it in outside or in the garage to keep the kitchen cool. Then, reach for our Bear Paws, specially designed to lift and shred meat efficiently. Whip up some slaw and serve on slider buns = dinner’s done.

HIKE IT UP — When it’s over 100 in town, we feel lucky to be less than an hour from the coast. We’ve got big hiking fans at GS, and Montana de Oro is a fave summer spot. Slather on the new All Good Tinted Sunscreen… it’s got everything we love in their Sport Sunscreen, including SPF 30, lightweight/non-greasy formula, reef-friendly, water-resistant and fragrance free and the tint takes away the chalky white you get from most zinc sun protection.

DECK THE HALLS — Wait, what? But it’s true. We are already working with artisans and makers on special treats for the holidays. We’re especially looking forward to custom woodblock art designed by Heartell Press, one of the many letterpress stationery companies we carry. 

We hope the summer finds you surrounded by simple joys and people you love. 

– The Team at General Store Paso Robles