The Ol’ Drive-In

Growing up, my parents only ever took us to the Drive-in to see movies.  I saw all of the classics huddled in the back of my Mom’s 1970 Pontiac LeMans with my brother.

I can still hear the sound of the gravel as the car crept to the perfect spot.  We would be bundled up in our jammies and have a paper lunch bag full of buttered popcorn and Kool-Aid in our cups.  I saw Star Wars, The Goodbye Girl (twice), Blazing Saddles (twice-we howled at the fart scene!), Bad News Bears,Close Encounters of the Third Kind…Remember, I am a child of the ’70s!

If we were really good, between the double feature, we would get to walk to the concession stand (I always chose the ice cream Bon Bons!).

It was not until the early 1990’s that I went to a walk-in with my folks for the first time.  {I had gone with friends many times before}.  Mr. Cabana and I insisted they join us to go see “Twister” in the theater.  {The surround sound in that movie was amazing.  The story?  Not so much!}

The drive-in was not only a treasured past time for my family,  but it was also an indicator if we were almost home.  Our local drive-in was just off the off ramp of the 405 Freeway in Fountain Valley.  As a kid I really never knew how far something was, but I knew as soon as I could see a movie playing at the drive-in, I was almost home.  It was a wonderful landmark of my childhood and I was heartbroken when it closed and a hospital was built on the land.

We would talk nostalgically about that old drive-in, especially once we had Buddy.  Thinking how great it would have been to take the baby with us to see a movie instead of waiting forever for it to come out on disc (yes Laser Disc, not DVD!).

About 7 years ago, Mr. Cabana had a BRILLIANT idea.    We bought a projector that we could hook-up to a DVD player.  If you remembered from my early posts about my small (but mighty!) house, I mentioned that we have a large yard {by HB standards}.  At the back of our house we have a large wall that is just the perfect movie screen.  Ta Da!!!!  Our own Drive-In Movie Nights were born!

We have had an annual Memorial Drive-In Movie Night for  many years now.  It is how we “Stay-cationers” enjoy the weekend and spring into summer.

The kids always vote on the movie we are going to “Feature”.  We have played movies like “The Sandlot”, “Cars”, “Up” and this years choice, “Lilo and Stich“.

“Welcome Theater Goers!”

Just waiting for the yummy appetizers and desserts that friends will be bringing!

The concession stand

Baby Girl’s artwork. Her Brownie troop used some of their cookie money to take an art class with Timree in Newport Beach CA.

Everyone brings a blanket and chair to watch the movie.

During the summer you will more often than not, find us with friends in the backyard enjoying movies.  So if you happen to be in Surf City this summer, stop by the ol’ Drive-In at Butterscotch Lady’s house.  Bring a chair and blanket and we’ll serve piping hot popcorn and candy!

{We’ll be wearing jammies!}

Until next time,

Butterscotch Lady

PS.  Congratulations to Candy Thayer!!!

She commented on my last post and will be receiving a sweet gift as a “Thank you” for my Blog having 350 followers!