1928 Tudor

That's a wrap

2011-09-26T13:57:00.000-07:00

Well its bittersweet but its time to sell the house. We got a denial letter from our loan company. No loan modification for us and instructions to stop asking. I only have submitted my packet to them 3 times over the last 2 years. Am I annoying them or something? The nerve!

We applied for a principal reduction through Keep Your Home California as instructed by Guild our loan company. We qualified for $50,000 (yes 50 g's) with the hopes that Guild would match the offer. Since they denied the $50 from KYHC and are not going to match or work with us at all I'm giving up. I think its because we have not defaulted on payments. I mean why would they reduce the principal amount of the loan when its not in default. They would be shooting themselves in the wallet.

So on the market it goes. If we honestly thought that this house would be worth anywhere near what we owed before this baby was in High School we would keep it. But since our neighbors are all bailing out I'm scared who is going to move in. Comparable houses are listed for $170,000 less that what we owe. There are vacancies and its starting to look pretty run down around here. We are in a nice little Historical District pocket but the gang activity surrounding us is too much to deal with. When the ghetto birds are hovering so low they wake up the baby I think its time to move.

Sad, we love this house. Blood, sweat and tears this house. But its older than shit and needs a lot more repairs than we ever did.

So long bloggers. I wish you luck. I hope the new owners get a smokin' deal and keep on fixing her up.

Pour one out for my homies.
peace out-
Sasha

Do over

2011-07-31T13:36:00.000-07:00

A little better pictures than the last time...

summer recipies

2011-07-13T11:15:00.000-07:00

Here are a few from my favorite magazine. The Heirloom Gardener.

Putting it up

2011-07-10T21:04:00.000-07:00

Summer is in full swing at our house. Squash, beans, tomatoes. Its all coming in. We are eating it as fast as we can and I'm packing the freezer.

Made Summer Garden Ratatouille the other day and put a few quarts in the freezer. This will be amazing on some pasta this winter. I grilled the squash, zucchini and eggplant first then added it to the pot with everything else. Threw the beans in last and turned off the heat. Its cooked enough to blend all the flavors but not cooked all the way down. That way when I heat it back up it will finish up cooking the rest of the way. Yum!! Its all about saving summer.

Apricot Chicken

2011-06-29T09:25:00.000-07:00

Apricots are in season and thanks to my friend Aliye and Sergio we have been swimming in them. Last night I made apricot chicken with some happy birds from New Frontier Family Farm.

I marinated it in garlic, lemon juice, finely chopped onion and the apricot glaze. To make the glaze I cooked the apricots in a little bit of honey, brandy and butter. Once the apricots cooked down I removed the pits and threw in the blender. The chicken sat in a ziplock in this mixture for a few hours. Then I baked it in the oven at 425 for about 45 minutes. It was not quite done so I covered in foil and popped it back in the oven to finish cooking. Yum!

These are the people in my neighborhood

2011-06-24T11:57:00.000-07:00

While walking back from the most ghetto post office I have been to, worse than south LA! I saw this awesomeness happening in my neighbors front window.

Pictures didn't come out too clear. I'll get you another shot. Its too good to miss.

Baby Rockets

2011-06-22T12:11:00.000-07:00

I was thinking of shutting down this blog because I thought I was not working on my house anymore. But once I started to look around I realized, um...we still work on this house. What was I thinking.

I ordered some wall decals from Blik thanks Erica for sending me the link. I was looking everywhere for something fun and couldn't find anything. This site has great stuff, we got the rocket ships. Once baby can focus his eyes I hope he enjoys them.

2030 Plan for Long Beach

2011-04-20T17:20:00.000-07:00

If any of you are interested in being part of the future of Long Beach please contact the planning department and ask to be added to this list. Your input is valued and requested. Let's work together to make LB even greater than it already is.

CITY OF LONG BEACH
DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
333 West Ocean Blvd., 4th Floor Long Beach, CA 90802 Phone: 570.5237 Fax: 570.6205

April 20, 2011

Dear Neighborhood Association Members,

2010 was another successful year for Long Beach neighborhood associations, which helped advance Long Beach’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life within the city. We saw continued successes in neighborhood revitalization, citizen participation, and code enforcement. From your direct involvement in planning projects, your efforts have led to the beautification of our parks, neighborhoods, and street parkways, and enrichment of the overall fabric of our city.

Your successes are related to your many outstanding volunteer efforts and contributions toward the betterment of Long Beach. In 2010, the Willmore City Heritage Association (WHCA) won Neighborhood, USA’s “Neighborhood of the Year” first place award in the category of Physical Revitalization – Single Neighborhood, for restoring a 106-year-old house, saving it from demolition, and helping a local family purchase the home – removing two blighted vacant lots in the process. At one Craftsman Village Historic District’s monthly graffiti removal and neighborhood clean up alone, 200 volunteers removed nine tons of trash and debris from surrounding streets and alleys. This is just one of many similar efforts that took place throughout the city. Neighborhood associations have also contributed to greening efforts by planting trees throughout Long Beach. At the North Alamitos Beach Association’s Neighborhood Tree Planting last July, volunteers planted 35 new trees in the area. And the neighborhood associations also help build community, such as the West East-Side Community Association’s extremely successful annual Halloween Carnival at Orizaba Park where approximately 700 people attended the festivities.

In 2011, the Planning Commission will need your help with our planning processes for now and the future. We are working on our Long Beach 2030 plan, which includes evaluating zoning requirements within the city. Our successes in that effort count on community participation and support. We encourage you to recruit and involve as many of your neighbors as possible to participate in the process.

On behalf of all the members of the Planning Commission, we again thank you for your commitment to improving our neighborhoods.

Sincerely,

Charles Durnin
Chair
Long Beach Planning Commission

Amy J. Bodek, AICP
Director
Long Beach Development Services

Hot and stinky

2011-04-15T13:42:00.000-07:00

I want to build an outside shower. One that has hot and cold water running. Any suggestions?

Historic District Info for Long Beach

2011-04-11T10:20:00.000-07:00

I wish some of my neighbors would take note. Its not a problem with the fencing as the upkeep of the houses...Thanks Rose Park for sending this out.

Taking care of property in a historic district is different.
"Fencing Considerations"

The materials, design and scale should complement and be subordinate to the home's architecture. For examp a Cal Bungalow made of wood siding would have a wood fence, whereas a Spanish-Med style home would use masonry and iron elements.

You live in an historic district. Taking care of property in a historic district isn't difficult but it is different. This distinction brings many benefits. You are more confident that your neighbor can't rebuild to the lot-line or the block won't be raised for real estate development. Property can't be changed in historic character. The net effect retains value of your chosen neighborhood.

And here comes the but - there are responsibilities. These responsibilities are based on the Secretary of Interior Standards for Historic Preservation and are coordinated for all of us in historic districts by our city's Historic Preservation office. This process is called a Certificate of Appropriateness or COA*. A COA is different from a building permit. A COA is a way to ensure that property owners in historic districts conform to preservation standards.

Fences in Historic Districts

Fences require a COA.
You can download the instructions at: http://www.lbds.info/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=2563.
Or, you can call 562) 570-6194.

Here are two things to consider when planning your fence:
1. It must conform to the city's building code, e.g. height and set-back requirements. To find out what pertains to your individual situation email LBDS@longbeach.gov or give them a call (562) 570-LBDS (5237), Option 3.
Or if you prefer you can visit the planning department but be prepared to wait, as it is a first come first serve system at the planning desk located at 333 W. Ocean Blvd., 4th Floor Long Beach,

Don't want to call the city? Find it difficult to navigate the bureaucracy? You are not alone. You are encouraged to review other approved installations of fencing in your neighborhood. Try to find out what makes a successful application - most are very simple. Fill out the application and discuss it with historic preservation staff. Most suggested modifications are easy to make. But if you don't obtain the COA unfortunately the city can and will take action.

Further questions please contact: info@rpna.org

*What is a COA?
COA stands for Certificate of Appropriateness is required for all exterior changes, even those that do not need building permits, such as repainting. Ordinary maintenance and repair are excluded. The Preservation Officer reviews applications for changes. Minor changes may be approved by staff. Major projects and applications that are inconsistent with the design guidelines are scheduled for a Cultural Heritage Commission meeting. Applicants may appeal decisions to the Planning Commission.
Long Beach City's Preservation Office is at http://www.lbds.info/planning/historic_preservation)

Leaf me alone!

2011-04-07T08:45:00.000-07:00

For the last 6 months or so I have been getting messy ally citations from the city of Long Beach. My elm tree is dropping leaves and getting me in trouble. That combined with the garbage the neighbors leave after they are done woopin' it up and I'm in trouble with code enforcement.

So I hired Jimmy's tree service to come and cut her back. WAY back. It was time anyway there was a few big branches that had fallen off over the years and it was looking pretty shabby. But it was hiding the big apartment building that sits back there in the corner which now we have the pleasure of looking at.

I asked them to leave all the inside branches so when it grows back it can once again shield us from the apartment building. Although nobody is living there right now, just fixing it up to rent I think.

They also cut down a big queen palm that lots its head a few years ago. One morning we came outside to the head of the palm tree sitting in the backyard. Good thing it didn't land on the neighbors garage or take out my plumeria tree. We did leave a tall enough piece to hold the hammock. Maybe someday we can get a tiki carved into it. That would be fun!

I admit I had chipper envy.

The house goes- gurgle

2011-03-08T09:17:00.000-08:00

I suppose we are ready for baby. We still have a few more Bradley classes to attend and a car seat to buy but other than that I feel pretty ready. Ready to get this baby out of me. Everything was going alright until he started kicking me in the ribs. Not nice baby, not nice at all.

My friends threw me a wonderful baby shower. This kid has lots of love coming from everywhere. California love, Florida love, Hawaii love, this kid is destined to be a beach bum. I remember those days. I hope I get to spend the time on the beach like my mom did with us. I remember running around diaper free and loving it.

On the house front we are trying to decide what to do. Our cute little tudor that we love and work so hard on is not worth the paper the mortgage company uses to send us the bills. Its hard to pay so much for something every month that is so underwater. Do we short sale? Do we walk away? Do we buy something else and go through all the same hell we have been through with this house? I don't know.

My friend Tracy calls me a "planner", she is right. Its hard for me to live in limbo. The morally correct thing to do would be to stay and pay. We agreed on the price, we bought the house, done deal. Except when you look at all the options and what other people are doing its hard to be the one that does the right thing. I mean its not like I'm going to get a gold star by my name because we made all of our payments. It only makes us feel stupid for paying so much when other people are getting such good deals.

We have 1 year to figure it out. That's when our mortgage GOES UP even more. Thanks to the awesome loan that we were sold. Honesty though at the time it was a good price for the house, and the loan was not that bad either. But man times have changed. Any of you guys having the same problems?

Baby Room

2011-01-31T20:02:00.000-08:00

The Husband (do I call him The Dad now?) took some pictures of the nursery. Still need to make it look like a kids room but the bones are there.

11 more weeks until we get to meet the little guy. How exciting!

Baby's room

2010-12-15T19:44:00.000-08:00

We worked on the nursery over the weekend. I painted 4 swatches on the wall but since The Husband is colorblind I had to recruit a neighbor to come and stare at the colors with me. Thanks Auntie Lisa!

We picked Icelandic from Sherwin Williams' Harmony line. Its a gray based blue I tried to pick something that they wouldn't grow out of too quickly. I don't want to repaint any time soon.

Looks like a nice place to grow up if I do say so myself. You can almost see my fancy fixture from Rejuvenation along the wall above the futon that is getting replaced. The finished wall color is the second from the left.

Little baby

2010-11-29T16:45:00.001-08:00

Its a boy! If I can figure out how to download my Flip to my MAC I'll post a video of the little action star. He is a very busy guy.

Coffee Marinated Bison Short Ribs

2010-11-28T10:51:00.000-08:00

I grabbed some Bison Short Ribs from the Santa Monica Farmers Market on Wednesday. Looking forward to this for dinner. I made a huge pot of greens yesterday and probably make some wild rice to go with. Kinda over mash potatoes if you know what I mean. Although yesterdays Turkey Tetrazzini was pretty yummy.

Coffee Marinated Bison Short Ribs

Original recipe found here on The Bitten Word.
After reading the comments and using what I had on hand I adapted it a little bit. I'm going to cut the salt content and probably leave out the bacon.

The coffee marinade is sweetened slightly with a little maple syrup, and the sauce gets a kick thanks to a jalapeño chile.

Servings: Makes 6 servings
Marinade:
4 cups water
3 cups chilled strong brewed coffee
1/2 cup coarse kosher salt
3 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons (packed) dark brown sugar
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 cups ice cubes
4 pounds bison (often labeled buffalo) short ribs, cut between ribs to separate

Short Ribs:
2 cups chopped onions
6 garlic cloves, chopped
1 small jalapeño chile, seeded, chopped
1/4 cup chili sauce (such as Heinz) or ketchup2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
Preparation
For marinade:
Stir 4 cups water, coffee, 1/2 cup coarse salt, and sugar in large bowl until salt and sugar dissolve. Add syrup and next 3 ingredients; stir until ice melts. Add ribs. Place plate atop ribs to keep submerged. Cover and chill 4 to 6 hours. Drain ribs; discard marinade. DO AHEAD: Drained ribs can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill.
For short ribs:
Preheat oven to 325°F. Using bacon fat and working in batches, cook ribs until browned on all sides, about 7 minutes per batch. Transfer to large plate. Add onions, garlic, and jalapeño to pot. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and cook until vegetables are soft, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Add 2 cups marinate; stir, scraping up browned bits. Add chili sauce and all remaining ingredients; bring to boil. Add ribs back to pot, cover, and transfer to oven. Braise until meat is tender, about 2 hours 15 minutes. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Cool slightly. Chill uncovered until cold, then cover and keep chilled. Rewarm in 325°F oven until heated through, about 20 minutes, before continuing.
Transfer ribs to plate; tent with foil to keep warm. Spoon fat from surface of sauce. Boil sauce until reduced to 2 cups, about 5 minutes. Pour sauce over ribs.

Baked French Toast

2010-11-24T19:25:00.000-08:00

In the fridge soaking up all the goodness. A perfect way to start Thanksgiving!Image is from The Husbands blog.

Thick brioche slices soak up the batter, while sugared pecans lend a caramelized crunch. Refrigerating the dish overnight leaves nothing to do but top it with pecans and bake it the next morning.

Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 3 hours

Ingredients

Serves 8 to 10

6 large eggs
2 cups milk
1/3 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup plus 3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
10 slices day-old brioche (about 3/4 inch thick)
1 cup pecans (coarsely chopped or crushed)
Rum-Raisin Maple Syrup, for serving

Directions

Beat eggs in a bowl. Whisk in milk, heavy cream, 1/3 cup sugar, vanilla extract, nutmeg, and salt.
Working in batches, dip 10 slices day-old brioche into batter to coat. Overlap brioche slices in a 9-by-13-inch ceramic or glass baking dish. Pour remaining batter over top. Refrigerate, covered, for at least 2 hours.
Preheat oven to 375 degress. Top with pecans and sprinkle with 3 tablespoons sugar. Bake, covered with parchment-lined foil, for 25 minutes. Uncover; bake until top is golden brown and crunchy, 20 to 25 minutes more. Serve with syrup.

Read more at Marthastewart.com: Baked French Toast - Martha Stewart Recipes

Pumpkin Pie

2010-11-10T18:03:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago I made a pumpkin pie from a recipe from the Heirloom Gardener magazine. It was good with a kicker of cayenne pepper in it. The Husband said it was "an adult pie", not to be placed on the kids table.

This recipe was last nights test. It is light and fluffy because of the heavy cream. I added a California walnut strusel topping but maybe could have done without it. I used fresh pumpkin but you can use can if you have to. Tip for keeping fresh pumpkin on hand. I roast a few pumpkins at a time with no salt or oil, just plain, and puree them. Then you have on hand fresh roasted pumpkin to use however you like. You can add spice and make a pie, or add to pancakes (that recipe will come soon) or risotto or whatever you like. Its nice to have either fresh in the fridge (will keep for about a week) or portioned and kept in the freezer.

Pumpkin Pie

2 cups pumpkin (fresh roasted or 15 oz cans)
11/3 cups heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup sugar
3 large eggs
3 tbl honey
11/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp ground allspice
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
Streusel Topping (recipe follows)

1. Preheat the oven to 350
2. Roll out dough and place in pie pan
3. In Cuisinart with pastry blade add pumpkin, cream,sugar, eggs, honey, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, nutmeg and salt. Pour into pie shell.
4. Bake for 50 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest 10 minutes.
5. Sprinkle Streusel topping over pie and return to hot oven. Bake for another 20 minutes or until golden brown and pie is set.

Streusel Topping (modified from original recipe)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 tsp ground ginger
1/4 cup cold butter
1/2 cups chopped fresh California walnuts
1/2 cup crystallized ginger, finely chopped

1. Chop walnuts & ginger
2. In Cuisinart with pastry blade combine flour, brn sugar, and ground ginger
3. Cut in butter until mixture resembles crumbles.
4. Stir in nuts and ginger

And then there were 3.

2010-11-05T18:21:00.000-07:00

I have been teetering for quite sometime. I mean its a house blog. That's what I signed on for. When I use to have a job and work on my house all was well. As soon as I stopped working in the film industry and starting gardening and farming for a living things around here sure changed. Instead of working on my yard for fun I had it certified as an official growing ground for market and priorities changed.

No scraping paint this year. That part I do regret, 2 more rooms and I would have been finished. I wanted the Husband to help me but he is a busy guy and I felt bad for making him work on the weekends.

Anyway. Here is the teetering part. The only house work is turning the quest room into a nursery. Yep, 2 dogs, 20 chickens and The Husband just were not enough. I felt the need to expand the family. So do I talk about my personal life and baby stuff here on the old house blog? I mean no graphic details will be posted but what to do...what to do.

I can't start another blog for baby stuff. I'm already tied to the computer too much as it is. With the non-profit, mailing lists, email and keeping up with facebook I really need to be in the field more.

Baby due in late April, I hope he/she likes the house. :)

And then?

2010-10-18T19:49:00.000-07:00

Hello followers-

If any of you are still out there. I have been so busy with the Wrigley Garden and starting my farm that my house is falling to shit. Actually its still standing but nothing has been done.

I should have been scraping paint and finishing up the base boards in the 2 rooms I have left but I didn't. I've been slaving away at building a local food system that I forgot all about my little house. Plus since the market crashed its hard to get excited about putting money into something that is not worth what you owe.

Its not like the garbage is piling up and the weeds are taking over. The house is still clean (as clean as can be with no live in cleaning lady and 2 inside/outside dogs) and the kitchen is still the most used room in the house. I dream of a new kitchen. I know everything I want to do. Its even written on the wall by the fridge in case I forget.

We did build a shed out back for all my craftyness and art supplies. Its painted cute and totally functions for drawing or sewing. The Husband put the roof shingles on for me yesterday. Its been raining so I was worried about me stuffz. Its not totally water/ spider proof but its a great work space for the mild climate here in the LBC.

Other than that its same old same old. The days are getting shorter so maybe I'll be blogging more. Hard to farm in the dark after all.

Thanks for still working on your houses. I'm sure they all look great.

'July News 2010 by LLB Connected Corridor'

2010-07-14T16:17:00.000-07:00

'July News 2010 by LLB Connected Corridor'

Franknfinger

2010-07-13T21:13:00.001-07:00

Sunday when I was packing up at the Sunday Farmers Market I got stung by a bee. Guess I'm allergic.

Ahi with Tomatillo Sauce

2010-07-08T21:44:00.000-07:00

Recipe from Food and Wine. They used trout but I had fresh AHI, lucky me. I also grilled some yellow tomatoes and lots of different peppers for the sauce. It was smoky and nice. Served with brown rice and the cuke's on the side.

This my friend tastes like summer.

Ingredients

1. One medium cucumber—peeled, seeded and sliced into thin half-moons
2. Salt
3. 2 dried guajillo chiles
4. 1 dried chipotle chile
5. 2 cups boiling water
6. 5 medium tomatillos, husked and rinsed out (6 ounces)
7. 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus more for brushing
8. 3 garlic cloves, minced
9. 1 small onion, diced
10. 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
11. 2 tablespoons chopped mint
12. Freshly ground pepper
13. 1/4 cup sour cream
14. 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
15. 1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley
16. Four 6- to 8-ounce trout fillets, with skin

Directions

In a colander, toss the cucumber with » teaspoon of salt and let stand until wilted, about 25 minutes. Pat dry.
Meanwhile, soak the guajillo and chipotle chiles in the boiling water until softened, 20 minutes. Discard the stems and seeds and coarsely chop the chiles.
Light a grill. Grill the tomatillos over high heat until they are charred all over, about 5 minutes. Discard the charred skins and coarsely chop the tomatillos.
In a small skillet, heat the 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Add two-thirds of the minced garlic and the onion and cook them over moderate heat until softened, about 7 minutes. Transfer to a blender and add the chopped chiles and tomatillos and the cilantro and mint. Puree the sauce and season with salt and pepper.
In a medium bowl, toss the wilted cucumbers with the sour cream, jalapeño, parsley and the remaining minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper.
Brush the trout fillets with vegetable oil and season with salt and pepper. Oil the grate and grill the fish over high heat, skin side down, until the skin is crisp, about 3 minutes. Turn the fish and grill until it is just cooked through, about 2 minutes longer. Transfer the fish to plates and serve with the chile-tomatillo sauce and cucumber salad alongside.

This is fun

2010-06-23T07:38:00.000-07:00

My neighbors are renters and the owner had their house painted. That's great we love that people want to keep up their property. But if they could keep their paint on their house I would appreciate it. Eggshell is not the color I picked for my house or my landscape. Ugh-

Through the alley

2010-06-07T15:59:00.000-07:00

Last weekend The Husband ran the chipper. The back yard is looking good. I am hopefully building a small workshop back there. This has been a great spring and early summer. Its going to be a hot one, need to get that outdoor shower working.

Slow Braised Beef Stew with Mushrooms

2010-02-12T07:50:00.001-08:00

James Carrier

I made this last night for some favorite ladies I know, it was amazing! Make this dish.

We also enjoyed a fresh salad with lemon vinaigrette, pickled asparagus with hard boiled eggs, fresh steamed broccoli and a roasted potato mix. It was homemade, home grown and amazing company.

Oh and don't forget the wine.

Slow-braised Beef Stew with Mushrooms

Notes: Don't confuse beef short ribs with back ribs cut from the beef loin. If you don't have a slow-cooker, put meat in a 2-inch-deep, 4- to 5-quart baking pan (about 9 by 13 in.); heat liquids and flavorings (step 2), pour over meat, and seal with foil. Bake in a 350° oven until meat is very tender when pierced, 2 1/2 to 3 hours. After 1 hour, check liquid and add water up to original level. Reseal pan with foil and return to oven; after 30 more minutes, check and adjust liquid level again. When meat is tender, continue with step 3; leave meat in pan, draining off liquid, or transfer to a casserole. You can make this dish up to 2 days ahead; let cool, then cover and chill. Bake, covered, in a 350° oven until meat is hot, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve stew with hot cooked rice or mashed potatoes.

4 pounds boned, fat-trimmed beef short ribs or chuck
1 orange (2 1/2 in. wide), rinsed
1 onion (about 8 oz.), peeled and finely chopped
About 1 cup fat-skimmed beef or chicken broth
1 cup dry red wine
1/2 cup port or cream sherry
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon dried thyme or 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
3 or 4 very thin slices (quarter size) peeled fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon Chinese five spice
1 pound mushrooms (1- to 1 1/2-in.-wide caps)
2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
2 tablespoons cornstarch
Salt and pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives or green onions

1. Rinse meat; cut into 3- to 4-inch lengths (for chuck, about 1 in. thick and 1 1/2 in. wide) and place in a 5- to 6-quart slow-cooker.

2. With a vegetable peeler, pare orange part of peel from orange and sliver it; save orange for other uses. In a 1 1/2- to 2-quart pan, combine peel, onion, 1 cup broth, wine, port, vinegar, soy sauce, thyme, ginger, and five spice. Bring to a boil over high heat. Pour liquid over meat. Turn slow-cooker to high, cover, and cook until meat is very tender when pierced, 5 to 6 hours.

3. Rinse and drain mushrooms; trim off and discard stem ends. Cut mushrooms in half lengthwise and place in a 10- to 12-inch frying pan; add butter.

4. Skim off and discard fat from liquid in slow-cooker. Ladle 1 cup liquid into pan with mushrooms. Stir mushrooms often over high heat until liquid has evaporated and mushrooms are lightly browned, 13 to 17 minutes.

5. With a slotted spoon, lift meat from juices in slow-cooker and lay in a single layer in a shallow casserole (about 9 by 13 in.). Pour mushrooms over meat. Bake in a 375° regular or convection oven until meat is sizzling and browned, 12 to 15 minutes.

6. Meanwhile, measure remaining liquid from slow-cooker. If less than 2 cups, add beef broth to make 2 cups, pour into a 2- to 3-quart pan, and bring to a boil over high heat; if there is more, pour into pan and boil, stirring occasionally, until reduced to 2 cups, 8 to 12 minutes. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with 1/4 cup water. Pour into boiling liquid and stir until thickened, about 30 seconds. Pour evenly over meat and mix gently to blend with liquid in casserole, adding salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with chives.

Home and Garden

2010-02-10T21:11:00.000-08:00

I have been working so much at the Garden I have not been working at all on the house. I did manage to throw a ton of flower seeds out before the rain. Hopefully we will be pleased in a few weeks. I would love to see lots of little seedlings popping out. Hope they didn't get washed away by all the rain.

I swear as soon as the days get longer I will be scraping paint...must finish baseboards...can't give up...thirsty...need water (or beer, yummy yummy beer)

More Rain

2010-01-25T20:46:00.000-08:00

More rain is coming tomorrow. We were having dreams of Big Bear Mountain but the road is closed. Typical.

Rain

2010-01-22T13:34:00.000-08:00

I kick myself for not being ready with the rain barrels. Right now its sunny and raining, I feel like I'm Hawaii except that its kinda cold.

Another good one from Jose.

Its Raining

2010-01-20T08:35:00.000-08:00

Thanks Jose for the pictures of your street here in Wrigley.

I'm Sick

2010-01-18T08:49:00.000-08:00

Not literally, well not right now anyway, last week I was. The cutest baby in Hawaii got me sick. I knew he was a big ball of germs but I didn't care. Too cute not to cuddle.

I'm sick because I am craving my heat gun and paint scraper. I actually want to take all the furniture out of my bedroom and get to it. I have 2 more rooms to go and I'm finished with the baseboards and jams.

As soon as the days get a little longer I'm going for it.

Told you I'm sick.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-07T20:16:00.000-08:00

Its already week into the new year, I'm a little late with my resolutions. But I can say that I resolve to eat more out of my neighborhood and not out of the super market. I need to hook up with my friends who just came back from a hunting trip. If we are lucky enough to get some meat then I might never have to go to the store again! Well unless I dig a rice patty that is. Not sure about that one.

We spend some quality at the Kanno family farm in Hawaii. The Husband took these pictures, I love Long Beach but I sure do miss home.

I hope everyone has a great 2010, I know we will!

I Can!

2009-12-28T11:13:00.001-08:00

My Brother who is always one step ahead of me is a canner. Him and his wife have been gifting us pickled beans and jelly for a few years now. I am finally ready to test the canning waters, or water bath as it were.

For my first attempt I pickled beets. They look beautiful in the jar but I suppose we wont know what they taste like for a few months. The Brother says wait for at least 3 months. It will be tough but I'll wait.

Yesterday we made 3 Citrus Marmalade from Well Preserved. This cookbook is neat because it not only gives you the canning recipe but then it give you 2 recipes for use of the canned goods. We did have a bit of trouble getting the temperature up to 220 as was recommended in the book. Ours jelled up just fine and looks beautiful in the jars.

Looking into the sport of canning (if you break a sweat its a sport) there seems to be lot more options if you are also pressure canning. Fish and meats can be canned the pressure way. For now we are going to use the water bath method. If anyone has any tips please leave them in the comments section.

Marmalade anyone?

Eat Eat and More Eat

2009-12-22T11:13:00.001-08:00

I just noticed that this post was never published...sorry for the old news.

Thanks to all the bakers and to Kelli the cookie contest was really cute. Tough competition! We are gearing up for the soup swap we have our team ready and am looking forward to it. We have already tested a few recipes. The Husband keeps talking about the butternut sausage soup from a few Thanksgivings ago, might have to revisit that one.

I also made some Limoncello and it is resting quietly in the cupboard. And for our final holiday act Rachael and I made these cookies. They were amazing, we highly recommended it. We made ours into starts, they were so cute and very tasty!

Alfajores de Dulce de Leche (Caramel Sandwich Cookies)

Prep and Cook Time: about 1 1/2 hours, plus about 30 minutes to freeze. Notes: Dulce de leche, a thick, rich caramel made with sweetened milk, is sold in Mexican markets and some well-stocked supermarkets. If it's unavailable, use a thick caramel sauce or caramel ice cream topping.

1 cup (1/2 lb.) butter, at room temperature
2/3 cup sugar
2 large egg yolks
1 large egg
3 tablespoons dark rum
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon baking powder
About 1 3/4 cups dulce de leche or caramel sauce (see notes)
About 1 cup sweetened flaked dried coconut or unsweetened shredded dried coconut

1. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer on medium speed, beat butter and sugar until smooth. Add egg yolks, whole egg, rum, and vanilla and beat until well blended.

2. In another bowl, mix 2 cups flour, cornstarch, and baking powder. Stir or beat into butter mixture until well blended. Divide dough in half. Flatten each portion into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and freeze until firm, about 30 minutes.

3. Unwrap dough. On a lightly floured surface, with a floured rolling pin, roll one disk at a time to about 1/8 inch thick. With a floured 2- to 3-inch round cutter, cut out cookies. Place about 1 inch apart on buttered or cooking parchment-lined 12- by 15-inch baking sheets. Gather excess dough into a ball, reroll, and cut out remaining cookies.

4. Bake in a 350° oven until cookie edges are golden, about 10 minutes; if baking more than one pan at a time, switch pan positions halfway through baking. Let the cookies cool on sheets for 5 minutes, then use a wide spatula to transfer them to racks to cool completely.

5. Turn half the cookies bottom side up and spread each with about 1 tablespoon dulce de leche. Top with remaining cookies, bottom side down. Place coconut in a shallow bowl. Gently squeeze each sandwich until filling begins to show at the edges, then roll edges in coconut.

Nutritional analysis is per sandwich cookie.

Cookie Contest and Shopping at the Farmers Market

2009-12-15T09:36:00.000-08:00

Hello to all the bakers....I'll be there as a judge so make sure to bake in lots of love!

Please send a note out to your network about the upcoming December 20th
Farmers Market at Longfellow!

We have a great day planned, including a cookie baking contest and a Santa
photo op.

Please direct any bakers to the web site to enter the contest by simply
filling out the contact form! Categories include: kids, open division and
decorated...

Thanks for your support!!!

PS. This is the last market before Christmas and there are tons of great
gift ideas to choose from at the market!! Honey, bees wax candles, soaps,
plants, jewelry, felted stockings and needle felted Holiday figures and on
and on!!

--
Long Beach Sunday Market in California Heights
Certified Farmers Market
Sundays from 9am - 2pm
Located on the Longfellow Elementary School Playground
California Avenue at Bixby Road
Long Beach 90807

Market Manager - Kelli Johnson
Email - Info@LongBeachSundayMarket.com
Website - Http://LongBeachSundayMarket.com
562-528-6259

Made possible through a grant from the Connected Corridor Project

Mexican Chocolate Beet Cake

2009-12-13T19:08:00.000-08:00

From the High Mowing newsletter, we must make this!

Mexican Chocolate Beet Cake

The earthy flavor of beets goes undercover in this moist cake. We bake this in honor of a future filled with acres of non-genetically modified sugar beets and a safe seed supply.

Ingredients:

2 cups beet puree (1 lb or so fresh beets)
2 sticks unsalted butter, melted
2 ½ cups organic granulated sugar
3 eggs, slightly beaten
½ cup of warm water
¾ cups unsweetened cocoa
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp cayenne pepper

Before you bake prepare your beets: Boil whole, trimmed, scrubbed beets for about an hour until completely tender. Cool until you can comfortably handle them and then rub under running water to easily remove skins. Process in a food processor until smooth and pureed (add a LITTLE water if needed).

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter or oil two 9 inch cake pans or one oblong baking pan.

Mix butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and water together until smooth. In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt, spices, and cocoa powder together. Add a third of the dry ingredients to the wet, mix; repeat two more times until combined (do not over-mix—that is bad for cakes). Fold in the beets and mix slightly until blended. Pour into pan(s) and bake for 40-60 minutes (less time for the smaller pans). Check center with a toothpick or fork; if it comes out clean, your cake is baked!

Frost, glaze, or top with something delicious…or eat it naked….

Lentils with Lemon and Swiss Chard

2009-12-04T18:58:00.000-08:00

I have not made this but it sure looks good. Nice twist to chard. Thanks Good Food.

1 1/ 2 cups green or brown lentils, picked over and rinsed
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
5 large Swiss chard leaves, washed well, dried, stems removed and sliced into thin strips cross-wise
2 Tablespoons tablespoons mashed garlic (about 8 large garlic cloves)
3/4 cup finely cup finely chopped fresh coriander (cilantro; leaves from about 1 to 2 bunches)
1 cup water cup water
1 Tablespoon tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 Tablespoons tablespoons pomegranate molasses (available in Middle Eastern markets and many supermarkets)

1. Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil and cook the lentils until tender, 20 to 45 minutes; check often because the cooking time varies depending on the age of the lentils. Drain and set aside.
2. In a medium-size nonreactive skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium-high heat, then cook the Swiss chard until it wilts, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove and drain off any liquid. Set aside.
3. In the same skillet, heat the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and coriander and cook until sizzling, about 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat to medium, add the Swiss chard, drained lentils, and water, and cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the lemon juice and pomegranate molasses and continue cooking until the lentils look mushy, about another 10 minutes. Transfer to a serving bowl and drizzle a small amount of olive oil over it before serving.

From Clifford A. Wright.

Pre Thanksgiving Dinner

2009-11-30T09:59:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday before Thanksgiving my friend Kelli and I went to the Santa Monica Farmers Market to finish up our shopping. I had done most of my shopping already but was looking for the essentials. Carrots, celery (bought the hydro, amazing), rhubarb and whatever else I saw that was sparkly. Like some clams?

I'm sorry that I did not pick up his card but these clams came from a farmer (yes, you can still be a farmer if you are growing seafood) down in San Diego. He had a cute set up. Selling oysters by the dozen or you could stand there and shuck them yourself throw some of his provided lemons and Tabasco and have a little mid morning snack.

These clams I made with white wine, Portuguese sausage, shallots and lots of garlic. It was a little too salty for me. Not sure if it was the clams themselves or the sausage or what. But the Husband enjoyed them.

Either way it was a nice prelude to the upcoming turkey.

Happy holidays!

Fresh Pesto

2009-11-09T08:01:00.000-08:00

It was so amazing. I used California Walnuts instead of pine nuts and Kessera cheese. YUM! It was so good I wanted to smear it all over my face. But I did not, we ate it instead.

Can it Sista!

2009-10-28T07:49:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure how long my brother and his wife have been canning beans and pickles (okra next year please) but their batches get better every year. Oooo, now that I start thinking about it they made this spicy pear compote that was awesome and another time they made apple chutney, it is apple season. Can you grow asparagus in Portland? Hint-hint.

Anyway, I am finally getting into the game. Brother helped me pick out the Ball canning kit and I feel pretty good about it. It came with a cook book but I couldn't help but to also buy Well Preserved, Evan told me to. I just love her.

So my first lesson was that you cannot can pesto. So after all this excitement and hoopla I will still be freezing the huge batch I am going to make this weekend.

Perhaps apple chutney is in my future.

Now what?

2009-10-19T10:14:00.000-07:00

Do we grow passion fruit vine? Cup and saucer? California grapes? WHAT?

Gardens Of Gratitude

2009-10-15T16:16:00.000-07:00

Its not Long Beach but its super cool...

http://www.gardensofgratitude.org/howitworks.html

The Fence

2009-10-13T09:21:00.000-07:00

Amazing how much difference a wall makes. No more barking dogs, no more worrying about creepy people watching me pull weeds. None of that no more. I can officially go outside in the middle of the night and kill snails in private.

This is MY Yard

2009-10-05T09:30:00.000-07:00

We don't need no education
We don't need no thought control
No dark sarcasm in the classroom
Teachers leave them kids alone
Hey! Teachers! Leave them kids alone!
All in all it's just another brick in the wall.
All in all you're just another brick in the wall.

Its not bricks but it sure is a wall....

Thank you Husband and Craig!

Sneak peak

2009-09-30T20:15:00.000-07:00

A little sneak peak into the disaster that is looming around the corner...it involves tile AND mold. Good times ahead!

Slow Food Sign Up

2009-09-30T13:18:00.000-07:00

Today is the last day, any donation of any size will make you a member of Slow Food. Slow Food is an idea, a way of living and a way of eating. It is the complete opposite of fast food and something that my family has practiced for generations. It is a global, grassroots movement with thousands of members around the world that links the pleasure of food with a commitment to community and the environment.

Their website has current events listed, when you sign up unfortunately there is not a Long Beach chapter but you can choose LA.

Please join.

Bad New Bears

2009-09-24T08:13:00.000-07:00

I have been holding out on the bad news. Well, its good for blogging but not good for us.

Stay tuned right around the first of the year things are going to get really really exciting.

Ugh-

Super Fun Labor Day

2009-09-08T11:53:00.000-07:00

It was hot and we did a whole lot of cruzin'.

Have A Seat...

2009-08-31T16:22:00.000-07:00

at a TABLE!

Me Ginkgo Is A No Go

2009-08-25T16:04:00.000-07:00

Can someone please tell me what is happening to this tree. It is growing but it does not look like a happy tree. I am watering it more, starting last night. I thought since they thrive in Japan and it rains so much more it might be lack of water. Anyone live in Southern California and try and grow the ginkgo tree?

I Like It In Bulk

2009-08-11T16:59:00.000-07:00

My little Tacoma could not handle the load, we had to borrow the big guns from our friend Jose.

Oasis...And Not The Band

2009-08-10T08:43:00.001-07:00

We shoveled 1 and a 1/2 cubic yard of Mojave 3/4" gravel on Saturday.

It was a nice switch up, we have been shoveling so much mulch lately that it was a nice change of pace.

Sorry doggies, salad bar is closed.

So fun, can't wait to get a nice dining tbl and enjoy all the hard work! Thank you Husband for all your hard work.

Tomato Cobbler

2009-07-30T13:20:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Evan Kleinman of KCRW Good Food. I am so making this...

Tomato Cobbler
Serves 6-8

Oil or butter for the baking dish
3 lbs ripe tomatoes (8 to 10 medium), cored and cut into wedges
1 Tablespoon cornstarch
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup all-purpose flour, plus more if needed
1 cup cornmeal
1 1/2 tsps baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
4 Tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, cut into large pieces and refrigerated until very cold
1 egg, beaten
3/4 cup buttermilk, plus more if needed

1. Grease a square baking dish or a deep pie plate with the butter or oil. Preheat the oven to 375F.

2. Put the tomato wedges in a large bowl and sprinkle with the cornstarch and some salt and pepper. Toss gently to combine.

3. Put the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and baking soda in a food processor along with a teaspoon of salt. Add the butter and pulse a few times until the mixture looks like coarse bread crumbs. Add the egg and buttermilk and pulse a few times more, until the mixture comes together in a ball. If the mixture doesn't come together, add a spoonful or two of flour. If the mixture is too dry, add a few drops of buttermilk.

4. Gently toss the tomato mixture again and spread it in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Drop spoonfuls of the batter on top and smooth a bit with a knife. (Try to leave some gaps so that the steam from the tomato mixture will have a place to escape as the cobbler bakes.) Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until golden on top and bubbly underneath. Cool to just barely warm or room temperature. To serve, scoop servings out with a large spoon.

From Mark Bittman.

Its Time To Count The Bee's

2009-07-27T13:30:00.000-07:00

I was hoping I was going to count the bees this weekend. I got all swept up in the Garden and didn't have the 15 minutes to sit still. I PROMISE to count them this week. There are tons of bees at the house but have not seen that many near the sunflowers. At lease I grew some this year. Last year's batch didn't do anything exciting at all.

Notice the gigantic amaranths, huge!

Fun New Game

2009-07-21T13:30:00.000-07:00

There is a fun new game I play almost everyday after work. Its called keeping ahead of the 'maters. We skinned and cooked down a huge batch this weekend, I have 3 bags in the freezer. We didn't really have the time to finish cooking them all the way but they will be a great base for stews and sauce this winter.

This weekend I think we should roast a bunch and make this...

Becky Luigart-Stayner; Jan Gautro

Tomatoes Roasted with Rosemary and Lemon

Proof that simple foods are often best, this colorful multipurpose combination of tomatoes, herbs, and lemon smells almost as good as it tastes. To serve over pasta, cook 12 ounces dried pasta; drain and return pasta to pan. Stir in 3 cups of the roasted tomatoes; cook over low heat until liquid thickens. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese.

1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon extravirgin olive oil
2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 pounds plum tomatoes, quartered lengthwise
3 garlic cloves, minced

Preheat oven to 400°.

Place all ingredients in a large bowl, and toss well to combine. Place tomato mixture in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish. Bake at 400° for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Remove mixture from oven.

Preheat broiler.

Broil tomatoes for 10 minutes or until they begin to brown. Remove from oven; stir gently to combine.

Tomato Galore

2009-07-17T13:28:00.000-07:00

Favorite Things

2009-07-14T13:50:00.001-07:00

I know its a house blog but you have to wear clothes at the house right? Or I suppose you don't. Anyway, this is my friends clothing company, they outfit me in the cutest things. I could not ask for more in a fashion adviser.

Here is a message from Maggie from Furlesque...

Hello world....how 'bout a little "reality TV" escape from this crazy month...!!!!!!!

A Furlesque tee (a "sunglass girl" tee) has made its way onto Tori Spelling's reality show: "Tori and Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood" which airs tonight on Oxygen!

We've seen the preview and our "sunglass girl" looks smashing...watch her work her way around the Hollywood movers and shakers.....tonight on Oxygen!!

See our other sunglass girls here...

Be well everyone...

Maggie

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Raspbarry Lemon Pudding Cakes

2009-07-13T13:46:00.000-07:00

My Wrigley Garden manager Rachael made this for us on Saturday night. It was fantastic!

Photo: Annabelle Breakey

Raspberry Lemon Pudding Cakes

Time: 50 minutes, plus 30 minutes to cool. "This light and tangy lemon dessert satisfies my longing for lemon pie," said reader Jeanette Hennings about her original version of this recipe. We added loads of berries for a more summery take. The tender berry cake rises to the top, and the creamy lemon cake sinks to the bottom.

2 large eggs, separated
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons melted butter
Finely shredded zest of 1 lemon
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 cup low-fat (1%) milk
1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 2/3 cups (12 oz.) raspberries, divided
Powdered sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Set 6 ramekins (2/3 cup size) in a 9- by 13-in. baking pan.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together egg yolks and granulated sugar until thick and creamy. Whisk in flour, butter, lemon zest and juice, and milk until blended.

3. In a deep bowl with a mixer on high speed, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until whites hold stiff, moist peaks when beater is lifted. Stir one-quarter of whites into yolk mixture until blended, then gently fold in remaining whites. Gently fold in half of raspberries.

4. Spoon batter into ramekins. Pour enough hot tap water into baking pan to come 1 in. up sides of ramekins.

5. Bake until cake layers are set and tops are golden, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove ramekins from water; let cool at least 30 minutes. Serve with more berries on top and a dusting of powdered sugar.

Make ahead: Chill airtight up to 1 day; pudding layer will become more distinct.

Wrigley Streetscape

2009-07-10T18:21:00.000-07:00

Its about time...

Shed City

2009-07-09T11:09:00.000-07:00

This was in Sunset magazine, I LOVE it!

To Can Or Not To Can?

2009-07-08T11:06:00.000-07:00

Last year I had high hopes of storing food for the winter. We all know that didn't happen. Funny how you can't store food that you cannot grow. I mean this years garden blows doors on last years crop.

So what should I do? Freeze 'em? Can 'em? I do run a food co-op but there is something about these tomatoes that I just can't give too many away.

Last night I froze 2 bags of skinned tomatoes perfectly plump and ready for winter sauce. Here is another big bowl waiting on the counter to ripen up.

So what do I do?

Whole Lot Of Nuthin'

2009-07-07T16:29:00.000-07:00

We took the weekend of the 4th off from thinking about anything other than having a good time. The Husband had some friends in town and to say the least, we had fun.

But now its Tuesday and time to think about the fence. I am waiting on the homeowner to sign off on the final design. We are still sticking with the horizontal design but are leaving out the gaps for fear of looking too modern. I can dig it.

I cannot wait until this fence is up. As much as I love listening to 2 Live Crew, I mean Me So Horny is a classic but it is not my morning favorite. I mean maybe morning like 3am but not morning meaning 9am while I am trying to catch up on Variety. Let's face it, it's me, it's not them I am a prude.

Here is a concept picture that I am liking...

Rose Park Restoration Fair

2009-06-30T09:47:00.000-07:00

The Husband took some great pictures of the Ro se Park Restoration Fair. B&B Hardware was there.
We maybe should have bought these roosters for our gate we are building. Maybe they didn't sell them and have them back at the store. B&B is a little expensive but do have some great things. Our neighbor kid worked there for a little while and said the owner was a total nightmare. But he is 16 and kinda pissed so who knows what the real story is.

KP Douglas was there, he had fantastic items. I might have to get in a little closer with this guy. Beautiful fixtures. There I am with my friend Candy, Hi Candy!Kathy Alford was also there. She is a new friend of mine. She is helping us with the Wrigley Garden. Kathy had a beautiful booth, super cute designs.

It was a great event. many more vendors were there. Painters and all the different historical districts were there. Perhaps Wrigley will be represented next year. Great job Rose Park.

New Season- New Look

2009-06-30T09:41:00.000-07:00

I switch up the colors a little. I was sick of the old green, hope you still recognize us. We have done lots of front yard plantings, I hope to have a new house pict up soon.

I Heart Long Beach...Port

2009-06-29T12:55:00.000-07:00

Today I would like to thank the port of Long Beach. They are trying to expand, they have donated parks and other things trying to bribe the public into thinking that they are not the monster. I mean what would my fellow Long Beach residents do with a long life? From what I hear good health and happy retirement are overrated anyway.

Amongst the smog parks and polluted beaches the port does have a trucks going green program. I suppose that something is better than nothing. The teamsters have a problem with it but ya know what. Time to get a new truck, screw it. They are talking about a better rail system instead of all the diesel trucks going up and down the 710 corridor but the opposition of that is they have to actually build it which will take too many years. They have the defense that they are creating jobs, we have the complaint that we are dying an early death. Its a long ass fight that nobody wins.

Here is the latest offer from The Port of Long Beach. This is taken from the Wrigley Area News & Events. They are simply reporting what's happening and I thank them for that.

Port Grants Meeting- Wed, June 17th 7pm Hudson Elementary School, 2335 Hudson St Also June 24 at Memorial Medical Center, 2801 Atlantic Avenue Air filters for schools, health education projects eligible Schools, daycare centers, convalescent homes, senior centers, medical facilities, shipping terminals and others are eligible for $15 million in Port of Long Beach grants to minimize the impact of Port operations on air quality and greenhouse gases. The grants program is part of a comprehensive strategy to offset the impacts of port-related operations in the community, primarily air pollution risks for vulnerable groups such as children and seniors. Examples of projects that may be eligible for grants include air filtration systems at schools, daycare centers, and senior health care centers. Port officials will discuss the grants and be available at the meetings to answer questions about grant eligibility and how the funds will be awarded. A citizen advisory committee will be formed to make recommendations to the Port’s Board of Harbor Commissioners. The $15 million in grants will be divided equally among three general areas: 1) Schools and related sites. 2) Healthcare and senior facilities. 3) Greenhouse gases project.

So I can't get a air filtration system because I'm not old or because I have not reproduced. Um...thanks.

Home Restoration Fair In Long Beach

2009-06-24T15:30:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Candy for reminding me. This weekend, I expect everyone from Wrigley to attend. :) See you there!

2009 Restoration Trade Fair & Fundraiser

Brings Together Restoration Specialists, Artisans, City Experts &
Non-Profit Organizations

Sunday, June 28th 9am-4pm
Luther Burbank School, 4th & Junipero, Long Beach

The event is Free to RPNA members and all children under 18; $5 for all
others. Parking is free.

This is a one-day, one-stop event to help homeowners in Historic Districts
restore and refurbish their homes. This year’s theme is “Do it Yourself/Do
it With Help”, which means: workshops, workshops, workshops! Also, this
year, we’ll feature onsite food and more entertainment.

We will have fifty (50) specialty vendors, experts knowledgeable in The
City of Long Beach’s historic guidelines, guest speakers, classes, and
exhibits throughout the day.

The event is a fundraiser for the Rose Park Neighborhood Association (RPNA,
a 501c non-profit organization), with sponsorship by American Bungalow
magazine, Barbara Paul Landscape Design, Benjamin Moore Paints, Cottages &
Bungalows magazine, Realtors: Jeff Anderson, Maureen Wharton, Shannon
Jones, as well as UPS (7th/Redondo).

Again, this year, we’ll be featuring an “Opportunity Drawing” with Grand
Prizes that include an entire landscape design for your home from Barbara
Paul, Landscape Design (restrictions apply), a whole house-worth of
Benjamin Moore’s Very Best (limitations apply), and gift certificates and
baskets from local vendors.

Shop Local and Save! After the event, check out the shops along 4th
Street’s “Retro Row” for all your interior furnishing and personal fashion
needs. Participating merchants offer a 10% discount for Trade Fair
attendees! (www.4thstreetlongbeach.com).

The Trade Fair opens to the public at 9am and the event goes until 4pm.
Parking is available off Dawson (1 block west of Junipero). For cyclists
and pedestrians, come in the Junipero entrance and be greeted by restored
work trucks and their owners.
For more information, and a complete schedule-in-progress, go to:
www.rpna-tradefair.org sign up to receive updates as we get closer to the
event, email us at info@rpna-tradefair.org or call (562) 219-3526.

Rusty Like The Pipe

2009-06-22T14:48:00.001-07:00

When the sink backs up its a bad idea to think that its not a big deal.

Fast forward to us 'snaking' the drain until midnight (if we didn't go to the aquarium first we would have probably given up a little earlier), since that didn't work we called Rob the plumber. He got the big guns out and cleared the clog. The fun really started when he was backing out the industrial sized snake and we heard flopping around inside the wall. Turns out there was a hole in the pipe. Its old, its rusty but not no more.

Wrigley Garden- Oh Yeah!

2009-06-18T10:43:00.000-07:00

I'm a little embarrassed to admit I have 2 blogs. This one is about the house and a little bit about our city, Long Beach. I originally started this blog so our friends and family all over the world could see what we were up to. It has definitely evolved, its really great to look back at all the progress. Its amazing we have come this far in such a short amount of time. Its a beautiful house.

The 2nd blog is something I started as a forum to share homegrown crops, food trader if you will. We call this blog the Chalkboard. My thought was that the 'menu' will forever be changing and it can be posted on the 'chalkboard' once its gone we wipe it clean and start over. Forever new and exciting.

So speaking of new and exciting. Today's posting on the Chalkboard is really something special. We have been approved to start our community garden. Its a huge step for not only the street that it sits on but the neighborhood as a whole. Henderson Ave where the garden will be is a sad state. Its about a block from our house but such a world away.

Please check the Chalkboard if you are interested in following the Wrigley Garden story or if you would like a plot please email me and I'll put you on la lista.

Thanks for all the support. Yay for veggies grown in the LBC.

chalkboardcoop@mac.com

Baker Creek Moves West

2009-06-17T08:35:00.001-07:00

My favorite heirloom seed company (I commonly refer to them as a seed cult, if you read the newsletter you might agree) is opening a store in Petaluma.

Here is a copy of their press release that they sent out. If you happen to live up north and would like a job check them out. Its a great spot for them right smack in wine country. Can't wait until they get up and running, I see a road trip in our future.

Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co., headquartered in Mansfield, MO is reaching out to the Great Golden State of California with their first branch retail location in the City of Petaluma, in Sonoma County. They’ve leased the historic Sonoma County National Bank building, (199 Petaluma Blvd., N.) A beautiful structure in the heart of the retail district at Petaluma Boulevard North and Washington Avenue. With its 30-foot high hammered-metal ceilings, ornate lights and fixtures, and enormous windows, this venue fits perfectly with Baker Creek’s theme of heirloom seeds that trace their origins back to a time when foods were healthier, with no GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) content.
In a recent interview, Owner Jere Gettle said, “A huge share of our current California business is concentrated in a few counties surrounding Petaluma. Not only will we be able to serve those folks better, but we also expect to be a destination for many tourists from across the country.” He added, “The tentative opening date is set for June 8, 2009. We’ll be selling seeds and for a brief time, doing a bit of remodeling, as well, so come on out and see us.”
“We want to thank each and every one of you for making our family business of seed preservation a success,” said
Gettle, “helping us swim against the river of modern agriculture, as we continue to work for the farmer, the gardener and most of all each and every eater!”

Field Trip!

2009-06-16T09:22:00.000-07:00

The fence project is not dead. Its typical me that I can't just go to Home Depot and buy lumber. I have to find the one guy in L.A. County, 40 miles away, that sells reclaimed lumber. I heard a rumor that Long Beach was suppose to be saving these supplies also. I might have to look into that a little more.

So field trip it was. Yesterday Sal (my builder) and I went to Reclaimed Wood Products. It was super cool and nicely priced. For the amount of wood that we need and the quality that we will be getting I'm happy. The old wood, slow growth trees are so beautiful. So, I'm working on my design and at this rate by the time my unborn children graduate from High School they will have a nice and private backyard to play in.

Here are some shots, its bundled by lot so all the wood does not get mixed up.
They have railroad ties and timber frame lumber.
They had a small stack of wood doors along with glass windows. Nothing too old there. I was surprised at the lack of work space and machinery they had. I guess if you have 1 guy milling the boards you only need 1 set of tools.

Zucchini Cakes

2009-06-15T17:08:00.001-07:00

I'm not sure what you eat while watching the Lakers kick Orlando's ass but we eat zucchini cakes at our house.
The ingredients are listed at the end of the recipe. For my cakes I used what we had in the garden. We had 1 big ripe zucchini that I used and it made all 4 pancakes. I also had feta in the fridge so I used that instead of goat cheese. For the tomato sauce again, I had 1 large ripe tomato from the garden and I cut it up and added a spoon full of tomato paste and some dried herbs to make a quick sauce.

Its so good!
recipe was taken from Emeril's website

Goat Cheese Stuffed Zucchini Pancakes with Tomato Sauce
In a large bowl, combine the zucchini, onions, basil, zest, garlic, salt, and pepper. In a small bowl, combine the flour and baking powder. Add the eggs and flour mixture to the vegetables and stir just until combined.

Heat a large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat for 3 minutes. When hot, add enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan. Add the batter by tablespoons into the skillet (making sure to spoon both batter and vegetables), leaving 1-inch between the cakes. Immediately drop a round of cheese into the center of each pancake. Top with another tablespoon of batter to enclose the cheese. Cook until golden brown on the bottom side, about 1 1/2 minutes. Flip with a spatula and cook on the 2nd side until golden brown, about 1 minute. Remove from the pan and place on a baking sheet. Keep warm in the oven while preparing the remaining pancakes.

Arrange the pancakes on a platter, drizzle with the tomato sauce, and serve immediately.
Ingredients

1 pound small zucchini, grated and squeezed dry in a towel
1/4 cup grated yellow onions
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
2 teaspoons chopped lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon chopped garlic
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 large eggs, beaten
1/2 cup olive oil
1 (5-ounce) log goat cheese, very thinly sliced
1/4 cup grated Parmesan

You May Once Again- Shut The Door

2009-06-10T09:09:00.001-07:00

If you came to my house today you could actually pee in private.

And if you really wanted to you could sleep in private. Hallway/door pictures are both impossible to take and really boring to talk about. I'm scraping my closet door as we speak. It has a piece of glass in it so I could not take it to the stripper guy. If the stripper gets behind the mirror it will eat the silver and then we have glass. Funny how that works.

One more door after this one. The front door. Going big with that one. New hardware and some sort of fancy patina for the exterior.

Super exciting, I know.

Its Like Camping

2009-06-02T09:46:00.000-07:00

I'm hoping to get the bathroom door back tomorrow. The Husband has been a good sport about it but I'm pretty sure he is over it.

Whatever its like camping but different.

This might have been the hardest picture to take. But i'm sure you very much get the drift.

New Plan

2009-05-29T11:09:00.000-07:00

We have not done anything with the bathroom. Someday we will need to do the following:

fix the tile floor
refinish the tub
change out the sink
add more lights
replace rotten wall around shower
replace tile in shower
paint

Who knows when any of this will actually happen but until then its not that bad. I mean the plumbing works just fine. But its the door that has me stumped. I hate doing double work so now I have a plan.

I was scared I was going to hand strip and stain the hallway side and then decide later on the inside. I'll just have the door dipped, stain the outside like usual and leave the inside stripped. I can paint it later when we decide what we are doing. Or I can paint it antique white since i'm sure the ceiling will eventually be that color.

Now she's thinkin'. How long do you think it will take until The Husband gets bummed out about the Mexican blanket for a bathroom door?

Scraping Paint Makes You Smarter

2009-05-28T10:28:00.000-07:00

Dear PO (previous owner)-
Its been a while since I have thought of you. This is just a quick note to tell you thanks. Thanks for not leaving the door jam the beautiful dark stain that I found under the cheap white paint. That would have made things far too easy for me. I mean if the jam was left a beautiful dark stain that matched perfectly with the floor what would I do with my summer vacation? I would hate to think I would have wasted my time working in the garden, or heaven forbid at the beach!
So, thanks again for everything you did for me. You truly are the gift that keeps on giving. Have a great summer.

Doggie Needs A Home

2009-05-28T09:36:00.000-07:00

My friends from MuchLove sent me this link. He looks like such a sweet dog. Anybody looking for a fuzzy friend please consider Phoenix or any of the Much Love pets.

Message from Andrea:
I'm forwarding this around to many of my friends and family in hopes that you might know anyone looking for a new doggy family member. This poor little pooch has been at this rescue for 3 years and is in need of a mommy and or daddy.
You never know when that face will touch someone's heart.
The dog is spayed/neutered, up to date on shots, and microchipped....Please forward around

PHOENIX "A true Pitbull rescue story"

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=57028610

Long Beach Unified- Boo!

2009-05-27T09:56:00.001-07:00

My good friend Can'tStayJose took this picture this morning.

Here is his message:
this is why we have money problems in this state. I was walking the dogs this morning and saw this under a bridge on anaheim street in long beach. Im not mad but sad people suffer because of this. PLEASE PASS THIS AROUND
Consider is passed.

No More Messin'

2009-05-27T09:35:00.000-07:00

No more slacking off, no more traveling and no more spending money. I am on a strict scrape paint only budget.

Today I start in the hallway and work my way to our bedroom. There is the almighty base board thrown in with a few door jams.

Question; do I stain the bathroom door like I have done the rest? I have my bedroom door to do and the closet door so its not like I'm hurting for doors to strip but do I do the bathroom door or leave it blue? Can I stain the hallway side of the door or is that stupid?

Agenda From Last Night

2009-05-20T08:16:00.000-07:00

City Council Meeting- Take 2

2009-05-19T20:14:00.000-07:00

The first city council meeting I attended went so well (not) I thought I would go for it again. This time we the poeple got what we wanted. I posted the Press Telegram article on my co-op blog so I will skip that part of the story.

This version goes something like this, short version. The president of our neighborhood association approached me over a year ago to help her start a community garden. There is a parcel of vacant property attached to the back of her property that was once a crack house. They had the building demolished (before our time but no small feat i'm sure) and now stands a vacant lot.

Since I work ridiculous hours I enlisted another neighbor to help me with the project. We found a separate piece of land on our 'main street' and decided to pursue that land instead of the Henderson property. We liked it for the profile and thought it would really help out with the 2030 Long Beach General Plan.

Anyway, that land owner was very interested but she wanted some sort of tax incentive, I do not blame her one bit. The board we approached to be the umbrella for this garden was not interested in her proposal. And that is where the garden died, or so I thought.

Since I am currently in between shows I thought it would be the perfect time to start up the garden project again. Plus something warm and fuzzy about spring it really makes me want to 'get my stuff done'.

Well I guess someone else had the garden torch going all along because at about noon today I was told that the original property was on the agenda for the LB city council.

Long story a little shorter. It passed and now we are on the road to corn!

Thank goodness someone is paying attention.

4.7 Quake Hit The LB

2009-05-18T08:09:00.000-07:00

Last night The Husband invited a few of our friends over for the season opener. We BBQ'd some ribs, had salad from the garden, drank cold beer and lived through my first major earthquake.

What?

We were sitting outside talking up a storm and next thing you know the ground was going through a shaking motion and then it felt more like an up and down chopping feeling. It felt like it was right under our feet. Pretty wild.

We had a few things break and the roses on the table lost most of their leaves.

Happy Sunday, happy Long Beach.

http://www.latimes.com/news/la-me-quake19-2009may19,0,5541589.story

Long Beach Gap And Stuff

2009-05-17T10:42:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we went on a walk at the Dominguez Gap. If you have never been there you should really go and enjoy it. Its a pretty neat little habitat where the LA River and the Compton Creek have some sort of little side venture. Its been restored and has a really nice walking trail. There are tons of natives planted along the edges, I missed out I should have visited about a month ago when everything was in full bloom. Next year I will have to remember when my poppies are blooming I need to get out and look around.

I found this article to help explain where it is. The trail looks a little different now but its totally worth checking out. Dogs on leashes are welcome and our monsters LOVE going there.

http://longbeachnaturalareas.blogspot.com/2008/05/dominguez-gap-wetlands.html

What started that information was because I looked on Fresh Dirt this morning and I saw that the gardens @ Rancho Los Alamitos are open. I have never been there, perhaps I'll drag The Husband there for the opening event.

See ya'll at the gardens.

Saturday, June 6, 11:30 am to 5:00 pm with an event it is calling In the Nature of the Place: Native Plants and Mediterranean Gardens.

Amaranthus

2009-05-14T11:45:00.000-07:00

The other day I posted it takes 1 million days to grow a flower garden by seed. Today my spirits have been lifted just a little.

Last year we grew a few very beautiful amaranthus. After they were finished with their cycle I sprinkled the dried out flower all over the garden. Lots of the seeds took and have sprouted up all over the place. I am putting a little more effort into things by trimming off the bottom leaves. Hopefully this will help the plant to grow upright and have long and beautiful flowers.

This is truly one of my garden favorites. Take's full sun, once sprouted grows very quickly. Put this one of the list for next year!

As Seen On Tv

2009-05-12T15:08:00.000-07:00

My dad likes to order things he see's on the TV. Sometimes is a really bad thing, sometimes its great. He bought me the 'Green Bag'. I'm not sure how many he ordered. I have about 30 and I secretly admit I have given quite a few away. I mean they last forever how many do I need? (i know they don't last forever, don't need to comment on that)

But while sifting through a Real Goods catalog I saw this. If you don't want to link on the link let me summarize for you. Its a $20 stick.

Because people either need a gadget for EVERYTHING or people have no minds and cannot think thus they have created the 'Countertop Bag Dryer'.

Description from the catalog: Crafted from sustainably harvested birch and ash woods, our Countertop Bag Dryer makes it easy to dry and reuse plastic bags. Folds for storage.

At first glance it looks like an infused oil stick thing that are all the rage. But no its better. At least its made from sustainable birch?

What's The Time?

2009-05-11T09:47:00.000-07:00

Its time to scrape paint!

Im not the type of person who likes to waste my time
And when Im on the floor - I just say my rhymes
Because Im out on bail - the check is in the mail
They can sentence me to life - but I wont go to jail
Im cool calm collected - from class I was ejected
Just me, The Husband., and m.c.a. - were rarely disrespected
I got all the time that I need to kill
Whats the time? - its time to scrape paint!

Not my best lyrics but it was stuck in my head. Today I ride bikes and have a nice day, tomorrow its on! Welcome to vacation. Word-

Breaking News

2009-05-08T11:39:00.000-07:00

I have come to the conclusion that growing a flower garden from seed takes a long ass time.

Thank you-

Its Time To Count The BEES!

2009-04-20T10:30:00.001-07:00

Its spring again that means its time to count the bees. I'll plant my seeds this week and hope for the best. We have tons of bees buzzing around so as long as I can grow the sunflowers we should be good to go. Last year I did not have any luck growing the seeds provided by the project. This year they shipped Renee's Garden seeds so hopefully its a better batch.

If you are on the mailing list for the Great Sunflower Project you should have gotten yours. If you are not they still would love your data.

Check out their project. Its a good one.

I'll Squash You!

2009-04-16T07:16:00.000-07:00

Last year my squash growing was a big failure. It is suppose to be one of the beginner crops but I had no success. I had planted the seeds in the back of the raised beds but my sun was limited. This year I took note from my neighbor and planted in the side yard.

We are already looking better. Plants are healthy and hopefully happy. I love squash, I hope we get to eat lots and lots of it.

You Must Be The BIG Winner!

2009-04-15T08:29:00.000-07:00

Dear House on Red Hill,

I specially enjoyed your view on your neighborhood Lions and forgotten holidays. Check this one out...

The Husband gets to walk the dogs every morning, I'm already at work so on the weekend I adventure with them. I prefer to ride my bike and cruise around. A few weeks ago I was riding my bike with the pack and we came across this house.

Looks like any other mid century military housing. Little 50's box, they are everywhere in Long Beach and all over California. Upon closer inspection we saw this in the front yard.

and then all of these...

There were more trophy's and more pictures but you get this point. I guess if you are that much of a super start than you have no choice but to display it for the neighborhood. Or perhaps there are so many in the house that they just spill out onto the yard? And around the corner?

Not sure.

More Plant Sale Pictures

2009-04-14T08:27:00.001-07:00

They have chicken roaming around the gardens. I am guessing that's why they have
enclosed the greens in these boxes.

Long Beach Plant Sale

2009-04-14T08:11:00.000-07:00

Friday was a well needed day off from work, Union holiday bro. So I went to the Long Beach Community College plant sale. It was pretty late in the day so there were not that many people there, not much plants either. Next year I am going on the first day, bright and early. I heard there was a line out the door of people trying to get in to get the goods.

I picked up 5 1 gallon flowering garlic plants. While I was checking out there was a teacher there writing up my ticket. He was speaking to one of the kids and showing him that those were the plants that he had worked on. The student had separated and replanted all the plants I was purchasing. He seemed very proud of his work. I told him that I had a beautiful garden and his plants would have a nice home. The look in that emo kids eyes were unforgettable. He then gave me a ride to my truck in one of the flat bed golf carts. He was a cool kid, I wish him the best.

All-in-all a great sale. And yes I bought more tomato plants and no I do not need them. Its a problem.

Not sure what kind of palm this is but there are 100's growing in little pots all over the green house. Maybe they will be for sale next time.

Bananas growing on the border of the vegetable garden, beautiful fruit and flowers on these trees.

These artichoke plants were as tall as me but had no flowers. Not sure why. Maybe not enough sun? It did not look like they had been cut already. Beautiful plants though.

This Is Where I Keep My Bees

2009-04-13T10:39:00.001-07:00

I like to keep my bees in the cosmos planted at the side door. They seems to be happy there and its fine by me.

Fox Glove

2009-04-12T12:17:00.000-07:00

Beautiful flower for a beautiful Easter Sunday.

Veggies Just For You

2009-04-10T10:45:00.000-07:00

This is a great article from Sunset blog Fresh Dirt. Talks about ordering custom starter plant packs. What a great idea.

Goes along perfect with todays outing to the Long Beach City College plant sale.

http://chalkboardco-op.blogspot.com/2009/04/plant-sale-in-long-beach.html

We Ate It All- Kinda

2009-04-07T09:20:00.000-07:00

Sunday is all about hanging out and eating well. We made dinner from the garden. I did not kill the chicken or make the sausage but I did grow the beautiful salad and these lovely items that got grilled.

We didn't actually get to eat the grilled veggies because we kept opening the grill to take pictures so they didn't cook all the way. I'll finish them off in the oven tonight.

If I recall we did the artichoke taste test last year and the bigger ones that were steamed first and then grilled were the winners. I guess I forgot the steaming part because they take forever to grill, same with the fennel.

Whatevhs

Slyvester Goes "Woof"

2009-04-02T17:07:00.001-07:00

If you have been following our story then you know about Sly. You can read more about him here. We love what Much Love does and we were happy to be a part of it all.

Please read the article and if you are looking for a pet think of them first. They are wonderful ladies that are saving little fuzzy lives.

Compost Crank

2009-03-31T09:51:00.000-07:00

I'm almost shame to say that I had a dream about turning my compost bin. I guess it must be time to rotate the compost. We have an awesome 2 bin system that a friend of mine made for me. This is the design we stole.

But now our bin needs to be turned. Its a bit of a hassle to do. You have to shovel it all out and dump it into the empty side. Its not impossible but it is a chore. I saw this at Johnny's seeds. Should I get it?

So Sunny And Nice

2009-03-30T08:58:00.000-07:00

Big weekend at The Muffin. The hated tree finally met its match. Its a goner, bye bye leaves and big bad shade. Neighbor S and his kid came over and chopped the rest of it down. We still need to chop off the stump and chop up all the wood for firewood but the bulk of it is gone. We have our backyard back. Big thanks to The Husband too, He is the mulch master. Amazing that the mulch we generated from that big ass tree was only enough to do the parking strip, the veggie patch and around the big tree in the back of the yard.

Also went to Armstrong and bought some nice things for the veggie garden. We put some tomatoes, basil and corn in the ground as well as threw out a ton of seeds into the parking strip. Some of the seeds were old so I don't know if they will produce anything. Hopefully we will have little sprouts of thyme and cilantro popping up around the stone steps.

Lesson On Carrots

2009-03-26T07:07:00.000-07:00

How to avoid this is to do this. Great lesson from the Sunset test kitchen. I suppose I need to loosen my soil up a bit. Maybe I'll be able to grow long skinny carrots instead of little stumps. I suppose they taste the same but not so pretty. You know we like pretty.

Mommy Like

2009-03-25T15:53:00.000-07:00

After we are no longer in the tree chopping/fence building business I need a work space. I have been working freelance out of my house for years. Before we lived in the Muffin I was working out of my back porch area at our house in Compton. That was kinda sucky. The set up I have now is not so bad. I can get the work done but its not ideal.

But this is...