Cooking in an Old Fashioned Kitchen

Whenever people  work on my house, they always start suggesting things that I could do to upgrade it. One of the plumbers thought that I should add a paved driveway and get new curtains. Several people have urged me to replace the windows.  One neighbor thought I should add on an upstairs. I like it this way. My mother taught me that the details of an older home are what give it charm and character. When people remodel little houses like these, they just end up looking like basic, nondescript apartments. There's nothing special about them anymore. 

Today I cooked up some more of the round steak. The first one I forgot to tenderize. It still tasted delicious. The second one I pounded into a cube steak. I beat it on both sides with a wooden mallet, and then marinated it in some frozen lemon juice that I had saved from my neighbor's Meyer lemon tree. I will cook it tomorrow.  I also baked a few potatoes in my vintage toaster oven, and boiled some fresh artichokes from the garden. They are so tender and flavorful. 

My vintage washing machine and dryer are also in the kitchen. I remember the days when I had to go to the laundromat, so I really appreciate having them. I line dry my clothes to save energy and money. I think this kitchen is very spacious for a 567 square foot home. The bathroom is quite large, too. I love the layout. I really lucked out, finding this little cottage when I did. It's so much fun to restore. My friend Mark phoned me the other day and told me that his mother remarked out of the blue, "Stephenie's little house is so cute; I hope that I get to see it someday." I was so flattered and touched. She is the lady that ordered a cashmere hat and scarf from my Etsy shop last year.

Do you spend much time in your kitchen?  Does the design work for you?

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The Redwood Fence is Stained and Finished

cemented posts

My neighbor put the finishing touches on the new fence today. I am so happy with it. It's just gorgeous. Fixing up the home and garden really motivates me. It's amazing how something you've wanted for years can make all of the difference. I had always shied away from buying a fence, because the cost seemed so prohibitive. Now that I've been paying cash for smaller sections each year, it is feeling feasible.

I am very motivated to keep the house clean, and to enjoy how all of the work is coming together. It's exciting when you visualize something in your mind, and it starts to materialize. Now I am inspired to do more decluttering. The front yard feels bigger.  I think getting rid of the weeds and old vines made a huge difference, energetically. Plus, we have a boundary.

tomorrow I will stain the sliders

The patio furniture is back in place. It's a blessing to have such a lovely, private space to enjoy. I can gaze at the alpacas on the hillside while eating  home cooked meals and drinking French roast coffee.

 I took Lula out in the backyard and brushed her this afternoon. She looks so soft and fluffy.   All of the effort that we put into our homes, gardens, and pets really shows. It causes a shift. When we exercise, clean, organize or provide care, that nurturing energy is reflected outward. Now it's time to do yoga and meditate before bed. How are you doing?

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A New Fence

I am having a new fence put in along the side of my house.  Today I cleared out the old plants, and my neighbor dug the holes for the posts. He cemented some of them into the ground this afternoon. It's going to be beautiful. I'm so excited!

Fencing is very expensive, but it's so worth it. It provides privacy, structure, and  boundaries. I can't wait until it's complete.  Soon I will have a secluded space to enjoy when I sit  out on the porch for meals and coffee. The whole area already feels bigger.  It frames the garden.  

I watched an incredible Youtube documentary on Bob Fosse this evening. Many of my friends danced for him. He was such a genius. The older I get, the more I appreciate his work. Lula laid on the bed with me, and thumped her tail really hard during the dance numbers. She intuitively picked up on the joy he had for dancing. Dogs have such a pure and natural response to energy.

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Snakes in the Neighborhood

This morning I heard my neighbor frantically trying to discipline her dog. I glanced over the fence and saw that the young husky had a huge king snake in her mouth. I was shocked at the circumference of it. The puppy  was tossing it around joyfully. There was blood dripping down from its body. I asked the woman  if she needed help, and offered to get a shovel. She thanked me, but declined.  The snake died. The dog had already chewed its tail and pierced its body, and she didn't get there in time.

I don't know why my first instinct was to kill it.  My mind flashed back to a scene of my uncle "protecting us" when I was a child. They had found a huge snake coiled in a corner of  in their Southern California backyard. He cut off its head with a shovel. In retrospect, I realize that we should have just left it. Snakes kill numerous rodents. They keep the population of rats, mice, gophers, and other burrowers under control.  We can really use their help, as  gardeners. For some reason, many people are petrified of snakes. We treat them like wild animals that will attack and kill us.  This is a false belief, although rattlers can be dangerous.  I have gone by one on horseback, and it didn't react to our group. We stayed  calm and quiet.  

While walking Lula this afternoon, another neighbor told me that his wife had seen three rattlesnakes in their backyard in the past two days! They need to bask in the sun as they digest their food. He has two small children, so he has been catching the rattlesnakes with a noose, and taking them to the Placerita Nature Center.

So far, I haven't see any around here. I am glad that I have been religiously digging up all of the weeds in my backyard. Snakes like to hide in the tall grass, and we've had a tremendous amount of rain this season.  They are generally beneficial, and I need to remember that in the future. Do you have any where you live?

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Happy Easter Happy Passover

I have still been digging up weeds in the backyard for an hour each day. I use a large shovel.  The ground is soft, so it's easy. I have seen four ladybugs.  They always open my heart and make me smile. I am pleased that they are attracted to the orchard. I love the bright red color of their bodies and their tiny black spots. They are just adorable. They have so much style: like penguins and woodpeckers.

The sweater is coming along nicely. At this point the knitting is very meditative and relaxing.  I learned how to do the Italian Bind Off on Youtube. It's a really beautiful finish. I've always loved hand sewing. I had to concentrate hard to remember the sequence, but memorized it after a few times. It reminds me a little bit of kitchener stitch, with a variation.

I hope you have a wonderful Easter or Passover. What are your plans?

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Progress on the Stockholm Sweater

I've been making headway on the Stockholm Sweater. The body is finished, and the short row shaping on the first sleeve is completed. Now I can zoom through stockinette down to the wrist with  some decreases. The fabric is  really light, because of the fingering weight yarn. I am hoping to have it finished in a few weeks.

Lula was in the dog house yesterday. I'm not sure why, but she made a couple of small wet spots on my bed. It was  covered with a dog sheet, because she likes to lounge, Still...I can't have that happening. Maybe because it's Springtime. I seem to remember this same situation with another on of my dogs at this time of year. I got out Carlie's old crate and set it up in the bedroom. Instead of driving to knitting, I stayed home and washed the duvet cover and my down comforter. It dried well in the afternoon sun.  Oh well. Pets can cause us some extra work at times. I'm glad that I saved this kennel.  She really seems to like it.

The sun has been shining, and it does a fantastic job of line drying the clothes. I love how clean and fresh the nightgowns and bedding smell.  It really saves on energy costs, too. I placed the pineapple in the windowsill for a couple of days.  I had some earlier, and it was fantastic! The flavor was so sweet and tangy. What a treat! I am looking forward to all of the fresh summer fruits that we have  in store. They are so delicious.  Are you enjoying this weather?

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Inexpensive Haircuts

view from my computer

I have been going to the same place to have my hair trimmed for the past twenty years. It's  a small shop with a sign in the window that reads, "Haircut $10.00." The owner is a little lady from Korea, and she has a steady stream of loyal customers.

I stopped by there today on my way home from the store. I had an Etsy order on my dashboard this morning, so I wrapped and packaged the soap at the kitchen table, and then drove to the library. After printing out the packing slip and shipping label, I dropped it off at the post office. I had them scan it for me and give me a receipt. Etsy sent the customer a shipping notice.

I love seeing the woodpeckers here this time of year

I found some great bargains at Food For Less. I bought four large round steaks for five dollars. Pineapples were on sale for $2.00, and they had marked down the berries. I bought a large carton of strawberries, and a couple of small boxes of raspberries. I splurged on a pint of whipping cream, too. It's so delicious sweetened with sugar and a splash of vanilla extract.

I like to combine my errands, so I stopped off at the hair salon and got my hair trimmed.  I think it's a pretty amazing price for a good haircut. The owner works alone. She's fast, but talented. I always get compliments on my hair after seeing her. I gave her $15.00, cash. She smiled and thanked me. I came home, tenderized the meat, dipped it in flour, and pan fried it in olive oil. It was delicious seasoned with salt and pepper, alongside a buttered baked potato. For dessert, I whipped up the cream and enjoyed it with the fresh, bright red strawberries. I was glad that I decided not to buy the tempting Easter candy that I saw at the store. I also found a pair of tennis shoes on sale for $20.00 at Ross. They fit me perfectly! I have needed a new pair of walking shoes, but didn't want to pay full price. It's such a rewarding feeling to find bargains on what you need. How are you doing?

Appreciating Your Yard

beeswax, shea butter, and olive oil lotion bars

After visiting some homes in Ojai last week, it made me look at my own house and garden with new eyes. This is the view of my backyard from the kitchen window. I planted all of the fruit trees when I bought the house, in 1998. They have grown and matured. I love the canopy of greenery that they provide.

view from my writing desk

This afternoon I sunbathed out in the backyard for an hour. It felt so healing to feel my body against the earth, and to soak in the rays of sunshine. It reminded me of when I was a little girl, and my mother would always take us to the Elk's Club.  My brothers and I used to swim at the pool each day. We loved it. Soaking in the sun always makes me feel healthy, sensual,  and vibrant.

Yesterday I made another loaf of The New York Times No Knead Bread. It's such a delicious recipe. I add 1/4 teaspoon of red wine vinegar to mine. It gives the bread a mild sourdough flavor. I just love having homemade bread at home. It's such a luxury, and is so inexpensive to make. All you need is the time and a few simple ingredients. This recipe uses flour, salt, yeast, and water.  

I have been digging up weeds in the yard for an hour each day. I find that using a shovel makes it easier. I have 1/3 acre lot, so each year it's a big job. I'm making headway, though. I like to visualize having a pool in the center, flanked by the fruit trees. I think that would be a wonderful addition, and there's plenty of space. Maybe someday...How's the weather where you live?

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Overpriced Homes

my little cottage

Yesterday I went with a realtor to look at four houses in Ojai. I found them on Zillow, and asked her if I could see them. Boy, was it a shock. Things have really changed. I am so thankful that I bought my house when I did, in a down market. It sure was eye opening to see what people are paying to live up in that area  now.  The prices are astronomical.

One thing that I didn't expect was for some of the  homes to have such dark interiors.  I had this vision of how they were going to be inside, and it  was completely wrong.  I expected jewels, but they were decorated with a lot of black. Mine has windows everywhere, and the sunlight streams in all day. This used to be a beach house. In the homes that I toured  some of the bedrooms felt like it was  the middle of the night at 1:00 in the afternoon. It was an odd sensation. I didn't like it, and wanted to leave.

There was one blue cottage that I really loved. It had a colorful garden, a modest vintage pool, and lovely fruit trees and berry bushes.  It was a very well cared for, but much too big for me. It had four bedrooms upstairs, and a pool house.  I loved the fragrant pink jasmine and the ranunculus in bloom in the front flower bed. 

There was also a tiny home built in the 1920's on half of an acre. The location was amazing. It had an odd layout, though, and  felt very cramped. The floor seemed uneven, and the ceilings were extremely low. There was an odd sleeping porch adjacent to the kitchen. The bathroom was tiny, and it didn't have a tub. I have to have a bathtub! Dancers love to soak.

I was also shocked at how some of the yards looked. I couldn't imagine spending several hundred thousand dollars on a home when there were yards next door with junk piled high in the front yards. Some of the places looked like the owners didn't water their yards. There were dead branches, weeds, and leaves everywhere. It really makes a place feel depressing when there is a lot of debris and dead matter on the ground.

When I got home, I felt so grateful and appreciative of my house and yard. For some reason, it feels so much bigger than the homes that I saw. I think it might be because I live alone, and  it has less clutter. I also have had the trees trimmed, and have been busy  feeding the plants and  pulling the weeds.

Every time I go to look at houses, I realize that I love what I have far more than anything.  It makes me aware that the small details and love that we give to our homes make all of the difference. There is nothing like "a woman's touch."   Doing all of the daily housework  gives our home an energy of being cared for, and cherished. The fresh air and sunshine brighten it up, too. Do you love your home? 

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Artichokes From The Garden For Dinner

This morning I harvested the first artichokes of the season. I love growing these plants; they get large so quickly. They remind me of pumpkins.  You can almost watch them grow. I made a pot of beef stew this afternoon, and enjoyed a big ceramic bowl of it for lunch and dinner.  I started by dipping the pieces of meat in flour, then browned them in olive oil, and seasoned the  beef with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

I added carrots, onion, celery, potatoes, a turnip, a parsnip, and several minced cloves of garlic. After letting it  simmer on the vintage stove for a couple of hours, the flavors blended. It made a very tasty, hearty beef stew.

Yesterday I went over to a friend's house for lunch. She made us a delicious spinach salad, and we had fresh strawberries and cafe au lait for dessert. After visiting with her, I went to the market and bought the produce for the week. 

Today Lula and I went to visit her family. She was so excited to see the children. She was running and jumping for joy. It was really sweet. How is you day going?

Driving An Older Car

green hills in Ojai

Having a reliable,  older car can save you a tremendous amount of money. I drive mine roughly once a week, combing my errands. By doing this, I keep the mileage low. That keeps my car repair and maintenance costs down, too. Most of the newer cars run for over 200,000 miles. A Honda can go way beyond that, but I plan to keep my VW Beetle. I think it will last me through  retirement. Right now it has 50,000 miles on it. 

As you get older, you realize that it's all of the little habits that really add up when saving money. When I first moved to LA,  I drove all over creation. I commuted from Torrance to Santa Monica each morning, for dance classes. I returned in the heavy 405 traffic at night. I picked up friends and gave them rides, and often drove them home. It never occurred to me how far out of the way I was going.  I just liked their company, and was happy to spend time with them.   That's how teenagers are, very social.

purple iris in my cottage garden

I would volunteer to take car loads of friends to the beach,  the mall, and to Hollywood. We loved shopping in Venice and on Melrose. As I got older, I traveled long distances to auditions, to relocate to perform in shows, and to visit my family.

flowers on the fence in Ojai

Now that I'm in my fifties, and more mature, I calculate the cost of everything that I'm doing. I plan ahead for oil changes, new tires, gas, car washes, and repairs. I had no concept of these things when I was  young.  I enjoy taking the train, the bus, and traveling by boat. In order to indulge in a vacation, I need to really watch what I purchase, on  a daily basis. Jean Chatzky says  that the average person spends $3,000. a year on eating out and buying coffees.  Now that I rarely do those things, I can save that money for travel. That's when I splurge. When on a ship, I eat in the places that are included in the fare. I skip the drink package, and make coffee in the room. I fill up my water bottle at the stations, rather than buying bottled water. I attend the shows that are included, and budget for a visit to the spa or something special. It makes such a difference in the final bill. What small things do you do to save money?

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Out For Mexican Food

Today I drove out to Ojai again with Lula. We found a Mexican restaurant with  a lovely outside patio.  The tiles were hand painted. As I was reading the menu,  I noticed a couple leaving with their shaggy grey dog. I asked them if dogs were allowed, and they answered in the affirmative. Once I found out that Lula could join me, I decided to sit down and order a small meal.

I had a chicken taco a la carte, with a side order of guacamole. They brought chips and salsa. I packed up the leftovers to take home. Several customers stopped by our table to pet Lula. She seemed surprised that they didn't give her treats, like they did at the bank. She was still very happy and affectionate with everyone, though. She wrapped leash around the leg of the table, so I had to climb underneath it and untangle her.

The views were spectacular. We took a scenic walk down the bike path. It's really gorgeous. There were some families with kids on small bikes, and little ones in Burley Travoy bike trailers. It looked like so much fun. I love visiting that area. I stopped off at the knitting shop and chatted with the women who were working. They are so sweet.  I got the days mixed up for the knitting group. Next time...

It was a gorgeous ride home. The hills are all so green from the rain. They were parched and dry for so many years. Seeing this transformation makes my heart sing. There were clusters  of purple lupines in bloom on the hillside, too.

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The Plants Are Springing To Life

my front potager garden with herbs, flowers, fruit, and vegetables

The garden is transforming.  You can see and feel the energy pulsating through the plants. The artichokes are getting huge! This one came back from last year. I love their size and power. The live Christmas trees that I planted are now a lovely shade of yellowish green, and they are developing berries. The birds will love them. The sparrows have been sharing the water in the birdbath, splashing around happily.  You can hear all sorts of bird songs, all day and night. My favorite is the call of the owl while I sleep.  

there's a little hummingbird at the feeder

I hung up the Easter wreath the other day. I have always wanted one that was covered with pastel colored eggs. I finally found this at T.J. Maxx.  I love the colors.

I spent several hours weeding the garden yesterday. It was exhausting, but also felt satisfying. It's so important to take care of the yard and soil. Soon I will plant more asparagus, strawberries, rhubarb, and zinnias. I have everything sitting by the door, ready to place  into the fertile ground. I will tuck a handful of homemade compost into each planting hole The rain we've had all winter has been wonderful. It makes such a difference. How is you garden?

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First Sweater Fitting

red lettuce from the garden

I've been focusing on eating well and am still working on my Stockholm Sweater. The lettuce in the garden is starting to bolt. Spring is definitely here. I have been making lots of bone broths and incorporating them into my daily diet. I've also been doing the Bikram Yoga series regularly. I like the way it tones the muscles. It makes me feel stronger physically, which translates into more strength, mentally and emotionally.

fitness and knitting at 54

I finally worked out the short row shaping on this sweater. I had to redo each side twice. It turns out I didn't need to work with four balls of yarn, either.  Had I known, I would have cut the yarn after putting the stitches on the holding needle. It would have been so much easier!  No more tangles. I made a note on the pattern.

Now I have joined the back and front and am just knitting like mad and decreasing every fifteenth row. The sleeves have the same short row shaping, but I think I understand it pretty well now. It just took some time and practice.

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