reflections
Rosemary Joles he beginning of a new year is filled with the prospect that the movement of going from one year to the next will somehow change us or our circumstances. We are filled with hope that this upcoming 365 days will be different from the last. This year will be the year that we will achieve that degree, get the dream job, visit that place on our bucket list, or have or be in the relationship we’ve been striving for. Thirty-five percent of Americans make resolutions to mark the New Year. According to Forbes, a mere 8 percent of the 35 percent ever achieve those resolution goals in any given year. This doesn’t surprise me. I am the classic example of not achieving what one sets out to do. I had set out to complete six goals in 2016. I achieved two of them. While I was glad I achieved the two that I did, I have to admit I was disappointed that I had not achieved the other four. I had let things, people, events, and the excuse of not having enough time derail me from what was important to me. I could justify all I wanted to, but in the end the only person to blame was me. On New Year’s Day I heard the following: “What if instead of making resolutions at the beginning of each year, we decided to live our values?” At this point I was one of the 65 percent that had not made any resolutions for the year. I’m sure this was due in part to the disappointment in myself from the prior year. Since then, I’ve been asking myself: Am I truly living my values? And when I am gone from this world, what values do I want to be known for? Each day I receive 24 hours in which to live my life. What I choose to do with those hours is the creation of my life. A long time ago I read that time is the most valuable asset. Money can be lost and earned again, but time, once given away, can never be gotten back. At the time I read this, I didn’t fully embrace the concept, probably because my bank account looked pretty pathetic. As I’ve grown older, however, I realize the wisdom in that statement, which has led me to this question: If I started to live by my values, not just saying what my values are, but actually living it, would I create more time for myself? Would being able to say no to those tasks, people, or events that don’t meet the standards I’ve placed upon my life, would it make a difference? Would the breakneck speed that I seem to run at to get it all done simply not matter because I really don’t need to get it all done? Would life become more harmonious and calm? Would my days be filled with doing things I enjoy and being with those I love? What if we all chose values over resolutions? Would the world be a better place because we’ve selected virtues like kindness, honesty, integrity, honor, and wisdom as an unbreakable principle to live by? Would the resolutions we set each year naturally happen because we are being true to who we are? Would the goals we’ve chosen in the past not matter because we have discovered what is most important? I really don’t know the answers to all these questions, but I am willing to find out. This year the plan is to fine tune those values that I already live by and gain a few new ones. No more wasting my existence on the trivial. I’m choosing to live my life with urgency, like tomorrow does not exist. I will not let a minute be misused on the inconsequential. P.S. Need help discovering your life values? Head on over to stevepavlina.com who has listed 418 values to choose from. It is literally an A to Z list, starting with abundance and ending with zeal. Let me know if you decide to join me on the journey. FROM THE FRONT PORCH JOURNAL january/february/march contributors:
Front Cover Photography Insight Photos Copyright © 2017 From The Front Porch Journal
Reflections: Rosemary Joles A Note from Rosemary: Rosemary Joles Mortgage Memo: Carolyn Plummer On Our Porch: Rosemary Joles Feels Like Home: Lisa Vasey The Nibblers Digest: Marco Sawrey & Karin Zonis Sawrey The Cork Connoisseur: Beth Fraitag Coronado Beach Credit: Samuel Antonio | Dreamstime.com Upcycle: Gail and Jim Hallemeyer Travel The World: Beth Taylor Travel San Diego: Susanne Romo Useless Knowledge: Todd Joles Bravo and Mia Bites: Todd Joles Books or Blogs: Todd Joles Podsibilities: Todd Joles Ingenious: Rosemary Joles Nitty Gritty: Susanne Romo Project DIY: Rosemary Joles Photo credits if not noted: dreamstime.com & Rosemary Joles Editing for Rosemary’s Articles: Barbara Allen
contents
JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH
2017
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From the Front Porch Journal Published by and compliments of:
Rosemary Joles
REALTOR®, Cal BRE # 01095314
619·405·7673 Homes@LivinInSD.com LivinInSD.com 258 N. El Camino Real, Ste. C Encinitas, CA 92024
Follow our blog at: LivinInSD.com Like us on Facebook at: Facebook.com/LivinInSD Follow us on Pinterest Pinterest.com/rosemaryjoles/
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reflections the real estate brief a note from rosemary the mortgage memo home on our porch –bressi ranch home feels like home –wallpaper bon vivant the nibbler digest –herb & wood the cork connoisseur –wine & travel voyage travel the world –hong kong & more travel san diego –rodger’s gardens time-out –san diego tide pools et cetera where’s rosemary delish –white chicken chili around our town –coronado minutia useless knowledge bravo and mia bites rosebud’s garden –wisteria upcycle –mosaics nitty gritty insurance 411 –diminished value project diy –door hinge repair bits and pieces ponderings podsibilities Ingenious books or blogs sd outdoors sd sports –super bowl park exploration –buena vista lagoon sd word find –san diego beaches 2 lifestyle sd theatre sd adventures sd concerts domiciles from east county to the coast our advertisers remember when –la paloma theatre
the real estate brief a note from rosemary True negotiation takes place when each side respects the other, and their point of view, and enters into the discussion positively. If you are determined that your solution, and your particular solution only, is the correct one—to be imposed on the other side if necessary—that is not negotiation; it is dictatorship. -Tony Buzan n the last issue of From The Front Porch Journal, I shared what to expect when writing an offer. We discussed looking at what type of market it is and structuring your offer accordingly. This issue we are going to go a little deeper into what your offer should look like and dive into the negotiation process. The Offer: You’re excited you’ve found the perfect house, you’ve looked at the comparable sales, came up with an estimated market value, and your agent has found out from the listing agent what the seller’s “hot buttons” are. You’ve structured your offer, keeping in mind if there are any other offers on the table. Your earnest deposit is a minimum of 1 percent of the sales price. All the i’s are dotted and t’s are crossed in your purchase offer, making it look clean and professional. This adds up to making you look like the super star buyer that you are. Negotiation: The thing to remember in negotiations is making the seller feel comfortable with you as the buyer of their home. Nearly all sellers feel attached to their home and are even more emotional than you are. They have requirements that need to be fulfilled in order to make the move to their new home. This needs to be kept in mind when having an offer presented to the seller. A buyer will make great strides in making a seller feel more secure by providing these key elements: Documentation with the offer that shows proof of the down payment A letter from your lender showing that you are fully approved Completing the cross-qualification with the listing agent’s preferred lender if required These are easy tasks and shows the seller and listing agent that they are working with a team player. Also, as we discussed last time, having that personal letter written to the seller and providing a photo of yourself and your family will help them become emotionally attached to you as their buyer. Finally, negotiations shouldn’t be an us vs. them scenario. It should be a carefully structured conversation where each party feels like they are getting their most important needs met. It can take a great deal of give and take on the part of both parties to be successful. This is not where you let an ego, stubbornness, or emotions prevail. Staying level-headed makes a huge difference in how effective a buyer will be or not be. Price is generally where compromises will fall apart. Sellers can become unreasonable about the market value of their home, and buyers want a good deal even if it’s not realistic. I’ve seen transactions fall apart over $5,000. For the buyer, the dollar amount that $5,000 would add to a mortgage payment per month over a 30-year period at 4 percent is a mere $24. Plus, they will have to go out and start the process of looking for another home that meets their needs. It can be frustrating. For a seller, they will still have the carrying costs, i.e., mortgage payment, taxes, insurance, maintenance, etc. of owning the home. In addition, if they are still living in the home, they have to put up with keeping the house show-ready. I leave you with this bit of real estate wisdom. When negotiating, if you take things personally, even when it’s something as personal as a home it doesn’t work, putting your feet in the other person’s shoes and seeing things from the other person’s perspective does work. Keeping focus on the big picture will bring success to both parties in the end. In our next two issues we will discuss the escrow process. If you are considering buying this year or next, it’s never too early to seek the advice of a real estate professional and lender. We are here to help you achieve your homeownership dreams and to help you determine if now is a good time for you to purchase a home. I can be reached at 619.405.7673 or at homes@livininsd.com.
carolyn’s mortgage memo homeownership: don’t miss the boat ou may think you can’t afford to buy a home right now, but the reality may be you can’t afford not to buy. Rates are on the rise and are expected to continue to climb. Home prices in Southern California continue to rise as well. On average for every .25% increase in mortgage rates, the purchase power decreases by 2.3%. On a $400,000 sales price that is an estimated. $9200. Recently, Chris and Amber, were referred to Rosemary and myself. They had moved in with Amber's parents to save money to purchase a home. They wanted to get pre-approved for the maximum sales price they would qualify and start the home search right away. This was a big milestone for Chris and Amber as a young couple. Chris would be the first in his family to own a home. After doing the pre-approval and discussing their budget, they were in the lower, more competitive price point. They were pre-approved for both FHA with 3.5% down and conventional financing with 5% down. Both options had benefits and limitations. A condo would be the best option for their sales price point. FHA requires the condo complex to be FHA approved. Convention has its own guidelines for condo complexes. The most affordable options were in San Diego’s East County. While some parts of East County were okay Chris and Amber didn't want to go as far east as Lakeside. El Cajon was really where they wanted to stop their search. Chris and Amber were quickly becoming frustrated and even considered suspending the search until they had more down payment or could qualify for a higher sales price. Rosemary and I discussed with them the risks of waiting to buy. They would run the risk of sales prices increasing at a faster pace than they could save money, the risk of rates continuing to increase eroding their purchase power and the risk of being priced out of the real estate market for years. Chris and Amber began to realize this first home purchase didn't need to be their forever home. It needed to be a good buy in a decent neighborhood as a stepping stone to their future dream home. So, with Rosemary's help, they continued their search. Before long they found a nice condo in the Lakeside area in their price range. It was not FHA approved so they went conventional financing with 5% down. They did compromise on some of their original wish list for a home such as being further east than they originally wanted and going conventional instead of FHA, buying a condo instead of a single family residence. However, they are thrilled with their decision. The appraisal came in $18,000 higher than sales price, which gave them built in equity for the future, the condo is located walking distance to Lindo Lakes and Chris has accomplished something no one else in his family has ever done.
Carolyn lives in Rancho San Diego with her husband and 2 dogs. Her daughter is in her first year of college in Northern CA. She has lived in East County for the past 22 years and loves the sunshine and sense of community. Carolyn can be contacted at cplummer@amerifirst.us or at 619.813.8934. Equal Housing Lender. I am a licensed mortgage originator, NMLS# 256447, and am licensed to originate mortgage loans in the State of California.
AmeriFirst Financial, Inc., 1550 E. McKellips Road, Suite 117, Mesa, AZ 85203 (NMLS # 145368). 1-877-276-1974. Copyright 2013. All Rights Reserved. This is not an offer to enter into an agreement. Not all customers will qualify. Information, rates, and programs are subject to change without prior notice. All products are subject to credit and property approval. Not all products are available in all states or for all loan amounts. Other restrictions and limitations apply. CA: Licensed by The Department of Business Oversight under the CA Residential Mortgage Lending Act
on our porch eturn to the charm of yesteryear with a front porch that invites you to curl up with a good book and a latte. While there, meet neighbors as they stroll by with the wee ones and their dog. Old-fashioned highlights greet you in this farmhouse -style home with its shuttered, double-hung windows and a detached two-car garage at the rear. Inside, you will find a kitchen with warm wood cabinetry, granite countertops, and stainless steel appliances. The master bedroom and hall feature five-inch American hickory wood floors. A bedroom with an attached bath is conveniently located on the first floor.
Details
Year Built: 2006 Architectural Style: Farmhouse Bedrooms: 4 Baths:3.5 Square Feet: 3019 Sq. ft. Lot Size: 6278 Address: 2646 Peppertree Way, Carlsbad Take a walk down Peppertree Way and you just might feel like you’ve leapt back in Price: $899,000-$949,000 time. This Bressi Ranch hamlet, known as Heather Court, was built to encourage the spirit of community. Front porches can be found along the entire route. Parks are Listing Courtesy of Monika Morris central to this district, and charming Bressi Village is just around the corner with shops, Bennion Deville Homes Carlsbad dining, and entertainment.
home
or a lot of people, if I say the word wallpaper it makes them think “old-fashioned”. But guess what? Wallpaper is back, and in a big way! One of the best to happen to home fashions lately is the re-introduction of contemporary wallpapers that are a far cry from something in your grandmother’s house. New techniques in printing and production mean a multitude of options to add pop, texture, shimmer, or warmth to a room. If you have never considered wallpaper, you would be surprised to learn just how many choices there are. And there are even removable options too – so you can change your walls easily if you’re a renter, or just want a change of scenery! And there’s no rule that says you need to wallpaper all of the walls…you can use it to create an accent wall, or faux wainscoting, or even on the ceiling. I recently used some textured, shimmery wallpaper on a client’s wood box valences at the top of their windows – it was just the right touch to make them a little interesting and different, without being overwhelming.
Photo Credit: Home Depot/ Isaac Brick Woven Texture Wallpaper
feels like home
There are so many options to choose from – you can be subtle and use something that looks like silk fabric, or reclaimed wood, or go bold with large geometric prints. Use it to pop a wall in your entry to make a statement, or in a powder room, or the wall behind
Photo Credit: toneontone.com
your bed, or the back wall of bookshelves, or…the possibilities are literally endless and there’s something for everyone’s taste. Something to keep in mind when considering wallpaper – no matter if you choose to paper the whole room or one wall, the rest of the room needs to work with the pattern. If you’ve gone with a bold print or color, keep everything else in the room on the simple side. But if you’ve opted for subtle texture, feel free to go a little wild with your furnishings. If you’re feeling particularly courageous, you can educate yourself about how to properly hang wallpaper, but if you would rather save yourself a ton of frustration, this is one of those jobs that is usually better left to professionals. I highly recommend using an experienced installer – it will probably save you time and money in the long run. Lisa Vasey, lives in La Mesa with her husband and two pugs. Do you have any interesting stories or projects that have When not staging or redesigning, Lisa likes to try new restaurants and recipes, travel, read, and enjoy live music. You can find Lisa on involved wallpaper? I’d love to hear about them! the web at stagedtodaysoldtomorrow.com. Reach out to Lisa at 619.335.8550 or email her at lisa@stagedtodaysoldtomorrow.com for help with your redesign or staging project.
bon vivant Marco Sawrey & Karin Zonis-Sawrey
Herb and Wood herbandwood.com 3210 Kettner Blvd. | San Diego, CA 92101 619.955.8495
hether you are treating a special someone to a night out or looking for an adventurous meal with friends, make your way to this reclaimed warehouse space in Little Italy. Enjoy the 360° bar, watch the open kitchen in action and let the excellent service guide your journey. Take advantage of San Diego’s climate by dining under the stars in the fireside patio, an inside/outside area within the walls of the restaurant. It’s rare for us to rave about a salad, but their Escarole salad is something to rave about. The brightness of the wild honey and lemon dressing takes you by surprise while the sunchokes and parmesan crisp balance the brightness with their earthy flavor. The deceptively light clam dish was a nice homage to a bouillabaisse, but with more local flavors. The perfectly cooked clams are bathed in a rich and tomatoey smoked adobo broth with a hint of lime and Mezcal.
Bucatini
It’s uncommon to find venison on a San Diego menu. If you’ve never had venison, you’re missing out on one of the leanest and tenderest types of meat. It’s treated with the respect it deserves and paired with rotating accompaniments.
The simple and delicious Bucatini underlines how a few quality ingredients combined expertly can make you believe that Chef Malarkey is actually an Italian nonna in disguise. The pizzas are also delicious with a good crusty dough made in house and cooked beautifully in the wood burning oven. The adventurous toppings, like bone marrow with escargot, are also guaranteed to pique your interest and palate. When it comes to desserts, we appreciate that restaurants are trying hard to innovate and recreate old favorites with a new twist. However, you won't go wrong with ordering the gelati or the sorbetti...these are homemade and all flavors are delicious. Even though we always look for new dishes, we can’t help but order certain dishes like the Escarole and the Venison every time. Our solution is to bring family or friends with us to maximize our ordering potential. This is the type of restaurant that keeps you enchanted well after visiting; it will provide a meal worth remembering.
Vension
adventures in wine experiences
n my recent European adventure, I explored both Portugal & Spain. My fondness of travel is pretty typical; new sights, interesting people, unique cultures, exotic food & fascinating history lessons. Because of my love of wine, I usually incorporate my travel destinations with places that also produce wine. It’s a win-win holiday! A never-ending accumulation of experiences combined with my favorite subject. Our first wine tasting experience on this trip was the Sandeman Winery in Porto, Portugal. The winery sits along the famous Douro River that has been home to many wineries & vineyards for centuries. The river runs across northern-central Spain and Portugal & has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The Sandeman Winery is perhaps the oldest Port producer here & has been an important part of Portugal’s heritage & economy. Port is a fortified wine produced exclusively in the Douro Valley. Next we travelled down the Douro River to the village of Peso da Régua. This tiny town was inhabited by Romans and endured barbarian invasions during the early part of its settled history and has been recognized as a wine region since the 1800. Imagine our surprise when we discovered that winemaking techniques have stayed the same here since the beginning where stomping grapes is still the norm! The next visit was to a Quigley Fine Wines producer in Ribera del Duero. Carmelo Rodero has been a farmer for over forty years and considered one of the best wine makers in Spain. After decades of selling his grapes to the famous Vega Sicilia Winery, he decided to start making his own wines with the help of his eldest daughter, Beatrice. Now the family business has grown to become one of the country’s best producers of Tempranillo wines. From Ribera del Duero we travelled to La Rioja and spent the day with another Quigley producer, Miguel Merino, in Rioja Alta. His family story is a remarkable tale of courage, stamina and dedication. Miguel's mission is to create wines that highlight the native Tempranillo grape along with Garnacha (Grenache), both of which are found in this historic wine producing region. By focusing on the vineyard and the fruit and with less emphasis on the oak, his wines represent a welcomed change in the traditional Rioja style. Our last stop was to our producer, Clos Galena, in Priorat, Catalonia. This is one of the oldest wine regions in the world & still produces world class wines. Once inhabited by monks, this region is famous for its Llicorella soil which is mainly made up of slate. These flat, easily breakable, deeply copper colored stones are where the vine roots delve in search of water and nutrients. It is these soils which are recognized as giving Priorat wines their greatest virtues. Each wine region is unique in its own right and the wines are indicative of mother nature, the wine maker as well as the history surrounding the area. I can’t wait for our next trip to see what new gems we find! Beth Fraitag is a lead wine consultant with Quigley Fine Wines. Wine is her passion and she works one on one with individuals who also enjoy popping the cork from time to time. Her specialty is small production wines from around the globe where sustainable farming practices have been the norm for generations. Her belief in biodynamic methods to bring mother nature's bounty into our lives is the basis for the wines she represents. She can be reached at 619.742.0245 or beth@quigleyfinewines.com. Check out the QFW website at quigleyfinewines.com for additional information.
Photo Credit: theperfecttravelguide.com
voyage
top destinations for 2017 Beth Taylor o many destinations, so little time. For most travelers, it’s not a case of if you’ll go next year, It’s not a case of when you’ll go; it’s only a question of: where. It’s a big world out there...full of lots of options to experience that once-in-alifetime adventure, that relaxing getaway, that ski trip or the culinary tour de force.
Photo Credit: PMI Adelaide
Of course, there are no wrong answers when it comes to travel, no bad decisions in choosing a destination. Every country, every city, and every town offers something fascinating and unique. But if you need inspiration for 2017, here are a few suggestions:
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA Adelaide has been quietly transforming itself over the last decade, morphing from a city of churches and little else into a city of great restaurants, great bars, and world-class events. You only have to look at the success of the Womadelaide festival, or the growth of the Barossa Valley's gourmet scene, to understand that Adelaide can hold its own. With stunning beaches, meandering trails, and Australian wildlife, Adelaide is a perfect destination year-round. HONG KONG It was 20 years ago next year that Hong Kong was returned from Britain to the Chinese; however, this city-state still marches to the beat of its own drum. While official celebrations will mark the handover, for most of Hong Kong's residents 2017 will be business as usual…sumptuous meals at the city's tens of thousands of restaurants; long nights in upmarket expat bars; and shopping, shopping, shopping. You won’t want to miss a dim sum breakfast at Lin Heung, a restaurant that falls somewhere between a pleasant dining experience and all-out warfare. The
Photo Credit: techcrunch.com
SEVILLE, SPAIN Part of southern Spain's tapas-and-siesta belt (a gloriously food- and sleep-obsessed grouping of Andalusian cities that includes Granada, Cadiz and Cordoba), Seville is a pleasure to visit at any time. Its fiendishly winding streets are filled with tapas bars, and the Real Alcazar, a royal palace used on Game of Thrones, is worth a visit to the city alone. You won’t want to miss going on a tapas crawl from the touristy old town to the more local-friendly Triana neighborhood. The best time to go is Fall or Spring. Rosemary’s Note: Architect Richard Requa used Spains Alcazar Castle as the inspiration for Alcazar Gardens in Balboa Park.
best time to travel to Hong Kong is October to April. The world is full of amazing possibilities! With the New Year ahead of us, now is the time to make some plans to go out and experience something new. Remember...“Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer”!
Beth Taylor is a local travel consultant who has been in the travel industry for over 30 years. She specializes in group and family travel. Her experience has taken her to places around the world. She’d love to help you plan your own unique vacation or simply “talk travel” with you! She can be reached at TMTravel@cox.net or 619-303-8771. Visit her website at BethTaylorMadeTravel.com for more tips about travel and some of the latest travel specials
destination-orange county’s rodger’s gardens Susanne Romo ormally this column is about fun a garden snail ornament, right? things to do in San Diego, but this We made it to Roger’s Gardens in the late afternoon. Our efforts time Rosemary and I ventured farther paid off and Roger’s did not disappoint. afield on a Quest --- to visit the famous garden center Rogers Gardens in Newport Beach Roger’s Gardens is a 7-acre playground for both gardeners and (rogersgardens.com). It’s about a 90 minute those who love unique home decoration. We wandered through drive from central San Diego, but well worth room after room of holiday items, home décor, and sections just the trip. for succulents, CA natives, shrubs, indoor plants….the garden center seems to go on and on. There’s even a small outdoor Our day started at Succulent Café in Oceanside garden train display, which was my favorite thing. succulentcafeoceanside.com, which is a small, locally-owned café that serves specialty coffee and pastries. We were surrounded by Rogers has recently opened The Farmhouse Restaurant on their beautiful, unique, re-purposed containers such as an old pair of grounds, a farm-to-table eatery focused on fresh, in-season hiking boots and old window frames, filled with succulents. produce. Rosemary and I arrived after lunch and enjoyed a divine lemon meringue tore and a flourless chocolate cake. On our way to Roger’s Gardens we ran into a few lovely distractions. First up was The Dana Point Nursery, which had a Susanne Romo is a freelance writer who blogs at susymusings.com & limited selection but it was well laid out, and there was a fun koi healingjourneyblog.com She is the co-author of Pebbles in the Pond: Wave pond. The owner was very knowledgeable and friendly. 4 and Your Big Idea Book, both available on Amazon The bigger distraction was Madison Square and Garden Café in Laguna Beach. madisonsquare.com. This is a charming combination garden center, gift shop and café. We ate lunch on their gravel-filled patio under market umbrellas while listening to the wind chimes, birdcalls and the music from multiple water fountains. It was absolute bliss and difficult to leave without making a dent on the credit card. I settled on a glass blown snail ornament…because nothing says Christmas like
Glittering Garden Snail Ornament
Lemon Meringue Torte at Farmhouse
Roger’s Gardens Blue and White Room
White Garden Display at Roger’s Gardens
Madison Square & Garden Cafe
The Book Sellers Room at Roger’s Gardens
time-out family-friendly places to go with kids in and around san diego
Why Kid Friendly? Sea Anemones Starfish Hermit Crabs Limpets Barnacles California Sea Lions California Brown Pelicans Exploration... Go to: livininsd.com for locations
where’s rosemary?
In every issue of From the Front Porch you’ll find a photo of different places that I’ve been in San Diego County. Your goal is to figure out where I took the photo. Be specific and submit your guess as fast as you can (You have competition!!!) The first correct answer will win movie tickets for two! You can email, Homes@LivinInSD.com, or call us at: 619-405-7673.
pinterest.com/rosemaryjoles/home-cookin-wee-humble-cottage-approved/
et cetera
delish
Rosemary’s Broker’s Open White Chicken Chili
Ingredients
where was rosemary? Batiquitos Lagoon 7380 Gabbiano Lane Carlsbad, CA 92011 batiquitosfoundation.org 760.931.0800 Winner Neil Cadwallader Vista
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast diced 1 small onion, diced 1 Tab olive oil 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 14.5 oz cans chicken broth 1 4oz. Can diced green chilies 1 1/2 tsp cumin 3/4 tsp paprika 1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp ground coriander 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper Salt and pepper to taste 1 8 oz. pkg Neufchatel cheese, cut into slices 1 1/4 cup fresh corn 2 15 oz cans cannellini beans, drained & rinsed 1 Tab fresh lime juice Shredded Monterrey Jack Cheese, for garnish Tortilla chips, for serving (optional)
Instructions
Heat olive oil in a 6 quart enameled Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once oil is hot add chicken and diced onion and sauté until chicken is no longer pink, about 6 minutes. Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds longer. Add chicken broth, green chilies, cumin, paprika, oregano, coriander, cayenne pepper and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring mixture just to a boil then reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes. Add Neufchatel cheese and stir until nearly melted (it will break down in little bits and will appear to look like separated cheese but it will eventually melt). Stir in corn, and 1 can of Cannellini beans, then process 3/4 of the remaining beans along with 1/4 cup broth from the soup in a food processor until pureed, add bean mixture to soup along with remaining 1/4 can of beans (you can skip the pureeing step and just add the beans directly to soup, the soup just won't be quite as creamy). Simmer about 15 minutes longer. Mix in fresh lime juice and serve with Monterrey Jack cheese, chopped cilantro and tortilla chips for dipping if desired. Photo Credit: simplyscratch.com Recipe Credit: cookingclassy.com
around our town
minutia
Photo Credit: Detroit Public Library
Frank Duryea won the first motor car race in the U.S. on November 28, 1895. It was a 54 mile race along Lake Michigan from Chicago to Evanston and back. The race was a harrowing one, and took 10 hours 23 minutes due to the snowstorm and sub-zero temperatures. Both vehicles stalled repeatedly and needed to be extricated from numerous snow banks. The average speed was 5 Âź mph!
Todd Joles is now known as Mr. Useless Knowledge, is a business associate of his wife Rosemary, a passionate luthier by night, mandolin/bluegrass aficionado by choice, chief cook and bottle washer because he loves his wife and a purveyor of this useless knowledge.
" My dog is worried about the economy because Alpo is up to $3.00 a can. That’s almost $21.00 in dog money." -Joe Weinstein (comedian)
Photo compliments of: Rebecca Johnson Bravo and Mia are the fur-children of Rebecca Johnson. They are the grand puppies of Rosemary and Todd Joles.
botanical name: Wisteria floribunda common name: Japanese Wisteria Likes: Sun to partial shade Hates: Overwatering Blooms: Violet/Lavender Note: Attracts Birds, Bees, Butterflies. Fragrant Drought tolerant once established. Poisonous.
No life is without difficulties, No garden is without weeds. To see more SD plants go to: livininsd.com
Rosemary Joles is passionate about low-water gardening in San Diego. She loves creating gardens that look like lush water thirsty gardens, yet need very little moisture to maintain them. Her other passions include real estate, lattes, spending time with family and friends, reading, music and laughter!
upcycle upcycling items this time of year At Upcycled Home and Garden, we focus on “what can be” rather than “what it was”.’ Gail and Jim Hallemeyer s we put away our seasonal items, we notice those boxes painters tape and mark with a pen your cut line. When removing that have remained unopened, unused or maybe even the tape, you will have much less chipping of the ceramic glaze. unseen for a long time. Time to upcycle! For the best control, we prefer to use the diamond disk and take more time. Mosaic Art is an art form that can be made from upcycled glassware, china plates, ceramic dishes, and knobs. For To obtain the sharp cuts, you can place your item in a bag and hit thousands of years, Mosaic art has offered us a history of the it with a hammer. Know that you have little ability to control the past. Back in the times of Alexander the Great many of the outcome. It can be helpful to score your piece before you place it historic homes and places of worship depicted events using in the bag, which may increase your odds of getting your ideal piece out of the bag. mosaic renderings.
Photo credit: happygoluckyblog.com
We have found that taking those special pieces and combining them with the new glass tiles found at our business neighbor, JM Flooring, 4747 Oceanside Blvd Oceanside CA 92056. This helps to outline and accentuate the unique character of the central focus of the art rendering. It takes a bit more work to setup the image that you are trying to select, but it is worth it. Interested in learning how to turn glassware, tile, ceramic dishes into beautiful pieces of art, then join us at our Mosaic Class, learn how to make a mosaic glass After: Pieces that were cut using a dermal drill picture frame using glass tiles, cut or with a diamond dusted cutting disk. broken glass, dishes and more.
Today mosaic art has taken on a different style yet our interest in the mosaic art Before: Damaged vase before cutting with a dermal process remains and drill. many have fun putting their individual personalities into the resulting art. Mosaic art today can incorporate a special piece of china or crystal that was a family heirloom that accidently became damaged. Taking that hammer to that cherished piece can be daunting but with the use of a Dremal® drill and a diamond dusted cutting disk, you can etch out and cut the exact portion of the cherished piece you have the fondest memory of. See pictures above to see pieces that were cut using a Dremal® drill.
Date: Time: Where: Phone: Class fee:
Mosaic Class Details February 25, 2017 10:30 am -2:00 pm Upcycled Home and Garden 4747 Oceanside Blvd. Oceanside CA 92056 760-908-9800 $30.00 includes cutting ceramic, assistance with gluing and mortar
During class we will be demonstrating how to cut ceramic pieces with a Dremal® drill. Our instructor will be teaching how to make beautiful mosaic art using ceramic pieces, glass, shells, glass buttons, beads, charms, feathers and more. Bring your items and with our help you can put together your mosaic pieces. Available for purchase will be small frames, tray style boxes and items for mosaic art. More information at upcycledhomegarden.com.
To avoid chipping, you will want to cover your cutting area with We look forward to seeing you at Upcycled Home and Garden! Upcycled Home and Garden is located at 4747 Oceanside Blvd, Suite I, Oceanside CA 92056. We can reached at 760-908-9800 or info@upcycledhomegarden.com. We offer classes in Milk Painting, Succulent Planting, Garden Art, Chair Upholstering and more, check out our website upcycledhomegarden.com for detailed information. You can also find items we have upcycled on our site. We are open Wednesday thru Saturday, 10:00am-5:30pm. Come by and say hello.
nitty gritty insurance 411 water claims ---- catastrophe versus maintenance e are coming into winter with its storms, winds and water damage. So for this issue I want to talk about water claims --- one of the most frequent, disputed and often denied claims on home insurance policies. I’m often asked “Does this policy cover water damage?” The answer is YES….and NO. Water is tricky. For most companies, a covered water claim results from “a sudden and accidental burst”, usually of a pipe. For example, you’re doing your laundry when the water supply hose suddenly fails. Your carpet is soaked and a few days later your laminate floor starts to buckle. Will this water claim be covered? According to the Insurance Information Institute website (iii.org), in this case you will probably be covered. Unless…the hose has been leaking, is rusty, should have been replaced years ago….then it falls under maintenance, not catastrophe, and will not be covered Condos generally have the most frequent water claims and if your upstairs neighbor’s water damages your home, you will need to have the optional “Building coverage” endorsement on your policy. This covers the inside walls of your unit, and is based on a square footage price to rebuild the interior of your home. Unfortunately, historically condos have not been built as well as single-family-homes, or have been converted from inexpensively built apartment buildings, so water claims are common.
What about water backing up from an outside sewer or drain? This is probably not covered by your home insurance policy, unless you buy an optional endorsement to add this coverage to your policy. What about floods? No homeowner’s policy covers flood damage, no matter what the source of the flood. Flood insurance can be purchased via your agent through the National Flood Insurance Program (FEMA.gov). Your rate will be determined by what level flood zone your property is in. Remember, your home insurance policy is for catastrophes, not maintenance issues. Your best practice is to regularly inspect hoses on all appliances, and a general rule of thumb is to replace them every 5 years. Also inspect your home’s water shut off valve on a regular basis. For more information, visit the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety website (disastersafety.org) which offers helpful safety and maintenance tips.
Susanne Romo, LUTCF has been working in insurance since 1986. Her passion is showing her clients that there can be a vast difference between just ‘having’ insurance…and being properly insured. She can be reached at: 858 751 0956 or at sromo@farmersagent.com
project diy
wobbly door hinges? ver time, the screws that hold door hinges into the framing can loosen, making doors wobble and close improperly. Fortunately, the fix is easy! Grab a golf tee. Wooden golf tees are perfectly sized to fit in to the holes left behind by hinge screws. Grab a few tees of your own, or borrow a handful from a friendly golfer of your acquaintance. Then remove any loose or stripped screws from any doors needing a fix. Squirt some wood or carpenter’s glue into the screw holes, tap a tee into each hole, then cut or break off the excess end. Drill pilot holes into each tee, and then reinsert screws into the hinge for a super secure fit.
Source: houzz.com
Millicent
and Company Salons
MEGAN MCGHEN Hair Stylist
619·464·3166
4695 Palm Avenue · La Mesa · CA · 91942
Out of the Mouths….
When I was pregnant, my girlfriend's 3 year old asked me why I "ate my baby". -Sarah
podsibilities
books or blogs
Author as I was surfing Youtube, I came across a Recentlyvideo of Don Williams and Some Broken Hearts Never Mend, and I was off down the rabbit hole. From Amanda to Good Ole Boys Like Me. Next Tulsa Time and I Believe In You. An hour later I was still going strong listening to Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good and Till The Rivers All Run Dry. A month later and I’m still being drawn back. Check out his greatest hits here on YouTube. youtu.be/d5AIPEYmrqU
Mark de Castrique brings us this intriguing series and an unexpected hero, Sam Blackman. The series starts with Blackman’s Coffin. Blackman, a former Chief Warrant Officer in an Asheville, North Carolina VA hospital recovering from losing a leg in Iraq. While trying to adjust to his circumstance, word of his investigative background gets out and he becomes entangled in a mystery that spans generations, the Biltmore Estate and its former grounds. Castrique’s series has now grown to five books.
What in your life do you hold to be too sacred to betray?
bits and pieces ingenious
pant hanger chip clips
Photo credit: pinterest.com
of broken chips in the bottom of the bag? Or chips that have gone stale because the bag was left open? Are you throwing away the plastic pant hangers that you get from clothing stores? Give the environment a break by using those hangers as chip clips! Install an adjustable curtain rod in the pantry to hang them. No more filling up the landfill, no more stale and broken chips!
ponderings
Tired
from marcandangel.com
SUPER BOWL Sunday February 5 3:30 PM on Fox NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas New England Patriots vs Atlanta Falcons Looking for ideas for your Super Bowl Party? Check out our Pinterest page for some fun and easy ideas. pinterest.com/rosemaryjoles/super-bowl-party-ideas/
sd outdoors
word search –san diego beaches-part 2
park exploration
Imperial Beach Moonlight Beach Torrey Pines State Beach Swamis Beach Silver Strand State Beach
Seascape Beach San Elijo State Beach Oceanside Pier Harbor Beach Dog Beach
D Street Beach Carlsbad State Beach Bonita Cove
Find the answers at www.LivinInSD.com/ws
lifestyle Lamb’s Players Theater lambsplayers.org
Red Velvet March 25-April 30
Lamb’s Valentines Cabaret February 11-February 14
Broadway San Diego broadwaysd.org
Voices of Ireland March 13
Matilda January 31-February 5
Shadowlands February 24-April 9
Kinky Boots March 10-March 12
San Diego Rep sdrep.org
North Coast Repertory northcoastrep.org
Our Great Tchaikovsky January 12-February 12
The Illusion Feb 22 -March 19
Into the Beautiful North March 30-April 23
Vista’s Broadway Theater broadwayvista.biz
The Old Globe theoldglobe.org
On Golden Pond February 2-Febryary 19
Picasso at the Lapin Agile February 4-March 12
Honky Tonk Laundry March 3-March 26
The Blameless February 23-March 26
San Diego Adventures Museum Month: Half-Off Admission February 1-28 sandiegomuseumcouncil.org Tidepooling Adventure w/Birch Aqua. February 11 & March 11 aquarium.ucsd.edu San Diego Cactus and Succulent Show February 11 sdcss.net Gluten Free & Allergen Friendly Expo February 11-12 gfagexpo.com Coronado Valentine’s Day 10K, 5K February 12 valentinesday10K.com 5K Paw Walk in the Garden February 18 sdbgarden.or/pawwalk.htm Enlisted Recognition Reception February 23 enlistedrecognition.com
february | march Go Red For Women Luncheon February 24 sdvetparade.org Gaslamp Quarter Mardi Gras February 28 sdmardigras.com
Photo Credit: creativecommonsstockphotos | dreamstime
Best Coast Beer Fest March 11 bestcoastbeerfest.com/san-diego-2 World Baseball Classic March 14-19 worldbaseballclassic.com
Photo Credit: flickr/reggie1
San Diego Shamrock March 17 sandiegoshamrock.com
sd concerts
John Gorka
Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn
AMSD Concerts Sweetwater Union High School 2900 Highland Avenue National City, CA 91950 619.303.8176 amsdconcerts.com
San Diego Theatres Balboa Theatre 868 Fourth Avenue San Diego, CA 92101 619.570.1100 sandiegotheatres.org
2/18 Peter Asher 2/25 John Gorka 3/4 Chris Williamson
2/10 Branford Marsalis Quartet 2/11 Leonidas Kavakos & Yuja Wang 2/15 Scott Bradlee Postmodern Jukebox 2/16 Shaolin Warriors 2/26 The Legendary Farhad Darya 3/4 Under the Streetlamp 3/9 The Tragedy of Carmen 3/14 Zucchero Black Cat Tour 3/18 Jay & Silent Bob Get Old 3/31 Max Raabe & Pala St. Orchester
California Center for the Arts 340 North Escondido Blvd. Escondido, CA 92025 800.988.4253 Tickets 760.839.4183 All others artcenter.org 2/2 Black Violin 2/4 Pablo Sáinz Villegas 2/18 Steam Powered Giraffe 2/22 International Guitar Night 2/23 Villalobos Brothers 2/26 The Ten Tenors 3/1 Craig Chee & Sarah Maisel 3/3 Masters of Hawaiian Music 3/15 Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn 3/17-18 Everything Fitz 3/29 In The Mood 3/31 Vince Gill Poway OnStage Poway Center for the Performing Arts 15498 Espola Road Poway, CA 92064 858.668.4798 powayonstage.org 2/18 Jose Feliciano 3/9 The Irish Rovers
San Diego Theatres Civic Theatre 1100 Third Avenue San Diego, CA 92101 619.570.1100 sandiegotheatres.org 2/18-26 Falstaff by Giuseppe Verdi 3/26 Newsboys Love Riot Tour San Diego Symphony Copley Symphony Hall 750 B St., San Diego, CA 92101 619.235.0804 sandiegosymphony.org 2/5 A Lang Lang Super Sunday 2/10-11 The Classical Style 2/19 America, America 2/23 Beethoven’s Seventh 2/25 The Chieftains 3/3-5 Beethoven’s Fifth 3/11-12 Harry Potter-The Sorcerer’s Stone 3/14 Mozart Up Close at TSRI 3/18 She’s Got That Swing: Woman in Jazz
Salif Keita San Diego Symphony cont.
3/25-26 Bruckner Symphony No. 8 3/30 Danish National Symphony Orchestra Belly Up 143 S. Cedros Ave. Solana Beach, CA 92075 858.481.8140 bellyup.com 2/6 Henry Kapono & Friends 2/8 Shane Hall 2/12 Save Ferris 2/13 Hot Tuna (Acoustic) 2/14 Ottmar Liebert & Luna negra 2/15 Lucero 2/16 Galactic Winter Tour 2/17-18 The English Beat 2/19 The Infamous Stringdusters 2/20 Alejando Escovedo 2/21 Cody Canada & the Departed 2/22 Full Revolution 2/23 Pinback 2/24-25 Steve Poltz 2/26 The Highwayman’s Johnny Cash Show 2/27 Louie Anderson 3/3-4 Rallroad Earth 3/9 Salif Keita 3/10 Ozomatil 3/2-25 Super Diamond-Neil Diamond Trib.
front porch pickin san diego music from classical to bluegrass
domiciles
Scripps Ranch · $250,000 livininsd.com · 619·405·7673
Hillcrest · $395,000 livininsd.com · 619·405·7673
Vista · $549,999 livininsd.com · 619·405·7673
University Heights · $725,000 livininsd.com · 619·405·7673
Marina District-Park Place · $1,599,000-$1,620,000 livininsd.com · 619·405·7673
Escondido-Hidden Meadows · $1,995,000 livininsd.com · 619·405·7673
from east county to the coast
Lemon Grove · $410,000-$420,000 livininsd.com · 619·405·7673
Lemon Grove · $465,000 livininsd.com · 619·405·7673
Downtown-The Mark · $875,000 livininsd.com · 619·405·7673
La Costa-Bressi Ranch · $899,000-$949,000 livininsd.com · 619·405·7673
Fallbook · $3,195,000 livininsd.com · 619·405·7673
Carmel Valley-Rancho Pacifica · $6,250,000 livininsd.com · 619·405·7673
OWN A HOME?
Has The Value Of Your
Gone up in the last 6 months? Don’t rely on online websites for your homes value. While they can give you a rough estimate of value, they can be off by as much as 20-40%. For a more accurate no obligation home evaluation please call: Rosemary Joles at 619.405.7673
Rosemary Joles ∙ Realtor | Bennion Deville Homes | CalBRE 01095314
Front Porch Wisdom Our days are happier when we give people a bit of our heart rather than a piece of our mind.
1928
Remember When
La Paloma Theatre
Architectural Style: Mission Revival, Spanish Colonial| Built: 1927-1928 471 South Coast Hwy. | Encinitas, CA 92024 | lapalomathreatre.com | Still operates as a theatre.
Photos: lapalomatheatre.com & Rosemary Joles
2017
C
all me now to sell your home!
JUST LISTED · 2/1 livininsancarlos.info ∙ San Carlos
SOLD · $270,000 · 2/1 livininsd.com · Oceanside
SOLD · $310,000 · 2/2 livininmiramesa.info · San Diego
COMING SOON · 3+2 livininlamesa.info · La Mesa
SOLD · $436,000 · 4/2 livininsantee.info · Santee
PENDING · $665,000 · 5/3.5 livininfletcherhills.info ∙ Fletcher Hills
SOLD · $675,000 · 4+/2 livininlamesa.info ∙ La Mesa
SOLD · $799,000 · 4+/2.5 livinintierrasanta.info · Tierrasanta
SOLD · $1,138,000 livinincarlsbad.info · Carlsbad
Whether you are looking to sell, buy, or lease a home we have the skills to get the job done right. LETS GET STARTED TODAY! CALL 619.405.7673
Rosemary Joles Every home is a masterpiece 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 Five Star Real Estate Agent REALTOR® | Cal BRE #01095314 Residential Sales· Leasing· LUXE Director 619· 405· 7673 Homes@LivinInSD.com | LivinInSD.com