Katrina & Peach Pie

"What HAVE you done with all those peaches, Laura?" many people have asked me. (Well, actually, no one has asked, but I know many of you are silently wondering.) I ate many and gave away even more. But last night when my bro John, his wife Jamie and I were on a little impromptu camping trip in the Cherry Hill campground, I started thinking (and talking) about all of those peaches rapidly ripening on my kitchen counter. Ever the chef extraordinaire, Jamie told me about her grandmother's technique of freezing the pie filling in a pie plate lined with "saran wrap" (did they really have that way back then?) and freezing it, removing the filling from the pie plate when it was frozen solid. When you need a quick dessert, simply make a (or in my case, buy one of those handy Pillsbury folded-type) pie crust, line the pie plate, pop the filling (sans plastic wrap, naturally) in, dot with butter, cover with top crust, crimp the edges (this is critical for a "finished" look), and voila! Ready to bake.

Now what does this have to do with Hurricane Katrina, you wonder? (Or maybe you don't, but I"ll tell you anyway.) While peeling and slicing all of those peaches (peelings and scraps will go right into the compost, of course!), I listened to American Routes on NPR. Based in New Orleans, this evening's radio show (produced and hosted by Nick Spitzer) focused on post-Katrina life in the "Crescent City." (Click here for a fun list of New Orleansisms.) Jazz clarinetist Dr. Michael White and vocalist/pianist Dr. John (ever notice how much he sounds like Leon Russell?--one of my all-time favorites) were featured. Great show; you can check it out by clicking here and then clicking on the Dr. John and Dr. Michael White links. (Oh, and feel free to email me at Laura@ChicoLaura.com if you want my peach pie filling recipe!) ; )

My Beautiful Patio Cover!

Scott Burghardt, Burghardt Construction (yes, he IS a relation--my charming, talented nephew, born and raised here in Chico and a graduate of the CSUC Construction Management program) just completed my fun, artsy patio cover, and I love it!

The back yard (my first-ever landscape design!) was completed two years ago, and this "fabric sail" patio cover is the icing on the cake. Scotty and I collaborated on the design and had a good time researching fabric covers on the internet. We finally decided on a combination of a square piece and triangular piece, strategically placed to let the morning sun in (for early breakfasting at the bistro table) but keep the patio shaded and the house cooler during the heat of the day. During the winter months the "sails" can be removed to let more light into the house (and protect the nylon-type fabric from the harsh weather).



I'm thinking a version of this patio design would look GREAT behind a custom home built on one of those wonderful lots overlooking the canyon in the lovely Humboldt Woodlands subdivision (click here for map). And it just so happens one of those fabulous view lots is currently available! (See blog post below.)

Talk about a VIEW!

Just one of the many fabulous sunsets you'll see if you build your dream home on this lovely .61 ac. lot in the exclusive Humboldt Woodlands subdivision! Located just minutes up Hwy 32 from Chico, in the sweet retreat of Forest Ranch, this gated community features an inground pool and a storage unit for each lot. Partial buiding plans for a gorgeous home are available with acceptable offer. Priced at just $189,000. More information and photos at www.ChicoLaura.com !

Overland Equipment

I don't own stock in this local Chico company (promise!), but I kinda wish I did, I like the products so much. Overland Equipment was started in 1981 here in Chico (another great Chico company!) by a fellow Soroptimist International of Chico member (who has since sold the company to another local family). Check out the reviews of the bags on Zappos.com if you don't believe me; these are simply wonderfully constructed, well-thought-out, versatile bags. You can either order on their web site at OverlandEquipment.com or use the USA Store locater on their site to find outlets. There are several stores in Chico that usually carry them: Made in Chico, North Rim Adventures (where I got my great bike--hi, Mike!), Chico Mountain Sports, Chico Sports Ltd., and the CSUC Associated Students Bookstore.

Gymnastics is like Real Estate

I hadn't thought about this in a while, but every time the Olympics roll around, I'm reminded of the semester in college when I took a gymnastics class. (I can still feel those hip bruises from my fledgling attempts at learning the basics of the uneven bars!) It amazes me now that I even had the nerve to try my hand at the various bars and balance beam, not having been particularly athletic as a child, but there you have it. Anyway, it occurred to me (while watching those spandex-clad, woodnymph-like creatures defy gravity) that performing gymnastics is kind of like working in real estate (ok, THAT'S a stretch, right?!). Even after years of practice, each escrow is like a challenging balancing act, and no two are alike. There may be unforeseeable/unavoidable bumps along the way, maybe even a slip-up here or there on the part of one of the many "players," but it's my job to see the "routine" through--to the best of my ability--to a successful "dismount" (close of escrow). While it's always our goal to have a perfect "10" experience for our clients, a real estate transaction is rarely without an occasional "balance check." But, as we in the biz say, "If there were never any problems, they wouldn't need us!"

Now here's something you don't see often: click here to see a MALE uneven bars gymnast! And if you enjoyed that one, here's one more: an amazing balance beam routine by the same Olympic hopeful. Enjoy! ; )

Peaches!

Mmmmm...fresh, juicy Chico State Farm peaches cut up and smothered with blueberry yogurt; what could be better than that? Mom and I got up early this morning and were at the farm (off Hegan Lane, South Chico; click here for directions) just after they opened (i.e. a little table with tent staffed by two sweet young CSUC coeds) at 7 a.m. Take your own bags or buckets, and pick to your heart's content (or your vehicle's capacity). At 75 cents a pound, such a bargain! So here I sit, savoring peach perfection (the Fay Elbertas taste better than the reds this year), watching the stiff competition between Team USA and China in Olympic men's gymnastics, and giving the whole house fan a workout (100+ temps slated for the entire week). Heck, I'll just set my peach cobbler out on the patio and let it bake!

411

Still lugging out that fat old phone book to look up numbers? Here's a little time-saving tip if you happen to be at your computer and need a number fast: www.411.com This site offers white pages, yellow pages, reverse phone search, reverse address (although I didn't have any luck when I tried my own address to test it), area code and zip code assistance with a handy mapping feature. I did have to click a button to skip a Comcast ad, but that only took a sec. Save the site as a favorite to save even more time. With all the time you'll save, you can A) Veg in front of the tube watching more Olympics coverage; B) Spend a few minutes browsing my web site at www.ChicoLaura.com or C) Read some of my old posts on this blog. (Just remember to toss that phone book in the recycle bin rather than the trash!)

Monterey

Anyone out there recognize this location? It's the patio dining area of Nepenthe, the beautiful restaurant (nearly 60 years old now) overlooking the ocean in Big Sur, one of my favorite spots. (Trivia note: Nepenthe was featured in the 1965 movie "The Sandpiper" with Liz Taylor. As I recall, I felt she didn't make a very convincing "beatnik.") My quarterly CRS meeting is always held in Monterey in August, and I had the good fortune to be accompanied this year by my lovely Mom, who has a childhood friend in the area. While I was in my conference last Friday (the topic was blogging, incidentally), Mom and her friend took the drive to Big Sur. I was sorry to miss out on that opportunity (always a gorgeous drive!), but I enjoyed networking with other CRS agents from our Northern California region and getting the latest techno tips. As an added bonus, it was great to be breathing fresh ocean air after a month of smoke from the ongoing fires. Now back in Chico, and the air has cleared quite a bit--in spite of the "new" fire that broke out in the Berry Creek area just as we returned. My heart goes out to all of the people who have lost their homes.