Homes and Lifestyles Spring 2015

SONOMA COUNTY / SPRING 2015

Spring Remodels

How to work with your contractor

Healthy Kitchens A cookbook author’s lifestyle journey

EDIBLE

FLOWERS SONOMA WEST PUBLISHERS, INC. | SPRING 2015 Cloverdale Reveille | Sonoma West Time & News | The Healdsburg Tribune | The Windsor Times

Celebrate Our New Location with a Free Pint Color Sample (expires June 30, 2015)

Upper wall: Grey Cloud 2126-0 Lower wall: Anchor Gray 2126-30

We take the “Pain” out of Painting 8499 Old Redwood Hwy. Suite 104 Windsor CA 95492 (707) 837-5089 www.plazapaint.com *Only at Plaza Paint Store. Limit one offer per household. Must be 18 years old to qualify. Must present coupon to redeem. Cannot be combined with any other offers. No photo copies or faxes will be allowed. Available while supplies last. Plaza Paint Store reserves the right to cancel this offer at anytime. Offer expires 6/30/2015. © 2013 Benjamin Moore & Co. Benjamin Moore, Selection Simplified and the triangle “M” symbol are registered trademarks licensed to Benjamin Moore & Co.

faxes ection

The Cure for Kitchen Envy “Beyond our expectations...”

—Steve & Kathy, Sebastopol

APPROVAL

Client: Plaza PaintsF I N E Run date: HO M4-30-15 E B Ad title/slug: full page Returned approval due by: ASAP Scheduled to run in: H & L Spring 2015

Lic 521133

UILDING & REMODELING SINCE 1978

Tired, outdated home? Covet not.

Call us. (707) 823-4899 Please check this proof carefully for errors and omis-

Lic 521133

sions. Your signature below constitutes acceptance of full responsibility for all errors, omissions and legal and ethical compliance in this document. Sonoma West Publishers will not accept liability for errors overlooked at this stage of proofing. Any changes from your previously approved copy will be charged extra according to both time and materials. Advertiser agrees to pay appropriate rates and production costs as specified in the current rate card. All conditions of the latest rate card apply.

www.leffconstruction.com

OK AS IS Your signature and date

OK with corrections - no further proof needed Your signature and date

2ND PROOF REQUIRED - I authorize a $10 charge Your signature and date

Designed by: JIM on 4-1-15

Doors | Windows | Finished Hardware| Cabinetry | Skylights | Kitchen & Bath Design Healdsburg 434 Hudson St Healdsburg, CA 95448 (707) 431-3630

San Rafael 3773 Redwood Hwy San Rafael, CA 94903 (415) 924-8300

www.hlc-inc.com

editor’s letter

It’s time for Summer Vegetable Planting!

Gift Cards & Delivery Available

Come check out our HUGE selection of 6 packs & 4� size vegetable starts.

Over 90 varieties of TOMATOES, 40 varieties of PEPPERS, 20 varieties of SQUASH & lots more summer favorites!

If you are over 55, take 10% off every TUESDAY!* * excluding services and already discounted merchandise

Santa Rosa Location 5173 Sonoma Hwy. (707) 539-3030

Healdsburg Location 12950 Old Redwood Hwy. (707) 433-8904

Open Daily 9am-5:30pm • prickettsnursery.com Much more than a house . . . but a covenant with nature and the land

APPROVAL

Client: Prickett’s Run date: 4-30-15 Ad title/slug: 1/3 page Returned approval due by: 3-27-15 Scheduled to run in: H & L Spring 2015 Please check this proof carefully for errors and omissions. Your signature below constitutes acceptance of full responsibility for all errors, omissions and legal and ethical compliance in this document. Sonoma West Publishers will not accept liability for errors overlooked at this stage of proofing. Any changes from your previously approved copy will be charged extra according to both time and materials. Advertiser agrees to pay approSonoma Pole Houses priate rates and production costs as specified in the current rate card. All conditions of the latest rate card apply.

Ships as a complete package – anywhere in the world OK AS IS Minimum site disturbance – “sits lightly on the land”

Your signature and date

OK with corrections - no further proof needed

T

his month we feature a local treasure that has been in business in Bodega Bay for a quarter of a century: The Ren Brown Collection Gallery. Ren Brown’s story is a fascinating one— and we’re lucky he’s in our coastal backyard as patrons come from far and wide to see the gallery’s displays of Japanese and American artwork.

On the home front: Roll up your shirtsleeves and get outside—it’s spring. Remodels are in motion, the housing market is on fire, and home and garden tours are in full swing.

In Real Estate Chat, you’ll meet two West County realtors with deep roots in the Sebastopol community. Mother-daughter team Barbara Paul and Sue Bonzell team up at Vanguard Properties, and they share their insights about the current market and give a glimpse into their personal interests and business philosophies.

If it’s a remodel you’re considering, two local contractors with decades of experience explain what to consider before starting a project. Understanding the process ahead of time can save you time, money and frustration.

Spring naturally heralds new beginnings when it comes to home and health. Visit the personal kitchen of Joy Stocksdale, who was motivated by a diagnosis with Type 1 diabetes to transform her health and lifestyle. Much of Joy’s days are spent in her specially designed kitchen, and in her food garden. You may feel inspired to capture some of these ideas for yourself.

Our calendar includes home and garden tours that are popular this time of year and that benefit local causes from health to education. Finally, edible flowers are on the menu. They are easy to grow and add nutritious and beautiful accents to your meals. This season, we are graced with an abundance of flowers—so why not eat some?

Your signature date environment Architectural harmony with and natural

2ND PROOF REQUIRED - I authorize a $10 charge Fastened with bolts – much stronger than nails

Patricia M. Roth patti@sonomadiscoveries.com

Your signature and date JIM on 3-26-15 Simple post Designed and beamby: construction

Adaptable to sloping or steep sites Flood protection

TM

Fire resistant 1480 A Grove Street Healdsburg, CA 95448

2

707-431-1860 www.sonomapole.com

HOMES + LIFESTYLES SPRING 2015

APPROVAL

Client: Sonoma Millworks Run date: 10-2-14 Ad title/slug: resize for 1/3 page square

TABLE of CONTENTS Spring 2015 Editor Patricia M. Roth Design & Production Brent A. Miller Photography Editor Sarah Bradbury Contributors Abby Bard Ray Holley Jenna Polito

An Oasis of Contemporary Japanese Art…18

Publisher Rollie Atkinson Associate Publisher Sarah Bradbury Sales Manager Paula Wise Marketing & Special Projects Director Cherie Kelsay

18

Advertising Sales Neena Hatchett Steve Pedersen Carol Rands Beth Henry Graphic Designers Jim Schaefer Deneé Rebottaro Cover Photo: Edible nasturtium flowers by Sarah Bradbury

12

For advertising placement inquiries, email paulawise@hbgtrib.com.

Homes and Lifestyles advertising and editorial offices 230 Center St. Healdsburg, CA 95448 P.O. Box 518, Healdsburg, CA 95448 707-838-9211 Homes & Lifestyles is an advertising supplement to the April 30, 2015 issue of Sonoma West Times & News, The Healdsburg Tribune, The Windsor Times and Cloverdale Reveille.

This magazine uses zero Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) UV inks. VOCs create smog. Because it’s not printed using conventional Heatset, this publication has substantially reduced its carbon footprint. Printed by Barlow

6

Real Estate Chat................................................4

24

Q&A with Sue Bonzell and Barbara Paul

In the Kitchen with Joy Stocksdale ....................................................6 Efficient design supports cookbook author’s healthy choices

Eating to Support Health ..................10 Diabetes diagnosis leads to new way of life

Planning a Successful Remodel......................................................................12 Tips from two local contractors

Eat Your Flowers............................................ 24 How to be a flower girl (or guy) in the kitchen

SONOMA WEST T

I M E S

&

N

E W S

HOMES + LIFESTYLES SPRING 2015

3

real estate

Q&A REAL ESTATE CHAT WITH SUE BONZELL AND BARBARA PAUL

Mother-daughter team at Vanguard Properties (pictured left to right) Barbara Paul and Sue Bonzell

4

Tell us about your backgrounds.

Sue: I grew up on an apple farm in Sebastopol, was in 4-H and FFA, attended El Molino High School and have a degree in Graphic Design from Cal Poly SLO. I’ve been working since I was a kid—great work ethic, love working with people!

Barbara: I grew up in Sebastopol in a large agricultural family, attending local schools. I have served in many community services such as 4-H youth leader, American Cancer Society, Farm Trails and Russian River Valley Winegrowers Foundation. I have enjoyed creating some lifelong relationships with so many wonderful people.

an interesting business. After my children were grown, I decided to get my license and jump in. I have never regretted it. It has been very rewarding.

What drew you to the real estate profession?

Sue: First and foremost my mother, who has shared her experiences with me for 22 years. I love working with people and the challenges that completing a real estate transaction can bring. Every one can be completely different.

Barbara: For many years I had always felt it would be

What’s the current market like?

Barbara/Sue: It is a fast market for the many buyers due to multiple offers and very little inventory. Interest rates are still low, so there are a lot of buyers. We need more inventory, yet sellers are reluctant to put their house on the market for fear that they will have difficulty finding a replacement property in this market.

HOMES + LIFESTYLES SPRING 2015

What changes have you seen in the local real estate landscape since you started working in Sebastopol?

Barbara: There have been many changes in pricing, growth and regulations. Sebastopol offers much more recreational opportunities to people moving to the community. However, the beauty that surrounds our area is still a focus for moving to Sebastopol.

We are seeing a lot more contingency offers come through, which really helps. The spring market is popping and we are seeing many more homes come on the market.

What is your business philosophy and how does that translate into your dayto-day work and goals?

Sue: My business philosophy is all about communication. That is by far the most important element of this business. I also care about my clients and recognize how difficult it can be to make transitions to a new home or say goodbye to an old one. My day-to-day work life means I am connected to my smart phone all day and much into the evening, answering emails, making phone calls and confirming everything! There are so many places where and escrow can go wrong, so clear communication is the only way to make it happen.

How do you balance each other as a team?

Sue: We balance each other as a team because my background is in marketing, so getting our listings exposure in the marketplace is the part where I really excel. I am also a little more techy than my mom, and I have been able to keep up with the changes in the industry with regard to technology.

Barbara: Sue is a very open-minded person and is non-judgmental. Her input for situations is very valuable. I respect her opinion and we are able to evaluate how we should proceed with things that do arise during an escrow.

What are you most proud of?

Sue: When it comes to business, I am most proud when I can hand the keys over to my clients after a successful escrow. I’m proud of my involvement in the community, and mostly I am proud of my two beautiful children, Kyle and Kelsey, who are the most amazing and loving children a mom could ask for.

Barbara: First and foremost my beautiful daughters, Sue and Kris, and my four grandchildren. Secondly I am proud to have had the opportunity to work with so many wonderful buyers and sellers over the years.

What are your favorite ways to relax and enjoy life?

Sue: Kicking back with a good book (most likely related to business development) and a crisp glass of Sauvignon Blanc poolside along with my best friends.

Barbara: Sitting on the porch visiting with my friends and family. HL

K AAREN ATKIN LOCAL, TRUSTED, EXPERIENCED

Serving Sonoma County & Healdsburg for 25 years

707 481 7043 www.YourHomeIn WineCountr y.com

709 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg Ca 95448

Bamboo Sourcery Nursery and Gardens

Sue Bonzell’s vast experience in hospitality and marketing enables her to provide top-level real estate services that result in simpler transactions, bringing her seller-clients top dollar on their properties. She has a BS in graphic design from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and possesses natural people skills and a head for business. She operated her own design and marketing company for almost 15 years.

Sue became a Certified Tourism Ambassador for Sonoma County because she has a passion for our area and the high-level hospitality service that goes with it.

As a natural promoter, she landed in local radio as a hobby, where she promotes all things Sonoma County. Sue is a second-generation realtor, who gleaned real estate acumen and skills from her mother, Barbara Paul, who is also with Vanguard Properties. Sue excels at providing concierge level service to her clients.

Barbara Paul is a lifelong resident of the Sebastopol area and has an extensive agricultural background. In the 1970s and 1980s, she and her family owned and operated an apple farm and currently farm wine grapes in Sebastopol.

Barbara has been a realtor for 22 years. Her experience in handling many types of properties, both residential and agricultural, enables her to guide clients through negotiations to meet the needs specific to their property. Prior to real estate, her career included banking, accounting and mortgage lending. She attended Santa Rosa Junior College and Sonoma State with a focus on business.

Her success in real estate sales can be attributed to 25 years of management, sales experience, mortgage lending and hard work in the demanding field of agriculture.

Hundreds of of varieties varieties Beautiful demonstration demonstration gardens gardens Bamboo care and containment Bamboo containment experts experts

Open Tuesday through Saturday, 9-4 Drop-ins Welcome - Appointments Recommended.

707-823-5866 BambooSourcery.com 666 Wagnon Road, Sebastopol HOMES + LIFESTYLES SPRING 2015

5

APPROVAL

Client: Bamboo Sourcery

Run date: 4-24-14

home

In The Kitchen with Joy Stocksdale EFFICIENT KITCHEN DESIGN SUPPORTS COOKBOOK AUTHOR’S HEALTHY CHOICES

by Abby Bard

W

hen Joy Stocksdale was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 2003, she took her health into her own hands, developing the low carbohydrate, mostly gluten-free and highly nutritious recipes she prepares for herself and her husband, writer C.D. Payne, in the light-filled and inviting kitchen of the rural Sebastopol home where they’ve lived for nearly 20 years.

“I spend an average of four hours a day cooking,” she says, so she’s made it a haven of esthetic harmony and functional efficiency for creating meals that combine flavor, freshness and maximum nutritional value.

The kitchen blends easily with the Craftsman style of their home furnishings—many of which were built or refurbished by Payne in the ground floor woodshop of the two-story studio he constructed next to their house. The

6

HOMES + LIFESTYLES SPRING 2015

second story is where Stocksdale, a fiber artist, creates her unique printed and cut silk wall hangings, including some she will be showing during Art at the Source Open Studio Tour this June.

In her kitchen, windows look out onto a sunny terraced yard, and handsome honey-toned oak cabinets, easy maintenance quartz countertops and brushed steel appliances make the space both inviting and efficient. Stocksdale and Payne have similar tastes in décor.

“We chose the light fixtures together,” she says, pointing out the Craftsman-inspired light pendants that hang over the cooking area and dining room table.

None of the appliances are custom, but all are well designed, easy to clean and functional. Vinyl tiles are comfortable underfoot in the space between stove and sink; the surrounding floors are oak.

Glass front cabinets above a small desk hold a serious and eclectic cookbook collection, including Stocksdale’s

Photos by Sarah Bradbury

own recently published book, “Cooking along with Joy.” An entire chapter of her book is devoted to sugar-free, low-carbohydrate dessert recipes, many gluten-free, since Stocksdale does not allow her diabetic condition to deprive her of dessert. She loves to bake and Payne is happy that she still makes a conventional-crust Gravenstein apple pie for him when their tree is bearing. Her signature rhubarb crisp is made with almond meal, walnuts and butter.

The kitchen’s dedicated baking center has small appliances grouped in a cabinet at counter level; an electric hand mixer, food processor, citrus juicer and blender, with an extra base blade for chopping nuts, are arranged in a row.

“I always keep them plugged in and ready to use,” she says. There is storage above for dry ingredients, and below the counter are slide-out shelves for mixing bowls, measuring cups and pans and a spice drawer.

On the opposite side of the cooking area, a well-stocked and very functional pantry has counter space for a toaster oven and crockpot and floor-to-ceiling shelves for dried goods, canned goods, oils and vinegars, storage containers, a wine rack, and bins for recycling.

Lunch is their main meal, eaten on a lovely wood dining table that Payne rescued from a bad paint job and refinished in his workshop.

Recently Stocksdale served a succulent lamb stew made from locally raised, grass-fed meat, served over boiled potatoes (for Payne) and steamed greens (for herself), both from the garden, with a green salad served in a wood bowl hand-turned by her late father, master craftsman Bob Stocksdale. She made coconut-milk pumpkin pudding for dessert.

Rhubarb Crisp (from “Cooking along with Joy”) 4 servings Rhubarb is a vegetable but we think of it as a fruit. It is low in carbs and therefore makes a perfect crisp for low-carb eaters. The nut topping is a great substitute for wheat flour or oats.

INGREDIENTS:

4 cups rhubarb, cut into 1/2-inch pieces 1/4 teaspoon stevia, 100% pure powder 1 tablespoon water Topping:

1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional) 1-1/3 cups almond meal 1/8 teaspoon stevia, 100% pure powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons butter 1/4 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped Dissolve stevia in 1 tablespoon water in mixing bowl. Add rhubarb and stir until coated with liquid. Set aside.

To make topping: In food processor or small mixing bowl, place almond meal, cinnamon (optional), salt and stevia, and blend. Add butter and blend until butter is evenly distributed and mixture has a grainy consistency (don’t overmix into a large ball). Stir in walnuts.

In 9-inch glass pie plate or 9-inch by 9-inch square baking dish, add the rhubarb mixture and evenly distribute the nut topping. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes in middle rack of oven. Cool and serve. Best if eaten the same day, as the topping will get soggy after that.

6 carbs, 112 calories per serving.

HOMES + LIFESTYLES SPRING 2015

7

Everything has a place in cookbook author Joy Stocksdale’s kitchen (pictured), where she favors brushed steel appliances and floor to ceiling shelves. She saves time and energy by mixing up dry ingredients and chopping vegetables for multiple uses.

Stocksdale likes being efficient in her use of time and energy.

While she’s chopping and sautéing, she might also be baking vegetables on the top shelf of the oven and roasting potatoes tossed in olive oil on the bottom shelf. “Parsnips are so good baked,” she says. “I slice them thin with onions and mushrooms and toss the in oil or ghee and bake them at 375° for 45 minutes.” Each week she’ll have a baking day for Payne’s breakfast granola (bottom shelf) and cookies (top shelf). Her method maximizes space and takes advantage of the difference in heat conduction in the different parts of the stove.

Other time- and energy-saving customs are mixing up dry ingredients to use for baking later in the day while she’s preparing breakfast and roasting two chickens at a time—yielding freshly roasted meat for the main meal plus extra cooked chicken, separated into meal-sized portions to freeze for future meals, and roasted bones for bone broth which simmers slowly in an electric stock pot. Any meat from those bones will become a delicious treat for their dog Dink.

THE KITCHEN GARDEN

Stocksdale is expanding her garden this season to include the most nutritive varieties she can find. “I eat a lot of vegetables,” she says, “so I wanted to learn which types of vegetables provide the most nutrition.”

She discovered that color is a good indicator. “Yellow peaches are more nutritious than the white ones, and red cabbage is more nutritious than the green. In general, the more color and the darker the color, the more nutrition.” And having her own garden insures a shorter time between harvesting and eating, since food rapidly loses its nutritive value after it’s picked.

Her current exploration was inspired by reading Jo Robinson’s book, “Eating on the Wild Side – The Missing Link to Optimum Health,” which explains how human cultivation of vegetables and fruits have caused their evolution from a densely nutritious wild food to their present, sweeter-tasting but less nutritious state. While modern food has gained in taste appeal, much of it has lost its ability to support and sustain health.

As commercial produce growers attempt to entice our palates with the biggest and sweetest varieties of fruits and vegetables, Stocksdale is taking the opposite approach in her kitchen garden.

8

HOMES + LIFESTYLES SPRING 2015

RESOURCES Seeds mentioned in this article are available from: Harmony Farm Supply and Nursery 3244 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol harmonyfarm.com.

Renee’s Garden Seeds, reneesgarden.com High Mowing Organic Seeds, highmowingseeds.com Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, rareseeds.com Andy’s Market 1691 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol andysproduce.com

In the sunny front yard of the one-acre property, among the miniature and semi-dwarf varieties of citrus, pears and peaches (their diminuitive size makes them easier to care for and harvest), Stocksdale recently planted 21 new blueberry plants purchased from Harmony Farm Supply and Nursery, chosen specifically for their nutritive value and ability to thrive in the West County geography.

The varieties she selected—Aurora, Legacy, Misty, Sunshine Blue and Jewel—have smaller and more tart-tasting fruits and are more nutritious than the types bred for larger size and sweetness. She planted strawberries as companions among the blueberries (another suggestion from the knowledgeable folks at Harmony Farm). Perennial flowering sages and lavenders are here as well. Everything is watered by a drip system and covered by a layer of mulch from Sonoma Compost to conserve water.

Stocksdale is developing another area for more blueberries along a sunny fence; a trailer-load of horse manure from a neighboring farm will make the soil more fertile there and nourish the established fruit trees. Behind the studio, a deer fence encloses a garden area with four oval stock tanks, filled with soil enriched with compost from Sonoma Compost and newly planted with seedlings, like “Green Magic” broccoli, a deeply colored and powdery mildew-resistant variety, and “Annapolis” red leaf lettuce (all purchased as seedlings from Harmony Farms).

They are accompanied by some shallots, which she bought at Andy’s Produce and separated into cloves for planting.

In one stock tank, a hearty tree collard from a cutting, donated by a friend, is in its third year of production. “It’s got more calcium than kale, and the deep green leaves get more purple color when the weather is cold,” she says. “It looked dead over the summer without water, but then it revived with the rains. I gave it some compost and organic granular fertilizer.” Stocksdale likes to sauté the leaves in coconut oil for breakfast.

This season she’ll also be raising edible pod Oregon snow peas, Ruby Gem baby romaine lettuce, purple heirloom pole beans and heirloom watermelon radishes from Renee’s Garden Seed Co. and Red Kuri winter squash from High Mowing Organic Seeds. Another seed source is Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds.

Payne has built a cement block wall to terrace the rise of land behind the house; and outside the kitchen door, he has constructed a redwood trellis, which shades a patio of checkerboard pavers. There are planter boxes at the foot of the uprights, which are wrapped with sturdy hog wire, where Stocksdale will plant climbing beans and peas and lemon cucumbers.

“I’m going all out!” she declares enthusiastically, and is looking forward to sharing her extra produce with neighbors, trading with them for things she doesn’t grow herself, and to developing new recipes for her next cookbook, inspired by her garden and the time well-spent in her kitchen. HL

HOMES + LIFESTYLES SPRING 2015

9

heakth

Eating to Support Health DIABETES DIAGNOSIS LEADS TO NEW EATING PATTERNS AND WAY OF LIFE

A

t the time Joy Stockdale was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, she consulted with a nutritionist who recommended eliminating grains from her diet. What sounded at first like a drastic diminishing of food choices has become an exciting challenge to become more creative and explore new ideas and ingredients in cooking.

Stocksdale decided to create recipes specifically to help control diabetes by lowering carbohydrate intake to balance blood sugar levels. But she didn’t want to just temporarily set limits on food, she wanted to establish new eating patterns for optimal health that would also result in satisfying meals. In her words, “Diet is a constellation of food choices that supports health, vitality, energy and well-being.

It is a way of life.”

Specific recipes have changed since Stocksdale first conceived of her cookbook, “Cooking

10

HOMES + LIFESTYLES SPRING 2015

along with Joy,” but her inspiration remains maintaining her own health. “And she drags her husband along kicking and screaming,” jokes her husband, writer C.D. Payne. “When she was diagnosed, we were having coleslaw at every meal.”

“Not every meal,” laughs Stocksdale, but she admits to having a gallon jar of sauerkraut always fermenting in the pantry and nutritious homemade bone broth, another staple of her menus, in the freezer in the garage. Another favorite ingredient is coconut. “It is amazing what you can do with coconut—it comes in so many different forms—oil, cream, milk, shredded, flour,” she says.

Stockdale’s daily diet of three cooked meals includes 4 to 8 cups of vegetables, so she will cut two days worth of vegetables at a time, storing them in airtight containers in the refrigerator.

She will also cook two pounds of sausage at a time, storing the cooked meat in meal-sized portions in the refrigerator and freezer. Then, in the morning, making breakfast is quick and easy with the prepped ingredients all portioned and ready to slip into her favorite, extra-deep cast iron pan.

She tries to limit grocery shopping to two trips a week, buying produce in season or on sale and planning her meals around that. “I try to eat seasonally, but sometimes I’ve just got to have the bell peppers,” she confesses.

Each meal includes 1 to 3 ounces of protein (meats, poultry or fish) and some sort of high-quality fat, like olive oil, coconut oil, butter from grass-fed animals or ghee (a clarified form of butter). Formerly vegetarian, she now eats meat for protein, purchasing grass-fed meats exclusively because they contain more of the healthful omega 3 fatty acids than grain-fed meats. They are also more humanely raised, with less impact on the environment.

She buys meat from her neighbors who raise livestock for personal use, but grass-fed meats are widely available now from local Farmers’ Market vendors and many local supermarkets. She buys turkey (and bones for broth) from Willie Bird Turkeys and is a member of Laguna Farm’s Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) program for a weekly box of fresh local produce.

Breakfast is typically a vegetable stir-fry with sausage or bacon. Lunch, the main meal of the day, is often a meat stew (with onions, mushrooms and garlic), vegetables and salad, followed by dessert. Dinner will often be composed from leftovers from breakfast or lunch. She’ll nibble on nuts for a between-meal snack.

The changes in dietary choices have not only improved Stocksdale’s health and raised her energy level but have deepened her connection with her neighbors, her community and the rhythms of the seasons. HL

TOMBE REALTY 60 Years • Established 1955

Dick, Linda, Alicia, Joshua & Chris Pellascini

Representing Sebastopol with Fairness and Integrity for 4 Generations.

127 North Main Street • Sebastopol CA 95472 (707) 823-6475

APPROVAL

Client: Tombe Run date: 4-30-15 Ad title/slug: 1/3 sq Returned approval due by: 3-27-15 Scheduled to run in: H&L Spring 2015 Please check this proof carefully for errors and omissions. Your signature below constitutes acceptance of full responsibility for all errors, omissions and legal and ethical compliance in this document. Sonoma West Publishers will not accept liability for errors overlooked at this stage of proofing. Any changes from your previously approved copy will be charged extra according to both time and materials. Advertiser agrees to pay appropriate rates and production costs as specified in the current rate card. All conditions of the latest rate card apply.

OK AS IS Your signature and date

OK with corrections - no further proof needed Your signature and date

2ND PROOF REQUIRED - I authorize a $10 charge Your signature and date

Designed by: Jim Schaefer on 3-26-15

HOMES + LIFESTYLES SPRING 2015

11

do it

A G N I N PLAN

L U F S S S E C C U S

l e d o m e R W

e are a nation of remodelers. According to the “Wall Street Journal,” Americans spent $130 billion remodeling their homes in 2013, and as the economy recovers the sawdust keeps flying. Houzz.com, the popular online source for decorating and architecture ideas, estimates that a minor remodel can run up to $25,000, and a major remodel can multiply that cost many times, depending on whether you add square footage, bump up a second story, move walls, add new plumbing and more.

What’s a homeowner to do? A home remodel can be one of the largest investments you ever make, and you want it to change your life – or at least your living conditions – so it’s important that you understand the process and plan for the best outcome.

We checked in with two local contractors, both with decades of experience in remodels large and small: Nancy Madarus of Eddinger Enterprises and Dave Leff of Leff Construction.

Madarus grew up in the family building business. Her parents, Jerry and Mary Lou Eddinger, started their company in 1968 and are still involved in every aspect of the business. Nancy and her sister, Susie Cavallo, are licensed contractors and oversee much of the day-to-day management of the firm.

Y E L L O H Y

BY RA

12

HOMES + LIFESTYLES SPRING 2015

AFTER HOMES + LIFESTYLES SPRING 2015

13

BEFORE

AFTER AFTER Before and after images depict how the Leff Construction team opened up the kitchen and expanded the dining room in this West County home, adding light and ease of flow to the space. Leff Construction photos

Nancy emphasizes the relationship between the client and the contractor.

“The key to a successful remodel is that relationship,” she says, and she advocates asking a lot of questions before you sign a contract. “Find out who they have on their team and why they chose them,” she said. “Do they work with the same group of trusted subcontractors or do they just give each job to the lowest bidder? Ask how long they’ve worked with their favorite subcontractors and how they keep track of their work.”

Nancy also advocates asking about the general contractor’s staff. “Will I have a key contact, like a foreman? Will I get to talk with him or her every day? What happens when the schedule changes unexpectedly?”

Eddinger Enterprises tends to use a small group of subcontractors

14

HOMES + LIFESTYLES SPRING 2015

and rely on them year after year, but building materials and methods are constantly changing. If you want to try something new, Nancy suggests that you ask the contractor: “How often have you done this? Can I see pictures of similar work?”

Nancy insists that a strong subcontractor team is essential to a project’s success, and she suggest that you do plenty of homework. “Look at their website and ask to speak to former clients. Get a list of their major subcontractors and start calling them. Find out if the general contractor is good to work with and is organized, and ask if they pay their subs on time. You want happy subcontractors who get paid on time and are eager to work on your project.”

Nancy likes to think of every remodel as “a dream remodel” regardless of the size or the budget. She suggests that you not be nervous about talking about money and that you look at your general contractor as an important resource in managing your budget.

“You have to be honest about what you’re willing to pay,” she said, adding that frank conversations about budget can guide you in making smart trade-offs. “We can usually help you save money on one part of the job so you can afford something else you really want.”

Honesty and clear expectations are important aspects to a successful remodeling project. “There are a lot of capable builders out there,” said Nancy.

“It’s important to find someone you can trust.”

Nancy notes that trust and communication go both ways. “Your contractor has to be patient while you make the big decisions, but you have to make them, and you want to be available to answer questions along the way.”

Dave Leff has been in the building business for 36 years. He got there by way of college degrees in Psychology and English, and he was on his way to law school when he thought it might be fun to improve his carpentry skills. He never stopped.

Dave’s experience as a contractor working with

architects encouraged him to rethink his business model. While he’s worked with a lot of great architects who understand building, he’s also had the experience where the client hires the architect and contractor separately – and they don’t always fit.

At a recent seminar for potential remodeling clients, Dave started his presentation with a scary recital of what can go wrong on a project.

“The final design might be over-budget, it can take twice as long as you thought, crews might not show up for days at a time, you might have concerns about craftsmanship or supervision, the job site might be messy and dangerous, and the architect and the contractor just blame each other.”

Like any good builder, Dave has a solution for these not-uncommon problems. He advocates a design-build system that includes the contractor and architect from the beginning.

“It often happens that the architect is hired and recommends a contractor after the project is designed, but that may not be truly collaborative,” Dave said. “You really want to get both involved. You want to put together a team that includes you, the architect and the contractor.”

Dave believes that the right fit between a contractor and an architect can only improve a remodeling project. “You want a contractor who understands the importance of exceptional design and you want an architect who recognizes the value of the contractor’s expertise. You want all parties to understand the value of balancing budget and design,” he said.

In Dave’s design-build scenario, the first task of the client-contractor-architect team is to tackle three basic questions: 1. What are the most important personal needs, goals and requirements that must be built into the design and schedule? (Do you entertain a lot? Are there zoning restraints? Does the bathroom need to be done first to enhance peace in the household?)

2. What design will provide the best solution to your situation and its challenges?

3. How do you balance design and budget?

Once those key tasks are underway, Dave recommends that you be strict with your team and keep designing to the budget. “The budget is not what something costs to build,” he says. “The budget is those dollars you are willing and able to invest, and it’s good to get a reality check on the budget early in the design process.”

Dave notes that a key role of the contractor in

For All Your Lighting Needs

1378 Airport Blvd., Santa Rosa, CA 707.545.7944 • www.jflighting.com Monday-Friday 9-5 • Saturday 10-4 Stop in Saturdays for Cupcakes

APPROVAL

Client: JL Lighting Run date: 10-2-14 Ad title/slug: 1/6 Returned approval due by: ASAP Scheduled to run in: H&L Fall 2014 Please check this proof carefully for errors and omissions. Your signature below constitutes acceptance of full responsibility for all errors, omissions and legal and ethical compliance in this document. Sonoma West Publishers will not accept liability for errors overlooked at this stage of proofing. Any changes from your previously approved copy will be charged extra according to both time and materials. Advertiser agrees to pay appropriate rates and production costs as specified in the current rate card. All conditions of the latest rate card apply.

OK AS IS Your signature and date

OK with corrections - no further proof needed Your signature and date

2ND PROOF REQUIRED - I authorize a $10 charge Your signature and date

Designed by: Jim Schaefer on 9-4-14

HOMES + LIFESTYLES SPRING 2015

15

BEFORE

AFTER AFTER

AFTER

AFTER 16

In Healdsburg, Eddinger Enterprises built a second story above the home’s garage to accommodate visiting family members and guests, reconfigured the dining room and remodeled the laundry room. They installed a sliding barn door to close off the laundry room and cover the stairway going to the guest unit.

HOMES + LIFESTYLES SPRING 2015

Photos by Sarah Bradbury the design process is to provide cost information. “The only opportunity to save money on a remodeling project is during the design phase,” said Dave. “After that, you can only spend it.”

According to Dave, the design factors that most affect budget are interior finishes, fixtures, appliances, lighting, electrical and data requirements, and heating and cooling.

“These factors affect cost and schedule,” he said. “The things that you think you can deal with later can have significant consequences. Making these decisions sooner allow materials to be ordered well in advance, so your project can move more quickly.”

How do you save money on a remodeling project? Dave and Nancy have similar approaches.

“It’s almost always less expensive to reconfigure existing space,” Dave said.

“Confine the work to a specific area of the house,” says Nancy.

Will it happen exactly how we planned it? Maybe. Dave and Nancy both stress good planning but point out that adaptability can also be helpful. “We added a second story to a garage for a client,” Nancy explained. “Once we got it framed, we realized that we could move the windows around a bit and end up with a better view.”

In the end, a successful remodel is like a good marriage.

Amid change and chaos, there must be trust, honesty and adaptability. And, a great view from the new addition always helps. HL

24th Annual Garden Tour

Sonoma County Medical Association Alliance Foundation

Tickets $45 until April 30 $50 afterward www.scmaa.org 707.578.4537

10% OFF

YARD EQUIPMENT RENTALS. JUST MENTION THIS AD

We’re Your Yard and Garden Experts with All the Right Equipment!

MAY15&16 10AM - 4PM

Self Guided Tour of 6 Private Gardens of

SEBASTOPOL

Your PROPANE HEADQUARTERS

Benefitting West County Health Centers & SCMAA programs

HEALDSBURG • 431-3544 WINDSOR • 838-4373 FULTON • 544-0501 SANTA ROSA • 539-0707 UKIAH • 472-0500

LOCALLY OWNED OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

APPROVAL

Client: Aaction Rents Run date: 4-30-15 Ad title/slug: 1/3 page Returned approval due by: 3-5-15 Scheduled to run in: H&L Fall 2015 LOCAL | LONG DISTANCE | PIANO MOVING Serving Sonoma County for over 20 years

SANTA ROSA HEALDSBURG FREE

FREE ESTIMATES

E-WASTE DROP SPOT

Please check this proof carefully for errors and omissions. Your signature below constitutes acceptance of full responsibility for all errors, omissions and legal and ethical compliance in this document. Sonoma West Publishers will not accept liability for errors overlooked at this stage of proofing. Any changes from your previously approved copy will be charged extra according to both time and materials. Advertiser agrees to pay appropriate rates and production costs as specified in the current rate card. All conditions of the latest rate card apply.

!

OK AS IS " # $ " % &

' (

Your signature and date

OK with corrections - no further proof needed

www.redwoodmoving.com www.redwoodmoving.com 190 Foss Foss Creek Creek Circle, Circle, Healdsburg Healdsburg CAL-PUC# CAL-PUC# T-189615 T-189615 • IC ICC# C# MC74681

Your signature and date

2ND PROOF REQUIRED - I authorize a $10 charge

Your signature and date

Designed by: Jim Schaefer on 2-18-15 HOMES

APPROVAL

+ LIFESTYLES SPRING 2015

APPROVAL

Client: Carlisle Run date: 7-10-14 Ad title/slug: 1/3 page square color - client made

17

An Oasis of

CONTEMPORARY JAPANSESE ART

18

HOMES + LIFESTYLES SPRING 2015

HOMES + LIFESTYLES SPRING 2015

19

20

HOMES + LIFESTYLES SPRING 2015

By Jenna Polito

B

Photos by Gary Ottonello

link while driving along Bodega Bay’s Highway 1 and you might miss The Ren Brown Collection Gallery, a Sonoma County oasis for contemporary Japanese art. Located in a subdued blue building with Japanese architectural touches, the gallery houses a sweeping inventory of modern Japanese prints, and more.

The Ren Brown Collection Gallery displays artwork of varying disciplines, from both Japan and the United States, including sculptures, paintings, handcrafted jewelry and ceramics. But Ren Brown, who co-owns the gallery with Robert DeVee, has a particular passion for modern Japanese prints, produced through the traditional woodblock technique and through other methods, such as serigraphy (screen printing). “There are only a few galleries in the country like this,� Brown says, sitting in the living room of his home, which is located next to the gallery. “So we do stand out. For people who are looking for specific Japanese printmaking artists, there are only a few places they can go in the United States.�

Since 1990, Brown has operated the gallery alongside DeVee, his husband, who has a long career as an impressionist painter and printmaker. Brown and DeVee have renovated their home to incorporate Japanese architectural details, like the gallery, and its interior is decorated in a manner appropriate to gallery owners: wall-to-wall art and precisely displayed sculptures and ceramics. Outside, Brown and DeVee have cultivated Japanese-style gardens, with a koi pond and teahouse. It’s a tranquil scene—and emits a precise brand of artistry, which Brown says is characteristic of Japan itself.

The Ren Brown Collection Gallery

“It’s an easy country to fall in love with because it’s so safe, the food is so good, the art is so good,� he says. “The Japanese have a high sense of aesthetics—the way food is presented and the way gardens are developed and the care with which the art is made.�

Ren Brown’s passion didn’t develop in a vacuum—he was born into a family of Japanophiles. Their connection to the country stretches back over a century, to when Brown’s maternal grandfather moved to Japan in 1905 to work as a missionary. “He was a horseback-riding preacher from Tennessee,� Brown says. “I cannot imagine the cultural shock of moving to Japan.�

Brown’s mother was born and raised in Japan, and returned there to live after college.

There she met and married his father, who had relocated to the country to teach English during the Depression. He later received a Ph.D. in Japanese history and taught at UC Berkeley. “When he was on sabbatical, the whole family would go to Japan while he was doing research,� Brown says. “So I got to go as a youngster to the Far East, and that’s where I developed my interest in Japanese art.�

He took a particular interest in Japanese prints due to his mother, who had begun to attend art shows in Japan and collect pieces of interest. “I immediately fell in love with them,� Brown says. Early in his university years at Pennsylvania’s Swarthmore College, Brown organized his first art show. “I found an off-campus site to hold a show and I did this wonderful exhibition for

The gallery hits a milestone this year—celebrating its 25th anniversary in Bodega Bay. Their first day of business was on Feb. 10, 1990.

259 CENTER STREET | HEALDSBURG www.saintdhome.com 707.473.0980

APPROVAL

Client: St. Dizier Ad title/slug: 1/6

Run date: 10-2-14

Returned approval due by: ASAP S Scheduled to run in: H&L Fall 2014 Please check this proof carefully for errors and omissions. Your signature below constitutes acceptance of full responsibility for all errors, omissions and legal and ethical compliance in this document. Sonoma West Publishers will not accept liability for errors overlooked at this stage of proofing. Any changes from your previously approved copy will be charged extra according to both time and materials. Advertiser agrees to pay appropriate rates and production costs as specified in the current rate card. All conditions of the latest rate card apply.

OK AS IS Your signature and date

OK with corrections - no further proof needed Your signature and date

fine museum quality framing

2ND PROOF REQUIRED - I authorize a $10 charge

Your signature and date highest standards of preservation Designed by: JIM on 9-2-14 and conservation methods used

(707) 473.9600 132 Mill Street • Healdsburg hammerfriar.com

HOMES + LIFESTYLES SPRING 2015

21

APPROVAL

Client: Hammerfriar

Run date:

Ren Brown (pictured) celebrates 25 years owning and operating The Ren Brown Collection Gallery in Bodega Bay with his partner Robert DeVee. The gallery displays artwork of varying disciplines, including up to 90 artists from Japan and the United States, some of whom Brown brought from Japan to the US for their first show.

a whole weekend,” he says. “These beautiful, gorgeous prints were large and so expensive I couldn’t afford them, because they were $20 apiece.”

What makes Japanese prints extraordinary, according to Brown, has to do with the care with which they are produced. “They can be of any subject,” he says. “They can be abstract, things you wouldn’t see necessarily being Oriental. But they’re always done with the utmost care and precision.”

As its name suggests, a traditional woodblock print begins with a plank of wood. Artists carve a raised surface into the woodblock and ink its surface, which they then transfer to the print. Each color, according to Brown, requires a separate woodblock.

“If you want a red apple, you carve away everything except the raised surface that will be printed red for the apple,” he explains.

“Then you have to print the red apple on 100 pieces of paper, and then the green leaf on 100 pieces of paper, and then the brown twig on 100 pieces of paper.” Some woodblock prints may require as many as 50 different blocks to create a finished piece of art.

For this reason, prints are often referred to as “multiple originals” because there is considerable variation in appearance from piece to piece. Despite the precision required to produce prints, they are often more affordable than one-of-a-kind paintings.

While the woodblock method is historically

22

HOMES + LIFESTYLES SPRING 2015

associated with Japanese printmaking, Brown said artists are quite cosmopolitan with the techniques they use, which can include etching and planographic printing. “Of course, artists put all those things together and do combinations,” he says.

His gallery displays between 85 and 90 artists, some of whom Brown brought from Japan to the United States for their first show.

Even so, Brown says he strives to make the gallery a comfortable space that is accessible to patrons just beginning to develop an appreciation of art. For Brown, the opportunity to educate patrons is the most satisfying part of the profession.

Part of that education involves impressing upon visitors, through the gallery’s contents, the breadth of the contemporary Japanese printmaking movement. The subjects of prints have become, Brown says, more diverse than notions of Geisha women drifting over halfmoon bridges.

“You know, it’s a modern world, and the style of many young Japanese artists is very nonrepresentational (abstract). There’s a great breadth of subject matter and style with the artists we represent,” he says.

In early February, Brown had recently finished hanging an exhibition dedicated to one modern printmaker named Mikio Watanabe, a Japan-born artist who resides in Brittany.

Through a painstaking copperplate process called mezzotint, Watanabe creates alluring

grayscale prints of nude female figures, as well as playful, colorful portraits of fruit, vegetables and animals.

Katsunori Hamanishi is another artist whose prints are on display at the gallery.

His artwork includes striking mezzotint prints of kimono, presented in eye-catching graphic colors that are reminiscent of a sunset.

Female artists whose work has appeared in the gallery include Mayumi Oda, whose playful style earned her the nickname “The Japanese Matisse.”

Brown says he advises customers not to purchase prints as a financial investment.

“Some people want to know who’s the most famous, who’s in the most museums, who’s the most collectable,” he says. “But of more import—is this something you want to live with day in and day out?”

When purchasing prints, Brown also encourages customers to choose versatile artwork that fits aesthetically in more than one location in their home. More important, however, is how purchasers personally connect with the piece.

“Some people want it to be something that fits their décor, or they need something that has the same colors as their carpet or their sofa,” he says. “Well, that’s one way to select art. My sense, though, is that we all tend to keep our artwork longer than our sofas—so you better like it, on multiple counts.” HL

Do Home Repairs With a Home Equity Line of Credit from Exchange Bank Apply at exchangebank.com or at one of our 18 locations.

W

Because Confidence is Earned

hether you are buying or selling, our backgrounds and experience have taught us:

❖ Comprehensive understanding of luxury real estate.

Dianne Vernon • Realtor® 650.380.7151 DianneVernon@remax.net CalBRE 01428234

Bob Pennypacker • Realtor® 707.799.6032 Bob@BobPennypacker.com CalBRE 01428234

RE/MAX Full Spectrum 338 Healdsburg Avenue Healdsburg, CA 95448

Vineyards, Ranches & Country Estates

❖ Real world knowledge and success in home and land pricing.

“You cannot create experience. You must undergo it.” — Camus ❖ Inspired international marketing.

“Bob and Dianne brought us buyers from Canada, France and England.” — C.P. ❖ Compelling teamwork focused on win-win outcome in the purchase or sale of your property. ❖ We believe that: “Trust is the glue of life.

It is the most essential ingredient in effective communication.” — Covey

HOMES + LIFESTYLES SPRING 2015

23

gardens

Eat Your Flowers HOW TO BE A FLOWER GIRL (OR GUY)

by Abby Bard

E

at flowers? Seriously? Actually, most of us already do. Broccoli, for instance—that delicious little treeshaped cluster on each branching stalk—is the flower of the broccoli plant (hence the menu term “florets”). Each tiny green bud that forms the cluster would open into a yellow blossom if unpicked. If you grow your own and pick the central flower of the plant, many more flowers are encouraged to appear on branching arms of the plant. With continued pickings, a plant may continue to bloom for months.

Then consider the artichokes. Those sturdy petals with the fleshy bottoms that we love to dip into melted butter are the unopened buds of the artichoke flower. If left on the stem to open, a gorgeous broad blue-purple center unfurls, a magnet to honeybees.

Those are the most familiar flowers we eat, but a smorgasbord of many more edible flowers springs from the earth after the winter rains.

Oxalis is considered an invasive weed by many gardeners, yet a carpet of oxalis is one of the first happy signs of spring. Their fluorescent yellow blooms bring delight to the eyes following the grey, green and brown winter monotony. I personally have given up on trying to “weed” them out of the garden and have switched to simply pulling them from the planting beds when I’m ready to set out something else. The flowers have a sharp, sour taste—a common name is “sourgrass”—and are delightful when used sparingly to accent a fish dish, along with parsley or cilantro. These bright annual herbs send up delicate white sprays of flowers, which attract beneficial insects to the garden and make beautiful additions to your salads.

Photos by Sarah Bradbury

24

HOMES + LIFESTYLES SPRING 2015

Edible flowers can be sprinkled in salads (borage and arugula) and are gorgeous in desserts (pansy and mint); plants shown are forget-me-nots and blue borage.

Prolifically popping out of the soil where last year’s plants dropped their seed are the star-shaped, bright blue flowers of the borage plant—my favorite edible flower. Pulled free from their hairy stalks by firmly pinching the pointy black center between finger and thumb, the delicate blossoms, tasting mildly of cucumber, are the most versatile of the edible flowers. They pair well with raw fruits or vegetables in salads and can be used as a finishing touch on a pasta dish or as the simplest decoration imaginable for a frosted cupcake or chocolate sundae.

They are also the easiest of edible flowers to grow. If you start off with one plant and allow the flowers to drop on the soil around it, the following year, in the spring, their distinctive oval pairs of leaves will appear.

They rapidly grow into sturdy plants and soon produce as many beautiful blue flowers as you might need to enhance your salads. Turn the soil and move some of it to another bed and the borage will inhabit that area as well.

It’s more difficult to not grow them once

they are established in your garden, but they are the most welcome of “invasive” plants, easy to remove if you need to plant your chard or tomatoes and a beautiful companion to the summer fruits and vegetables growing in the garden. They will happily fill any blank space in the landscape with bright color and attract lots of bees.

The pale blue blossoms of the rosemary plants are bee magnets as well. My hedge of prostrate rosemary blooms several times a year with thousands of the tiny flowers that cluster along the fragrant stems. There is so much activity that you can hear the hum of bees as you walk by, and you can gently brush them aside to take a whiff yourself as they will barely notice the human presence while under the intoxicating spell of the blooms. These flowers are a tasty accent to grilled pork or a plate of crusty roasted potatoes.

But the easiest way to enjoy edible flowers is simply add them to a green salad. In early spring, wild violets appear and you can pluck the deep purple blossoms and toss them in,

too; and later, when the pansies, violas and johnny-jump-ups start to show, their little faces seem to smile up out of the salad bowl.

Tiny pale blue forget-me-not blossoms, blue borage stars, pale purple chive blossoms, the white or pink blossoms of radish or arugula, delicate parsley (or cilantro) flowers and especially the deep oranges and golds of peppery nasturtium flowers, used whole or torn into pieces, all add beautiful visual accents to the salad greens. When sunflowers begin to bloom, their petals are lovely topping a dish of steamed greens drizzled with olive oil—as are the orangey- golden ones from calendula.

As summer comes, you’ll want to harvest some of the male squash blossoms as they appear, leaving the female blossoms to produce zucchinis, crooknecks or pattypans. Slice them cross-wise to use raw on salads (removing the pollen-filled centers) or stuff them gently with a soft cheese and bake or fry them. Both male and female blossoms grow on the same plant, and there are many online sites that will help you tell them apart and suggest recipes.

HOMES + LIFESTYLES SPRING 2015

25

noma o S n i y la p o live and h w e s o h t r Fo ed Website ly Design

ew Vist Our N

26

HOMES + LIFESTYLES SPRING 2015

County

overies.com c s i d a m o n so

Flowers are gorgeous in desserts, too. Rose petals or lavender flowers are wonderful for flavoring sugar. Just dry the blossoms (spread them in a flat basket or on a sheet of newspaper to dry) and throw the dried flowers in the food processor, briefly, with some white sugar to blend. Keep the mixture in a glass jar, ready to sprinkle on a cream cheese frosting over a carrot cake or on top of poached pears and ice cream with caramel sauce. Use the augmented sugars with fresh berries to add a unique flavor.

Do all of these ideas sound too easy? If you like a bit of a challenge or want to get the kids involved in decorating, you can actually make candied flowers using borage, roses, violets or violas (or individual mint leaves, like spearmint or orange mint). Use a small watercolor brush to gently paint a wash of beaten egg white (mixed with a few drops of water) on the petals and, while they are still moist, sprinkle them with superfine sugar. Resist the urge to just dunk them in egg white and dip them in sugar. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work.

Allow them to dry well on waxed paper or parchment before placing them on your chilled frosted cake. They are magical and will elevate a kid’s cupcake (or a wedding shower dessert) to another level. HL A candied pansy makes a luscious lemon bar even more enticing; flowers shown are nasturtium mingled amongst borage and rosemary.

32444 Gravenstein Hwy North Sebastopol, CA 95 95472 707.823.9125 www.harmonyfarm.com

Organic Vegetable Starts Organic Bare Root Fruit & Nut Trees Organic Seeds: Cover Crop & Vegetable Irrigation: Supplies & Design Organic Fertilizers Organic Pest Control Natives & Drought Tolerants Cultivation Supplies Rainwater Harvesting Greywater Systems Pottery & Statuary Tools Books Gifts HOMES + LIFESTYLES SPRING 2015

27

SONOMA COUNTY’S BEST COVERED STORAGE

Healdsburg Printing, Inc. Not just newspapers...

Sunday, May 31st, 2015

CAR SHOW SPECIAL!

25% OFF

STANDARD STORAGE RATES

JUNE, JULY, AUGUST

13100 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg 433-8900 • www.boatrvstoragehealdsburg.com Office: Mon-Sat 9am-6pm • Gate: Daily 6am-10pm

• b/w or full color flyers • programs & newsletters • brochures & calendars • post cards & product cards • spiral bound books 707 433-1680 jobs@healdsburgprinting.com 30 D Mill Street, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Honest, Reliable, Licensed Contractors

Are you a Homeowner looking for a reliable Licensed Contractor?

Look no further than our

2015 NCBE Spring/Summer Home Improvement Guide

Plus, it’s FREE! The Guide includes a variety of licensed contractors and professionals in your area.

Call us at (707) 542-9502 for a copy or visit www.ncbeonline.com

Sold the “Wright Way”

Scherrie Ryan ’ COMPLETE TREE CARE DIAGNOSIS • TREATMENT PRUNING • REMOVAL FREE ESTIMATES Timo Alli • 707-433-1327 CLS #792251 – TCIA #67028 www.myfatherstouch.com

®

REALTOR BRE 00878950

(707) 328-0273

scherrieryan@aol.com

8979 Conde Lane,Windsor, CA 95492

Are you a Licensed Contractor looking to join the North Bay’s largest building association?

Our members have access to: • Projects out to bid – online and on site • Health insurance group program • Workers’ Comp insurance • Industry training & seminars • Legislative advocacy • Marketing & promotional opportunities • Discounts on forms & publications • Industry news and networking Join the NCBE Team – call us today!

Trusted for over 60 years

“Healdsburg’s Local Hydro Store”

Competitive Prices Expert Knowledge Great Location Voted #1

707-433-4068 • ThriveHydro.com

Healdsburg • Westside Exit • 30 A Mill St.

28

HOMES + LIFESTYLES SPRING 2015

A Construction Association Serving Sonoma, Lake & Mendocino Counties

North Coast Builders Exchange 1030 Apollo Way, Santa Rosa, CA 95407 (707) 542-9502 Fax: 542-2027 www.ncbeonline.com Good things happen when you join.

B

Building the Good Life Since 1991 W FRONT PORCH & ADDITION • HEALDSBURG

www.harkeyconstruction.com 707.836.1315

Lic.#790931

Pinnacle CapitalAPPROVAL mortgage corporation

Client: Harkey Construction Run date: 4-30-15 Ad title/slug: half page Returned approval due by: 3-30-15 Scheduled to run in: Homes & lifestyles Spr 2015

RATES ARE Please check this proof carefully for errors and omissions. Your signature below constitutes acceptance of full responsibility for all errors, omissions and legal and ethical compliance in this document. Sonoma West Publishers will not accept liability for errors overlooked at this stage of proofing. Any changes from your previously approved copy will be charged extra according to both time and materials. Advertiser agrees to pay appropriate rates and production costs as specified in the current rate card. All conditions of the latest rate card apply.

STILL LOW! OK AS IS

Your signature and date

OK withHOME corrections - no further proof needed CONTACT YOUR LOCAL LOAN EXPERTS Your signature and date

2ND PROOF REQUIRED - I authorize a $10 charge

Chris Landwehr MLO-251658

707.953.8200 clandwehr@pcmloan.com

Crystal Larkins

Your signature and date

Designed by: JIM on 3-26-15

MLO-1020383

707.334.2867 clarkins@pcmloan.com

©2014 A division of Pinnacle Capital Mortgage Corp. | Equal Housing Lender | NMLS 81395 | WA CL-81395 | AZ BK-910890 Licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act. Regulated by the division of Real Estate Colorado.

HOMES + LIFESTYLES SPRING 2015

29

Let Us Create Your Backyard Oasis

W hy leave Sonoma County?

quality landscape design, construction & maintenance

license # 669113

P.O. BOx 326, HealdsBurg, Ca, 95448 • 707-857-2050 • 707-433-7368 • www.gardenwOrks-inC.COm