Fire, Laura, Remodeling

A quick catch-up on the weekend. The Station Fire continues its journey in the mountains. This is the second recent fire I have discussed which originally started in La Canada and has made its way all the way across the San Gabriel Valley to the barn where the Morris fire was threatening the barn where I keep my horses last week. I am so very ready for these fires to be done. Out. A memory. The road was closed to EVERYONE this weekend to the barn, so I couldn't even getup there! The fire has consumed 160,357 acres at this time. Containment is at 56%. It is the largest fire in the recorded history of Los Angeles County. Cause: Arson and is now a homicide investigation due to the two firefighters that lost their lives. We will be attending the memorial service this Saturday.

My friend Laura was in town this weekend. It is always so nice to spend time with her. We did some wine tasting at Red, White + Bluezz while listening to Eli Brueggmann and then finished off our evening with a Champagne flight at Pop.

The remainder of our weekend was spend sanding, stripping and painting our laundry room walls and trim. We got new windows to replace the drafty louvered windows, and a new door. We are about half-way through the project and it is looking much better already. We ripped up three layers of the ugliest linoleum you have ever seen and now have to figure out what kind of floor we want. Can't be tile or anything too heavy due to the large trap door in the floor that leads to the basement. We are leaning towards a wood floor to match the rest of the house. Still need to stain and varnish the windows and doors.

BEFOREDURING

Murphy has a new friend, his name is Baxter McLovin. He is my friend Michele's puppy and lives across the street. They have had several play dates and are so cute together!

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Tarantinos and POP

My last day of work was yesterday. I am a consultant so it is not necessarily as horrible as it sounds, although not the best situation in this economy. I work for a company that will hopefully find me another project. So depending on how soon I go back to work I will have lots more time to ride, make jewelry, and catch up on all those things on my "to do" list.


Last night we went out with friends to Tarantino's for dinner, the neighborhood hole-in-the-wall pizza parlor. It is a crowded little unassuming italian restaurant with great authentic food. The service is a bit slow, but always very friendly, and it is always crowded. It has red check plastic tablecloths, illuminated beer signs, brick walls and family photos round out the look of the place.


After we went to POP Champagne bar. It was our first time there, and I really enjoyed it. Very chic inside, antique chandeliers, velvet lined booths, and tables designed as showroom jewelry cases filled with the owner’s family heirlooms of jewelry, hair adornments, playbills and photographs. I got the Pretty in Pink Champagne Flight, which was excellent. The champagnes included Lucien Albrecht Cremant d'Alsace Rose, Bellefon Rose, Ca' Dei Mandorli Brut Rose. I hear people say, 'Champagne gives me a headache,' but I think that's just because they've had a run-in with a bottle of André or Cook's (bad champagne). During their happy hour, which runs from 5 to 7 pm daily, mimosas, bellinis, and draft beers are only $4 a glass and most appetizers are 20% off. And on those rare days in Southern California when it rains, POP extends its happy hour to an all day affair. And every single Wednesday they serve up glasses of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Champagne for only $10!

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