On this post, a beer garden and a nursery and home shop to visit. A summer dinner idea, decorating with orchids, and more…
Welcome to the weekend post. Elizabeth, Juliet, and I have lots to share with you!
How has your week been? My kitty boys Rico and Alfie are busy and also starting to nap more. Rico is like a dog in cat form. He follows me around and is into everything! I’ve never had an orange cat before. I don’t know if they are all like that, but he is a hoot. Alfie adores Max and is his buddy and works next to him on his desk.
The cats have decided the open shelving in our bath is now their new cat tree. It’s pretty cute so I’ve just left two towels on the lower level for them. They enjoy watching bird activity in the garden from up there!
Monday we saw the Odyssey. I’ve never ever been a Greek mythology fan, (I regret the Cliff Notes now), but I did like Matt Damon and all the great actors in this. I told Max I want to see ToyStory next and made him take a pic at the theater. He looks like a toy here. I hear it’s pretty good. Wish I could see it with my boys! I’ve been missing them this summer.
I’m getting ready for the wallpaper people. It’s a lovely couple that does the showrooms for Serena & Lily and they live pretty far away. They came by to survey the space. Just a bit younger than my parents, they are the sweetest. I want to adopt them! This weekend Max and I will take down all the wall hangings. I’m hoping I like it and hope I don’t want to change up the whole house afterwards. That’s usually what happens when I get something new. You know mission creep, as Max says.
A great protein bowl for summer dinners
Max made Peanut Chickpea Protein Bowls on Thursday night and it may be my most favorite dish he’s made yet. Originally it came from Delish, but now it won’t show the recipe, so it can also be found here. He added chicken breast cooked on the Traeger, and we subbed frozen wild rice instead of stove cooked. It’s been hard avoiding greens with the recall, but this had cabbage, carrots and cucumbers plus grains and protein. I liked the mix of crunchy peanuts and the toasted chickpeas. Lots of texture and flavors.
A day up the Peninsula – Alpine Beer Garden and Ladera Gardens
Alpine Inn
Wednesday we headed up the Peninsula for lunch and a bit of garden shopping. Max wanted us to check out Alpine Inn, a historic tavern and open-air beer garden in Portola Valley. Built in 1851, it is second oldest continually operating saloon in California. It was a popular stop for travelers, woodcutters, and those building early Stanford University. The beer garden is charming, very casual, dog-friendly, and popular with families, bikers, and Stanford peeps.
It is also the site where supposedly the Internet began…or so the plaque claims. In a bit of tech lore, the inn was the site of a 1976 internet transmission experiment by Stanford researchers in the beer garden!
The Inn had a recent revamp a few years ago and looks so nice. You sit at shaded picnic tables along a creek. There is also a bar, and another spot in front for evening drinks and cocktails sold out of a cute trailer.
Max had a pulled pork sandwich and I had a parmesan chicken one. Fries were very good! Cannot report on anything else, but the food quality was excellent and menu is extensive. If it were a warmer day and a weekend I would have indulged in a shandy- my favorite pub drink of a half lemonade half beer. This place was quite busy even on a weekday.
Ladera Garden and Gifts
Just up a bit from the inn off Alpine Road is one of the best nurseries and gift shops in the Bay Area — Ladera Gardens and Gifts. We had to stop and take a gander. I love the huge range of plants for indoors and out, and I rarely go home without something. Ladera has a truly good assortment of pretty pots that I don’t see anywhere else.
Indoors at Ladera is a dream. They have the most gorgeous orchids of all shades. That day they had heirloom roses that smelled like peaches! I came home with a pale pink orchid and an ivy for outdoors. If you need a gift, the home section has jewelry, scarves, bags, candles and beautiful cards. I miss my pal Jeanne, who always met me here to do Christmas shopping – a must at the holidays. Jeanne moved to Pasadena!
I’m wearing a navy dress gifted from Frank & Eileen. It’s an update of their polo dress in a lightweight jersey with a longer sleeve and a bit shorter length. Love this easy dress! (This is a size S and I am 5’4).
Making an orchid look like a million bucks
Ladera has some fancy clients being in Portola Valley and now Belmont too. They sell their orchids naked (in the plastic pot), or in gorgeous ceramic containers meant for someone’s fancy home. I bought mine naked and they ranged from $16 to around $32. Once home, I put it in an $8 cachepot from Homegoods (pretty containers at great prices), and added some moss. I think it looks wonderful.
It is easy to create a big luxe version with grocery store orchids. Find a tureen at a thrift shop or better yet your own cupboard, add two orchids and arrange them with moss. Voila! You now have an arrangement that looks stunning and luxe and so easy to do.
How not to kill your orchid
I used to brag my superpower was that I could turn any orchid into a stick. It was the truth! Then last year my oldest Jackson gave me a teeny orchid that I placed in a pretty ceramic cup in my bath shelves under skylights. I was trying to keep it out of kitten range, but soon noticed my plant (this guy below left) was not only surviving, but thriving – and putting out more buds. Below right a former victim. :/
I have since learned orchids like light and moisture. Keep them in their plastic cups that have holes and maybe every two weeks fill the pot or vase they are in, and let them soak up some water for an hour. Empty the container, let it drain, and empty again a while later. This method seems to keep them happy. Make sure the light isn’t too direct.
If you can keep them in a bathroom, even better. If not, give them an occasional mist and watch them under drying heat or A/C vents. By the way, the common orchid, the Phalaenopsis Orchid, is not toxic to dogs or cats. Be careful not to confuse them with lilies that are poisonous.
David Netto’s Beach House
David is one of my favorite designers and this compact, but wonderful house is full of great ideas and inspiration. I meant to share this a while back and summer seems like the perfect time. You can also follow David here.
Other Good Things
I have one blouse I get loads of compliments on and it is the most flattering style. My original came from a French brand (no longer available), but was thrilled to see the same style at Madewell so I bought this and also the sleeveless version.
I’m also obsessed with this button-up with a bit of an Hermés vibe from Sezane. So cute for summer!
The Nordy sale is still going and I just updated my page for it as many things got sold out. You can see my whole ShopMy boutique here.
I have been wearing Sunny Days Tint with spf 30 from Tower in Melrose color as my base this summer and I love the coverage. I may never go back to regular foundation! Their SPF 30 for face and this lipliner are both so good. Tower products are vegan, reef safe, and made for sensitive, reactive and rosacea skins like myself – and made in L.A.!
Mary Ann’s daughter Alexandra guest posted this week on her mom’s blog with great ideas and chic bathing suits for her and her mom. I loved the accessories and matching pareo looks too.
If you missed last week, I shared a summer day in Half Moon Bay, the Esprit Costco sweatshirt craze, some things I’ve been wearing and more.
Happy weekend!
Kim
Please stop by Juliet and Elizabeth’s blogs for more good things.
Pinecones and Acorns
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Frank and Eileen sent you some great items- that dress is so versatile and cute! I love peanut things. You can’t beat a good beer garden. I hate when a good friend moves away. I have been thinking of switching to a tinted moisturizer when my mineral powder runs out and that one looks good, so I bookmarked it. That is good to know about orchids- our local supermarket often has them for next to nothing and I always think I might grab one then I remember their reputation for being “fussy” and skip it- haha, but now I might try. Also- I did laugh at you saying you were regretting Cliff Notes. I think we can all own up to that for various pieces of literature… mine might be Moby Dick. Okay and lastly I have been curious about the Toy Story movie too- for too long- so much que sera, sera about screens especially for kids and now folks are truly realizing you know maybe we really do need guardrails and I am like okay, good because I was sick of feeling like some deranged, holier than thou hippie about the whole thing! When I worked with kids is when screens really started to creep in and in time I could see the negative impact. Now with a preteen at home and in hearing from friends with similar age or older kids I hear how extensive screen time and social media or social media adjacent things negatively impact them and it isn’t all just a matter of handling it better you know emotionally and mentally- that helps, but limiting your time engaging with the world in that way in general. I will be curious where we go with it all. In America… well, we have a different approach to lofe overall, so I will be curious to see which voices get heard. Anyway- have a good weekend!
Just FYI, I could kill any orchid as well. I read they like an Eastern window. And it WORKED. I put my orchids near the Eastern windows in my home and they definitely like it!!
Gray funny I have mine in a southern exposure…Makes sense though. Western facing seems to be much too strong. Thank you for the tip! x
As a proud UCLA alumni, we are very proud of our accomplishments. I hate to break the lore of Silicon Valley, but the internet actually started in the United States in the late 1960s through ARPANET, UCLA, and the U.S. Department of Defense. Sorry, I could resist…
As a proud UCSB alumnus, there were also nodes at UCSB, University of Utah and indeed SRI in Menlo Park, as the plaque states. The code was written at Arpa/Darpa in Rosslyn, Virginia, continuing into the 70’s and 80’s, primarily by Vin Cerf and Bob Kahn. Respectfully, having a node there, didn’t make Arpanet a UCLA thing.
Hi Jane! Neat that U of U was also involved. (Our son is an alumni.)
Thank you for sharing. Sounds like a lot of people and places were involved.. and this plaque was not totally telling the truth!
Janet it is fascinating all this history. Thanks for that feedback. I am looking more into this when I have time.
Kim! I’m smiling over the boys sprawled out on your open shelves … cats love to seek out unique places to call their own. The Alpine Inn looks charming and like a cool, fun locals-in-the-know spot with a ton of history. Same for Ladera. I’m adding both to my ever growing list of places to explore around the Bay. I too have had a dreadful time with orchids 🤦🏼♀️ but I’m willing to give it another go … following your tips. Happy Weekend! xo
Juliet they are such goofballs! We might need to meet at Ladera one day. You would like it.
I hope my orchid tips help. x
So many great memories at Alpine Inn, haven’t been in a few years so adding to the outings list! Especially great in summer and fall, with football games, etc.
I have been doing the orchids/flower arrangements in tureens as hostess gifts for years! I make a regular visit to our local Thrift Box and Goodwills and *always* find soup tureens there! I found an Apilco porcelain one for $5 (retail $200!), kept that one for myself 😹
Have a great weekend 🫶
Valetta I bet it is fun during football season! I have to get there sometime this fall.
Wow what a fantastic idea to use the tureen and orchid as a gift. Lovely!
What a good score finding Apilco. Isn’t that stuff supposed to last forever? I have a few bowls and they are indestructible.
Love a great find like that! Hope you are having a good week. x
Kim. I might try an orchid again based on your care plan! I have almost given up on live plants and flowers inside. The salad looks delicious. It is too hot to cook here in SoCal. I am using my Breville mini oven versus the stove at present. ..have purchased small pans and other things to fit and make things work versus heating p the whole kitchen.
Hi Donnie! Gosh I hope it helps with the orchids. Good idea using a mini oven during the summer hot days.
I think I may need one. My range heats up the whole house! Not great.
My stomping grounds! We belong to the club right across the street so I know that stretch well. Can always count on the lovely, helpful folks at Ladera Garden to help with plant or gift selection. (You can bring your own container in and they’ll fill it for you. I’ve seen them produce gorgeous centerpieces with succulents and orchids.) We all seem to have a love/hate relationship with orchids. After I was victorious in getting my orchids to re-bloom after a few years, I considered that a win and then happily re-homed them on my Buy Nothing group while they were still thriving. Win-win!
Tamara, I saw that cute club. What a beautiful area to live in. So much nature.
I love that you can bring your own container. Brilliant idea.
Wow you sounds like you won the orchid battle. How kind to share them!
Hi Kim,
Rico and Alfie are the cutest. Every spot up high or hiding place belongs to them. Glad you create their comfort.
Toy Story should be fun to watch. Max is their side kick.
I get how you must be missing your guys, it’s super hard.
Great meal Max, the chickpea protein bowl looks yummy. My type of food.
I love live Orchids they are tricky we know, need the perfect light. We can’t offer that to them so we have the fake ones that are pretty, but not the same as the real thing.
Have a great week to come.
Hi Katherine! Aw they are little sneaks and find the funniest spots.
I love chickpeas too.
You are so right they do want a certain light that is for sure.
I do think the faux orchids are pretty darn amazing and it can be hard to tell the difference! xo
Your kitties are the best it makes me really miss not having a cat!! at one time after a batch of kittens, we had four cats… but sadly we’re down to zero now. I have printed off the salad recipe. It looks amazing. I’m gonna try it in the next couple of days as it’s been so hot down here in San Diego. We’ve also had it very humid. I have bookmarked the homework where the episode to watch one of my favorite shows.!!
When we were first married, we had a little summer cottage that we rented year-round right by that nursery in Portola Valley it was the perfect place to live when you were newlyweds. It had a dirt road to get there.!! we rented it from the owner who had a bigger home up the road I miss that little area. I have a piece of art that I bought probably 45 years ago from a little store near there a—-at the time Bob almost killed me for spending about $100 on a piece of art. I had to put it on layaway and pay $10 a week.!!! I still haven’t answered one of my favorite pieces!
Take care, Martha
I tell you I do talk to text and I never look at what I write. I think I was saying that’s still one of my favorite pieces.!
I totally knew what you meant! I do the same too. xo
Aw Martha I know. They are fun to have around. They really make it more like home. It is nice that you get to travel a lot now and not worry. I think that is the hardest part- leaving them.
I hope you like the salad recipe. Hey so cool you lived in Portola Valley as newlyweds! What a neat spot that had to have been. You had an eye for things even back then. Love that!
xoxo
Hi, Kim –
But did you love the Odyssey?! It has been decades since I read it in high school. I came across a primer in the NYT that explained a bit of who was who, which was very helpful. It didn’t have that introductory “star wars scroll”, as the NYT called it. Just plops you down in the action. Last Monday, I went with my son for his 37th birthday. (Yikes. I thought I was 37 just the other day!!) He is a big Christopher Nolan fan. The theater we attended had no trailers or ads either, given the length of the film. I don’t want to drop any spoilers, but we loved it.
Your orchid looks lovely in that bargain pot. I did have one gifted orchid rebloom, but then it lingered too long afterwards without further action. I will try your tips! I think Trader Joe’s has good ones.
Hi Julia!
I thought it was okay. To be honest I am not one for battles and all that. It seemed a bit repetitive! I know the story is so epic, very man centered. I was entertained though! Adore Matt Damon.How fun you went with your son!
Very true about Trader Joe’s. Great spot for an orchid! x
Those orchids are amazing!! I keep going to our farmers market but the vendor hasn’t been there…and I think a lot of them are grown in Florida. Thanks for the mention of Alexandra’s post…which I was not that enthusiastic about being featured along with a 30-something year old. Thank God for the pareos 🙂
You have the chicest cat tree I have ever seen!!! So cute.
Mary Ann, I bet Florida has some great orchids. I loved that post and you looked fab. Hope Paris is fun. xo
OMG. Zotts! I guess it now only the Alpine Inn but it used to be Rosotti’s back in the day – and even 2 years ago I think it was still funky Zotts! Many high school reunions there. Fun place!
Thanks for sharing
Hi Dianne!
Yes I guess a lot of folks know it as Zotts! They sure have done a great job at keeping it looking nice.
I can see a reunion there. Great place for it! x
Hi Kim — Your blog is always a fun read. Silly kitties lounging on your shelves, ha! The bowl sounds delicious — I will have to give that one a try. I love chickpeas! I might have to get that blouse — so pretty, and it is my colors. Thanks for the Homeworthy recommendation. Have a great week!
Hi Molly! I love chickpeas too.
Love the blouse and it looks so good on… Something about that cut and the soft ruffles.
Hope you have a great week too. x
You guys always do such fun things! How do you manage cat hair? We have five cats and staying up on cat hair and tracked litter will be the death of me! We use a thing I bought at the pet store called a ChomChom that works pretty well; it is but one tool in the arsenal. Love your orchids! I have a tiny orchid that I put in an espresso cup (topped off with moss) from a pastel de nata shop, Manteigaria, in Lisbon when we visited earlier this year. It’s a little diner-like but really cute. Hope you’re enjoying the weekend!
Hi Kim! Ugh the cat hair… Don’t get me started, It’s a battle. I am always brushing and vacuuming. I have an air purifier too.
Oh thanks I will look that up. I need anything that helps!!
What a sweet souvenir idea- and the tiny orchid in it! Love that.
Hope you had a good week too.x
Good afternoon Kim,
I love seeing your cats, they are so cute. I love their antics and their new tree in the bath. How fun that one favors you and one Max.
The blue Frank & Eileen dress looks beautiful on you! What did you get from the Nordy sale? Anything great?
Orchids or any green living plant inside the house is not my friend. I have no luck. For some reason I over water everything and it drowns.
I hope that you are enjoying your summer adventures with Max.
Can’t wait to make this peanut dish.
Have a great week Kim. xo
Hi Elizabeth! Yes it is sort of funny how they each gravitated towards one of us!
I didn’t get much from the sale. By time I write this the earrings I recommended and wanted were sold out! I need to learn to buy things sooner if I share them. Did you buy something?
It is so hard not to overwater orchids isn’t it?
Hope you are enjoying summer too.xx
Alpine Beer Garden has long been an institution in my childhood neck of the woods. Their claim about the internet is interesting—I temped for Xerox PARC long ago in 1984 and my boss was a female computer scientist who had me doing early IT work looking after a small group of engineers and their email network (running 5” floppy disks to sort out their issues!). My degree was in psych ;-} Will give the chicken peanut grain bowl a try (or see if my recently retired husband might). Love your kitties. Phaelenopsis orchids are my favorite flowering houseplant. Trader Joe’s usually has a good selection, particularly when they are recently delivered. I have donated many to our local orchid society (when I have accumulated too many to look after properly!).
Hi Joan! What a fun place to have in your neighborhood.
Wow you were there in the early days too. I love those stories… Xerox! Oh the floppy disks. It was a time.
I also worked as a temp at some early internet companies in SV in the late 80’s early 90s. Was a fun time! Who knew it was all going to be such a big deal?
Hope you guys like the peanut bowl! How is retirement?
I have to get to TJs and check out the orchids. I forgot they have so many too. Thank you. x
Hi Kim,
I have a ginger boy cat and I can confirm 🙂 they are indeed extremely clingy! Fudge is 14/15 yrs old now and follows me from room to room like a shadow. He is my big handsome boy and I love him. Unfortunately he doesn’t get on too well with Mabel as he is also quite a jealous guy!
I love a shandy on a hot day and that spot looks amazing. Your advice on orchids is so well timed as I have just been given one as a present and terrified I will kill it as I have all the others in the past. I will definitely be following your care tips!
Hi Lesley! Aw your ginger guys sounds so cute. Fudge is sure a cute name. I love when they hang with you. Mabel may have upset his world a bit. Hope she’s doing well too.
A shandy on a hot day is perfect!
Oh golly I hope these orchid tips help. Enjoy it! xo