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All posts for the month June, 2015

The Hotel Del Coronado

Posted by James on June 28, 2015
Posted in: New Home. Tagged: , , , . 9 Comments

How could I be in San Diego and not see the Hotel Del Coronado?

I may have missed it on my last couple of visits, but I was determined not too on this trip…

We had about 2 hours before we needed to leave for the airport, so I took a quick cab ride from downtown to the island of Coronado. Just to see the famous hotel.

At the time it was constructed in 1888, the Hotel Del Coronado was the largest resort hotel in the world. Today it is the second largest wood structure in the United States. Barely escaping the wrecking ball on several occasions, in 1970 she was declared a California Historical Landmark.

Of course I had this vintage linen postcard in the hoard……

Hotel Del Coronado Vintage Postcard

She’s changed a little since this 1930’s postcard was made, but I still tried my best to recreate the shot…..

The Front of the Hotel Del Coronado

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Hotel Del Coronado Bungalo Collage

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If you aren’t familiar with the Hotel Del Coronado, it’s the primary setting for the Billy-Wilder-directed Marilyn Monroe movie, Some Like it Hot.

Marilyn at the Hotel Del Coronado

Sure Marilyn was a nightmare to work with; she resented playing yet another dumb blond – wouldn’t show up on set for days – and had trouble remembering her lines. Especially the line, “Where’s that bottle”……which took her 65 tries, and I’m still not sure she got it right because her back is to the camera. Tony Curtis compared kissing her to kissing his mother, and the producers intentionally forgot to invite their biggest star to the cast part. But none of that matters.

Some Like it Hot is charming for days and sparkles like no other Marilyn Monroe movie.

In fact, if you haven’t seen it….I don’t think we could be friends.

The Del Coronado lobby, with the original elevator and coffered ceiling, still retains all the majesty it did over 100 years ago.

Lobby of the Hotel Del Coronado

Hotel Del Coronado Lobby Collage

I really had no intention of dragging a piece of the hotel home with me….

……until I saw this in the gift shop.

Blown Glass Ornament of the Hotel Del Coronado

A blown glass Christmas ornament of the hotel. Can you believe it?

How could I possibly be expected to resist that?

I stifled the sequel, paid the nice lady at the counter, and carefully toted back a fragile little reminder of my short visit to the Island of Coronado…..

and this magnificent hotel.

Oven Roasted Papaya

Posted by James on June 24, 2015
Posted in: New Home, Recipes. Tagged: , , , . 1 Comment

I first heard about roasted papaya a few years ago, when we were in Hawaii, but I never had a chance to try it.

Turns out….it’s freakin’ delicious.

Start with a ripe papaya. Firm, but not too soft.

Beautiful Ripe Papaya

Slice the guy in half and use a spoon to remove the bitter seeds.

Use a Spoon to Scoop Out the Papaya Seeds

Lay the slices on a baking sheet and drizzle with agave nectar.

Slide them into a 450 degree oven for about 20 – 25 minutes.

Top rack.

Sliced Papaya Ready to go Under the Broiler

The top gets slightly dried, and the orange flesh becomes soft. It’s ready.

While the papaya is still warm, slice a chunk off , squeeze a little lime juice on it and serve with a scoop of good vanilla ice cream.

Roasted Papaya from the Cavender Diary Boys

Summery, tropical…sweet

What’s not to love?

Perfect dessert after a luau….

Or, any ol’ summer meal I suppose.

A Few Days in San Diego

Posted by James on June 19, 2015
Posted in: New Home. Tagged: , , , , , , , . 6 Comments

Earlier this week, Jamie flew to San Diego for a work conference. The chance to get out of wet, humid Dallas for a few days, (and a free hotel room) sounded appealing…….so naturally, I tagged along.

Vintage San Diego Postcard

While Jamie spent his days in meetings and seminars (pretty sure those are the same things) I occupied myself walking around the beautiful city. Thought I’d share my walk with y’all. I took about 6,000 pictures, but I’ll limit it to about half of those…… I started at Balboa Park and it’s amazing Spanish Colonial Revival architecture.

The Facade of the Casa del Prado in Balboa Park in San Diego

Blooming Crepe Myrtles in Balboa Park

The El Cid sculpture.

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Balboa Park Collage

The Nikigator mosaic dragon sculpture outside the Mingei International Museum

Constructed for the Panama-California Exposition in 1915, the Botanical Building was, at the time, the largest wood lath structure in the world.

It’s still pretty impressive.

The Reflecting pool in Front of the Botanical Building

Flowers in the Botanical Building at Balboa Park Collage

Botanical Building at Balboa Park Collage

Kids Leaning Over the Railings

Water Lillies in the Reflecting Pond

I took more pictures of plants and cacti than animals at the San Diego Zoo. Go figure.

This place is wicked-huge…and for some reason, mostly uphill.

Map of the San Diego Zoo

San Diego Zoo Collage

Nesting Flamingos at the San Diego Zoo

San Diego Zoo Collage 2

San Diego Zoo Collage 3

Old Town San Diego is about a 10 minute trolley ride on the green line from where we were by the Convention Center downtown.

(BTW the “Green Trolley” is actually a RED TRAIN)

Old Town San Diego was once simply called San Diego, until folks started to move to the “New Town” San Diego because it was closer to the water and shipping.

The Entrance to Old Town San Diego

RUST in Old Town San Diego

Old Town San Diego Collage

The Entrance To Casa de Rayes Mexican Restaurant

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The Blacksmith Shop in Old Town San Diego

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Front of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Old Town San Diego

When it was commissioned a week after the end of WWII, the USS Midway was the largest ship in the world. Too big even to pass through the Panama Canal.

She was at sea for 47 years before retiring from service and instated as a floating Naval museum in the port of San Diego in 2004.

The USS Midway Floating Naval Museum in San Diego

USS Midway Museum Collage

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USS Midway Museum Collage 2

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A couple years ago, my brother Ben, who happened to serve on an aircraft carrier, had the opportunity to intern at the USS Midway Museum restoring an old F4F Wildcat.

This small fighter plane was fished out of Lake Michigan where it had been resting for over 60 years. (I pulled these pics off of Ben’s Facebook page)

The F4F Wildcat Ben was working on

Painting the F4F Wildcat Collage

Ben in the Cockpit of the F4F Wildcat

What a thrill to see his plane hanging in the cargo bay of the Midway…..

The F4F Wildcat that Ben Helped to Restore

Definitely the best part of the museum for me. By a landslide.

I was telling all the strangers around me that my brother worked on restoring that plane.

They were impressed too.

I squeezed in as much sight-seeing as I possibly could, way more walking than I had planned for. I was honestly planning on just laying by the pool and reading.

Wish I’d had a little more time to explore the city.

Maybe next trip.

Artist Profile – Gray Malin

Posted by James on June 13, 2015
Posted in: Did Ya Know?, New Home. Tagged: , , , , . 3 Comments

Never thought that we’d complain about Dallas Texas being wet and humid….but Oy Vey what a year we’re having here. Floods, torrential rains and 100 percent humidity.

Headed to somewhere sunny, dry and warm in the morning, possibly with a beach or two. Hope it’s the kind of place where we would run into this guy…..

Very few photographers capture the essence of summer better than Gray Malin.

The Photographer Gray Mailn with Surfboard

His aerial shots of beach-goes have earned him a cult-like following. It’s one thing to have your photographs in magazines like Elle, Details, House Beautiful and Domino…..but it’s quite another to have work gracing the walls of regular people. Photographing these sun worshipers takes him around the world; Spain, Australia, Greece, Brazil, Aruba, Mexico and even humble Lake Michigan. It’s no wonder his images have shown up on swimsuits, surfboards, and even Sperry topsiders.

After a year as a production assistant at Paramount Vantage, Gray realized that photography, and not film, was his true calling.

When asked about his sky-high viewpoint he responded, “The spectacle and perspective perfectly captured the color and vibrancy, the elements of play and relaxation, and the beauty of water.”

Let’s see if he’s right…..

Bondi Beach by Gray Malin

Nude Beach San Francisco by Gray Malin

Mondello, Palermo Sailboats by Gray Malin

Yellow Life Preservers by Gray Malin

Graceful Glam by Gray Malin

St. Tropez Blue Umbrellas Vertical by Gray Malin

Gray Malin Ice Cream

Lske Michigan Sail Boats by Gray Malin

Baker Beach by Gray Malin

Monterosso Cinque Terra by Gray Malin

Bondi Surf Lifegaurds by Gray Malin

Capri by Gray Malin

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Il Principe Ranocchio by Gray Malin

Bara Beach by Gray Malin

Want your own Gray Malin photo? I’m sure that you do.

Check out his site here at GrayMailin.com

……and may all your vacations look like a Gray Malin photo.

Cilantro & Jalapeno Limeade

Posted by James on June 10, 2015
Posted in: New Home, Recipes. Tagged: , , , . 7 Comments

Cilantro Jalapeno Lime-Aid from the Cavender Diary Boys

Have y’all heard of PIRCH?

The home fixture showroom. It’s absolutely amazing. All the high end appliances that we could never afford are represented there. Miele, Viking, Wolf.

Need a $3500 toilet? They have them. And I know what you’re thinking, “For $3500 that thing better wipe my……..” And the answer is, yes. Yes it does wipe your…..

Wiping aside,

They have a sweet little cappuccino bar, with complimentary drinks while you shop. Told ya this place was ritzy. I stop in occasionally for inspiration on that bathroom remodel (If I haven’t mentioned it, we’re currently remodeling our master bathroom)….and also to enjoy a refreshing, and free, beverage. Like the infused limeade.

When we were given this Biscotti jar with a spout for Christmas…….I knew immediately what was going in it.

2 Gallon Beverage Jar with Spout

Cilantro and jalapeno infused limeade,

To be honest here. I really thought about making limeade from scratch. You know, with a jalapeno-flavored simple syrup and hand juicing about 80 limes…..(insert huge eye roll) So glad that impulse passed.

I bought 4 of these instead…

Simply Limeade from the Grocery Store

…and I don’t regret a minute of it either.

If you don’t have a Mexican grocery store in your neighborhood, you are seriously missing out on some great produce. Cheap.

Look at all those jalapenos. Our usual grocery store normally has about 10 to choose from. Total.

Mexican Grocery Store Produce Collage

I got a dozen jalapenos, 10 limes and a bundle of cilantro for under 2 bucks.

Can’t beat that.

I sliced the jalapenos into quarters and removed the seeds and bitter white pith. Then tossed them into the jar of limeade with a handful of washed cilantro. Oh yeah, and a few sliced limes too…..just for looks.

Use a Sharp Knife to Remove the Pith and Seeds

I let the mix seep for a while……maybe and hour, then added about half a bag of Sonic ice to cool it down.

It’s that simple…..

Drink Station with Cilantro Jalapeno Limeade

I garnished the glasses with a lime wedge and a sprig of cilantro.

Cilantro Jalapeno Limeade Collage

Cilantro Jalapeno Lime-Aid from the Cavender Diary

The jalapeno adds just a slight flavor, without any real heat. And the cilantro, a certain “crispness”.

Refreshing, Easy and Delicious.

Try making it sometime.

Or stop in Pirch and drink it for free…….your choice.

Water Proofing Pink Stuff

Posted by James on June 7, 2015
Posted in: New Home. Tagged: , , , . 5 Comments

I know everyone is anxious to see how our master bathroom is chugg-chuggin’ along…..

After cladding all the “wet” walls with Hardi-Board, Jamie set about covering all the seams with mesh joint tape.

It’s slightly adhesive and covers the seems pretty easily.

Jamie Used Black Mesh Tape to Tape the Seam of the Concrete Board

If that’s not a “Hurry-the-F-up-and-Take-the-Picture” Face, then I don’t know what is.

Here’s a little trick.

To cut the edge, Jamie uses the spatula as a straight-edge and just tears the tape along the edge of the blade.

Pretty clever.

Jamie Uses the BAck of a Putty Knife to Cut the Mesh Tape

Then, he spread a layer of  thinset mortar over all the seams and the currently flush screws.

(Sorry, no pictures of the process. Jamie got excited and did the job while I was out of town)

But I can share the beautiful results.

The Cement Board with the Seams Covered

Now, this part is purely optional, but we wanted all the moisture proofing we could get in there, so Jamie painted all the seams with a moisture barrier.

Red Guard – Waterproofing and Crack Prevention Membrane

Red Guard Waterproofer

This stuff ain’t cheap. (Nothing on this remodel has been, BTW)

50 bucks a gallon.

It starts out soooo…………….pink.

Apply the Pink Water Proofer with a Cheap Ass Brush

Jamie Painting on the Pink Water-Proofer

And it dries down to a painfully harsh red…….Which I hate so incredibly much.

I just keep hearing Todd Flanders saying, “RED ROOM, RED ROOM” to his index finger.

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Good thing there’s tile to go over it all,

…and not red tile.

Wouldn’t y’all just love to know what color we picked?

We’d love to show you.

Stay tuned….our tile selection is coming up.

Revisiting Mike Wolfe’s Home

Posted by James on June 2, 2015
Posted in: Did Ya Know?, New Home. Tagged: . 6 Comments

It’s no secret that I have a man-crush on Mike Wolfe.

I dig his style, his clothes, and especially how pumped he gets about nostalgia.

Have you ever seen him find a rusty steam whistle covered in cow dung on an old barn floor? The guy almost pees his pants explaining the history of that piece of crap. The whistle, I mean…..not the literal “crap”.

Last time that I posted a Mike Wolfe  home tour…there was very little home to see…..

Luckily, Country Living Magazine gave a us a bit more of a peak into this guy’s private life.

Mike Wolfe and Family in Front of their Nashville Home

The Breakfast Nook in Maike Wolfe's Home

Vintage Lockers Filled with Old Moto Jackets in Mike Wolfe's Home

Mike Wolfe May Country Living Collage

The Phone Room In Mike Wolfe's Home

More Precious Collectables in Mike Wolfe's Home

The Dining Room in Mike Wolfe's Home

We just watched the episode of Pickers where Mike and his life-partner Frank, find that eagle weather-vane currently in his dining room. Mike had to use an axe to chop the base of it out of a tree that had grown around the darn thing over the past 80 years.

A man, an axe, and a goal……

If that’s not just good quality television, then I don’t know what is.

Cement Board Up the Walls

Posted by James on June 1, 2015
Posted in: New Home. Tagged: , . 3 Comments

About time we added some walls to this room.

Because we’re gluttons for punishment, we thought we’d tile the entire feature wall of the master bathroom. (I’m sure that idea will bite us on our asses eventually)

Feature wall? Accent wall? Well, umm the biggest wall in the room. Both the shower and sink are on it – and it’s the first thing you see – we thought it’d be a cool idea to cover it in color. It’s a small room and taking the tile floor to ceiling will certainly make the room feel taller.

Kinda like this….

Master Bathroom Slate Floor Inspiration

We’ll come back to this picture a few more times.

When the Cavender house was built in 1972, cement board wasn’t the standard for “wet” areas. Now, for black-mold-prevention….it is.

There are 2 types of cement board to choose from; Durock and Hardi Board. Both in 1/4″ and 1/2″ depths.

Hardi Board is only about $1 more than the Durock. With the advice of my contractor brother – we decided to just spend the extra dollar and get the better quality board.

Durock Vs Hardi Board

We used 1/2″ thickness on the floor, and we’re doing  1/4″ for the walls.

They come in 3′ X 5′ sheets, so no need to rent a truck for these…….they fit in the back of both our cars. Good thing too, we went back for “just 1 more piece” 4 times….

To cut our cement board, we need a cement cutting blade for our circular saw.

Like one of these…..

Blades for Cutting Cement Board

I wasn’t afraid of this project one bit…….so I jumped right in and had the shower walls installed in no time.

What I Thought Was a Beautifully Cement-Boarded Shower

Perfect job…….or so I thought.

I wasn’t counter-sinking my screws nearly as well as I was supposed to.

HHHHHmmmmmppphhh

I was Unaware That the Screws Needed to be Counter-sunk

The screws need to be flush so the beautiful tile we selected will lay flat on top of it.

Makes sense. Didn’t have this problem with the floor install.

So Jamie had to go behind me and re-drill all my screw holes with a counter-sinking bit……like this one.

The Counter_Sink Tip is Shaped in a Point

He unscrewed every single screw, drilled a bigger pilot hole and then re-screwed the screws.

Jamie Uses an Electric Drill to Pre-Drill Holes for the Screws

Several hours later we had this loveliness……

The Cement Board is up on the Cavender Master Bathroom Walls Collage

All the screws are flush……

Finally, it’s starting to look like a bathroom again.

“But what’s that little fireplace-looking-bump-out-thing on the left?” you’re probably asking……

We’ll get to explaining that in a bit…