Mar Vista Mom

Mar Vista Mom Has a New Home!

But don't worry, I'm still in Mar Vista! Just at a new web address. 

Please follow me over to MarVistaMom.com.

Thank You!!

Sarah

House of the Week

It reminds me of the house I lived in as a 7-year-old in Connecticut.

Well, sort of. 40 years of memories vs. reality...

Mar Vista Farmer's Market Wrap-Up: Guest Poster Today

Hello Mar Vista Mom Readers,

Mar Vista Mom is visiting a Mission with her fourth grader this weekend so she asked me, Elise, of Elise's Ramblings, to guest blog. My subject, Chelsea Magdaleno, is an amazing photographer, so she wanted to take the pictures. Unfortunately that means she is not in them, but they are lovely.

Chelsea is making a Burrata cheese appetizer today.(This is not Chelsea. It's the cheese guy.)

(And this is the cheese.)

 

She will be dicing the tomatoes, basil and garlic, 

 

and putting them on a large platter then drizzling "good" olive oil over them, and sprinkling it all with Kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper. Then she puts the burrata cheese (this is a mozzarella-type cheese but with more cream) in the center.

She serves it with a sliced baguette, crackers, or just by itself.

I've actually been fortunate enough to have had her bring this to my house for a party. It is fabulous, but it doesn't last long so make sure you get some before it's gone, if you decide to make it.

Thanks for having me, it was fun!

Elise

 

Mar Vista Makeover Update: Venice & Grand View

 

Progress! The cool building on the corner of Venice and Grand View is getting a new tenant: Floyd's Barbershop. Super hip! I feel some big-time change coming to the neighborhood! More hipsters, ya think? For sure more people with nice hair!! 

 

Geez, when can they fit me in? Hurry up and build the place: I need a trim!

Save The Date: Sunday, April 26th from 2 - 6pm: Mar Vista Green Garden Tour

In celebration of Earth Day, Mar Vista Community Council's Green Committee is organizing the Mar Vista Green Garden Tour, a free, self-guided tour of sustainable, low-water usage gardening techniques in our community.

The tour is in real life on April 26th, and the homeowners and garden designers will be on hand to show off their handiwork and give their tips on how you can do it yourself, but if you want to see the gardens ahead of time and pick out the ones that most work for you -- or if you just want to have a look at all the Green gardens in Mar Vista, check out Mar Vista Green Garden Showcase, a virtual tour.

House of the Week

I love the wood mixed with the concrete look. I'm on a modern roll here, but I do like other styles of houses. You'll see!

Sunday Feature: Mar Vista Farmer's Market Wrap-Up

This week's special guest is Mar Vista Dad. Well, that's not his real name, but since he's my husband, he can be known that way. He's also a wonderful cook and he decided to make fresh tomato pasta sauce with these beautiful tomatoes

and this delicious lemon basil.

He chops garlic and sautes that in olive oil, then adds the coarsely chopped tomatoes and cooks just for a few minutes. Basil goes in last, just as you're serving the pasta. Yum!! Thanks for cooking, honey!

House of the Week

I just love the clean lines and the manicured landscaping. The wood is gorgeous, too. I usually like an older house, but this one is just so well done.

Sunday Feature: Mar Vista Farmer's Market Wrap-Up

Today was a blustery day in Mar Vista, cold, windy and rainy, and only the heartiest of shoppers were there first thing when the market opened. One such hearty soul was Agnes Anderson, from the Sivananda Yoga Vendanta Center, who was picking up the ingredients for some split pea soup. The perfect thing to have on a chilly day.

She first picked up some potatoes, then she got some carrots and celery.

She starts by sauteing the chopped vegetables in some ghee, with cumin and home-grown, dried oregano. Then, once they're soft and the spices are really coming to life, she adds water and the dried peas. Then just let it cook. Sounds pretty easy -- and, like I said, perfect for a day like today.

New Feature: Mar Vista House Of The Week

I just want to show off houses in Mar Vista that I love.

I love the landscaping especially, it just really goes with the house.