Sunset articles from August 2007

Sunset archives from August 2007

From the editor.(Editorial)
August 1, 2007... IN MY FAMILY, the story of how Uncle Charlie came to own his vacation cabin is legendary. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Every summer in the 1950s, he and Aunt Sue took their five children camping at Pinecrest Lake in California's Sierra...

Your guide to Sunset.
August 1, 2007... We publish five regional editions (your region is identified on the table of contents) to provide local garden and travel information. To receive a different edition, please contact customer service (see below). [GRAPHIC OMITTED] When...

Most refreshing summer swim.(August In the West)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... A day at the pool never looked so blue. Jutting out from Kitsilano (Kits) Beach as if it were floating, framed by boats and barges and the snowcapped North Shore Mountains beyond, the enormous saltwater Kitsilano Beach Pool in Vancouver, B.C.,...

Wish you were here: Spring Bay Inn.(August In the West)
August 1, 2007... A stay on Washington's Orcas Island without getting out on the water would be like a trip to Rome without eating a meal. That's why Spring Bay Inn owners Carl Burger and Sandy Playa--both retired park rangers who met on the job and...

See it now: Santa Cruz skate park.(August In the West)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Think of it as a 17-foot-wide tube of a perfect wave that never breaks. This monumental concrete swoop is the star of the new Ken Wormhoudt Skate Park, a visionary public arts project overseen by the city's Department of Parks and Recreation....

Surf concierge.(August In the West)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Kele Gaughen is the walking, talking, surfing embodiment of the adage "love what you do, do what you love." Working from a thatched poolside shack, the Big Island native serves as official surf concierge at the Four Seasons Resort Aviara near...

Retro Summer read.(August In the West)(Brief article)(Book review)
August 1, 2007... Soothing it's not: The restless energy and jazzy rhythms of Jack Kerouac's On the Road (Penguin Classics; $15) may seem like an odd pick for our favorite beach read. But 50 years after first publication, the novel that launched a million road...

Deluxe birdbath.(August In the West)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Splashing water gets a bird's attention better than still water alone. Guided by that principle, metal sculptor Tom Torrens designed this three-tiered copper birdbath and fountain (which also serves as an investment-worthy work of art) for his...

Pot tricks from an expert.(August In the West)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... There's a hint of the samba in the work of San Diego landscape designer Amelia B. Lima. A Brazilian native, Lima is known for unexpected plant combos, sultry colors, and contrasting textures, such as a tall dracaena fringed with a low...

Bouvardia longiflora 'Albatross'.(4 fragrant August bloomers)
August 1, 2007... Excellent in bouquets. Grow outdoors in containers and move to a protected spot in winter except in mild parts of Southern California. To play up its blossoms, plant in a dark green or chocolate brown glazed pot. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Gardenia.(4 fragrant August bloomers)
August 1, 2007... White, silky-petaled blossoms have an unforgettable fragrance. To scent a patio, plant a compact form such as 'Veitchii', 'Radicans', or 'White Gem' in a decorative container. In mild climates, plant several in a sunny bed to form a low hedge....

Plumeria.(4 fragrant August bloomers)
August 1, 2007... Look for varieties such as 'Hawaiian Yellow' at nurseries. Everywhere except Hawaii, plant singly in large, lightweight containers to display on a sunny patio (light afternoon shade in hottest inland areas); move indoors for winter. ...

Tuberose.(4 fragrant August bloomers)
August 1, 2007... Creamy white blossoms are strung into leis in Hawaii. Following a long season of heat, flower stems rise above grasslike foliage (nurseries sell blooming plants in gallon cans all summer); mass several in a large pot. [ILLUSTRATION...

Weekend project: tropical tabletop.(August In the West)
August 1, 2007... Bring vibrant Hawaiian florals to your landlocked backyard. Inspired by the outdoor tables at Buzz's Original Steak House in Kailua, Oahu, we created the hibiscus pattern shown here. For our enameled metal table, we used Liquitex Glossies...

Blue lagoon bath.(August In the West)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Cool sea- and sky-inspired hues make this remodeled bathroom as fresh and bracing as a dive into the ocean. Three-quarter-inch square mosaic tiles from Hakatai Enterprises (www.hakatai.com) cover the walls--in Sky Blue on the side walls and...

Designer we love.(August In the West)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Self-taught furniture builder Christina Cavara takes recycling to a new level with her Salvage Style furnishings line, fashioning one-of-a-kind rustic-chic pieces from what would otherwise end up in the landfill. "We're such a throw-away...

Clothesline-fresh.(August In the West)
August 1, 2007... To capture the breezy summer fragrance of fresh-washed laundry on a clothesline, Lucas Heldfond--owner of eco-friendly home store Spring in San Francisco--recommends Caldrea Linen Spray in the new Ginger Pomelo scent: "It makes your clothes...

Easy recipe: rose granita.(August In the West)(Recipe)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... The crisp and fruity flavors of rose shine through in this light, snowy frozen dessert, so use a wine that you'd enjoy drinking. In a small saucepan, bring 1 1/2 cups water and 1/2 cup sugar to a boil. Pour mixture into a 9- by 13-in....

In season: shell beans.(August In the West)(Recipe)(Brief article)
August 1, 2007... Because they're still fresh and in the pod, shell beans have a brighter flavor, more tender texture, and quicker cooking times than their dried counterparts. Look for cannellini beans, flageolets, or cranberry beans at farmers' markets. Store...

5 top western BBQ sauces.(August In the West)
August 1, 2007... ALBUQUERQUE Holy Chipotle! Honey Chipotle Barbecue Sauce Even with a bit of sweetness from honey and brown sugar, this sauce is sassy and tart, with hints of garlic. $5.95 for 12 oz.; www.applecanyon.com or 800/992-4659. FAIRFIELD, CA...

Santa Cruz Mountains: wild parks, winning wines, and shimmering views converge in the hills south of San Francisco.(Getaway)(City overview)
August 1, 2007... THE TWO OF US are sitting at what feels very near the top of the world, with a picnic before us and the vast expanse of Silicon Valley far, far below. Munching on salads and sandwiches, we see beyond the chaparral-covered hillside to a valley...

Top 10 lakeside resorts: celebrate summer at one of the West's best waterfront getaways, from B.C. to Las Vegas.(Around the West)
August 1, 2007... 1 NORTH CASCADES, WA ROSS LAKE RESORT The 15 cabins here are so close to the cerulean waters, they actually float. Guests who've sought out the spectacularly remote hideaway (after the three-hour drive from Seattle, it still takes a ferry,...

Lafayette: shop the East Bay town, then picnic by its reservoir.(Northern California day trip)
August 1, 2007... WITH A SCARCITY OF SIDEWALKS and a welcoming spirit, Lafayette is a little bit country. Walk around the quiet reservoir for a calming retreat, or bring the kids, the bikes, and the dog, and have a picnic. But Lafayette isn't all rustic charm:...

L.A.'s front porch: take a walk along Santa Monica's retro, ritzy Ocean Avenue, where city meets sand.(Weekend)(City overview)
August 1, 2007... LOUNGING ON THE VERANDA of the art deco landmark Georgian Hotel, I'm watching women with large sunglasses stroll down Santa Monica's palm-lined Ocean Avenue when I overhear a screenwriter eagerly pitching her idea for a movie. This spot, where...

A country meal done right: tucked in the far corner of northeast Washington is a restaurant worth the trip.(Discovery)
August 1, 2007... ON A SOFT SUMMER EVENING, my friend and I are relaxing on the white wooden porch of Lovitt Restaurant, overlooking Colville Valley--a patchwork of farms as far as we can see. We've driven 65 miles from Spokane to the remote reaches of northeast...

Play hard, eat well: In Pagosa Springs, Colorado, the scenery's always been stellar--now so is the food.(Small town)
August 1, 2007... IT'S HARD TO DECIDE which is better--my perfectly cooked, brick-size steak at JJ's Riverwalk Restaurant & Pub, or the sight and sound of rushing rapids and the backdrop of mountain peaks beyond. But here's the beauty: In Pagosa Springs, you...

What to do in Northern California: August.(Tips & trips)(State overview)
August 1, 2007... SAN FRANCISCO Visit the bears Take a walk on the wild side at the San Francisco Zoo's newest attraction, Hearst Grizzly Gulch, a spectacular 1-acre habitat designed for two grizzly-bear sisters who were orphaned as cubs in Montana. The...

Small-garden secrets: a tiny urban backyard finds creative uses for space and materials.(Design)
August 1, 2007... OPEN AREAS and intimate nooks: That was what landscape architect Tomi Kobara wanted from a makeover of her Oakland garden. Part of the challenge of the transformation was the backyard's tiny size--barely more than 1,500 square feet. As a wise...

How to plant a cool pot: pair white-flowered plants with bluish foliage.(Getting started)
August 1, 2007... SOARING SUMMER TEMPERATURES can take a toll on many garden plants. But you can freshen your landscape's look practically instantly: Just combine crisp white blossoms with a shower of icy blue or silver foliage in a glazed aqua-colored container...

Water without worry: pondless waterfalls are a less costly, lower-maintenance option.(Solution)
August 1, 2007... THE SIGHT AND SOUND of water bring peace to a garden, but that peace comes with a price. Swimming pools and spas rely on chemicals to stay clean; ponds require algae regulation. A pondless waterfall, however, needs neither. Water spills...

Outdoor great room: a covered patio is the ultimate escape for family play and parties.(Northern California style)
August 1, 2007... FLOATING IN THE POOL, dining on the patio, hosting barbecues, and heating s'mores over the portable firepit: Those are just some of the activities that make up a typical August day in this Los Gatos backyard. "Staying home on a Sunday afternoon...

Front-yard facelift: an inviting courtyard turns a dilapidated lawn into a friendly retreat.(Before & after)
August 1, 2007... A WELL-DESIGNED FRONT YARD is a gift to the neighborhood around it. That's why Michael Manneh took on the challenge of transforming an overgrown patch of grass into a cottage garden in front of his Palo Alto bungalow. [ILLUSTRATION...

What to do in your garden: August.(Northern California checklist)
August 1, 2007... Shopping Garden art and sculpture When summer heat keeps you from working in the garden, it's a great time to shop for outdoor accessories. High Hand Nursery in Loomis (www.highhandnursery.com or 916/652-2065) carries a large, diverse...

Dual-family retreat: a summer home on Washington's Hood Canal is built for sharing.(SPECIAL SECTION: VACATION HOMES)
August 1, 2007... GOOD FRIENDS and vacations don't always mix, but when they do, it can be the best of both worlds. For two Washington families, vacationing together worked so well that they decided to build a joint getaway home in the northwestern part of the...

The getaway that grows; Developed as an experiment at our headquarters, the Sunset Summer Retreat is a vacation home turned inside out and built in stages: start with a compact kitchen/bathhouse, and add tent bedrooms and storage as needed. Breezy, coastal-inspired decor lets nature steal the show.(SPECIAL SECTION: VACATION HOMES)
August 1, 2007... Adults' tent With privacy and acoustics in mind, the bedroom for Mom and Dad is located at the opposite end of a broad deck from the kids' sleeping quarters, facing an outdoor living area and firepit. This 12- by 14-foot tent and the two...

Buying strategies: yes, you can afford that vacation retreat. All it takes is creativity and some extra flexibility.(SPECIAL SECTION: VACATION HOMES)
August 1, 2007... YOU'VE DREAMED ABOUT IT: a vacation cabin or cottage where you can get away, spend time with family and friends, and fully explore the relaxed outdoor lifestyle that the West is all about. Think you can't afford that second home? You can--with...

Teton summer: high in Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park shows you the West in a new and beautiful light.(Geographic overview)
August 1, 2007... LINED BY COTTONWOODS, the Snake River reflects the high sun of a summer afternoon, shimmering and slithering along the floor of Jackson Hole. Beyond the Snake, the snowcapped peaks of the Teton Range, jagged like a row of shark's teeth, cut a...

Paradise at home: for a pair of world travelers, the best vacation spot is the luxuriant landscape they've created in their own Hawaii backyard.
August 1, 2007... THE FIRST HINT of the remarkable garden behind the low-slung house on Oahu comes just inside the front door. Landscape architect Greg Boyer and his wife, Lynn, both barefoot, greet guests with hugs, Hawaiian-style, then lead the way downstairs...

It's pie time: from coconut cream to fresh peach, our complete pie guide serves up batches of buttery crust, sweet cream, and ripe summer fruit.
August 1, 2007... Triple coconut cream mini pies At Tom Douglas's three Seattle restaurants--Dahlia Lounge, Etta's Seafood, and Palace Kitchen--the triple coconut cream pie is a perennial bestseller. We love the miniature version (and have made them even...

Mango madness: farmers battle heat and cold in the California desert to grow the world's tastiest fruit.(The next frontier)
August 1, 2007... THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MANGOES that inspires obsession. Shoppers at the Santa Monica Farmers' Market are used to finding delicious fruit like Snow Queen white nectarines and Persian mulberries, but they really go wild when Deborah Chamberlain...

Dinner by the pool: at home in the Hollywood Hills, a food stylist creates a summer menu that's as easy as it is beautiful.(Entertaining)
August 1, 2007... "PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE FUN with food. They shouldn't be controlled in their cooking." Not exactly the words you might expect to hear from a food stylist, someone who spends her working hours making sure every morsel on a plate looks absolutely...

August favorites: recipes from our readers, tested in Sunset's kitchen.(Reader recipes)(Recipe)
August 1, 2007... Shrimp and chickpea pasta Karen Schmitt, Phoenix Schmitt created this quick one-pan dinner with the colors of an Arizona desert sunset in mind. PREP AND COOK TIME 40 minutes MAKES 6 servings 3 tbsp. olive oil 8 oz....

3 ways with tomatoes: they're everywhere right now, juicy and ripe. Choose a few varieties and let them shine in these recipes.(Ingredient)(Recipe)
August 1, 2007... Tomato salad with chile and lime This salad pleasantly reminds us of fresh salsa, and wouldn't be out of place on a Mexican-themed buffet or on the table with beef fajitas or pork or shrimp tacos. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] PREP TIME...

Steak with miso: give juicy rib-eye a savory Japanese twist.(Weeknight)
August 1, 2007... Grilled rib-eye steaks with miso butter Compound butter--made by blending such flavorings as herbs, wine, citrus juice, and garlic with butter--is a classic French accompaniment to meats and vegetables. Japanese miso paste makes a great...

Hold the oak: look for lighter, crisper Chardonnays in the market.(Wine guide)
August 1, 2007... A GLASS OF West Coast Chardonnay conjures a taste memory of butterscotch, vanilla, and toast. Ironically, those flavors have nothing to do with Chardonnay and everything to do with what's been done to it. "Chardonnay is the winemaker's grape,"...

Resources.
August 1, 2007... Following are sources for products used in the Sunset Summer Retreat. Care has been taken to verify product information, but availability can't be guaranteed. SUNSET SUMMER RETREAT: RETHINK THE CABIN Pages 68-69: Sonoma Bungalow 12- by...

Galisteo, NM: Deborah Madison; The cookbook author, chef, and local-food champion talks about shopping fresh and why she loves New Mexico.
August 1, 2007... The beginner's way to shop farmers' markets Ask for tastes. Farmers enjoy sharing information--a lot of them even hand out recipes. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Market favorites in...