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We love living on the Riviera It’s all about the views. However, we don’t have much yard for a garden, and it is always a struggle to get back up the hill after a long bike ride to Carpinteria and Gobenador Canyon loop.  Our amazing tree trimmer in the top of the tree.  Sunset views over the Mesa Preserving the views can be a challenge. Always with the hopes that your neighbors will cooperate with your request for tree trimming. Thankfully we have such neighbors, no complaints here. We just had the oaks trimmed, and I started to wonder, where did all these trees came from. The Riviera was not always the coveted place to live as it is today. As little as 200 years ago the land was devoid of any vegetation with only sandstone boulders and sparse grasses dotted the hillside.  George Batchelder It wasn’t until the Riviera Company purchased the old Hawley Heights tract that everything changed. The chairman and majority stockholder, George A. Batchelder of Atherton, became known in the years to come as “the father of the Riviera.” Batchelder had a nursery in Atherton. One of his first moves on the Riviera was to plant hundreds of oak seedlings from his nursery. These are now grown to old specimen trees, and many who live here believe they were from the old Spanish days. Batchelder also imported Italian stonemasons and hired Joe Dover of Santa Barbara to supervise the quarrying of field stone and the building of the beautiful stone walls, gates and stairsteps that line the Riviera streets and homes today.  Oliver enjoying the views and the rooftop sun.
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 Part of my Saturday morning haul the Santa Barbara Farmer's Market Saturday Morning RitualOne of my favorite things to do in Santa Barbara on a Saturday morning is to trundle down to the Farmer’s Market Between Ortega and Cota on Santa Barbara Street. I usually head down about 11:00 AM. On the drive downtown, I love to catch a few minutes of Evan Kleiman and Good Food on KCRW. This is the most amazing show about all things food.  Last Saturday I managed to catch the 10-minute interview with Santa Barbara’s own Patricia Beale. In the interview Beale describes how her grandmother shaped her love of cooking and food. She also describes some amazing endive recipes in her new book Les Legumes, Vegetable Recipes from the Market Table.
The bounty of fresh foods changes with the seasons creating an opportunity for the enterprising cook throughout the year  Every Saturday is food lovers adventure, and like Pascal, every Saturday I discover some new food that I could never have imagined at a Minneapolis Farmers Market before I became a Santa Barbara resident.
I wonder what I'll find this week.  You decorate your home for you to enjoy while you are living there. It's very personal to you. Once you decide to sell, your home is not your home any longer. You need to create an environment so potential buyers can envision themselves living there.  We love the family pet, but leave the stuffed ones out of the picture.  Set the stage....No, not with props. You want people to talk about the house, not what is in the house!  DISCLAIMER: These photos were all taken while we were out on Brokers Caravan.
Life is full of trade-offs. If you want a quiet village life, great Channel views at a super price, you’ll probably need to give on some other features. That’s Summerland.
That got me to thinking: |
| And here’s the real kicker: Climbing stairs can contribute improved cognitive function. According to a study done at King’s College in the UK stronger legs contributes to decreased cognitive decline over time. Sheena Aurora, M.D., a clinical associate professor of neurology and neurological sciences at Stanford University says "There is good evidence to state that exercise helps the brain function better…in part because motor learning helps other areas of the brain to function better as well, …and raising your heart rate (which happens when you work out) sends more blood to the brain, which is better for your cognitive function—especially over time.” |  Your Brain on Stairs |
While stairs may pose a challenge or even a danger to the elderly, frail, or infirm, having a few stairs in your life today might lead to a happier, healthier, longer, and even smarter life in the future.
Acknowledgements: Idea by lastspark from the Noun Project. Stairs by chappara from the Noun Project.
Did you know there are more deaths per year while taking a selfie than being attacked by a shark?
It may seem silly to even think about, but selfie deaths are on the rise, especially in India, the US, and Russia. In fact Russia launched a "safe-selfie" campaign in July of 2015 to warn it's citizens of engaging in risky selfie behavior. Perhaps it's time for other countries to join in.
Drowning tops the list for deaths, followed by falling, being crushed by a train, gunshots, and electrocution.
It's sad to think we are so obsessed to let other see what we are up to that we would risk our lives.
The saddest moment for me was during our hike to Nevada Falls in Yosemite. I witnessed two young men walking to the edge of the cliff where the falls drop off. It seemed to me nothing good could come of this. I had to turn away.
I thought of yelling out a warning, but felt it may startle them resulting in a fall. We left, and started our hike back to the valley, only to learn about the death of Tomer Frankfurter the following day. Tomer fell over Nevada Falls in Yosemite while taking a selfie.
Be careful while using your phone to take a picture.
It may seem silly to even think about, but selfie deaths are on the rise, especially in India, the US, and Russia. In fact Russia launched a "safe-selfie" campaign in July of 2015 to warn it's citizens of engaging in risky selfie behavior. Perhaps it's time for other countries to join in.
Drowning tops the list for deaths, followed by falling, being crushed by a train, gunshots, and electrocution.
- A man in India tried to take a selfie with an injured bear, and ended up being mauled to death.
- A girl fell off a bridge in Budapest while taking a selfie.
- A pilot took a selfie moments before crashing his plane.
- A man visiting Kenya was approached by wild elephants. He was crushed to death while taking a selfie.
- A student was vacationing in India with some friend. He stood on the edge of a 2000 ft gorge and slipped and fell to his death.
It's sad to think we are so obsessed to let other see what we are up to that we would risk our lives.
The saddest moment for me was during our hike to Nevada Falls in Yosemite. I witnessed two young men walking to the edge of the cliff where the falls drop off. It seemed to me nothing good could come of this. I had to turn away.
I thought of yelling out a warning, but felt it may startle them resulting in a fall. We left, and started our hike back to the valley, only to learn about the death of Tomer Frankfurter the following day. Tomer fell over Nevada Falls in Yosemite while taking a selfie.
Be careful while using your phone to take a picture.
Once in a while you just need to get away from it all to a place of beauty and space, and perhaps a fringe benefit that your cell phone doesn't have reception. We were lucky enough to be in that space last week on a trip to Yosemite.
Dramatic rock formations, clear air, the smell of pines and challenging hikes help to get the cobwebs out of the brain. It's hard to think of anything else when struggling to fill the lungs with oxygen as you trudge up the steep trails toward the peaks and lakes which dot this beautiful landscape. One foot in front of the other, remembering to look up to devour the panoramic scenery.
A Golden Eagle joined us, watching us study him. Soaring effortlessly through the air, with an occasional thrust of it's wings circling Liberty Cap at the top of Nevada Falls. A reminder for us to be in the moment.
Dramatic rock formations, clear air, the smell of pines and challenging hikes help to get the cobwebs out of the brain. It's hard to think of anything else when struggling to fill the lungs with oxygen as you trudge up the steep trails toward the peaks and lakes which dot this beautiful landscape. One foot in front of the other, remembering to look up to devour the panoramic scenery.
A Golden Eagle joined us, watching us study him. Soaring effortlessly through the air, with an occasional thrust of it's wings circling Liberty Cap at the top of Nevada Falls. A reminder for us to be in the moment.
Selling your home isn't easy. Avoid these common slip ups that can cause your home to linger on the market.
Your Home Has an Odor
Whether it's leftover odors from cooking last night, pets, or stinky sneakers, believe your Realtor if they say there is a funny smell that needs to be removed. And don't try to cover it up with a candle!
Whether it's leftover odors from cooking last night, pets, or stinky sneakers, believe your Realtor if they say there is a funny smell that needs to be removed. And don't try to cover it up with a candle!
Your Home is Too Personal
From custom paint colors like eggplant, to too many family mementos and photographs Realtors suggest not only decluttering your home, but also making it as neutral as possible.
From custom paint colors like eggplant, to too many family mementos and photographs Realtors suggest not only decluttering your home, but also making it as neutral as possible.
You Turn Down Showings
If Buyers can't get in to see your home they aren't going to make an offer and your home will linger on the market. Be as flexible as possible and work with your Realtor to bring in Buyers.
If Buyers can't get in to see your home they aren't going to make an offer and your home will linger on the market. Be as flexible as possible and work with your Realtor to bring in Buyers.
You Hang out During the Open House
Buyers want to imagine themselves in your space, not be confronted by you in your space. It's awkward for them to tour your home, open closets and talk openly to their Realtor if you are in the next room.
Buyers want to imagine themselves in your space, not be confronted by you in your space. It's awkward for them to tour your home, open closets and talk openly to their Realtor if you are in the next room.
Author
Pamela-Real Estate Romantic
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