Patti Glover, Stage It In A Day! So.California

Even though technically we're past summer, you can still enjoy the wonderful flavors of ripe, juicy tomatoes. I've lived in Moorpark, CA for 15 years now. Every summer, I can't wait until our Tierra Rejada Farms rolls out their delicious, homegrown tomatoes.

Our first summer here, one of the farmers introduced us to a funny looking tomato. He told us it was an heirloom tomato that no one was buying because of its ugly duckling look. He gave us a taste and we were in love! For the last several years, heirloom tomatoes have been rediscovered and are all the rage in restaurants and bestsellers at the Tierra Rejada Farm and its sister location Underwood Family Farms. Yes, they're not the perfect round shape of the supermarket varieties (which often taste like cardboard), but for what they lack in the looks department, they more than make up in the taste department.

At the Tierra Rejada Farm, you can purchase these either at the on-site stand, or you can venture out to the fields and pick your own at a discounted rate. There are a myriad of other fruits, vegetables and herbs you can pick yourselves. This is a wonderful family activity and instills the valuable notion of eating locally and supporting your local farmers.

One of our family summertime favorite recipes is Gazpacho. Gazpacho is a chilled tomato soup originating from Spain. We spent many a wonderful day at the beach in Southern Spain beating the heat with this delectable soup! With access to these marvelous heirloom tomatoes for the next few weeks, I suggest you give this healthy and delicious soup a try. Here is my take on Gazpacho:

2 ½ pounds ripe tomatoes

1 red pepper, seeded, quartered

1 large cucumber, peeled or 3 Persian cucumbers (no need to peel), cut into 2" pieces

1 sweet onion (such as Vidalia, Walla Walla or Maui), quartered

3 large garlic cloves, minced

2-3 cups tomato juice (if ripe tomatoes are really juicy, you probably only need 2 cups)

1/3 cup sherry vinegar

1 tsp hot sauce (Tabasco), optional

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

1 slice bread, crusts removed, soaked in water and squeezed dry.

Salt & pepper to taste

Place cored and quartered tomatoes and the soaked bread into a food processor. Process with twelve 1 second pulses; transfer to a large bowl.

Place red pepper in processor and pulse again for twelve 1 second pulses. Transfer to the bowl.

Repeat the twelve pulse process with the cucumber and then followed by the onion. Transfer to the bowl.

To the bowl, add the minced garlic, tomato juice, sherry vinegar, hot sauce, olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Add additional sherry vinegar to taste as well. Add 8 ice cubes to mixture and then cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours and up to 2 days.

Garnish with:

Croutons

Additional tomato, pepper, cucumber and onion finely chopped.

Additional olive oil if desired.

Tierra Rejada Farm: 3370 Sunset Valley Rd., Moorpark, CA

Underwood Family Farm: 5696 Los Angeles Ave., Somis, CA

Some local Southern California IRIS (www.weredesign.com) Stagers & Redesigners have teamed up to offer "Havens for Healing", an outreach program for patients with cancer. This group was put together by Marcia Smart and Barbara Hiatt.

Our mission is to provide a nurturing and harmonious environment for cancer patients through Interior Redesign. Our members donate their time and use the client's possessions in this complimentary service. Typically, a room can be magically reborn in just a few hours.

The program is open to cancer patients who:

Have been recently diagnosed and about to begin treatment or

Are currently in active treatment, or

Are within 3 months of completing treatment.

After the Redesign is completed, we plan on presenting the clients with a one-of-a-kind "spa basket". On February 27, 2009, Patti Glover hosted a "spa-basket" assembling party. What a ball we had! With wine and appetizers to fuel us, the 6 of us went to work. Everything from candles, lotion, bath salts, journals & pens, chocolate, lip balms, inspirational CD's and fuzzy socks were bundled up in true "Redesigner" fashion and wrapped up beautifully. We completed 12 fantastic baskets!

Since we can't wait to share our services and baskets, we're asking if you or anyone you know, in the Ventura County/Los Angeles County area would like to be added to the Havens for Healing consideration list, please contact a Havens Coordinator:

Marcia Smart at 805-241-7997

Barbara Hiatt at 818-865-1074

Stage It Forward, but always....Pay It Forward

Patti Glover, Certified Interior Redesign Specialist and Certified Residential Staging Specialist

www.stageitinaday.com

www.decorateinaday.net

Serving Moorpark, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Camarillo, Oxnard, Ventura, Oak Park, Westlake Village, Calabasa, Agoura and Beyond!

If you have a tired, damaged or BORING lampshade that could use updating or you want a particular look for a Staging area, check out www.frockz.com.

These are spandex, formfitting slipcovers that fit right over your existing lampshade. And they're machine washable! Great for Staging inventories that get moved and touched so often.

Another idea would be to take thrift store lamps and update them with these. You'll have a one-of-a-kind original!

These would be a great addition to your Staging inventory; they take up almost no space and you could get several looks witha minimum number of lamps.

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-hm-scoutfrockz7-2009mar07,0,6830807.story

Stage It In A Day!

www.stageitinaday.com

Home Staging Services for the Conejo Valley and Los Angeles County

805.529.0240

Patti Glover

Here is the 2nd installment of before and after pictures of a vacant home that Stage It In A Day! recently completed. This home had a very challenging floor plan and several really colorful rooms! All in all, we were happy with the turnout and the realtor told us we "targeted the perfect client for this property". Nice!

MASTER BEDROOM

MASTER BATHROOM BEFORE

MASTER BATHROOM AFTER (CABINETS PAINTED/HARWARE REPLACED)

Stage It In A Day! offers Real Estate Staging in the Conejo Valley, serving Moorpark, Thousand Oaks, Camarillo, Simi Valley, Agoura, Calabasas, Hidden Valley, Westlake Village, Hidden Hills, Lake Sherwood, other Ventura County areas and many areas in Los Angeles County. Vacant Home Staging, Consultations and special offers for Real Estate Professionals.

CALL US - WE'LL HELP YOUR HOME SELL FASTER AND PROFITABLY! (805) 529-0240

Bell Canyon, California Home Staging - (First Installment)

Stage It In A Day! - A premier Home Staging Company serving Ventura and Los Angeles Counties recently staged a vacant home in Bell Canyon California. This unique 3 bedroom/3 bathroom multi-level home sits on almost 2 acres, with the backyard abutting a hillside offering complete privacy and scenic views on several different levels.

Bell Canyon, CA is located in Ventura County; it straddles the Ventura and Los Angeles County lines and is minutes to Los Angeles.

The homeowner had preivously used a Real Estate Staging Company when selling a home in Northern California and knew how imperative it was to make a great first impression.

Stage It In A Day! was asked to coordinate all aspects of preparing the home for sale. The exterior and interior were professionally cleaned from top to bottom. Carpets were cleaned or replaced where needed. Tiles on both counters and floors were made to look almoust new. Both the exterior and interior were painted a more neutral palette. A landscaper was brought in to brighten up the front yard, while the backyard was transformed from overgrown and uninspired to beautiful and conducive to Southern California outside entertaining. Even the Japanese Tea House up on the hill was given an overhaul.

Here are a few before and after pictures. I'm still learning about including pictures on Active Rain, so I'll add others later (I already deleted this post once :(

This was the family room before:

We switched to be a dining room:

Staged It In A Day! was founded by Patti Glover and Pam Smith. By joining forces, they have created a dynamic Home Staging business with years of Staging, Design and Redesign experience between them. Both women are Certified Interior Staging Specialists with I.R.I.S. (weredesign.com) as well as members of the Real Estate Staging Assoication and the National Redesign Institute. They have built their business on a foundation of honesty, integrity, quality and professionalism. Stage It In A Day! serves Ventura, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara counties