Looking Up: What Do You Think You're Looking At?

Here's another not-so-common view of a building we so frequently see when we wander in historical downtown Hollister.  If you're a local, I know you recognize it.

Today's post is Day 316 of my personal challenge to post everyday for a year. I don't know about you, but I'm impressed.

100 Things I Like: Signs

This sign just makes me wonder if anyone does park their car downtown, between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m., on Sundays. But, not so much that I need to actually go and find out.

Here are a few other signs that have made me think of the absurd:  Sign 1, Sign 2, Sign 3, and one more.

For more 100 Things I Like About Living in Hollister, click on that link.

100 Things I Like: 5th & San Benito Streets

Represented here is architectural design from late 1800s,
1930s, and 1990s (the Briggs Building behind the Vault).

On the four corners of Fifth and San Benito Streets stand some of the oldest and tallest buildings in Hollister.

• The Vault is located on the NW corner. Built in 1931, it was originally the Bank of America. Lots of Art Deco going on with that building, both in and out. 
• The Italianate building on the NE corner went up around 1874. Its first owner was William Palmtag, one of the founders of Hollister.
• The old Elks Lodge building stands on the SE corner.
• Standing empty, the old Pendergrass building is on the SW corner. A once-upon-a-time hotel and office building, its construction was completed in 1927. The building was owned  by Jesse Pendergrass, a Hollister mayor.

Much of this information came from Welcome to Historic Downtown Hollister, a walking tour brochure, which I obtained from the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce. The brochure was put together by Sharlene Van Rooy.

For more 100 Things I Like About Living in Hollister, click on that link.

100 Things I Like: The Old Elks Lodge Building

The old Elks Lodge building on the southeast corner of San Benito and Fifth Streets is an absolute beauty. The folks who remodeled it several years ago did a great job bringing out the details. Look at those golden decorative pieces under the eaves, which glow even more with the reflection of the setting sun. And, how about that slim ornamental column embedded in the corner of the building.

One of these days, I'll find out the five W's about the building, such as: Who designed it? When was it built? What materials were used? How long did it take to build? Where did the Elks actually meet in the building? Why did they decide to leave it?

Based on the little that I've seen of the inside, I'd say beauty is more than skin deep with this building.

For more 100 Things I Like About Living in Hollister, click on that link.

100 Things I Like: Using Fresh, Local Products

Can you really make butter by shaking cream in a jar?

Yep. I tried it yesterday with much success.

Step One: Buy Claravale Farm Cream at Bertuccio's. Located in Paicines, Claravale Farm sells certified raw milk, which they get from Jersey cows.  Yeah, there is a difference in taste.

Step Two: Find someone to shake cream into butter with you. Alternatively, wait until another person is hanging out in the kitchen or nearby. For me, it was after breakfast, while the husband was still reading the newspaper. He kinda had an idea of what was happening.

Step Three: Get a clean jar with a lid.  Pour whatever amount of the cream that you want into the jar. Screw lid on tightly. I experimented with about a 1/3 to 1/2 jar full of cream.

Step Four: Shake. Shake. Shake. Maybe do a little dance as you shake. After a minute or two, hand jar off to your captive butter-shaking partner. Watch him shake. Shake. Shake. Take turns until you hear no more sloshing in the jar—about seven to 10 minutes.

Step Five: Open the jar. You should see a coagulation of yellow. That's butter. Close jar again and shake vigorously. You should get some liquid. That's buttermilk. Carefully pour the buttermilk into another container.

Step Six: Add a bit of water to the jar, and shake again to remove any more buttermilky stuff from your butter. Pour liquid into your receptacle. There you go, fresh unsalted butter. And, fresh buttermilk! 

The next time I make butter, I'll be sure to have a loaf of bread from Heavenly Bakery on hand. 

For more 100 Things I Like About Living in Hollister, click on that link.