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.

First Annual San Benito Holiday Cheer

This Saturday, December 3, many of the local businesses of Hollister and San Juan Bautista will be participating in the First Annual San Benito Holiday Cheer. It is a local shop hop. To add to the fun, each business will be raffling a basket or bowl full of goodies. Sounds great!

For more info, check out the flyer below, which was distributed by the Hollister Downtown Association. Double-click on it for a larger version. If you still can't read it, click here to download a copy of the flyer.

By the way, San Juan Bautista will be holding its annual Holiday in Lights Parade on Saturday evening. Click here for more details.

Annual Winter Magic Bazaar and Luncheon

The ceiling at the old Hazel Hawkins Hospital building on Monterey Street

Today is the  holiday bazaar that the Hazel Hawkins Hospital Auxiliary puts on every year. Some  handcrafted goods, some vintage items from the Hazel Thrift Store, some new items, and a lot of good cheer.

The place: The Veterans Memorial Building on San Benito Street (corner of Seventh Street). The time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch will be served between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

100 Things I Like: Walking Around San Juan Bautista

April, 2010: The San Juan Cemetery also known as the Larios Cemetery

Strolling the shops in San Juan Bautisa is fun. So is roaming the grounds of the mission and the San Juan Bautista State Historic Park. Next time you're in the Mission City, enjoy wandering outside the usual tourist perimeter.

For instance, take a walk up to the cemetery at the northwest end of the city. You'll see some glorious views from up there. And, if you're into wandering cemeteries, you won't be disappointed. You'll find eroding wooden crosses marking the grave sites of  unknown pioneers as well as elaborate monuments of city notables.  On on the way up or down, you may see a very cool red adobe house that looks like it belongs in Santa Fe. Don't ask me which street because I don't remember. That's the surprise of wandering.

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