Dec
12
Strolling Through Sonoma
We’re up and running again! Sorry for the little intermission as we relaunched the site. Today, Gail takes you on a tour of Sonoma — all the coolest spots in town. Tag along for the tour and then let us know what you think of the town … and our brand new look!
hmmm….the new site is nice, its kinda confusing me though, i dont know where anything is.. i guess ill get used to it soon enough…
anyhow, thanks gail for telling us that the online tour is only a few days away, i cant wait to see it..
p.s- where is the post button…hmm, im gonna try a few things, hopefully my comment will go through…
‘They’ say that change is good, but ‘they’ also say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks…not sure where that leaves ME! Anyway, looking forward to the new and improved blog format, I think. And the Jack and Linda best HGTV Dream Home moments of all time—bring’em on!
Ummm, now where’s the preview/post button? Have they gone away? Well, I’ll try a couple of tricks to see if my comment gets posted, hopefully not more than once.
Sucks HGTV picked Sonoma. The winner of the house will be in for a rude awakening when they realize how horrible the traffic to get anywhere is and when they enter a small suburb of the town called “Boyes Hot Springs”.
for all you people who were confused like me on how to post the comment, i just hit enter in the name box after i finished typing in everything… maybe theres another way, but it seemed to work for me
hmmm…. they turn the smiley faces into real ones, lol
I have been so lost! But that is nothing new. I now need a drinkrtwortwenty
now how do I get back to PMland? And how did DBCoop get from here to there?
OOOPS!!! Found the new video Gail. Yes, my husband and I go up to Sonoma and play a lot too. And the Cheese Factory, right across the street, has so many things for a picnic if you don't want to pack one.
I’m with you DBCoop, not very savvy with this web stuff…hopefully this will work!
I’m hoping I’ll still be able to talk to
everyone about the ongoing news at the DH09.
Gail asked me about a community pool in Sonoma…no such luck. They took out the pool at our local high school a few years ago,but there are health clubs that have pools. Many homes have their own pool(we put
one in our home right after we moved here
because the weather is so great). And as to the DH doghouse, no, a Great Dane would not fit!!! Also, someone asked about BoBo…we
have always adopted our dogs from a shelter,
and there is a great one in Sonoma…Pet’s
Lifeline,where we found Bo. We got him as a puppy(lab/spaniel mix),so we could raise him to be gentle around our newly born grandchildren. Labs are the BEST…sweet,smart,fun,gentle and loving!
Changing the subject,Jack T. was back at the
DH this week…ALWAYS a treat to talk to him!
Ingrid from Sonoma
Sonoma looks awesome, what a beautiful area. I am orignally from Calif., but live in SC now. The house looks likes it’s going to be amazing as usual. 100% nicer then my neigborhood. How nice it would be to live in a house that doesn’t make you sick, literally. Good luck to everyone, someone has to win.
Thank goodness some of you could join me here in this blog. I was beginning to feel rather lonely.
Hello Ingrid…I agree, shelter dogs can be such a joy, and they’re always so grateful to be rescued into a loving family.
Gail’s whirlwind video tour of Sonoma was sweet, but oh too short!! There’s so much more to see and do–such a perfect town for walking, shopping, wining and dining…and that’s just around the town square. As Gail said, there’s an incredible list of fun places to visit, beautiful scenery to admire, and exciting adventures to experience (in addition to the wine tasting/tours) all within an hour’s drive or so from that most delightful town of Sonoma.
It’s a place that I fall in love with all over again whenever I visit. And, who in their right mind wouldn’t dream about winning the DH09 in Steve Ledson’s picture perfect Armstrong Estates.
By the way, there are plenty of pools of all sizes and temps just over the hills and through the woods in Calistoga, home of the famous geysers, natural hot springs, and tension-relaxing mud baths. A couple of hours relaxing there, and they have to pour you back into your car for the drive home like melted butter! (Or better yet, you can stay overnight in one the local Inns.)
P.S. a little posting secret, folks: The missing (currently invisible) “POST” button is actually centered just at the bottom of the “Your Comment” box, but above the “Comments for this post will be closed on 11 April 2009″ script. It may be a little programming error that I’m sure will soon be corrected by the HGTV folks. Just place your on-screen arrow there, it will turn into the pointing hand, then click on the mouse, and voila, your comment is on its way. I’m sure plenty of folks are waiting to post their comments; now’s the time.
Nice changes, just need to get useto it. The video was not a new one like I expected, but that’s OK because I know we will see the 360 Virtual Tour Monday!
I am California dreaming and waiting patiently for the full, complete video of this fantastic future home of one very lucky person. In 1991 I went on a wine tour with a friend and I fell in love with Buena Vista Winery. Endless Pools have a perfect little pool that would fit perfectly in this back yard next to, what looks like, grape vines near the doggie house.
Oh my goodness, what a great little town within walking distance of DH09. I absolutely love the town and home and can’t wait to see the inside in a few days!! Will be looking for new postings and videos! Gail, how long will we be able to enter? January 1 till ???
Hi All – My second attempt at posting, so sorry for any duplicates!
Mary – Many thanks for all your work and the updates to keep our blogger community going. I like the new format, just need to navigate a bit to familiarize myself with the new template.
Gail – I really enjoyed your video of Sonoma, and just love that the town is small, but doesn’t lack the culture, arts, or entertainment options normally reserved for larger areas. I can picture you and your family on a picnic in the Plaza – wonderful! I haven’t visited in awhile, although I live in CA, but I will be there next month!
Ingrid – thanks for the information about BoBo and Pet’s Lifeline. Our cat is a shelter animal. If we are lucky enough to be in the area full-time, I will ask for your assistance in adopting a family-friendly dog!! We have promised our young son a dog in the next year or so,
DB Coop – Always enjoy reading your posts and totally agree about the Calistoga bathing options. Calistoga has fabulous spas, and great breaksfast spots!
Looking forward to more!
I cannot wait till the online 360 tour of the Hgtv Dream Home 2009. I am so glad we live in a world where there are Hgtv Dream Homes. Also, Happy Holidays!!
P.S: I have been searching for a public pool in Sonoma, California and actually I did find a public pool. It is called Agua Caliente Aquatic Center. The web address is http://www.acsprings.com. It is a very big and modern pool.
Just for fun I will try posting this again. Thanks to those who disclosed where the hidden post button was. Now let’s see if it works.
Is it true Mary???? Are they going to do LIVE TOURS???
I sure hope so. I just can’t wait to be able to go inside this beautiful home.
Love the new board and just love how our post comes up right away instead of waiting. Now we can talk to each other better.
You say the tours coming soon but WHAT day!Were all very anxious. I think it will come out today but maybe later.
Happy Monday, Mary, and fellow HGTV bloggers. Is it Dream Home 09 video time yet?
OMG Gail Just viewed the 360 degree tour of each area. LOVE IT! I look forward to reading the bloggers’ reactions to this amazing DH. My personal favorite touches include the curtains allowing privacy and elegance between downstairs rooms (and hide-and-seek options for youngsters), the outrageous DREAM range, excellent flat screen TV placement for those cooking in the kitchen…even the vacuum rules! I just love Ethan Allen furniture, too — always high-quality and classic. I am having a hard time picking favorite rooms… (well – the kitchen is #1, but also the Master, of course, and the perfect Kid’s room…I just love the kid’s room…..and the study!?! I sure noted that HGTV threw in a wine closet! WOW! (my current home office in our small bungalow houses our freestanding wine fridge). Even the garage includes thoughtful storage, likely for all the holiday decorating, and outdoor equipment, bikes included. I just love this home! Compliments to the team on a beautiful project..your best yet in my humble opinion. I look forward to seeing more!
Today was my lucky day because I found this post. So glad to see so many of my blogger friends: Emily, BL, lovelykitty, velvet, Ingrid&BoBo,kaylin and, of course, Coop. Bonnie, if I can’t find out how to get to the 360 degree tour, at least your description was great. I admit I was very confused about the new format (HGTV, red on black is very hard to read for people with Low vision). Where’s Marie Miller? Now I’ll see if I can post this.
Yay…finally! We get to view the dream home. What a gorgeous home. Although, I’m a little concerned about the colors, the home is gorgeous. The living room is fantastic, the dining room divine and the kitchen – to die for. I’m sure we already saw a sneak peak of the furnished (selected) patio design in another video. Since I wouldn’t have that far to travel to work from Sonoma, this home would be divine and with just a few personal touches….mine!
By the way, happy holidays to all you bloggers! And may the HGTV 2009 go to one of us bloggers!
hey bloggers, Are any of you near Sonoma? I'm driving up friday to stay for a month, and i'll be driving around the whole town trying to find the dream house? anything you want me to check out (that is if i can find it)
and maybe I'm out of the loop… Does everyone else know where it is?
I LOVE sonoma! and I love all the little places you showed in the video. I’ve waited at least 45 min in line outside the boulangerie downtown. I have taken my new boxer puppy (8 months now) around the square…. btw, there are no dogs allowed in the downtown square, so we just walk around it.
anyway, i’m new to the sweepstakes. does anyone know what kind of information you can submit? Can you upload a video? etc? I’m counting down the days and have already started obsessing:)
Wow, could this blog be harder to find. All I want to do is check out the latest from the Super Fan and it takes 10 minutes to get around the site. Time for another upgrade, HGTV!
By the way, it looks like Sonoma is great! I understand why (as Gail says) Sonoma was the last California Mission! It is on of the best places on the West Coast so no one want to ever leave!
Happy New Year, Super Fan!
Okay, I am going to attempt to leave a comment…I've been away for two weeks & am just now getting back to posting on this site. Wow…lots of new projects have been going on!!
Thank you Gail for the great “Behind the Scenes” tour. It never fails to amaze me how much planning goes on to build & decorate these georgeous homes. I love what Jack & Linda are able to accomplish….what fun you must have on the job (along with the stressful deadlines)!!
I'm guessing the little door in the study would be for storage underneath the staircase…what a perfect place to hide unmentionables!!
Okay, I'm ready to post…will I be able to do this? I did register, so I'm thinking I should be able to do this without a hitch!!
Marie Miller
THANK YOU COOP!!! You helped me post…it makes no sense to me why this works…I guess at this point it is magic!! Hello to Katydid…miss all of you & hope your holiday season is bringing forth much happiness & overwhelmed with egg nog!!!
Much love to all…Marie Miller
Gail,
First let me say “Thank You” I have not been home since 1987 and I’ve been reluctant to go back for the fear that is has changed so much from when I left. Thanks to your video Somona still is just as I remember. There is so much to do there that anyone who visits for the first time will be surprised. There are the vineyards, Train Town, Mission Vellajo’s Home and many other places. Your Strolling Through Sonoma was a welcomed gift for a Valley girl stuck in West Texas.
I just took the tour of the house and it looks great!! One question. I did not see the downstairs bathroom. Is there one? Other than that who ever wins this house is going to love it!!
It’s such a beautiful town, I hope my family wins!
This is a beautiful house, but there is a lot of rain up north and I wonder why the garage is detached? I was unable to find a bathroom downstairs, did I just miss it?
I would give anything to win the Sonoma Dream Home. My family and I have wanted to come back to California since leaving for Texas over 5 yrs ago. He was laid off on Thanksgiving day from his job and this would be the best thing ever for us to be able to return home and start over again.
You all did a fabulous job and what a fabulous area to build in.
Hey! We are looking to possibly relocate to the Sonoma area, it looks beautiful! Can anyone tell me where the best place to live there would be with younger children? There are soooo many entrants to this dream home, slim to none chance to win and we sure cannot afford the neighborhood of the dream home.
I’m going to re read the Secret and channel all the energy and positive thoughts possible..picture our family in that house everyday….Right now I’m soaking in the tub…while a large pot os “sauce” bubbling on my new stove….our dog Lucy is snoozing in the doghouse…so happy, my husband is tinkering in his new work area in the garage, my daughter is on her computer in the guest room, and my two nephews are playing vroom vroom in their guest room..My brother who lives in Windsor is so happy we won the HGTV house because now when we spend half the year in Sonoma the family can get together. Our grown children drive up from and visit us all the the time…Oh…yes I’m visualizing…..the house is waiting…the house is waiting for me! I know…silly…but it sometimes works!
I live in Ct and my only child moved to sunny Calif. We miss her so much and I pray to win this home to be closer to my daughter because she not leaving that sunny weather in Calif for the north east cold. The house is perfect for my husband and I and the front porch is like the one I have here in Ct, but I could use the Calif porch all year round.
I’m having a hard time registering everyday, it was much easier in the previous years, I have to enter everything as if it’s the first time each and every day,
what I’m I missing??
In the past you had to enter your e-mail only. !!
We had to move from SantaRosa near, The Valley OF The Moon,(Sonoma)To Hidden Valley small north of Middletown.As 1st time home buyers good price.My husband has to commute over Mt.Saint Helena every day!I know this is hard on him but he never complains.We have been to Sonoma found the town charming!HGTV’s Home’s A Dream Full Moon Is Too!ANN
This comment is to Cindy, who posted on Jan 4th about why there is a detacthed garage with it being so rainy in the north.
It is not at all rainy is Sonoma. You are thinking farther north.
It rains some in the winter, then we have our rainy season in the spring, but it’s not daily rain, and it hardly rains at all in the summer.
Sonoma has very mild weather.
This beautiful house is down the street from where I grew up. I’ve benn gone since 1984 and live in Las Vegas, NV now. I’ll be home this weekend for my Grandmother”s 100th birthday on 1/10/09, and am wondering if “live tours” are offered at this time.
The Whole Home, It’s Just Perfect! What material has been used on the front and back porch? It can’t be seen very well in the tour.
Have not visited Sonoma since my husband and I first went in 1985 maybe 1989 yeah. It would be wonderful to return, and to live in such a beautiful home and town. We have a wonderful Border Collie,”he is the Best Dog, in the whole wide world,” and then there’s the Jack Russell “ahh ya ya”! We need to retire, he is disabled;cancer surviver, and I’ve just lost my job, probably going to lose our home now. What a Blessing this would be. If it is what HE wants for us, we WILL enjoy it.
In my opinion this house is PERFECT. I’ve been following dream home for years now and although I’ve always loved the houses none of them can compare to this one! Its simple and beautiful, which fits right into its surroundings. No matter what happens this is the kind of home I hope I can have one day.
WOW – What a beautiful home..All the special touches!! If I could remodel my house…I would definitely look at the designs of this one.My husband and I had the opportunity to travel to the area last August celebrating our 25th anniversary.
It is such a beautiful area…we hope to go back again…Wouldn’t it be great to win the HGTV house and have a place to stay – long term.
Hi, this is my first time to blog, ever. I just can’t resist it. This is my eight year of entering HGTV Dream Home and I’ve always wish that you’ll have it here in sunny California and finally my wish come true. THANK YOU. We plan to visit Sonoma and the Dream Home next week and can’t wait to see this beautifull house.
This if my first time blogging. I love this house and am also channelling all positive energy into winning it. Are there continuing tours? When? How do I find out about it, I get lost on the website sometimes. I would make the trip up there to tour the house. Oh yeah!
I was wondering what the address of the Dream Home is because i wanted to see where on a map it would be in Sonoma. I would also like to say that this is my first time blogging and I am sooo super excited about the whole thing! Yay!
What a beautiful home and in a beautiful Community. It would be a wonderful place to live out your life and enjoy visits from the children and grandchildren. One can only dream!
DH09 I agree with the others, breathtaking. I would love to win it so much I have wanted to move to a warmer drier climate for some time now. My 16 year old daughter wants to go to a Southern CA college to study Pediatric Music Therapy and she would like to become employed by Mattels Childrens Hosp. or another Southern CA childrens hosp. Winning would make it perfect she would be then able to be in state and I could be a lot closer to her. Now we are in PA.
i love this home. the tour online and on tv were wonderful. i pray every day i can win this home. my son and i need a home of our own. we also need to be far away from the city we live in. i love the look of sonoma but i dont know much about it. i wish i knew more.i would be very thankful for any comment about schools in dh09 area, and any comments about how safe the area is. THANKS