Blogger Party and More
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Good afternoon, bloggers!
I really hope that the SISBP happens! That’s “Sippin’ in Sonoma Bloggers Party,” for those of you joining us regulars. My corn and heirloom tomato salad is the recipe my friends most often request and is unbelievably simple. It will be perfect after a trip to the lovely Sonoma Farmer’s Market or during your own summer picnic. (I think I got the recipe from a Williams-Sonoma cookbook, so it’s a fitting recipe, considering the company was established in Sonoma!)
3 cups fresh white or yellow corn cut from about 6 ears of cooked corn (I just boil the ears for a few minutes.)
1 large heirloom tomato cut into bite-size pieces (or 20 cherry tomatoes, halved)
2 tablespoons finely chopped basil
1 tablespoon finely chopped flat-leaf Italian parsley
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon red-wine vinegar
Salt and pepper, to taste
Mix all ingredients together in your favorite serving bowl; cover. Serve at room temperature.
Now, on to some of those questions:
•Several of you asked how interior designer Linda Woodrum created that fabulous master bedroom canopy. She worked with experts at Ethan Allen to design and assemble the canopy, but you can easily recreate the look by following the instructions posted by HGTV Dream Home fan Katine. She posted photos of her HGTV Dream Home look-alike bedroom on Rate My Space. Check it out – amazing, don’t you think?
•The Chandelier in the master bedroom is the Eight Arm Bell Chandelier by Ethan Allen.
•Lastly, a lawn mower is not included in this year’s giveaway. Put one on your “need to purchase” list. Make sure it is a push mower – you may need the exercise after lounging the day away in your new HGTV Dream Home master bathtub. (At least I would.)
Your Super Fan,
Gail
Hello Blogers,
Please remember to watch HGTV after this is done I know i’ll be all tuned in. Here is a poem to cheer everyone up.
Remember hope springs eternal.
A New Day Dawns
A new day dawns with the cleanest of breeze fresh as cool spring water
Touching my happy face as my heart paced I sense a new endeavor
My mind’s alive, anew, abreast, it rejuvenates as the moments linger
For new thoughts took form at last, transforming my every dilemma
New hope stems from my mind like lava from a crater
As the morning remains spectacularly unchanged,
like mountains on a distant range
Being blessed by the pouring rain while the river runs
And the day is forever made only to change like seasons as they come
The bliss which surrounds me is by no means too much, for I’m touched by the dawn in the splendor of morn, like a bride by her groom when their vows they took form
And the grass blades did dance like lost loves only chance to be made one again
And a new day dawns while the river winds, with hope just to find the sea where it ends
Hi Bloggers!
Happy belated birthday to Ingrid & Debbie Lee!
Ingrid, I love that Sonoma is starting a bocce ball league! I would be joining too along with my Italian hubby!
Someone asked how often we have entered. I must confess that I have entered every day online since Jan 1st, just filled out the form inside the ValPak that just came out (thought I had missed it!) plus I have sent in numerous snail-mail entries. LOTS. Crazy? Probably. I’m amazed that the winner from 2002 (I think?) only entered ONCE online because he didn’t know he could enter more than once.
GAIL, I can’t wait to hear how they combine all the online & mail-in entries!
This is the 1st DH that I’ve entered because I never saw myself living in the other homes. (It never occurred to me to win & sell) I wanted to leave the previous DH’s for those who wanted to live there…
This one is different & is truly a dream home for me. I would love to bring some vines from the vineyard I started with my Dad, a wonderful master gardener who would drool over all the beautiful plants, flowers and trees at the property. He would get a kick out of the strawberries lining the driveway.
I’ve wanted to live in Sonoma or Napa, CA for over 15 years and never had the courage to take the leap from East Coast to West Coast (also due to costs), but my husband has alo wanted to make the move and winning this home would make it a reality!
I’d love to spend some time with Mr. Ledson to learn some of his wisdom growing grapes in the local area.
GAIL, do you think Mr. Ledson would be willing to share his wisdom?
It would be easier for me to reach great resources in CA for the online business I started (for dog owners & their 4 legged children!) The study is perfect for my office!
SISBP: I wouldn’t be able to swing the flight (unless I’m hosting, which is my plan!), but I’d be happy to send a card & a “little special something” for the winner.
I do have event planning experience (I forget who had asked about this, sorry) and I’d be happy to share any ideas or planning advice if needed. Not being familiar with the local resources, I could share my thoughts from just outside Hershey, PA…So many of you have posted great recipes and I think it’ll be a fabulous event for everyone who can attend!
All the best to everyone!
Dreaming BIG in PA,
Janet R
You know, I just want to know the little things like where is the mail box and where do you put the garbage out at and is there a problem with parking where is the nearest hospital, and so on. Just thinking
Cherise
Stagemom, thanks for the count down, I had read it earlier but must have forgotten — how could that be? I’m sure we will all be concentrating really hard to bring in the winner.
Have a great day — Everyone!
OOPS! I meant “also” not “alo”…now I truly feel a part of the blog!
Hello Bloggers!
I added “from Cincinnati” to my name since I know there is a fellow blogger with the same name. I just wanted to say that I am definitely dreaming of being at the SISBP party as the host for all of y’all! I feel like I know you and if we make the move from Ohio to California, we will be surrounded by good friends and neighbors.
Thanks to everyone who posted the lovely pictures, it really gives you an “inside look” to the home and to spaces we haven’t seen (like the closet in the guest bedroom) and the mysterious powder room everyone keeps asking about. Gail you as well being there and giving us information on the home and interviewing people who played a big role in making this dream a reality for someone! Every day I’m sitting at work or evenings at home with my significant other and I dream of beginning our life in California sipping some very good wine.
I’m more of a sweet/fruity white zin kind of gal (he prefers red) and have only one more bottle of red (that we got while in Spain) for the big reveal next month.
Although this is only my second time blogging (and the first blog I ever follow), I truly have enjoyed and would hate not to wake up and have no new blog entries to read
. Anyway, no need for sad anything since the day hasn’t come yet for the winner to be announced!
Best of luck all!
Gail,
I can’t wait to try your rrecipe!
Jenny D.-My husband,sons, grandkids, and I are travelling to Steamboat for skiing next week…Glad to hear that the Snow is good!
Coop- Yes, I,too, am wondering about the significance of the “hand” in the study!
I think that I must have missed Leslie’s blog about hosting the SISBP for the winner! (I need some clarification on that.)
Jenny D.-IF I host the party, I would LOVE to borrow your tables and canopies. How sweet of you to offer! If you are unable to transport them to Sonoma, My husband will drive our new Acadia to your house to pick them up.
Happy Dreamin,Friends!
Lucky Lady
aka- Illinois Nancy
Lindalou, I think it’s good to know there is roughly a 2-week gap between selection and notification since HGTV usually scopes out the winner to plan the surprise ambush -from what I’ve read in previous years.
Super Fan Gail, I just tried your Yummy Corn Salad recipe with grill salmon burgers for lunch. Oh- that was so-o-o-o good! Thanks.
ILLINOIS NANCY there you are? Are you anywhere near Mattoon? My husband and I are heading out there this year to see his Dad.
INGRID…In deed there are beautiful things in Sonoma please don’t take offense. I’m 55 and only started bowling 3 years ago as it is an activity I can do. I drive 30 minutes to do it now as there are definitely no bowling alleys in Pioneer.BUT THERE IS PLENTY OF SNOW
Amador County itself is becoming well known for its wine country. Just a few miles down the mountain and you are out ofthe snow and into some very beautiful wine country. If you are a big wine fan..you gotta check us out.
My favorite room is the kitchen and those natural quartz counters!!!!
My family says we will be happy to head up a clean up committee( which will be on going for the entirety of the party…not just the end)
I was just wondering if you HAVE to enter everyday to win or can you still win if you miss some days… there have been somedays I’ve been unable to enter and don’t want to get too excited if I don’t qualify… I am a new blogger, but you ladies sound like great fun.. I’m sorry I haven’t blogged in sooner.. thanks so much, shawna
Ingrid & BoBo – Our golden retreiver, Sadie, is also a fur-person as is our Siamese cat, Chica. I’ve had many animal companions in my life and have found that treating them as people (not humans, but still people-in-fur) in terms of talking to them, respecting their being-ness, etc. brings out the individuality of each one.
One of my favorite books (a quick and easy read) is “Kinship with All Life” by J. Allen Boone. It’s a profound view of his/our relationship with the animal beings who share our home(planet).
Love hearing there’s a bocce ball league starting up that you and your husband intend to join–we had a bocce set when I was a child and I’ve wanted one again ever since. In fact, when I was looking at pics of the DH back yard last month I asked my husband if it looked like there was room for bocce or badminton in the grassy area!
Also, do you (or any other local bloggers) know of any companies in the area who might like to provide 1 yr. of free weekly maid services and be “proud sponsors/official Cleaners for the HGTV 2009 Dream Home!”? I’d let them stick a sign in the yard on the days they’re there (at my DH) cleaning and they could advertise it in their own materials all year!
Congratulations cards with green recycled papers enclosed tax answer – (I forget Coop, is it Mon. or Tues we can talk about taxes?) Anyway, I called the IRS directly today and after 3 people and 35 min. on hold here’s what I found out.
IRS says that you can give ANY person up to $13,000 from your after-tax income (was $12,000 in 2008) without paying an extra gift tax. The receiver pays NO tax nor do they have to report it because it is NOT INCOME for them. Husbands and wives filing jointly can EACH give $13,000. If you give OVER $13,000 to an individual you have to fill out a form and pay the gift tax. You also have to keep track because there’s a $1,000,000 lifetime limit for gifts of $12,000 or more.
Hope that reassures everyone that yes, we can gift something to the WINNER to help keep the home (or for whatever other purposes they choose!). I’d do it just to say congratulations on aligning so well with your dreams and thanks for letting me dream in your/our dream too!
Cat
Maybe a silly question, but… what kind of heirloom tomato do you use in the salad? Not all “heirloom” varieties are created equal – some are about as much alike as a pumpkin and a zucchini.
Cat,
You are one ambitious person! Calling IRS never crossed my mind. Thanks for the information. The winner will definitely appreciate it.
Will probably mail my gift the day the winner is selected rather than the day the winner is ambushed.
Cat – Thanks for the tax information!
I love this group…everyone is so willing to share information – makes me feel great about humankind!
With the deadline fast approaching – isn’t everyone getting nervous! Isn’t it strange to feel nervous about something that you can’t control?
I guess it is because winning this home would mean so much to all of us.
I know for my family, it seems so perfect – I mean wow, you have your own little bit of heaven – and a small grapevine to boot! I know my husband would love this especially, as his family is origially from Italy.
Best wishes to all!
:^)
Lucky Lady- They will have a blast I am sure and the snow must be good there. I am in the Sierra Foothills, closer to Lake Tahoe and we needed this rain badly so the snow will be fluffy powder when we hit the slopes here. I have never been to Steamboat, would love to try it.
Jenny D
El Dorado Hills, CA
WOW !!! The excitement is building by the minute. I cannot wait to be notified that I am the winner (Lord, please !!!). This will be more than my dream come true, but also my answered prayer. I want so much to be back in California so I can take care of my elderly father (I don’t mind the 6 hr drive to his home in LA). I see this as my only opportunity to get back to CA. Also, no problem, I will gladly and cheerfully host the party to get to know all of you; you’re all welcomed!! My husband is pretty good on the grill, so come hungry. Blessings !!!!
P.S. God Bless you Cat !!!
Thank you for taking the time to get that tax information. It does make make me feel better and let’s me know how to plan.
Cherise
Even my 7 year old daughter is dreaming about this house…it is just that incredible!! She asked me if we win if she would get to meet Monica Pederson. She says she is so pretty (we have watched the show so many times)! When I told her yes…she was screaming! Now that would be icing on the fabulous cake if that could really happen! Good luck to everyone!
I am grammy , ready to retire and saving money with my son, who lives in Nocata, Ca. Our goal and dream for the past 4 years is to reach our goal and purchase a home. This is absolutely a beautiful home in Sonoma. I’m ready to move in. Donna Lou Guay
Thanks, Cat! Great work!
Elizabeth, what region is your husband’s family from in Italy? My husband’s family is from Caserta (outside Naples). Do you make wine?
Dreaming Big in PA,
Janet R
What a castle in Sonoma………….My mom and my two kids could love this. We are saving to get my children separate rooms.
I believe in miracles. Jon Guay
Hi Janet,
Northerneastern Italy – Trieste. But he also has family living in Milan.
Hey guys,
Heres the number to Sonoma County Accessors office.
707-565-1888 one lady explained the tax process briefly and ask me to call back when I win the DH. isn’t that something.
ha ha. she was nice though.
She mentioned Proposition 13. maybe you guys should research it.
she said “there is nothing to worry about, you will be billed twice a year, and its its 1% for the first year and then the mandate goes up just a little” maybe 2%. I tried to get her to post the info on the blog but she was quite busy.
Please don’t be a nag when you call be nice about it.
Esla Sinclair NY
For the past few days, I've been purchasing red wine made in Sonoma to bring me good luck!!:) Tastes delicious and I'm crossing my fingers! Oh, I hope good things are to come!
Hi Janet -
I pushed the enter button too soon.
No, my husband doesn’t now, but it is a dream of his! Because we live in our fixer upper, he dreams of a day when he can garden!
I could’t think of a more perfect place for him, and us!
I am keeping my fingers crossed!
Buona Fortuna!
Hi!
My name is Natalia and I live in cold dreary Idaho…jajaja! It’s only this way in the winter.I would LOVE to (just like half a billion people) win the 2009 Dream Home in Sonoma!!! However,If luck is not on my side….How can I get the floor plan for this GORGEOUS house? Is there a cost/process?
Thanks!
Natalia
Okay, I have an idea about the SIS party – let’s break it up into several SIS parties so each person has a chance to pick the appropriate time that works for them. (e.g. every three months).
I have to admit, I’m more nervous about hosting the SIS party than receiving the “ambush” announcement now – does that sound weird?
Did someone mentioned Trader Joes! I absolutely LOVE TJ’s! Apparently, there are 3 TJ’s in Sonoma County – here’s what I gathered:
How about HUMBOLDT COUNTY CALIFORNIA. Lots of health food freaks up here. Trader Joes is wanted badly. I live in Sonoma County we have 3 TJ’s. All my friends in Humboldt have me pick up items when Im going to visit. TRADER JOE GO TO HUMBOLDT!!!!!!
Posted by: JEANIE W | November 08, 2006 at 06:18 PM
That solidifies it for me!
Wow, it’s getting so close, This will be a dream come true for some lucky family. I think Sonoma is so beautiful and full of things to do. So good luck everyone….
By the way when and how is it announced?
NANCY: you are totally welcome!
LESSIE: thanks for the info!
I just can't wait for the announcement. Good Luck to all of us!
Hi Cherise,
I researched the Sonoma Valley Hospital, there are few job openings there if you are in the health field.
I’m sure the winner would receive info about garbage disposal and such when he/she moves to the DH.
Esla S NY
Does anyone know the amount of the owner association assessment per month?
As hostess of the SIS party, I don’t think I’d be very good for two reasons: I wouldn’t take everyone’s input and I wouldn’t have the party at the dream home. And if I’m not the winner, I can’t attend b/c I’m over 2,000 miles away.
Other than that, here are my suggestions: everyone should bring a dish or dishes to share as well as their favorite bottle(s) of wine; DBCoop, Marie Miller, Lovelykitty, Ingrid and others who have been on the blog for quite a while should be party hosts and hostesses and mingle with attendees the entire time –only exception is when you take a rest break at the dream home for refreshment; JandV’s mom, Rhonda Priest and family, Jenny D, Katydid, Victoria and others close to Sonoma, you’re on the planning committee. Take 2 hour work shifts, de-stress at the dream home, then go and enjoy the party.
The first 20 volunteers who sign-up to help with clean-up at the Plaza are invited to the dream home for a farewell glass of wine afterwards.
The SIS party will be from 12 PM to 8 PM on Saturday, May 30, 2009. RSVP’s are a must so proper preparations can be made.
Be sure to check this blog on Saturday, April 18, 2009 for further instructions regarding the SIS party.
This proposed plan must be cleared with the planning committee to become valid.
As I said, these are my suggestions for the party. You can use or discard them. It doesn’t make any difference b/c I’m still dreaming.
Thanks Gail for the great recipe!
Wow, is this exciting or what?
Thanks Cat for the gift tax info and thanks Esla for having the guts to call the local assessor’s office for us; what a great group of people all you bloggers have been. This has really been such fun and I’ve learned so much, but mostly how friendly people can be without even having met one another!
I’m afraid the only way I’ll be able to attend the SISBP is if my mom’s entry wins as I live too far away, but I’ll certainly be there in spirit if that’s what meant to be.
Buena suerte, bon chance to all!
Keep on Dreaming.
I am getting sooooooooooo excited about the
big give-away.
Everyone has been so great, in there own way.
The “house” is spectacular!
I would love to attend the SISBP party and
help in any way possible.
We live only a hop, skip and a jump from there and look forward to living there:}
Hi All ! With all the comments about the SIS party, and even Gail wanting to join in, I think the SIS Party is REALLY going to happen! Only 1 person will win the DH, but we ALL can be apart of the SIS Party…therefore we’re ALL WINNERS, aren’t we?!? Gail has so much energy and enthusiasm for this blog, I know that will translate to organizing the party. Actually, I bet we’ll have more fun than the winners! Ingrid from Sonoma
Hi Nancy, I just got back on and read your reply. Hope you find this, seems there are lots of comments now, lol. I went to your link and your work is truly wonderful. I don’t have a website yet. I love carriage houses, what a great idea to transform it for your studio.
Great recipe,
I have a ? for any one on the dream home give away, what if I moved and they was to by chance pick me?
Hey Everyone! Like you, I can’t wait to find out who will win the sweepstakes. I just have to send myself a reminder to stay glued to HGTV on the “giveaway” day so I can see the ambush when it happens. Does anyone know if they will play it more than once because I really want to see the winners face. I surely hope it is one of you lovely bloggers on here – that will be worth an extra “WOO HOO!”
ESLA – Thank you for taking the time to call the County Assessor’s Office in Sonoma. It is true that in California you can pay your taxes in two installments. And, while the assessor has the right to increase your tax rate every year, Prop 13 prohibits them raising it more than 2% in one year; the longer you own your home, the more you save. It is nice to know that I can retire in my current home and not have to worry about being taxed out of it. Folks can also request a reassessment of their property every year, especially if they believe the value has gone down. So, I’m GUESSING that for the DH, a person MIGHT be able to have its value reassessed downward from its current stated worth, but please don’t take my word as the expert source.
I took a look on Zillow.com at some of the neighboring houses and they run from $537K to $234M. The lot the DH is built on shows an assessment of 1.28 million, so the property taxes will be AROUND $15K per year, if that holds. I hope this isn’t against the TOS for this blog. IF it is, please accept my apologies. I got this information from a public website which may or may not be accurate.
Good afternoon all
LOL Let me know what time you will be done with your tour and at the plaza. I am looking so forward to this weekend!
Lovelykitty, I have reservations for the 12:30 tour. I just reread what I wrote in the middle of the night last night and I must have been sleep typing, I went to your site with the pictures and I’m pretty sure I can find you as long as you’re behind you’re camera taking pictures era
JennyD I hope we can meet up too. What time is your tour? I am planning on driving around to scout out possible sites and just take in the town until lovelykitty gets back from her tour. I am so glad to hear someone else is jumping on the band wagon with the details… Tables and canopies sound great! I’m happy to hear someone has some party planning experience. and lets keep brain storming for more ideas! I haven’t heard any dates mentioned yet, but it would be nice if it was still fresh in peoples minds so everyone wouldn’t be on to the next dream. But hopefully we still have some more rain to come and mud does not make for fun outdoor parties…That is of course unless the winner is one of us willing to have it at the home. I do live in Sonoma Co but am on the other side off the 101. And I haven’t been to the town of Sonoma in a few years. So maybe someone else has a great or favorite lunching spot. Are you bringing your son with you on this trip? How old is he? My daughter if 5 and LOVES trains. One of her favorite toys is my old Fisher Price Little People train set.
Have to go bits is still home and up
Quicky, I wanted to mail off a few entries, I thought I saw a different address on here a few weeks ago, Is this the right one?
From the rules page….
(hand printing your name, complete address, phone number (area code included) and date of birth either on a postcard or on a separate piece of paper no larger than 8½ x 11 inches, and mailing the postcard or paper in an envelope with proper postage affixed to: HGTV Dream Home Giveaway, PO Box 53305, Knoxville, TN 37950 (the “Mail-In Address”)
Ingrid,
Can you tell me if there is a Jewish synagogue or temple in the area?
I really am keeping my fingers crossed that we win the DH09! It would be such a fabulous place for my grandson to visit us!
Keep the faith!
One of us has to win:~)
Bobbi in Phoenix
Hey people!!!
I was wondering how many times a day can we enter?
Can we only enter once a day or more?
Oh I hope that a blogger wins this house…I hope some one that really deserves this wins!!!
Does the first floor have a bathroom?
Does the bathroom have a basement?
Are there any more bedrooms?
These are just some questions I had in mind!
Thanks
JanV’s Mom – The address you listed is correct! I have handwritten it so many times that I’ve memorized!
Ingrid ~ Happy Belated Birthday! So you’re aquarius too! THIS IS THE YEAR OF THE AQUARIUS!!! and we’re going to be neighbors too!
The HGTV address doesn’t need to be hand printed, just your personal info. So you can use computer label for that address and save some effort!
Hellp bloggers,
Bobbi – I found this. I hope it helps. Congregation Shir Shalom
252 W Spain St, Sonoma, CA 95476, (707) 935-3636.
Rhonda – Most people bowl at the Double Decker lanes in Rhonert Park.
Good luck & sweet dreams to all!!
Lessie, your plans for the party sounds wonderful! I agree, we must start planning this now so we can start perpareing.
There is a very strong chance that the winner will not come from here, so if that will be the case, how many will still want a SIS party?
I believe in my dreams also, but lets start looking at the party as “if” there was no winner from the Blogs. That way, we can all get in on the planning.
Is the SISBP really going to happen even if there is no winner from the BLOG?????
How big will this party really be?
I am saying here right now that I will definitely be there.