The Coffee Shop: A place to relax and hang out.

4 years 10 months ago - 4 years 10 months ago #644665 by GaryA

Kenta wrote: Fresh pasta is the best.  We make it a point to make it at least once a month.


Even better than making and eating fresh pasta ... is making and eating fresh pasta outside.  Gary took a little square in the backyard and setup what Gary calls his BBQ Patio.  Gary has his propane grill, a Kamado and a dedicated electric smoker set up along with a prep table and a couple induction plates.  He also has a three burner propane camp stove, but this has been replaced by the induction burners. Most of Gary's cooking is performed outdoors.  The BBQ Patio was originally enclosed overhead by a pergola canopy, but Gary has replace the cover with a canopy of grapes (Pinot Noir).  Recently, Gary has installed speakers in the BBQ Patio, so now he cooks with music. ;)

Being in SoCal, Gary can comfortably cook outside all year long.  

There are photographs everywhere. It is the call of photographers to see and capture those images.
www: garyayala.com

,
4 years 10 months ago - 4 years 10 months ago #644666 by GaryA

Toby J wrote: Long day, my mind is toast.  Any of you move to electric car yet?  With all the tax credits and fuel savings, is your bank account happy?

We are thinking about getting a Tesla 3.  Starting our research.  


Gary's neighbor just received his Telsa.  He loves it and it's a fine automobile. Gary has given long and hard thought to an electric vehicle.  Presently Gary and Mary Lou drive Volvos, (the SUV and the convertible), there is nothing affordable (at least affordable for us) and equal to the SUV and nothing to equal the convertible. Electric cars are very commonplace out here, all kinds. We used to say "Look, a Tesla!" ... but not anymore.  Tesla's are everywhere out here.  Gary's main concern with Teslas is the viability of the company. 

PS- But, Gary and Mary Lou are planning to toss up some solar panels for the house.

There are photographs everywhere. It is the call of photographers to see and capture those images.
www: garyayala.com

,
4 years 10 months ago #644667 by GaryA

EOS Man wrote: Spiced up my coffee tonight with a little brandy in it. Going to make some short bread cookies now! 


Brandy is sooooo good in brandy.  Years and years ago Gary used to purchase coffee bean that have been soaked in brandy.  Gary can't find those beans now ... he thought about soaking his beans in brandy ... then it hit him that there's no need to soak and dry the beans, one can skip the middleman and simply pour brandy into the cup. (duh!)

There are photographs everywhere. It is the call of photographers to see and capture those images.
www: garyayala.com

,
4 years 10 months ago #644668 by GaryA

Chase Audate wrote: Just got back from a great coffee shop here in town, french press delight 


French Press makes a great cup of coffee.  

There are photographs everywhere. It is the call of photographers to see and capture those images.
www: garyayala.com

,
4 years 10 months ago #644670 by GaryA

Matt Nguyen wrote:

GaryA wrote:

Cory J wrote: Wait till you get to season 7 Fess!  Best season ever.  


Hey any of you on a wine a month program?  


Gary belongs to six wineries (down from a high of 12 wineries) which ship out quarterly cases of vino.  Additionally, he is a member (Angel) with Naked Wines, and he gets a few cases a year from them. (And Gary grows Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Merlot and Pinot Noir in the backyard). 

 




Silver Oak Wines!  We love their wines.  Are you going to be there in August for their 2015 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon?  


Silver Oak is amazing.  Maybe, August is a long way away.

There are photographs everywhere. It is the call of photographers to see and capture those images.
www: garyayala.com

,
4 years 10 months ago #644671 by GaryA

Finn wrote: @Gary,

You have any tips on pizza maker?  We have decided to pick up one and I'm looking for good recommendations.  

Let me know .  Thank you! 


Nope, Gary uses his oven or the Kamado (with the grille rise up). Gary has found that for breads, heat is heat.  Personally, Gary thinks there is no difference in flavor between a wood fired brick oven and a regular gas heated oven. He has a friend with a wood fired brick pizza oven, while it looks great, it cooks the same (end product tastes the same) as Gary's kitchen oven or charcoal Kamado.

There are photographs everywhere. It is the call of photographers to see and capture those images.
www: garyayala.com

,
4 years 10 months ago #644673 by Pete Franko

GaryA wrote:

Toby J wrote: Long day, my mind is toast.  Any of you move to electric car yet?  With all the tax credits and fuel savings, is your bank account happy?

We are thinking about getting a Tesla 3.  Starting our research.  


Gary's neighbor just received his Telsa.  He loves it and it's a fine automobile. Gary has given long and hard thought to an electric vehicle.  Presently Gary and Mary Lou drive Volvos, (the SUV and the convertible), there is nothing affordable (at least affordable for us) and equal to the SUV and nothing to equal the convertible. Electric cars are very commonplace out here, all kinds. We used to say "Look, a Tesla!" ... but not anymore.  Tesla's are everywhere out here.  Gary's main concern with Teslas is the viability of the company. 

PS- But, Gary and Mary Lou are planning to toss up some solar panels for the house.


You mind me asking who's solar panels are you looking at?  We have been considering however haven't started the research side of things yet.  


Photo Comments
,
4 years 10 months ago #644703 by GaryA

Pete Franko wrote:

GaryA wrote:

Toby J wrote: Long day, my mind is toast.  Any of you move to electric car yet?  With all the tax credits and fuel savings, is your bank account happy?

We are thinking about getting a Tesla 3.  Starting our research.  


Gary's neighbor just received his Telsa.  He loves it and it's a fine automobile. Gary has given long and hard thought to an electric vehicle.  Presently Gary and Mary Lou drive Volvos, (the SUV and the convertible), there is nothing affordable (at least affordable for us) and equal to the SUV and nothing to equal the convertible. Electric cars are very commonplace out here, all kinds. We used to say "Look, a Tesla!" ... but not anymore.  Tesla's are everywhere out here.  Gary's main concern with Teslas is the viability of the company. 

PS- But, Gary and Mary Lou are planning to toss up some solar panels for the house.


You mind me asking who's solar panels are you looking at?  We have been considering however haven't started the research side of things yet.  


Looking at the complete solar packages, hardware and installation.

A) Sunrun
B) Solar Max
C) Semper Solaris (American made hardware)
D) Sun Lux
E) Renew Financial (a financing company which specializes in solar loans and provides recommendations and only finances hardware which meet or exceeds state and national standards) 

There are photographs everywhere. It is the call of photographers to see and capture those images.
www: garyayala.com

,
4 years 10 months ago #644706 by Ian Stone
Hey your back Gary!  What sort of adventure have you been on?  


Photo Comments
,
4 years 10 months ago #644719 by Tim Wiener
Any of you getting good fresh beans from coffee of month club that is worth looking at?


Photo Comments
,
4 years 10 months ago - 4 years 10 months ago #644754 by GaryA
Hey Ian.  Gary's been pretty busy ... getting the house painted (outside), a new roof (Energy Star), new gutters (they work) the restoring all the stuff that was destroyed getting the house painted. Mary Lou, Maggie and Gary took a quick trip up to Salinas and Monterey for a funeral.

Monterey is beautiful. (iPhone)


Along the way we hit a few wineries. (iPhone)



Purchased some new patio furniture. (iPhone)

Next there was a wedding down in Temecula, then two LA based graduations ... a few plays/musicals ... and Gary has been working his fat little tail off processing photos (Whitney High School's production of Beauty and the Beast and now he is working his fat little tail off processing a production of Grease.) Last night we entertained guests (including dogs) for Chinese.  The new patio table worked out perfect.  It was a very cool and drizzly evening, but we fired up the table and it easily put out enough heat for us to eat out side. (Gary had to turn lower the output to about 50%.)  A very enjoyable evening comfortable sitting around the table, sipping wine, nibbling on Chinese watching the dogs play and chase an opossum across the yard ... for dessert a berry tart with Colombian Supremo.  

There are photographs everywhere. It is the call of photographers to see and capture those images.
www: garyayala.com

Attachments:
,
4 years 10 months ago #644909 by Tim Wiener
Temecula has some great wineries!  I was out there a number of years ago.  Speaking of California wines, did Napa Vally recover from the horrible fires from last year?  


Photo Comments
,
4 years 10 months ago #644989 by GaryA

Tim Wiener wrote: Temecula has some great wineries!  I was out there a number of years ago.  Speaking of California wines, did Napa Vally recover from the horrible fires from last year?  


It will be years and years for a recovery.  The fires not only affected the wineries but also entire communities.  Homes and businesses were also leveled to ash, not just farms/vineyards. 

There are photographs everywhere. It is the call of photographers to see and capture those images.
www: garyayala.com

,
4 years 10 months ago #644990 by JaneK
How did that fire start anyway?


Photo Comments
,
4 years 10 months ago #645007 by GaryA

JaneK wrote: How did that fire start anyway?


There has been a number of large and destructive fires up in NorCal.  Napa Fire, which had the greatest impact on vineyards and wineries, was caused by tree limbs falling on PG&E power lines.  

There are photographs everywhere. It is the call of photographers to see and capture those images.
www: garyayala.com

,

817.3K

241K

  • Facebook

    817,251 / Likes

  • Twitter

    241,000 / Followers

  • Google+

    1,620,816 / Followers

Latest Reviews

The Leica SL2-S is an attractive, premium mirrorless camera with photo and video specs that are sure to impress. And with the legendary Leica name, you know this camera exudes quality!

Mar 26, 2024

The Sigma fp L is a compact full-frame camera with a 61-megapixel sensor, 4K video capabilities, in-body image stabilization, and weather-sealed construction. What’s not to like?!

Mar 19, 2024

The Canon 1DX Mark III is a big, burly professional camera packed with top-end features. Is it worth the investment in 2024? Find out in this detailed review!

Mar 04, 2024

In the OM-1 vs OM-5 debate, which camera comes out on top? Though they’re different cameras for different purposes, comparing them head to head clarifies which is best for your needs.

Mar 01, 2024
Get 600+ Pro photo lessons for $1

Forum Top Posters

Latest Articles

Time management is a critical skill to master when you’re a photographer. But how do you get the most out of the limited time you have? Check out this guide to learn a few tricks!

Mar 27, 2024

The Leica SL2-S is an attractive, premium mirrorless camera with photo and video specs that are sure to impress. And with the legendary Leica name, you know this camera exudes quality!

Mar 26, 2024

Opening a photography business means undertaking various photography marketing strategies to promote your work. But you don’t want to do the same old thing - try these unique ideas!

Mar 22, 2024

The Canon EOS 80D might be a few years old, but it’s nevertheless a quality camera to invest in as a beginner or enthusiast looking for a mid-range DSLR with tons of lens options.

Mar 22, 2024

Wedding consultations are a critical part of a wedding photography gig. It’s when you learn about the couple and their wants, and present them with how you will meet those desires.

Mar 22, 2024

If you're looking for the best metal print of 2023, you'll find it from Artbeat Studios. After months of testing, Artbeat Studios beat out the competition!

Mar 21, 2024

Getting the best video shots on your camera or smartphone requires you to understand the fundamentals of composition and video editing. It helps to have the appropriate gear, too!

Mar 20, 2024

It’s easy to lose your inspiration behind the lens, especially as a beginner. These creative photography projects can help inspire you to try new techniques and improve your photos.

Mar 20, 2024