You're reading this post because something about driving into a Hidden Valley allowed you to daydream, to look out of a nearby window and wander into mother nature. If you've already visited us here at the Ranch you can surely picture what this time of year has to offer the wanderer...lush greens under the canopy's of oak, palm, fruit, and pine trees, blossoming roses still wet from the mornings dew, rain filled fountains trickling and plunking their way down into the dense dirt paths meandering throughout the eleven acre garden...my list is endless, but you wanderer's already have a list of your own Ranch favorites so I'll move on :) For those of you reading this post that have yet to visit us, take a tour at hiddenvalleyspa.com and get your time penciled in to come wander...
I titled this post "driving into Hidden Valley" because every day I drive home (my husband Ian and I are the new caretakers here on the Ranch) I feel like I get to escape into a hidden gem, driving along roads adorned with red and yellow leaves, homes decorated for the season, rolling hills and roaming animals...I just wanted to motivate others to allow for a little wandering to creep into your day, I think it keeps us youthful :) I'll post pictures within the next few days to better introduce myself and get ya'll caught up with life on the Ranch!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Another Beautiful Wedding at Hidden Valley Retreat!
Well, it looks like everyone had a good time at our latest wedding here...
and that party was just beginning!
Check back soon for pictures of the FREE WEDDING we are giving away this very weekend!
9/12/09
The weather is looking like it is holding up for us all - what a surprise for San Diego! - but should make for some gorgeous shots of the wedding party and surroundings.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Family Reunion at the Ranch
We recently rented out the estate to a family and they
had some wonderful things to say about their stay!
"Our family has enjoyed our week here and have been very blessed to be together.
Each one was able to find things to enjoy no matter what the age!"
"I was just recently proposed to and was then able to join this amazing family
here for the sixty year anniversary & family reunion. It has been amazing and I now
know that this is where I belong. Thanks for letting us stay the week here. It has
been a great experience!"
"This place has been wonderful and has given our family a great experience and MANY
memories to last forever!"
Another bunch of happy customers!
had some wonderful things to say about their stay!
"Our family has enjoyed our week here and have been very blessed to be together.
Each one was able to find things to enjoy no matter what the age!"
"I was just recently proposed to and was then able to join this amazing family
here for the sixty year anniversary & family reunion. It has been amazing and I now
know that this is where I belong. Thanks for letting us stay the week here. It has
been a great experience!"
"This place has been wonderful and has given our family a great experience and MANY
memories to last forever!"
Another bunch of happy customers!
Friday, July 24, 2009
July at the Ranch
We recently had the NGLTF,(www.thetaskforce.org), for a week at the retreat to figure out their plans for the upcoming year. You have probably seen their progress in the news. They had a wonderful stay! Here are a few things they had to say about their time spent:
“Everything you did for all of us was incredible! Thanks for taking such good care of us!”
“What a delightful experience, thanks for your hospitality.”
“Thanks for making a space for us to do so much good thinking, playing, and planning!”
“I’m so glad we got to come back to the BEST retreat site we’ve ever been to! The food was incredible every day, and the accommodations and grounds are just beautiful. Thanks for having us.”
Speaking of the food, they asked for our chili recipe that we made for them, and though we wanted to keep it secret, we realized that was selfish, so here it is.
Arlene and Kate’s Chili
Ground beef (5 lbs.)
White onion, chopped (two)
Minced garlic (probably 10 cloves)
Diced tomatoes (huge can)
Tomato paste (can)
Tomatoes chopped by hand (3 big ones)
Chili powder (1 cup)
Ketchup (5 or 6 count squeeze)
Olive oil (1/2 cup)
Balsamic vinegar (2 tbs)
Red wine vinegar (2 tbs)
Kidney beans (3 small cans, 1 large can, or however many you like)
Chopped jalapenos (at LEAST three, but to taste)
Sliced jalapenos (can you handle it?!)
Corn (frozen bag)
Salt (to taste)
Black pepper (like 4 tbs)
Green bell pepper (one, chopped!)
Sugar (1/2 cup, seriously)
Combine.
Just kidding. Begin with cooking the ground beef in a sauce-like pot. Treat this first part as if you are making an extremely meaty meat sauce. Add the olive oil, salt, black pepper, white onion, and half of the minced garlic. Cook this up until it smells really good and your neighbors start dropping by unexpectedly. Add the tomato paste, chopped tomatoes, ketchup, and diced tomatoes. Perhaps you want to add some more meat at this point, perhaps not. We let this simmer for hours and hours while adding the rest of the ingredients in when we felt like it. We believe that you will have the same success with this tactic. Make sure you taste it as you go, or else! This recipe can feed anywhere from two to sixteen people, depending.
*If you have any emergencies, feel free to call us. Please keep in mind the time difference.
“Everything you did for all of us was incredible! Thanks for taking such good care of us!”
“What a delightful experience, thanks for your hospitality.”
“Thanks for making a space for us to do so much good thinking, playing, and planning!”
“I’m so glad we got to come back to the BEST retreat site we’ve ever been to! The food was incredible every day, and the accommodations and grounds are just beautiful. Thanks for having us.”
Speaking of the food, they asked for our chili recipe that we made for them, and though we wanted to keep it secret, we realized that was selfish, so here it is.
Arlene and Kate’s Chili
Ground beef (5 lbs.)
White onion, chopped (two)
Minced garlic (probably 10 cloves)
Diced tomatoes (huge can)
Tomato paste (can)
Tomatoes chopped by hand (3 big ones)
Chili powder (1 cup)
Ketchup (5 or 6 count squeeze)
Olive oil (1/2 cup)
Balsamic vinegar (2 tbs)
Red wine vinegar (2 tbs)
Kidney beans (3 small cans, 1 large can, or however many you like)
Chopped jalapenos (at LEAST three, but to taste)
Sliced jalapenos (can you handle it?!)
Corn (frozen bag)
Salt (to taste)
Black pepper (like 4 tbs)
Green bell pepper (one, chopped!)
Sugar (1/2 cup, seriously)
Combine.
Just kidding. Begin with cooking the ground beef in a sauce-like pot. Treat this first part as if you are making an extremely meaty meat sauce. Add the olive oil, salt, black pepper, white onion, and half of the minced garlic. Cook this up until it smells really good and your neighbors start dropping by unexpectedly. Add the tomato paste, chopped tomatoes, ketchup, and diced tomatoes. Perhaps you want to add some more meat at this point, perhaps not. We let this simmer for hours and hours while adding the rest of the ingredients in when we felt like it. We believe that you will have the same success with this tactic. Make sure you taste it as you go, or else! This recipe can feed anywhere from two to sixteen people, depending.
*If you have any emergencies, feel free to call us. Please keep in mind the time difference.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Summer Has Arrived!
Our blog activity has been quiet, of late, because we have been recuperating from the mad rush and flurry of activity that preceeded the May 30th Bridal Fair and Open House. Since that successful day, spring headed out the door, and summer was ushered in. Typical of the low-lying coastal regions of San Diego, May Gray and June Gloom have been dampening the spirits of many unsuspecting tourists. Fortunately, what all of this precipitation and humidity means is that the surrounding hills and magnificent fields of San Diego County have yet to turn from emerald green to velvety brown. Up at the Hidden Valley, the dense clouds of marine layer tend to break earlier in the morning, and a warm sun marches across the sky for a majority of the day.
Since the spring, we have continued to make upgrades to our property and its facilities. We are also eagerly awaiting the September nuptials of Eric and Marie, our lovely contest winners from Montana. However, the Hidden Valley is a popular venue that is fully-booked for the remainder of these summer days. Our guests include the Gay and Lesbian Task Force to family reunions and small weddings. Only two weeks ago, the Hidden Valley Retreat and Spa welcomed the Healing Gardens of Orange County, an Ayurvedic, natural health and healing organization that presented a Panchakarma Retreat. During their stay, guests were encouraged to relax and unwind amidst our nature spa's peace and tranquility with sunrise yoga, natural foods, personalized therapies, live music chanting, meditation, and more.
We look forward to hosting more of these events, as well as yours. If there is anything that we can do for you, then please let us know. Otherwise, we look forward to seeing you up at the Hidden Valley, - a treasure trove that is waiting to be discovered by you!
Since the spring, we have continued to make upgrades to our property and its facilities. We are also eagerly awaiting the September nuptials of Eric and Marie, our lovely contest winners from Montana. However, the Hidden Valley is a popular venue that is fully-booked for the remainder of these summer days. Our guests include the Gay and Lesbian Task Force to family reunions and small weddings. Only two weeks ago, the Hidden Valley Retreat and Spa welcomed the Healing Gardens of Orange County, an Ayurvedic, natural health and healing organization that presented a Panchakarma Retreat. During their stay, guests were encouraged to relax and unwind amidst our nature spa's peace and tranquility with sunrise yoga, natural foods, personalized therapies, live music chanting, meditation, and more.
We look forward to hosting more of these events, as well as yours. If there is anything that we can do for you, then please let us know. Otherwise, we look forward to seeing you up at the Hidden Valley, - a treasure trove that is waiting to be discovered by you!
Friday, June 5, 2009
Bridal Fair Follow Up, continued...
Last Saturday's Bridal Fair was a smashing success!
A HUGE Thank You to all of our participating sponsors and wedding contestants for helping to make the afternoon memorable, and fun, for all involved.
Clickery Photography, of Oceanside, was on-hand to capture the laughter-filled moments. Please, enjoy the Bridal Fair via photographs in the posts that follow.
And, stay tuned for more to be posted soon.
A HUGE Thank You to all of our participating sponsors and wedding contestants for helping to make the afternoon memorable, and fun, for all involved.
Clickery Photography, of Oceanside, was on-hand to capture the laughter-filled moments. Please, enjoy the Bridal Fair via photographs in the posts that follow.
And, stay tuned for more to be posted soon.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
The Winners of Our Dream Wedding Giveaway...
Eric and Marie of Billings, Montana
Congratulations to our Lucky Couple!
We look forward to hosting your wedding nuptials at the Hidden Valley.
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