I saw big kids and small alike shooten for their bird! Man was fresh deep-fried turkey good!
I really want to thank everyone who worked, played, danced, sang, burned, talked, drank, and saw me smile. It was quite the night as these pictures show.
Ahhhh the Porch! it transform the parking lot into another place that was not West Oakland. Here it is with the The Easy Leaves making our feet tap!
Jodi lighting a cigarette to the sounds of JD’s banjo.
I watched and enjoyed EL RADIO FANTASTIQUE, Mykee Ramen and the Boiler Bar performers and was sorry I didn’t have my camera to capture what wonderful things were happening on our very little Boiler Bar stage.
And to top it all off CHP finally made it to the party a few hours after sunrise to take a turn at shooting the fire.
Zolie and I stopped by Cafe Biere for their BBQ and beer tasting happy hour last night. The normal fair there is Belgium with a Latin flavor. Great fries, mussels and spicy dips! They had BBQ set up at the curb and Zolie and I shared the most wonderful plate of fresh roasted corn on the cob, ribs and a baked patatoe. Yum!
I got to sample a few beers, but my favorite was the “Black Oil”
Harviestoun Ola Dubh (30 Year Old) Ola Dubh (or ‘Black Oil’) is a collaboration between Harviestoun Brewery and Highland Park, Distiller of the Year. It is based on Harviestoun’s award-winning Old Engine Oil. With more than a stylistic nod to the classic Imperial Porters (and Stouts) of the nineteenth century, this deliciously rich, dark, 8% a.b.v. beer is the first ale to be aged in malt whisky casks from a named distillery and, with traceable casks.
I will be back there again especially for the happy hour beer and conversation with the locals.
Posted Under: Beer & Spirits,food,Oakland
This post was written by Form & Reform on November 19, 2009 Comments Off on Snail Happy Hour @ Cafe Biere
We finally got the weather to cooperate enough for us to install the Fire Garden we finished a few weeks back for a family in the bay area. The back yard turned out great and has more plumbing and electrical wiring than my whole house! With 3 radiant heaters and my fire garden even on the coldest days there is a warm spot in this back yard. The Corten steel we made the box out of should patina nicely over time.
I left a one inch gap around the box to keep the cement from getting too hot and spalding. The textured steel gave the box a hand made look to contrast the square straight lines of the design.
What a wonderful wedding these two had! I felt so privileged to drive them around for the afternoon. Music, a bucket of champagne, the wind in their hair and fire! Justin commented on how surreal it all was.
I just finished this great back yard fire garden for a family in the bay area. The box is made of corten weathering steel and the rail is made of Stainless. The whole box will sit down in a stained concert box built into teariest hillside behind their home. I’ll post more pictures once it’s installed.
So many people that have hung out with the warmth and played in the sand of my wonderful Fire Gardens have asked me how they could make one of their own. Well I’ve taken the guess work out of all the fittings and sizes and put together a few kits that I use all the time in my work.
Available Kits:
FR12SLP 12″ steel fire ring with low pressure regulator
This is a great set up for 14-22″ sand gardens.
Contains:
12″ steel fire ring, weldable 1/2 coupler, 3/8″ 45 deg to 1/2 NPT fitting (to connect to the gas hose), 1/2 x 2″ brass nipple, Teflon tape, and a low pressure 1/4 FPT regulator with needle valve.
FR12SHP 12″ steel fire ring with a 0-60 psi regulator and a venturi mixer
This is a great setup for 14-22″ sand gardens, rocks, high temp glass, or other porous materials etc that need a venturi (gas air mixer) to achieve a clean soot free burn.
12″ steel fire ring, weldable 1/2 coupler, 3/8″ 45 deg to 1/2 NPT fitting (to connect to the gas hose), 2pc 1/2 x 2″ brass nipples, gas orifice (.0250), Teflon tape, and a high pressure 0-60 psi regulator.
$150.00 plus tax and shipping
Examples of Fire Gardens and Patio Heaters (Replaced the fire ring with unique burners) made with this setup
Upgrades to above kits:
18″steel fire ring $22 (good for 24-30″ sand gardens)
12″ stainless steel fire ring $60 (Stainless will last longer and the small gas hole won’t rust shut if you leave in the rain)
18″ stainless steel fire ring $90 FR18SSLP $185
In addition to these kits you will need a container that isable to handle high temperatures and be fully sealed underneath (leaks or drain holes will also allow gas out). A 55 gal drum works good. The weldable coupler provided will need to be welded though the bottom, legs added, then simply attach the fittings, ring, hose, propane BBQ tank and add sand. Sand should be 3-4″ above the ring. This is a match light system and I like those plumbing torches to light mine. Light the torch, then turn on the gas with the flame above the sand. It will take several seconds for the sand to fill with gas and rise to the top. Once lit it’s time to play in the sand with simple tools. This works best after dark when you can turn the flame down very low tell you only see a blue flame.
Fire is hot! DO NOT TOUCH the sand. It’s sticks and will burn before you can get it off. I would add a safety rail to keep young ones from falling on the hot edge and in the sand. It’s also a great place to keep your tools and rest your feet. 30″ is a great height to stand next to, and 14-18″ is great to sit around. Provide a minimum of 6″ below the coupler on the bottom for the fittings and hose. Keep your sand dry by covering in the rain.
Contact me at 510 444 7007, or email me at books@formandreform.com
We were given this for being Absolutely Outrageous!
Big thanks to Betty’s List for sponsoring our Snail Art Car the Golden Mean in the Pride Parade. It was a very appropriate theme this year for our family and our extended family.
The CBA is a wonderful organization that shares the tradition of blacksmithing. It’s not often we get to have it so close to the Bay Area. If you have interest in starting, or want to learn more this is the event for you. This group will share everything they know and teaching stations will be setup everyday of the event.
I will be there with the Snail Art Car the Golden Mean
My newest creation are steel logs and hand forged andiron that use natural gas for fuel. The colors of flame thoughout the fire are wonderful. This is my modern take on the ceramic log. I can build this as a match light system, or add a fully automated remote system with safeties. I use ANSI certified fire pans and safety valves. These logs could also be used in one of my outdoor fire pits as well.
