All Together Now 

Not afraid to BBQ in white with Sam and Lizzy 

I met Lizzy at the movie theatre watching Mulan in elementary school. I think we were just crossing over and out of our diehard Disney fan days and so we were much more interested in one another than the movie. We became quick friends and now after over two decades we remain close.

Lizzy and her husband Sam recently moved back to our hometown in the east county of San Diego. They live just about a mile from the neighborhood I grew up in. It’s in the hills, full of old, spanish-style houses with terracotta tile roofs, and yards overflowing with succulents and citrus trees. Sam and Lizzy’s home is a primo example of this ubiquitous style. It’s a sprawling, multi-building place that looks in on a court yard featuring a huge olive tree that is older than the house, imported from Italy during construction. The house was built by the architect Cliff May who is credited with creating the California Ranch Style House in 1932. It’s a house made for entertaining and enjoying the sweetest fruit of southern California - good weather. So, it’s no surprise that when I visited for Lizzy’s birthday, we chose to cook outside on the Barbecue. 

 Where do you live and how long have you been there?