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The weather is nice and the flowers are blooming! If you are looking for a local hike heavy on the floral accents, look no further than the Wishbone trail in Westlake Village. Located less than 10 minutes away from our neighborhood, this loop trail offers spectacular views and flowers for days! Trailhead Location: Yarrow Family YMCA. Head to the far end of the baseball fields. You will see a rock with a small plaque announcing the trailhead. You can just make out the small plaque denoting the trailhead on the rock in this photo Distance: Hard to find a straight answer and I forgot to track it. I'd guesstimate 2.5 miles Time: 60-90 minutes depending on your pace and photo taking stops Difficulty: Easy to moderate. Some steep inclines, but nothing too crazy. Kid friendly, but I wouldn't take a stroller What to Expect Don't let the name confuse you, you've possibly heard this hike referred to as Windmill Canyon. I know it was confusing for me while doing research. There is very little if any shade, so be sure to take plenty of water and be prepared to experience full sun for the duration of your hike. There are a few benches along the trail, but for the most part there are not too many places to stop and rest, though trust me the frequent stops to take photos will keep you from needing any additional breaks! Many of the flowers are actually weeds, and if you have sensitive skin they may irritate you if you get too close. Being that part of the trail is nearly overgrown by these weeds (not that I am complaining, it was beautiful! Like a sea of flowers), contact with these irritants is almost guaranteed. I would recommend you wear protective clothing if this will be a concern. Believe it or not, they are standing on the trail! It all but disappeared at this point, but it was there The Fiddleneck and Black Mustard was in abundance for much of the hike Important to Know You can out and back this trail or make it a loop. Either way, you'll end up back at the YMCA. Dogs are allowed as long as they are on leash. Be mindful if you do take Fido, there have been snake sightings on this trail, keep pets and kids close. There are restrooms available at the trailhead, but none along the way. Bikers are also allowed to use this trail, be sure to step aside if you see/hear them as they have the right of way. We didn't encounter any while we hiked, in fact, the only other people we saw were a group of city workers doing maintenance on the trail. As always, be sure to practice LEAVE NO TRACE while enjoying this trail and enjoy your hike! Arroyo Lupine and California Poppies dotted the trail

HUGE thank you to all who participated in our neighborhood yard sale! Whether you hosted a sale or simply went shopping, your support was much appreciated. We'll be back for another one next March!

Congratulations to some of our newest Fountainwood neighbors, Megan and Geo for being named our March Yard of the Month! Welcome to the neighborhood! Megan and Geo are very grateful to the previous owners of their home for all of the hard work they put into creating this masterpiece of a front yard. They get to reap all of the rewards without any of the headaches of renovating, lucky them! So given the circumstances one might think this is where our story would end, but fret not, dear neighbors. I happen to know these former owners! So pull up a chair, it's story time. The Before There is a good chance many of you knew the Mackay's. They called Fountainwood their home for well over 30 years and raised their 5 children here. As you can see, before this yard became a drought tolerant dream it had trees. And those trees had roots. And those roots...well, they were doing some damage. So clearly they had to go. Seen here, some of the victims of the roots. Those suckers stretched all the way to the backyard! This side wall came down as a causality of the great root reckoning. And the sprinkler lines... Well, it's best we don't talk about the sprinkler lines. Spencer Mackay is quite the artist and drew this sketch of the yard that was used as a blueprint for the renovations. They worked with Miguel Pineda at MAP Landscaping to make their vision a reality. Miguel accompanied them to commercial nurseries to purchase the plants at wholesale and aided them in selecting the boulders. If you'd like to commission Miguel for help with your own yard you can reach him at 805-443-4115. The After Talk about a glow up, so pretty! Hearty succulents have replaced the trees and gravel now covers the ground. An impressive Candelabra Aloe plant adds some color to the yard A Jerusalem Thorn Paloverde tree plays a front and center staring roll A word of parting advice from the Mackay's: If you are considering a similar project for your yard, reach out to the Las Virgenes Water Company BEFORE you start ANY renovations. Seriously, like don't even pick a blade of grass, don't even look at it! The Las Virgenes Water Municipal Water District offers some sweet rebates (read: more money in your pocket) when you make your lawn more water efficient. HOWEVER! Contacting them needs to be your very first order of business before doing anything to the yard. They are very strict with those bylaws. The Mackay's had only removed their grass when they put in the application for the program and were denied. They would hate for this to happen to anyone else, so consider this your formal warning from a loving neighbor. This gorgeous Bougainvillea will only get prettier as we creep closer to summer! A big thank you to the Mackay's for answering all of my questions about their much loved former home and for sending those fun before photos. I personally love the sketch, I hope they have that framed somewhere, what a creative memory. And of course, a HUGE thank you again to Megan and Geo for being our Yard of the Month and for allowing me to come over and take some photos. I didn't really do it justice, but I tried. If you would like to see this yard with your own eyes you'll be able to find the address in the hardcopy of the newsletter. Welcome to the neighborhood Megan and Geo, are so glad you are here! The side yard is not to be outdone, this Lipstick Echeveria is in full bloom See a yard you like? Nominate your neighbors! Or yourself, we don't care. Send your suggestions to thefountainwoodforum@gmail.com

Our fireplace is a slowly evolving work in progress. It's not quite there yet, but we're headed in the right direction. For a before shot keep scrolling. Also, just realized the TV isn't as centered as I thought it was... Our homes here in Fountainwood may have been built back in the 70's, but that doesn't mean they have to stay there. I know it can be tempting to leave well enough alone, "if it ain't broke don't fix it", right? This mentality may be great for your wallet, but it can leave your home feeling dated and uninspired. So if you are someone who is feeling the renovating itch but you want to keep it simple and thrifty, here are some small changes that pack a powerful punch. We reached out to professional designer Mari Deno of 8 Day Design for her top DIY projects that'll have your home looking sleek and chic by the end of the week! Paint. You knew this was going to be on the list. What else can change a space faster than a fresh coat of paint? Nothing. Want new cabinets but can't afford a kitchen remodel at the moment? Get out your paint brush. Hate your front door? Paint it. Stair banister looking rough? Paint. Tired of your rock fireplace...you know that's right. It's inexpensive and easy to do, all you need is a weekend locked away in your home, a little manual labor, some vision, and the possibilities are endless. "Painting will change your life. It provides the biggest bang for your buck and it is something you can easily do yourself. Apply a fresh coat of paint to kitchen and bathroom cabinets, add new hardware, and see these spaces instantly revitalized." -Mari As promised, the before picture of our fireplace Change out the hardware on your kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Hardware is a relatively inexpensive way to keep up with the current trends without having to make major, more costly changes to your home. Tie in your bathroom with your kitchen for a cohesive look throughout your home by using the same or complimentary hardware. "Kitchens and bathrooms are some of the most used and important spaces in our homes. I always recommend starting renovation projects here, it'll make the biggest impact on your day to day life." -Mari Change out bathroom mirrors. As per Mari, mirrors with a thin iron frame are so in right now, chunky frames are out. You know what else is out? The signature 70's 180 degree mirror situation many of our homes here in Fountainwood are sporting. Yes, the bathrooms in my home are still suffering from these awful, mind bending inception mirrors. They are nice for when you want to see what the back of your head looks like, but...indeed, my next major reno project will be the bathrooms. Stores like HomeGoods often have great mirrors at bargain prices if you're not picky, but if you have a specific look in mind stores like Lamps Plus or Living Spaces have vast collections and the newest styles. The 70's called, couldn't answer because I couldn't find my way out of the bathroom mirror Replace interior doorknobs. Find a style that ties in with the rest of your home and grab the screw driver. This is a smaller change, the impact of which may not be quite as noticeable as our other suggestions, but you won't regret it. Those original gold knobs have got to go. " Update old light fixtures and ceiling fans. Consult with an electrician before starting on this one. I am a firm believer that updating your lighting fixtures is one of the very best things you can do to inexpensively update and add value to your home. Our home was original everything when we moved in five years ago. We are in the two story model, so the foyer chandelier makes an important first impression for the rest of the home. We switched the old one out for a simple black metal lantern style, and replaced the dining room chandelier with a similar look. Again, Lamps Plus is a great place to kick off your light fixture shopping. I promise I don't have any secret vested interests with them, they just have a huge selection of fixtures and a great clearance section so I shop there frequently for work and personal life. We picked up our entry way chandelier for just $200 and I love it, it is exactly the look I wanted and it has single handedly changed the feel of our foyer from drab and dated to fresh and modern. The evolution of our chandeliers It is important to remember that at one point in time these older chandeliers were the in look. Unfortunately for them, unlike Dolly Parton not all things age well. It was time to move on. Our homes are our sanctuary, and I know you will find more peace and happiness with yours as you do these little projects to freshen it up. Far too many people wait until they are preparing to sell to update, but you deserve to live in a light and modern home too, so don't put it off! Good luck with those projects! We would love to feature some of your home renovations! Let's share ideas and inspiration. If you've done a remodel and have the before photos to prove it, send us an email at TheFounatinwoodForum@gmail.com Written by: Jessica Carter, REALTOR DRE#01490419 and Amanda Runge, little sister and head writer of this fine blog

Thank you to Pat on Timberlane for sending in this delicious recipe! Bananas past their prime are given new life and a chance to shine again in this classic recipe that is a MUST in every kitchen. A MUST, I say! Recipes written on cards are just a little more legit, you know? Oven Temperature: 350 degrees Prep time: 10 minutes Baking time: 40-60 minutes* INGREDIENTS 1/2 cup of Sugar 1/2 cup of softened Butter 2 Eggs 4-6 Tablespoons of Milk 1 teaspoon of Vanilla 2 cups of Flour 1 teaspoon Baking Powder 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda 2 smashed Bananas 1/2 cup chopped Walnuts DIRECTIONS In a bowl cream together sugar and butter. Add eggs, milk, and vanilla and mix well. Add flour, baking soda, and baking powder, mix well. Fold in mashed bananas and chopped nuts. Pour into greased loaf pan(s) and bake in a preheated oven until middle is set. Here's me mixing Here's me hoping bananas will add some much needed moisture to this very dry batter Here's me realizing I'm an idiot who forgot to add the eggs NOTES *The recipe calls to make 2 small loaves which would take about 40 minutes. I did one large loaf in a standard size loaf pan and it took just over 60 minutes to fully bake. I mixed by hand, but a kitchen aid or electric mixer would work great. And be a lot easier. The older the bananas the better, they need to be at least a little brown. I used 6 Tablespoons of milk and the batter was perfect. Once I remembered the eggs. To ensure the loaf comes out easily without tearing, line the bottom of the pan with wax paper after applying the cooking spray. Works like a charm! This came out delicious and was devoured in minutes! It was moist and not overly sweet with great flavor. Will definitely use this recipe again. Again, thank you so much Pat for sending us the recipe and for sharing it with all of us! Have a recipe to share? Please email us at TheFountainwoodForum@gmail.com

Anyone else ever get stuck in a restaurant rut, or is that just our family? It can't just be us, we all do it, right? Go to the same restaurants over and over. Order the same meal over and over. Sure there is comfort in familiarity, but this is no way to live! If you are looking to mix up your lunch date routine a little, than this monthly feature will be for you! We are challenging ourselves to get out there and try new eateries and we hope you will join us on this adventure! First up, Adobe Cantina. This was our first visit to Adobe Cantina, we thought maybe it was a newer restaurant because we had never heard of it. So you can just imagine our surprise when we found out they have been open at this location since 1997. Yeah, over 20 years. When we mentioned the restaurant to some friends they all started talking about what dishes and drinks they like to order when they go there, so apparently we have been VERY out of the loop on this one. See, this is the problem when you go to the same restaurants over and over. I digress, moving on... Located at 29100 Agoura Rd, you'll find Adobe Cantina picturesquely nestled up against the hillside. The iconic Agoura Hills landmark Lady Face looms over the restaurant from just a short distance away. If you are a fan of outdoor dining then this restaurant is an absolute must visit for you. Two large outdoor patios on either side of the building provide ample outdoor seating and the scenery surrounding the restaurant is quite beautiful and serene. While we ate a couple of green parrots flew overhead and played amongst the trees. Yeah, parrots! Or some sort of larger green bird, I don't know what kind exactly. They were pretty. It was actually quite a nice touch and really added to the ambiance. Like every good Mexican restaurant that ever was, we were given complimentary chips and salsa upon being seated. Two thumbs up for the salsa. Jessica sipped on the La Roja margarita while we waited for our food. This was hands down the prettiest drink I think I have ever seen. That color! Made with Corralejo Silver, Prickly Pear juice, Cointreau, and fresh lime it packed a rather strong punch...seriously, if you are a light weight, ask them to go easy! The large menu features all of your favorite Mexican dishes. We enjoyed a burrito, steak fajitas, and mole chicken. Generally speaking mole isn't my favorite, but my brother-in-law raved about it, said it was the best mole he'd ever had. Portions were more than filling and everything was delicious. Bonus: it all arrived quickly, which was good, because we were starving! We would definitely visit Adobe Cantina again, and we would encourage you to give it a go! But first... on to new establishments! Do you have a restaurant suggestion? Then send it our way! Hope you have a delicious month!

Congratulations to John and Denise on Eagleton for being the proud homeowners of our very first Yard of the Month! You've no doubt noticed this yard while walking along Eagleton. The subtle yet pleasing design of the front garden instantly catches your attention. Clean and contemporary, this garden full of vibrant succulents is a perfect match to the home behind it. I personally love balance and symmetry, and this garden and house go together in perfect harmony. The crisp clean lines of white trim pops against the neutral, yet brilliant color choice of Legendary Grey and creates the perfect backdrop for the succulents to shine. This complementary palate is a classic and timeless look that will survive the ebbs and flows of popular trends for years to come. Statement pieces work best when they help accentuate a space, and this red front door is no exception. Just the right amount of bold and color, it helps highlight the red tones found in some of the succulents. And can we please just take a moment to appreciate the choice in hardscape? It truly is the perfect compliment to the homes other features and continues the seamless, cohesive look. The garden boasts an array of cacti and succulents including: yucca, aloe, kangaroo paw, paddle plant, agave, aeonium cyclops, and rock purslane. A much loved aspect of the garden is the Palo Verde tree. Native to the American Southwest, it fits in perfectly with the succulents. This yard has so many beautiful features vying for your attention that it is easy to overlook the utility access. Many homes in Fountainwood have similar challenges and this yard offers some great ideas on how to camouflage by way of distraction. Like what you see? John and Denise hired the Agoura Hills based landscaping business The Golden Tree to create this masterpiece, hardscape and all. You can contact them by clicking here, or give them a call at 818.874.9069. I'd like to say thank you once more to John and Denise for being so kind and letting me ask all the questions and take all the pictures! In order to protect their privacy, the exact address of this yard has not been mentioned, however, the address CAN be found in the newsletter that will be delivered to your door. See a yard you like? Nominate your neighbors! Or yourself, we don't care. Send your suggestions to thefountainwoodforum@gmail.com

Many, many moons ago, a tired, overworked mom stared into the abyss of her panty and wondered what on earth she could come up with for dinner. She grabbed a couple of items and concocted what would become one of our family's favorite go-to meals. It's beauty is in it's ease and simplicity. In fact, there is a good chance you too have the ingredients to make Baked Noodles in your pantry right now. All it takes is 3 basic staples and you'll have dinner going in no time! Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 20-30 minutes Oven Temp: 350 degrees Servings: 8 Ingredients 1 lb of Rigatoni Noodles 1 28 oz Jar of your favorite pasta sauce (Mom swears by Ragu, but we like Classico or Rao's Homemade) 2-3 Cups of shredded mozzarella Salt That's it. Directions Cook rigatoni noodles as directed on the package and to desired doneness. Be sure to generously salt the water. I don't measure the amount, but in general it is recommended that 1 lb of pasta be boiled with at least 11/2 Tablespoons of salt. Salt = flavor. Once the noodles are done, drain and add back to the pot. Pour entire jar of sauce onto the noodles and mix. Take a 13x9 pan or glass dish and lightly spray with Pam. This step probably isn't completely necessary, but mom feels it makes clean up easier. And I do what mama says. Pour noodles into pan and spread evenly. Cover with cheese. 2 cups should do, but let's be real, the more cheese the better. Place in pre-heated oven and cook until cheese is melted. Depending on the oven, 20 minutes should be long enough to melt all the cheese, but if you like the sides browned a little like our family does, it'll take around 28 minutes. Keep an eye on it, once the cheese starts browning it's a quick, slippery slope. Done! Seriously, that's it! Easy, peasy. It's best to let it set for about 5 minutes before serving, it will be hot! But sometimes patience is not a virtue one possesses, so just proceed with caution. When I'm in need of comfort food this is my go to. Something about fat rigatoni noodles just hits right. Pair it with a green salad and viola! Dinner is served! Need a meal idea beyond a simple dinner? Baked Noodles is also the perfect dish for potlucks; it goes far and is always a hit. If you have to cook for a crowd on a budget the price to ease to taste ratio can't be beat. Neighbor could use a meal dropped off? Done. If you need to prepare it a day ahead the noodles keep great in the refrigerator; just top with cheese and bake when you're ready. It also freezes well, I just skip the baking step until it's ready to be served. It seems absurd that a dish so simple can be this amazing, yet it is. Anytime it has been served outside of the family inner circle requests for the recipe are sure to follow. You didn't even have to ask me for the recipe, I just gave it to you! So on behalf of my mom and the rest of our family, we hope you enjoy Baked Noodles as much as we do and that it becomes the same symbol of comfort and love in your home as it is ours. <3 This months recipe was submitted by yours truly, Amanda! I'm one of the creators and the writer of The Fountainwood Forum. While there's plenty more deliciousness where this came from, we'd rather hear about your families favorite recipe! If you'd like to submit a recipe, please email us at thefountainwoodforum@gmail.com to be featured! (And yes, we will test the recipe and take care of photos for you ;)