Horse and Home: Sonoma Valley Break, Part One

Some of you may know, or remember, that the Paradis family has one or two attachments

 in San Francisco Bay area, which prompt us from time, to time to make a break

for the North.  Last weekend we were lucky to share our time with this little guy, named Eeyore (of course) at his home in Sonoma Valley.  A hop, skip and dawdle from lovely Petaluma.

What a difference four months of rain make, the hills were green(er) again.

And from the little house in which we stayed, known as "the Saddle House", 

at Cerro Pampa Cottages and Polo Field, there were views of them.

And views.

It is a rugged and rustic place.  So wear sturdy shoes.  Your car will get dusty.  Though inside,

very, very nicely appointed, with a perfectly blissful bed, utter silence at night, and stars.....

and in the morning, those views....views...views.

 (the above is not the Saddle House but another rental - link here)

There is a clay tennis court on the property, play-able - but at the time of our visit, suffering from a soupcon of benign neglect.  Cerro Pampa is not quite a 5-star resort, if that is your expectation....

But an other sort of haven.  For hares, ground squirrels, wild turkeys and other fascinating fauna.

A place to ride horses at the Polo field across the way (see Part Two to come).  Or to visit the coast and the wine country all around.

(To work on your marriage, in utter privacy and seclusion - judging by the book supply in the house.  There were also many cookbooks AND a Henry James reader at the time of our visit.  Sorry - had to introduce just a hint of dramatic tension to my happy history - wink wink.)

Or just a place to pass a sweet and pleasant moment if you are in the vicinity. 

Highly recommended.  IT WILL DO YOU GOOD.

Where the West Was Won.....Ricardo Breceda - Sculptor, Designer, Very Cool Dude

On our way to Anza Borrego Desert State Park the other day...

it was hard to miss these guys.  Perched on outcroppings and eventually....

MASSED - like a movie director's slightly deranged dream

on the long and winding road into the State Park.

The Paradis family and friends were not the ONLY people

to find this crowd AMAZING, STUNNING, BEGUILING

and MAJORLY ARTISTIC.

All springing exuberantly from the minds and hands of a single man.

It was a reminder to us that you have to get off road.  Regularly.

Because it's not always on the major routes and roadways......that the race in life is won.

Sometimes you have to follow your own lead - as Mr. Breceda demonstrates, to arrive in Paradise.

Ricardo Breceda 

Check out his web page and that amazing, happy smile.  The guy has it totally figured out!

Gjusta, Venice Beach - The New Place to Eat in Venice Beach

Gjusta is what all the buzz is about these days.

The younger sister of Gjelina, where all the beautiful people eat, on Abbott Kinney Blvd.,

Gjusta is the more protein intensive, wide-open spaces America, East-Coast deli mashup

artisan-industrial destination where EVERYTHING IS FRESH because it's made for you

sur place - whether it's smoked fish or meats, pastry, bread, kale-intensive salads

jams, drinks, rotisserie chickens

or

smoked marinated oysters.  The Paradis family have only visited in the afternoon when a summery

sort of lazy small town quiet has set in.  Brunch is the time when all the action takes place.  And some serious people watching one would have to expect.......before you spill yourself back out into the Venice sunshine where your bicycle will be waiting.  (Or your Uber driver!)

“Parking however is terrible so it's better off bike instead of drive if you could.” - Yelp

It's Almost Summer, They Say

Yes, I'm still here.  With a little share for you.

 (Basil and mint/vinegar and oil/tomatoes and ricotta bruschetta)

Of Spring highlights at Passage Paradis.

before the season slips away.

Pictures here of the Paradis family's (apparently) annual walk down Sunset Boulevard.

With all its prickly and peculiar

L.A. personality.

Alpine strawberries from the garden.

A ("usual" now, I guess) visit to Sonoma Valley and an out of the way beer stop in a metal shed in the middle of farmland.  Loved that!  (More on it later.)

Flowers from the garden.  

Yes.  Cymbidium orchids from a four year old supermarket plant.  Miracles can happen!

Que Pasa my peeples?!

Crystal Cove, Part Two - If You Like Edward Hopper, You Might Like This

Ummmmm I don't want to "talk" too much

during this post.

Just to explain that once upon a time, any old body could come to Crystal Cove

and build a beach house with their buddies.

Now those have been condemned.  And the Beach has become a state park.

(Had to include the requisite cliche sunset - which does not in any way diminish the glory of this particular sunset)

It is still possible to rent newer, "safer" beach houses.  Mr. Paradis has said "YES!"

(But nothing is booked yet.)

YOU could book one here.

But just don't bring all of your noisiest and inclined-to-be-the-carousing-types friends...

Please.  And don't tell ALL your friends.  Just your favorite, most deserving ones.

Because I want to keep Crystal Cove the lovely quiet place I got to know.

And you want to keep me happy, don't you?

Yes, thanks.  I do appreciate that.


HAVE  a HAPPY WEEKEND.   CHRISTMAS IS COMING!!!