An Indian summer dinner with friends in Anderson Valley

Last Sunday marked our friends Grace and Scott's seventh wedding anniversary. Crazy how time goes by - I still remember their beautiful fall ceremony in the garden at the Boonville Hotel, celebrating their union surrounded by extended family and many friends. Exactly seven years later we got to spend a sunny anniversary Sunday with them and six year old Tasman, enjoying a warm Indian Summer day at the ranch in Anderson Valley {a favorite place, tugged into the Mendocino Ridge hills high above Philo} - raising a glass to the occasion and sharing a casual sunset dinner ...

Indian summer days in Anderson Valley

A rustic ranch in the hills above the Anderson Valley. Days of homestead living with chickens and roosters, sheep and goats, a wise dog, two barn cats and a hog named Piggy. Amazing sunset views over the coastal range in the distance. And a fruit orchard bursting with ripe fruit - bright yellow mirabelle plums, golden Asian pears, tart red apples, sweet green apples, fragrant Santa Rosa plums, sweet figs and the tiniest of grapes {more on some baking here & canning here} ...

A rainy morning in the country & breakfast with Mr. Boots

Waking up to a grey and rainy Saturday {fall is in the air!} brightened by a very sunny breakfast: ripe local peaches and black mission figs, ricotta cheese drizzled with Camp Meeker honey and skillet warmed scones from Wild Flour Bread ... 

An art filled barn in the Eifel {Thesi's birthday}

the location.

ralph & thesi's restored farmhouse & barn, eifel, germany

the menu.

"kaffee & kuchen" 

{apple & strawberry marzipan tarts, lemon roll, hefekranz & raspberry ricotta crostata}

The first signs of spring & a picnic in the country ...

the place.

michael's barn in sonoma county, california

the menu.

✳ butter toasted ciabatta bread with prosciutto cotto
✳ soft boiled eggs, cheese & apples

✳ raspberry-almond-marzipan tart with whipped cream

a wine country picnic with friends {& the ghost of jack london}

dinner with friends

the location.
jack london state historic park, glen ellen, california
the picnic.
✳ cannellini bean tuna salad with shallots and parsley
✳ heirloom tomatoes and mozzarella with basil
✳ lamb meatballs with parsley
✳ raspberry marzipan tart

an easter pot puck & egg hunt in the country

dinners with friends

the location.
madeleine + thomas' barn, petaluma, california
the menu.
a savory & sweet pot luck with neighbors and friends ...

 

A spontaneous dinner from the country garden ...

the location.
thesi, ralph + helena's country home, zingsheim, eifel, germany
the occasion.
a spontaneous country visit
the menu.
✳ mixed greens herb salad and kohlrabi from the garden
✳ mozzarella and tomatoes with parsley
✳ mixed grill (sausages, steak & marinated pork belly)
✳ baked tomatoes with herb goat cheese
✳ dark chocolates and cherries from the garden

dinners with friends: another birthday ...

the location.
julia & frank's kitchen, san francisco, california
the occasion.
a birthday gathering ...
the guests.
julian, erik p, jasmine, rob, shannon, diane, torryne, kelly, cheryl, ceacy, erik a, andy, monica, brett & olivia ...

Bounty from Sonoma & Marin County

Driving home from Sweetwater Springs on Friday afternoon, we stopped here and there along the way for local goodies: 

❊ organic breads & biscotti from Wild Flour Bread in Freestone 

❊ Humboldt Fog goat cheese from Cypress Grove Chevre

❊ Toma cow milk cheese from Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese

❊ Foggy morning cow milk cheese from Nicasio Valley Cheese Company

❊ marinated sardines from Sonoma Coast Fish Bank

❊  leg of lamb from Niman Ranch

❊ fresh rosemary from Sweetwater Springs

✳  ✳  ✳  ✳  ✳  ✳

Lazy days at Sweetwater Springs ...

the location.
michael's barn, guerneville, california

the occasion.

house-sitting at sweetwater springs

dinners with friends