Beautiful Day at Buckhorn Cove

Did you know we have our own private beach? It's called Buckhorn Cove and because it is a Cove, it is frequently super-temperate down there. It's just across the street a piece from our place here on the Mendocino Coast and in addition to spectacular rock formations, there's just a lot of nice, clean sand and some smaller rocks that are perfectly formed for sitting on and reading a book. It's not even hard to walk down to, unlike so many of the rugged and inaccessible beaches on the North Coast. This one is positively accessible -- yet you have to know it's there (no signs -- it's private) which means it's also uncrowded.

This photo was taken two days after Christmas of a couple of teenaged guests at the Inn. Who says there's nothing for teenagers to do in Mendocino? There's plenty to do if they like to hike or kayak or explore or just hang out on the beach. This day was warm enough to wade and it was only two days ago! Wow! We are lucky in our weather.

Here is the mighty Podengo and his junior side-kick in training, Remy Martin, that same day at the beach. Dogs are allowed off leash on this beach and these two had a blast, I am told.

Happy Holidays to you from all of us up here

As you can see, Chunk is back in shape now that he has quit being a full-time chef and winter is upon us, making foraging just a bit harder. This shot would have made a nice photo for our holiday letter which I have already sent out.

Heidi was of the opinion that we didn't need a holiday letter this year and that I was only writing it to compete with the hoof-stock down at B. Bryan Preserve.

That's just silly!

Of course we need a holiday letter, regardless of what our cousins do or do not do. We are all about spreading good cheer, Peace on Earth, etc. etc.
 

The earth is very peaceful on the Mendocino Coast and we are so lucky to be so comfortable and cozy up here. It's not even raining at the moment! We are all just snuggled up with nog, and board games, and the Internet (of course we have Wifi!) and full of the spirit of the season.

Take that zebras!

Heidi checking in!

Happy holidays and shalom from Heidi.

I know Hannukah is long since over but it was too soon this year, don't you think?

I'm grabbing the blog while Monique is off composing our Christmas Newsletter to send the zebras and elk at B. Bryan Preserve, down the coast in Point Arena. I hope she's not going to be too wordy or heavy! She gets so competitive sometimes and I do feel that holiday letters can give exactly the wrong impression. They can be an opportunity to sort of blow your own horn -- especially if you are Very Endangered or just feeling that way this time of year...

But I do adore my cousins the Grevy's zebras down there. They are always having babies and they are chatty as the day is long. 

Here's a favorite photo of cousin Pistol when he was just a lad:

Photo by R.H. Carter

Isn't he sweet? I think so but of course he's family so I am biased.

Off to go check on Monique. I think there's nothing worse than a LONG holiday letter, don't you?

To Christmas Letter or Not to Christmas Letter?

Perfect Xmas Letter Shot?

Heidi and I are having a mild disagreement about whether or not we now have to craft a Christmas letter to send to the African hoof-stock down at B. Bryan Preserve. I argue that since our blog is so updated, if they want to know what we are up to, they can just read it.

You can even subscribe with RSS and other fancy tools!

Heidi says that A) Zebras and elk are notoriously technophobic (i.e., not big fans of reading on the screen) and B) It's a matter of etiquette, since Domino sent us his.

I'm not about to go to press just to prove something to Domino but it IS true that the Grevy's zebras are quite close friends of ours. They are just such sociable creatures! Heidi says it's no wonder there are only 2,000 of them left on Earth. They are far too friendly. Which is a depressing sentiment at the holidays, isn't it?

Photo by R.H. Carter

At any rate, the hills are green and it's making me feel cheerful so I will probably relent and send out a holiday missive -- at least to the Grevy's. They are sweet as pie.

Fried Plaintains and a whole lot more...

Here is Chunk's niece, Lovey. She was doing his chopping when he was doing the chef thing. Now that he's studying to be a massage therapist, she's gotten busy canning and pickling some of the stuff she has chopped.

Chipmunks don't live on their body fat (don't tell Chunk!). They live on whatever they can store for the winter.

The rest of us can run down to Pacific Tapas! They are open 4 to 10 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, no reservations necessary.

The dishes include things like Gambas Con Pancetta (Grilled Prawns Wrapped in Spanish Bacon with Sherry Dipping Sauce), Lobster & Fontina Cheese Chile Relleno (Anaheim Chiles Stuffed, Battered & Cooked Golden Brown & Finished with Lime Cilantro Cream Sauce), Croquettes de Zucchini (Zucchini Fritters Served with Tangy Apricot Mango Salsa) and those famous fried green plaintains!

If we keep on like this, we're going to get as chunky as Chunk!

Pacific Tapas is fantastic!

At least that's what the chipmunks tell us. Heidi and I were so busy with holiday parties and preparations, we didn't get down there ourselves this weekend -- the official opening weekend of the new place.

Chunk and Punk said a good time was had by all.

Neither of them are going to be sous-chef, as it turns out.

Chunk has decided that chef work is too stressful for him and is training to be a massage therapist now instead and Punk says their techniques aren't experimental enough for him. He wants to continue his work with foams, mousses, and sous vide.

As long as he doesn't expect us to eat much more acorn foam! Let me tell you, a little bit of that stuff goes a long way.

And being that Punk is a major conspiracy theorist (he doesn't believe in either luck or coincidences) we are very relieved that the major contest between the chipmunk cousins has ended so peacefully -- without Punk going too wiggy on us.

Punk's a busy boy these days, and that suits us all just fine. Especially Chunk, who needs to be left alone to meditate!

Pacific Tapas is open on Route 1, just down the road, Wednesday through Sunday, 4 to 10 p.m. No reservations, nothing fussy. Just delectable little plates and modest prices to make them even more delicious!

Note from Domino

Photo by R.H. Carter

We aren't the only hoofed animals with blogs on the Mendocino Coast. Did you think we were?

Our friends at B. Bryan Preserve have a blog as well, although the zebra and African elk (various kinds -- all very cute), aren't writing the thing themselves, obviously.

They are WILD animals, while we are domesticated -- board games, pedicures, scrapbooking, etc.

They have acres and acres to run around on and live just like they are in the wild -- and although their barns are very comfy they do not rival our beautiful Donkey Cottage.

On the other hand, they aren't too wild to send an e-mail every now and then.

Domino, an extremely endangered Hartmann's Mountain Zebra, likes to keep us on his Holiday e-Newsletter list, and even though he's barely two years old, I have to say there's a fair amount of bragging that goes on there.

Heidi says that being extremely endangered gives him an attitude, but I think it's more about being extremely adorable. That has to have gone to his head. Personally, I feel closer to the Grevy's Zebras but Heidi says that's silly. They are all our cousins and since they just live down the road in Point Arena (another hopping small town on Highway One, similar to our home town of Little River), we can't play favorites.

Watch me.

I heard they are getting giraffes soon. I am all over that! I love, love, love a tall man.

Podengos on Earth and Goodwill Toward Mini Donkeys!

Here is the Mighty Podengo, patrolling the deck of Rose Cottage, just across from our Donkey Cottage, here at the Inn.

Like most of our cottages, Rose Cottage has marvelous ocean views from the deck, which is why the Podengo is on patrol.

Whales probably can't walk on dry land, but Podengos are ever vigilant. Someone has to be.

Whales come very close to our coast here in Mendocino, something about the geography of the coastline. It makes us a mecca for whale watchers.

Here's the chest of pet perks and gear, which guests get, in addition to the Pet Welcome Packet, which is where you will find the tasty dog treats you crave.

If you are a dog, of course! We never raid the dog treats, even if they are organic and handmade.

We have our pride!

Welcome to our Winter World

It's not a coincidence that "Murder, She Wrote" picked Mendocino Village to pretend to be New England. (Punk would say, "There are no coincidences!" But he's a Conspiracy Chipmunk...More on that anon.)

As you can see, it's just gorgeous. This Village, every square inch of which is an Historical Preserve, is just a few miles north of us, via our lovely Route One, that lazes along the mighty Pacific across from our Inn.

We can see the Pacific from our cottage, and at this time of year, Heidi becomes obsessed with whale watching and just about drives me to distraction.

I say "just about" because it's impossible not to feel peaceful with these kind of views.

Moisture turns the Mendocino Coast into another kind of paradise, returns it to a primeval Redwood Rainforest -- filled with mushrooms, lush mosses, verdant glades -- all beneath the hushed, sacred beauty of some of the Earth's oldest trees.

Come see for yourself if you don't believe me.

Thoughts from Heidi

Hello!

It's Heidi!

How are you all? I am very, very happy now that we have our classic, Mendocino Coastal winter weather. It's so lovely and misty in the mornings and our fields are a gorgeous emerald green!

It's no secret that I love board games and our Donkey Cottage is stocked with them, just like all of the cottages here at the Inn.

But enough about that.

I have noticed recently that with the imminent opening of Pacific Tapas, Monique has been making more comments that I am comfortable with on the subject of our friend Chuck's...girth, for lack of a more tactful way to put it. Here is a much more flattering picture of our little friend. I never think it's nice to run a photo of someone eating to begin with!

I just know he will make a wonderful sous chef -- if they can get past the whole "rodent chopping and stirring sauce in the kitchen" thing. I know a rat was a chef in a recent movie but I'm not sure if that was a documentary or not?

Monique and I get to the movies so seldom. We always catch a few films at the Annual Mendocino Film Festival but those are usually just very select, rather poetic pictures. It's been in May in the past but this year it's in early June. We have seen some really wonderful films that way.

I'd better run! Monique tends to hog the lap top. She's become obsessed with playing chess online with people from all over the world. I've warned her that you never know who you could be playing with long distance like that, but she just laughs and says she bets they don't realize they've been beaten by a miniature donkey.

You know what?

I bet they don't.

Love and kisses,

Heidi

Pacific Tapas opens next Wednesday!

The news is in!

Pacific Tapas opens a week from today.

Chunk can't stop eating those plantains he is frying constantly. Don't tell him I said this, but Chunk is going to get the job as sous-chef, but he's not going to be able to fit through the door when he gets it if he keeps on like this.

Beautiful ocean views, delicious dishes mostly under $10, sensational sangria and stuff on tap. The new place is going to be red hot.

Heidi and I might trot down there when it opens up and poke our noses in for a bite. It's not as fancy as La Petite Rive, what with being in the old post office building in what passes for "downtown" in Littleriver (one word), so we are assuming it's a mini donkey-friendly environment.

In the meantime, we will try to keep Chunk on an even keel and enjoy our seasonal weather!

This photo is old -- it's GREEN here now!

So now it's officially the "holidays"

Count down begins to the season when we shine the brightest!

A season virtually created for mini donkeys. But enough about that. This is just a teaser. You will have to tune in later on to get details about what I'm talking about.

If I didn't know better, I'd say that Punk and Chunk were frying all of those green plantains for their den. It's getting almost chilly enough for hibernation although, let's face it, it never gets actually cold this close to the coast.

Heidi is looking forward to whale watching soon.

I'm just looking forward to the opening of Pacific Tapas so the chipmunks can settle down! And YUM!

Happy Eating-Related Holiday!

I don't think I need to tell you that eating holidays are our favorite! We can't get enough. What a perfect idea for a holiday -- no gifts, no costumes, no stress. Just eating for eating's sake.

Chunk has been baking up a storm for the Big Day -- and I'm afraid he's also been sampling quite a bit of his own cooking too.  

Pacific Tapas is due to open any week now -- they even have a website up with a sample menu -- and the chipmunk chefs are knocking themselves out trying to prove who can fry the crispiest green plantain.

All I can say is, Chunk's Tarta de Cebolla Y Tomillo (onion tart when it's at home) is like a mini poem. Don't tell Punk I said that.

Enjoy your eating holiday. I know we are going to enjoy ours.

Fireplace days

Now's the time of year when I like the Inn the best. Our cozy cottage feels just right when it's a little bit nippy out. Granted, we don't have a Jacuzzi tub or a hot tub like the other cottages -- or a fireplace or wood stove to snuggle up in front of like they have in theirs -- but we've got games just like the bigger accommodations!

Heidi is partial to Parcheesi and that's just nuts. It's not even a real game. I don't think anyone will be surprised to learn that in addition to chess, I am a big fan of bridge.


Here's the Buckhorn Cove room at the Inn. It's named after the private beach (off leash for dogs!) just a short walk from our Inn. Isn't that nice?

I can feel Heidi reaching for the Parcheesi shaker...

Autumn is upon us!

Finally, my favorite season.

Here in Mendocino County, this time of year means wine and harvest festivals and wonderful handicrafts by our local artisans (did you know that Mendocino Village was an artist's colony and still is?).

I love the smells of Fall, the turning leaves, the sunsets.

Here's a mighty Podengo hunting in our meadow. I have been told this is the smallest breed of hunting dog. Just because he never catches anything doesn't mean he doesn't live for these moments.

I'm more of a Gwyneth...

Heidi here!

I think Sandra Bullock playing Monique is right on the money, but I'm not sure Reese Witherspoon is the best fit to play me. I know Gwyneth is VERY over-exposed right now (country music? Goop blog? Oh dear!) but she's more my style any day. No offense to Reese. She's just adorable in her own way.

Who is going to play Chunk and Punk though? They are both confused by this unseasonably warm weather we are having and who can blame them? By now, it should be much cooler than it is, although our evenings are starting to be nippy.



Here's Punk, sourcing organic berries for a crisp he is making. Maybe he should just play himself. Isn't he handsome?

The Mini Donkey Bump

I'm not saying we invented this expression -- or even that we are actually capable of getting people engaged to be married who didn't like each other before (see Donkeys of Peace and Love for more on that). We aren't a big studio romantic comedy!

Sidenote: Should we be? People love mini donkeys. People love to laugh and love...You do the math! I want to be played by Sandy Bullock. Heidi could be played by Reese Witherspoon. But that's really her call.

But we did give the Shed Horn Cellars dinner the mini donkey bump. The event is now sold out.

Oh no, you say! It's the gorgeous mild, sunny weather you are having up there.

It's the festive bustle of Mushroom Season and the annual Wine & Mushroom Festival with all its attendant events -- mushroom foraging walks, delicious tastings and dinners, etc., etc.

But you would be wrong.

All you have to do is look hard into our melting brown eyes to know the TRUTH.

We rule.

Love, Monique (and Heidi)

Shed Horn Cellars this Saturday!

Hi!  Heidi here!

Monique thinks this isn't appropriate blog fodder, but while she's off doing her scrapbooking (I think THAT'S a silly hobby!), I thought I'd hop on here and let you know that La Petite Rive is hosting a Winemaker's dinner for the Wine & Mushroom Festival this Saturday night, November 13th, at 6:30 p.m. with Shed Horn Cellars wines and Michael, the winemaker and owner of the winery.

Michael's Dad was a bronco rider, which makes him horse people by blood, which is the next best thing to being miniature donkey people.

His wines have been winning lots of awards lately, but they wouldn't be paired with Troy and Mel's fantastic food unless they were deliciously drinkable and good with food. We don't hold with wine snobbery up here. We are all about enjoyment.

Shed Horn Cellars is in lovely Lake County -- just look at this lake!

And La Petite Rive has planned an amazing dinner to show off the generous pourings. Nobody should miss it because who knows if it will ever happen again?

Gotta run! Hope to see you up here Saturday.

--Heidi

A prince among mushrooms

This beauty is from the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. It's a great place to see some of the thousands of varieties of mushrooms that grow here at this time of year.

Of course, the only varieties we are interested in are the ones that they cook up at La Petite Rive. And pretty soon at Pacific Tapas, the new place coming in by the post office.

The gardens, which are located right on Highway 1 overlooking the Pacific, are surprisingly temperate year round, which makes it a great spot to grow all kinds of wonderful tropical beauties.

But what is our favorite thing about this, the only coastal gardens of its kind in the Continental US?

We snatched this from the Garden-by-the-Sea web

Dogs, naturally! They are welcome on leash in the gardens.  Isn't that nice? We keep meaning to ask about donkeys. Memo to self!

Somebody...

....made breakfast even more delicious here at the Inn.

Well, I know who but I'm sick to death of braying about the chefs at La Petite Rive. They are just artists. Everyone says so who has eaten there.

And now every guest who stays is benefiting from their craft, because they are preparing the breakfasts for everyone up at the farmhouse daily, included in your stay. A savoury hot entree like eggs benedict every day, a sweet hot entree like French toast, plus eggs however you want them, lots of good, strong coffee being poured. AND yogurt, cereals, toast, bagels, pastries, etc., etc.

Is it any WONDER Chunk has a weight problem? My lord! He's up there every morning.

I think he took this photo after a sip too much champagne, which means it isn't a photo of breakfast at all -- it's a photo of dinner -- but you get the general idea.

Guess who?

Chipmunks of course!

They love Halloween.

Punk is an ace pumpkin carver and Chunk? Well, you can see for yourself what Chunk is good at this time of year.

It's eating season on the Mendocino Coast! Lovely crisp Fall weather, mushrooms simmering everywhere...Even though Heidi says we are going to be in the 70s temp-wise all week and the sun is still shining strong.

Do we live in paradise or what?

It's officially Mushroom Season in Mendocino...

This giant grew in our meadow

 
November is the beginning of mushroom season. We LOVE mushroom season! The mushroom festival is only one part of the fun.

La Petite Rive is having a winemaker's dinner with Shed Horn Cellars here on November 13th in honor of the festival.

Not that we would know. I'm not going to take up any more room here on the blog complaining about the lack of donkey seatings at our on-site restaurant, a fabulous spot that features French homestyle cooking (which means delicious), married to local Northern California ingredients and techniques (which means wholesome and mostly organic).

I'm simply going to enjoy the mushrooms popping up in the meadows all around us and bask in the reflected glory of their savory little wonderfulness. Here in Mendocino we have mushrooms that won't grow anywhere else on earth, including the sweet candy cap which tastes like maple sugar. They are so sweet and fragrant, people up here make ice cream with them!

Pacific Tapas coming in NOVEMBER!

That's next month.

Just in time for mushroom season. YUM!

The chipmunks are a twitter with the news. They are polishing up their mushroom tapas recipes. You'd be surprised how many ways chipmunks can cook mushrooms -- all of them delicious.

I have to say, I love this time of year, even if Heidi has convinced me to go as "donkeys" again for Halloween.

She's right, we do rock the outfits...See for yourself.

Interview with an Innkeeper

Now I'm not saying Claire is our favorite, but she DOES have a French name, like me, spelled the correct, French way (like me -- naturellement!).

We love her a lot. And so we are allowing her some of our precious space so that you, our beloved readers, can share the love.

Q. & A. with Claire

M:  How long have you been at the Inn? 

C: I have been here a little over 2 years, since July 2008. I was born and raised in Mendocino, left for about 6 years but decided to return home to the beautiful Mendocino Coast!

M: What do you love best about Mendocino? 

C: The sense of community, farmer’s markets, rain storms, huckleberries, and of course the ocean!

M: What's your favorite thing to eat at La Petite Rive? 
C: The garlic and onion soup. YUM! You may smell like it for the next couple of days but SO worth it!

M: Are you French?  

C: Not French…..Mostly Irish and Scottish with a wee bit of German and English thrown in there.

(Note: I am not French either. -- Monique)

M: What's your favorite thing about us? Is it our beauty or our personalities? 

C: I would say both. :) You are both so different and that’s what makes you you. And yes, you are both quite beautiful and elegant. Oh yeah, and my other favorite thing is that you both have freckles like me!!

Heidi's Right

I hate to say it, but Heidi is absolutely correct.


We ARE donkeys of love and peace.

Our very presence can change your life -- for the better.

Stop by our cottage when you are in the area and see if we don't change your life with our sweetness.

It's even labeled as such. In case you couldn't guess from the straw in front and the poop discreetly located right on the edge of the fence. We like our pen clean. Don't you?

Donkeys of peace and love...

Hi!

Heidi here!

I have said we are donkeys of peace and love but I can actually prove it.

I have written proof that at least one couple has gotten engaged...well...not exactly because of us, but certainly after spending time with us.

You can read all about it on this man's engagement blog:

http://allthingszilla.wordpress.com/2010/05/10/our-engagement-story-part-ii-of-ii/


And then remember to come visit us soon.

It might just help you come to the point in your relationship. At the very least it will be a fun time petting some very cute mini donkeys.

Here's a nice picture the blogger took of the meadow by our cottage when he got engaged.

Gotta love it right? OK. Stay sweet.

Heidi out.

I give

OK. I give. Even though there is no "donkey-seating" at La Petite Rive (just two seatings a night at 5:30 and 8 p.m.) even I have to concede that it's an awfully nice place.

And now that the weather is chilly at night, it's positively delicious in front of the fireplace in the farmhouse where they are located.

Five complete courses for under $40...wonderful local wines, homey, friendly, unpretentious ambiance...All set in this romantic, old farmhouse that dates back to the 1800s...

Not that Heidi and I would know anything about it! Not only don't we patronize the place (although we can smell it -- yum!) all we ever hear from the chipmunks lately is Pacific Tapas this, Pacific Tapas that.

Pacific Tapas. That's the name of the new place -- yet to be opened, yet to select a chipmunk sous-chef...Don't try to Google it. No website yet.

At least that's what those dizzy chipmunks tell me, between arguing with each other about the best way to braise!

They should be winding down, storing nuts for the coming cooler weather, and not fighting over sauces and reductions. Here's Chunk on a rare break. He's the favorite for the sous-chef slot at the new place, but don't tell him that.

Who's Tired of Chipmunk Wars?

 With the new restaurant opening merely weeks away, all of the chipmunks are getting into it.

Chunk is stress snacking AGAIN and Punk is picking fights with everyone and anyone (see below).

Heidi raves about our fabulous fall weather -- and it is -- but everyone is obsessing about food, food, food and I thought I'd share these photos so you could see what we're putting up with.

Mouths are watering

It can't be helped.

With the smell of the kitchen at  La Petite Rive simmering succulent sauces wafting over on the soft Autumn breezes, the excitement building about the new restaurant, and those two crazy chipmunks cooking themselves silly over the sous-chef job,  is it any wonder Heidi and I are thinking about food all the time?

I'm not one to plump up for the winter -- in fact until we pick Halloween outfits I'm positively watching my weight -- but all of this frenzy about food is making it hard.

Chunk and Punk are all a-twitter because they think that the new restaurant will be opening soon and plans are afoot for dishes planned around mushroom season, which is huge here on the Mendocino Coast.  We have mushrooms you simply can't find any place else, what with our misty Marine layer and ancient redwoods surrounded by loamy soil. Even the sound of loamy soil makes me hungry!

And Chunk isn't helping things any by bringing over this photo of La Petite Rive's rack of lamb!

Rack of lamb with baked goat cheese and a Marsala reduction