Summer again?

We can't believe how warm it is today! Heidi says we need sunglasses. Ha ha! That's just ridiculous but it's true that Indian Summer has really outdone itself.

Even Punk and Chunk have taken some time off from their rivalry to relax in the sun. We are all loving it. Harvest celebrations, wine tasting events, and kayaking on the lovely peaceful Noyo River are just a few of the activities people are enjoying under the sun these days.

Oh well. Heidi gave me some shades and I didn't want to hurt her feelings. She says Posh Spice has the same pair!

Punk and Sous Vide

Well, Chunk claims that Punk substituted that photo without his permission! I had no idea that the two of them were BOTH becoming chefs and in a sort of race to do so. Punk has become obsessed with sous vide cooking (here he is getting ready to boil some nuts) and Chunk thinks he's crazy.

Heidi and I are neutral -- as always. We believe that food is food and what we get is delicious. The loamy soil of Mendocino always yields wonderfully fresh things. Now Chunk is squeaking something about "terroir" but I have no idea what's he's on about.

 Chipmunks are too much!

Mystery Solved

Hi from Heidi!

Aren't we having wonderful Autumn weather? It's still so warm and pleasant I can't even believe it. I'm already day dreaming about Winter, when the whales will be stopping by our coastline, a sight that can be caught from the outdoor hot tub up the hill, but it still feels like summer on my back.

Monique has asked me to be the one to put an end to the controversy over Chuck's "doctored" photo. I wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt -- after all, studying can be so slimming -- but it turns out it wasn't a picture of Chuck at all. That's his cousin, Punk.

Punk -- not Chunk

He asked him to pose for his chef's photo for some reason. I hope Chuck isn't getting self-esteem issues, right at the start of cooking school when he needs his confidence more than ever.

That's all for now!

--Heidi

New directions...

So it's Fall -- Autumn -- whatever, and Chunk has a new "look" and a new career. His photo got me thinking, I never finished picking a head shot for MY new career.

What do you think of this one?

It's just a shot of your head, right?

Heidi said not to get my hopes up because she hasn't seen a mini donkey in a TV show or movie -- ever. But then, mini donkeys didn't used to have blogs either, did they?

Ha!

Chuck's Big Announcement!

Dear Readers,

We mentioned last time that Chunk -- I mean Chuck -- had some big news for all of us. Now that it's official, he says we can tell you all.

Chuck is going to be a chef!

Yes, he's been enjoying the amazing cuisine so much at La Petite Rive, that he's been inspired to make a career change -- even in this economy. What impresses him most is how they take French classic techniques and add California-friendly touches -- while creating delightful dishes that incorporate the local bounty of Mendocino. 

Chuck has enrolled in cooking school and classes already started this week!

Of course, he is attending online. It's wonderful what opportunities the Internet has given Woodland Creatures.

Here is the photo he has given us to share with you, of him in his new vocation. Heidi and I are having a tiny disagreement about it. I think that I detect the hand of Photoshop being applied here, but Heidi swears I am being unkind and that Chunk always looks this thin...

I'd like to hear what you think. Does that white hat really take 10 pounds off of you?

Been Googling myself...

I was surprised to see how many people (and dogs) we had touched with our soft, mini donkey noses and hearts! Only one bad review on someone's blog (saying we smelled -- how dare they? And NO! We do not!), compared to a whole bunch of lovely comments. There was even a photo of me kissing someone's dog.

We are donkeys of peace and love, so it makes sense that most everyone "gets" our mission and enjoys our somewhat magical presence.

Next time, a shocking announcement from Chunk -- I mean Chuck -- although with what they have been serving him over at La Petite Rive, it's getting harder and harder to avoid using his real name.

Chuck stopped by...

....And he reminded us that things are slowing down at this time of year.

Actually, what he did was rub it in that we STILL haven't tried that amazing new restaurant, La Petite Rive, because somehow they can't fit in a donkey-seating between the 5:30 and 8 p.m. seatings!

Now that peoples' vacations are over, it's the perfect time to slide in a little donkey feast. Chunk, I mean Chuck, keeps raving about how good the food is down there. It's getting ridiculous.

Off-season came upon us so quickly. Special deals are in effect NOW but the weather is still glorious!

Some things in life just don't make sense.

A note about friendship

Heidi here!

Lately, people keep asking us, "Heidi and Monique, what is the secret to your abiding friendship?"

I'm not sure there is a secret, per se. We do share many common interests -- chess, chipmunks, dogs, guests of the Inn at Schoolhouse Creek, fine dining, whale watching, political activism and so on -- but I think the real key is just living one day at a time.

Every day and every season has its own delights, and on days when it rains, we just stay in our cottage and play games.

We were lucky enough to land in Little River, California, on the Northern California coast, one of the most beautiful and temperate spots in the world...

So I guess Monique would say the answer is, "Location, location, location."

But you and I both know, that's not it at all.

--Heidi

Meet a chipmunk...and a friend

Yes, Chuck is a Chipmunk. Well, his name is really "Chunk" (can't imagine why!) but Heidi and I don't believe in names based on personal appearance, so we call him Chuck, even though he always corrects us.

He works here at the Inn also, although his duties are much more grueling than ours. Every morning, Chuck is required to show up around breakfast time and eat the crumbs that the kitchen puts out for him on a stump. It's hard work. Bunnies and birds also come out to eat the crumbs and sometimes there are words -- harsh words if you can believe it. Who knew such bad language could come out of such cute little bunny mouths?

Of course Chuck isn't the only chipmunk on the payroll. He has colleagues and they can sometimes be a burden also.

Altogether, Heidi and I prefer our career path. We aren't required to do a thing except be adorable and play chess. Well, the chess is optional but we love it and if you're really good at something, don't you owe it to the world to share?

However, I digress.

Just the other day, Chuck told us that La Petite Rive, the new onsite restaurant, is now cooking the world-renowned breakfast. Now I'm not jealous but Heidi is. She points out that even if there is no donkey-seating at dinner, who would even notice or care if we popped down to the farmhouse for breakfast? And I hate to say it, but she makes good sense.

Feeling groovy...

Hey!

Check it out. I'm trying to pick a photo to use for my head shots. Heidi says this picture makes her dizzy but she's not "in the business," you know?

I'm looking into my career options right now. Not that being a semi-retired miniature donkey diarist isn't fulfilling, but sometimes I feel that my horizons could be bigger.

Then Heidi reminds me that I have a view of the entire Pacific and can watch whales in the winter and spring on my horizon...

And you know Heidi. She always has to be right...