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?