Monkeyporkbun

What's in the bag?

I love surprises. And this surprise came from one of my favorite places. Michel & Co. in Historical Railroad Square, downtown and one of my favorite districts in Santa Rosa. It's very cute and reminds me of Fillmore Street in San Francisco, only with less high rise, less people in a hurry, and no buses. Oh, and Michel & Co. was one of the first places to carry my very simple baby blankets as seen in this article.

I remember when I first moved here. I had little expectations and thought we'd be moving back in a hurry to San Francisco. Then I stopped looking for San Francisco everywhere in Sonoma County and loved the things I discovered here. It's really like no place else.

This is one of my favorite shops and it has been since we moved to Sonoma County. The treats in this bag are a big part of the reason why. It's a shop I'd like to walk into and stay awhile. I took great photos of their window for a later post about the great town I live in.

I found this great little monkey, thanks to E the first time she saw the whole pile of them. She ran right up to the biggest one she could find and gave it a big squeeze. These are knit dolls by a company called blabla. I can't say they're handmade, but the idea is. I guess it's time to make a sockmonkey for E. I love that there are rolls of wishes. I bought these with a party idea for E.

And linen washes and sprays from The Good Home Co. Beach Days are obviously my favourite. The color and the scent combined puts me in the greatest mood.

This photo is obviously very washed out and it may give some a headache, but I really like it.

Memories

Funny how when you love something you want to savor it so that it lasts as long as possible. For me, I blogged our anniversary date. But not only did I blog it, I scrapped it (my version of scrapping is writing notes at the end of the day on the nearest piece of paper) and then chucked it into the bag I was using that day. Today I found it while cleaning and this is what it said.

1:30 driving to Berkeley
first stop, 4th Street of course, Peet's iced coffee and Bette's special pizza, browsed at Molly B and checked out the new styles for Spring and what bags were in stock, then to Bare Minerals, Crate & Barrel Outlet Store (this store and Bette's put 4th St. on the map) bought a lovely tray and plastic wine glasses, Magic store, Restoration Hardware, back in the car. Took Cedar to Hopkins Street Bakery (under new ownership, not an improvement) had a mexican wedding cookie. (How apropos!) Back in car, took Hopkins to Berryman to Rose, entering the Gourmet Ghetto: browsed Black Oak Books' arts, craft, and children's sections. Peet's again at Cedar & Vine, then over to Andronico's Park & Rob for yummy deli stuff: soppressata, pepper salami, peppadew peppers, olives, cheeses, bread, and wine for those new glasses (plastics?). Now driving to Berkeley Rose Garden to eat and soak up the sunset. Drove over the hill past the Greek to Rick & Ann's for dessert which was a coffee (of course!) with a triple chocolate cake and an almond praline cheesecake, and with a great evening view of the Claremont. Our waitress was Lenora.

It's like a snapshot into the past and I'm instantly in love with that day, remembering how I felt and how we talked and laughed and walked and just absorbed each other and everything we came into that day. When we're like this together, life is just crazy great. We meet the most interesting people on days like this when we are whole together and whole apart as well. Fine day. Of course you won't while reading this have the sensations both visual and olfactory as I. For me, it was really fantastic. Yes, they're normal out of the ordinary things and experiences, but we were so present. We appreciate each other so much that I think we make some people puke. I can't believe I just said that. I know it isn't very nice. I remember feeling that way at times in my 20s, wondering if I could ever be that happy with someone. I was certainly happy unattached, but I just think it's funny how time changes us.

Screamin' Mimi's for the Birthday Girls

               

Today is E's birthday, but we are celebrating B's birthday with her class, here at Screamin' Mimi's. Located in Sebastopol, California. This is one of the finest dining establishments (if indeed you would call an ice cream parlor so) I have ever been to. The flavor selections are divine if not heavenly and sinful and some are not always available. But something they are always is handmade. This is the primary reason I am willing to fork over hard earned money for the cold and delectable treats you can find here. My favorite is Mimi's Mud. Espresso, chocolate creamy goodness.

             

One of the greatest pleasures of walking in is seeing the smiling faces of children all ages anxiously awaiting their turn to order.

                

                           

The walls are colorful and filled with articles about how the shop began and miscellaneous art. The folks that work here always seem so upbeat.

               

On each chair is painted the name of a flavor. The chair colors seem to coordinate according to the flavor name.      

               

Happy Birthday was sung to both girls and a good time was had by all. Followed by climbing the alabaster sculpture on the square.