Goguette

Meg and I started the day with a Pilates class and coffee after with my friend Tobi. It's nice to be back in a semblance of my usual routine and with a fair quotient of energy. 

Back at the homestead, we studied the weather, some of us by calling up different weather apps on our screens, and some of us by looking out the window. Since it wasn't raining continuously, as it was yesterday, we decided to carry on with yesterday's foiled plans. Piling into the car we drove to Petaluma where we went to the Seed Bank.

The Seed Bank is an actual old bank building an rather unnecessarily large for the purpose, despite the perfect application of the name, so they were getting ready to move to new premises down the street. Despite the disarray of getting ready to move it is still a pleasant place to wander around looking beautifully illustrated seed packets for heirloom seeds of all kinds. I never knew there could be so many varieties of cucumbers, or eggplants...or radishes.

We have always gone to Della Fattoria* to buy delicious wood fired bread and occasionally have a meal of beautifully prepared locally grown food. They two are in the process of moving although in their case to larger quarters. The dining room was cavernous and still under renovation so the hallmarks of their quirky decor were there, but it wasn't quite as charming as in the original space. The food was as good as ever and we walked down to the old spot to buy some cookies. they were out of St Patricks' Day ones...also soda bread.

A stop along the way home took us to Goguette, which is right next door to the Pilates studio, but never opens until 1:30pm. The couple who own and run it are pictured here in their traditional striped tee shirts, muslin vests and head wraps. I couldn't get a good shot of Madame's polka dot leggings and high heeled shoes as she rushed around serving the multitudes lined up at the counter. They make only a few kinds of bread and it can be ordered ahead of time. It is well worth the experience of going there as they are very charming and always have advice and stories about the care and feeding of their beloved bread.

The rain has held off for the most part and we took the scenic drive home reminiscing about how our parents' generation seemed to thrive on the 'Sunday Drive'. It seemed almost what were doing as we drove down country lanes and over hilly crossings. It was a nice day....

*extras