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Sunday, August 12, 2012

st helena and salmon and cherries bento


Hi friends, how are things? Yesterday was a fun day, starting with a visit to King's Nursery, a color-rich oasis of growing things only a few blocks from our future home. Check out these iridescent purple morning glories!
  

 King's selection of tropical trees was outstanding, and I may need to make room in the garden for a "Mexicola" avocado tree:


A fig tree is already on the "must" list...


Jamison had the fun notion of visiting the pretty Napa Valley town of St Helena...and we drove through dry-green high hills and summer heat to get there


Interesting Victorian architecture in town: this old Mason's hall featured a nifty owl detail:




Discovering the eclectic, charming shop Muse was a treat. My eye was drawn in by the quilt Jamison is holding in this pic, which was part of a window display of soft "reconditioned" Indian saris-now-quilts...


Love that it has a 30's-yet-exotic feel and soft cheerful colors:




Stylish chocolates for sale, too. How fun would it be to run a little shop like this!








At Olivier Napa Valley, lots of olive oil selections and sun-rich condiments (loved the artichoke spread), and imported treats from Italy (this gorgeous pasta from Puglia) and France






For dinner, we baked salmon with crushed almonds and sauteed crimini mushrooms, and served with a fresh cherry relish (diced cherries, sugar, red wine vinegar) and felt the warm afternoon cool into deep blue evening, as it does most every night here...


In the bento: baby romaine, fennel, baked salmon, a blackberry macaron and local cherries:


Happy summer cooking in the week ahead!














12 comments:

Unknown said...

Gorgeous! I love the color of that macaron!

Bentobird said...

Many thanks Miss Jenn, hugs!

OhayoBento said...

Happy summer to you too! Your bentos and posts are such a pleasure to read. I get lost in your journeys and images. Thank you for the trip!

tinyskillet said...

What a beautiful place! I am in Michigan for a family reunion, and this past week we were visiting some Northern wineries in the old Mission Penisula, it is in cherry country too. This year the crop was hit hard because the trees blossomed so early and they got another cold snap before the cherries could develop. So I have been away from the blogging world for bit. Coming home tonight!

Your photos are beautiful, I just love shops like that, go in them every chance I get! Can I eat you bento now? :) Love the macaron!

Bentobird said...

Big smiles from your comments, Heather! I hope your summer is sweet and colorful and thanks for coming along on this little visit!

Bentobird said...

Hi Lynds, its been fun to follow your Michigan visit on fb! Welcome home and back to blogging...looking forward to your new cooking posts :)

I've been teased a bit about the bright lavender color of the macaron but you know what? It was awesome! Have a beautiful Monday, friend...

Judy said...

Hi Jenn! What a fun little outing. Did you buy that quilt? Love the colors. Oh yes, now I see. The quilt in the background to your tasty looking bento. Also I have been meaning to tell you I adore that basket - so summery!

Happy Little Bento said...

Napa Valley is such an exquisite retreat! Love your impressions of this quaint old region. And your dinner looks simply divine :)

Bentobird said...

Allo Judy! Don't you love buying things for the home on fun trips, so that the two are forever associated? Hope you are having a sunflowery August, pal :)

Bentobird said...

Greetings Sheri! Thank you for comming along and for sharing these dear comments. Wishing you a happy week!

Blorgie said...

Love the owl and the quilt. Your new life sounds delicious full of summer and colour. The salmon with cherry relish sounds quite dainty too
. Hope you get the avocado for your garden.

Bentobird said...

Hello dear Carolyn! "The owl and the quilt", yes indeed...thank you for swooping in with these lovely comments and I agree, the avo should become part of our kitchen garden!