Meet Bonnie Jo Manion

Bonnie Jo Manion in her garden

In My Garden and Happy Place

For those of you who have signed up for my newsletter, I thought that since it is the beginning of the year, I would introduce myself to you once again—the writer behind all of these posts. It gives me great happiness to write amd share with all of you what I call my “Taste of French Country Living”.

It is a lifestyle that embodies a “coastal Southern California meets South France” through artful seasonal living in cooking, gardening, travel, styling, and more! I confess, I am a little bit farm girl, a little bit European, and a little bit SoCal gal all rolled into one grateful person!

Bonnie Jo Manion in her kitchen

In My Kitchen and Another Happy Place

My husband, John, and I have spent over two decades transforming what once was a neglected acre of land into a beautiful and bountiful petite Provence in coastal North San Diego County. This May 2024, we celebrate 25 years living here at what we affectionately call, Domaine de Manion.

Bocce Ball Court and Gardens at Domaine de Manion

Bocce Ball Court and Gardens at Domaine de Manion

I have been featured in local and national media for my home and garden, backyard vineyard, organic practices, chickens, and styling. I was one of four California home gardeners chosen by Scott’s Miracle Grow to ride on their “California Grown” themed float in the January 2016 New Year’s Day Rose Bowl Parade.

Besides my blog, I co-authored Gardening with Free-Range Chickens For Dummies and am quoted in the beautiful part coffee table, part cookbook, Lunch in Provence, and For the Love of Provence.

Domaine de Manion Bottling November 2023

Bottling Our Syrah in November 2023

A professed self-taught gardener, I have an Agricultural B.S. degree from Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado. In addition, I also earned an International Business Certificate, and Wine Technology Certificate from Mira Costa College, Oceanside, California.

If you have friends who might like these posts, recipes, tips, sometimes musings, and hopefully some inspiration, please tell them about my website, and newsletter.

Bon Appétit et Bon Weekend…Bonnie

For more details regarding classes, events, writing, speaking, and other inquiries, please contact Bonnie or (tel) (760) 402-7600.

Lunch on the Canal du Midi, Languedoc, France

Lunch on the Canal du Midi in Languedoc, France