Busy Winter Into Spring

Mise en Place For Cooking Class

It has been a very busy “winter into spring” at Domaine de Manion. I gave two back-to-back cooking classes here at Domaine de Manion with lovely, talented students who enjoyed their seasonal “French Printemps” menu and lunch together.

Our Wine Room Restored

Last fall we had a significant water leak and damage that affected most of our interior barn. It was a slow process to repair the damage, find and install new barn wood flooring upstairs, and bring back all the furnishings that had been stored off site for months. We took it as a refresh of the barn. After much patience and hard work, the wine room is now fully restored and refreshed, ready to be used again.

Salmon Wellington For Easter Brunch

Easter came quickly. The menu was Salmon Wellington, Grilled Asparagus with Balsamic Glaze, Salad Vinaigrette, and French Lemon Yogurt Cake (the same delicious recipe taught at my last two cooking classes). Not to forget a lovely French Champagne to toast with my parents coming to California, and having this very special, and rare Easter in our home together!

The Little Garden Club of Newport Beach Visiting

In early April, a year in the planning, The Little Garden Club of Newport Beach, came for a visit and garden tour. This lovely club was founded in the ‘70’s, and is still going strong with many creative and dynamic ladies. We had tasty box lunches from Thyme in the Ranch, and gathered together in the sitting area by our vineyard. It was a lovely spring day, and it was great to see this club again.

Double Peony Poppies Blooming In April

It is wonderful to see the garden and vineyard waking up, and each day unfolding with more and more beauty. Years ago I was given these poppy seeds and sowed them in what I now call the south garden. These magnificent red Double Peony Poppies pop up randomly, but in the same general area, simply dictated by the weather. Every April they come back and put on quite a show. I look forward each year to their return and the drama they add to the garden.

Wishing you a very happy and beautiful springtime!

Bon Appétit et Bon Weekend…Bonnie