Sonoma in Early April... the Plaza, a Chateau and a Recipe!

Yesterday we took the route du petit ecolier... and set out to wander the wine region north of San Francisco and Marin County. After meandering up the Valley of the Moon, we found ourselves once again in one of our favorite small towns in the world... Sonoma, California.  With Nicky in tow, knowing that dogs are as treasured and welcomed here as they are in France, we crisscrossed through the square, sampling cheeses and wines, sights and vistas, and, of course shopping. 

And who could resist a stop at Chateau Sonoma, importers of French antiques and goods? Their gorgeous shop stands in for the best of the Paris fleas and the Provençal brocantes...if you can't be in France right now, visit their shop!

vineyards in Sonoma County's Valley of the Moon

hmmm... which way to the Plaza?

 the Plaza at Sonoma is home to the beautiful old Sonoma City Hall

...and since we are all old friends here, yes, this is
my very early interpretation of the
Sonoma City Hall... this tortured acrylic
was my first painting in art class a
few years ago!

have wine will travel... one of the dozens of tasting rooms 
within one city block on the square at Sonoma

 Chris and Nicky wander down one of the side streets 
off the square past the vintage range rover and the bungalows

white wisteria is gorgeous at the Depot Hotel... a chic 
little European style inn and restaurant in Sonoma

a typical bungalow off the square in Sonoma

a window of the Depot Hotel in Sonoma

stunning cactus in front of one of the bungalows in Sonoma

***

 this stunning hot air balloon chandelier hangs at Chateau Sonoma

"le tricolore"  flies outside Chateau Sonoma

this little vignette at Chateau Sonoma places you
 directly at les marches au puce
outside Paris in spirit

wonderful, soulful old carousel horses Chateau Sonoma

I love the rustic chic combination of rough woodland elements 
with the refined and delicate 
Astier de Villate porcelain and Juliska glassware
 at Chateau Sonoma... welcoming springtime!

these sturdy, well made shopping bags caught my eye.. 
who can resist their 
breezy, summer-on-the-Rivier" allure?

the gorgeous old carved wooden crown at  
Chateau Sonoma deserves a place
of honor in your French country home!

in the garden room at Chateau Sonoma lot of old green jugs, 
birdcages andthat wonderful green patina 
on the statue! love the light, too..

the exqisitely detailed 18th c. model of the 
Paris Opera House at  Chateau Sonoma

wonderful old red painted dresser with foxing on the mirror... 
such presence!
want to create that "aged look" 
on your mirror? go here for a DIY  
*disclaimer: I haven't
tried this myself! *

not to be missed event, the French Flea Market by Chateau Sonoma later in May... I will
be there after returning from the Chic Provence Design Tour!  See you there?

***

for a wonderful springtime wine country
simple supper recipe from Cindy Pawlcyn
of Mustard's Grill in Napa,
click here! and invite me over!

Nicky loves baguettes!

since I wasn't planning a blog post, 

most of these photos were

taken with my iPhone;
the really good ones are
from promotional sites
for Sonoma