Harmony Discovered

 

        15 years ago Harmony was a darling little snooze. Folks visited the post office for the Harmony California post mark on Christmas cards.

        Then an inspired Italian chef turned a long abandoned kitchen into a little cafe that could have been on the Amalfi coast, or in Provence. We leisured away delightful hours and in near privacy.

        

        The famed Painted Sky recording studio took a small corner of the Historic Creamery building. That led to magical evenings of live music and tucked away dining for locals and friends.

    

        Then a new owner bought the town. Changes; some refurbishing, some new directions, and then came magazines, newspapers, travel sites, network stars and now Harmony has been discovered!"

        The Creamery is one of the tourist stops in this new tourist destination.

        

        It's good for the potter and the glass blower and the new Harmony Ice Cream vendor and Harmony Cheese food truck.

It's good for tourists too, a place to stimulate the economy.

        Where we once sat in dappled sun beneath spreading trees, sipping wine, enjoying a world class tiramisu, hearing distant cattle lowing has now been turned into a thriving wedding chapel business, complete with full service bridal beauty parlor.

        

        20 years ago when we told our California friend Jim we were moving to the central coast, he called it the "undiscovered California."

        All the glowing words and gorgeous photos, especially in the last 5 years, has changed that. 

        Harmony in Harmony means something different than it once did.

        Paraphrasing a quote from my late buddy Phil Allen,

    "I like the lights of Paris,

    I like the lights of Rome,

    but the lights I like the most

    are the tail lights of tourists heading home!"

    See you down the trail.

 

EXPERIENCES-HARMONY BY EVENING AND BOYHOOD BY FILM

FILM AS EXPERIENCE
follows below
EVENING, HARMONY

   Harmony Cafe, a "California Provence' " lunch favorite, dressed up for an evening Pipestone Winemakers dinner

 the chocolate fettuccine

 Winemakers Jeff and Florence Pipes and Chef Giovanni

BOYHOOD

   Richard Linklater's BOYHOOD, the extraordinary 12 year project is an experience, with more impact than a mere film.  

    It's being called an emotional epic, spellbinding, film of the decade, and more.  It earns those accolades in a way that weaves you into a family, characters, and life, unlike anything I've seen. There is something indelible in seeing the impact of all that life offers, especially on Mason played by Ellar Coltrane who we see grow from an adorable little kid to a college student. For the first time we see and feel the reality of boyhood complete with the icebergs and shoals of parental and adult intrusions teamed with the searching, longings, doubts and expressions of growing up.

     Seeing the cast age before your eyes draws you into the story. Patricia Arquette, Lorelei Linklater, the director's daughter who plays sister Samantha and Ethan Hawke are all superb.  I heard in an interview that much of the script was improvised and from that emotional forge comes an authenticity that would accrue over a 12 year relationship.

      Boyhood is a 2 hour and 44 minute experience that is unique and totally absorbing. It is a brilliant accomplishment and is in an echelon of filmmaking reserved for real art. 

 Seasonal Blooms

drought tolerant

   See you down the trail.

SPECIAL AND SCENES OF A WALK

SPECIAL

     Giovanni's northern Italian heritage finesses his work.

A grilled chicken ciabatta with brie, carrot pea soup, sans dairy, egg plant burger and pappardelle with pesto made of savoy cabbage, tomatoes and artichoke, served with a Le Cuvier Rose.  

   The charm is of Mediterranean climate and temperament in an authentic California take.  A village, population 18, hosts the epicure pleasing Harmony Cafe.

     Kristin and Lana enjoy the garden sun and color.

     We're reminded of a place on the way to Sorrento in southern Italy where we dined with accompaniment from a bleating goat, grazing on the property as we ate and drank under the stars. Here a chicken may wander past as song birds build the score. 

     The dishes and sandwiches have always been delicious. Giovanni innovates and the creations are tasty, excellent and fondly appreciated. Everyone should eat his Tiramisu! 

     

SCENES OF A WALK
Harmony Road

   See you down the trail.