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adventures

April 14, 2008

Phew!  I made it and it wasn't so bad after all!  I did back-to-back events this weekend.  Saturday I was at the Grand Lake Oakland Market and on Sunday I was at my usual Marin Civic Center Farmers Market. 

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Poor girl in the middle is topless!  She's feeling quite bashful!  But not for long!  I am planning on making some of my favorite little summer tops.  Sweet little peasant blouses, so girly, comfy, and cool on a hot day. 

My little business pretty much exhausted the whole weekend so not much time to hang out with Sweet Hubby.  But at least last weekend we had lots of fun.  We went up to Sonoma in the wine country.  Sonoma is a darling town and it is such a picturesque drive from our little Benicia up to the wine country. 

As you drive into town, first you see the downtown square. 

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We walked around holding hands, had the best vegetarian sandwiches we've ever had, and just generally relaxed and enjoyed each other's company. 

The ride home was so so picturesque and I kept squealing as we would drive by the prettiest meadows ever.  Finally Richard asked what all the squealing was about and I told him that I wished so much I could take photos of these perfect red barns, rolling hills, and little ponds with geese that we were passing by.  So, he said to give him as much notice as possible and he would try and pull over so I could take photos.  My poor patient hubby, I would squeal at a delightful view and he would try and pull over but the view had basically passed but I was so appreciative of his trying that I would get out and take a photo anyways.
So, here is a mediocre photo of an otherwise beautiful area which required my standing on the side of the road with my dress and hair whirling about in the wind while big trucks noisily rumbled by. 

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And here are some little sheep.  These are the dirty and disgruntled cousins of the pristine white fluffy sheep we had already passed before Richard could pull over.  So, with Richard waiting in the car I stood there with my camera for what felt like forever trying to convince the girls to turn around and give me some nice profile and front views.  They were not listening as I was trying to explain to them that their rear view really is not their best angle.  Not wanting to just take a photo of sheep fannies and feeling quite determined I waited and finally a couple of them obliged and turned around for me.  Thank you girls!
After all that, this is a pitiful photo but I worked for it so darn it, I'm going to show it anyways.  ;)

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Oh, and I almost forgot!  Chateau Sonoma!  Thank goodness I remembered, I can't have my last photo on my blog post be of sheep fannies...geez!  We drove past this delightful shop, Chateau Sonoma and I let out quite a gasp. 

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Richard, knowing a gasp like that could only mean trouble, completely ignored the gasp and kept on driving.  But! then he realized he was driving the wrong way!  Oh, darn!  So, of course I said, "Oh, we will be driving by that delightful shop again.  Can I stop to take a quick peek?"  Poor sweet obliging hubby knew that yes was the only answer so he waited in the car as his delighted wife scampered into Francophile heaven. 

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If you adore all things French as I do, you must, I insist! visit Chateau Sonoma.  Ooh la la!
Au revoir!      

February 11, 2008

Delightful Weekend

Happy Monday!  I hope you had a delightful weekend!  We sure did!  Busy busy but in such a good way!

On Saturday we went to San Francisco.  I do love love love San Francisco.  I take great pride in being a third generation Bay Area girl!  Anyways, we started out our little day trip with a picnic. 

Nice view, ya? 

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Than we went to the Legion of Honor and saw a beautiful Marie Antoinette exhibit.  Wow, what inspiration!  Take me back to France!  The exhibit focused primarily on the Petit Trianon

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Petit Hameau is my favorite part of the Petit Trianon grounds.  It is one of the most magical places I have ever visited.  The exhibit touched on it briefly.  I was surprised that the exhibit did not feature it more, and when Richard and I were in France I really wanted to show it to him but we couldn't even find it.  I visited Petit Hameau back in college with some Parisian friends.  It was isolated without any tourists like a little French secret.  I'm further amazed that it was not featured in the Marie Antoinette movie.  Granted, a lot was missing from that film but nonetheless, I was surprised.  This has left me feeling as if it was my own little secret!  Has anyone else been?  It is a idealistic interpretation of a Normandy village as commissioned by Marie Antoinette herself for her to visit and play in with her children. It is so quaint and perfect I find it to be just beyond words!

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I am quite good at getting sidetracked...so, back to the Legion of Honor and our San Francisco day.  After the museum, Richard had a little surprise for me.  He took me to Peapod Fabrics as an early Valentine's surprise. 
I purchased a small assortments of sweet fabrics that I need like a whole in my head. 

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Somehow, I managed to squeeze in tidying up my very messy studio.  Generally, my studio is like being in a nest consisting of baskets overflowing with fabric, lace, and an assortment of ribbons and trim.  My sewing table is a jumble of jewelry boxes containing various sewing notions.  I call this my "creative mess."  But it does get to a point where it is just simply a "dis-functional mess!"

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Than on Sunday we had a little apron photo shoot.  Pretty little doe eyed Amber was a delightful model!  Here is a sneak peak. 

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Please Note: All images for my business, Cece Marie, are copyright protected!  My business is my baby that I am working sooo hard on!  You mess with my baby and I am one maaad mama!  Thank you! ;)

Sorry, I felt it necessary to include the above rant, but well, you know how it is.  We designers want to share our visions with the world but well, sometimes it can be a bit risky. 

So, after the photo shoot, we took my Mom out to dinner for her birthday to the Hill Top Cafe
The Hill Top Cafe is in a 100 year old converted "house of ill repute" (really!), on top of a hill (obviously.)  I will always have a soft spot for the Hill Top Cafe.  It was my first waitress job in college and where I met my first real boyfriend.  Oh, the memories.  Anyways, it is a quaint place and in our family, we like quaint.   

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We hope you enjoyed your birthday Mom!

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Isn't she a cute Mom!  63 years young and looking darn good I think! 

I hope I haven't put any visitors to sleep with my step by step recant of our weekend! 
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for stopping by! 
Merci!  Cece