
This is one of my favorite places in the entire U. S. of A. The Apple Farm is in a sleepy Northern California town called Philo in the Anderson Valley, which is north of Napa Valley, about 120 miles from San Francisco.
Godson’s Mom and I have spent a couple of glorious weekends at The Apple Farm’s cooking school, tucked on the grounds of a stunning organic apple orchid. Our small “hands-on” classes produced some of the most amazing foods we’ve ever tasted-- All clean and fresh, mostly organic and locally raised, if not actually grown on the farm itself. I can honestly say, the food and the classes are a treat for your taste buds and your soul.
This sign greeted us as when we arrived. We knew we were in for a wonderful and relaxing time.

The farm is huge and the fog was just starting to clear on this morning.

Johanna
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful way to spend a weekend. I love all the pictures, the little cottages are amazing. Have a wonderful week!
I love that you can actually go outside in California. Next time I'm near Napa, I will make the trip to this beautiful place. You have a wonderful blog.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful weekend! I love that not only did you get to enjoy a beautiful place, and great food, but you learned while you were there!
ReplyDeleteThis was so wonderful to read and the photos were so pretty that I think it should be part of a book of grown-up bedtime stories. It's the best blend of comfy, cozy, colorful, cooking, comrades (ack! I got carried away)...but you know what I mean? It appeals to all the senses and those are the things I want to dream about at night.
ReplyDeleteThe accommodations look comfortable and inviting; the stroll through the farm is beautiful; the beans look scrumptious, fresh eggs cannot be beat, the goat cheese makes me so hungry, but the blackberry garden and jars of blackberry jam give me a tug. I will have to go online and order the jam. It is my absolutely favorite. Joanna, you should have the jam as a giveaway!!!! These are great photos and your descriptions are warm and sincere and infectious. Thanks for the wonderful post.
ReplyDeleteI like my fava beans with a nice Chianti! LMAO!
ReplyDeleteI would love to go there. It looks so inviting.
This place looks so amazing. I want to go right now! Man, I need to move to California. Everything looked so pretty and good! That fog was SO lovely. Your pictures were amazing. I felt like I was right there : ) Thanks for this wonderful post!
ReplyDeleteNow that is dang near perfect. I wonder if there's anything remotely similar in my neck of the woods... And the little cabin? Oh my goodness...
ReplyDeletegorgeous post, Joanna, that place is like right out of a magazine, love the cottage where you stayed, I'd like to retire to one just like that!
ReplyDeleteSo did you have a nice Chianti with those fava beans?
ReplyDeleteOh, Joanna! That post was gorgeous! Thank you so much for the amazing photos and commentary. You DO know that I am jonesing to go with you next time, right? Seriously.
In the meantime, I am flying back to upstate NY on October 9th for a week and will be making my way to Green Brother's Apple Hills Orchard while I'm there. (http://www.applehills.com/index2.htm) It's not the same, but it's breathtaking perched up in the hills near the airport overlooking all the brilliant foliage. I hear the autumn leaves are turning early this year because of all the rain they've had this summer, so I expect to be there at the peak of the season. I'll think of you!
Oh, I see Otin beat me to the punch on the fava bean comment. Shoot. I thought I was so original.
ReplyDeleteThanks Otin.
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ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a wonderful, fun filled, "belly filled" weekend.The place looks lovely.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds and looks like a great way to spend a weekend. Your photos are wonderful and I'll bet your cooking had taken on a new look too. What a great memory. THank you for sharing it. :)
ReplyDeleteCooking is one thing I don't have time to do, but, I think I would really enjoy it if I had the time. I'd need many, many lessons, though.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a yummy weekend in amazing surroundings.
Thanks for this lovely, nostalgic visit! There's something so nourishing about cooking with the food you've selected from a farm - cooking with it, and knowing its wholesome origin. Yesterday, here in St. Joseph, we visited the outdoor Farmer's Market that's set up weekly at the edge of town, overlooking Lake Michigan. Can't wait to use the beefsteak tomatoes we bagged!
ReplyDeleteAs "cliche" as this may sound you just documented what America is too me. It is about finding a passion and giving it back for others to enjoy. The mere simplicity of an "apple" gave way to a place you treasure---what an awesome way to rediscover how great life truly is. Great posts and wonderful pics!
ReplyDeletewhat a cool place. would love to stay on a farm like that some time. we are going to one next weekend to pick apples. there is just something about food right off the vine or out of the ground. hapy sunday friend.
ReplyDeleteSure looks like a great place to visit. You have such a nice way of presenting your town. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteOh my I want to live there year round! thats just beautiful!! I love the bed inside the cottage..seriously what you just posted is totally what I think of and miss the most about the U.S...you made my day:O) Happy Sunday!
ReplyDeleteThis is like something out of a movie!! I wish I were there.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! That looks like so much fun. I had no idea it existed & it is not far from my home. Must check it out.
ReplyDeleteJHS
Colloquium
Looks and sounds like great fun! I'm at home, listening to peaceful music, and getting ready to make strawberry pancakes. Take care.
ReplyDeletewhat a wonderful weekend getaway! I'll have to look into that down the road; thanks for sharing it with us :)
ReplyDeletebetty
Sounds like a lovely place to be, and to continue going to, I loved the cottage..oh I could sleep in there.
ReplyDeleteWhat a dream vacation!!
ReplyDeleteI really want to go. I love fava beans, I don't think we eat enough fava beans. My husband makes a brown rice salad with them that is unbelievable.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures. Did you send them a link to this post? I'm sure they would love to see it.
Umm, go back immediately and steal that sign. You know whose kitchen it would look fabu in, don't you?
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe you went there, had such a great time and still, still it had to be all about you. You couldn't bother to stop and steal that sign for your Snarky Sister???
What is wrong with you??? That's it, we're done.
Your Used To Be Snarky Sister.
I am so jealous!!! I spent the afternoon at my granddaughters sixth birthday party. Lots a pink and little squealy girls.
ReplyDeleteYou have a blessed Sunday!!!
I stayed at a place in that area called The Apple Farm Inn about 10 or 12 years ago...it was wonderful. The rooms were very flowery and ruffly. I have a wooden apple on my desk right now that was from a gift basket in the room. A very fun and enticing post.
ReplyDeletewhat a neat place. that seems so special. thanks so much for the wonderful tour.
ReplyDeleteHow awesome! That cottage is wonderful and the whole concept is great. I would love to visit there. It looks great!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome and interesting post! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI'm exceedingly jealous! What a fantastic weekend and a beautiful place.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea about this place before today. Thanks for all the eye candy! Hope your weekend was wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHugs!!
This place looks fantastic, Joanna, what a lovely way to spend a weekend in the countryside with a good friend.
ReplyDeleteHow is it that I'm a NorCal native and have never heard of Philo?!? It looks adorable! Can I come with you to the cooking school next time? I'm due for a lesson. :)
ReplyDelete~Keri
Dreamy...it looks adorable, J :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like my kind of place. Do you think next time I can sneak in your suitcase?! Thanks for sharing such a beautiful place. Enjoy your golden day my friend! xoxo
ReplyDeleteThat was such a beautiful review! I really DO want to go there, it sounds like a little spot of Heaven on Earth! As I was reading, I was picturing myself and my mom taking a "girls only" mini-vacation there!
ReplyDeleteHi, Joanna! I've missed you (well, and my computer in general, but mainly because I missed my online buddies)!
Oooh what a yummy place.
ReplyDeleteThoroughly enjoyed the pictures.
This sounds heavenly and it's one of the things that I miss because of living on a small island - that ability to just nip off for a quiet weekend somewhere entirely different. Those little cabins look gorgeous!
ReplyDeletewhat a wonderful retreat. I felt like I was there with you two!
ReplyDeleteWow, wow, wow!
ReplyDeleteI want to live there? Shame they're not adopting... ;-9
What a wonderful place!
ReplyDeleteI do understand why you loved it so much. Good luck on the adoption;-)
what a dreamy little place, like a little piece of heaven. I would love to go there! thanks for sharing i :) xxx ooo
ReplyDeleteThat looks like an amazing place.
ReplyDeleteI go to a similar country place that holds cooking lessons and/or demonstrations in New Milford CT. Unfortunately, they don't have cabins which would be great. I hate that I have to leave right after the class.
Btw, I got my More magazine and thought of you, when is your next article going to be online?
That place looks perfect! I was love to go there.
ReplyDeleteHow absolutely perfect!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to visit there. :)
Thanks for sharing! :)
What a wonderful and yummy place to spend an Autumn weekend! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a divine experience!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like such a divine getaway... I sent the link (and your blog "review" post) to my sis, who lives south of San Fran. Maybe next time I go out there...
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! What a wonderful-sounding place. I would go there simply for that bed and the blackberry jam!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing about The Apple farm and showing us your beautiful photographs!