A Bene Sky

We hadn't seen a tempestuous rainfall as we did last weekend in a long time. Maybe some of you heard about the flooding in Hollister which actually made national, news.  A creek flooded about 10 miles north of downtown in a rural area, causing more than 100 residents, with their pets, horses, and other small animals, to evacuate.  All is getting back towards normal, as far as I've heard.

In the photo, the sign for San Benito Bene also speaks well of the sky above downtown Hollister a few days ago. Yup, we've had delightful sunshine. Just enough to get us ready for this next one, which some weather guys say will start tomorrow and continue to possibly next Tuesday.

Where ever you are, dear Take 25 to Hollister readers,  may you be warm and dry.

I Spy . . . Bwak! Chickens. Kinda

I spy with my little eye cute chickens in a once-upon-a-time barn. . . except they aren't real chickens and the barn is now a bakery.

The  chickens are part of the delightful whimsical decor at the Suncoast Organic Farm Bakery on 6310 Southside Road in Hollister. Have you been there lately? It's about five miles south of downtown Hollister, on a back road parallel to Highway 25 (or Airline Highway, as we oldtimers like to say) The bakery is down a short driveway surrounded by orchards and loveliness.

Artisan breads, croissants, pastries, cookies, granola, soups, sandwiches, ice cream, and more are made at the bakery. The bakery has a patio for customers to relax and eat the goodies they purchase.  To see more photos of the bakery, please check out this post that I wrote last year.

The bakery is only open two days: Friday afternoons (from 12:00 to 7:00 p.m.) and Saturdays (from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

One more thing. Suncoast publishes its menus on its Facebook page. If you share the day's menu and mention it to the bakery's cashier, you'll get a discount on your bill. Nice, huh?

Window Shopping

I love looking into the window at  The Farm/Bertuccio's Market.  You never know what reflection you'll see.

Have you been to the farmstand recently on Airline Highway, just before the Union Road intersection? They now sell organic vegetables along with regular vegetables, eggs, dried fruits, apricot jams and syrups, artisanal olive oils, and other yummy packaged foods. And, when they're in season--fresh, local artichokes. Whooo-hooo!

I Spy . . . a Merry Gnome in San Juan Bautista

I spy with my little eye a gnome of cakes, sprinkles, and fairy tales enjoying himself at the San Juan Bakery on Third Street. 

"While there," suggests the gnome's friends reflecting in the Christmas bulbs, "be sure to try the doughnut-hole size doughnuts. They are the perfect taste of sweetness."

Peace and love, Dear Take 25 Readers. See you in 2017.

Su-sieee! Mac

I Spy . . . a Loving Tribute

I spy with my little eye a memorial to the courageous men and women who died in World War II.

You can see this statue of Michael the Archangel called the "Winged Victory" on the grounds of the Immaculate Conception Church in Tres Pinos. The church is on the south end of the village, right beside Highway 25 (Airline Highway to us, locals).

The statue was built by Edward Matthews who also built the church grottos and other statues in memory of his son who died at the age of 14.  The "Winged Victory" was specifically erected as a tribute to the sons and daughters who fought for us in WWII. The plaque reads:

Tres Pinos Memorial of the Great World War

Dec. 7, 1941 - Aug. 14, 1945

For God and Country

For Peace and Freedom