Trudy Wakefield, Author at The Bloom

Trudy Wakefield

Trudy is the owner and editor for The Bloom. The Bloom's dedicated to showcasing all the good parts of life. If it's good news, you'll probably find it here.

What’s Up This Week – 9.22.23

My daughter failed her driver’s permit test by only one question. With tears in her eyes, she said, “I was so close,” and she was. I couldn’t help but think back to when I failed my first test too. It was a horrible feeling. In the end, sooner or later, she’ll be driving with the rest of us. You know that, and I do too. But it’s funny how those moments stick with us for better or worse. So it goes.

This week we want to share a different kind of moment, a beautiful moment in Lake County when we attended the Lake County Wine Auction. What an event that was! And we’re so excited to tell you all about our most recent Pay It Forward small business. If you haven’t been before, it’s a fun surprise. We’ve also got lots of good news in the community, poetry, all kinds of live music to choose from, and of course, your weekly dose of local history. The weather is fair, and there’s plenty to do, so have a great weekend, Lake County!

What’s Up This Week – 9.15.23

So I celebrated my birthday this week. Hooray for another loop around the sun! Then it occurred to me that The Bloom and I share the same birthday month. To be honest, I’d never really thought about that until this year when The Bloom turned five. All the more reason to celebrate.

On that note, enjoy our second feature article on Ripe Choice Farm and Catering. Holy cow, does Tammy Lipps take hospitality to a whole new level. And be sure to join Kathleen Scavone when she visits Rodman Preserve, a Lake County Land Trust treasure. And, of course, we have all the local live entertainment going on in the Music Guide, lots of good news, poetry, and history. It’s a great start to the weekend, Lake County!

The Ripe Choice Experience, Continued

Wanna have it all? Well, you can. Nestled in the heart of Lake County’s wine country rests a picturesque vineyard, orchard, and working farm, complete with a pot-bellied pig, tortoise, and chef Tammy Lipps. It’s a unique place where it’s possible to check in and never leave. Here’s how you do it.

What’s Up This Week – 9.8.23

This week I had the pleasure of meeting with our literary editor and a writer at a locally owned coffee shop. As luck would have it, our pleasantries got interrupted by other greetings from several other people I knew while we were standing in line to order our coffee. At one point, I had to apologize and ask if we could resume our conversation once we got our order and sat down. Then it occurred to me; this is common for those of us who live in Lake County. You will always run into people you know, and it is okay to stop one conversation to chat with another person. In fact, it would be considered rude to not acknowledge people you know. I don’t recall my previous city life being this way. What a beautiful community we live in.

This week I’m thrilled to tell you more about The Bloom’s five-year anniversary celebration at Ripe Choice Farm and Catering. Let me tell you, it’s the place to be for any occasion! Wowza, what a lovely evening it was, and what an honor to celebrate it with our writers and top donors. Plus, we’ve always got our Music Guide, all good news, and some lovely poetry from an Indian poet for you to catch up on. Wherever your journey takes you, have a great weekend!

The Ripe Choice Experience

Have you ever experienced something so wonderful that you struggle to find the words to describe it? That’s me at The Bloom’s Five-Year Anniversary party at Ripe Choice Farm and Catering. I’d been in contact with Tammy Lipps, owner of Ripe Choice, for several weeks leading up to the event. I knew I wanted it to be something unique and memorable. Although several of our restaurants promise all those things, I knew I was looking for something a little more intimate, quiet, and off the beaten path.

Welcome to the Ripe Choice Farm: The early evening glow reluctantly gives way to the onshore breeze that promises cooler temperatures. But for now, a glass of sparkling wine, under twinkling lights and the small chatter amongst friends, makes for a delightful distraction. The barn’s high ceiling helps absorb the day’s warmth amongst its exposed wood.

The setting seems right, country, rustic, and yet elegant. Locally grown flowers adorn the center of the tables. Linen napkins and a formal place setting all promise tonight is not an ordinary Sunday evening.

What’s Up This Week – 9.1.23

Hello Fall. Every year, you take me by surprise. Do you know what else marks September? The Bloom celebrates its Five Year Anniversary! The celebration has already begun and will continue through September. If you are a monthly donor of $10 or more, expect some free merch from The Bloom in the mail in the next few weeks. Also, The Bloom will be at the Pear Festival to give away even more free merchandise. The point is, we want to celebrate with you!

What else is up? Well, the Lake County Fair, of course! Pick a day, go every day, but go to the fair and show your support. The fair is a Lake County tradition that’s so important to our community. But first, catch up with a short history of The Bloom, then learn about CLERC, the Clear Lake Environmental Research Center. Kathleen Scavone shares about it and their local ongoing environmental projects and programs. Plus, you can read our third-place-winning poem from our recent Poetry of the Outliers competition. After that, you’ll have time to read everything else that’s new in The Bloom. And see you at the fair! Have a great weekend, Lake County.

The Bloom Turns Five!

Well, well, well, The Bloom is turning five! Can you believe it? I feel like a proud parent bragging about their kid. And perhaps that’s appropriate when considering how The Bloom became The Bloom.

Five years ago, the editor of The Middletown Mercury announced his retirement. It was a huge bummer for us readers because it was one of the only sources of good news about Lake County.

So my husband and I had the crazy idea of taking over the Mercury, you know, as a hobby. Well, six weeks later, we became proud owners of a local newspaper. But, for a few legal reasons, we couldn’t keep the name or the subscription list, so we were on our own.

What’s Up this Week – 8.25.23

The end of summer marks a new kind of business as families adjust to a new school year and harvest season kicks into full swing for our local wineries and all things agriculture. One of the things I love about Lake County is we know how to make the most of every season and end it with a bang. This weekend is the third annual Blackberry Cobbler Festival on Cobb. Be sure to check out the press release for details because it’s easy to make it a weekend up on Cobb with so much to do all weekend long. Trust me, you don’t want to miss out!

Also, take a minute to join me at a Blue Zone-inspired dinner at the Blue Wing. It seems that the Blue Zones influence is everywhere in Lake County, and we at The Bloom couldn’t be more thrilled about that. Blue Zones offers all good things for Lake County. And be sure to catch up on our most recent Pay It Forward article and the second-place poem in our Poetry of the Outliers competition. Whatever your plans are for the weekend, be sure to include the Cobbler Festival. See ya there!

Blue Wing Celebrates Blue Zones Approval

Rarely have I had a meal so thoughtfully prepared and served. The Blue Wing serves consistently good food, so when I learned that they had just become Blue Zones approved in Lake County, I couldn’t resist attending their celebratory dinner; I have already learned that anything Chef Pablo Aguilar does will be nothing short of breathtaking.

The late August evening brings its predictable slow, leisurely pace when the days are still long, and dining under the late sun’s rays is almost a requirement for any dinner in Lake County. Welcome to the Blue Wing’s courtyard.

Escape to Finch Gardens

Just when one thinks they know all the hidden gems in Lake County, Lake County never ceases to prove one wrong.

The sun stands high in the firmament all summer long. Its rays bring radiant, glowing life to all it touches. All things green reach and lean toward its sustenance, and we gleam from their nourishing fruit while they tantalize our eyes with their glory. Gold embers of the sun’s hues frame and mold the weaving greens and bright floral colors of vines, branches, trees, and flowers, of Finch Garden. Helen greets my husband and me when we park in front of her home.

The Organ’s Breath of Life: Experiencing the Power of 7,455 Pipes

It is an unmatched sound that most of us have heard many times before. Its reverberating music fills the ear and body with notes high so high they prick the ears and so low they shake the ground. Collectively, its delicious music brings a full-body encounter. Nothing quite compares to an organ’s music, but absolutely nothing compares to listening to it in a cathedral. Welcome to the monthly organ recital at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco.

Get Away From it All: Wild Diamond Vineyards

Let’s face it; Lake County is truly the place you go to get away from the real world. There are few better ways to leave the city, relax, and enjoy some incredible wine. Let me take you on an adventure.

It all starts on Spruce Grove Road–meander through rural Lake County before turning on the gravel driveway that winds upward towards Wild Diamond Vineyards. Traverse an oak grove, winding higher and higher in elevation as the oaks slowly turn to pine trees. That’s when you know you’re almost there. At the tasting room–or more accurately, mountain top–the world turns truly silent and still. A strong breeze greets you first as you step out of your car, a reminder that the world is far, far below.

Flower Therapy: Bell Haven Flower Farms

Some of my fondest memories of my childhood include multiple visits to the beautiful Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island. The serene gardens are perfectly manicured, with not a plant in less than spectacular form. The garden is a discovery of delights; it seems to never end on its meandering trails and bridges. If you’ve been before, then you know. Of course, moving to Lake County was a dream come true for us. It’s filled with natural beauty, rugged landscapes, oak groves, far-reaching vineyards, and a one-of-a-kind life-giving lake.

But nothing quite compares to a professional garden, right? Well, thankfully, we have a spectacular and unique offering in Lake County. Bell Haven Flower Farms, resting on the shores of Soda Bay, is a breathtakingly beautiful place, open for private events and, on occasion, to the public. However, if you aren’t able to visit, Bell Haven also has a florist shop in downtown Kelseyville, where once you step through the doors, you’ll discover a cornucopia of flowers.

The Carriage House: An Oasis in Lakeport

It’s a warm evening on Main Street in Lakeport. The street lamps flicker on, cascading…

“I Make Wines That Drink Well” – Gregory Graham Winery

“I call myself a winegrower,” Greg says. “I’m my own vineyard manager, and at the end point, I’m a winemaker. It’s not about getting tonnage. It’s about growing high-quality fruit. Grapes don’t ripen at the same time. I pick them over three weeks to ensure they are picked at the peak.” And it shows in his wines. Every bottle at Gregory Graham is distinct, unique, and thoughtfully created. “I would put my grapes and wines against anyone,” he says. “I put my thumbprint on the wines.”

Four Great New Reasons to Visit Upper Lake

Not too long ago, I received an email from Lynne Butcher telling me there are several new businesses that have recently opened in Upper Lake. Lynne would know. Lynne and Bernie Butcher are the proud owners of the recently restored historic Tallman Hotel and Blue Wing, which hosts live music Friday through Monday in the courtyard year around. Their businesses are already two great reasons to visit Upper Lake, and I couldn’t wait to see more, so I eagerly set up a day trip to see for myself.

Bold Food and Good Beer: Romi’s Brew and BBQ

You can smell the smoker as soon as you enter the parking lot of Romi’s Brew and BBQ in Nice. And, if you’re lucky, you’ll get there just as someone’s taking ribs out for the evening’s dinner. The char, dense and smoky, fills the nostrils and overwhelms the senses, making it impossible to crave anything but a full rack of those mouthwatering ribs–and you haven’t even opened the door to the restaurant yet.

Essential Lake County: The Boat Races

The odor of heated fiberglass fills the air. I’m trying to keep up with what’s happening but can’t see through the smoke of the car with the blown head gasket trying to round turn one. Who’s in first? It doesn’t matter. A roar comes from the crowd watching turn three. It looks like a couple of boats got stuck together, and one car’s dragging the other around the track. I glance at it for a second, then get distracted by the major crash happening directly in front of the grandstands. A boat’s disconnected from its chain and cartwheels in front of the Blazer. The driver twitches the steering wheel, not to avoid it, but to ensure he gets a direct hit. He aims directly for the bow, and it explodes into a spray of fiberglass and old steering cables.

Celebrate With the New Bloom!

My, how time flies, The Bloom is turning five this year! Can you believe it? Not only that, but The Bloom just incorporated and, you may have noticed, we have a new domain name, thebloom.news. Thanks to your monthly donations, The Bloom has been and continues to be free to all who subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

So what does all of this mean? We want to celebrate, of course! So here’s the deal. Donate $10 or more monthly, and you’ll get Bloom stickers in the mail. Donate $20 a month or more, and expect to get a Bloom hat or T-shirt–your choice! And for our top monthly donors, you will be invited to a one of kind dinner with The Bloom and its writers in late summer or early fall. So if you’re already donating, keep it up! And if you’re not already donating, it’s not too late. If you donate for three consecutive months, you’re in on the goodies. So let us spoil you as we celebrate together! Click on the button below to donate.

This week we’re happy to tell you about our recent trip to one of our local theaters. And don’t forget to check out our recent Pay It Forward article as we visit another local small business! Plus, don’t forget to check out our weekly poetry. Finally, in between visiting your live music venues, be sure to check out the annual Buckingham Test and Tune as the tradition returns to Lake County once again. Have a great weekend Lake County!

Your Alternate Reality Awaits: Lakeport Cinema

It’s all things bright and sunny as we pull into the Lakeport Cinema parking lot. The outside wall of the cinema hangs pictures of upcoming movies that will grace the screen in the near future. Ahead are a row of black glass doors. And in this moment, an alternate reality is about to begin. It goes something like this:

There is a set of black glass doors, unlike any others. Oh, you’ve seen doors like these everywhere you go, but what’s behind these particular doors brings a new state of mind to your everyday life unlike any other.

Start as Visitors, Leave as Friends: The Big Valley, Small Farms Tour

There’s nowhere like Big Valley and no farms like these. Mark Lipps says the tour is simple; just bring yourself, a positive attitude, and a smile. And if you didn’t come with a smile, you’re sure to leave with one. “We would love all visitors of Lake County to experience the different priorities a Lake County Big Valley small farm can embrace,” Mark says. “Come explore all of our farms for a great drive around the area. Start out as visitors, leave as friends.”

What’s Up This Week – 5.5.23

I may have already mentioned this, but I’m going to mention it again. One of my favorite things about living in California is great, authentic Mexican food. Whether we’re visiting our favorite restaurant, taco truck, or market, we take it for granted. It’s an everyday part of our lives. And I wouldn’t want it any other way. So it seems fitting to put together a list of The Bloom’s favorite Mexican restaurants in Lake County in celebration of Cinco de Mayo. The great thing about this list is that it will grow as we visit more restaurants around the county. How fun is that? We’re also pleased to bring you our next Pay It Forward article. Believe me, I’m as excited and surprised as you to learn which small business will be featured next. And we forgot to add a book review by our own Lake County resident and author last week. Better late than never. I see myself enjoying a margarita in just a few hours! Whatever your plans are for the weekend, Lake County, make it a great one. Cheers!

Four Great Mexican Restaurants in Lake County

Lake County has an abundance of Mexican restaurants, and most all of them are wonderful. Everyone we talk to has their favorite, but there’s nothing wrong with trying something new. Of course, there are more than just four great Mexican restaurants in Lake County, but, if you’re looking to try something new and enjoy some great Mexican food, look no further than this list.

A Perfect Partnership: The Saw Shop Public House and Blue Zones

Main Street Kelseyville is a little busier than normal this Tuesday afternoon. With the recent warmer temperatures, mother nature is coaxing all of us to get out and about. Patrons leave Sophies Day Spa with a scoop of ice cream in one hand and a bag of goodies in another. A man leaves Bell Haven Florist with a bouquet and a smile in his step. Outside the Saw Shop, the covered patio and heaters remain in place just in case this warm spring weather should change its mind and bring us more rain. But the sky is clear and blue, and the rain seems a distant memory. It’s not a question on whether to eat outside or not. It would seem an insult to spring and its beauty to do otherwise.

Art, Wine, and Relaxation: Wine in the Willows

Without a bit of research, I don’t know that I could say which came first: wine or art? I’m sure it’s art. But it seems to me, as far back as we look, both seem to be intertwined in humanity as long as we have been human. And what’s not to love about both? They bring great joy and an ever-changing and evolving perspective. That’s why when I learned Wine in the Willows was recently repurchased, I breathed a great sigh of relief, knowing that wine and art would not lose another supreme location.

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