High-Hand Nursery

High-Hand is a charming nursery, fruit shed and cafe in Loomis, California which will impress you with what it has to offer. It's well worth the drive if you're anywhere near the area, and repeat visits if you can.

It's a place where food and plant lovers alike, can enjoy a freshly prepared meal while sitting amongst the artistically displayed greenery, either outside or in, under the soft glow of a greenhouse canopy. Invite a friend. It's gorgeous. The food is made fresh from ingredients owner Scott Paris and his staff grow on the property of High-Hand as well as on a year-round farm 10 minutes away.

The fruit shed and packing plant were built by the Loomis Fruit Growers Association in 1926 and became the central packing plant for fruit grown in surrounding orchards. Read more here.

It had fallen into disarray and was no longer a working packing plant when Scott Paris purchased the property. It's amazing what has become of it since—and I'm exited to see where it's going. (They're currently renovating to bring in a brewery!) Read more in an article he wrote here.

Usually, I don't resist the lure of plants OR food. (And here they're combined? Send me to heaven now.) So Adam and I headed over to Loomis on a cold December morning arriving about 15 minutes before the cafe opened. We walked through the dining area where I snapped a couple of photos before we were kindly ushered out so the cafe staff could finish prep for the day's visitors. We were first in line, and I was happy.

Above: The main seating area inside the cafe. Below: One of the seating areas outside.

You haven't even seen the menu yet and you want to visit now. Am I right?

Okay here it is: menu. (To see it, tap "Take Out") Double check hours for dining. They appear to change based on holiday and covid restrictions.

Unable to make a decision between a few items we decided to order a brick oven pizza and call it an appetizer to make ourselves feel better—the server was amused. (And probably thought we were brilliant.) The oven is located outdoors right next to the cafe, behind a bar where you can sit and watch your pizza being cooked.

Below: Adam ordered...wait a minute, let me pull out the menu I stole...ahem, he ordered the Grilled Pastrami with swiss cheese, house aioli, slaw, on a pretzel bun. I tasted it and yum. My order (not pictured) was the Chicken Cider sandwich with Brie cheese, apple butter and walnuts (not pictured.) Excellent.

Unable to resist a warm drink on such a cold day I asked for a  Chai Latte. (Many of you know I don't drink coffee or tea. However, the doctors who have been helping me recover, recommended green and black tea to help heal and also reduce inflammation. I am trying it, for a time.) I've never ordered tea—always brewed at home—so I have nothing to compare it to, but it was GOOD, came in a HUGE cup, and put me in such a lovely mood.

After a very calm and satisfying lunch, we began to explore.

There's a small water feature close to the cafe, full of koi fish and turtle. Knowing I was right, I walked over to the turtle to give it nudge—to prove it was real. It was not, Adam won—this was a very convincing fake turtle. Customer, you'll get your money's worth with this one. Ha!

Several old trucks are situated on the property, each one happily fulfilling a second life as a display for young plants.

If the nursery is this lovely in December, just imagine what spring will be like. Oh, please go visit and share photos with me.

All the rows of pretty little things are definitely something I enjoy. Some small things just look better in rows don't you think? Like these little heart shaped Hoyas. But, you could also admit they look cute in their personal hanging pot too—I wouldn't argue. (By-the-way, need a Valentine gift idea?

Below: Again, we see another joyful truck, this one obtaining a fandom and appearing in many an Instagram account.

Of course any nursery wouldn't be complete without several collections of lawn ornaments. At High-Hand they place some of them in with the plants. Forget putting them on a shelf for display, THIS is the right way to show off any piece of artistry! Put it in the environment for which it was created (so it can have joy therein.)

This is inside the old packing plant. It's a HUGE building that houses more than plants and a gift shop. There's a small art gallery, and an olive oil and vinegar shop plus a few other small businesses and remnants of small businesses that were there before the pandemic.

The collection and display of pots and jars are also something I appreciated.

Following the hallway you will find yourself where the new brewery is currently in construction, as well as a stage for entertainment and events. There's also a wall with old photographs that explain the history of the packing plant and the community. Enjoy yourself, explore. Touch and smell everything. Take pictures so you can remember what it felt like to be there.

Have I convinced you to visit the High-Hand Nursery and Cafe? (Megan? Amanda?)

While you're there, stop in at the little shop where they make coffee to go, next to the cafe, and purchase something to take home like, blueberry and lemon peel jam.
 

Goodbye until next time! Mwah!

Irie's Blessing Day

 A surprise phone call came in from Michael about a week before leaving Texas for the Christmas holiday. He said, "Bring your Sunday clothes." And was calling to ask Adam to be part of the priesthood circle for Irie's blessing day!

Here is her lovely dress and matching flowers for her hair—Irie wears it so well don't you think?

Irie is at the age where she doesn't want Momma out of her sight and all strangers (aka: EVERYONE else) are scary. To help her stay calm during the blessing, Hayden held Irie on her lap in the center of the priesthood circle of men, and Irie didn't make a peep. I LOVE that Hayden could be a part of the blessing in such a special way. It was a wonderful blessing Michael gave and very good day. And what awesome support Irie will have all around her as she grows up. We love you Irie!