Gallery - Maison Café + Market

GalleryJuliet Ekinaka2020-04-01T20:37:08-07:00

They say it takes a village... I agree, but it tak

They say it takes a village... I agree, but it takes more. It takes faith, patience, passion and grit.
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The last 19 months have both broken and rebuilt me and my team (who I wouldn't be here without). The lessons learned, the long days, the moments where all felt loss were melted away by the warmth of a smile and the support of this community.
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I couldn't be more humbled and filled with joy that Maison, this little hole in the wall restaurant that is shoved between a bait n' tackle and a laundromat, has been given a $50,000 grant from the #ChaseSapphire, as part of the Sapphire Supports Restaurants Contest. We were one of 20 restaurants that received this incredible gift, a chance to take a breath and just prepare for our next adventure ahead.
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To the community that has embraced us, to each team member that I get the privilege to work with, to the guest turned into family... Thank you. We wouldn't be here without your support.
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Stay safe, stay healthy, laugh without reason, love endlessly.... and always drink good wine.
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Chef Danielle
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#supportsmallbusiness #chasesapphire #weareopen #dreambig #ocrestaurants #shoplocal #welcomehome #cafemaisondanapoint #family

Probably our favorite early morning view…. . The

Probably our favorite early morning view….
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The Kouign-Amann, the queens hat, cocamanga, the sugar thing… whatever you want to call it, it’s delicious, layers upon layers of croissant dough rolled in sugar and baked to caramelized perfection.
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Pastries and coffee from 7am daily, come get them while they last.
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#pastries #breakfast #lunch #sweets #frenchfood #cafemaisondanapoint #supportsmallbusiness #ocrestaurants #weareopen #welcomehome

Just reminiscing (and drooling) over this grazing

Just reminiscing (and drooling) over this grazing table we created for the most beautiful bride ever at her rehearsal dinner.
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We are so thankful to share these moments, the laughter, the love and the memories made. Let our catering team help create your dream event from start to finish, we know each small detail matters.
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Plus… who doesn’t love a table with mountains of cheese cascading down. Open some wine and these are the things dreams are made of.
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Maison is still open, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, and still so thankful for the love and support you have all showered on us.
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Stay safe, stay healthy, laugh without reason… and drink good wine.
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Welcome home, welcome to Maison.
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#catering #grazingtables #cheeseandwine #foodandwine #cafemaisondanapoint #wine #family #weliketoparty #danapoint #sanclemente #wherestheparty #events #cateringservice

In the midst of weekend brunch we want to take a p

In the midst of weekend brunch we want to take a pause to remember those lives lost 20 years ago today.
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A pause to be grateful for the men and woman who have dedicated their lives to protect each of us and the country we call home.
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We are thankful, we are grateful and we will never forget the sacrifices that were made that day and every day that has followed.
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To every man and woman in uniform we salute you. Thank you for your service.
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#godblessourtroops #godblessamerica #neverforget #wewillrememberthem #american #thankful #freedom #homeofthebrave

It’s been too long since I’ve actually taken a

It’s been too long since I’ve actually taken a pause long enough to grasp all the things I want to tell you. How do I put into words the endless amount of gratitude that fills my heart in every moment of the day? Your support, your love, your ideas for how and where to move forward… are so overwhelmingly caring that I was at a loss of words.
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Looking back at how Maison has grown is nothing but a testament to each of you, each of my incredible employees and a whole lot of faith. We are a small restaurant, shoved between a bait & tackle shop and a laundry matt, a restaurant that did zero advertising other than opening our doors. We did what we know best, we strived to offer beautiful organic food, with genuine hospitality in an ambiance that would bring you home and make you feel loved. Then the pandemic hit. We should have according to statistics shut down and never reopened. Then something remarkable happened. Each of you showed up and supported us, each of my employees showed up…. we didn’t survive, we grew. I’m speechless and full of faith.
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So, knowing the history of Maison, I can’t fear the future, I can only buckle my seatbelt and be so grateful for the adventure ahead.
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I couldn’t be more excited to announce that Maison has found a new home, we are moving. The new home has a lot of work ahead it won’t be fast, easy or without expense, but let me tell you this, the landlord loves Maison, they love each of you, they are excited to welcome us into our new home. I can’t even tell you how much typing those words mean to me after the nightmare of the last two months. Once again, Maison will be home, home to each of you, home to each of my incredible employees, and home to me, I have faith in the future and know this step is the right one to take.
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We will stay at our current location while we wait for the court to set a date for the hearing and begin construction at our new location. And even though it may be months away we cannot wait to open the doors and bring each of you into our new home.
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Welcome home, welcome to Maison.
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#weareopen #welcomehome #ocrestaurants #organicfood #family #supportsmallbusiness #eatlocal #shoplocal

Maison will be closed this evening from 5pm for a

Maison will be closed this evening from 5pm for a private party.
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Looking forward to seeing each and every one of you for Sunday Brunch tomorrow morning!
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Email us to book your next event with our full service catering or private dining experiences.
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#merci #weliketoparty #privateparty #catering #ocevents #ocrestaurants #caterer #welcomehome

Simple perfection. . Our house whipped honey ricot

Simple perfection.
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Our house whipped honey ricotta. Our favorite @breadartisanbakery country toast topped with house made organic blueberry jam, blueberries and a little mint.
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So simple but oh so good.
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Join us for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily! We are open and can’t wait to see each of you!
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#breakfast #brunch #lunch #weareopen #toast #foodandwine #welcomehome #supportsmallbusiness #shoplocal #ocrestaurants #organicfood #organicrestaurant #frenchfood #danapoint

Even without the garden… we think the view is pr

Even without the garden… we think the view is pretty awesome!
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Come in and see all these smiling faces! We are open and can’t wait to serve each of you.
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Breakfast and lunch served daily from 8am to 5pm and dinner from 5pm to 9pm.
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Welcome home, welcome to Maison.
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#stillopen #weareopen #welcomehome #supportsmallbusiness #ocrestaurants #eatlocal #shopsmall #breakfast #lunch #dinner #organic #organicrestaurant #foodandwine #family #dreamteam

About last weekend…. . Not only did we get the p

About last weekend….
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Not only did we get the pleasure of watching the fireworks from the most beautiful house in San Clemente… but we also had the honor to cook for and serve the guests that thought they were coming to a Fourth of July party only to be surprised by the sweetest wedding ceremony you have ever seen.
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Thank you Mike and Kelli for letting us be a part of your day! For trusting us to nourish and take care of your guests…. Thank you for bringing our family into yours and sharing the magic that you made happen last weekend!
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May your glasses stay full, and your laughter carry on for years to come!
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#catering #privatechef #cafemaisondanapoint #weddingcatering #privateparty #grazingtable #cheese #wine #family #foodandwine #grazingboard #wineandcheese

Happy Birthday America! Wishing each of you a day

Happy Birthday America! Wishing each of you a day filled with love, laughter, family and friends!
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Maison will be closing at 1pm today so our team can all spend the afternoon enjoying the holiday, join us early for brunch and grab some goodies from the market to enjoy with the fireworks!
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Thank you for letting Maison be your home away from home, thank you for pouring your love and support over us while we continue to stay open to serve you. Thank you for being you!
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Stay safe, stay healthy, laugh often…. And drink good wine.
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#fourthofjuly #america #foreworks #family #welcomehome #cafemaisondanapoint #weekend#sunday #brunch #bubbles #butfirstcoffee #danapoint #sanclemente #sanjuancapistrano

Sometimes your dreams are so big that when they co

Sometimes your dreams are so big that when they come true they just come busting out of the seams and there isn’t enough room around you to contain the gratitude and joy that surrounds you.
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Today was a sad day, Im sure in hindsight it will be a speed bump in the road, one much smaller than what we’ve accomplished so far.
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Today the court ruled in the favor of our landlord for the preliminary injunction… When I found out I wanted to yell and scream, I wanted to be so angry at how unfair it is to be punished when you’ve done everything right.
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I took a breath and I sat in my office tears rolling down my cheeks and I prayed for grace, I prayed for peace. I knew long before today that what I was walking into would be long, it would be hard, it was not going to be easy. But I also know without a doubt in my heart or mind that what I’m fighting for is right. I’m fighting for the team who has worked beside me. For each guest that has walked in our door and allowed us to embrace you with everything that Maison is.
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It feels like both an eternity ago and just yesterday that I posted a picture of us putting up the garden wall. Creating a space that was safe and comfortable and allowed us to continue to serve you. My heart hurts.
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Tomorrow morning we will tear it down. Tomorrow we start phase 17.6 of the many transitions that Maison has made to survive the last 17 months… this is the only way to avoid the eviction while we take a new step forward. Tomorrow we asked for your patience, we ask that you allow us to continue to serve you. That Maison continues to be your home away from home even though we once again look different than before. And we will stand tall as we walk into the next court battle ahead which is far from done.
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This is not over… in fact, it’s just the beginning of another amazing chapter. One where we will fall, we will fail… but more importantly we will be grateful and every time we fall we will learn to stand with grace, with patience and looking forward for more… for the best is yet to come.
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We are walking into tomorrow with a smile and cannot wait to see each of you.
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#savemaison #cafemaisondanapoint #welcomehome

Maison Update! Please help share this story and cl

Maison Update! Please help share this story and click the link in our bio to learn more details and to help support Maison any way you can.
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Our court hearing was set for June 30th. this is only the first hearing for the preliminary injunction that we filed to hopefully allow Maison to continue to serve in the garden while we wait for our court hearing for the declatory relief action.
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We’ve tried working with the landlord to allow Maison to be given 6-8 months to relocate along with a partial reimbursement for the investment made to build out the space & bring the unit up to city and health department codes & his response to the settlement offer was that he would release me from my lease obligations if Maison closes & moves everything out by August 31st 2021. That is not nearly enough time to relocate and build out an entire new space.
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I have faith that Maison will continue to serve the community, that I will continue to work beside my team and be humbled by the blessing that surround us everyday.

This quote from Theodore Roosevelt reminds me that things worth fighting for are not easy & though there is struggle & pain there are also lessons and beauty if you don't give up.
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"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with this cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
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With grace and gratitude - Chef Danielle
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#savemaison #cafemaisondanapoint #ocrestaurants #supportsmallbusiness

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies. . Grab one fr

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies.
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Grab one from our pastry case… or grab a six pack of dough and bake them at home… or eat the cookie dough raw, we won’t judge.
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Breakfast, lunch and dinner served daily!
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Welcome home, welcome to Maison.
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#cookiemonster #chocolate #cookies #organic #sweettooth #dessert #ocrestaurants #breakfast #lunch #dinner #supportsmallbusiness #eatlocal #shoplocal

Wishing all you dads out there a Happy Father’s

Wishing all you dads out there a Happy Father’s Day!
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And a special thank you to my dad… the man that has shown me what it means to walk steadfast in life no matter what trials come your way. The man that has shown my two boys what it means to live with honesty, faith and integrity. I’m so thankful for you dad!
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So to you dad and all you other dads out there… we celebrate you today! For teaching us to throw a baseball, for catching us when we first learned how to ride our bikes without training wheels, to walking your baby girl down the isle… for cheering us on and teaching us how to believe in ourselves… thank you!
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May you beer glass stay full and May someone else run the grill today.
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Stay safe, stay healthy, laugh often…. And drink good wine.
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#happyfathersday #dad #fathersday #numberonedad #brunch #breakfast #danapoint #sanclemente #ocrestaurants

With every season there comes storms. Some you can

With every season there comes storms. Some you can navigate through and some you just have to be still through.
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Today our Maison family gained a guardian angel, Vincent was our guest from early on… he was quite simply amazing. He was kind and gentle, the person who would have not only picked up your dropped napkin off the ground, but then would have asked how your day was… and he would have genuinely cared.
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He was a teacher of both life and tai chi. He was a master of living in the moment and teaching his students how to mind their bodies and their spirits.
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We loved him and he loved us.
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Raise your glass, give your loved ones a hug and be so thankful for each moment. For at the end of the day they are much too few.
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Vincent we are so incredibly lucky to have had you in our family for the time we did. From all of us at Maison we are grateful for you and the care you showered on each of us.
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And we are certain you are up there in heaven leading the angels in yoga and teaching them a thing or two.
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We will miss you endlessly.
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Stay happy, stay healthy, laugh (and sometimes cry) often… and drink good wine.
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With love -the Maison Family
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#family #thankful

Family and Friends ... My heart aches as I share

Lunch perfection. . Simple and delicious. Our Past

Lunch perfection.
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Simple and delicious. Our Pasto Chop Salad is loaded full with castelveltrano olives, cucumbers, red onion, zucchini, salami, roasted tomatoes, fresh basil and heirloom lettuce. If your feeling really wild you can add a sliced grass fed steak or a roasted piece of salmon....
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Because sometimes all you need is a giant salad (and a glass of wine).
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Breakfast and lunch served daily until 5pm.
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#welcomehome #cafemaisondanapoint #organicfood #organicrestaurant #ocrestaurants #lunch #foodandwine #eatclean #salad #frenchrestaurant

Because sometimes all you need is a plate full of

Because sometimes all you need is a plate full of all the delicious little things... and a glass of wine.
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Our charcuterie plate is available nightly on our dinner menu! Monger’s selections and loaded with accoutrements and sliced baguette.
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And... sharing is caring so bring a friend and join us for dinner. The kitchen is open nightly until 9pm!
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Call us to make a reservation or just pop in to say hi.
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Welcome home, welcome to Maison.
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#cafemaisondanapoint #charcuterie #foodandwine #dinner #frenchfood #organic #wine #welcomehome #family

What are you having for breakfast? . Thank you @wh

What are you having for breakfast?
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Thank you @what.sami.eats for taking this absolutely beautiful photo of your recent visit.... seriously we have the most incredible and talented guests.
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We’re getting hungry just looking at this.
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The Dutch Baby, the Chèvre and the classic 2 Egg Breakfast.
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Which one is calling your name?
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Breakfast served daily until 5pm!
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#butfirstcoffee #maisondanapoint #cafemaisondanapoint #breakfast #eggs #frenchfood #organicfood #brunch #foodandwine #dutchbaby #danapoint #welcomehome #goodmorning

With Mother’s Day around the corner, I can’t h

With Mother’s Day around the corner, I can’t help but want to salute and embrace each of you moms, for the trials of the last year with fear of homeschooling and trying to sort out life as the house was suddenly getting torn apart by the children being home 24/7, to the unexpected moments that made your heart ache wishing for the time with your babies to never end. To the moms, like me that have sent your kids off to college, the worrisome nights are only outweighed by the incredible sense of pride we have found in our children turning into adults. To the moms juggling a baby in a car seat while their toddlers run around like little tyrant drunken pirates… you’ll look back in years and laugh with the memories as a gentle tear rolls down your cheek remembering all the time you didn’t know how you’d make it through.
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You will make it through though, the strength in each movement a mother makes is powerful and the impact you place in the mind of your children will live with them well into their adult years. The moments that make you sigh, the moments that make you laugh, the tender hug your sleepy child gives you as they rest their head on your chest… the title we wear is remarkable.
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Being a restaurant mom is just as tiresome and yet at the same time, just as rewarding. From watching my senior high school employees graduate last year (in one of the weirdest graduations of all our lives) to now them one by one leaving me for college and crying just as if they were my own. To having our first Maison baby born last year, and getting to see little Obi growing and thriving in his mother’s care. Breakups, moral support both in their triumphs and their struggles, the team that I get to be work mom to never cease to amaze and bless me. Just like in motherhood… the minutes can be long but the years are flying by much too fast. I love these work kids endlessly and am so grateful to work beside them.
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With all my heart, I wish each of you the most amazing Mother’s Day ever, may your glass be full, may the dishes be done and may someone give you a foot rub.
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Stay safe, stay healthy, laugh often and drink good wine.
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With Love - Chef Danielle

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