Got a little more in Napa than expected...

I know it's been a few weeks since my last post teasing about our trip to Napa but when I said I was "breaking away" I didn't think it would take on such a literal meaning.

Prior to sustaining a broken tibia, we had a lovely time! In between crutching around and elevating my foot, I am working on a post of the trip. Until that time, I'll leave you with this little teaser...

Chef Chiarello & Tom

Breaking Away

It's the last day of April and I'm still lugging around my ever-faithful puffy, pulling on my winter boots and brushing snow off my car....It's spring everywhere else and I'm still running to warm myself by the fireplace and using Elliot to toast my toes...and it's going to continue for a least another week. 

So this weekend I am getting off this hill, away from this snow and running into the arms of the Napa Valley...  

Thanks to the generosity of Jeff and Carolyn Smith, we'll be settling into their guest house at Hourglass Wine Company. Nestled in St. Helena, Hourglass is  a boutique winery that solely produces Cabernet. And what a Cabernet it is as their wine has quite a cult following.

Though I'm sure it will be hard to leave the Smith's property, we will force ourselves to sip and nibble our way down the 2 lane roads of Napa. On the agenda is a stop at Oxbow Public Market to visit the Fatted Calf and to sample some goodies at Hog Island Oyster Company. Jess has a few vineyards in mind to visit (but I think it's a secret). She's also teased about a fried chicken lunch and dinner at Michael Chiarello's Bottega.

I'm not quite sure what else the weekend will bring but I'm sure we'll be "ahh"ing, laughing and lapping up the warmth the whole time. It's just the break away we all need before another week of wind and wet. 

Wishing you a weekend of warmth and welcomed relaxation!

T.G.I.F.

It's that time of week...to jump up and bid a fond farewell to workdays and weeknight sitcoms and to say hello to  coffee in bed, sunlit days to do as you please and staying up late just because you can. Weekends are such a treat that I'll be giving out TGIFs all weekend long...

• Thank Goodness I'm Feeding folks at the Truckee Follies (via Full Belly Deli)
• Thank Goodness I'm Frolicking in the spring snow at Squaw
• Thank Goodness It's Fifty Cent Hot Dog Day at the Aces baseball game
• Thank Goodness I'm Foraging for forgotten treasures at Plato's Closet and Junkee
• Thank Goodness It's Fifty-plus degrees outside
• Thank Goodness I Find myself reading again (it's been too long, dear friend)
• Thank Goodness I'm Figuring out whether we're Hawaii-bound or not
• Thank Goodness I'm Fighting my way back to my fighting weight
• Thank Goodness I'm Finding myself back in the arms of this blog.

Jump for joy and enjoy all the things you are thankful for.

Baby, it's cold outside.

It's dreary here. Drizzle and wind with snow threatening to fall. As I bundled up to leave for work this morning, I thought of this painting. Oh, how I wish I could smuggle a little bird in my hat and keep him warm through the storm. Hang tough out there, little buddies. There's warmer weather on the horizon.

Girly with Birdy by Julia Humpfer aka HerbstKind

Sunny Sunday turns into Wintery Weekdays

Yesterday was a perfect Sunday. While I barely left the house, the deck provided the perfect spot to bask in the warmth. With a little Sinatra and friends playing, I resigned myself to the deck  w/ C, Rita and my two furballs (who spent the day tracking and chattering at finches) and got my hands a little dirty. 

That one day of sun and smiles shall carry me through the upcoming week of rain and snow.

Happy Friday!

"When I was 5 years old, my mom told me that happiness was the key to life. 
When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down "happy." 
They told me I didn't understand the assignment and I told them they didn't understand life."

Have a happy weekend!

Psst...

Oh, how I've missed you!

I'm making no promises but I hope to be seeing you more in the future.

"Just a hello" vinyl sticker courtesy of tasty suite