Bring It On Autumn!

For two days I have been cold. It's that time of year where I sit and work in denial that the weather has in fact changed from summer to autumn. Yes, it's November but in Northern California that doesn't always mean that we are wearing our sweaters and wooly socks. Sure, it's chilly in the morning but by mid-day we are back to flip flops and short-sleeved shirts. But as I said, the past two days have been cold. Wooly socks, cardigan, and warm cups of tea to keep my fingers warm as I work on the computer.

As the sun was setting this evening, I decided that it was a risotto kind of night, maybe with some sage and kabocha squash. It's my favorite and I had a bit in the freezer leftover from something or other. Stirring the risotto would warm me. I love standing at the stove and stirring risotto. It's so meditative and I usually pour a little extra wine, some for the risotto and some for me. Meditation, wine, and warm, comfy rice one a cold, rainy night. Bring it on autumn!

Happiness is Halloween in Napa and a Warm Puppy

I love Halloween but I haven't dressed in costume in years. Halloween in San Francisco's Castro District became a bit of a drag when it got so crowded that crossing the street took 30 minutes. It became scary the year that people started shooting at each other.

I decided this year it was time to get back to celebrating Halloween. I wanted to go out to a proper party and have some proper Halloween fun! I wanted something that wasn't a bar but that had lots of dancing and some cocktails or wine - so adults only. Most importantly, I wanted to go someplace where everyone would be in costume. A winery in Napa offered exactly what we were looking for: a pagan costume ball! Perfect! There was dancing, a photo booth, lots of food and even more wine! The winery even turned the wine cellar into really scary torture chamber and haunted house! The owner of the winery, Dario Sattui,  greeted everyone at the winery's castle doors, and directed us through the castle to the festivities. He was dressed in a tuxedo, reminding me a bit of Lurch from the Addams Family television show. There were over 700 costumed party-goers dancing their behinds off, having a grand time! I can't wait for next year's party!

We decided to stay in Santa Rosa, which is in Sonoma, so we could go to the Schultz Museum on Sunday. I loved the cartoons when I was a kid, and still chuckle at the strip when I catch them in the newspaper. The museum is great, though it is more about Charles M. Shultz and less about the cartoon characters. There is just enough for kids though, even the kid in me. 

 

 

We stayed in an old hotel in the Railroad District of Santa Rosa. It's a really lovely place. Hotel La Rose is perfect walking distance to lots of shops, restaurants and a fantastic coffee shop, Cafe Aroma that served a delicious Voodoo Chai latte - a chai latte with a shot of espresso.

We drove through Napa Valley on the way home to the SF Bay Area. We stopped at a few places to taste wines. It was a slow day and the  workers at the wineries were happy to see us so we got extra pours of delicious wine. Weekdays off season in Napa are the time to go.

The sunlight on Monday was glorious all day. Just as the sun was starting to set, it was most gorgeous as it came through the grape vines at Twomey Winery. It was one of our last stops of the day and they let us wander through the grapes without supervision. They even let us pull some from the vines to taste. I think they were sauvignon blanc grapes. Tasty It made me realize that California's beaches aren't the only place that offer a gorgeous sunset.

Diana F images to follow soon. I'll be dropping the film with the photo shop tomorrow.