I don't know how to begin

It's great to have a blog because in a way my fingers can keep up with my thoughts. I don't even know what I would like to write about?

Should I write about our day trip to the Napa Valley today? The semi-sweet pecan-covered sticky buns of the Bouchon Bakery? How cut the Bouchon Bakery looked with its pistachio colored wooden exterior? The mouth watering pastries inside? Pastries that I can't even name.

The wonderful Blacberry Balsamic Vinegar sample (on sourdough) at the Oakville Grocery? Or how Jacinda delightedly recognnized the rose mary bush by her vehicle and how I ended up picking some "stalks" from it - wow that plant is fragant. But honestly, I couldn't tell a rosemary bush from a lavender plant. I remember saying, " Now if I get a mug shot out of this..."I can be listed under American's dumbest criminals - the headlines would read - Woman arrested for picking rose mary stalks from rose mary bush.

Or the endless pretzels with mustard dips, chocolate dips..salsa dips. How I bought two bottles of wine from Sutter Home (and am now wondering how am I suppose to consume it?).

I came across a Napa Sauvignon Blanc at another winery off the Silverado Trail - its name unfortunately escapes me right now. I could not deny the unmistakeble undertones of ..nutmeg/ mocha with a hint of peppery spice in the end.

"This is my favorite.", I said to the nice young man behind the wooden counter. He explained that this is the favorite of the masses. I looked at the price - $55.

We went to another winery called , I think Frank Family - we tried sparkling wines or Champagne (to the dismay of th winemakers in the Champagne region in France). We noticed a photo of Oprah and Jay Leno on their walls.

We also visited the Castillo Di Amorosa - the uphill Cypress-lined driveway gave way to a medieval castle - I'm serious. A medieval castle only a bit smaller in scale - not turrets like Neuschwanstein - just stone fortress. We couldn't go in - $30 and reservation only.

"You guys, I want to let you know that I'm a responsible driver and I know my limits I will never endager you or myself by driving drunk.", Jacinda assured us. She looked like a First Lady - in her cream coloered coat, tan slacks and pearls. The truck she was driving gave her away as being just one of us :D. No sooner did Jacinda assured us about her being responsible though, she realized we almost missed our turn and made a very hard and sharp right hand turn which sent me holding on baby Landon's empty carseat so that I won't be forced to the left side of her vehicle.

"Sorry, I did not want us to miss the winery.", she said sheepishly. We all laughed at the irony of it all.

We ate at Tyler's (because it was featured in the Food Network and their Ahi Steak Tuna burger is the rave). So I tried it. It was all right, I think I should've had it done rare... complete with parasites and all - oh yum!!!

We secretly bought a carrot mini cake for Karina at the Oakville Grocery - because this is Karina's favorite. At Tylers, we have them announce on the overhead that it is Karina's birthday. We presented the carrot cake sans candles. We clinked wine glasses in Sutter's Red. :)

The hills and the golden vineyards of the Napa Valley and the soft winter sunlight made for such a nice although chilly day. There is a blanket of fog to add to its allure.

Hmm..what do you know, I did write about something. Good food, good company, good place - I'm thankful for this day. :)