Harvest

My husband is making some syrah with our friend who is a winemaker and this is a picture of the grapes the day they were harvested.  They are doing a “punch down”…I love the brilliant color!  One of the benefits of living in the wine country is that when you decide to make your own wine, at least you can do it with someone who knows what they are doing and that it will be good….we hope!

xo

Amy

Farmhouse Inn

Last weekend my husband and I celebrated our 11^th anniversary and had a fabulous dinner at the Farmhouse Inn.  It had been several years since our last visit to this gem of a restaurant and while many things had changed, many still had not.  It is a very charming space and the food is outstanding.  The service was friendly and helpful and we both loved the many courses we tried.  Another one of Sonoma County’s treasures ~ perfect for a special occasion.

xo

Amy

Cooking Lessons

Last night we went over to our neighbors house to make dinner together.  The kids were given hands-on training in how to make pasta from scratch.  This included a roasted butternut squash ravioli with brown butter sauce flecked with sage and a squeeze of fresh lemon.  While this may sound fancy for small children, I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised when the one leading the group is a Michelin star chef.  A very relaxing evening with friends while the kids begin to learn the importance of good ingredients and having fun in the kitchen.

xo

Amy

Muddling Bar

Yesterday I co-hosted a baby shower for a friend and it was a blast.  We had a muddling bar that featured fresh strawberries, raspberries, lemons, limes, peaches, mint, basil and cucumber.  Guests could choose either champagne, sparkling water or sparkling juice and combine with their favorite fruits and herbs to make delicious drinks.  This was a fabulous form of entertainment and made everyone feel that they had a specialty cocktail.

xo

Amy

Farm Trails

This weekend in Sonoma County is Farm Trails where many of the local family farms are open to the public.  We started our day at http://www.splitrailfamilyfarms.com where we played with baby goats, calves, sheep, pigs and itty bitty chicks.  Very cool place with beautiful animals to get up close and personal with.

We then headed west to http://www.springhillcheese.com/ where we ate lunch on hay bales, went for a tractor ride and picked our own pumpkins right out of the field.  The kids loved running wild and sampling the delicious cheese and homemade pumpkin ice cream.  Another great weekend in amazing Sonoma County.

xo

Amy

Family Treasures

I had another beautiful wedding this past weekend at Calistoga Ranch.  I loved how we displayed the family photos…vintage mirrors and frames made for an exceptional entryway.  To me, one of the most important elements in a wedding are the things that make it personal.  We are blessed with gorgeous locations, exquisite wine and food, outstanding vendors…everything you need for a fabulous weekend of entertaining.  But remember to pay attention to the little details ~ family photos show your history and are a glimpse to the future.

xo

Amy