Fair Play

It was a beautiful day in Northern California and off we headed to Fair Play, California. "An hour from home.....a world away". Yes we headed out for some drinking, I mean some wine tasting.
Our first stop was at TooGood Estate where we had over ten different tastings. TooGood would be RealGood if they would just focus on a select few in my opinion. And onward we went to MV Winery-Miller Vineyards. This was the winery of the day!!! John Miller was a wonderful host and his wines were superb. His wife Cindy is a knitter which of course makes this place so much better.

On we went to Cedarville Vineyard. This is a wonderful place with only estate grown wines. Their Voigner, Zinfandel and Cabernet all came home with us.

Our last stop of the day was at Iverson. Again they had a lot to choose from and I do think they need to focus on a few.

It was a wonderful Sunday outing and I am sure we will return to Fair Play soon to check out more of the vineyards.

Murphy's Sweater

Murphy has a new sweater. Doesn't he look handsome!!
Of course this week the weather is wonderful but I'm told it's going to get chilly again.

Saturday in Napa

I am somewhat belated in finishing my story of our weekend in Napa. One of the reasons Charles and Dru Ann chose to visit us this past, past weekend was the release party of Silver Oak. Jim and I first attended the release party on our honeymoon and have been subsequent years.

Saturday morning we arrived about 10:00 at Silver Oak after a wonderful breakfast at the Vintage Inn in Yountville where we were staying for the weekend. As we walked in they were pouring the 2000 library release of their Cabernet Sauvignon. Since we had just experienced their 1999 for our anniversary I can vouch for the fact that it was much tastier - but I do think the current release of their 2005 was much better.

Saturday was not a pretty weather day but there was plenty of tents and other buildings that the drizzle did not matter. After having our picture taken and getting our delicious box lunches we headed out to Pump Jack for their release of their Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 and also their Chardonnay.

We made a brief stop at Mumm's for a tasting of their latest champagne and to pick up our club membership bottles and then off to a wonderful "mom and pop" vineyard, Anomaly. They only do Cabernet and they do a very good job with what they have.

After a wonder siesta, we finished off the evening at "The Press" restaurant. They are known for their steaks but I passed on that and had a delightful dinner of a chopped salad, brussel sprouts and macaroni and cheese. Yes, it was topped off with a chocolate souffle.

Ravelympics

Ravelympics is for the knitting and crochet world held during the Olympics. You start your project(s) February 12 at the opening ceremony and finish February 28 at the conclusion of the Olympics. For this you win a virtual award. Since I still have connections in Texas and California I am competing in two groups. Murphy's sweater is in the Bobsled event for all things pet related. I am making the Everyday Turtleneck in Kureyon from the book "Knitting for Dogs". I plan on entering another event for team YE, might be a WIP as I still have time for more. For team Yarn Sac Near and Far I have entered the Sweaterboard event and am making a sweater for Jim. The pattern is called Ludo from Elsebeth Lavold "Designer's Choice" Book Eleven. The back is finished and now I am moving on to the front. I think I have set a comfortable pace for myself and should finish the event in plenty of time.

I do think there needs to be an event for actually putting together your knitted garment. This is an event I would tend to fail. I am mustering forward and plan on getting the sweater sewn together when the pieces are all done.

Be Mine

My dear husband made chocolate covered strawberries as a surprise for me for Valentine's Day. I hope everyone enjoyed their day with their loved ones, be it family or friends. You are all loved!!

Napa

Our very good friends Charles and Dru Ann came to visit us last weekend. After taking the dogs to "dog prison" as Jim calls it, we headed for Napa. The first place we stopped was at Frank Family. You begin with champagne and progress to chardonnay, zinfandel, cabernet and port. You do need to prod them about their port but it is wondrous.Next we headed to Bremer. Rich is wonderful in sharing what is happening at Bremer.

And finally we hung out at Phelps on Friday. We learned all about barrels and toasting and how it affected the taste.

Tomorrow I will share about the rest of the weekend.