Taster's Delight...

Hubby and I took advantage of a professional conference in Napa

to get away and spend a great weekend being foodies

for our 6th Anniversary.

I, of course, took pictures and am sharing all of

the wines that we enjoyed...

Not just to share with you... because they were YUMMY

and I highly recommend them,

but also so that next time we are in Napa, 

we can stop and visit the wineries,

and I'll already have a list... 

and, now, so will you...

To begin:

We celebrated our anniversary dinner at

Napa Valley Bistro

From the minute we walked in, we were treated like family.

We toasted with a Domaine Carneros Brut to start

which paired well with the 

Bosc Pear and Brie Cheese Flatbread we were served.

We both opted for the specials, and I took advantage

of the special occasion and ordered the ribeye...

Moist, tender, covered in mushrooms, a luscious deglaze sauce

and these blue cheese layered potatoes (mandolin cut a la Lutece) which were

so good... 

I paired my steak with a Buena Vista Cabernet Sauvignon,

and hubby paired his seafood delight with a Meiomi Pinot Noir.

The dessert wine was a Merryvale Antigua Muscat which I enjoyed

with a simple scoop of vanilla ice cream.

On our way home, we stopped at

Rustic located at the Coppola Winery.

Hubby had the Chicken Mattone which 

he paired with a Director's Cut Pinot Noir...

And, I had the Gateau de Pommes which

I paired with a Reserve Viogner...

Of course, I didn't mention breakfast...

This delicious chicken and waffles from

Napa Valley Biscuits

can only be paired with their

Death-by-Chocolate milk served in a Mason Jar...

OMG...!

There went all my allowed cheating for the month...!

Bon Appetit!

Commuter Blues

As you might remember, I've been doing some traveling to Sacramento once a month to work at several ED's there.  It was part of my company's Ambassador program to help new programs get started.  This was my last month of working with the program.

It's been quite an interesting experience.  I get to see a lot of more complex patients than I do in my small town, rural hospital, and the hospital system is so different in terms of available services and admissions.  Also, I get to work close to a Trader Joe's and what can beat that?

As much as I like working in the city, I always look forward to leaving traffic, people and everything far behind as I head back north.  It's amazing to me how in a few short hours I can have the road to myself.  Where I can drive for almost an hour and not see another car on the road.  Where I can leave the "concrete jungle" and enter the forest of redwoods that is now part of my home.

I cross this bridge and find peace as I make the last 5 mile drive home...