A little bubbly..

We enjoyed our anniversary champagne

last night along with some crusty french bread,

the most creamy brie & some fresh fruit.

*

Later we enjoyed a decadant chocolate mousse

cake. No, I didn't make it - bought it at

Safeway and topped with

fresh raspberries.

I must say, it was super yummy!

Twenty years ago today...

Wow-wee!

20 years of marriage - where does

the time go? Seems like just yesterday.

Three beautiful kids and twenty years of

happy memories later - here we are.

Tonight we will celebrate with
cake & champagne.
Happy Anniversary Honey!
I Love You!

A few Napa highlights

Dinner at Brix - beautiful patios and

gardens - delicious food.

Seared Ahi Tuna dish - excellent!

Frogs Leap winery - our favorite spot.

Wine tasting flight.

Lunch at Rutherford Grill.

Grilled artichoke and smoked salmon - yum!

Elizabeth Spencer winery.

Would love to have that big bottle!

* French Laundry greenhouse - look at all

the heirloom tomato vines.

French Laundry gardens - so big & beautiful.
This is as close as we got to going there...

A little bubbly before dinner at Bistro Jeanty.

Wine on the patio at Bouchon.

Dinner at Bouchon was incredible.

We started with an awesome cheese plate,

then we shared a dish of black cod with

maine lobster, sunchokes, pearl onions,

garden celery w/ black pepper creme fraiche.

and more wine of course....

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Porfiteroles for dessert - ooo la la.

The entire evening was one for the books.

We enjoyed every moment and will remember

it forever! In the morning after we slept

in and shook off the morning wine slosh,

we headed to the Bouchon bakery for fresh

croissants and coffee - can't think of a

better way to start the day!

Pumpkin bread

Made some delicious pumpkin bread yesterday.

It was a little undercooked in the middle,

and hard to get out of the pan without

loosing all the delicious topping. But, super

tasty. I think next time I will make as muffins

instead. I am sooo ready for the cooler weather

and all the fall recipes that come along

with it.

*

Pumpkin Bread

1/1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs

8 oz. pumpkin puree

1/4 cup sour cream

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. baking powder

pinch of salt

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Crumb topping:

1/8 cup sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup crushed pecans

1/4 cup pepitas

1/2 cup oats

1/4 tsp. cinnamon.

*

Preheat oven to 350. Butter and dust your

loaf pan. Combine dry ingredients, except the

sugar. Set aside. In mixer, combine sugar & oil,

add eggs one at a time, then pumpkin & sour cream.

Mix well. Add dry ingredients. Pour into pan.

Top with crumb topping.

Bake for approx. 45 min. or until done.

(I baked for about 50 min., but still came out

a bit underdone, so would recommend a bit longer,

or I think as muffins would be great)

Enjoying the city

*

Beautiful flower in the Ferry Building

Wish I could bring them home.
*

Cowgirl Creamery


We enjoyed a few oysters (just a few...)

and some wine at Hog Island Oysters.

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We walked to the Coit Tower - great exercise.
Preparing for all the wine & cheese to come.

View from the top of the tower.

A quick walk through China Town.

**
Love these red lanterns.

Sisters in the city

Having trouble getting back to reality

after our sister trip to San Fransisco

and the Napa Valley. So many great memories,

I will cherish them forever! Beautiful

flower arrangement at Boulettes Larder.

*

Boulettes Larder is located in the
Ferry Building, close to the Bay Bridge.
Kim and I both agreed - we could spend
all day here.

The most delicious eggs ever - EVER!

So fresh & light & fluffy,

with the creamiest goat cheese,

a drizzle of lemon oil, and

a sprinkle of flavored coarse salt.

Thick & tangy yogurt with fresh figs,

and a sprinkle of brown sugar.

Just look at that juicy fig - Yum!
*

Assorted breads w/ butter and apricot jam,

and a steaming pot of french press coffee.

I will be dreaming about this

perfect breakfast

for a looonnng time!

Sweet treats

I just adore every inch of this place.

Wine & cheese

Enjoyed the evening with sister-in-law Cathy.

Sharp English cheddar, brie, prosciutto wrapped

bread sticks, roasted & salted almonds,

and some vino of course.

Delicious!