Since we are leaving for our much anticipated trip to Europe with Sarah tomorrow, I am thinking that I better get this done. Yay, it’s my birthday? I am having a harder and harder time getting up for this event. Passing 60 a couple of years ago puts a damper on things.
What would a birthday celebration be without some fun event with my birthday buddy, George. Our birthday excitement started out with a trip up to some wineries up by Healdsburg on a dreary winterish day. But even winter here has its charms.
Wintery Sonoma Valley
We visited Gary Farrell, Thomas George, Hop Kiln, Stryker and Stonestreet wineries. That’s quite a bit of tasting. Stonestreet had some really exceptional white wines. Then we headed down to Napa where we caught a few winks at the hotel. Wine tasting always makes me sleepy. Later we dined at Le Toque, a Michelin one star restaurant. The dinner was really, really good. We had the sommelier do wine pairings and a good time was had by all.
Karen, George, Mary and John at Gary Farrell Winery
Shortly after the actual day, the whole fam came over for brunch, cards and birthday cake. John made the strata. Sarah got the pretzel rolls and Ryan and Jon brought the cake. Sam and Nathan brought me pictures they had drawn, Sam’s abstract art with candles and Nathan’s truck with candles. I got some great cards so the mantle is full now of congratulations on my oldness. After brunch we blew out the candles and had cake – Sam and Nathan’s favorite part.
Sam and Nathan celebrate my birthday
I love cards!
Nathan and I blow out the candles!