Too Busy to Blog - February Car Show, valentine's day, and Goddesses

I can't believe how long it has been since I visited my own blog to add something.  On February 11 we departed for Palm Springs towing a car trailer and the '58 Impala. We spent the weekend at the Dr. George car show and I cannot believe I don't have one photo!!   It was hot and I got a sunburn on my forehead and neck/chest.  A very long drive, but we had plenty of cds so that helped a lot.  I was great to see Dennis and Carol and all of the cool cars at the show.

When we got back to Napa, it was Valentine's day the very next day, and we went to Domain Chandon for a (very pricey) dinner at L'Etoile.   It was drizzly and rainy and it is  long walk from the car to the restaurant doorway, across a little bridge.  I wore my fox jacket and it was wet when we got to the door.  the dinner wasn't that great, and we remarked again how our tried and true favorites never disappoint yet when we try something new it is rarely as good.

In all the commotion, I forgot about my mammogram appointment the very next day.  The rest of the week was spent getting ready for the gathering of the goddesses on the 19th.  I cleaned things that have not been cleaned in a year (patio furniture for example) and then I cooked -- green peppercorn pate, shrimp spread, crab spread, goddess parfaits (fresh fruit, vanilla yogurt, topped with granola and garnished with a pirouette cookie), fresh squeezed orange juice for mimosas, and coffee.

 http://www.wix.com/warmquilts/goddesses2011

IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!!!!    Thanks to Esther, we have a great album of pictures to browse (see above).  Although it started out a wet and cold drizzly day, with brunch on the patio being kept warm in the BBQ, and
Mary Burdick in the garage because of cat allergies.   Thanks to our consorts -- Rod (my consort), Scott (Esther's consort), Peter (Mary Steinert's consort) and Virgil (Linda Patterson's consort), we had chauffeurs for the whole trip in the '54 Cadillac, Willys, T-Bird and '63 Cadillac.

                                                Brunch with Goddess Parfaits

                                                      Cadillac arriving at Villa Spankadellik

Villa Spankadellik was so great.  Kristi and Ed were such gracious hosts and had such wonderful art to share with us.  We even had wine and tea if we desired.   How terrific to live in your studio and be surrounded by your own and other people's inspiring art every day.

                                                     Wine cellar gallery at Villa Spankadellik

After this venue, it was off to Hendry Winery for an afternoon of wine tasting and wine education.  Our tables were set with place mats of the vineyards and the different varietals grown in each region, wine glasses, napkins, and "spit cups" (which NOBODY used!!!).  I brought out the veggie and ranch dip trays, crab and shrimp spread, green peppercorn pate,  baguettes, cheeses, and crackers I had brought up  the day before.

 
                                                       Wine Tasting at Hendry Ranch

We tasted every wine they made, beginning with the whites, then on to a really good rose, then the reds. Almost everyone then bought some wine!!!

Many of the goddesses left after the wine tasting,  but Judy, Dee, Ann, Mary Steinart, Linda and I headed for the Calistoga Spa and hot mineral pools for a relaxing soak in the giant jacuzzi.  Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!
And lastly, we all (including the three consorts who stayed)  had dinner and Brannan's .  Linda and Virgil, and Mary and Peter stayed the night too.  It was a wonderful day