Although I did not blog about it, we had the privilege of being involved in their wedding in Las Vegas in March of 2011, which was a really fun "rockabilly" wedding complete with Elvis at the Graceland Chapel, a 1954 Cadillac Convertible wedding cake, and a post wedding lunch at Delmonico's Steakhouse followed by a presentation of the Cirque du Soleil's "Viva Elvis".
But I digress.
The star of this blog is Stefani, 33 years old, blonde, definitely Teutonic with rockabilly tattoos, a warm and outgoing personality, and a heart as big as the sun. Stefani came on her own for a visit starting on January 21st and stayed with us until February 12th. What a visit we had! Thee weeks of non stop shipping, eating, visiting, spas and wonderful conversations.
The first day, we headed out locally to the AT&T store so Stef could get a correct sim card for her phone to enable calls both to & from Germany. Then on to WalMart and the local Factory Outlet stores where Stefi stocked up on underwear and began to tackle the long list of requests from her co-workers back home.
The next day, after taking Bailey & Chessie to the vet for their "tune ups", we stopped in at Wild Cat (local rockabilly clothing and ephemera emporium) and then went up to the Twin Pines Casino in Middletown. Rod took care of some business in Lower Lake, while I played blackjack and Stefi played the Wheel of Fortune slot machine. She ended up winning over $300 and treated us all to dinner!
On Thursday we drove to Vallejo to DD Discount (one of mine and Stefani's favorite cheapo clothing stores). As she has done in the past, Stef zeroed in on SHOES and found a Betty Boop carryon tote to match her luggage. That night, we had sausage and pepper sandwiches and chicken cheese soup for dinner. Stefani wants the recipe for everything that I cook!
On Friday, after having experienced several frustrating and fruitless attempts to access the ATM card (in WINDY's NAME) that he had given her, we went to Bank of American and Stefami opened her very own ATM card in her own name. She immediately got on the phone and told Windy how to deposit money into her account.
Then we went to Calistoga. Just a day of wandering around poking into shops and having a late lunch at Bosko's (I had a Groupon!!! ).
We also had a quick visit with Carol and Klaus in St. Helena.
Saturday was our day to go to Petaluma. First we went to Tractor Supply and Stefani went crazy in the equine department buying all of the things that are so expensive in Germany for the horses (Mr. Mork, Laurenzo, and her mom's horse Johnny). I bought cat food and "treats" for the chickens including dried meal worms and scratch. Also a T-shirt for Stef: " Horses are God's way of apologizing for men"(!). After Tractor Supply, we headed off the the Petaluma Outlets and more shopping. By that time, I was hungry, so we headed out to 4th & Sea -- a little drive in dive where they have car shows in the summer.
And I had a really good pulled pork BBQ sandwich.
The next day was Sunday, and since Rod had FINALLY fixed my dryer, we spent this day just hanging out, doing laundry, cleaning the chicken coop, and relaxing. I needed it because Stefani is so high energy, she just wears this old lady OUT.
Monday was our day to go to Fairfield. This meant a trip to K-Mart (I love KMart and this one is the closest to us) and the Solano Mall. I got some black jeans (which I actually needed) and a fleece nightie. Then Stefani and I went out for lunch at Mimi's. Another hit for Stefani! That night we had Chinese chicken salad, egg flower soup, and Rod made his delicious chocolate mug cakes for dessert.
Tuesday we had lunch with Dee at Norman Rose and found out about the Kiwanis Crab Feed that coming Saturday. Another activity Stefani will love! We made a local trip to Ross and WalMart and picked up a pizza for supper.
On Wednesday, we had our spa day, starting off with a visit to Tom for a mani/pedi. Tom was in rare form and showed us his toenails painted to honor the 49ers (in the Superbowl that coming Sunday).
We also browsed through the Antique store across the street and I bought a cabinet that ended up on the front deck to hold cat food, cat blankets, cat dishes, and gardening stuff.
Then it was off to Calistoga to use the certificate I got for my retirement at the Lavender Hill Spa.
We got the "Girlfriend's Getaway" package that included a Jacuzzi bubble bath soak, salt scrub, 30 minute massage, and a facial. Really, really great. Sean gave me the BEST massage ever and I came away relaxed as can be. When we got home, we grabbed Rod and all went out to Frida's Mexican Grille for dinner.
Thursday we went o the Outlet Mall in Vacaville, and Big Lots. For dinner, I grilled a pork loin and served it with dijon cream sauce, rosemary roasted potatoes, green beans with bacon and almonds, and a salad with sliced apples and dried cranberries. We had toll house brownies for dessert.
Friday I picked up our Crab Feed tickets, and our cabinet from the antique store. Then Stefani and I rolled up our sleeves and made tamales!!!! This was a first for Stefani and now she wants to make them in Germany so I will have to find all of the ingredients and make sure they get put into the next container. Luckily for us the pork had already been cooked and I just had to thaw it out, mix in the chilies, soak the corn husks, and make the masa. We made tamales until we ran out of masa. And of course, we had them for dinner along with chicken nachos.
On Saturday, we made a trip to Costco. This is the big spender trip for Stefani and also for us. So much to buy and stock up on. And before we came home, a swing by 99 Cent only for produce. And that night was the Crab Feed!
This was also a first for Stefani since, of course, there is no dungeness crab in Germany and they crabs that they do have are always eaten hot. But we managed to stuff ourselves with salad, bread, rigatoni, and (of course) crab. I shared the bottle of Loomis Air that I brought, but forgot to bring mayo and lemons!!!! Next time I will not forget!
The next morning we got up early and went to the Alameda Point Flea Market,always held on the first Sunday of the month. Stefani bought me a navy blue straw hat. After the Flea market (I can't believe we didn't take any pictures), we drove across the Bay and had lunch at Mel's Diner on Geary Street in SF. Then we dropped Stefani off in the Haight so she could have a shopping orgy at Bettie Page. We drove around for awhile and then picked Stefani Up and went up to Twin Peaks. I could not believe that in all of the years I've lived in the Bay Area, I had never been up to Twin Peaks! What a view!!!!!!!! Again, I can't seem to find any pictures!!! We drove home across the Golden Gate and stopped so that Stefani could have a look around and I'm sure take some pictures (which I have not seen yet).
When we got home, I got busy making dinner since Ann and Ray joined us for cornish hens, baked potatoes, green beans, salad, and Costco apple pie for dessert. Then we played a game of Mexican Train.
The following week we stayed pretty close to home and Stefani helped me clean house and plant some pansies in the yard. We went up to the Setty's to see the 1954 Cadillac and Stefani took lots of photos for Windy. One night, in honor of Windy, we had dinner at Black Bear Diner.
On Friday we left for our last big adventure of Stefani's visit -- the Dr. George Car Show in Palm Desert. We drove to Sacramento to pick up Peter & Mary & Peter's car then headed south with my Rambler and Peter's Rambler on the trailer behind the truck.
First sign of trouble: Pelting torrents of rain outside of Fresno. Scary blind, but it didn't last long, thank Goodness. Then a stop in Fresno to look at a car for Windy. Guy selling it was a jerk. Back on the road and a stop for eats at an Appleby's in Fresno. Then more bad news: I-5 is closed just outside of Fresno so we have to take the Looooong way around through Tehachapi and on many 2 lane roads along with all of the truckers who also cannot use 1-5. Traffic jams. Then, crossing the Tehachapis, thick fog (it is dark by now) that absolutely terrifies me. There is LOTS of traffic, we are hauling a trailer with two cars, and it's impossible to see the (winding) road (through the mountains) except for the white line by the side of the road -- barely. I spend the next half hour whimpering in terror with my eyes closed until we finally come out of the fog. By the time we get to our hotel in Palm Desert, it is 11:00 pm and we are all frazzled.
Walking into the bathroom in the hotel, I am greeted by a huge puddle on the floor -- what is leaking? Where did it come from? the best we could do is get the night manager to sop it up and leave us with extra towels. But the bed was comfortable and we slept like the dead.
The nest morning the guys took the cars to the show grounds and then came back and got us so we could have a leisurely breakfast. The weather was nice (thank goodness) and we had a good spot for the cars.
at Dr. George Car Show
It was fun showing off my (almost completed) restored Rambler American and talking to people about the car -- a close replica of the car I had all through high school. I got to wear my swanky beaded car sweater, too. Peter had a ball telling people about his car as well, and Stefani took lots of pictures, particularly of old fire trucks, to show to Windy.
And Rod got a well deserved rest.
After the car show, we all went out with Dennis and Carol to their favorite Mexican restaurant. Me, I was not so impressed -- noisy, expensive and the food was really only so so. But at least we all got to hang out together for a while and visit.
The nest day, we headed back, and the drive back was not NEARLY as traumatic. Good thing, too since that voyage to Palm Desert has soured me on road trips for a good long time.
The next day, Stefani went one more time to Tom for s good shellacking (he NAILS), and we had a leisurely lunch at Angele. One more stop at Home Depot and Walmart for last minute shopping, and Stefi came home to pack all of her presents into two big plastic bins to go with the next container.
On Tuesday the 12th, we said goodbye to Stefani at SFO and we all were crying. It was an exhausting, exhilarating, fun and delightful visit.
