What’s so great about living in California?

Well, the answer to that questions is…

”There are too many things to list!”

However, today it is great because I am off to the Napa Valley Wine Country

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We have friends in town visiting from out of state and have a full day of winery tours and tastings planned.

 

 

Lucky me!

Napa Valley is widely considered one of the top American Viticultural Areas in California, and all of the United States, with a history dating back to the early nineteenth century. By the end of the nineteenth century there were more than one hundred and forty wineries in the area. Today Napa Valley features more than four hundred wineries and grows many different grape varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Zinfandel, and other popular varietals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The images above were taken last February when we visited the region. The vines were bare, but still so lovely and photogenic!

 

 

 

 

Right now is the harvest season. The grapes have been picked and crush has begun! You can practically smell the sweet aroma of grapes and future delicious wines in the crisp autumn air…

 

 

If you have the opportunity to visit Northern California, I will let you in on a little secret…September and October is the best time to be here! As I mentioned earlier this week, we have what they call Indian Summers and experience the most pleasant weather in these early fall months.

 

 

Old friends, great wine, and beautiful, historic scenery…a perfect way to spend the day!

 

 

What do you love about your state?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Front Door Décor - For Fall...

I love the look of a beautiful wreath adorning a front door and entry. I have been browsing online for some wreath inspiration and here are a few of my favorites…

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Since I have double front doors, I will most likely hang double wreaths. I like the look of these with the white pumpkins and pheasant feathers…

 

 

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Perhaps I wont do wreaths at all, and go with something different like these…

 

 

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How are you decorating your front door for the season?

 

 

 

 

Welcome Fall…sort of!

Here in Northern California we are experiencing a heat wave. The weather forecast is calling for possibly one of the hottest days of the summer…today, on the 2nd day of fall!

 

 

Last weekend I was finally able to freshen my front porch and add some fall color…

 

 

Although, now I am hoping everything doesn’t wilt and dry up! I remember growing up here in the Bay Area, and wanting to wear all of my new school clothes in September – jeans, boots, sweaters – but having to wait a few months since we always get the Indian Summer heat. We may not see real cold until December or even January!

 

 

 

 

Now, when I say real cold…my friend that lives near Detroit, Michigan just laughs at me! Us Californians don’t know REAL cold like a Midwest winter! That’s why we can grow succulents and ivy on our front porch all year long…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love the look of the Fairy Tale pumpkins, especially the white ones…

 

 

 

 

Just like the one that turned into a beautiful horse drawn carriage for Cinderella…

 

 

 

 

And I always have to buy several good old fashioned orange pumpkins. How else can you make a classic Jack-O-Lantern?…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, don’t pack away your shorts, and flip flops just yet! Here in California we welcome fall with an ice cold drink, to be enjoyed in the shade, on a front porch all decked out with mums and pumpkins!

 

 

Happy Fall