Catholicism+Wine

I know I said that I wouldn't post about Darius the Cat....

... but who can resist this little video clip, featuring him?

Thankful

I drove down to work yesterday, wondering, the whole time, whether I should just turn around and go back home! Silverado Trail was beginning to flood, and I had heard that parts of Highway 29 were beginning to flood. When I made it to work, I discovered that the tasting room ceiling was leaking, and that water was coming from some unknown source and gathering under the bar. At about 10:30 they sent me home, mainly because they were worried that I wouldn't be able to make it back up the valley before any roads closed. Mr. P's winery also closed, with the winery itself resembling a castle with a large moat.

All in all, the flooding wasn't as scary as it was a few years ago. And I am thankful for the rain, which, in California, we can always use! And Mr. P and I got to spend an unexpected day together which was nice. 

Please pray for any people who are having to evacuate, or who still do not have power.

In other, quite unrelated news, my sister is now engaged! No date set yet, and we were all quite suprised, since we were expecting the engagement to happen much later in the year. But there really is no time like the present, and I am happy for both my sister and my future brother-in-law. Prayers for them, too, if you don't mind!  And Cheers to the New Year-  it will be an exciting one, methinks.

My Early Christmas Present

For as long as I've had this blog, I've had a digital camera on my mental wishlist. The other options for downloading pictures just aren't as easy or economical, in the long run. Mr. P suprised me by giving me my Christmas present this week: a great Canon digital camera! So I've started trying the thing out. Look for a lot more "local color" type pictures. I will resist the temptation to post numerous pictures of Darius the Fluffyshanks.

I loved these Christmas lights, shining on a particularly cloudy day. 

December 20th

O Clavis David, et sceptrum domus Israel: qui aperis, et nemo claudit; claudis, et nemo aperit: venit, et educ vinctum de domo carceris, sedentem in tenebris et umbra mortis.

O Key of David, and Sceptre of the house of Israel; that openest, and no man shuttests, and shuttest, and no man openeth: come and bring the prisoner out of the prison house, and him that sittest in darkness, and the shadow of death.

(Yes, the Nativity Scene continues to be placed in Lyman Park, next to the Police Station, in St. Helena. Something I am thankful for!)

Ahh, California...

Crazy-high mortgages and property taxes. Looney misanthropes. Unnecessary and maniacal leaf-blowing at early hours of the morning. The cult of celebrity and worship at the temple of physical perfection.

But if I didn't live in California, I wouldn't be able to be close to this:

and this:

I grew up in Colorado and Montana, so I know just how beautiful parts of the West can be. But sometimes, amidst all of the distracting circus-like political madness of the Golden State, we forget how beautiful a place it is- this, the most western of the Western World, but in more ways, the newest of the New World.

This is what Robert Louis Stevenson had to say regarding the natural beauty of the Bay Area and Napa Valley:

"For some way beyond Vallejo the railway led us through bald green pastures. On the west the rough highlands of Marin shut off the ocean; in the midst, in  long, straggling, gleaming arms, the bay died out among the grass; there were few trees and few enclosures; the sun shone wide over open uplands, the displumed hills stood clear against the sky. But by-and-by these hills began to draw nearer on either hand, and first thicket then wood began to clothe their sides; and soon we were away from all signs of the sea's neighbourhood, mounting an inland, irrigated valley. A great variety of oaks stood, now severally, now in a becoming grove, among the fields and vineyards...

This pleasant Napa Valley is, at its north end, blockaded by our mountain. There, at Calistoga, the railroad ceases, and the traveller who intends faring farther, to the Geysers or to the springs in Lake County, must cross the spurs of the mountain by stage. Thus, Mount Saint Helena is not only a summit, but a frontier; and, up to the time of writing, it has stayed the progress of the iron horse."

                                             --------------from The Silverado Squatters, 1883

I'm with the Band

If anyone in the Bay Area would like to partake of some Christmas cheer, here are some events scheduled for the next two weekends!  And yes, I'll be there in the gazebo with the rest of the band.

THE SAINT HELENA COMMUNITY BAND

2007 SCHEDULED PUBLIC APPEARANCES


DECEMBER 1ST DEBUT AT LYMAN PARK GAZEBO CONCERT

The new Saint Helena Community Band—founded in September by our special neighbor
Francis Ford Coppola—will be the featured highlight at Saint Helena's annual
Hometown Holiday Celebration. As meandering Santa seekers follow his fire truck
visit, strolling carolers sing along Main Street, and Santa photo hopefuls ascend
to the Lyman Park Gazebo, the stage will be set. At 3:00 pm The Saint Helena Community
Band will launch a renewed chapter for our City's history.

      Holiday favorites mixed with marches of distinction will be sure to bring
back memories of yore—and make new ones—as the hometown music resumes and resounds
on 21st Century Main Street in downtown Saint Helena.

      Be sure to be among the merrymakers at the Lyman Park Gazebo at 3 pm this
Saturday, December First. And bring your friends and family! We hope to see you
as we welcome in the Christmas Season the old-fashioned way!

DECEMBER 8TH RUBICON ESTATE HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE

The Saint Helena Community Band will be the featured Live Holiday Music at the Rubicon
Estate Winery Open House from 4 to 7 pm on Saturday, December 8th.   The merrymaking
festivities—open to the public—include holiday shopping and a toast of sparkling
wine as revelers enjoy the decorated chateau to the tune of background music by
the newly formed band of local musicians.

      Come do your Christmas shopping in the historic chateau while you listen to
the band bring back treasured memories—4 to 7, Saturday, December 8th !!

 

Is this photo from a North Face ad?

 

.. no, it's just from a recent hike up Mt. Tamalpais that I made with some friends.

It was a perfect day in the Bay- no fog, a nice sea breeze. So we ventured to Marin and made a day hike up to the top of Mt. Tam. 

We had hiked it once before, but this time, we took a different (unintended) route. We were rewarded for our panting, sweating and dusty efforts when we reached the fire lookout tower at the top.

 

While the tower's not in use anymore, it's a historical landmark.  We had a bit of lunch at its base. The view was wonderful: Mt. Diablo in the east, San Francisco and the Peninsula coast to the south, the Bay Bridge, Oakland and the Richmond Bridge to the southeast and east.

 

This view is looking southwest. You can see the fog over the Pacific.

Persimmons

 

Persimmons are, as a friend of mine explained, God's Christmas ornaments (not that it's time for Christmas yet, etc. etc.). While the leaves are on the tree, they really aren't too ripe and haven't all changed color. Then the leaves turn red, yellow and orange, fall off, and leave the ripened persimmons. Then, when the winter rain starts and all the leaves are gone from the vineyards and the trees, the persimmons look like pretty orange-red ornaments.

And they taste even better than they look!

Let me know if you'd like me to post a chewy persimmon cookie recipe.

Autumn among the vines

Ahhh! Now it is October. My favorite time of the year!  We had another evening of rain last night. I loved leaving the house this morning and smelling the earth and spicy smells of the plants. The fog is still swirling around the Mayacamas Mountains, and the trees and grapevines are beginning to change. Here are some pictures I "picked fresh" for you this morning. It's autumn!!

 

 

With the change in season comes change in eating and drinking habits as well. Less iced drinks; more spiced cider. Less chilled white wine; more full-bodied reds. Over the summer I found myself making more Asian and Mexican food at home. Now, as the weather cools, I've got a hankerin' for stews and roasted meats. Which brings me to my next subject: my favorite Fall cookbook!

I first discovered Taste of the Season through my craft club, which sometimes offers cookbooks. I purchased the book based on the reviews and some of the recipe ideas. Little did I know how many great fall and winter recipes this book contains! "Braised Chicken with Caramelized Onions and Wild Mushrooms," "Medallions of Pork with Apple, Prune and Apricot Sauce," "Winter Squash and Red Swiss Chard Risotto." Not to mention dessert: "Pumpkin Chocolate Bread Pudding," "Apple, Pear and Dried Cherry Almond Crisp." Are you hungry yet?

Yes, the recipes do take some work- this isn't a "30-minute" cookbook. But wow, is the time invested in preparation worth it! Make it your special occasion fall and winter cookbook- pull something out of it for Sunday dinner, or for your Anniversary.  Then pop open some wine, start up the fireplace, and enjoy the crisp fall evening!

Fourth of July in Calistoga

I'm way behind in posting these pics! I'll blame it on my lack of digital camera (must wait until whole roll of film is done before developing...).

The Calistoga 4th of July Parade- a little kooky, very old-time California, and if you're here on the Fourth, not to be missed.

 

The "Deliverance Truck," from Calistoga Water company. Grandma on the roof has a shotgun and arms that fly up and down when the passengers pull a string. Love the peace-mobile in front of it. Gotta have the tie-dye.

Another Calistoga Water entry

 

A local family and their ever-growing train of grandkids (so cute!)

A St. Helena fire engine (currently used only on festive occasions)

 

And this young lady, who rode the unicycle very well, but played the accordion quite badly. And scared a lot of people with her outfit (are those just shadows under her arm? I hope so!).

But you have to admire her spirit!