The library in Calistoga was holding their annual library sale, so earlier this week I was able to jet up there with Marco, and nabbed 11 books for $10.50! I purchased a complete box set of the Lord of the Rings books in brand-new condition for $2.00! It was a set published in the 80′s, but whoever owned it probably never read them. Personally, I liked The Hobbit, but wasn’t able to even finish The Fellowship of the Rings. BUT, I figured that Marco might like to read them one day – it seems to really appeal to boys. 
And who knows, maybe I’ll actually finish it.
I also snagged a brand-new copy of Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy, and a good condition Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky, thus contributing to my Russian authors.
A few recent pictures I’ve taken of Marco:
You can view more at Marco’s website
Also, the lovely and talented Adrian is giving away an awesome package of hair products by Kevin Murphy! Go here to check it out and enter! 
I looove birthdays!! I always choose to make my birthday celebrations last a whole week (I’m special like that, MMKAY!?), and this year has been no different. On Monday, Marco and I cuddled, played and planned the week ahead. At work, I received a generous gift of $$$ and a sweet card! Luckily, it wasn’t too crazy at the Inn and I was able to leave a little bit early. I like making sure I am home in time to read Marco a story before he goes to bed.
Tuesday was my OFFICIAL birthday (dude, I’m 26!), and it was a fantastic day. Marco and I slept in a little, and then got ready and packed for our stay at Solage Calistoga that night. It is the one Auberge property here that I had not yet stayed at, and I was so excited to finally get the opportunity! I’d taken full advantage of the beautiful Spa facilities, and dined several times at SolBar, but I’d never seen the rooms.
After packing, I headed to Sift to pick up a couple of birthday cupcakes. I picked out a Pink Champagne (my favorite!), Limonata, and a new espresso flavor for Tim. Marco and I decided to relax with some coffee (a soy bottle for him) at Starbucks, and I read while he took a catnap in his stroller. Tim was able to come home a little early, so we checked into Solage and relaxed in the room before our dinner reservation. When we got to our room, there was a birthday card and a mini cake waiting for me (chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting)!!
The amazing shower and bathtub!
View from the patio (Hi, Marco!)
Marco was a little cranky, so Tim put on his favorite movie (‘Up’), and he calmed down immediately. I don’t know if the colors in the movie are fascinating or what, but Marco stops squealing as soon as he sees that movie on the screen!
Our wonderful friends, the Dempseys, had offered to watch Marco while Tim and I FINALLY had a date-night. After dropping Marco off at their home, we grabbed the Solage bikes and hit the streets of Calistoga. I’d decided to have a casual dinner at Calistoga Inn (1000 pts for the reservation – thank you, OpenTable!), so we parked the bikes and relaxed outside. I ordered a Mojito (mm!) and the Summer Risotto (my favorite), while Tim had a red ale and the avocado-pasta (the inspiration for our Guaca-Pasta!)
After dinner, we biked to Scoops & Swirls, a Frozen Yogurt shop in town. I LOVE FRO-YO!! It was a perfect dessert!
We picked up Marco (he was an angel, phew!!) and went back to Solage for the night. Marco was a little too excited and refused to go to sleep at first, wanting to talk to himself, coo and smile at me the whole time. It was difficult not having a separate room for him, but we made do by placing his Pack N Play in the shower. He fell asleep around 10, and we were finally able to enjoy a movie and cupcakes.
Our breakfast was delivered to us at 7:45am the next morning, and luckily, Marco hadn’t made a peep all night, and didn’t wake up until 7am. I’d ordered an egg-white omelet (I just can’t get into eggs anymore, but this was ok) with spinach, goat cheese and peppers, a side of fresh fruit (figs, plums and blackberries), while Tim opted for the french toast with walnuts and peach compote, and a side of hashbrowns. Marco played with his newly-discovered feet while we enjoyed breakfast in bed.
After breakfast, packing up, and getting ready, Marco and I finally headed home, while Tim started his work day.
Whew! I know this was a wordy post, but there is still so much to share! My birthday dinner is tomorrow night, so Part 2 coming soon.
Tim and I feel so lucky to live in the Napa Valley; not only is it beautiful, but we’re surrounded by fantastic wine and food! Today, I thought I’d share a few of my favorite wines (mostly local, of course!).
WHITE
BLOCKS Sauvignon Blanc – Marlborough, New Zealand
Purchased at Trader Joe’s for $5.99!! Citrusy and crisp. Great summer wine.
Luna Pinot Grigio – Napa, California
Chateau Ste Michelle Riesling – Columbia Valley, Washington
Refreshing!
ROSE
Castello di Amorosa La Fantasia – Calistoga, California
I don’t know anyone who hasn’t liked this slightly sweet, fruity, effervescent wine. Highly recommended for summer picnics!
BUBBLY
Schramsberg Blanc de Noir – Napa Valley, California, (Prefer vintage 2003 or 2005)
The absolute best sparkling wine. Not too pricey (usually around $35, but Trader Joe’s sometimes has it for $28).
Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin Brut Yellow Label- Reims, France
Cristalino Brut Cava – Spain
Inexpensive (I buy it for $9) and tasty! Fruity, crisp flavor.
RED
August Briggs Zinfandel – Napa Valley, California
I loove this wine. Tim and I had a barrel tasting of the 2008 vintage, and it was so good I went back for seconds (and maybe thirds, ha ha!).
Chariot Gypsy – Napa Valley/Sonoma/Monterey, California
This is a good red wine; a mix of Cabernet, Zinfandel, Sangiovese and Syrah. Sold exclusively at Trader Joe’s. It’s sometimes tough to find, but it’s only $4.99 and kind of an underground hit with TJ shoppers.
ZD Pinot Noir – Napa Valley, California
What wines do you like? Recommendations?
Things I am happy about:
- The cute pink enamel flower earrings from Target (only $8!)
- Hardwood floor in Marco’s room is finally finished!
- I think Tim and I are going to plant some flowers and vines this week in our backyard
- Massages at Spa Solage with Adrienne on Saturday!! I can’t wait!
- I’m 29 weeks pregnant today; just 11 weeks until my due date. WHOA.
- I’m very much enjoying A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood. Recommend.
Things I’m annoyed at:
- My belly button will be an outie in just a few weeks, I suspect. UGH.
- We still need to paint Marco’s room, and we won’t have time for several weeks. We bought the paint, but it’s sitting in the can waiting to be used.
- All the pretty clothes I bought last Spring won’t be making an appearance this year 
Things I am considering:
- Skechers Shape-ups? I’ve talked to a few people that have them (including a stranger at Target today, I saw she was wearing them and I asked if they were comfortable) and read some reviews; might be a good idea to help keep me in shape during pregnancy. I could wear them when I take walks with Chloe and work out. Also, they are supposed to help ease back and leg pains. Anyone have thoughts?
- Cutting out chicken from my diet after I stop breast feeding (likely when Marco is 6 months old). I think I might go full-out vegetarian, instead of what Tim calls a “chick-a-tarian”. I’d have to be really dilligent about taking daily vitamins, BUT, it might not be a bad idea. Have to think more on this.
and NOT IN OUR HOUSE.
We were supposed to get our keys at 1pm today, but there’s been another holdup. I even woke up early this morning to pack up my clothes and toiletries, then we get a call saying that the seller hadn’t confirmed receipt of the sale so it wasn’t officially recorded with the county. After several conversations (mostly sobbing in the fetal position on my end) we’ve managed to get confirmation that the sale will be recorded tomorrow and we will get the keys tomorrow. HOWEVER, instead of by 1pm, it may not be finished until 4pm. There goes our plans for moving day! Tim and I had been back and forth trying to pin down a date and time for the move, and then had to push it to Thursday. Now, we’ve got to do it Friday, and possibly without help. I can help Tim with a lot of the heavy stuff, but the bookcase was difficult enough for Tim and Justin when we moved here to Calistoga, so I know I wouldn’t be able keep my end up.
One thing that has put a smile on my face is the new ice cream/frozen yogurt shop that opened this week in Calistoga, called Scoops & Swirls. On Sunday evening I had nonfat raspberry frozen yogurt (it was delicious), last night I had the rainbow sherbet ice cream (not as good as the fro-yo) and tonight I had coffee ice cream (awesome). I gotta back off but I can’t help myself.
LOL of the week:
Earlier this evening Tim and I went to a party for hospitality and wine industry employees at August Briggs winery. It was so much fun! August (call him Joe) barbecued burgers and sausages, and there was plenty of fruits, cheeses and bread for me. The wine was fantastic. I loved the Carneros Chardonnay. They were offering a barrel tasting of 2008 Zinfandel, which normally I wouldn’t like (I’m not a red wine girl) but I decided to try…WOW. It was so good that Tim and I went for a second pass. During the party, they held a free-throw contest and Tim won a bottle of 2005 Cabernet by sinking four shots in a row! Who knew Tim had basketball skills? Anyway, I highly recommend checking out August Briggs if you are ever in the Calistoga area.
Our lender says we can probably sign the closing papers tomorrow! I hope it works out, so we can get the keys next week. I want to start cleaning up so we can be moved in by the end of the month.
We had to go to Napa to get the cashier’s check for the title company, so we swung by Home Depot on the way back home. After raiding the Behr paint samples, we’ve managed to pick out colors for the trim, front room, library, guest room, hall bath and master suite. I’m thinking Fuschia Kiss, Black Suede and Snow Fall for my library. I don’t want to pick a color for the future-kid’s room yet, and we won’t know what to paint the hallway or living room until we have couches and the dining room set up.
Also, my birthday is in 1 month and 1 day…
At my job, we leave each other notes if someone makes a mistake or if there’s a question on a reservation or client. Today, there was a note in my inbox that read: ‘Michelle — Use the red pen sparingly.’ and went on to list the only time it is acceptable to use a red pen. I AM NOT KIDDING. I remember the reservation that I may have gone overboard on, but only because I added a sentence in red to the bottom detailing a guest request. WHY DID I OVER-ROUGE THE RES!?
Then, this afternoon I noticed a missed call from my work. No voicemail, so I called back to see what was up. My co-worker said “Oh, I was confused about something, but I figured it out and left you a note.” The dreaded notes! Now I am obsessing over what the note could possibly be about. She didn’t leave a voicemail the first time and made it clear during our conversation that I wasn’t going to be told what the note was about, so I can’t call back. I’ve been going over and over in my mind every reservation and conversation I’ve had with a guest, and trying to think of even the smallest thing (the pen is RED!) that I could have done wrong. I can’t think of ANYTHING. I don’t work again until Monday, so I won’t know until then. Clearly, its not anything thats a really big deal, or I would definitely be told.
On top of that, Tim and I are worried about where we should live. We found a house we really liked in Napa, but then we found out the area its in might not be the safest. We’d love to stay in Calistoga; its safe and the town is friendly. The schools in the district are good and the commute is great. There is a house here that is in our price range, but we’d have to do a lot more work to it than the Napa house. I think its worth it, but I am so scared of making the wrong decision.
A LOL that cheered me up:
My little town was a hot bed of gossip and shock today, owing to the news of a murder having taken place in the wee hours of morning. The guy was only 26 years old. One of the housekeeping staff at the Inn lives on the street where it occurred, and was visibly shaken. The crime rate in Calistoga is so low that in the comparison census Tim and I looked at, it barely registered in the 1-percentile; this is apparently the first murder in years.
Not related, but its funny: The other day, while grabbing some Pink Lady apples from CalMart, I overheard a girl telling her friend “Hey, grab yer socks!” whilst her friends laughed and seemed confused. She then tried to explain “Don’t you remember when Britney Spears’ ex tried to be, like, a rapper?” LOLs galore.
Is it just me, or did May and June slip away a little too quickly? I don’t remember July ever arriving in the blink of an eye.
LOL of the week:
Yes, I know this blog is kind of all over the place but my mind follows its own train of thought. I don’t even bother trying to derail it.
