Napa/San Jose Trip Part 3

Ok kids, I am going to try to keep this as short and sweet as possible. TRY being the key word here...

In San Jose we stayed at the very swanky Hotel Valencia in the area of Santana Row. It's a really cool area of San Jose with tons of shopping and a pretty happenin' night life. The hotel was right in the middle of all the action and it made me feel young again. Oh and breakfast was included. (now that made me sound old. oh well).

Here are are few shots of the hotel and surrounding areas:

After breakfast we walked over to the Winchester Mystery House. You need to click the link for the better pictures and info but it was pretty awesome. The Heathers had already done the tour so Jennifer and I decided to split off from them and go ourselves. Let's just say it's basically an enormous haunted house with really awesome Tiffany glass windows and a "rich" history. The woman who built the place loved spider webs, the number 13 and fooling the "spirits" with doors to nowhere. You can draw your own conclusions...

A view of a portion of the back of the house from the gardens. This place is HUGE!
VERY expensive Tiffany glass window

Spider web windows

After we were thoroughly spooked Jennifer and I met back up with the other girls and headed out to lunch, my family's old homestead and... Trader Joe's!! Yes people, I finally got to shop at T.J.s! I am totally bummed (that's Cali talk for disappointed) that I didn't get a picture of me inside the chocolate and cookie and "I-wish-I-could-take-one-of-everything-in-this-aisle-home" aisle, but oh well. Here are our bags (and two of them are mine and full!)

So.........does anyone remember how I said I brought the smallest suitcase? And when I say small I mean.... well... pretty small. Anyway, I tried not to panic as I considered how little room I had for all this stuff... (don't worry, this part of the story has a happy ending).

But before T.J.s, we drove through the neighborhood where the house stands that my parents first brought me home to after I was born. I have NO memories of this house because I was only 16 months or so when we left California. I have however seen pictures. This is me in the front yard back in 1976.

And here's me in front of the house 32 years later...

I wonder if the current owners were there to question why some strange woman was having her picture taken outside the front of their house. I know I'd be curious. Acutally, I don't think anyone was home (thank goodness!)

After the "blast from the past" trip down Tonopah Drive, and the T.J.s experience, we made our last winery stop. (Yes! We even found one in San Jose!) We had a lovely "complimentary" tasting at J. Lohr and Jennifer even bought a bottle there. The wine was actually quite good and it was a nice ending to our winery experiences.

We drove back to the Santana Row area and did some shopping and one Heather and I each got a pedicure. Then we had dinner and drinks and hit the hotel bar for a little while and then these "ole" girls were done!

And, I was able to fit ALL of this into my suitcase, and two carry-ons, including an oversized purse I bought at H&M.

God bless cheap accessories! Saved my bacon!

The trip was wonderful and I wish we could do it every year (we are planning to make this an annual thing to different locales - did you hear that honey? {wink, wink}) Thanks to my girls for being wonderful traveling buddies and thanks especially to Jen for driving. Love you all! MWAH!

Napa/San Jose Trip Part 2

On day two we woke up to a day full of aniticipation and I for one was most excited to find out what more all these grapes I'd seen the day before could do for my palette.

Our first stop for the day was the Robert Mondavi wine tour which began promptly at 10 a.m. but don't worry, we didn't actually taste any wine until around 11:30 or so. 'Cause y'all were worried, right? HA!

The tour began among the vines and we basically saw what happens from grape to bottle. This winery is just gorgeous and our tour guide was a pretty animated guy who kept things interesting.

View from the parking lot

View through that beautiful archway

Jennifer and I in the rose garden

The vast vineyards

Jen & Heather by the French oak barrels that hold 300 gallons of vino.

At the tasting

Now let me take a pause here for a moment to say that I wish I could post all the pictures I took. It's really hard to choose.

After R.M. we stopped by the St. Supery winery, which I'd learned about at a wine tasting the previous week (I was just gearin' up for the trip). It was a quick stop with some good wine. But we needed lunch.

Lunch was at Tra Vigne per a suggestion from a gentleman that Tim used to work with. I don't know if Robert will ever read this but if he does let me just say "THANK YOU!" It was divine. We all basically had the same thing. It was a "light" pizza with blue cheese and figs. TO. DIE. FOR. and an appetizer of "just made this morning" fresh mozarella with crusty bread and balsamic. Apparently we like cheese. Here are views of the courtyard and my pizza.

After lunch we moved on to Peju. The building and the grounds here were beautiful. The wine on the other hand.... Not so much. But I did buy some chocolate sauce with Merlot here, that I sampled first. So wine alone not good but mixed with chocolate, pretty darn good. Some photos of pretty Peju.



We continued on our quest for wine and wound up at Franciscan. It was here that I decided to check on the family and found out that Little G was still sick. He had thrown up on Wednesday morning (before I left on Thursday) but seemed fine the rest of the day. Turns out he wasn't. He continued to have stomach "issues" (if you know what I mean) and STILL isn't up to par. Tim sounded tired and I was sad that I couldn't be there for my little guy while he was sickly but there wasn't much I could do at that point. Does it sound bad that I kept on drinking because at this point I REALLY needed one!

I walked in with tears in my eyes but the girls assured me that the boys would be fine. Tim hung up telling me to have a good time and that they would be fine. So, since everyone seemed fine we pressed on. I don't look that sad though, do I?

Once we left there we drove over to Groth. Tim and I have enjoyed a few bottles of this wine during our relationship and let's just say it's kind of "speical occasion" wine for us. (which simply means it's $$$).

At Groth we met Lena and SO wish she could have come along with us to the next place. She was awesome. Cheers Lena! (unfortunately I don't have a pic of her...)


After Groth we made our last official Napa "wine" stop and it was a hum-dinger! (that's Southern for awesome!). Domaine Chandon did not disappoint! I venture to say that we were a little "tipsy" when we left (please note that no drinking and driving happened on this trip - Jen was the driver the majority of the time and she was assurdly the most sober...) This place is actually known more for their sparkling wine and this is where I bought the only bottle I brought home, which I plan for Tim and I to drink on our anniversary next week!

We had an extremely entertaining "pourer" whose name escapes me (girls can you help me out here?) and the picture I have of him is dark but he was a hoot and made the experience even that much better!


I will close with a picture of the gardens behind 25 Brix, our dinner spot. And yes, another wonderful meal, this time of scallops and lentils and yumminess (I know it may not sound that good but it was!)



After dinner we drove to San Jose, where we would spend the next two nights. Many of you reading probably don't know that I was born in San Jose... more on that tomorrow. And if you've hung on through this entire post I thank you. Most of the record of this trip is so that my friends and I can remember what a wonderful time this was but I love being able to share it on my blog...

Napa/San Jose Trip Part 1

Ok, so are y'all ready to actually "hear" about the trip? You are? Alright, alright!

After we got our baggage (please know that it's important to note here that I arrived with the smallest suitcase of the 4 women - this will be an interesting detail later...) it was time to eat. Obviously we were on Texas time and when we finally arrived at our dining location it was actually lunch time in California so let's just say we were HUNGRY. So.... where better to go than here:

In case you can't see, I am chowing down on an In And Out Burger, "Animal Style." You should of heard the gasps at the airport when my friend Heather* suggested it. Our taste buds were SO excited!

*another side note, there were 2 Heathers on this trip so when I refer to one of them you'll just have to pretend like you know which one I'm talking about, k? They even have the same last initial...

Moving on (this is going to be LONG, isn't it?), once we got to the Napa area we found our first winery as quickly as we could. Wine on top of a burger. Perfection. ; ) Here are a few shots from The Blacksone Winery.

My friend Jennifer, me, and my friends Heather and (yes) Heather! Notice I am the shortest by like 6 inches. Story of my life...

After our first stop (which was very nice) we drove over to Gloria Ferrer which is known for its views from the hill it sits upon and its sparkling wines. We arrived just in time to enjoy some late afternoon bubbly.

I posted the picture above so that you could see there was a child behind me and it looks like she's partaking of some bubbly too. Either that or Daddy has two glasses...

When we came back out on the road from G.F. we found these huge chairs and well, we just had to sit in them and take our pictures. I mean why else would they be there anyway?

After this we headed to Mustard's for dinner. Oh My Lands People! The food in California is GOOD!

Maybe it's because I certainly don't eat like this everyday or maybe because this place has a culinary school down the road or because the food is fresh and local but DANG it's GOOD! Our dinner here was nothing short of excellent (Jen, are you craving that salad again now?) and it was just the beginning for many more stellar meals (no offense to IAO Burger of course...)

For dinner I had a "delightful-on-my-tastebuds" fish tostada with all these amazing flavors and then for dessert there was THE creme brulee. I actually only had a few bites but WOW! it was good. Best I have EVER had. Supposedly the secret is the bourbon-soaked vanilla beans.

{insert moment of silence for THE BEST creme brulee EVER.......................}

That was nice but now I just want some and can't have any. : (

Once we wiped all of the drool and food from our faces we made our way to our hotel. We actually had 2 rooms, 2 baths, a living room and a kitchen. The place looked much like an apartment complex and come to find out it was more of a time share-type place than a hotel. Here's Heather enjoying the king-size bed.

So, that's Day 1 in a nutshell. Come back tomorrow for more pretty pics and descriptions of food you wish you could have eaten too. Oh and there might just be a mention or two of some wine drinking.

P.S. If you thought this post was long, make sure you bring your lunch or favorite beverage tomorrow and stay a while... ; )

I've posted this over at Seven Clown Circus for Wordful Wednesday. I didn't have the heart to link up over at 5 minutes for Mom at Wordless Wednesday. I have my limits people!

Where Do I Start?

So I thought I would blog about the trip to Cali in chronological order (day 1, day 2, day 3...) and then I thought, no, I'll post about certain aspects of the trip categorically (the food {oh my gosh THE FOOD!}, the wine {oh my golly THE WINE!}, the accomodations {yeah, also pretty awesome!}, the scenery {Can you say God's country??} and then I was like geez, I am complicating this!

I mean really am I going to spend an entire week blogging about my 3 and half day trip to California? Can you say over kill?

Well, if you can then go ahead and say it and get ready because besides Halloween this week (yes I plan to post the obligatory pics of my boys dressed up!), this blog is bound to be "ALL CALI ALL WEEK" from here on out. So if you came by for the bloggy giveaway go ahead and check that out first and then come back and read about my trip 'cause it was so cool! : )

Now here's some of that scenery I was blabbin' about! (click on image to see it larger!) I plan to post a bunch of pictures and an actual synopsis of the trip on Wednesday. I am still trying to catch up on stuff here at home and Little G is STILL sick (he kind of was the day before I left) and we will probably go to the doctor tomorrow. So, this will have to do for now. I really cannot wait to share more, it was such a great time...

My creation
Originally uploaded by The Miss Elaine-ous Life

It's a Cuddly Giveaway!

This giveaway is now closed and I will notify the winner today, Saturday, Nov. 1. Thanks to all who took the time to comment and especially to those who answered the pie question! : )

Looky there! It's Bloggy Giveaway time again! I am so excited to participate this time (I was on vacation last time) and I have such a cute "giveaway" offered by a company called Ambajam!

If you have babies or kiddos in you life in any form or fashion (your own, your sister's kids, your future ones!) you must check out this cute company. They have some adorable stuff and I am lucky enough to feature them on my blog and to have the chance to give something away!

They have been nice enough to offer one of their Mini Cuddle blankets to one lucky commenter.

So... here are the rules:

Click over to the Ambajam site and then come back here and leave ONE comment telling me which color of the Mini Cuddle you would like. Leave the SPECIFIC color name so that I know you went over and checked it out. Any comment that DOES not have the specific color name will not be considered. Easy as pie right? (can y'all tell I am already getting in the mood for Thanksgiving? I said pie... yum....) And yeah, if you're up for it tell me what your favorite pie is for Thanksgiving too. I like Pecan pie. A lot. Anyway...

You don't have to have a blog to win but if you don't PLEASE leave your email address so I can get in touch with you should you win.

This contest will end at midnight (CST) Friday, October 31st and the winner will be chosen via Random.org and be notified and noted here on the blog on Saturday, November 1st. (Is it Halloween already????)

This is open to anyone with a U.S. or Canadian address only.

Have fun visiting all the wonderful giveaways and if this is your first visit to my little blog I hope you will come back around again! It's pretty "miss Elaine-ous" around here but we like it that way! : )

I'm BA-aaack!

I'm still on West coast time and dreaming of all the wonderful food and liquid that I consumed. And all the beautiful things I saw and all the fun and bonding I had with my girlfriends. Let's just say the trip was a success in so very many ways (well except for sick kids while we were gone, but I won't go there now...) and I am elated that we took this time out as friends and women to enjoy some time together. Here is one of my favorite views from our trip from the Gloria Ferrer winery... I have SO much more to say but must go to bed now...

I Am Who I Am

Can I just tell y'all how excited I am that my bloggy friend Kristen agreed to guest post here? I can? Good! I am so EXCITED!


I "found" her in this bloggy world one day when I decided to click on her name in the comments on another blog and I am so glad I did! Her wonderful blog, Loving Our Simple Life, is full of joy and she has such a true love for her family that comes through in EVERY single post she does, inlcuding this one. Thanks Kristen for sharing your words and family here at my place!







When the ever fabulous Elaine asked me to do a guest post for her, I was flattered.

And then, I was nervous.

What should I write about?

I could talk about the girl's weekend I took last November. When 3 friends and I took off from our sunny state in the Southwest and flew to San Francisco. How I was a nervous wreck leaving behind our 14 month old and 2 year old. How I questioned the whole way there, as to why I deserved this kind of break from a job that I had chosen. How until the plane landed I was pretty much riddled with my own self-inflicted guilt.

But once the plane landed, a relaxed state took place that I had been missing in my life. And from that point on, vacation, truly was what it was.

We went shoe shopping. At Nordstrom's. My all time favorite place to buy shoes. And not once, did I place a goldfish cracker into a stroller compartment so "Mama could have one more second."

We shopped for hours at 3 different H&M's. Where we all tried on piles and piles of clothes. And not once, did I search for something for the kids.

We ate dinner late. Like after 8 PM late. When we were hungry. And not once, did we let others eat off of our plates.

We slept in. Like after 8 AM slept in. And not once, did the sound of a monitor and someone calling my name rouse me.

It was therapy, it truly was. But the fact that it was a year ago, makes it somewhat pathetic for me to go on and on about.

Then I thought I could write something funny, or earth shattering, or thought provoking about being a mom.

But each time one of those ideas came to mind, I thought "who am I kidding"? I am so not one of those blog writers.

The fact is, that I really truly write for my kids. They are who I am. They are the reason I get up each morning. They are what I plan my day around. And they are most definitely my favorite way to spend my moments. See my husband had a benign brain tumor a year and half ago. And since that time, I truly try to live each moment for what it is. Another chance to love on those that matter most.

So most days you will not find me shoe shopping at Nordstrom's, or trying on piles of clothes at H & M. But you will find me hugging, laughing, chasing, and playing with my two little sweet peas. These moments go by too quickly for me to miss.

The Best of Both Worlds

I am thrilled to have Christina guest posting while I am away. She is an AWESOME photographer (as can be seen here when she took our pictures back in May and pretty much every day on her blog!) and a truly loving mother, wife and friend. Please make her feel welcome in my absence!




Hey there! I'm Christina, and I'm tickled pink to be here!
It's been several months now since Elaine became the first bloggy friend I ever met IRL. And now here I am, commemorating another bloggy milestone with her: my first ever guest post! I have to admit, I was kinda hoping today would also mark the first time I hitched a ride to an awesome Sonoma vacation, but hey, not all things are meant to be. ;o)

Anyway, as the mother of two (cute!) young sons, Elaine knows all about snips, snails and puppy dog tails - you know, the things rough and tumble little boys thrive on.

I too have a growing familiarity with such things. But no, I don't have a son.
I have just one daughter, and "Princess" could be her middle name. She has a collection of at least a dozen purses (and yes, they all get used), and she's all about playing Little Mommy. A dab of my lip balm is enough to send her over the moon with joy. The drawers of her dresser are stuffed with adorable shorts that never see the light of day, as she instead chooses the same few "boo-full" dresses day after day. She can name every single Disney princess, despite having seen none of the movies. She is the ultimate girly girl.

But she's not ALL girly girl.

Oh no, that's just half of my girl.

The other half is wild and crazy tomboy. Whacking things with sticks brings her endless joy. Our basket of trucks sees at least as much action as the basket of doll clothes. Handy Manny is her favorite show, and she "fixes" everything she encounters (there's a reason that's in quotes...don't be surprised if your belongings don't work quite as well once she's done "fixing" them!). She is unbelievably tough, barely batting an eye at the blood oozing down her leg following one of her daredevil stunts gone wrong.

Sugar and spice....snips snails and puppy dog tails - she's got it all!

This series of photos from a few days ago sums her up just about perfectly.

As she danced around the yard in her frilly pink tutu, a pink fairy wand in her outstretched hand, ideas of the perfect princess portrait began to dance through my mind.



Of course, she had other ideas. "I'm Handy Nadia" she delared, and she settled down with her tools to "fix" the mirror. Apparently she's never heard the phrase "if it aint broke, don't fix it."



I never quite got my elegant princess pose. But ya know, I like this way better. This is HER!



She gives me the best of both worlds. I get to experience both the joy of a girly girl and the fun of a tomboy, all wrapped up in one special little gal. And I wouldn't trade it for anything.



I've learned something from her foot-in-both-worlds personality, too. Life's not black and white. It's not always either/or choices. Sometimes, it's okay to say "I want both!"

So when Thanksgiving rolls around (yeah, I know it's still over a month away...but I was thinking about my menu today!) and someone asks "pumpkin or pecan?" I'm gonna say "both!"....and then I'll snuggle up next to my girly little tomboy to share a plate of pie.

How 'bout you?