Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Bottle Day

Along with Louie and friends, I  recently visited Reid Family Winery (jkirkwood)  in Napa and spent the day bottling a entire barrel of 2007 Merlot. It was fun to go through the bottling process, especially since we were bottling under the direction of someone who knew what they were doing.

Our "job" began at 10 a.m and when we finished a few hours later, we had bottled 120 bottles of  wine. Maybe you'll find a bottle at your table next time I visit!



Bottles waiting to be filled



The filling station




A baster is used to adjust the ullage
Definition - Ullage:  "the amount by which the contents fall short of filling a container, as a cask or bottle"
Whatever....




You  need to pump this machine with your foot to insert the cork
(cork must be put in straight otherwise the foil, which comes next, gets crinkly)
Orange shoes optional.



Foiler adds foil and then sticks bottle in this machine to seal it up


Voile!


Waiting for the lunch crowd......





A poolside lunch is always tre cool


Fern Buddha checking things out



Bird Casita


Found items



These weren't the exact grapes we used but you get the "picture"

Salud!!








Wednesday, November 24, 2010

I am Thankful........

There's lots of bumps and thumps in life but at end of the day I am thankful for...


Superman......


Superkids.....




Supercat.....



My House......

 

Happy Thanksgiving OaklandBreakfasters!

Friday, November 19, 2010

Hats

Hats always catch my eye..................


White gloves with her hat in Shanghai



Helmet = Hat = rue St. Honore = Paris


On Easter Island, did they wear rock hats????



I love this hat - South of France!

featherhat

Vintage 1940's Featherhat -  quite lovely



A found "treasure" at the Marche d'Aligre - Paris



A bridal veil counts as a hat - Tuscany



My friend Yogarden took this shot in Lima, Peru and she shared with me and I share with you!
How many hats does she have??



Don Draper and his hat leaves me speechless except for one word..vavavoom!!


Have a Happy/Hatty Weekend Oakland Breakfasters!

 




Monday, November 15, 2010

Chocolate




The real deal - Swiss chocolate in Zurich Switzerland
- oh they were soooooo good!


Tea and mouth watering deep, rich, dark chocolate nuggets go very well together, wouldn't you say?


In Mexico, these "loaves" of chocolate will be used to make mole


A scrumptious nest of chocolate covered strawberries


Chocolate mousse, raspberries, corn cake  - oh my!
17th Arrondisment - Paris

...

Even gnomes want in on the act....



These two had waaayyy too much chocolate.......


Long live chocolate!



Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Once Upon a Tile

Tiles have been around for over 4,000 years and can be found in almost every continent in the world.  Here are some of my favorites. If you look closely enough, you'll find beautiful new and vintage tile wherever you go!




This one was found in front of a camera/stationary store in Assisi, Italy


The tile in front of this door in Chile glams up the concrete



Royal Palace in Morocco - breathtaking wouldn't you say?


My favorite tile color (Blue) in subway at my 2nd favorite city in the world - NYC!



My homies will recogonize this tile work from Swan's Market in downtown Oakland.




Saw this on display and I really liked the simplicty - Art Deco Dragonfly


Waves in Tile = Puerto Vallarta

In India, this tile was posted on wall of house built with funding from program dedicated to Indira Ghandi



Though no where as beautiful as the others, even the Space Shuttle has tiles!

Have you seen any tiles today?




Sunday, November 7, 2010

Daylight Savings Time - Today

Have you moved your clock one hour back?? 


Bell Tower - Montepulciano, Italy

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Bootsies

Winter rain is right around the corner -  time to get your boots on!





These Paris boots will keep your tootsies warm on the inside



 

Crazy socks to wear under your galoshes




This is what the fashionistas wear  in the People's Republic of China



These boots were made for walkin' (in the rain)..and that's just what they'll do
one of these days these rain boots are gonna walk all over you......




Way fashionable Chloe boots but I wouldn't wear these puppies to jump puddles



In Tuscany, Mellow Yellow is hiding in the back...NOT!



John, Paul, George and Ringo liked their Chelsea Boots with a cuban heel
- and they do look waterproof too




Slicker - check
Umbrella - check
Rain boots - check (at least Debbie has hers!)



I think these Zacatecano marching boots can be used for rainy days too, don't you?




(Rain) Bootsy Collins

Stay Dry Oakland Breakfasters!






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